News

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Same Sun/Same Sky by The Darling Buds (August 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

Tracklist: Hey Saint Jude; Intruder; Oh No You Don’t; Lost Time; Jump In; Giddy In A Good Way; Cut Me Dead; Cast A Stone; Pretenders; Paper Planes; Leaving The Scene; Pollyanna Says

Same Sun/Same Sky is the 1st new album for 34 years by The Darling Buds and it draws on the best of the many styles of the band’s 1st trio of LPs to underline why they were so underrated.

  • Read on for reasons including if you’ve ever loved the band, Same Sun/Same Sky should definitely shine for you
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hit Machine starring Noah Galvin, Josh Radnor & Khalil Madovi at Soho Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Thursday 16 July and runs through 15 August 2026 RUNTIME: 75 minutes (without interval)

Galvin (pictured above left) makes his London theatre debut while his husband Ben Platt is about to open across town in new musical Midnight At The Never Get at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

  • Read on for reasons including how Hit Machine is smart, funny and bursting with songs
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THEATRE REVIEW: An Adequate Abridgement Of Boarding School Life As A Homo at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 8 May and runs through 10 May 2026 RUNTIME: 60 minutes (interval)

It’s a tale as old as time but young gay love story Homo is the anti-Heartstopper.

  • Read on for reasons including how Homo gives us neither the easy answer or ties up all of its very many loose ends
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Maggie’s Song by Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem) (May 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

It’s arguably theatre’s most memorable moment of the year so far and now the song is available to listen to and watch (see below).

  • Read on for reasons including how allowing Taylor this moment to update the play with music is nothing short of astonishing
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THEATRE REVIEW: Slippery starring John McCrea & Perry Williams at the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 23 March, runs through 11 April 2026 RUNTIME: 80 minutes (no interval)

What would you do if the ex-boyfriend you ghosted for 10 years put you down as his emergency contact and the hospital called to ask you to pick him up after an accident?

  • Read on for reasons including how this captivating 2-hander refuses to let its audience out of its vice-like grip
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Heat 4 2026 starring Meira Omar and Smash Into Pieces

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: Saturday 21 February 2026 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Malmö Arena, Malmö WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

We were shocked Korslagda were eliminated in last week’s Heat 3 and wonder whether Smash Into Pieces will benefit from the result as rock fans look for something they can root for in the 7 March final.

  • Read on for reasons including Timo Räisänen, Cimberly and Erika Jonsson
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for February 2026 starring Cynthia Erivo as Dracula

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Cynthia Erivo is Dracula

Erivo won our 2024 Best TV/Film Actress monsta for Wicked and recently starred in its sequel which was our 2025 Best Film. Here she is the sole focus of attention in a 1-woman Dracula directed by Kip Williams (The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Theatre Royal Haymarket) which runs at the Noel Coward Theatre 4 February through 30 May 2026. Tickets The 1st 3 preview performances have now been cancelled. Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Suede on tour, Fl02, Wuthering Heights and Broken Glass
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 5 2026 starring Sanna Nielsen, Bladë & AleXa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHERE? Gärdehov, Sundsvall WHEN? Saturday 28 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

Nielsen is the 2nd former Melodifestivalen winner competing in its 66th year and finished 3rd in Copenhagen in 2014 singing the gorgeous Undo.

  • Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 2 2026 starring Robin Bengtsson, Arwin, Brandsta City Släckers, Felicia & Laila Adèle

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHERE? Scandinavium, Gothenburg WHEN? Saturday 7 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

There are 2 returning winners to the 66th Melodifestivalen this year and the 1st is Robin Bengtsson who won MF in 2017 finishing 5th in Kyiv, Ukraine with I Can’t Go On.

  • Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
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THEATRE REVIEW: Oh Mary! starring Mason Alexander Park & Giles Terera at the Trafalgar Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Thursday 4 December, opens 18 December and runs through 25 April 2026 RUNTIME 80 minutes (without interval)

There’s so much that’s troubling going on in the world right now that sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of laughing daily.

  • Read on for reasons including how Oh Mary! is arguably London’s funniest comedy of the moment
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