AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actor of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: A Streetcar Named Desire starring Paul Mescal and Patsy Ferran

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Tuesday 20 December, opens 12 January, runs to 4 February 2023 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 20-minute interval) UPDATE: Transfers to the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End for 6 weeks from 20 March 2023

Director Rebecca Frecknall (Cabaret, Playhouse Theatre) takes to the stage before curtain up to explain that its leading lady Patsy Ferran stepped into the production with 4 days’ notice to replace Lydia Wilson who had to withdraw.

  • Read on for reasons including why it is Olivier Award-winning actress Ferran that you will remember most from this illuminating revival
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Mother Goose starring Sir Ian McKellen & John Bishop

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 18 December (matinee), runs to 29 January and then tours until 11 March 2023 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best reason to see this energetic and fun pantomime is that its Oscar-nominated star Sir Ian McKellen is having a ball and it’s infectious.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’ve never been to a show where so much has been thrown from the stage into the audience
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LAST NIGHT: GIG REVIEW: Paul Heaton (get well soon Jacqui Abbott) and Billy Bragg at The 02

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 17 December, last night of the tour

SETLIST: I Drove Her Away With My Tears; From Under The Covers; Too Much For One (Not Enough For Two); One Last Love Song; Everybody’s Talkin’; Old Red Eyes Is Back; A Good Day Is Hard To Find; A Little Time; The People Who Grinned Themselves Top Death; Five Get Over Excited; I’ll Sail This Ship Alone; Liars’ Bar; My Mother’s Womb; Me And The Farmer; Prettiest Eyes; Manchester; Heatongrad; Rotterdam; Song For Whoever; Think For A Minute; Happy Hour; Perfect 10; You Keep It All In; Caravan Of Love

36 years ago The Housemartins’ cover of Caravan Of Love was number 1 and it is the last song tonight and elevated brilliantly by an enthusiastic audience singalong.

  • Read on for reasons including why Heaton and Abbott are in the Guinness Book Of World Records
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: A Christmas Carol-ish by Mr Swallow starring Nick Mohammed & Sarah Hadland

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 80 minutes (no interval) Update: Transfers to @SohoPlace 16 November through 31 December 2024 Tickets

WHEN?: Saturday 10 December (matinee), runs to 23 December 2022

We’re in the front row here because Mohammed (2nd from left above) is very funny as part of the ensemble in Apple TV’s hilarious Ted Lasso and stars here while also writing the book and lyrics.

  • Read on for reasons including how Hadland from TV’s Miranda gets to perform the giblets out of the hit of the night I Love My Turkey
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Film of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Jack And The Beanstalk at the London Palladium starring Julian Clary, Dawn French and Alexandra Burke

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Sunday 11 December (matinee), runs to 15 January 2023

We’re in the 4th row behind a group of women who are finding Julian Clary’s character The Spirit Of The Beans uproariously funny and even taking sneaky pictures of his very many costume changes.

  • Read on for reasons including how it is Clary’s saucy quips which once again steal the show
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