We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2020 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2021 so far and what’s to come. Previous winners in this category are 2020 Enola Holmes, 2019: Booksmart, 2018: The Happy Prince, 2017: God’s Own Country, 2016: The Pass, 2015: Amy.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: via livestream 10 July 2021, runs to 17 October 2021
RUNTIME?: 110 minutes (no interval)
There’s a screen above the stage which alternates statements and statistics to highlight the mental health issues raised in this tragedy but also how young people are affected today.
Sutton Foster replaces Megan Mullally (Will and Grace) in this revival of the classic Cole Porter musical set on a cruise ship starring also Robert Lindsay, Felicity Kendal (Lettice and Lovage, Menier) and Gary Wilmot (Pantoland at the Palladium) at the Barbican. Runs 23 July through 17 October. Tickets
It’s not easy being a band with a 40-year history that wants to write new material when the fans are familiar with hits as glorious as Digging Your Scene, It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way and Wait. The trick is to write material as memorable as the songs that broke you and the Blow Monkeys played a blinder with Time Storm, a song of the week for us last year. The follow-up More Than A Miracle out 16/4/21 is in a similar vein, doesn’t disappoint and sits well with the best of the band’s back catalogue. Album Journey To You follows in September. Tickets are on sale for UK dates in October including a London gig at 229. Read our interview with Dr Robert on this site in April.
Lipa makes the leap from theatres to arenas with the release of this second LP out 3/4/20 although it was actually brought forward a week after it leaked. Her May gigs at London’s O2 have been rescheduled. Tickets The album is very well named as the 11-song collection weaves 80s hooks into radio-friendly dance floor classics. The sound of a coronavirus-beating summer perhaps? Current single Physical is available to watch below.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Garrick Theatre
WHEN: 12/11
The Kenneth Branagh Company’s year-long run of six plays at the Garrick Theatre closed tonight on its highest high with its star taking the lead in The Entertainer.
WHERE?: BFI
WHEN: 6/4
Sir Ian McKellen is telling the BFI audience about his relationship with Shakespeare because the venue has put his Richard III at the heart of its celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the bard’s death later this month.
Read on for details of Sir Ian’s new app version of The Tempest out 23/4
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