PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest Final starring James Newman, Blas Cantó, Tom Leeb and Ben Dolic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 16/5/2020 (now cancelled, although the EBU is planning a Eurovision Shine A Light show)

WHERE?: Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam

Coronavirus has caused the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in its 65-year history but we’re not letting it spoil our fun and, because we know the 41 songs which would have participated, we’re predicting how the finalists would have done.

  • Read on for our final predictions. We’ll update them ahead of the show as we include our predicted semi 1 and 2 finalists  

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SONG OF THE MONTH: Kings And Queens by Ava Max (April 2020)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

At just 162 seconds, this pop gem manages to combine so many influences and on first listen we’d describe it as very classic Eurovision sounding, both very ABBA and Ace of Base.

  • Read on for reasons including a link to watch the video for April’s lockdown song of the month

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GIG REVIEW: Tim Mahendran via Leave A Light On

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE?: Livestreaming via Leave A Light On courtesy the Theatre Cafe

WHEN: 10/4/20 (matinee)

‘Absolute chaos’, remembers & Juliet star Tim Mahendran of his time in the recording studio with legendary songwriter Max Martin.

  • Read on for reasons including how not even his girlfriend’s DJ malfunction can put Mahendran off his stride

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LAST NIGHT: GIG REVIEW: Reflections on Madonna at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: London Palladium

WHEN: 16/2/20

We weren’t able to finish this review immediately after Madonna’s last night at the London Palladium on her Madame X theatre tour but have decided in the coronavirus lockdown to return to it and reflect on it.

  • Read on for reasons including our thoughts on how Madonna will reinvent the live experience

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GIG REVIEW: Fra Fee via Leave A Light On

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Livestreaming via Leave A Light On courtesy the Theatre Cafe

WHEN: 10/4/20

‘This does make me sad about theatre and how we all really need it. It will come back better than ever because then people will know how much they need it. We just need to be strong for the time being,’ says West End and Broadway star Fra Fee during this intimate internet lockdown gig.

  • Read on for reasons including how Fee reminds of pop stars Rufus Wainwright and Robbie Williams

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PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest Semi 2 starring Daði og Gagnamagnið, Stefania and Ben and Tan

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 14/5/2020 (now cancelled, although the BBC is planning a Eurovision moment for the night of what would have been the final, 16/5/20)

WHERE?: Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam

Coronavirus has caused the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in its 65-year history but we’re not letting it spoil our fun and, because we know the 41 songs which would have participated, we’re predicting who would’ve made the final here from Semi 2.

  • Who would’ve been through and who would’ve been on the 1st plane out of Rotterdam? Read on for our semi 2 predictions 

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GIG REVIEW: Marisha Wallace via Leave A Light On

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Livestreaming via Leave A Light On courtesy the Theatre Cafe

WHEN: 4/4/20

‘You will be OK, you will get through this – stay positive.’ Wallace, star of Dreamgirls and Waitress, is drawing on her own personal experience to give hope during the coronavirus lockdown.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Wallace next in the West End in Hairspray

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INVESTIGATION: Should you join your favourite theatre as a member? (2020 update, part one)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

The Old Vic was the second winner of our Best Theatre Venue monsta last year and in part two are details of what you can expect from patron membership which for us meant sharing a rehearsal room with actors including Fleabag‘s Andrew Scott (pictured above).

  • Read on to find out what membership of the Almeida, ATG, Bridge Theatre, British Film Institute, Delfont Mackintosh, Donmar Warehouse and Globe Theatre gets you

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GIG REVIEW: Jordan Luke Gage via Leave A Light On

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Livestreaming via Leave A Light On courtesy the Theatre Cafe

WHEN: 31/3/20

We first saw Gage in Bat Out Of Hell  and he was starring as Romeo in & Juliet  before the lockdown and so we leapt at the chance to catch him in a more intimate gig.

  • Read on for reasons including what Gage’s dream role in a musical would be

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PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest 2020 Semi 1 starring Little Big, The Mamas and Lesley Roy

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 12/5/2020 (semi 1 now cancelled, although the BBC is planning a Eurovision moment for the night of what would have been the final, 16/5/20)

WHERE?: Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam

Coronavirus has caused the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in its 65-year history but we’re not letting it spoil our fun and, because we know the 41 songs which would have participated, we’re predicting who would’ve made the final here from Semi 1.

  • Who would’ve been through and who would’ve been on the 1st plane out of Rotterdam? Read on for our semi 1 predictions 

Read More