THEATRE REVIEW: Oedipus starring Rami Malek, Indira Varma & Cecilia Noble at the Old Vic

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Friday 25 January 2025, opening 4 February and running through 29 March 2025 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

There’s so much to rave about in this razor-sharp adaptation of this Greek tragedy containing a 1st stage performance in 18 years by Oscar winner Rami Malek (film Bohemian Rhapsody) but it’s too often left flatfooted by pointless techno dance breaks.

  • Read on for reasons including how from our row 5 seat we can see Malek’s eyes sparkle in the lights as they glaze with tears
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2025 Heat 5 starring Scarlet, Victoria Silvstedt & Arvingarna

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By Neil Durham

WHEN?: Saturday 1 March 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Husqvana Garden, Jönköping

Last year we wrote of Scarlet’s Circus X that it boasted ‘the most thrilling climax to a song we’ve heard all Eurovision season’ and its striking visuals would foreshadow the similar styling of Ireland’s Bambie Thug which romped home in 6th beating the Swedish entry, equalling the country’s best result for 24 years.

  • Read on for reasons including underwear model Victoria Silvstedt and former winners Arvingarna
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THEATRE REVIEW: Inside No 9 Stage/Fright starring Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith at Wyndham’s Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 18 January 2025, running through 5 April 2025 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Update: UK tour runs 9 September through 29 November 2025 Tickets

Steve Pemberton (The Pillowman, Duke Of York’s Theatre) and Reece Shearsmith (The Unfriend, Criterion Theatre) are established West End performers and the theatre incarnation of their award-winning anthology TV show Inside No 9 is an elegant full stop to it.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is what Pet Shop Boys and Morecambe and Wise would do
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2025 Heat 4 starring Måns Zelmerlöw, Andreas Lundstedt & Tennessee Tears

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: Saturday 22 February 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Malmö Arena, Malmö

Zelmerlöw is the big favourite to win MF for a 2nd time after triumphing in 2015 with Heroes which finished 3rd in the Eurovision televote behind Italy and Russia but went on to triumph.

  • Read on for reasons including Andreas Lundstedt from Alcazar & Tennessee Tears
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FILM REVIEW: Queer starring Daniel Craig & Drew Starkey

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

It’s been quite the year for director Luca Guadagnino who helmed 2 of the hottest films of 2024 with this following tennis love match Challengers.

  • Read on for reasons including how former Bond Craig has succeeded in shaking off the baggage associated with that iconic role with this slow burn hit
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PREVIEW: Benidorm Fest 2025 – Eurovision selection show for Spain – starring Sonia y Selena

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WHEN?: Tuesday 28 January, Thursday 30 January through Saturday 1 February 2025

WHERE?: Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm

Spain achieved its best Eurovision result for 27 years with the 1st winner of Benidorm Fest – Chanel’s SloMo was 3rd – but the last 2 years have seen finishes in 17th and 22nd.

  • Read on for reasons including Sonia y Selena, Nebulossa returns, Melody & K!ngdom
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THEATRE REVIEW: El Dia De La Marmota (Groundhog Day in Catalan) at Teatre Coliseum, Barcelona

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 10 January, running through 22 March 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’ve been regularly visiting Barcelona for the last 25 years and only ever seen the musicals we love in Spanish, English or a mixture and so this is our 1st in the native Catalan.

  • Read on for reasons including how this joyous production stays true to the life-affirming charms of the London original
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2025 Heat 3 starring Dolly Style, Malou Prytz & Annika Wickihalder

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By Neil Durham

WHEN?: Saturday 15 February 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: ABB Arena, Västerås

Will it be 4th time lucky for a girl band with a rotating membership to rival the UK’s own Sugababes?

  • Read on for reasons including Dolly Style, Malou Prytz and Annika Wickihalder
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Lightning Thief starring Max Harwood & Joaquin Pedro Valdes at the Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 5 January 2025, runs through 31 August 2025 RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this coming-of-age story riffing on Greek mythology is the way it encourages difference to be viewed as a superpower.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical is a triumph of world building rather let down by its songs
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