By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK? ****
WHEN? Wednesday 10 December, opens 17 December and runs through 7 February 2026
What would you do if you found out on your silver wedding anniversary that you weren’t actually legally married 25 years ago?
This winner of 2 Tony Awards is a comedy play written by American comedian Cole Escola spoofing the lives of former US President Abraham Lincoln and wife Mary in the days leading up to his assassination where she might be an alcoholic while he is deeply closeted. Stars Mason Alexander Park (The Tempest, Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Runs 3 December through 25 April at Trafalgar Theatre. Tickets Our review
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN? 21 November 2025 on its day of release RUNTIME: 137 minutes
Wicked (Part 1) was a 5-star hit because it built on the beloved Act 1 of a classic musical giving it the visual flair and world-building that only cinema can with a superstar cast.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Tuesday 14 October, tour runs through 16 May 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
We catch this musical realisation of the Steps songbook shortly before the departure this week of its leading lady Rebecca Lock (Heathers, Other Palace) to musical Freaky Friday in Manchester.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Sunday 2 November 2025, European tour includes the UK and runs through 1 August 2026 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (with 20-minute interval)
It’s Halloween weekend and almost 2 years to the day after we last saw this musical at this very venue as we return to it with Jason Donovan (Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium) this time playing the lead.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN? Saturday 26 July, runs through 9 August 2025 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Jack Thorne (The Motive And The Cue, National Theatre) recently described Lynn Nottage, the author of this play, as ‘the closest thing to a living Shakespeare we have’ and on the evidence of this production it’s easy to see why.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN?: Saturday 31 May 2025, booking through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
The Broadway production of this musical starring its original British cast is up for 4 Tonys on Sunday (9 June 2025) and to celebrate we made our 3rd visit to this show.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN?: Saturday 10 May, opens 19 May and runs through 14 June 2025 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Fans of the country-inspired hits by acts including Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter will find a great deal to enjoy here in this Tony-winning musical about a woman trying to save her community when the corn that protects it starts dying.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN? Saturday 19 April (matinee), runs through 20 April 2025 Tickets for autumn gigs
Setlist: I Do And I Don’t Care; Mother; Lies; 69; You Forever; Logic Bitch; Prioritise Pleasure; Fucking Wizardry; The Curse; In Plain Sight; What Now; Cheers To Me; If Not Now, It’s Soon; Focus Is Power; I Do This All The Time; The Deep Blue Okay
Self Esteem urges us to keep our cameraphones on, ignore the ‘dusty old pervert vibes’ of this esteemed West End theatre and to get up out of our seats and dance if we want to.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Saturday 12 April 2025 (matinee, last night)
Based on the 1990 John Waters film (BFI Q&A), this new musical with book by the writer of Hairspray which ran on Broadway in 2008 is brought spectacularly to life in the best production we’ve yet seen at this east London studio venue.
