It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our 10th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Friday 23 August, opens 3 September and runs through 26 October 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
The best thing about Max Webster’s (Minority Report, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith) production of this revered comedy is the ridiculous performance of McArdle (pictured left, The Tragedy Of Macbeth, Almeida Theatre) who won our 2021 Best Theatre Actor monsta.
Death Of England: Michael, Death Of England: Delroy and Death Of England: Closing Time were written by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams and were originally performed at the National Theatre. Delroy won monstas for our Best New Play in 2020 and Best Theatre Actor for Michael Balogun in 2020. You can see these plays starring Paapa Essiedu (The Effect, National Theatre) and Erin Doherty (Crave, Chichester Festival Theatre) singly or in combinations during this innovative run. Runs 15 July through 28 September 2024. Tickets
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Friday 14 June 2024, opens 25 June and runs through 10 August 2024 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)
Corden writes the final episode of the beloved comedy Gavin and Stacey this Christmas and here stars in a timely drama as the titular constituent who seeks help from his hard-pressed MP.
It’s the young leads of this classic musical we’re most excited to see. Charlie Stemp won our Best Theatre Actor monsta last year (Crazy For You, Gillian Lynne Theatre) and we saw Georgina Onuorah in Cinderella at the same venue. Stephanie J. Block and Adrian Dunbar are the main leads here at the Barbican 4 June through 14 September 2024. Tickets Our preview review
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Saturday 3 February 2024, opens 13 February booking until 30 March 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (includes a 20-minute interval) Update: now booking Shaftesbury Theatre 15 May through 10 January 2026 Tickets
On 13 July 1985 we weren’t quite old enough for a Saturday job in Woolworth’s or WH Smith’s and instead watched Live Aid on TV at home after our paper round and if there’s 1 message from this global jukebox musical that resonates it is that individuals matter and when they work together they can change things.
Former Dr Who Smith (Lungs, Old Vic) who recently led TV’s House Of The Dragon stars in this Ibsen play about truth in a society driven by power and money. The supporting cast includes Jessica Brown Findlay (Uncle Vanya, Almeida) and Paul Hilton (The Glass Menagerie, Duke Of York’s Theatre) at the Duke Of York’s Theatre. Runs 6 February through 6 April 2024. Tickets Our review
Last year’s televised show celebrating the work of the late great Sondheim was a real thrill and this month stars including Peters and Salonga perform some of the composer’s best-loved songs alongside Haydn Gwynne (The Welkin, National Theatre), Janie Dee (Follies, National Theatre) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, London Palladium). Runs at the West End’s Gielgud Theatre 16 September through 6 January 2024. Tickets Update: Performances now begin 21 September without Gwynne. Review
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By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
WHEN?: Saturday 12 August, runs through 19 August 2023 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Pre-Covid we told Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus after Groundhog Day‘s initial run that it was ahead of its time when he revealed his plan for its return.
This year’s glorious Victorious Festival in Southsea runs across 3 days from Friday 25 August through Sunday 27 August with A Humdrum Mum’s names to look out for including Kasabian, Friendly Fires and The Charlatans as well as Jamiroquai, The Divine Comedy and Sigrid. Although we’re excited for newcomers Welly, this year’s UK Eurovision entry Mae Muller and Cian Ducrot whose debut album is appropriately titled Victory and out 4 August 2023. Tickets Day 1 review starring album chart-topper Cian Ducrot. A Humdrum Mum’s day 1 review Day 2 review Day 3 review
