Donmar Warehouse

9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2023 starring Kenneth Branagh as King Lear

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Kenneth Branagh’s King Lear reigns in the West End

We haven’t seen Branagh in the West End since The Kenneth Branagh Company’s year-long run of six plays at the Garrick Theatre closed in 2016 on its highest high with its star taking the lead in The Entertainer. Branagh also directs at the Wyndham’s Theatre 21 October through 9 December. Tickets Our recent Lears have included Sir Ian McKellen and the late Glenda Jackson. 1st preview review

  • Read on for reasons including Madonna, S Club reunion, Dear England‘s West End transfer and new Agnetha ABBA
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THEATRE REVIEW: Next To Normal starring Caissie Levy at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Monday 14 August, opens 22 August and runs through 7 October 2023 UPDATE: Transferring to London’s West End in June 2024 Details

Think Dear Evan Hansen but where the mental health focus is on a middle-aged mother spiralling out of control rather than a struggling teen.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is hard-hitting and well-performed material which is already finding its audience
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2023 starring Victorious Festival

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Victorious Festival starring Cian Ducrot, Mae Muller and Welly

This year’s glorious Victorious Festival in Southsea runs across 3 days from Friday 25 August through Sunday 27 August with A Humdrum Mum’s names to look out for including Kasabian, Friendly Fires and The Charlatans as well as Jamiroquai, The Divine Comedy and Sigrid. Although we’re excited for newcomers Welly, this year’s UK Eurovision entry Mae Muller and Cian Ducrot whose debut album is appropriately titled Victory and out 4 August 2023. Tickets Day 1 review starring album chart-topper Cian Ducrot. A Humdrum Mum’s day 1 review Day 2 review Day 3 review

  • Read on for reasons including Heartstopper, new musical Next To Normal and The Effect at the National
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THEATRE REVIEW: Private Lives starring Stephen Mangan and Rachael Stirling at Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 27 May 2023 (last night)

There’s a moment during this dark Noel Coward revival when Stephen Mangan’s Elyot expertly plays his wordless response to Rachael Stirling’s ex-wife Sibyl (The Way You Look Tonight) on the piano and it’s absolutely exquisite.

  • Read on for reasons including how this revival accentuated the darkness of the hilarious script
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2023 starring Eurovision in Liverpool

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Eurovision Song Contest 2023 from Liverpool

We have our tickets and UK Eurovision entry I Wrote A Song by Mae Muller was April’s song of the month for us and is the country’s best effort since the almighty (Ooh Aah) Just A Little Bit by Gina G. Our favourite however is Tattoo by Loreen (pictured) for Sweden. Check out our Semi 1, Semi 2 and Final predictions for the 1st Eurovision in the UK since Dana International won in Birmingham 25 years ago. Tickets Rehearsals start on 30 April and we’ll be refining our predictions as we see footage. Final predictions

  • Read on for reasons including Brokeback Mountain, Groundhog Day returns, Alison Goldfrapp LP and Eddie Izzard’s Great Expectations
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Musical of 2022

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 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Band’s Visit starring Miri Mesika at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 1 October, runs to 3 December 2022 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

Like a downplayed Star Wars, this new musical opens with the following words beamed against the stage’s back wall: ‘Once, not long ago, a group of musicians came to Israel from Egypt. You probably didn’t hear about it. It wasn’t very important.’

  • Read on for reasons including how this intimate venue is the place to see this heartwarming new musical
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2022 starring Suede

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Suede live and new album Autofiction

Suede may have reformed in 2010 but they’ve never mattered to us in the same way as they did when we 1st saw them at Portsmouth Pyramids in 1993 – until now. Singles She Still Leads Me On and 15 Again show a flair and consistency we’ve not seen this century. New album Autofiction is released 16 September and we see them the night before at a special gig at PRYZM, Kingston. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The P Word, The Band’s Visit, Eureka Day and Self Esteem
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for February 2022 starring Kit Harington

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Kit Harington stars as Henry V at the Donmar

The most memorable time the Game Of Thrones star performed in the West End was at the Duke Of York’s in 2016 for Jamie Lloyd’s Doctor Faustus. It was our 2nd best read piece that year which may have had something to do with Harington flashing his bum during the performance. Hard to know what to expect from his Henry V (Harington pictured) at the Donmar which is in previews from 12 February and is booking until 9 April. Directed by Max Webster (Cover My Tracks, The Lorax, Old Vic). Tickets Update: due to Covid-19-related absences in the company the 1st 4 previews have been cancelled

  • Read on for reasons including Monica Dolan, new Tears For Fears album and intimate Years and Years gig
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