Stephen Sondheim

THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods starring Katie Brayben, Kate Fleetwood & Jamie Parker at the Bridge Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Tuesday 16 December and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This musical is the story of a baker and his wife who are struggling to have a child and decide to work together to end the witch’s curse over them.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a visual treat with Christmas parallels boasting an exquisite cast singing some of Sondheim’s most affecting work
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Here We Are at the National Theatre starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Jane Krakowski

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 25 April, opens 8 May and runs through 28 June 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

Sondheim, musical theatre’s Shakespeare, died in 2021 and when news emerged of this final new musical hopes were high that he might have saved his best for last.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a reminder of Sondheim’s clever wordplay that this electric cast give a 5* performance of
Read More

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
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Pacific Overtures at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 28 January (matinee), runs through 25 February 2024 RUNTIME: 105 minutes without interval

We promised ourselves we’d seek out more Sondheim after catching the glorious Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in London’s West End late last year.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is a strong production of a rarely performed work
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga at the Gielgud Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 September (matinee), opens 3 October runs through 6 January 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) UPDATE: Transfers to the Samuel J Friedman Theatre on Broadway from 25 March 2025

We’re sitting on the end of the 3rd row for the 3rd preview at this sold out 986-capacity venue and watch a single tear slide down the cheek of Bernadette Peters during a very moving Send In The Clowns.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is more fun than the BBC spectacular on which it is based
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2023 starring Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga

Last year’s televised show celebrating the work of the late great Sondheim was a real thrill and this month stars including Peters and Salonga perform some of the composer’s best-loved songs alongside Haydn Gwynne (The Welkin, National Theatre), Janie Dee (Follies, National Theatre) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, London Palladium). Runs at the West End’s Gielgud Theatre 16 September through 6 January 2024. Tickets Update: Performances now begin 21 September without Gwynne. Review

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Company directed by Antonio Banderas at Teatre Apolo de Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Friday 20 May, runs to 12 June 2022 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (with 20-minute interval)

Robert is single but dating and on his 35th birthday we see his life through his interaction with multiple couples.

  • Read on for reasons including how this faithful interpretation of the 1970 original is unexpectedly moving
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Maria Friedman and Friends: Legacy at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 20 March 2022, booking to 17 April 2022

RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute Interval)

There’s a lovely moment towards the end of this celebration of songwriters Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch and Michel Legrand when its star Friedman, who worked with them all, encourages the audience to sing with the cast.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a heartfelt, joyous and celebratory warm hug of a show
Read More

FILM REVIEW: West Side Story starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose & Rita Moreno

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

RELEASED: Friday 10 December 2021

Steven Spielberg’s bold reimagining of the 1961 film might not currently be attracting the audiences it needs to recoup its budget but it’s been shortlisted for our film of the year monsta and you can vote for it to win here.

  • Read on for reasons including how we shed a few tears during this film’s conclusion
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Company starring Rosalie Craig & Patti LuPone at the Gielgud Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Gielgud Theatre RUNTIME: 2 hours and 35 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: 28/9, press night 17/10, runs to 22/12/18 (note: now extended to 30/3/19)

Company turns 50 in 2020 and the biggest compliment we can pay this inventive reimagining with a female Bobbi is that it works so well that it’s hard to imagine with a male lead.

  • Read on for reasons including how Sandi Toksvig was in the audience with us for this 4th preview

Read More