London

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2026 starring Aidan Turner in Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Aidan Turner and Lesley Manville in Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Turner (Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Harold Pinter Theatre) and Melville (Oedipus, Wyndham’s Theatre) star in Marianne Elliott’s (COCK, Ambassadors Theatre) take on Christopher Hampton’s sexy adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel. Runs at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre 21 March through 6 June 2026. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Rachel Zegler live, Self Esteem and Sadie Sink in the West End
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kenrex starring Jack Holden at The Other Palace

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026, runs through 1 February 2026 Transfers off Broadway 15 April through 27 June 2026 (Ticket link below) RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s the extraordinary performance by Jack Holden (Cruise) playing multiple roles which is the best reason to see this true crime retelling of the death of town bully Ken McElroy in Skidmore, Missouri in 1981.

  • Read on for reasons including how it will be fascinating to see what the US makes of this British take on a difficult story from its past
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GIG REVIEW: Agnes at KOKO, London

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Wednesday 28 January, tour returns to Mighty Hoopla 30 May 2026

Setlist: 24 Hours; Here Comes The Night; Milk; Trigger; Ego; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Fingers Crossed; Love And Appreication; Release Me

Scandipop appears to be having a moment in the UK currently with Zara Larsson’s Lush Life in the top 10, A-Teens returning to Melodifestivalen with something special and the release of the 1st great album of the year, Beautiful Madness by Agnes.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Agnes live in London this summer
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Beautiful Madness by Agnes (January 2026)

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WORTH A LOOK?: *****

Tracklist: Interlude; Beautiful Madness; Trigger; Got Any?; Milk; Focus; Wake Up; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Not Capable; Ego; Masterpiece; Sign It; Pre; Lovesongs; Uterus & Universe

‘Life is a beautiful madness, and it’s when we stop chasing perfection that the truly interesting things happen,’ says Agnes as she releases this new album and prepares to headline London’s KOKO next week where we join her.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the 1st great album of 2026
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Playboy Of The Western World starring Nicola Coughlan & Siobhan McSweeney at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 5 December, opens 11 December and runs through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME 135 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

A young man walks into a bar, confesses to the murder of his father and charms his way into the hearts of the people of County Mayo in the early 1900s especially no-nonsense barmaid Pegeen played by Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should delay your date with The Playboy Of The Western World
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Producers starring Andy Nyman & Marc Antolin at the Garrick Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 18 October, runs through 19 September 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We reviewed this revival of the Mel Brooks-written classic at the Menier Chocolate Factory last year and brought friends who’d never seen it to its West End transfer.

  • Read on for reasons including how Brooks virgins will be seduced by this marvellous musical comedy
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GIG REVIEW: Jamiroquai at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Thursday 6 November 2025, tour runs through 18 July 2026

Setlist: (Don’t) Give Hate A Chance; Little L; Space Cowboy; Dynamite; Feels Just Like It Should; Alright; Cloud 9; World That He Wants; Tallulah; Disco Stays The Same; Runaway; Travelling Without Moving; Shadow In The Night; Canned Heat; Queen Machine; Cosmic Girl; Love Foolosophy; Virtual Insanity

Jamiroquai debut 3 songs tonight from their new album out next year, they’re bangers in the same vein as the funk for which they are best known and in the marvellous Disco Stays The Same have a track they could top charts with as they did in their 90s heyday.

  • Read on for reasons including how there’s a new album due out in 2026
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2025 starring The Line Of Beauty

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  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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THEATRE REVIEW: Brigadoon starring Louis Gaunt at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Monday 4 August, opens 11 August and runs through 20 September 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

This outdoor setting is the perfect venue for this updated musical of 2 crashed World War Two airmen who stumble across a Scottish Highlands village seemingly suspended in time and not on any map.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a thoughtful re-imagination of a classic which deserves to be seen in this glorious outdoor venue
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INTERVIEW: Wendy James formerly of Transvision Vamp on The Shape Of History

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By Neil Durham

Wendy James tours her 10th album The Shape Of History across the UK later this year and took some time out to tell us about what to expect from those gigs, life after Transvision Vamp and its Australian return.

  • Read on for reasons including what to expect from Wendy James’ solo tour this autumn
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