GIG REVIEW: Zara Larsson at Camden Roundhouse

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 22 February, tour runs until 26 July 2024

SETLIST: Venus; I Would Like; Escape; Look What You’ve Done; Girls Like; Words; Never Forget You; Ruin My Life; The Healing; Symphony; Wow; None Of These Guys; Ammunition; You Love Who You Love; Ain’t My Fault; End Of Time; On My Love; Lush Life; Can’t Tame Her

We haven’t seen Larsson live since 2017 but we’re immediately struck by how strong her live vocals are even when she’s negotiating her staging’s stairways or sashaying with her 4 dancers.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a crowdpleasing set showcasing Larsson’s many hits
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen finalen 2024 starring Marcus & Martinus

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By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) Friends Arena, Stockholm Saturday 9 March 2024

WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVTPlay

Norwegian twins Marcus and Martinus are the best shot Sweden has of winning Eurovision for a record breaking 8th time. UPDATE: Marcus and Martinus won Melodifestivalen.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think the finalists would fare in Eurovision in Malmo in May
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2024 starring Sheridan Smith in Opening Night

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Sheridan Smith stars in new Rufus Wainwright musical

Smith (Shirley Valentine, Duke Of York’s Theatre) stars in this new musical directed by Ivo van Hove (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) based on the John Cassavetes film with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. Runs at the Gielgud Theatre 6 March through 27 July 2024. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including the UK’s Eurovision entry, new musical Cable Street & Bananarama’s Glorious
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 5 starring Marcus & Martinus

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 2 March 2024

WHERE?: Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

2024 will not go down as a classic year for Melodifestivalen but this 1st ever 5th heat is a reminder of everything the show does best.

  • Read on for reasons including our predictions for who will make it through to the 9 March finalen
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THEATRE REVIEW: Nye starring Michael Sheen at the National Theatre

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 24 February, opens 6 March and runs through 11 May 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Ticket update: Nye returns for a 2nd run at the National 3 July through 16 August 2025 Tickets

A grieving son wraps his dying miner father in his arms, apologises for everything he could have done better to look after him and vows to make good by helping others.

  • Read on for reasons including how Nye offers insight into a man who shaped our country and influenced the people we became
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FILM REVIEW: Wicked Little Letters starring Olivia Colman & Jessie Buckley

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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

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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

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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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