PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2022 Heat 1 starring Shirley Clamp, Robin Bengtsson & Omar Rudberg

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By Aline Mahrud

WHEN? Saturday 5 February 2022

WHERE? Malmö Arena WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play UPDATE: Covid means Stockholm will now be the venue for all 2022 events

We’re at the venue of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest final, our last live Eurovision, and our highlight is the 1st appearance in 8 years on a Melodifestivalen stage for the legend that is Shirley Clamp.

  • Read on for reasons including MF winner Robin Bengtsson and TV star Omar Rudberg
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THEATRE REVIEW: Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Piccadilly Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 1 January 2022, opens 20 January, booking to 28 May 2022

Garlanded with 10 Tonys in 2020 and based on Baz Luhrmann’s brilliant 2001 film, this jukebox musical focuses on the spectacle of the story of a visitor to Paris in 1899 who falls in love with a performer at the titular club at the expense of the tale’s romance.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a feast for the eyes rather than the ears
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PREVIEW: Spain’s Eurovision selection show Benidorm Fest starring Chanel 

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By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 26, 27 and 29 January 2022

WHERE?: Watch on TVE

2021 Eurovision winners Måneskin were selected at Italy’s San Remo Festival and Spain, looking for its 1st Eurovision victory since 1969, has revived its own Benidorm Fest for 2022.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is Spain’s best ever selection and where our douze points is going
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PANTOMIME REVIEW: Pantoland at the Palladium starring Julian Clary, Donny Osmond, Jac Yarrow & Gary Wilmot

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 26 December 2021, runs to 9 January 2022 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

A year ago we reviewed a preview of Pantoland at the Palladium, a production which never opened officially, because theatres were closed as part of the December 2020 Covid lockdown.

  • Read on for reasons including Donny Osmond and what is different about this 2021 production
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My music best of 2021 and tip for 2022

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By Andrew Mosley

It’s easy to become despondent at the state of music, what with fame-hungry talent show contestants a safer bet for any record company than some raucous indie rocker and cliched lyrics about believing in yourself, flying high and touching the sky as abundant as fruit flies in July.

  • Read on for reasons including The Coral, Sleaford Mods, Redskins and Yard Act
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Best read monstagigz content of 2021 starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley

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  1. When we saw the 1st preview of Cabaret starring Eddie Redmayne

We were at the 1st preview of Rebecca Frecknall’s reimagining of the Kander and Ebb classic musical starring Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Omari Douglas in November. The production at the repurposed Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre is shortlisted for 3 monstas in our awards announced 30 December 2021. Cast change expected in March, we return to see it for a 3rd time (it’s that good and this time team monstagigz dining in the front row) in July and booking to 1 October 2022. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including the London stage debut of Saoirse Ronan, new Bob Marley musical Get Up, Stand Up! and Beverley Knight in The Drifters Girl
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2022 starring Moulin Rouge

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  1. Moulin Rouge at the Piccadilly Theatre

This musical version of the 2001 film won 10 Tonys in 2020 and opened in London in 2021 although Covid delayed its press night and, as we write, it is still in previews with a 1st official night pushed back to 9 January 2022. We hope to visit the jukebox musical ahead of its revised press night and check out our site for a review. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including A Number at the Old Vic, new Years & Years album and Taboo reunion
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: Best Theatre Actress 2021

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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 2021? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 15 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2021.

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FILM REVIEW: West Side Story starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose & Rita Moreno

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

RELEASED: Friday 10 December 2021

Steven Spielberg’s bold reimagining of the 1961 film might not currently be attracting the audiences it needs to recoup its budget but it’s been shortlisted for our film of the year monsta and you can vote for it to win here.

  • Read on for reasons including how we shed a few tears during this film’s conclusion
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