By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Be careful what you wish for is the sentiment that comes to mind as Demi Moore’s faded celebrity Elisabeth Sparkle is dismissed from the aerobics TV show she hosts on her 50th birthday.
It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or 10th annual monstas if you will, of 2024.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Tuesday 5 November 2024 and booking through 31 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (includes a 20-minute interval)
This musical of a beloved 2006 film with a star turn by Meryl Streep goes down a storm at this cavernous venue particularly whenever Williams (City Of Angels, Garrick Theatre) as fashion editor Miranda Priestly emerges striking a pose through the stage’s trapdoor.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Saturday 2 November (matinee), runs through 23 November 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Settle (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) plays Miss Coddle, a new character created for the film Wicked released later this month and she’s by some distance the best reason to catch this new musical at this 300-seater venue.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Saturday 2 November and runs through 9 November 2024 RUNTIME: 70 minutes (without interval)
Dunster (pictured right above) is arguably best known for playing Mancunian striker with a heart Jamie Tartt in Apple’s brilliant comedy Ted Lasso and here shows his versatility as an unsympathetic newlywed who freezes during a plane hijack.
It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.
By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN?: 31 October and tour runs through 29 November 2024
Warmduscher appears to have reached the ranks of one of the bands we’ve seen the most, alongside Welly, Adam Ant, Duran Duran, Shed Seven and Peter Hook!
‘A handbag …?’ New Doctor Who Gatwa stars alongside Best Theatre Actress monsta winner Sharon D Clarke (Caroline, Or Change?, Hampstead Theatre and TV’s Lost Boys and Fairies) and Hugh Skinner (The Trial, Young Vic and film Wicked Little Letters) in Max Webster’s (Minority Report, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith) production of the Oscar Wilde classic comedy at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre 20 November through 25 January 2025. Tickets Vote for Doctor Who to win Best TV of 2024. Our Earnest review
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Saturday 26 October 2024 (matinee), runs through 9 November 2024 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
The best bit in this Elvis Costello musical based on a 1957 US film is when leading man Ramin Karimloo (Murder Ballad, Arts Theatre) leaps into the audience in a political rally as charismatic man of the people Lonesome Rhodes during song Blood and Hot Sauce.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN?: Saturday 26 October 2024, running through 16 November 2024 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Ahluwalia gives a truly rock star performance as 17-year-old Karim growing up in south London’s suburbs in 1976 and lusting after a male classmate.
