Frances Barber

THEATRE REVIEW: The Unfriend starring Reece Shearsmith, Frances Barber & Amanda Abbington at the Criterion Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** UPDATE: The Unfriend returns to the West End at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 16 December 2023 Tickets

WHEN?: 15 January through to 16 April 2023 RUNTIME: 115 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

One of the joys of Steven Moffat’s (BBC 1’s Inside Man) first stage comedy is its no-nonsense precision.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the funniest play currently running in the West End
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2023 starring Aidan Turner & Jenna Coleman in Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Aidan Turner and Jenna Coleman bring Lemons, Lemons, Lemons to the West End

We last saw Turner on a West End stage 4 years ago in Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noel Coward Theatre) and Coleman at the Old Vic in 2019 in All My Sons. Lemons is a revival of a 2015 two-hander with a running time of just 75 minutes about the importance of words, is directed by Josie Rourke (Sweet Charity, Donmar) and on at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Runs 18 January through 18 March 2023. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Beverley Knight in new musical Sylvia, Nolly and new plays Boys Are Kissing and The Unfriend
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hamlet starring Sir Ian McKellen at Theatre Royal Windsor

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Monday 26 July 2021, booking to Saturday 25 September 2021

The concept of age-blind casting can have undergone no truer test than here with the 82-year-old McKellen playing the titular role of a character often thought to have been aged about 30.

  • Read on for reasons including why you shouldn’t choose onstage seating if you see this production in Windsor
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Performance Of A Song in 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 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 Best Performance Of A Song of the year. 2018 winner: Getting Married Today by Jonathan Bailey and Company cast

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LAST NIGHT: THEATRE REVIEW: MUSIK starring Frances Barber at Leicester Square Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Leicester Square Theatre RUNTIME: 60 minutes

WHEN? 7/9/19, closes 7/9/19

STOP PRESS: MUSIK returns to the Leicester Square Theatre 5/2 – 1/3/20. Tickets

‘About me, the critics lied. I ignored them – and survived,’ sang character Billie Trix in song Friendly Fire (see below) played by Frances Barber in ahead-of-its-time 2001 Pet Shop Boys’ musical Closer To Heaven.

  • Read on for reasons including how this show needs a longer West End run soon

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2019 starring Frances Barber in MUSIK

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Frances Barber brings MUSIK to London and Pet Shop Boys play Hyde Park

Billie Trix was the most compelling character from Pet Shop Boys musical Closer To Heaven and author Jonathan Harvey has brought the star played by Frances Barber back for an hour-long show with new songs by the duo. For Every Moment was our Song Of The Month for August. An Edinburgh Festival hit, MUSIK takes its bow at the Leicester Square Theatre 3-7/9. Tickets Pet Shop Boys also play Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park 15/9 Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Reece Shearsmith, Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh and Big

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THEATRE REVIEW: An Ideal Husband starring Frances Barber, Freddie Fox & Edward Fox

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

WHERE: Vaudeville Theatre

WHEN: 20/4, press night 3/5, runs to 14/7/18

There are 3 compelling reasons to see this production: Frances Barber, Freddie Fox (pictured above) and Oscar Wilde.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the best of Classic Spring’s Wilde season so far

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PREVIEW: 10 reasons why we can’t wait for April

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Saara Aalto brings her Monsters to London

We loved her in X Factor, Finland picked the best of three fine songs for her May Eurovision entry and she brings her Eurovision Wonderland show to Under The Bridge 25/4. We think her co-penned Monsters is our favourite song of the year so far. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Kathleen Turner, Mark Rylance and a Q&A for the return of The Bridge

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Madame Rubinstein starring Miriam Margolyes & Frances Barber

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Park Theatre

WHEN: 28/4, runs to 27/5

Helena Rubinstein emigrated from Poland to Australia in 1902, with no money and little English, formed one of the world’s first cosmetics companies and became one of its richest women.

  • Read on for reasons including why this reminded us of an ageing French and Saunders

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Q&A: Sir Ian McKellen & review of Heuristic Shakespeare app

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHERE: BFI

WHEN: 28/4

Without his leading role in the film Richard III, which he also co-wrote, Sir Ian McKellen doubts whether he would ever have been cast as Gandalf and Magneto in the Lord Of the Rings and X-Men films respectively.

  • Read on for a review of Sir Ian’s new Heuristic Shakespeare app

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