Old Vic

9 reasons why we can’t wait for October

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Lazarus rises

This 18-song David Bowie musical ran off Broadway for three months from November 2015 and features hits including Life On Mars?, Heroes and Absolute Beginners. It was written by Bowie with Once author Enda Walsh. Starring Dexter’s Michael C. Hall and directed by Ivo van Hove, it runs 25/10 – 22/1 at the King’s Cross Theatre and seems a fitting salute to the star who died 10 days before curtain down on the US show. Tickets.

  • Read on for reasons including Star Trek, Anne-Marie Duff and Glenda Jackson’s return

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INVESTIGATION: Should you join your favourite theatre as a member?

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

Would becoming a member of your favourite theatre make it easier for you to get the most in-demand tickets? We became a member of five of our favourite London venues to see what the value for money is.

  • Read on to find out what membership of the Almeida, British Film Institute, Menier Chocolate Factory, National Theatre and Old Vic gets you.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Groundhog Day

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Old Vic

WHEN: 1st preview 15/7, press night 16/8, runs to 17/9

24 hours before we are due to attend this 1st preview we receive an email from the venue saying the show’s not quite ready, designating it the final dress rehearsal, offering us full refunds and saying our tickets are still valid.

  • Read on for details of this production’s Broadway run

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ALBUM/THEATRE REVIEW: Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre cast recording)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: 5/8

Musical soundtracks can be a risk when the show is removed from the showbusiness equation and the listener is left with the business audio end.

  • Read on for details of our first look at Sheridan Smith in the Savoy version of this show

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

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Sheridan Smith returns to Funny Girl and releases soundtrack

Sheri actually made her triumphant return last month but we’re seeing her in it for the 3rd time the day after the soundtrack is released 5/8. It won 2015’s monstas for best musical and actress. Picture via Facebook courtesy Funny Girl UK. Tickets.

  • Read on for reasons including X Factor, Billie Piper and Trapped

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PREVIEW: 11 reasons why we can’t wait for July

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Pet Shop Boys play the Royal Opera House

Super is our album of the year so far and the Boys’ only 2016 UK dates are during their four-date Inner Sanctum residency at the Royal Opera House. We saw Rufus Wainwright there a while back and it’s a venue Neil and Chris were born to play. Tickets have sold out but we’d check here for returns.

  • Read on for reasons including Looking: The Movie, Shura, Ab Fab & Groundhog Day premiere

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THEATRE REVIEW: Richard III starring Ralph Fiennes & Vanessa Redgrave

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Almeida

WHEN: 10/6, press night 16/6 runs to 6/8

Director Rupert Goold’s inventive take on this Shakespeare classic revolves around a trench centre stage, beginning and concluding in the modern day Leicester car park where Richard III‘s body was recently found.

  • Read on for whether Ralph Fiennes’ Richard III is as good as Benedict Cumberbatch’s

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THEATRE REVIEW: Aladdin starring Dean John-Wilson & Jade Ewen

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Prince Edward Theatre

WHEN: 6/6, press night 15/6 booking to 11/2/17

Summer’s biggest blockbuster shows are arguably this very panto remake of the 1992 Disney musical and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child which open within days and a stone’s throw of each other in London’s West End.

  • Read on for details of the two big moments in this musical of the year so far

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8 reasons why we can’t wait for June

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. 34th Glastonbury Festival

Just 1 of the reasons why we started this blog. So much to look forward to in 2016: John Grant, Fatboy Slim, Cyndi Lauper, Aluna George, Adele, Coldplay, Disclosure, New Order, Grimes, Roisin Murphy, Years and Years, Jake Bugg and St Etienne, we’re looking at you for starters. And that’s just the main stages. Our annual fix will also feature the delights from the rest including Will Young, The Feeling and Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs. An opportunity to say goodbye also to Bowie and Prince.

  • Read on for reasons including Shura, Richard III and The Deep Blue Sea

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