THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods starring Katie Brayben, Kate Fleetwood & Jamie Parker at the Bridge Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Tuesday 16 December and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This musical is the story of a baker and his wife who are struggling to have a child and decide to work together to end the witch’s curse over them.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a visual treat with Christmas parallels boasting an exquisite cast singing some of Sondheim’s most affecting work
Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2025

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2025 starring Oh, Mary!

  1. Oh Mary! at Trafalgar Theatre

This winner of 2 Tony Awards is a comedy play written by American comedian Cole Escola spoofing the lives of former US President Abraham Lincoln and wife Mary in the days leading up to his assassination where she might be an alcoholic while he is deeply closeted. Stars Mason Alexander Park (The Tempest, Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Runs 3 December through 25 April at Trafalgar Theatre. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Into The Woods, Nicola Coughlan and Sheridan Smith
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey at Bridge Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 10 February, opens 18 February and runs through 10 May 2025 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

Bailey is perhaps best known as Fiyero in film Wicked, nominated for 10 Oscars on 2 March, although we have previously reviewed him in Shakespeare (King Lear, Chichester Festival Theatre) but never as the leading man.

  • Read on for reasons including the parallels between Fiyero and Richard II and how this accessible production could be your gateway to Shakespeare
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for February 2025 starring Jonathan Bailey as Richard II

  1. Jonathan Bailey is Richard II

Bailey (film Wicked and COCK, Ambassadors) stars in this Shakespeare directed by Nicholas Hytner (Giant, Royal Court and transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre) at the Bridge Theatre. Runs 10 February through 10 May 2025 Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Cate Blanchett, Patti LuPone, Olly Alexander and Nicola Walker
Read More

AWARDS: Winners of the 2023 monstas are …

monstagigz readers have been voting throughout November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2023 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2023 monstas winners …

  • Read on for reasons including the winners of our 16 monstas for the best theatre, pop, TV, film and podcasts of 2023
Read More

Best read monstagigz content of 2023 starring Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

  1. Lemons, Lemons, Lemons starring Aidan Turner and Jenna Coleman

Our most read content of 2023 was this preview review of a play by Sam Steiner about a society where spoken words were rationed to 140 a day in a two-hander starring Aidan Turner (The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noel Coward Theatre) and Jenna Coleman (All My Sons, Old Vic). Our review also caught the attention of Mail Online (see below).

  • Read on for reasons including Cabaret starring Jake Shears and Self Esteem, Guys And Dolls and The Motive And The Cue
Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress of 2023

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2023

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

Read More

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Guys And Dolls at the Bridge Theatre (December 2023)

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: Runyonland; Fugue For Tinhorns; Follow The Fold; Oldest established; I’ll Know; A Bushel And A Peck; Adelaide’s Lament; Guys And Dolls; Havana; If I Were A Bell; My Time Of Day; I’ve Never Been In Love Before; Entr’acte; Take Back Your Mink; Adelaide’s Second Lament; Crapshooter’s Ballet; Luck Be A Lady; Sue Me; Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat; the Guys Follow The Fold; Adelaide Meets Sarah; Mary The Man Today; Runyonland; Happy Ending

There can be few revivals we’ve enjoyed more this year than Guys And Dolls at the Bridge Theatre which has extended its run at least twice and is now booking until 31 August 2024.

  • Read on for reasons including why this album is worth a punt but is no substitute for seeing the show
Read More