THEATRE REVIEW: Two Strangers starring Sam Tutty & Dujonna Gift at Kiln Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 9 November, opens 16 November and runs through 20 January 2024 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 15-minute interval) UPDATE: Transfers to the Criterion Theatre 4 April to 14 July 2024 Tickets

Olivier Award winner Sam Tutty follows his turn in Dear Evan Hansen as 25-year-old Brit Dougal in New York for the 1st time for the wedding of the father he’s never met.

  • Read on for reasons including how this hug of a show will leave you with a warm glow
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/Film Actress of 2023

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It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2023 starring Jennifer Saunders in Peter Pan

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Jennifer Saunders and Julian Clary in the Palladium pantomime

7 years ago Julian Clary starred opposite Paul O’Grady in pantomime Cinderella at this venue in a production that marked a return of the form to a theatre previously renowned for it. We’ve loved the shows that have followed, Dick Whittington, Snow White, Goldilocks, and Pantoland at the Palladium, in both 2020 and 2021, and Jack And The Beanstalk starring Dawn French in 2022. French’s comedy partner Jennifer Saunders stars here alongside Clary and My Son’s A Queer‘s Rob Madge. Runs 9 December through 14 January 2024. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including David Tennant’s Macbeth, Joe Cole’s Homecoming and new musical Cold War
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AWARDS: SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Venue Of 2023

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

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GIG REVIEW: Madonna at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***** RUNTIME: 120 minutes without interval

WHEN?: Thursday 2 November, tour runs through 24 April 2024

SETLIST: Nothing Really Matters; Everybody; Into The Groove; Burning Up; Open Your Heart; Holiday; Live To Tell; Like A Prayer; Erotica; Justify Your Love; Hung Up; Bad Girl; Vogue; Human Nature; Crazy For You; Die Another Day; Don’t Tell Me; Mother And Father; I Will Survive; La Isla Bonita; Don’t Cry For Me Argentina; Bedtime Story; Ray Of Light; Rain; Like A Virgin; Bitch I’m Madonna; Celebration

Madonna brings her director’s eye, her actress’s understanding of drama and her musician’s intimacy with her 40-year treasure trove of hits and deep cuts to tell the story of her life – and it’s everything we’ve always wanted from her and the best gig we’ve ever seen.

  • Read on for reasons including how this gig features the most devastating coup de théâtre we’ve ever seen
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Podcast Of 2023

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

  • Read on for the nominees for the monsta for Best Podcast of 2023 2021 and 2022 winner Second Cherry
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THEATRE REVIEW: Rocky Horror Show at Teatro Coliseum, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Tuesday 31 October, runs through 5 November 2023 Then touring Europe including the UK and booking currently until 31 March 2024 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

It’s Halloween night, we’re in the middle of the 3rd row at this 1,700-capacity cinema/theatre celebrating its 100th birthday to watch a musical 1st seen upstairs at London’s Royal Court Theatre in June 1973.

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s no effort at all to be swept away by the sheer love with which this production is both performed and received
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GIG REVIEW: S Club at The 02

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Friday 27 October, tour moves to the US and Canada where it finishes 16 November 2023

SETLIST: S Club Party; Love Ain’t Gonna Wait For You; You’re My Number One; Natural; Sunshine; You; Stronger; Bring The House Down; Friday Night; Don’t Stop Movin’; Bring It All Back; Two In A Million; These Are The Days; Have You Ever; Alive; Reach; Never Had A Dream Come True; S Club Party

Bookending The Good Times Tour setlist with 2nd single and number 2 hit S Club Party gives the perfect idea of the vibe aimed for and achieved here.

  • Read on for reasons including how presenting as S Club 5 inevitably invites Steps comparisons
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THEATRE REVIEW: Manic Street Creature starring Maimuna Memon at Southwark Playhouse

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 21 October (matinee), runs through 11 November 2023 RUNTIME: 75 minutes (no interval)

We’re here in our front row seat at this 240-capacity venue because we loved Memon in Richard Hawley’s Standing At The Sky’s Edge for which she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Olivier.

  • Read on for reasons including why Memon shows tremendous promise as a writer and performer
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THEATRE REVIEW: King Lear starring Kenneth Branagh at Wyndham’s Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 21 October, opens 31 October and runs through 9 December 2023 RUNTIME: 120 minutes without interval

At 62 years old director Branagh is considerably younger than the last 2 actors we’ve seen take on the role of Shakespeare’s King Lear – Sir Ian McKellen who was 78 in 2017 and the late Glenda Jackson 80 in 2016.

  • Read on for reasons including how Branagh’s casting is less A Haunting In Venice and more a vanity in London
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