GIG REVIEW: Kate Butch: Wuthering Shites at Soho Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Tuesday 12 August through 16 August 2025 RUNTIME: 60 minutes

We’ve enjoyed Mamma Mia! and even Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again but would we be ‘hitting the Vaseline’ for Bush! The Musical ?

  • Read on for reasons including how the spirit of Victoria Wood ambled amongst us during this show
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THEATRE REVIEW: This Bitter Earth starring Omari Douglas & Alexander Lincoln & directed by Billy Porter at Soho Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Wednesday 18 June, opens 24 June and runs through 26 July 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Harrison David Rivers’ 2017 play This Bitter Earth is about an interracial gay couple in the US and their different attitudes to and experiences of activism as they seek to overcome the racism and prejudice they face.

  • Read on for reasons including how this UK directorial debut is rendered with much of the theatrical flair you might expect from a performance of Billy Porter’s
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for June 2025 starring Rachel Zegler as Jamie Lloyd’s Evita

  1. Jamie Lloyd’s Evita at the Palladium

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre hosted Lloyd’s Evita in 2019 but we’re imagining this Palladium incarnation will be different starring as it does West Side Story‘s Zegler. We’re hoping it will be more Romeo And Juliet than Sunset Boulevard. Runs at the Palladium 14 June through 6 September 2025. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Omari Douglas, new Pulp LP and Ruth Wilson onstage
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GIG REVIEW: Ginger Johnson: Ginger Johnson All The Way! at Soho Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Tuesday 12 December, runs through 6 January 2024 RUNTIME: 70 minutes (no interval)

‘I’m not the world’s biggest fan of Christmas,’ confides Johnson at the start of this festive run of a show which is less jingle bells and more jingle hells.

  • Read on for reasons including how this RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner uses original songs to give us a peak inside her mind
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pandemonium by Armando Iannucci at Soho Theatre

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 2 December, runs through 13 January 2024 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Meet Orbis Rex, a rotund bundle of self-confidence with a mop of unkempt blond hair, musing whether the UK should Leave or Remain in the EU.

  • Read on for reasons including how this intimate venue offers a perhaps too early opportunity to reflect on the possible humour in what was an unremittingly dark situation for so many
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2023 starring Jennifer Saunders in Peter Pan

  1. Jennifer Saunders and Julian Clary in the Palladium pantomime

7 years ago Julian Clary starred opposite Paul O’Grady in pantomime Cinderella at this venue in a production that marked a return of the form to a theatre previously renowned for it. We’ve loved the shows that have followed, Dick WhittingtonSnow White, Goldilocks, and Pantoland at the Palladium, in both 2020 and 2021, and Jack And The Beanstalk starring Dawn French in 2022. French’s comedy partner Jennifer Saunders stars here alongside Clary and My Son’s A Queer‘s Rob Madge. Runs 9 December through 14 January 2024. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including David Tennant’s Macbeth, Joe Cole’s Homecoming and new musical Cold War
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Christmas Carol-ish by Mr Swallow starring Nick Mohammed & Sarah Hadland

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 80 minutes (no interval) Update: Transfers to @SohoPlace 16 November through 31 December 2024 Tickets

WHEN?: Saturday 10 December (matinee), runs to 23 December 2022

We’re in the front row here because Mohammed (2nd from left above) is very funny as part of the ensemble in Apple TV’s hilarious Ted Lasso and stars here while also writing the book and lyrics.

  • Read on for reasons including how Hadland from TV’s Miranda gets to perform the giblets out of the hit of the night I Love My Turkey
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THEATRE REVIEW: Brown Boys Swim at Soho Theatre (Upstairs)

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2 RUNTIME: 60 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: Thursday 29 September, runs to 15 October 2022

Young Muslims Mohsen (pictured left above) and Kash (pictured right) are best friends and decide to learn to swim when they are invited to classmate Jess Denver’s pool party.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is very funny but boasts a sharp shift in tone
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2022 starring Tammy Faye at the Almeida

  1. New Elton John, Jake Shears and James Graham musical

Tammy Faye Messner was an American evangelist, singer, author, talk show host, and television personality. This musical about her life includes music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham (Ink, Almeida and BBC1’s Sherwood). It stars Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells (The Prom and The Boys In The Band). Runs 13 October through 3 December. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Brown Boys Swim, Simon Russell Beale and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Musical of 2019

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2019? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2019.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Best New Musical of the year. 2018 winner: Eugenius

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