A modern love story by Matt Jones with music by Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke starring Billy Cullum and Tyrone Huntley (pictured left to right above) runs at the Lyric, Hammersmith, 18/1/19 through 16/2/19. Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Almeida Theatre
WHEN: 2/3, runs to 6/4
Such was our excitement about this Robert Icke production that we had second row tickets for the first preview on 17/2.
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: Almeida
WHEN: 10/6, press night 16/6 runs to 6/8
Director Rupert Goold’s inventive take on this Shakespeare classic revolves around a trench centre stage, beginning and concluding in the modern day Leicester car park where Richard III‘s body was recently found.
We awarded 11 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2015 – and here we look at the cream of 2016 so far and what’s to come.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: BFI
WHEN: 29/3, screens April
The BFI audience has just seen the first episode of the new BBC Hollow Crown trilogy and there are clear Game Of Thrones comparisons although star Tom Sturridge (who plays Henry VI) is having none of it.
Q: Who is the most nominated actor still living never to win an Oscar? A: Glenn Close (The World According To Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural (supporting nods), Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs (lead nods)). She brings a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Coliseum and we’re at the 1/4 first preview as this runs to 7/5. Tickets here. Picture via Facebook courtesy English National Opera.
The premiere of Suede’s new album and film at Camden’s Roundhouse in November made our gig of the year shortlist (winners announced 3/1/16) and on 22/1/16 the band releases ambitious seventh album Night Thoughts. Like Kids is a beautiful (ones), in-the-face reminder for those who’ve not been keeping up.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHERE: The Barbican
WHEN: 31/10
It’s the end of the last night of 100 or so performances and Benedict Cumberbatch is onstage and on the verge of tears – thanking the audiences across the 12-week run at The Barbican for donating more than £100,000 to Save The Children for Syrian refugees.
WORTH A LOOK? ****
WHERE: Barbican
WHEN: 5/8 runs to 31/10
‘F**k!’ A stage manager has just told an exasperated Cumberbatch that tonight’s production must be halted an hour or so in because of a faulty trap door. Hamlet’s just been visited by the ghost of his father and his out-of-character expletive says it all.
