THEATRE REVIEW: Brixton Calling at Southwark Playhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

SONG OF THE WEEK: Jellyfish by Sigrid (week beginning Saturday 19 July 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Jellyfish is the sound of schools breaking up for summer, lotion lathered on lazy sunbathers and the moon lighting the way home after a giddy evening.

  • Read on for reasons including how Jellyfish is ridiculous, oddly threatening and perhaps even occasionally suggesting of asexuality
Read More

PREVIEW/Q&A: Bookish starring Mark Gatiss & Polly Walker at BFI

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Monday 14 July, series drops from 16 July 2025 RUNTIME: Each of 6 episodes is 60 minutes

Gabriel Book is the name of the new detective creation by Mark Gatiss (The Motive And The Cue, National Theatre) who runs a London book shop in 1946 while not solving crime.

  • Read on for reasons including how Bookish is fiendishly clever, hugely funny and tremendously moving
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs at Kiln Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 12 July (matinee), runs through 15 July 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Ana wants closeted girlfriend Lori to join a lesbian choir to find some shared pride in their relationship.

  • Read on for reasons including how this play really bares its teeth and bites down on division
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Four Play starring Jo Foster & Daniel Bravo at King’s Head Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Sunday 13 July, opens 15 July and runs through 17 August 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

The best thing about this 4-hander about monogamy in gay relationships is Foster’s (Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre) heartfelt performance as Andy as they try to salvage their open relationship with gym-obsessed Michael (Daniel Bravo, Cruel Intentions, Other Palace).

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s a thrill to see such intimate and thought-provoking material in a studio setting
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Sing Street at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN? Saturday 12 July, opens 18 July and runs through 23 August 2025 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

Everything Stops For Top Of The Pops is the opening number of this new musical based on a film which encapsulates first love, the thrill of pop music and wanting to escape 80s Dublin for the freedom of London.

  • Read on for reasons including why Sing Street is Once‘s cute younger brother and deserves a West End transfer
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2025 starring Ncuti Gatwa in Born With Teeth

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Born With Teeth starring Ncuti Gatwa

Former Doctor Who Gatwa (The Importance Of Being Earnest, National Theatre) stars opposite Edward Bluemel (Love In Idleness, Menier Chocolate Factory) in this story of playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare at the Wyndham’s Theatre 13 August through 1 December 2025. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Brigadoon, Steps’ musical Here And Now and Materialists
Read More