Matthew Warchus

THEATRE REVIEW: Mary Page Marlowe starring Susan Sarandon & Andrea Riseborough at the Old Vic

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Tuesday 29 September, opens 8 October and runs through 1 November 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Oscar winner Susan Sarandon makes her London stage debut in a play which looks at a woman’s life across 7 decades and 11 scenes.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is never less than totally engrossing as we see the unvarnished portrayal of a woman’s difficult life
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THEATRE REVIEW: Oedipus starring Rami Malek, Indira Varma & Cecilia Noble at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Friday 25 January 2025, opening 4 February and running through 29 March 2025 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

There’s so much to rave about in this razor-sharp adaptation of this Greek tragedy containing a 1st stage performance in 18 years by Oscar winner Rami Malek (film Bohemian Rhapsody) but it’s too often left flatfooted by pointless techno dance breaks.

  • Read on for reasons including how from our row 5 seat we can see Malek’s eyes sparkle in the lights as they glaze with tears
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THEATRE REVIEW: Juno and the Paycock starring Mark Rylance at the Gielgud Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Tuesday 1 October, runs through 23 November 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Rylance is the titular peacock – pronounced ‘paycock’ in an Irish accent – who plays workshy father-of-2 ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle, a man never short of tall tales of adventure.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the funniest comedy in London’s West End right now with a very memorable central performance
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2024 featuring Oedipus starring Mark Strong

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Oedipus starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville

Director Robert Icke gave us Oresteia (Almeida Theatre) and reimagines another Ancient Greek tragedy starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville (Talking Heads, Bridge Theatre and film Back To Black) at the Wyndham’s Theatre 4 October through 4 January 2024. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Steve Coogan in Dr Strangelove, Mark Rylance & Lady Gaga
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THEATRE REVIEW: Groundhog Day starring Andy Karl at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 12 August, runs through 19 August 2023 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Pre-Covid we told Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus after Groundhog Day‘s initial run that it was ahead of its time when he revealed his plan for its return.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think this show has the legs for a West End run after its old Vic bow
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2023 starring Eurovision in Liverpool

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Eurovision Song Contest 2023 from Liverpool

We have our tickets and UK Eurovision entry I Wrote A Song by Mae Muller was April’s song of the month for us and is the country’s best effort since the almighty (Ooh Aah) Just A Little Bit by Gina G. Our favourite however is Tattoo by Loreen (pictured) for Sweden. Check out our Semi 1, Semi 2 and Final predictions for the 1st Eurovision in the UK since Dana International won in Birmingham 25 years ago. Tickets Rehearsals start on 30 April and we’ll be refining our predictions as we see footage. Final predictions

  • Read on for reasons including Brokeback Mountain, Groundhog Day returns, Alison Goldfrapp LP and Eddie Izzard’s Great Expectations
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FILM REVIEW: Matilda the Musical starring Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson & Lashana Lynch

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Matilda songwriter Tim Minchin (Groundhog Day, Old Vic) took to social media over the holidays to explain why this film was available on Netflix on Christmas Day in every country apart from the UK.

  • Read on for reasons including why this film isn’t available on Netflix in the UK and why it’s worth a cinema trip
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OPENING NIGHT THEATRE REVIEW/Q&A: Three Kings starring Andrew Scott at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE? Old Vic RUNTIME: 60 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 3/9, closes 5/9

This monologue was written for Scott by author Stephen Beresford and marks a return to working with director Matthew Warchus for the first time we think since the trio combined to devastating effect on quite possibly our favourite ever film, 2014’s comedy and emotional masterpiece Pride (watch clip below)

  • Read on for reasons including gems friend Dermot O’Leary teased out of Scott in the Q&A

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2020 starring Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Outdoor theatre is back at one of our favourite venues, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with 70 performances from 14/8/20 of a concert version of one of the shows most successfully staged there. Tyrone Huntley (pictured above, Leave To Remain and The View UpStairs) joins the cast and was nominated for an Olivier for a previous production of the show at this venue. We’ll be reporting from the previews about what the experience is like. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Juliet Stevenson at the Donmar, Andrew Scott at the Old Vic and an album by Declan McKenna

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THEATRE REVIEW: Lungs starring Claire Foy & Matt Smith at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Old Vic RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 14/10, opens 19/10, runs to 9/11/19

STOP PRESS: The Old Vic is staging socially distanced performances of Lungs from 26/6/20 tickets

Lungs is a two-hander with barely any scenery by People, Places and Things author Duncan Macmillan about a couple considering starting a family and asking themselves questions including whether it would be an environmentally-friendly decision.

  • Read on for reasons including how Foy & Smith shape up on stage after years opposite each other in TV’s The Crown

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