Patti LuPone

9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2025 starring James Graham’s Punch

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. James Graham’s Punch at the Young Vic

Author Graham (Boys From The Blackstuff, National Theatre) is enjoying a prolific run of theatre and TV writing including Brian And Maggie most recently on Channel 4. This transfers from Nottingham Playhouse and is based on a book by Jacob Dunne about an impulsive punch that leads to fatal consequences at the Young Vic. Runs 1 March through 26 April 2025. Tickets Cast includes Coronation Street‘s Julie Hesmondhalgh. Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Lady Gaga and Welly albums and double Eurovision winner Loreen live
Read More

GIG REVIEW: Patti LuPone: A Life In Notes at London Coliseum

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***** Tour continues through 24 May 2025 Tickets

Setlist: A Song For You; Come-On-A My House; Summertime Summertime; Ebb Tide; We Kiss In A Shadow; Teen Angel; Town Without Pity; I Wish It So; Some People; Lilac Wine; Alfie; Saratoga Summer Song; The Man That Got Away; Those Were The Days; On Broadway; Don’t Cry For Me Argentina; I Dreamed A Dream; The Ladies Who Lunch; Stars; Anything Goes; Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye; I Didn’t Know What Time It Was; Time After Time; Make You Feel My Love; Ready To Begin Again (Manya’s Song); Forever Young

This ornate London theatre has a 2,558 capacity and it’s testament to LuPone’s star quality during this biographical show in which she appears onstage with only 2 musicians that it feels much more intimate.

  • Read on for reasons including how LuPone’s star quality make this gigantic venue fizz with the intimacy of an off-Broadway dive bar
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for February 2025 starring Jonathan Bailey as Richard II

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Jonathan Bailey is Richard II

Bailey (film Wicked and COCK, Ambassadors) stars in this Shakespeare directed by Nicholas Hytner (Giant, Royal Court and transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre) at the Bridge Theatre. Runs 10 February through 10 May 2025 Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Cate Blanchett, Patti LuPone, Olly Alexander and Nicola Walker
Read More

MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best Performance of a song: 2018

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2018? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2018.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Best Performance of a song. 2017 winner: Tight Connection To My Heart by Sheila Atim (Girl From The North Country, Old Vic)

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Company starring Rosalie Craig & Patti LuPone at the Gielgud Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Gielgud Theatre RUNTIME: 2 hours and 35 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: 28/9, press night 17/10, runs to 22/12/18 (note: now extended to 30/3/19)

Company turns 50 in 2020 and the biggest compliment we can pay this inventive reimagining with a female Bobbi is that it works so well that it’s hard to imagine with a male lead.

  • Read on for reasons including how Sandi Toksvig was in the audience with us for this 4th preview

Read More

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

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Beverley Knight is in Sylvia at the Old Vic

We’ve enjoyed a live taster of this hip hop production which runs at the Old Vic 3-22/9 with Knight (2nd from left), who last wowed in Cats at the Palladium, starring as women’s rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst. Elliotte Williams N’Dure (centre clip below) absolutely bossing proceedings. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Patti LuPone in the West End, Janelle Monae in London & Killing Eve

Read More

GIG REVIEW: John Barrowman with Seth Rudetsky as pianist and host

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Leicester Square Theatre

WHEN: 13/4, runs to 14/4/18

We’ve always been big fans of John Barrowman but why have we never heard of the wise-cracking pianist and interviewer Seth Rudetsky who brings out the very best of the Torchwood star here?

  • Read on for reasons including how Barrowman’s first audition was his big break 

Read More