You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2025.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Saturday 12 April 2025 (matinee, last night)
Based on the 1990 John Waters film (BFI Q&A), this new musical with book by the writer of Hairspray which ran on Broadway in 2008 is brought spectacularly to life in the best production we’ve yet seen at this east London studio venue.
Rotherham-born Rebecca Lucy Taylor starred in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End but is perhaps best known as pop star Self Esteem for last album Prioritise Pleasure, in 2021 an album of the month for us. She debuts 3rd album A Complicated Woman at gigs we join her for in London’s West End this month. Tickets are return only. Album out 25 April 2025 Our song of the month is new single 69. Our review of the gig and review of the album
Author Graham (Boys From The Blackstuff, National Theatre) is enjoying a prolific run of theatre and TV writing including Brian And Maggie most recently on Channel 4. This transfers from Nottingham Playhouse and is based on a book by Jacob Dunne about an impulsive punch that leads to fatal consequences at the Young Vic. Runs 1 March through 26 April 2025. Tickets Cast includes Coronation Street‘s Julie Hesmondhalgh. Our review
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 16/3
This year is the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in private in England and Wales between adult males.
It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE?: Arcola Theatre
WHEN: 24/9, runs to 15/10
Terence Rattigan’s 1952 play The Deep Blue Sea, which ran this summer in an acclaimed version at the National starring Helen McCrory, is thought to be based on the author’s relationship with the actor Kenny Morgan.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Old Red Lion Theatre
WHEN: 19/6 (matinee) runs to 25/6
Last year we saw former Labour leader Neil Kinnock in the audience watching an actor play him in the Arcola Theatre production of Gareth Thomas story Crouch Touch Pause Engage.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE: National Theatre (Lyttelton Theatre)
WHEN: 4/6, press night 8/6 runs to 17/8
Written in 1952 the subject matter of Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea seems daring even now.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Arcola Theatre
WHEN: 23/10 to 14/11
The state of tabloid journalism was tackled most recently in the National’s production of Great Britain but is done so far more vividly and successfully here.
