Jonathan Bailey

THEATRE REVIEW: Company starring Rosalie Craig & Patti LuPone at the Gielgud Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Gielgud Theatre RUNTIME: 2 hours and 35 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: 28/9, press night 17/10, runs to 22/12/18 (note: now extended to 30/3/19)

Company turns 50 in 2020 and the biggest compliment we can pay this inventive reimagining with a female Bobbi is that it works so well that it’s hard to imagine with a male lead.

  • Read on for reasons including how Sandi Toksvig was in the audience with us for this 4th preview

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Beverley Knight is in Sylvia at the Old Vic

We’ve enjoyed a live taster of this hip hop production which runs at the Old Vic 3-22/9 with Knight (2nd from left), who last wowed in Cats at the Palladium, starring as women’s rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst. Elliotte Williams N’Dure (centre clip below) absolutely bossing proceedings. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Patti LuPone in the West End, Janelle Monae in London & Killing Eve

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THEATRE REVIEW: The York Realist starring Ben Batt & Jonathan Bailey

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Donmar Theatre

WHEN: 16/2, runs to 24/3/18

There’s a moment towards the end of the first act here when farmhand George remarks on the twinkle in the eye of the object of his affection, assistant director John.

  • Read on for reasons including details of the Sheffield transfer of this production

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for February

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Lady Gaga brings Joanne to The O2

Postponed from October due to health reasons, the world’s greatest pop star drops by for two nights at The 02 this month. Her last album Joanne won our monsta for Best Album in 2016. Tickets Her new film A Star Is Born is out in May.

  • Read on for reasons including Jonathan Bailey, Patsy Ferran and John Partridge

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THEATRE REVIEW: King Lear starring Ian McKellen

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Minerva Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre

WHEN: 23/9, press night 29/9, booking to 28/10

This is the third King Lear we’ve seen in recent years and is actually McKellen’s second stab at the role, describing it in the programme as ‘unfinished business’.

  • Read on for reasons including which Oscar winner was in the audience for this 2nd preview

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Young Frankenstein re-animates the Garrick

The Garrick Theatre had some success earlier this year with Griff Rhys Jones/Lee Mack comedy The Miser and this musical re-working of the Mel Brooks classic looks like it will be puttin’ on the Ritz with a cast including Ross Noble (see above) and Lesley Joseph. Runs 28/9 to February 2018. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Sir Ian McKellen, new Hurts and Strictly Comes Dancing does Annie

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for October

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Lazarus rises

This 18-song David Bowie musical ran off Broadway for three months from November 2015 and features hits including Life On Mars?, Heroes and Absolute Beginners. It was written by Bowie with Once author Enda Walsh. Starring Dexter’s Michael C. Hall and directed by Ivo van Hove, it runs 25/10 – 22/1 at the King’s Cross Theatre and seems a fitting salute to the star who died 10 days before curtain down on the US show. Tickets.

  • Read on for reasons including Star Trek, Anne-Marie Duff and Glenda Jackson’s return

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