We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2019 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2020 so far and what’s to come. Anthony Hopkins, Jonas Nay, Sacha Dhawan, Hugh Grant and Billy Porter are previous winners in this category.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Released in cinemas in the UK 21/12/18
We’re killing time between a Q&A and performance at Sloane Square’s Royal Court Theatre when we chance upon the 50 Smith Street home in Chelsea where Mary Poppins‘ author P.L.Travers lived and used as inspiration for the Cherry Tree Lane home of the Banks family in this.
WHERE: BAFTA
WHEN: 18/4/18, 3 episodes start on BBC1 in May
‘Join the Liberals and widen your circle,’ jokes Hugh Grant to many laughs during this star-studded Q&A after a world premiere screening of the first of three episodes of A Very English Scandal which is to air on BBC1 next month.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Bridge Theatre
WHEN: 27/1, press night 30/1, runs to 15/4/18
This is the show that should have been the one to launch Nick Hytner’s Bridge Theatre.
Kathy Burke (whose The Retreat at the Park Theatre earlier this year was lots of fun) directs Jennifer Saunders in this Oscar Wilde play for Dominic Dromgoole’s Classic Spring theatre company as a follow-up to his delightful A Woman Of No Importance. Runs 12/1 to 7/4 at the Vaudeville Theatre. Tickets
Would becoming a member of your favourite theatre make it easier for you to get the most in-demand tickets? We became a member of eight of our favourite venues and bought one group membership to see what the value for money is.
WORTH A LOOK?: **
WHERE: Almeida
WHEN: 12/8, press night 18/8 runs to 30/9
We’re at the first preview of this new play commissioned by the Almeida and Ben Whishaw plays Luke, a Silicon Valley billionaire, who is spoken to by God.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Old Vic
WHEN: 28/7, runs to 31/7
Queers is a series of eight monologues which marks 50 years since the Sexual Offences Act of 1967 began the decriminalisation process for homosexuality between men and celebrates the British gay experience over the last century.
Imelda Staunton made our Best Theatre Actress of 2017 shortlist so far for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and stars here at the National with Tracie Bennett and Janie Dee in the Sondheim classic (which features Losing My Mind, see below). Runs 22/8 through 3/1/18. Picture courtesy National Theatre. Tickets
27/7 will mark the 50th anniversary of the repeal of the law against homosexuality and BBC4 has commissioned the filming of eight monologues curated by Mark Gatiss and featuring authors including Jackie Clune performed by stars such as Ben Whishaw (pictured above), Russell Tovey and Alan Cumming. UPDATE: 4/7: No sign of Whishaw or Cumming in the Old Vic casting announced today but it does include Tovey, Gemma Whelan, Sarah Crowe, Ian Gelder, Mark Bonnar & Kadiff Kirwan. Tickets
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