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 ?
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.
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
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.
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.
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 Whittington, Snow 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
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.
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.
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
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.
