THEATRE REVIEW: The Hot Wing King starring Kadiff Kirwan at the Dorfman, National Theatre

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 July 2024, opening 18 July and booking until 14 September 2024 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Actress/screenwriter/director Katori Hall was inspired to write this comedy drama about black gay men for which she won a Pulitzer Prize because she wanted to reflect her brother’s life experiences.

  • Read on for reasons including how this a play that might present a challenge but is definitely worth consuming enthusiastically
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Baker’s Wife starring Lucie Jones & Clive Rowe at Menier Chocolate Factory

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 July 2024 (matinee), opens 17 July and booking until 14 September 2024 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for this forgotten gem and is better known for a musical that has starred his leading lady here (Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre) and opens in its celluloid version on 22 November 2024.

  • Read on for reasons including how we knead to see The Baker’s Wife in a larger venue on its West End transfer
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hello Dolly! starring Dame Imelda Staunton at London Palladium

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 July 2024, opens 18 July and booking until 16 September 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Bette Midler starred in the 2017 Broadway revival of the classic 1964 musical which was an Oscar-winning film 5 years later starring Barbra Streisand so clearly Staunton has some work to do – and do it she does.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a solid if not quite yet spectacular revival of a much-loved show
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Soak Up The Culture/Shopping by Welly (July 2024)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Released in May but feeling more apt now summer holidays are on the horizon, your next favourite band delight once more with lyrics including: ”Je voudrais good time!’ ‘D’ya know the way to Berghain?’ ‘My name’s Holly, I’m from Crawley, and I’m looking for the good wine!”

  • Read on for reasons including where to see your new favourite band next
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THEATRE REVIEW: Your Lie In April starring Zheng Xi Yong & Mia Kobayashi at the Harold Pinter Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 30 June 2024, booking until 21 September 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Update: Now closing 11 August 2024

Grieving piano prodigy Kosei can no longer hear music after the death of his mentor mother until mysterious violinist Kaori arrives as the school’s new girl and turns his world upside down.

  • Read on for reasons including how this has international appeal and makes for a classy addition to the West End
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THEATRE REVIEW: Slave Play starring Kit Harington, Olivia Washington & Fisayo Akinade at the Noel Coward Theatre

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 29 June 2024, running through 21 September 2024 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

The Role Play That Goes Wrong might have been a more illuminating title for this new tale about 3 inter-racial couples seeking help.

  • Read on for reasons including detail of Harington’s unsympathetic naked performance
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for July starring Dame Imelda Staunton in Hello Dolly!

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Dame Imelda Staunton in Hello Dolly! at the Palladium

Staunton won our Best Theatre Actress monsta for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2017 and here stars at the London Palladium in the titular role in this classic 1964 musical about a matchmaker who travels to New York. The starry cast includes Jenna Russell (STEVE, Seven Dials Playhouse), Tyrone Huntley (The View UpStairs, Soho Theatre) and Harry Hepple (Boy Meets Girl Q&A, BFI). Runs 6 July through 14 September 2024. Tickets Our 1st preview review

  • Read on for reasons including Suede and Manic St Preachers at Ally Pally, Cherry Jones at the National & Madness on Blackheath
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SONG OF THE MONTH: A New Bohemia by Pet Shop Boys (June 2024)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Avant Garde was the original title for this song when its music was written on 25 May 2020, according to Pet Shop Boys annual titled, obviously, Annually.

  • Read on for reasons including how Pet Shop Boys album Nonetheless is 1 of the best of 2024 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Wet Feet starring Michael Neri & Matthew Edgar at the Union Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 22 June, runs through 29 June 2024 RUNTIME: 70 minutes (no interval)

We’re amused by the ‘no nudity’ disclaimer in the marketing for this 2-hander about a gay sauna meet-cute.

  • Read on for reasons including why we hope this heartwarming show has further life after this Pride run because it’s both funny and touching
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THEATRE REVIEW: My Father’s Fable starring Rakie Ayola by Faith Omole at Bush Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 22 June, running through 27 July 2024 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Author Faith Omole is perhaps best known for her 2023 Olivier Award-nominated role for Best Actress In A Musical for Richard Hawley’s Standing At The Sky’s Edge.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is 1 of the best new plays we’ve seen so far this year and how it could transfer onto a West End stage
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