Southwark Playhouse

THEATRE REVIEW: The Code starring Tracie Bennett & John Partridge at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Saturday 11 October (matinee), runs through 11 October 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Bennett is arguably best known for her Olivier and Tony nominations as Judy Garland in End Of The Rainbow and here plays bisexual actress Tallulah Bankhead on the night she discovers to her surprise that she’s not being cast in the film of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

  • Read on for reasons including whether this delightfully cast treat deserves a West End transfer
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2025 starring The Line Of Beauty

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. The Line Of Beauty at the Almeida

Jack Holden (Cruise) adapts the Alan Hollinghurst novel we’ve loved directed by Michael Grandage (Orlando, Garrick Theatre) in this story of Thatcher’s Britain at its most decadent and divisive in London 1983. Runs at the Almeida 21 October through 29 November 2025. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including the return of Gene, Nicola Walker and Transvision Vamp’s Wendy James live
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THEATRE REVIEW: Brixton Calling at Southwark Playhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *** (review ticket)

WHEN?: Friday 25 July 2025 (press night), runs through 16 August 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

The best thing about this story of the rejuvenation of 1 of London’s greatest venues is its cast playing instruments evoking punk, reggae, rave and rock filling the listener with belief that music at its best really can change the world.

  • Read on for reasons including the true story of how Simon Parkes founded Brixton Academy
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THEATRE WORKSHOP: Mona Loser at Southwark Playhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN? Saturday 19 July 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan are best known for musical Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) which won our 2023 Best New Musical monsta.

  • Read on for reasons including to hear a song from the new musical and how Mona Loser shows great promise
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for July 2025 starring Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Sean Hayes from Will And Grace in Good Night, Oscar

Emmy and Tony Award-winner Hayes makes his London debut and plays the hottest late night talk show host in 1958 in this Broadway transfer to the Barbican. Runs 100 minutes without interval 31 July through 21 September 2025. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including new Cian Ducrot, Samira Wiley in the West End and Culture Club
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THEATRE REVIEW: Radiant Boy: A Haunting at Southwark Playhouse Borough (The Little) starring Stuart Thompson & Renee Lamb

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 110 minutes (with interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 24 May (matinee), runs through 14 June 2025

Russell is a singing student with cropped bleached blond hair who returns to his north-east home in the 80s where his single mother calls the local priest to exorcise her son’s demons.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is truly shocking and 1 of the best new plays of the year
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THEATRE REVIEW: Midnight Cowboy starring Max Bowden at the Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 5 April, opens 10 April and runs through 17 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The triple Oscar-winning 1969 film about the unlikely friendship between a male prostitute and his business partner played by Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman is perhaps not the 1st candidate to spring to mind to become a stage musical.

  • Read on for reasons including how you should see this if you’re a fan of Bowden’s because he displayed some serious musical theatre muscle
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2025 starring Kylie Minogue

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Kylie brings Tension tour to The 02

Ms Minogue’s Tension show arrives in London for 4 gigs at The 02 this and next month as part of a world tour which runs through 26 August 2025. Tickets We 1st saw her live on the Enjoy Yourself tour at London’s now-no-more London Arena in 1990 and have seen her since at the old Wembley Arena, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, new Wembley Arena and many times at The 02 – but not since 2014. Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Eurovision Song Contest predictions, Scissor Sisters reunite and Imelda Staunton
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for April 2025 starring Self Esteem at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Self Esteem debuts new album at the Duke Of York’s Theatre in London

Rotherham-born Rebecca Lucy Taylor starred in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End but is perhaps best known as pop star Self Esteem for last album Prioritise Pleasure, in 2021 an album of the month for us. She debuts 3rd album A Complicated Woman at gigs we join her for in London’s West End this month. Tickets are return only. Album out 25 April 2025 Our song of the month is new single 69. Our review of the gig and review of the album

  • Read on for reasons including Here We Are, new Conor McPherson play and Ewan McGregor onstage
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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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