THEATRE REVIEW: An Enemy Of The People starring Matt Smith at Duke Of York’s Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 10 February, opens 20 February and runs through 6 April 2024

We’re in the 5th row and start to get a little nervous as ushers ask those in the front 3 at the interval whether they’d like to wear disposable waterproofs for the 2nd half as paintballs will be thrown at the stage.

  • Read on for reasons including why Smith is absolutely on fire and this is theatre at its most raw, inspiring and real.
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress of 2023

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2023

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2023 so far (part 1 of 2)

You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 16 categories from November this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2023.

  • Read on for reasons including 8 of 16 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2023 so far
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2023 starring Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

  1. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga

Last year’s televised show celebrating the work of the late great Sondheim was a real thrill and this month stars including Peters and Salonga perform some of the composer’s best-loved songs alongside Haydn Gwynne (The Welkin, National Theatre), Janie Dee (Follies, National Theatre) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, London Palladium). Runs at the West End’s Gielgud Theatre 16 September through 6 January 2024. Tickets Update: Performances now begin 21 September without Gwynne. Review

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THEATRE REVIEW: Shirley Valentine starring Sheridan Smith at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: 17 February, runs through 3 June 2023 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The moment we know we’re in the presence of comedy genius is when something unexpected happens – a sink in the kitchen set overflows and threatens to drench the front row tonight – and Smith acknowledges it, laughs with it yet never breaks character.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the funniest comedy now running in the West End
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2022 starring Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire

  1. A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Rebecca Frecknall starring Paul Mescal

Frecknall directed Cabaret which still runs at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre and whose EmCees have included an Olivier-winning turn from Eddie Redmayne, Fra Fee and Callum Scott Howells. The star of the Tennessee Williams classic she has chosen to follow it up with won a Best TV/Film Actor from us in 2020 for Normal People (pictured above). Streetcar runs at the Almeida 12 December 2022 to 4 February 2023. Tickets Streetcar review Mescal currently stars in film Aftersun Review Note: now opens Saturday 17 December as leading lady Lydia Wilson withdraws for health reasons to be replaced by Olivier winner Patsy Ferran (Camp Siegfried, Old Vic)

  • Read on for reasons including Julian Clary, Sir Ian McKellen and Jack O’Connell
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Glass Menagerie starring Amy Adams at Duke Of York’s Theatre

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 28 May 2022, opens 31 May and runs to 27 August 2022 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

We’re in a lengthy queue for the toilets at this venue in the interval when we overhear someone asking: ‘Do you think Amy Adams is hoarse?’

  • Read on for reasons including how both Paul Hilton and Tom Glynn-Carney shine here
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t/couldn’t wait for April 2020 starring Dua Lipa

  1. Dua Lipa releases Future Nostalgia LP

Lipa makes the leap from theatres to arenas with the release of this second LP out 3/4/20 although it was actually brought forward a week after it leaked. Her May gigs at London’s O2 have been rescheduled. Tickets The album is very well named as the 11-song collection weaves 80s hooks into radio-friendly dance floor classics. The sound of a coronavirus-beating summer perhaps? Current single Physical is available to watch below.

  • Read on for reasons including Lady Gaga, Rumer, Jennifer Saunders, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Alphabeat

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress of 2019

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2019? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2019.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for  of the year. 2018 winner: Sharon D. Clarke in Caroline, Or Change at Hampstead Theatre

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