THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods starring Katie Brayben, Kate Fleetwood & Jamie Parker at the Bridge Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Tuesday 16 December and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This musical is the story of a baker and his wife who are struggling to have a child and decide to work together to end the witch’s curse over them.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a visual treat with Christmas parallels boasting an exquisite cast singing some of Sondheim’s most affecting work
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress 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 Performance Of A Song 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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THEATRE REVIEW: Tammy Faye starring Katie Brayben & Andrew Rannells at Almeida Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 22 October (matinee), runs to 3 December 2022 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are so many male reasons – music by Elton John, lyrics by the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and a book by James (Ink) Graham – to be excited for this musical life story of US tele-evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker but, ultimately, it is its leading lady Katie Brayben whose input shines brightest.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a musical designed with a Broadway transfer in mind
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2022 starring Tammy Faye at the Almeida

  1. New Elton John, Jake Shears and James Graham musical

Tammy Faye Messner was an American evangelist, singer, author, talk show host, and television personality. This musical about her life includes music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham (Ink, Almeida and BBC1’s Sherwood). It stars Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells (The Prom and The Boys In The Band). Runs 13 October through 3 December. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Brown Boys Swim, Simon Russell Beale and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
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THEATRE REVIEW: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Aldwych Theatre

WHEN: 7/1 (matinee), runs to 22/7

Carole King can lay claim to the title of the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century with more than 100 US hits to her name between 1955 and 1999.

  • Read on for reasons including the London trailer of this jukebox musical

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Spoils starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kunal Nayyar & Alfie Allen

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: Trafalgar Studios

WHEN: 3/6, runs to 13/8

Standing ovations at the end of West End shows are nothing new but the enthusiasm with which this audience appreciated this play from the pen of Hollywood star Jesse Eisenberg and in which he also stars surprised even us.

  • Read on for more observations from the centre of the front row at the Trafalgar Studios

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