Martin McDonagh

THEATRE REVIEW: The Pillowman starring Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Friday 30 June, runs through 2 September 2023 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Returning Doctor Who David Tennant (Good, Harold Pinter Theatre) played writer Katurian in the original National Theatre production of this Martin McDonagh play and much has been made of the gender swap of this role now played by Lily Allen (2.22 A Ghost Story, Noel Coward Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how The Pillowman is funny, dark yet hugely thought-provoking
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FILM REVIEW: The Banshees Of Inisherin starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson & Barry Keoghan

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Black comedy is a term which could have been invented to describe the work of writer/director Martin McDonagh and here, perhaps, he has produced something truly unforgettable that goes even further than he has done before.

  • Read on for reasons including why it is the performance of Barry Keoghan that is the standout here
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TOP 6: Best read monstagigz content of 2018

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. We weren’t very, very, very keen on new Martin McDonagh

Martin McDonagh features twice in this list and wrote/directed the Oscar-winning film Three Billboards in 2018. We were at the 2nd preview for this new play at the Bridge Theatre and weren’t keen: ‘Our problem with A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter is that, while McDonagh could be argued to be skewering the lazy racism of 18th Century Europe of the time, it makes for a very uncomfortable and politically incorrect watch in 2018.’

  • Read on for the rest of the top 6 including Saara Aalto, Aidan Turner, Heathers & Suranne Jones

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THEATRE REVIEW: A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter starring Jim Broadbent at the Bridge Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE? Bridge Theatre RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: 13/10, press night 24/10, runs to 6/1/19

To say Martin McDonagh’s new work is eagerly awaited would be to seriously underplay how hot he is is right now.

  • Read on for reasons including what to expect from its stars Jim Broadbent and Phil Daniels

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Lieutenant Of Inishmore starring Aidan Turner at the Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Noel Coward Theatre

WHEN: 29/6, press night 4/7, runs to 8/9/18

RUN TIME: 110 minutes (including interval)

It’s already been quite the year for playwright Martin McDonagh who should’ve won bigger at the Oscars for Three Billboards and now sees Poldark heartthrob Aidan Turner reviving one of his best-known plays.

  • Read on for reasons including whether Turner’s performance is a showstopper

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

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Westworld BFI Q&A and finale premiere

Catch the world premiere of the season 2 finale of HBO’s superior sci-fi series about a theme park peopled by robots who revolt starring Thandie Newton (pictured) and a Q&A with its creators at the BFI on London’s South Bank 19/6. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Florence, Laura Linney, Lia Williams & BAFTA winner Vanessa Kirby

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FILM REVIEW: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri starring Frances McDormand

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT in the UK: 12/1/18

There’s a moment in this film when we burst into tears and that’s not something that we often do at the cinema, especially these days.

  • Read on for reasons including why this deserves to win its awards

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THEATRE REVIEW: Hangmen

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE: Wyndham’s Theatre

WHEN: 15/12, runs to 5/3/16

What did hangmen do after the abolition of capital punishment in England in 1964? That’s the brilliant idea at the heart of Martin McDonagh’s new play although its, ahem, execution could be more compelling.

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