PREVIEW: 5 reasons why we can’t wait for new Hurts album Desire

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. They’re ever more LGBTQ friendly

Happiness. Exile. Surrender … and now Desire – all four of Hurts’ album titles have spoken to what it is to be an outsider. As their lyrics and music do. Their LGBTQ audience has never been more embraced than for the video for the first single of this campaign (still above, clip below) Beautiful Ones. Fans of recent BBC1 drama Rellik will be familiar with the story line playing out in reverse.

  • Read on for reasons including the video for their best new single for years

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GIG REVIEW: OnBlackheath starring Metronomy and Julian Clary

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Blackheath

WHEN: 9 and 10/9

We’re not here for the live exhibitions from the celebrity chefs or children’s entertainment and arrive an hour later than planned because one of the acts we wanted to see pulled out at the last minute.

  • Read on for reasons including the highlights from Saturday which are Metronomy and Basement Jaxx

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PREVIEW: Our 5 wishes for Strictly Come Dancing 2017

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN: starts 9/9 BBC1 7pm, runs to 16/12

  1. Jonnie Peacock wins

We saw the 24-year-old amputee win gold at the 2012 Paralympics and 2017 World Championships at the London Stadium. He’s a credit to his sport, athletes often do well in Strictly and, perhaps because of his obvious disadvantage, we’ll be rooting for him to win.

  • Read on for reasons including why a former Communard mustn’t leave us too soon

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FILM REVIEW: God’s Own Country starring Josh O’Connor & Alec Secareanu

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WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Greenwich Picturehouse

WHEN: 1/9, released 1/9

Yorkshire sheep farmer Johnny Saxby (Josh O’Connor) is binge drinking and having one night stands when he’s not keeping the farm running for his ill father.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the first post-Brexit love story

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INVESTIGATION: Should you join your favourite theatre as a member?

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

Would becoming a member of your favourite theatre make it easier for you to get the most in-demand tickets? We became a member of eight of our favourite venues and bought one group membership to see what the value for money is.

  • Read on to find out what membership of the Almeida, ATG, new Bridge Theatre, British Film Institute, Chichester Festival Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, National Theatre, Old Vic and Young Vic gets you

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GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival, Southsea

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey

WHEN?: 25-27/8

WHERE: Southsea Common

Don’t read that, read this. This is the heavy, heavy Victorious sound. The Southsea-est sound around. So if you’ve come in off the street, and you’re beginning to feel the heat, well listen buster, you’d better start to move your feet, to the rockin-est, rocksteady beat of Victorious. One Step Beyond!

  • Read on for reasons including a review of the highlights from all 3 days

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THEATRE REVIEW: Follies starring Imelda Staunton, Tracie Bennett & Janie Dee

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN: 26/8, press night 6/9 runs to 3/1/2018

Four-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton last won for her starring role in Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy but plays a very different part here.

  • Read on for reasons including why this version of Follies is the one to see

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Young Frankenstein re-animates the Garrick

The Garrick Theatre had some success earlier this year with Griff Rhys Jones/Lee Mack comedy The Miser and this musical re-working of the Mel Brooks classic looks like it will be puttin’ on the Ritz with a cast including Ross Noble (see above) and Lesley Joseph. Runs 28/9 to February 2018. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Sir Ian McKellen, new Hurts and Strictly Comes Dancing does Annie

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Q&A: Stephen Sondheim on Follies starring Imelda Staunton

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WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN: 22/8

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim was in his 20s when he wrote the words for Gypsy in 1959 and is here tonight at the National Theatre for the first preview of the revival of his hit Follies starring Imelda Staunton.

  • Read on for reasons including all the gossip from the National production starring Imelda Staunton

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THEATRE REVIEW: Loot starring Calvin Demba and Sam Frenchum

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Park Theatre

WHEN: 19/8, press night 23/8 runs to 24/9

Playwright Joe Orton was murdered half a century ago and this production of one of his greatest hits Loot is the first of the comedy in its uncensored form.

  • Read on for reasons including how this farce became even more so thanks to a set malfunction

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