By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN?: Saturday 8 June 2024, opens 18 June and runs through 14 September 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
‘Mother of God!’ For those wondering what Sergeant Ted Hastings did next in the Line Of Duty, wonder no longer …
It’s the young leads of this classic musical we’re most excited to see. Charlie Stemp won our Best Theatre Actor monsta last year (Crazy For You, Gillian Lynne Theatre) and we saw Georgina Onuorah in Cinderella at the same venue. Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar are the main leads here at the Barbican 4 June through 14 September 2024. Tickets Our preview review
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 …
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.
You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 16 categories from November this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2023.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Saturday 1 July (matinee), runs through 20 January 2024 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Update: now closing 31 December 2023
Channelling Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer, Norman Wisdom and Tommy Steele, Blackheath’s Charlie Stemp is an unconventional leading man although he was nominated for a Best Actor in a Musical Olivier for Half A Sixpence.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: 12/12/20, runs to 3/1/21 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including 30-minute interval)
WHERE?: London Palladium UPDATE: Lockdown means this production closed early with its last performance 15/12/20
We’ve never seen Julian Clary cry before but at the standing ovation when this socially distanced production is so rapturously received at its 1st official preview he appears to be on the verge of tears.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHERE? Prince Edward Theatre RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
WHEN? 23/10, press night 13/11, runs to 29/3/20
This production is a revival of the show which ran at this very venue for more than three years and closed in January 2008 after winning a Tony and two Oliviers including Best Actress for then-titular star Laura Michelle Kelly.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE? Palladium RUN TIME: 2 hours and 45 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
WHEN?: 9/12/18 (matinee), press night 12/12/18, runs to 13/1/19
This year this annual pantomime extravaganza at London’s iconic Palladium won the Best Entertainment and Family Olivier Award.
monstagigz 