Dorfman Theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: End starring Clive Owen & Saskia Reeves at the Dorfman, National Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***

WHEN? Monday 8 December, runs through 17 January 2026 RUNTIME 90 minutes (without interval)

A 90s house DJ discusses his cancer with the mother of their child as their 60th birthdays approach and he looks for the titular end armed with the ‘best record in his box’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a rare chance to see this cast in an intimate setting in challenging new material
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Hot Wing King starring Kadiff Kirwan at the Dorfman, National Theatre

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 July 2024, opening 18 July and booking until 14 September 2024 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Actress/screenwriter/director Katori Hall was inspired to write this comedy drama about black gay men for which she won a Pulitzer Prize because she wanted to reflect her brother’s life experiences.

  • Read on for reasons including how this a play that might present a challenge but is definitely worth consuming enthusiastically
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LAST NIGHT: THEATRE REVIEW: Till The Stars Come Down at the National Theatre

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By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Saturday 16 March 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval) Update: Transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket 1 July through 27 September 2025 Tickets

‘I’m not leaving. I haven’t danced the Macarena yet,’ says the quite brilliant Olivier Awards-nominated Lorraine Ashbourne (main picture, right) playing drunken Auntie Carol who is being ushered towards a taxi from her niece’s wedding.

  • Read on for reasons including how the campaign for this hilarious comedy to reach a wider audience starts now
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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our Best Theatre Actor of 2020 so far

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We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2019 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2020 so far and what’s to come. James McAvoy, George MacKay, Andrew Scott, Arinzé Kene and Daniel Monks are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best theatre actors of 2020 so far and our hopes for the next three months

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THEATRE REVIEW: Death of England starring Rafe Spall at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 1/2, press night 6/2 runs to 7/3/20

‘I fell off the stage for the first time – this is really difficult,’ reflects Spall during his standing ovation at the climax of this 2nd preview of an eventful and demanding 100-minute monologue.

  • Read on for reasons including the last time we saw an actor fall from the stage into an audience member’s lap

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for February (2020) starring Pretty Woman: The Musical

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  1. Pretty Woman: The Musical opens starring Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKTEQSNuozo

Bryan Adams co-wrote this musical version of the beloved 1990 Julia Roberts/Richard Gere film which ran on Broadway starring Samantha Barks (performing in clip above) for a year until August. Atkinson has a Eurovision connection and we saw her in Six in the West End. Mac will be familiar to Strictly viewers. Opens at the Piccadilly Theatre 13/2, booking until 2/1/21. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Be More Chill, Melodifestivalen, Colin Morgan and La Cage Aux Folles

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REHEARSED READING & Q&A: Bull In A China Shop starring Fiona Shaw, Jade Anouka & Leah Harvey at the National

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHERE? Dorfman Theatre, National

RUN TIME: 75 minutes (without interval)

WHEN?: 17/11/18

Author Bryna Turner explains the conflict at the heart of her play is between a revolutionary, the old guard and someone seeking to make progress, and its star Fiona Shaw adds 1 word – ‘Brexit’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this play forms part of the Courage Everywhere season at the National

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: New play of the year: 2017

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It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2017? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 13 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2017.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for new play of the year. 2016 winner: Oddshaped Balls

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

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

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