Old Vic

9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2022 starring Moulin Rouge

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  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
Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Play of 2021

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2021? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 15 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2021.

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Camp Siegfried starring Patsy Ferran and Luke Thallon at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

WHEN?: Saturday 11 September, opens 18 September, runs to 30 October 2021

RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Playwright Bess Wohl penned this play last summer during the pandemic while staying outside New York as Donald Trump’s presidential re-election campaign kicked into gear.

  • Read on for reasons including how Olivier Award-winning Ferran’s indoctrination is centre stage here
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Bagdad Cafe starring Sandra Marvin & Le Gateau Chocolat at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: Thursday 29 July, booking to 21 August 2021

We’re here because director Emma Rice has given us so many memorable theatrical moments and deep-voiced star Le Gateau Chocolat is a performer we’ve loved in cabaret but never on a West End stage like this one.

  • Read on for reasons including why the Old Vic is the most Covid-cautious of all the theatre venues we’ve visited recently
Read More

TOP 10: Best read monstagigz content of 2020 starring Richard Armitage

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. When Richard Armitage went topless in Uncle Vanya

We were at the 1st preview of this Chekhov adaptation by Conor McPherson and were blissfully unaware it would be closed by COVID-19 in March and be on cinema screens later in the year. The production is shortlisted for 4 monstas awarded 30/12/20.

  • Read on for reasons including the rise of Michael Balogun, the Death of England and Madonna in the West End
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2020 starring Palladium pantomime

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Palladium pantomime starring Julian Clary and Beverley Knight

Pantomime at Christmas looked for a while like it might not happen but this seasonal showstopper returns with a familiar cast including star Julian Clary 12/12/20 to 3/1/21 Tickets We’ve seen it ever since it started in 2016 and it’s essentially a variety show with something for everyone. Here’s what we said in 2017, 2018 and last year.

  • Read on for reasons including Death Drop, Cinderella by Jodie Prenger and Ma Rainey
Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Play of 2020

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

Read More

AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our Best Venue of 2020 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2019 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2020 so far and what’s to come. The Bush Theatre and the Old Vic are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best venues of 2020 so far and our hopes for the next three months

Read More

OPENING NIGHT THEATRE REVIEW/Q&A: Three Kings starring Andrew Scott at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE? Old Vic RUNTIME: 60 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 3/9, closes 5/9

This monologue was written for Scott by author Stephen Beresford and marks a return to working with director Matthew Warchus for the first time we think since the trio combined to devastating effect on quite possibly our favourite ever film, 2014’s comedy and emotional masterpiece Pride (watch clip below)

  • Read on for reasons including gems friend Dermot O’Leary teased out of Scott in the Q&A

Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2020 starring Talking Heads

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Talking Heads at the Bridge starring Monica Dolan and Imelda Staunton

Alan Bennett’s original series of monologues aired on BBC1 in 1988 to much acclaim with a second season debuting on the same channel a decade later. Two new scripts were written for a third BBC1 series in 2020 during which 10 of the originals were remade. To celebrate, the Bridge Theatre stages eight of the latest 12 in four pairs beginning 7/9 and running to 31/10 starring two winners of our Best Theatre Actress monsta Monica Dolan and Imelda Staunton. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Sara Pascoe at the Greenwich Comedy Festival, Andrew Scott and new Hurts 

Read More