REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Ride The Cyclone starring Divina de Campo at the Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Sunday 21 June, opens 24 June and runs through 22 August 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

We really weren’t expecting to love this new musical as much as we did and we wonder whether it is its creators’ fondness for the awkward British humour of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and the Pythons that won us over.

  • Read on for reasons including how, if you’re looking for a dark horse musical that’s a bit edgy, eerie yet a wild experience, come Ride The Cyclone!
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Guilty starring Russell Tovey at the Donmar Warehouse

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 70 minutes (without interval)

WHEN?: Monday 22 June, opens 30 June and runs through 15 August 2026

Meet troubled police officer Joe, played by Russell Tovey (Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre), who takes a series of 999 calls in this real-time thriller set in London.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the perfect setting for this real-time thriller to grip you by your collar and never let go
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THEATRE REVIEW: May Day starring Jo Foster at the King’s Head Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 19 June, runs through 21 June 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

The big draw of this workshop production of a new musical is the central role for the Olivier Award-nominated Jo Foster (Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre and Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how May Day has real potential with a little tender loving care to find and bare its West End legs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hot Mess starring Danielle Steers & Morgan Gregory at the Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 June, opens 23 June and runs through 6 September 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

Hot Mess was shortlisted for our Best New Musical 2025 monsta and last year we said of it: ‘We’d definitely recommend catching it on this short run and wouldn’t be at all surprised if it scorches its way to the West End next.’

  • Read on for reasons including how Hot Mess remains 1 of the best new musicals of recent years
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FILM OF THE MONTH: Disclosure Day starring Emily Blunt & Josh O’Connor (June 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 145 minutes

It’s almost half a century since director Steven Spielberg helmed Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and his 1st film since 2022’s The Fabelmans is his best since 2002’s Minority Report.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a story that bears telling today amid the world’s many current wars
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pride starring Samuel Barnett at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 13 June, opens 25 June and runs through 12 September 2026 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

The audience rises as 1 at the curtain to give this musical re-imagining of the beloved 2014 film about lesbian and gay support for the miners during their 80s industrial action the adulation it deserves.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is giving Redcliffe a run for its money as the best new musical of the year so far
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FILM OF THE MONTH: The Devil Wears Prada 2 starring Meryl Streep (May 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly is 1 of Meryl Streep’s most iconic characters and it should perhaps be no surprise that this sequel is proving even more popular than its original.

  • Read on for reasons including how the success of this sequel means this may not be the last we see of this saga
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TV PREVIEW/REVIEW: 6 reasons why you should watch Half Man

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

Richard Gadd won Emmys for writing, producing and acting in Baby Reindeer – which won 6 in all – and Half Man is arguably his even darker follow-up about 2 brothers ‘from another lover’ across 30 years.

  • Read on for reasons including how Half Man is more thought provoking than even Baby Reindeer
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Apollo by Gene (June 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: London, Can You Wait?; Be My Light, Be My Guide; We Could Be Kings; Where Are They Now?; Truth, Rest Your Head; Your Love, It Lies; Long Sleeves For The Summer; Sleep Well Tonight; Save Me, I’m Yours; O Lover; Speak To Me Someone; A Car That Sped; Walking In The Shallows; Haunted By You; Olympian; For The Dead; Sick, Sober and Sorry; Fighting Fit; I Can’t Help Myself; Who Said This Was The End?

It’s 8 months after Gene’s 1st London gig for 21 years and the perfect time for this live album to drop ahead of Camden Roundhouse shows this autumn.

  • Read on for reasons including how Apollo proves a startling reminder of both how incredible Gene were and could be again
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THEATRE REVIEW: Redcliffe starring Jordan Luke Gage at Southwark Playhouse (The Large)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 May, opens 27 May and runs through 4 July 2026 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Welcome to the best new musical of 2026 so far with a book, music and lyrics by Jordan Luke Gage who you may have seen leading musicals including Bonnie & Clyde.

  • Read on for reasons including how we fell head over heels in love with the songs and even shed a few tears throughout
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