THEATRE REVIEW: The Way Of The World starring Haydn Gwynne, Geoffrey Streatfeild & Fisayo Akinade

WORTH A LOOK?: **

WHERE: Donmar

WHEN: 30/3, press night 3/4, runs to 26/5/18

We’re here for the casting of Linda Bassett, reviewed on this site in Escaped Alone at the Royal Court, as matriarch Lady Wishfort but she is replaced before previews begin.

  • Read on for reasons including how Bassett’s replacement Haydn Gwynne shapes up

Read More

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

  1. Lady Gaga brings Joanne to The O2

Postponed from October due to health reasons, the world’s greatest pop star drops by for two nights at The 02 this month. Her last album Joanne won our monsta for Best Album in 2016. Tickets Her new film A Star Is Born is out in May.

  • Read on for reasons including Jonathan Bailey, Patsy Ferran and John Partridge

Read More

AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best new play shortlist of 2017 so far

We awarded 12 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2016 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2017 so far and what’s to come. Temple and Oddshaped Balls are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best new plays of 2017 so far and our hopes for the next half year

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Limehouse starring Roger Allam, Debra Gillett & Tom Goodman-Hill

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE: Donmar Warehouse

WHEN: 16/3 (matinee), runs to 15/4

This dramatisation of the moment in 1981 when ‘Gang Of Four’ Shirley Williams, Roy Jenkins, David Owen and Bill Rodgers left the Labour party to form a party of their own is a recent history that will be familiar to many.

  • Read on for reasons including how £10 standing tickets at the Donmar can be upgraded

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Saint Joan starring Gemma Arterton & Fisayo Akinade

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: Donmar

WHEN: 31/12 (matinee), runs to 18/2/17

We almost saw lead Gemma Arterton in Nell Gwynn, her film 100 Streets was one of our favourites of 2016 and so we pulled out as many stops as possible to see her star in Josie Rourke’s Saint Joan at the Donmar.

  • Read on for reasons including how our standing tickets were upgraded

Read More

MONSTAS SHORTLIST: New play of the year: 2016

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for new play of the year. 2015 winner: Temple (Donmar)

Read More

PREVIEW: 11 reasons why we can’t wait for April

  1. Glenn Close stars in Sunset Boulevard

Q: Who is the most nominated actor still living never to win an Oscar? A: Glenn Close (The World According To Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural (supporting nods), Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs (lead nods)). She brings a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Coliseum and we’re at the 1/4 first preview as this runs to 7/5. Tickets here. Picture via Facebook courtesy English National Opera.

  • Read on for reasons including Game of Thrones star in West End, Pet Shop Boys album, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom & Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hollow Crown

Read More