THEATRE REVIEW: Mrs Warren’s Profession starring Imelda Staunton & Bessie Carter at Garrick Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Monday 12 May, opens 22 May and runs through 16 August 2025 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

5-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton (Hello, Dolly!, London Palladium) may be the reason for your interest in this revival but it’s her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (Dear Octopus, National Theatre) who gives a star-making turn here.

  • Read on for reasons including why this story is shocking for how old yet still relevant it is today
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2025 starring Kylie Minogue

  1. Kylie brings Tension tour to The 02

Ms Minogue’s Tension show arrives in London for 4 gigs at The 02 this and next month as part of a world tour which runs through 26 August 2025. Tickets We 1st saw her live on the Enjoy Yourself tour at London’s now-no-more London Arena in 1990 and have seen her since at the old Wembley Arena, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, new Wembley Arena and many times at The 02 – but not since 2014. Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Eurovision Song Contest predictions, Scissor Sisters reunite and Imelda Staunton
Read More

Best read monstagigz content of 2024 starring Sigourney Weaver in The Tempest

  1. Sigourney Weaver’s West End debut in Jamie Lloyd’s The Tempest

Our most read content of 2024 was this preview review of the West End debut of Alien star Weaver in Jamie Lloyd’s take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest which runs at Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 1 February 2025. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Sheridan Smith, Steve Coogan’s Dr Strangelove and Michael Sheen’s Nye
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Hello Dolly! starring Dame Imelda Staunton at London Palladium

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 July 2024, opens 18 July and booking until 16 September 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Bette Midler starred in the 2017 Broadway revival of the classic 1964 musical which was an Oscar-winning film 5 years later starring Barbra Streisand so clearly Staunton has some work to do – and do it she does.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a solid if not quite yet spectacular revival of a much-loved show
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for July starring Dame Imelda Staunton in Hello Dolly!

  1. Dame Imelda Staunton in Hello Dolly! at the Palladium

Staunton won our Best Theatre Actress monsta for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2017 and here stars at the London Palladium in the titular role in this classic 1964 musical about a matchmaker who travels to New York. The starry cast includes Jenna Russell (STEVE, Seven Dials Playhouse), Tyrone Huntley (The View UpStairs, Soho Theatre) and Harry Hepple (Boy Meets Girl Q&A, BFI). Runs 6 July through 14 September 2024. Tickets Our 1st preview review

  • Read on for reasons including Suede and Manic St Preachers at Ally Pally, Cherry Jones at the National & Madness on Blackheath
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Talking Heads starring Imelda Staunton and Lucian Msamati at the Bridge Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Bridge Theatre

WHEN?: 1/10/20 (matinee), season runs to 31/10/20 (Imelda Staunton transfers with Maxine Peake to Sheffield Theatres 9-11/11 and Leeds Playhouse 12-14)

The indomitable Patricia Routledge played Irene Ruddock in the original A Lady Of Letters and Staunton’s is quieter but no less successful. 

  • Read on for reasons including how this role underlines Staunton’s versatility

Read More

MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Theatre actress of the year: 2017

It’s Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2017? Over the next few days we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 13 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2017.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Theatre actress of the year: 2017 2016 winner: Jade Anouka (Shakespeare Trilogy, Donmar)

Read More

Q&A: Imelda Staunton on Follies at the National Theatre

WHERE: Olivier Theatre, National

WHEN: 11/12, show runs to 3/1/18

Follies has about 25 performances left of a near 100-show run when we encounter one of its stars, Imelda Staunton, for a Q&A on the Olivier Theatre stage where she met her husband, Jim Carter, in a production of Guys And Dolls.

  • Read on for reasons including why Staunton likes Sondheim not Seagal

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Follies starring Imelda Staunton, Tracie Bennett & Janie Dee

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN: 26/8, press night 6/9 runs to 3/1/2018

Four-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton last won for her starring role in Stephen Sondheim’s Gypsy but plays a very different part here.

  • Read on for reasons including why this version of Follies is the one to see

Read More