THEATRE REVIEW: Brigadoon starring Louis Gaunt at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Monday 4 August, opens 11 August and runs through 20 September 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

This outdoor setting is the perfect venue for this updated musical of 2 crashed World War Two airmen who stumble across a Scottish Highlands village seemingly suspended in time and not on any map.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a thoughtful re-imagination of a classic which deserves to be seen in this glorious outdoor venue
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THEATRE REVIEW: Good Night, Oscar starring Sean Hayes at the Barbican Centre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Friday 1 August, opens 6 August and runs through 21 September 2025 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

Sean Hayes won the 2023 Best Actor Tony for this portrayal of comedian and pianist Oscar Levant and here makes his London debut in a show which takes a peek behind the curtain of the exploitation of mental illness for entertainment.

  • Read on for reasons including how Good Night, Oscar proves darkly comic, hugely thought-provoking and ultimately extremely moving
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LAST NIGHT: THEATRE REVIEW: The Fifth Step starring Jack Lowden & Martin Freeman @SohoPlace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN? Saturday 26 July 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Like all of the greatest actors, Jack Lowden (Measure For Measure, Donmar) is absolutely unrecognisable as Scottish incel Luka here compared with the role of flawed hero River Cartwright he is perhaps best known for in Apple TV’s fine Slow Horses.

  • Read on for reasons including how we laughed a lot at The Fifth Step and the dexterity of the wordplay is quite beautiful
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THEATRE REVIEW: Intimate Apparel starring Samira Wiley, Kadiff Kirwan & Faith Omole at Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 26 July, runs through 9 August 2025 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Jack Thorne (The Motive And The Cue, National Theatre) recently described Lynn Nottage, the author of this play, as ‘the closest thing to a living Shakespeare we have’ and on the evidence of this production it’s easy to see why.

  • Read on for reasons including how Intimate Apparel is ultimately devastating as we realise the truth of Esther’s situation
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GIG REVIEW: Culture Club & Heather Small at Uptown Festival, Blackheath

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 27 July 2025, Uptown Festival at Blackheath

Song Three Lions was played as the Lionesses won the Euros on penalties shortly before former M People frontwoman Heather Small took to the stage.

  • Read on for reasons including Roachford, Johnny Hates Jazz & Jaki Graham
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THEATRE REVIEW: Brixton Calling at Southwark Playhouse

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WORTH A LOOK?: *** (review ticket)

WHEN?: Friday 25 July 2025 (press night), runs through 16 August 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

The best thing about this story of the rejuvenation of 1 of London’s greatest venues is its cast playing instruments evoking punk, reggae, rave and rock filling the listener with belief that music at its best really can change the world.

  • Read on for reasons including the true story of how Simon Parkes founded Brixton Academy
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INTERVIEW: Wendy James formerly of Transvision Vamp on The Shape Of History

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

Wendy James tours her 10th album The Shape Of History across the UK later this year and took some time out to tell us about what to expect from those gigs, life after Transvision Vamp and its Australian return.

  • Read on for reasons including what to expect from Wendy James’ solo tour this autumn
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Shook by Sugababes (week beginning Thursday 24 July 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy were the original Sugababes and it feels only right that more than a quarter of a century after 1st forming they should be back together under that name and releasing some of their strongest ever material.

  • Read on for reasons including how Shook is the sound of a band back at the top of their game
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THEATRE WORKSHOP: Mona Loser at Southwark Playhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN? Saturday 19 July 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan are best known for musical Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) which won our 2023 Best New Musical monsta.

  • Read on for reasons including to hear a song from the new musical and how Mona Loser shows great promise
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