Elton John

THEATRE REVIEW: The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical starring Vanessa Williams & Matt Henry at Dominion Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Tuesday 5 November 2024 and booking through 31 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (includes a 20-minute interval)

This musical of a beloved 2006 film with a star turn by Meryl Streep goes down a storm at this cavernous venue particularly whenever Williams (City Of Angels, Garrick Theatre) as fashion editor Miranda Priestly emerges striking a pose through the stage’s trapdoor.

  • Read on for reasons including how you will be as absolutely swept up and bowled over by this as we were
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THEATRE REVIEW: Tammy Faye starring Katie Brayben & Andrew Rannells at Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 22 October (matinee), runs to 3 December 2022 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are so many male reasons – music by Elton John, lyrics by the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and a book by James (Ink) Graham – to be excited for this musical life story of US tele-evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker but, ultimately, it is its leading lady Katie Brayben whose input shines brightest.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a musical designed with a Broadway transfer in mind
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2022 starring Tammy Faye at the Almeida

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. New Elton John, Jake Shears and James Graham musical

Tammy Faye Messner was an American evangelist, singer, author, talk show host, and television personality. This musical about her life includes music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham (Ink, Almeida and BBC1’s Sherwood). It stars Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells (The Prom and The Boys In The Band). Runs 13 October through 3 December. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Brown Boys Swim, Simon Russell Beale and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
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GIG REVIEW: Dua Lipa in Studio 2054

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

WHEN?: Via livestream 27/11/20

SETLIST: Future Nostalgia; Levitating; Pretty Please; Break My Heart; Untitled (with FKA Twigs); Physical; Boys Will Be Boys; Cool; New Rules; Prisoner (with Miley Cyrus); Un Dia (with J Balvin, Bad Bunny and Tainy); Fever (with Angèle); One Kiss; Real Groove (with Kylie Minogue); Electricity; Rocket Man (Elton John); Hallucinate; Don’t Start Now

Lipa, who was shortlisted for 6 Grammys this week, was originally slated to tour 2nd LP Future Nostalgia this spring/summer with 2 dates at London’s 02 Arena.

  • Read on for reasons including how to get tickets for that rescheduled tour

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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: SAWAYAMA by Rina Sawayama (July 2020)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

TRACKLIST: Dynasty; XS; STFU!; Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys); Akasaka Sad; Paradisin; Love Me 4 Me; Bad Friend; Fuck The World (Interlude); Who’s Gonna Save You Now?; Tokyo Love Hotel; Chosen Family; Snakeskin; Tokyo Takeover

Renowned for his encyclopaedic pop knowledge and his hits-filled back catalogue plundered in last year’s film Rocketman, none other than Elton John last month named this the ‘strongest album of the year this far’.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should get ready to fall in love with SAWAYAMA

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Film of 2019

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2019? Over the next week 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 best film of the year. 2018 winner: The Happy Prince

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FILM REVIEW: Rocketman starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell & Richard Madden

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

RUNTIME: 121 minutes

OUT: 22/5/2019 (UK certificate 15)

We are living in a golden age of musical biopics being wonderfully realised by Hollywood and the director here, Dexter Fletcher, completed work on last year’s Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody which will inevitably be compared with this.

  • Read on for reasons including how this could easily be adapted to a West End musical

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2019

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Death Of A Salesman starring Sharon D.Clarke and Arinze Kene

D. Clarke (pictured 2nd from right, top) won our Best Actress monsta last year as well as the Olivier for Best Actress In A Musical for her star turn in Caroline, Or Change and is here directed by Marianne Elliott (pictured left in video, hot from Company) and appears alongside Arinze Kene (winner of our Best Actor monsta for Misty and far left in the picture). Their revival of the Arthur Miller classic runs 1/5 through 29/6 at the Young Vic. Review. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Madonna, Eurovision, Anne-Marie Duff, Faye Tozer and Oti Mabuse

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