We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Shakespeare Trilogy and Follies are previous winners in this category.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Donmar
WHEN: 8/6, press night 12/6, runs to 28/7/18
RUN TIME: 2 hours and 35 minutes (with 15 minute interval)
Star Lia Williams’ last two plays (Oresteia and Mary Stuart) transferred into the West End from their runs at the Almeida and it would not surprise us in the least if that feat was repeated here.
Catch the world premiere of the season 2 finale of HBO’s superior sci-fi series about a theme park peopled by robots who revolt starring Thandie Newton (pictured) and a Q&A with its creators at the BFI on London’s South Bank 19/6. Tickets
Two highlights for us of last year were the National Theatre’s production of Angels In America by Tony Kushner and Sharon D. Clarke in musical The Life at Southwark Playhouse. This year D. Clarke is in Kushner’s musical Caroline, Or Change set in Louisiana in 1963 which runs 12/3 to 21/4 at Hampstead Theatre. Transferred from Chichester’s Festival Theatre. Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Donmar Theatre
WHEN: 16/2, runs to 24/3/18
There’s a moment towards the end of the first act here when farmhand George remarks on the twinkle in the eye of the object of his affection, assistant director John.
Would becoming a member of your favourite theatre make it easier for you to get the most in-demand tickets? We became a member of eight of our favourite venues and bought one group membership to see what the value for money is.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE: Old Vic
WHEN: 12/12, runs to 18/2/17
Art is the story of three middle class men whose friendship is tested when one, Serge played by Rufus Sewell, buys a modern piece of art for 100,000 Euros.
London’s iconic Savoy Theatre is always a guarantee of a hot hit musical and Glee‘s Amber Riley (pictured above and with And I’m Telling You clip below) stars in Dreamgirls there 19/11 – 11/3/17. We’ve given the Savoy’s last three musicals (Gypsy, Guys and Dolls and Funny Girl) the full 5*. We’re going twice already. Would you bet against this supreme musical not inspiring such baby love? Tickets.
This 18-song David Bowie musical ran off Broadway for three months from November 2015 and features hits including Life On Mars?, Heroes and Absolute Beginners. It was written by Bowie with Once author Enda Walsh. Starring Dexter’s Michael C. Hall and directed by Ivo van Hove, it runs 25/10 – 22/1 at the King’s Cross Theatre and seems a fitting salute to the star who died 10 days before curtain down on the US show. Tickets.
Our most read content of the year so far was shared by Sir Ian on his Facebook page and was a Shakespeare BFI Q&A with him in April. We’ve seen him many times filming Vicious at ITV Studios on the South Bank but never on stage in the theatre – until now and this Broadway transfer. Runs 8/9 to 17/12 at Wyndham’s Theatre. Picture via No Man’s Land. Tickets here.
