AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/Film Actor 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Hot Mess: A new musical at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Monday 20 October, opens 22 October and runs through 8 November 2025 RUNTIME: 65 minutes (no interval)

This scorching, thought-provoking 2-handed musical imagines a love story between Earth and humanity against a backdrop of worsening climate change.

  • Read on for reasons including how we wouldn’t be at all surprised if Hot Mess scorches its way to the West End next
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GIG REVIEW/INTERVIEW: Welly at Papillon, Southampton

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN? Tuesday 14 October, tour runs through 1 November 2025

I can’t count how many times we’ve seen Welly, kings of observation-ridden indie pop for the thinking fan.

  • Read on for reasons including how this young Damon Albarn is inspired by Charli XCX’s brat
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THEATRE REVIEW: Clarkston starring Joe Locke & Ruaridh Mollica at Trafalgar Studios

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 3 October, runs through 22 November 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Heartstopper‘s Locke plays Jake who is being trained by Ruaridh Mollica’s Chris to work the nightshift in the warehouse of superstore CostCo stacking shelves.

  • Read on for reasons including how Heartstopper fans won’t feel shortchanged by a drama which offers 1 of its stars navigating similar subject matter to the show that made his name
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Venue of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Code starring Tracie Bennett & John Partridge at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Saturday 11 October (matinee), runs through 11 October 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Bennett is arguably best known for her Olivier and Tony nominations as Judy Garland in End Of The Rainbow and here plays bisexual actress Tallulah Bankhead on the night she discovers to her surprise that she’s not being cast in the film of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

  • Read on for reasons including whether this delightfully cast treat deserves a West End transfer
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GIG REVIEW: The Divine Comedy at the Barbican Centre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Sunday 12 October, tour runs through 11 July 2026

Setlist: Achilles; The Last Time I Saw The Old Man; When The Lights Go Out All Over Europe; Rainy Sunday Afternoon; Have You Ever Been In Love?; Norman And Norma; Generation Sex; Leaving Today; The Plough; The Man Who Turned Into A Chair; Songs Of Love; At The Indie Disco; Neapolitan Girl; Mar-a-Lago By The Sea; A Lady Of A Certain Age; Our Mutual Friend; The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter; Other People; Absent Friends; Becoming More Like Alfie; Something For The Weekend; National Express; The Booklovers; Invisible Thread; Tonight We Fly

We’re in the 12th row of this sold-out 1,943-capacity venue for the 2nd consecutive night here by this band and the fan in the seat next to us slips off his shoes shortly before curtain up to appreciate the gig better.

  • Read on for reasons including why The Divine Comedy offer the most comfortable 2 hours in public without your shoes
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GIG REVIEW: Robert Forster And His Swedish Band at The Gate, Cardiff

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Andrew Mosley

WHEN? Friday 10 October, tour runs through 19 October 2025

It’s almost 40 years since I first clapped eyes on and lent ears to the wonder of The Go-Betweens.

  • Read on for reasons including how the former Go-Between incorporates the band’s songs into this set
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Unbelievers starring Nicola Walker at the Royal Court Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 11 October, opens 16 October and runs through 29 November 2025 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

Walker (Unicorn, Garrick Theatre) plays mother Miriam Wright whose teenage schoolboy son has gone missing and is determined to leave no stone unturned to find him.

  • Read on for reasons including how those hoping this might repeat the West End transfer and awards success of the recent Giant may have a long wait
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Podcast of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

  • Read on for the nominees for the monsta for the Best Podcast of 2025 2024 winner Kermode and Mayo’s Take Listen 2023 AussieVision 2021 and 2022 winner Second Cherry
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