Doctor Who

Q&A/PREVIEW: Tip Toe starring Russell T Davies, Alan Cumming & David Morrissey at BFI Southbank

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Monday 18 May 2026, show airs on Channel 4 from Sunday 31 May 2026

Writer Davies may be best known for Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin but his new Channel Four drama Tip Toe is his 1st thriller, with a political edge and opens with Cumming’s Leo apparently hanging by his neck in a noose from a lamp post on a Manchester street.

  • Read on for reasons including how Tip Toe promises to be a wild ride although we’ve no idea where it goes next
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THEATRE REVIEW: Born With Teeth starring Ncuti Gatwa & Edward Bluemel at Wyndham’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 16 August, opens 2 September and runs through 1 November 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Will they or won’t they? There’s real sexual tension between Gatwa’s roistering mentor Kit Marlowe and Bluemel’s in awe fanboy Shakespeare.

  • Read on for reasons including how Born With Teeth boasts plenty of bite, much to chew and lots that’s entertaining to swallow
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GIG REVIEW: Olly Alexander at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Last date of tour Monday 7 April 2025

Setlist: Polari; I Know; Make Me A Man; If You’re Over Me; Whisper In The Waves; Cupid’s Bow; Archangel; King; Dizzy; Starstruck; Worship/Breathe; Desire; All For You; It’s A Sin; Eyes Shut; When We Kiss; Sweet Talker; Heal You; Shine

The voice of Sir Ian McKellen (Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre) opens the show explaining Polari, the title of Alexander’s debut album, and the actor’s here tonight waving at the delighted crowd from the box above us.

  • Read on for reasons including how Alexander has been rejuvenated by this tour and meeting his audience again
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/Film Actor of 2024

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our 10th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest starring Ncuti Gatwa at National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Friday 22 November 2024, opens 28 November and runs through 25 January 2025 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Oscar Wilde described this – his final and best loved play – as ‘exquisitely trivial’ and this production is exquisitely cast, perfectly judged and executed with both swagger and flamboyance.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is currently London’s funniest comedy
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV of 2024

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.

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THEATRE REVIEW: An Adventure at the Bush Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Bush Theatre

WHEN?: 17/9, (press ticket) runs to 20/10/18

Author Vinay Patel is 1 of the first 2 writers of colour to contribute to Doctor Who in its 55-year history during the latest series which begins on Sunday nights on BBC1 next month.

  • Read on for reasons including how we were swept away by the scale of the ambition of the story and genuine warmth of the cast

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GIG REVIEW: John Barrowman with Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Leicester Square Theatre

WHEN: 13/4, runs to 14/4/18

We’ve always been big fans of John Barrowman but why have we never heard of the wise-cracking pianist and interviewer Seth Rudetsky who brings out the very best of the Torchwood star here?

  • Read on for reasons including how Barrowman’s first audition was his big break 

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for November

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in London (not Sheffield) this time

Dan Gillespie Sells is frontman of The Feeling and we gave his debut musical the full 5* when we saw it in Sheffield in February. It’s a real celebration of mothers and sons and transfers to the West End 6/11 booking to 21/4/18. Tickets. The soundtrack is an absolute treat but our favourite is cross-dressing musical-within-a-song The Legend Of Loco Chanel. Don’t. Miss.

  • Read on for reasons including Bananarama reunited, Cinderella in Greenwich and Steps on tour

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THEATRE REVIEW: Mosquitoes starring Olivia Colman

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN: 21/7, runs to 28/9

Broadchurch star Olivia Colman won’t be the first female Doctor Who and plays a woman called Jenny here who is pregnant but worried about the risk an ultrasound might pose to her unborn child.

  • Read on for reasons including how this comedy will delight viewers of TV’s Big Bang Theory

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