FILM REVIEW: Wicked Little Letters starring Olivia Colman & Jessie Buckley

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Tuesday 20 February 2024, UK release Friday 23 February RUNTIME: 100 minutes

Wicked Little Letters is based on a true story from 1920s England of neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton when a series of obscene letters begin to target Edith and others, with suspicion falling upon Rose.

  • Read on for reasons including how the quality of the laugh-out-loud trailer is maintained throughout the film
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Heat 4 starring Dotter & Danny Saucedo

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 24 February 2024

WHERE?: Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

2 Melodifestivalen runners up return to the show at the weekend and we think 1 has the best song so far.

  • Read on for reasons including how we predict these entries will fare on Saturday
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Training Season by Dua Lipa (week beginning Wednesday 21 February 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

We’re expecting this new single to go straight to number 1 in the UK on Friday (24 February) because it’s electronic dance music that no one is doing better right now.

  • Read on for reasons including why this should be Lipa’s 5th UK number 1
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Human Body starring Keeley Hawes & Jack Davenport at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 19 February and runs through 13 April 2024 RUNTIME: 190 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s 1948 and Keeley Hawes (TV’s  It’s A Sin) is GP, housewife and budding MP Iris Elcock who is working all hours to create Nye Bevan’s National Health Service.

  • Read on for reasons including how this drama is beautifully crafted and staged
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THEATRE REVIEW: Shifters starring Tosin Cole at the Bush Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 17 February, opens 23 February and runs through 30 March 2024 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval) Update: Transfers to the Duke Of York’s Theatre 12 August through 12 October 2024 Tickets

Tosin Cole’s Dre and Heather Agyepong’s Des are soul-mates and we follow them over 16 years from their teens to adulthood.

  • Read on for reasons including how we were reminded of Constellations by the fragmented storytelling
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THEATRE REVIEW: Standing At The Sky’s Edge at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 17 February (matinee), opens Wednesday 28 February and runs through 3 August 2024 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

As we write, Labour appears on the cusp of reclaiming power in the UK for the 1st time in 14 years and we suspect those characters onstage in Richard Hawley’s Standing On The Sky’s Edge would be pleased.

  • Read on for reasons including why Standing At The Sky’s Edge is the West End’s biggest weepie
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Scared Of Heights by Hera Bjork (February 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

Iceland’s Eurovision selection show Söngvakeppnin starts tomorrow and Bjork competes in the 2nd semi final on Saturday (24 February) with this uptempo gospel-influenced pop.

  • Read on for reasons including how 1 of this song’s writers worked with Dadi Freyr
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 3 starring Cazzi Opeia, Clara Klingenström & Jacqline

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 17 February 2024

WHERE?: Vida Arena, Växjö WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

Last week our predictions were 100 per cent correct – can we do the same again this week?

  • Read on for reasons including our predictions for who is going straight to the 9 March finalen
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pacific Overtures at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 28 January (matinee), runs through 25 February 2024 RUNTIME: 105 minutes without interval

We promised ourselves we’d seek out more Sondheim after catching the glorious Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in London’s West End late last year.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is a strong production of a rarely performed work
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Venus by Zara Larsson (February 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: Can’t Tame Her; More Than This Was; On My Love; Ammunition; None Of These Guys; You Love Who You Love; End Of Time; Nothing; Escape; Soundtrack; Venus; The Healing

It’s final track The Healing where Larsson feels at her most personal: ‘Can I be with you after the hurting? After the monsters in my head are finally gone? But can I be with you after the healing?’

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Larsson on tour in London this month
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