PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for July 2019

  1. Blues In The Night starring Sharon D. Clarke

Olivier winners D. Clarke and Clive Rowe take part in this compilation of 26 hot and torchy blues numbers that frame the lives and loves of four residents of a downtown hotel. Runs 18/7 to 7/9/19 at the Kiln Theatre. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The Night Of The Iguana, Janelle Monae and a revival of a Pet Shop Boys musical

Read More

AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best TV of 2019 so far

We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. The Bridge, Stranger Things, Queers and Killing Eve are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our best TV shows of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Afterglow starring Jesse Fox, Sean Hart & Danny Mahoney at the Southwark Playhouse

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Southwark Playhouse RUNTIME: 90 minutes

WHEN? 8/6 (matinee), opened 11/6, runs to 20/7/2019

Married couple Josh and Alex have invited Darius into the bed at their present-day New York apartment and we join them during their noisy naked threesome as the play opens.

  • Read on for reasons including how this play with an onstage shower found its US audience

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Gwendoline Christie at the Bridge Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Bridge Theatre RUNTIME: 2 hours and 40 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: 7/6, opens 11/6 and runs to 31/8/19 (To be broadcast by National Theatre Live 17/10/19)

The last time we saw an immersive Midsummer it was called The Donkey Show, it was set in a 70s New York nightclub and boasted a soundtrack of disco classics.

  • Read on for reasons including how Gwendoline Christie from Game Of Thrones fares here

Read More

AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best theatre revival of 2019 so far

We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. Company, Follies and Shakespeare Trilogy are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best revivals of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

Read More

SONG OF THE MONTH: Norman and Norma by The Divine Comedy (June 2019)

OUT: now

Looking for an affectionate song about the peculiarly British awkwardness about sex in relationships that is as good as the best of Victoria Wood but here sounds like it’s sung by Jarvis Cocker?

  • Read on for reasons including where to see Divine Comedy on tour

Read More

AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best theatre actress of 2019 so far

We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. Sheridan Smith, Jade Anouka, Imelda Staunton and Sharon D. Clarke are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best theatre actresses of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

Read More

FILM REVIEW: Rocketman starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell & Richard Madden

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

RUNTIME: 121 minutes

OUT: 22/5/2019 (UK certificate 15)

We are living in a golden age of musical biopics being wonderfully realised by Hollywood and the director here, Dexter Fletcher, completed work on last year’s Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody which will inevitably be compared with this.

  • Read on for reasons including how this could easily be adapted to a West End musical

Read More

GIG REVIEW: Christine and the Queens and Metronomy at All Points East

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Victoria Park

WHEN? 26/5 and runs to 2/6/19 (Christine and the Queens tour until 31/8/19)

We 1st saw Christine and The Queens the morning after the Brexit vote and here the French act take to the stage as the results of the unexpected 2019 European elections are announced.

  • Read on for reasons including whether the sound had improved since criticism on Saturday night

Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for June 2019

  1. Gwendoline Christie in Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge

Last year’s immersive Shakespeare experience at the Bridge was a real high point of the programming thus far at the newish venue and so we’re super excited for this not least because the cast includes Game Of Thrones star Christie alongside Oliver Chris and David Moorst. Runs 3/6 through 31/8/19. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Andrew Scott, Tales Of the City and Sheridan Smith

Read More