By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 7pm UK time Saturday 11 February 2023
WHERE?: Saab Arena, Linköping WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
Wiktoria (pictured) returns to MF after 4 years away with her 4th entry with 4th being her best ever finish with her debut entry Save Me in 2016.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN?: Tuesday 10 January (press ticket), runs to 4 February 2023
RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
We cast our eye across the audience at this 200-seat venue and we can see Beverley Knight, David Morrissey, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 7pm UK time Saturday 4 February 2023
WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenburg WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
Melodifestivalen returns to the venue of the 1985 Eurovision for a 1st heat in its 2023 edition which sees the swift return to the MF stage of the contest’s 1st openly transgender participant – Tone Sekelius (pictured above) – who finished 5th last year with the uptempo anthem My Way.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Matilda songwriter Tim Minchin (Groundhog Day, Old Vic) took to social media over the holidays to explain why this film was available on Netflix on Christmas Day in every country apart from the UK.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 12 and 14 January, with a final on 11 February 2023
WHERE?: Tondiraba Ice Hall, Tallinn Watch on ERR
Stefan’s Hope finished 13th in Eurovision 2022 and it was our 3rd favourite in that year’s Eesti Laul with lots of big-hitters to beat.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: *** RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
WHEN?: Saturday 3 December (matinee), runs to 21 January 2023
Director Clint Dyer told the New York Times of his 1st visit to this venue in the 80s when he saw a picture in the auditorium of Laurence Olivier in blackface in the title role of this play in the 60s that broke his heart.
monstagigz readers have been voting throughout November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2022 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2022 monstas winners …
We last saw Turner on a West End stage 4 years ago in Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noel Coward Theatre) and Coleman at the Old Vic in 2019 in All My Sons. Lemons is a revival of a 2015 two-hander with a running time of just 75 minutes about the importance of words, is directed by Josie Rourke (Sweet Charity, Donmar) and on at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Runs 18 January through 18 March 2023. Tickets Review
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 31 January, 2 and 4 February 2023
WHERE?: Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm Watch on TVE
2022 saw the return of Benidorm Fest as the method for Spain to select its Eurovision entry and our choice to win, Chanel with SloMo, finished 3rd in Turin, Spain’s best result since 1995.
Comer’s West End debut was anticipated eagerly and this review of the Killing Eve star’s 1st preview is the best read piece of content monstagigz has published in its 7-and-a-half year history, let alone in 2022. Vote for Comer to win Best Theatre Actress in our annual monstas and for Prima Facie to win Best New Play. Review Broadway tickets
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