PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 5 2026 starring Sanna Nielsen, Bladë & AleXa

By Aline Mahrud

WHERE? Gärdehov, Sundsvall WHEN? Saturday 28 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

Nielsen is the 2nd former Melodifestivalen winner competing in its 66th year and finished 3rd in Copenhagen in 2014 singing the gorgeous Undo.

  • Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
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THEATRE REVIEW: Guess How Much I Love You? starring Rosie Sheehy & Robert Aramayo at the Royal Court

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 17 January, opens 22 January and runs through 21 February 2026 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (without interval)

A pregnant couple make small talk and play guessing games as they await the result of their 20-week scan.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the 1st great new play of 2026 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Beautiful Little Fool starring David Hunter, Hannah Corneau & Lauren Ward at Southwark Playhouse (The Large)

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 16 January, opens 22 January and runs through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

Corneau (pictured centre above) has written the music and lyrics for this look at the life of Zelda Fitzgerald and her husband F. Scott, who wrote classic novel The Great Gatsby, through the eyes of their daughter.

  • Read on for reasons including how Corneau has great potential and may well go on to write and star in something quite exceptional next
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THEATRE REVIEW: Gerry & Sewell at the Aldwych Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Thursday 15 January 2026, runs through 24 January 2026 (review ticket) RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Non-league Macclesfield beat FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 5 days ago and Gerry & Sewell is the giant-killing theatrical equivalent.

  • Read on for reasons including how Gerry & Sewell is about the everyday hopes and dreams that every one of us needs to keep going, pet
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 4 2026 starring Meira Omar & Smash Into Pieces

By Aline Mahrud

WHERE? Malmö Arena, Malmö WHEN? Saturday 21 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

Omar made it out of last year’s Andra Chansen to finish 10th with Hush Hush, an attempt to bring the Bollywood to Melodifestivalen.

  • Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dracapella starring Keala Settle (but not this night) & Ako Mitchell at Park Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 10 January 2026, runs through 17 January 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this jukebox musical loosely retelling the Dracula story via the medium of acapella hits is the entrancing blend of voices on show.

  • Read on for reasons including how Dracapella was more pain in the neck for us than giving eternal life
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THEATRE REVIEW: Daniel’s Husband starring Joel Harper-Jackson, Liza Sadovy & David Bedella

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 10 January (matinee) and runs through 10 January 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Should gay couples get married because they can?

  • Read on for reasons including how Daniel’s Husband deserves a West End transfer because the questions it asks have never been more pertinent than now
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FILM REVIEW: Hamnet starring Jessie Buckley & Paul Mescal

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Friday 9 January 2026 on its UK release date RUNTIME: 126 minutes

Jessie Buckley deserves all the Best Actress Oscar attention she is attracting for this showstopping role as Agnes Hathaway, a woman renowned as a ‘forest witch’ who marries budding author William Shakespeare.

  • Read on for reasons including how Hamnet offers explosive Oscar-worthy performances
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 3 2026 starring Saga Ludvigsson, Medina & Patrik Jean

By Aline Mahrud

WHERE? Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad WHEN? Saturday 14 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

Saga Ludvigsson made last year’s final on her debut finishing 12th with Hate You So Much.

  • Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
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