THEATRE REVIEW: Clarkston starring Joe Locke & Ruaridh Mollica at Trafalgar Studios

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 3 October, runs through 22 November 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Heartstopper‘s Locke plays Jake who is being trained by Ruaridh Mollica’s Chris to work the nightshift in the warehouse of superstore CostCo stacking shelves.

  • Read on for reasons including how Heartstopper fans won’t feel shortchanged by a drama which offers 1 of its stars navigating similar subject matter to the show that made his name
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2025 starring The Line Of Beauty

  1. The Line Of Beauty at the Almeida

Jack Holden (Cruise) adapts the Alan Hollinghurst novel we’ve loved directed by Michael Grandage (Orlando, Garrick Theatre) in this story of Thatcher’s Britain at its most decadent and divisive in London 1983. Runs at the Almeida 21 October through 29 November 2025. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including the return of Gene, Nicola Walker and Transvision Vamp’s Wendy James live
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/Film Actor of 2024

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our 10th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2024 starring Sheridan Smith in Opening Night

  1. Sheridan Smith stars in new Rufus Wainwright musical

Smith (Shirley Valentine, Duke Of York’s Theatre) stars in this new musical directed by Ivo van Hove (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) based on the John Cassavetes film with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. Runs at the Gielgud Theatre 6 March through 27 July 2024. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including the UK’s Eurovision entry, new musical Cable Street & Bananarama’s Glorious
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2023 starring Victorious Festival

  1. Victorious Festival starring Cian Ducrot, Mae Muller and Welly

This year’s glorious Victorious Festival in Southsea runs across 3 days from Friday 25 August through Sunday 27 August with A Humdrum Mum’s names to look out for including Kasabian, Friendly Fires and The Charlatans as well as Jamiroquai, The Divine Comedy and Sigrid. Although we’re excited for newcomers Welly, this year’s UK Eurovision entry Mae Muller and Cian Ducrot whose debut album is appropriately titled Victory and out 4 August 2023. Tickets Day 1 review starring album chart-topper Cian Ducrot. A Humdrum Mum’s day 1 review Day 2 review Day 3 review

  • Read on for reasons including Heartstopper, new musical Next To Normal and The Effect at the National
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2023 starring Eurovision in Liverpool

  1. Eurovision Song Contest 2023 from Liverpool

We have our tickets and UK Eurovision entry I Wrote A Song by Mae Muller was April’s song of the month for us and is the country’s best effort since the almighty (Ooh Aah) Just A Little Bit by Gina G. Our favourite however is Tattoo by Loreen (pictured) for Sweden. Check out our Semi 1, Semi 2 and Final predictions for the 1st Eurovision in the UK since Dana International won in Birmingham 25 years ago. Tickets Rehearsals start on 30 April and we’ll be refining our predictions as we see footage. Final predictions

  • Read on for reasons including Brokeback Mountain, Groundhog Day returns, Alison Goldfrapp LP and Eddie Izzard’s Great Expectations
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AWARDS: Winners of the 2022 monstas are …

monstagigz readers have been voting throughout November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2022 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2022 monstas winners …

  • Read on for reasons including the winners of our 16 monstas for the best pop, theatre, film, TV and podcasts of 2022
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV of 2022

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Supporting Actor of 2022

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

  • Read on for the nominees for the monsta for Best Supporting Actor of 2022 This is a new category and is gender-neutral 
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TV REVIEW: 6 reasons why you should watch Heartstopper on Netflix

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

Author Alice Oseman’s web comic Heartstopper may have seemed unlikely source material for 2022’s best show of the year so far but below are 6 reasons with clips about why you should catch it on Netflix now.

  • Read on for reasons including Olivia Colman, Fisayo Akinade and a heartwarming first love story
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