By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum (press ticket)
We were Bonkers.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Tuesday 18 August 2026 Show airs from Wednesday 26 August 2026 on U&Alibi
The genius of Mark Gatiss period detective drama Bookish is that as well as 3 Agatha Christie-esque murder mysteries to solve each series it boasts a heartfelt emotional backstory of lost love, longing and hope to keep you glued.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Saturday 15 August and runs through 19 September 2026 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Growing up in the 70s with the sounds of Demis Roussos and taste of cheesy pineapple skewers, even the aspiration was palpable.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Thursday 9 July, runs through Saturday 11 July 2026
Festival organisers are giving away free sombreros as temperatures surpass 40 degrees – the highest recorded for 112 years – and Suede compliment this vast crowd on their enthusiastic singing along.
By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN? Sunday 5 July 2026, Duran Duran tour through 3 November 2026
This must be the 8th time we’ve seen them; the last a year to the day at Chelmsford Racecourse. And I always say “They’re better than ever before”.
Blanchett (The Seagull, Barbican) stars opposite Nina Hoss (The Cherry Orchard, Donmar) in Benedict Andrews’ (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Apollo Theatre) production fusing ancient myth and modern psychology at the Lyttelton at the National 19 August through 10 October 2026. Tickets Our review
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Friday 19 June, runs through 21 June 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)
The big draw of this workshop production of a new musical is the central role for the Olivier Award-nominated Jo Foster (Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre and Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre).
By Neil Durham
Richard Gadd won Emmys for writing, producing and acting in Baby Reindeer – which won 6 in all – and Half Man is arguably his even darker follow-up about 2 brothers ‘from another lover’ across 30 years.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Saturday 23 May (matinee), opens 3 June and runs through 11 July 2026 and then tours through 14 November 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Helen George (Love In Idleness, Menier) may still be best known for TV’s Call The Midwife and is the central character here as Long Island socialite Tracy Lord planning a June 1938 wedding to accountant George Kittredge.
Writer and director Stephen Beresford and Matthew Warchus (Oedipus, Old Vic) return from the 2014 film for the musical of a group of gay men and lesbians supporting the striking miners in the 80s. Stars Samuel Barnett (Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is About To Happen, Bush Theatre) at the National’s Dorfman Theatre 11 June through 12 September 2026. Original music by DJ Walde (SYLVIA, Old Vic). Tickets Our review
