REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver, Mason Alexander Park & Mathew Horne at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 9 December 2024, opens 17 December and runs through 1 February 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’ve certainly had the recent windy weather to fully appreciate the timing of this much looked-forward-to production starring Storm Sigourney.

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s only really when Weaver gets to her feet that this production has wind in its sails
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bette & Joan starring Greta Scacchi & Felicity Dean

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 5 December 2024, runs through 11 January 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Heat and Dust, White Mischief, Presumed Innocent and The Player … if you’re wondering whatever happened to Greta Scacchi, the actress who appeared in those films, read on.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is serious subject matter given a delightfully funny airing thanks to a formidable duo
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Producers starring Andy Nyman & Marc Antolin at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 30 November 2024 (matinee), opens 9 December and runs through 1 March 2025 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including interval) Update: Transfers to the Garrick 30 August 2025 through 21 February 2026 Tickets

Our companion whispers: ‘This is brilliant!’ in our ear at the end of 2nd song The King Of Old Broadway as Andy Nyman (film Wicked (Part 1) as down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock makes us forget we saw Nathan Lane (Angels In America, National Theatre) in the role in London’s West End.

  • Read on for reasons including how this was the funniest show our companion had seen for at least 10 years
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Musical 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 month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.

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GIG REVIEW: Charli XCX at The 02

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Thursday 28 November 2024, tour runs through 18 June 2025

Setlist: 365; 360; Von Dutch; Rewind; I Might Say Something Stupid; Club Classics; Unlock It; Talk Talk; Apple; So I; Spring Breakers; Girl, So Confusing; Welcome To My Island; Everything Is So Romantic; Speed Drive; Sympathy Is A Knife; Guess; 365; Party 4 U; Vroom Vroom; Everything Is Romantic; Welcome To My Island; 360; Dancing On My Own; Track 10; I Love It;

Charli XCX describes her biggest London gig to date as a moment she’ll never forget after she duets with Robyn and takes a back seat during an emotional encore including the kindred spirit’s Dancing On My Own.

  • Read on for reasons including how XCX absolutely convinced as an arena act
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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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THEATRE REVIEW: Fly More Than You Fall starring Keala Settle at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 2 November (matinee), runs through 23 November 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Settle (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) plays Miss Coddle, a new character created for the film Wicked released later this month and she’s by some distance the best reason to catch this new musical at this 300-seater venue.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is worth seeing for Settle but manages to be both big-hearted and yet heavy-handed
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Play 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 monstas if you will, of 2024.

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THEATRE REVIEW: A Face In The Crowd starring Ramin Karimloo & Anoushka Lucas at the Young Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 26 October 2024 (matinee), runs through 9 November 2024 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best bit in this Elvis Costello musical based on a 1957 US film is when leading man Ramin Karimloo (Murder Ballad, Arts Theatre) leaps into the audience in a political rally as charismatic man of the people Lonesome Rhodes during song Blood and Hot Sauce.

  • Read on for reasons including how it was baffling this could promise so much and yet deliver so little
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dr Strangelove starring Steve Coogan at Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 12 October, running through 25 January 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘A-ha!’ Steve Coogan’s beloved creation Alan Partridge may not be in this hilarious tweaked version of the classic 1964 political satire but the spirit of his character’s comedy genius is quite literally everywhere.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the West End’s funniest comedy
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