AWARDS SHORTLIST: Best Theatre Actor of 2021

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 month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 15 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2021.

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical starring Arinze Kene at the Lyric Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Sunday 3 October 2021, opens 20 October, booking to 3 April 2022 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) UPDATE: now booking to 18 September 2022

The biggest compliment we can pay this jukebox musical is that it worked its audience up at only this 3rd preview into such a frenzy that 2 songs before the finish everyone was up on their feet, dancing and singing along.

  • Read on for reasons including how Kene is 1 of this country’s finest performers but here the whole ensemble shines
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Death Of A Salesman starring Sharon D. Clarke & Arinze Kene at the Young Vic

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Young Vic RUNTIME: 185 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

WHEN? 3/5, press night 9/5, runs to 29/6/19 (now extended to 13/7)

We were at the Royal Albert Hall last month for the Olivier Awards and the prize we were most pleased to see received was Sharon D. Clarke’s for Best Actress In A Musical and, as if to prove it, her performance of Lot’s Wife from Caroline, Or Change stole the show.

  • Read on for reasons including how this production emphasises the mental health element of the classic play

Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2019

  1. Death Of A Salesman starring Sharon D.Clarke and Arinze Kene

D. Clarke (pictured 2nd from right, top) won our Best Actress monsta last year as well as the Olivier for Best Actress In A Musical for her star turn in Caroline, Or Change and is here directed by Marianne Elliott (pictured left in video, hot from Company) and appears alongside Arinze Kene (winner of our Best Actor monsta for Misty and far left in the picture). Their revival of the Arthur Miller classic runs 1/5 through 29/6 at the Young Vic. ReviewTickets

  • Read on for reasons including Madonna, Eurovision, Anne-Marie Duff, Faye Tozer and Oti Mabuse

Read More

MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best Theatre Actor of the year: 2018

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2018? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2018.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Theatre Actor of the year. 2017 winner: Andrew Scott in Hamlet at the Almeida

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Misty starring Arinzé Kene at the Trafalgar Studios

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Trafalgar Studios

WHEN?: 13/9 (press ticket), runs to 20/10 RUNTIME: 2 hours (including interval)

NOTE: now extended until 17/11/18

We shortlisted half a dozen Best New Plays of the year in June and 2, including this 1, make their West End bows this month.

  • Read on for reasons including why Misty works in its new West End home

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Misty starring Arinzé Kene

UPDATE: Misty transfers to Trafalgar Studios 8/9 to 17/10 Tickets

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Bush Theatre

WHEN: (Press ticket) 26/3 runs to 21/4/18, now extended to 27/4

Arinzé Kene starred with Russell Tovey in our favourite film of 2016, gay footballer storyThe Pass.

  • Read on for reasons including why the Bush Theatre is becoming the go-to venue for the best original writing

Read More