James McArdle

THEATRE REVIEW: Bacchae starring Clare Perkins, Ukweli Roach & James McArdle at the National Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Tuesday 23 September, opens 24 September and runs through 1 November 2025 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

Author Nima Taleghani (Romeo And Juliet, Duke Of York’s Theatre) is perhaps best known as gay teacher Mr Farouk in Netflix’s Heartstopper and with this his play becomes the 1st debut work on the Olivier Theatre stage.

  • Read on for reasons including this is a flawed and irreverent take on a Greek classic which will make you laugh
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Real Thing starring James McArdle at the Old Vic

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Friday 23 August, opens 3 September and runs through 26 October 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best thing about Max Webster’s (Minority Report, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith) production of this revered comedy is the ridiculous performance of McArdle (pictured left, The Tragedy Of Macbeth, Almeida Theatre) who won our 2021 Best Theatre Actor monsta.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a rather functional re-run of a dated favourite
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: Best Theatre Actor of 2021

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It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2021? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 15 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2021.

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Tragedy Of Macbeth starring James McArdle & Saoirse Ronan at Almeida Theatre

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WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Monday 4 October, runs to 20 November 2021 extended to 27 November 2021 with livestream option

RUNTIME: 190 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Prolonged handwashing is forthright in our consciousness post-Covid and perhaps, like Chekhov’s gun, it should have come as little surprise that the onstage tap in this dreamlike, almost modern-day production should play such a pivotal role.

  • Read on for reasons including how good Ronan is in her UK stage debut but how it will be McArdle’s brutish Macbeth that will be remembered
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for July 2019

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  1. Blues In The Night starring Sharon D. Clarke

Olivier winners D. Clarke and Clive Rowe take part in this compilation of 26 hot and torchy blues numbers that frame the lives and loves of four residents of a downtown hotel. Runs 18/7 to 7/9/19 at the Kiln Theatre. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The Night Of The Iguana, Janelle Monae and a revival of a Pet Shop Boys musical

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for April

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  1. Angels In America descend on the National

Our most anticipated theatrical event of the year. Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time) directs a stellar cast including Nathan Lane (The Producers, The Birdcage), Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, James McArdle and Russell Tovey in this two-part Tony Kushner classic at the National Theatre from 11/4. Runs to 19/8. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including a walk with Mark Rylance, Miriam Margoyles & Olivier Awards

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for January

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Magnus Carlsson plays the RVT

This solo star and former member of bands Alcazar and Barbados has tried, and failed, to represent Sweden eight times in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Eurofest club night at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern has boasted Melodifestivalen stars including Linda Bengtzing and Shirley Clamp. On 13/1 it throws open its doors to Carlsson. Tickets

  • Picture via Live Forever video. Read on for reasons including Eurovision: Your Decision, Alison Steadman & The Glass Menagerie

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THEATRE REVIEW: Chekhov all-dayer featuring Platonov, Ivanov and The Seagull

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN: 30/7, runs to 14/10

Our last same-day multi-play event like this featured four Shakespeare plays by the Royal Shakespeare Company starring David Tennant at the Barbican over a January weekend.

  • Read on for our thoughts on stars James McArdle, Nina Sosanya (pictured above), and Anna Chancellor

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