food

THEATRE REVIEW: TRU starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 19 September, opens 27 September and runs through 14 November 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

You join us in the New York apartment belonging to writer Truman Capote at Christmas in 1975 as Manhattan socialites who were once his confidants turn their backs on him when they recognise thinly-veiled versions of themselves in an excerpt of his new novel published in Esquire magazine.

  • Read on for reasons including how TRU boasts a commanding central performance of 1 of history’s more colourful if perhaps occasionally loathed characters
Read More

GIG REVIEW Family Stereo & Kathi Deakin at The Lexington, London

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 17 September, tour runs through 24 September 2026

Setlist: Remedy; Waiting On Nina; Fault Lines; The Thread; I Don’t Need Light; From Here To Nowhere; Three Moon Trail; Removed; Matter; Early Promise; DLR

Family Stereo ‘folkish rockery’ frontman Blake Watt is reflecting on this, his band’s 1st sell-out London show, and tells an amusing story about ‘survivors’ guilt’.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Family Stereo next on tour
Read More

AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2026 so far (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2026.

  • Read on for reasons including 9 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2026 so far
Read More

GIG REVIEW: Suede, Garbage & Pixies at Cruilla Festival, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN? Thursday 9 July, runs through Saturday 11 July 2026

Festival organisers are giving away free sombreros as temperatures surpass 40 degrees – the highest recorded for 112 years – and Suede compliment this vast crowd on their enthusiastic singing along.

  • Read on for reasons including our 1st time seeing both Garbage and Pixies live
Read More

GIG REVIEW: Duran Duran, Scissor Sisters, Nile Rodgers & Groove Armada at BST Hyde Park

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN? Sunday 5 July 2026, Duran Duran tour through 3 November 2026

This must be the 8th time we’ve seen them; the last a year to the day at Chelmsford Racecourse. And I always say “They’re better than ever before”.

  • Read on for reasons including Scissor Sisters, Melanie C, Nile Rodgers & Chic & Groove Armada
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2026 starring Cate Blanchett

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Cate Blanchett in Electra/Persona

Blanchett (The Seagull, Barbican) stars opposite Nina Hoss (The Cherry Orchard, Donmar) in Benedict Andrews’ (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Apollo Theatre) production fusing ancient myth and modern psychology at the Lyttelton at the National 19 August through 10 October 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Abigail’s Party, Kimberley Akimbo and Letitia Wright in The Story
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Hot Mess starring Danielle Steers & Morgan Gregory at the Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 June, opens 23 June and runs through 6 September 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

Hot Mess was shortlisted for our Best New Musical 2025 monsta and last year we said of it: ‘We’d definitely recommend catching it on this short run and wouldn’t be at all surprised if it scorches its way to the West End next.’

  • Read on for reasons including how Hot Mess remains 1 of the best new musicals of recent years
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Equus starring Toby Stephens, Amanda Abbington & Noah Valentine at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 9 May (matinee), opens 18 May and runs through 4 July 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Inside No 9 and Waterloo Road‘s Noah Valentine follows in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe in baring all as troubled 17-year-old Alan Strang who is blinding horses.

  • Read on for reasons including how this version is so strong we do expect it to transfer to the West End
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2026 starring Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

Oscar winner Oldman (Apple’s Slow Horses) directs and stars in this monologue about a man on his 69th birthday who sits alone and listens to the echoes of his younger self. The play returns to the Royal Court where it ran in 1958 in this York Theatre Royal production. The run is sold out although tickets are available on Mondays. Runs 8 through 30 May 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Rosalia at The 02, High Society and Delta Goodrem at Eurovision
Read More