Välkomna to our review of Melodifestivalen heat 1 and our own exclusive Mello afterparty curated especially for you, dear reader.
What did you think of tonight’s opening show?
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 4/2 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)
WHERE: Scandinavium, Gothenburg
It’s not unusual for heat 1 of Melodifestivalen to spring a song to beat and we definitely think there’s one here – and it may not be the one you were expecting.
WORTH A LOOK?: **
WHERE: Phoenix Theatre
WHEN: 31/1, runs to 22/4
When we ask at the bar why this new musical’s soundtrack is not available to buy in the foyer we’re told it has something to do with the charity it is fundraising for. Which seems unlikely.
WHERE?: BFI
WHEN: 23/1
Last year’s production of The Boys In The Band (Park Theatre) was one of our top five theatre revivals of 2016, earning itself a monsta nomination.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
UK RELEASE: 27/1
One can’t help but feel for actor Ewen Bremner who played the lead in the stage version of the original Trainspotting but was replaced by Ewan McGregor for the film.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Duke Of York’s Theatre
WHEN: 28/1 runs to 29/4
We’re sat in the dark at the end of the third row in the second half of this Broadway transfer and suddenly become aware that audience members around us are crying.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT IN THE UK: 17/2
When NASA chief Kevin Costner takes a baseball bat to a sign saying ‘Colored washroom’ at its US headquarters it’s a giddy, shooting-to-the-stars moment for the audience.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: 27/1
Long-standing fans of this band have been aware for a while about how easily their more folk musings sit alongside the electro anthems that have propelled them to their most popular periods.
WHERE?: BFI
WHEN: 25/7
‘It was the best piece of writing I’d ever read,’ remembers Sir John Hurt reflecting on TV’s The Naked Civil Servant (pictured above) after a showing at the BFI.
WHEN?: 7.30pm Friday 27/1
WHERE: Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
It’s almost 200 days since the UK voted Brexit and this week we choose our 2017 Eurovision entry.
