9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2023 starring Eurovision in Liverpool

  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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THEATRE REVIEW: Sylvia starring Beverley Knight and Sharon Rose at the Old Vic

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: 30 January, opens 2 February and runs through 1 April 2023 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘The Old Vic’s Artistic Director Matthew Warchus said to me in 2018: ‘Musicals aren’t written, they’re re-written’, says Sylvia director Kate Prince in the programme.

  • Read on for reasons including Beverley Knight and Sharon Rose giving it their all as a mother and daughter who don’t see eye to eye
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2023 starring Aidan Turner & Jenna Coleman in Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

  1. Aidan Turner and Jenna Coleman bring Lemons, Lemons, Lemons to the West End

We last saw Turner on a West End stage 4 years ago in Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noel Coward Theatre) and Coleman at the Old Vic in 2019 in All My Sons. Lemons is a revival of a 2015 two-hander with a running time of just 75 minutes about the importance of words, is directed by Josie Rourke (Sweet Charity, Donmar) and on at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Runs 18 January through 18 March 2023. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Beverley Knight in new musical Sylvia, Nolly and new plays Boys Are Kissing and The Unfriend
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Best read monstagigz content of 2022 starring Jodie Comer’s West End debut

  1. When we saw the 1st preview of Prima Facie starring Jodie Comer

Comer’s West End debut was anticipated eagerly and this review of the Killing Eve star’s 1st preview is the best read piece of content monstagigz has published in its 7-and-a-half year history, let alone in 2022. Vote for Comer to win Best Theatre Actress in our annual monstas and for Prima Facie to win Best New Play. Review Broadway tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Fra Fee and Callum Scott Howells in Cabaret
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actor of 2022

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Eureka Day starring Helen Hunt and Ben Schnetzer at the Old Vic

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Tuesday 6 September 2022, opens 23 September, runs to 31 October 2022 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Eureka Day opens with a headteacher and parent governors in the seemingly liberal titular private US school debating at length the inclusivity of a drop-down menu describing the pupils’ ethnicity.

  • Read on for reasons including our thoughts on Helen Hunt’s London stage debut
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2022 starring Suede

  1. Suede live and new album Autofiction

Suede may have reformed in 2010 but they’ve never mattered to us in the same way as they did when we 1st saw them at Portsmouth Pyramids in 1993 – until now. Singles She Still Leads Me On and 15 Again show a flair and consistency we’ve not seen this century. New album Autofiction is released 16 September and we see them the night before at a special gig at PRYZM, Kingston. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The P Word, The Band’s Visit, Eureka Day and Self Esteem
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for April 2022 starring The 47th

  1. Mike Bartlett’s The 47th at the Old Vic starring Bertie Carvel

Dr Foster author Bartlett’s COCK was our pick of last month and in April he has 2 new plays opening (see also Scandaltown further down this list). The 47th stars Carvel (pictured, Ink, the Almeida, West End and Broadway) as Donald Trump, the 47th US President, and runs at the Old Vic 29 March through 28 May 2022. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Nicola Walker, Jodie Comer and an Oklahoma revival
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2022 starring Moulin Rouge

  1. Moulin Rouge at the Piccadilly Theatre

This musical version of the 2001 film won 10 Tonys in 2020 and opened in London in 2021 although Covid delayed its press night and, as we write, it is still in previews with a 1st official night pushed back to 9 January 2022. We hope to visit the jukebox musical ahead of its revised press night and check out our site for a review. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including A Number at the Old Vic, new Years & Years album and Taboo reunion
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