It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Vaudeville Theatre
WHEN: 2/11, runs to 4/2/17
This consistently joyous revival of Terry Johnson’s 1994 hit comedy is notable for including the second example of full-frontal male nudity we’ve seen in London theatreland in less than a week.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Old Vic
WHEN: 28/10, runs to 3/12
How long is too long in the theatre? It’s a question which crosses our mind during this three-hour-and-45-minute production with one 15-minute interval.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Old Vic
WHEN: 17/9, runs to 19/9
64 days ago we went to the final rehearsal of this Tim Minchin musical and were invited by director Matthew Warchus to pay for tickets if we enjoyed that free show.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
