Pet Shop Boys

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for November 2025 starring All My Sons

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. All My Sons starring Paapa Essiedu, Bryan Cranston & Marianne Jean-Baptiste 

We last saw Sally Field in this Arthur Miller play at the Old Vic in 2019. Ivo Van Hove (Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre) is at the helm of this version at the Wyndham’s Theatre starring Paapa Essiedu, who won last year’s Best Theatre Actor monsta, Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Runs 14 November through 7 March 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Wicked 2, Everything But The Girl hits album and Noel Coward at the Menier
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AWARDS: Winners of the 2024 monstas are …

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monstagigz readers have been voting throughout October, November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2024 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2024 10th annual monstas winners …

  • Read on for reasons including the winners of our 17 monstas for the best theatre, pop, TV, film and podcasts of 2024
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song of 2024

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 2024? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or 10th annual monstas if you will, of 2024.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: Best Album Of 2024

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 2024? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or 10th annual monstas if you will, of 2024.

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SONG OF THE MONTH: A New Bohemia by Pet Shop Boys (June 2024)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Avant Garde was the original title for this song when its music was written on 25 May 2020, according to Pet Shop Boys annual titled, obviously, Annually.

  • Read on for reasons including how Pet Shop Boys album Nonetheless is 1 of the best of 2024 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Closer To Heaven starring Frances Ruffelle at the Turbine Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 1 June 2024, closes 30 June 2024 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 15-minute interval) Update: now extended through 27 July 2024

We 1st saw this Pet Shop Boys musical on its debut at the intimate Arts Theatre in London’s West End in 2001 and then on its revival at Above The Stag in Vauxhall in 2019 and said: ‘If you’re a Pet Shop Boys fan you’ll marvel at just how good these songs are but also why being so ahead of its time can be the only reason why it wasn’t a bigger hit’. 

  • Read on for reasons including how this is our favourite ever musical and this is its best revival
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Nonetheless by Pet Shop Boys (April 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: Loneliness; Feel; Why Am I Dancing?; New London Boy; Dancing Star; A New Bohemia; The Schlager Hit Parade; The Secret Of Happiness; Bullet For Narcissus; Love Is The Law

Written in lockdown, this 15th Pet Shop Boys studio album bursts with reflection, introspection and liberation in equal measure.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the Boys’ best album since 1993’s Very
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Dancing Star by Pet Shop Boys (April 2024)

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

Archive footage of ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev features in the video for this song about a rule breaker seeking freedom from oppression and it reminds us why Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant is pop’s finest lyricist.

  • Read on for reasons including why Pet Shop Boys are our favourite act
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for April 2024 starring Sir Ian McKellen in Player Kings

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Player Kings starring Sir Ian McKellen

Director Robert Icke (Oresteia and Hamlet, Almeida) combines Henry IV parts 1 and 2 and McKellen (Mother Goose, Duke Of York’s Theatre) plays Falstaff alongside Richard Coyle’s (Ink, Almeida) Henry and Toheeb Jimoh’s (Romeo and Juliet, Almeida) Hal. Runs at the Noel Coward Theatre 1 April through 22 June 2024. Tickets McKellen’s ‘performance of a lifetime’ Player Kings review

  • Read on for reasons including new Pet Shop Boys album, Bananarama at the Palladium & Two Strangers
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FILM REVIEW: Pet Shop Boys Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Wednesday 31 January 2024, also showing in selected cinemas Sunday 4 February 2024

‘A Friday night in Copenhagen – what could be better?’ asks Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant as the duo follow Taylor Swift and Beyonce into cinemas.

  • Read on for reasons including how some of the band’s greatest hits have recently featured in films
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