theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: Ride The Cyclone starring Divina de Campo at the Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Sunday 21 June, opens 24 June and runs through 22 August 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

We really weren’t expecting to love this new musical as much as we did and we wonder whether it is its creators’ fondness for the awkward British humour of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and the Pythons that won us over.

  • Read on for reasons including how, if you’re looking for a dark horse musical that’s a bit edgy, eerie yet a wild experience, come Ride The Cyclone!
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THEATRE REVIEW: May Day starring Jo Foster at the King’s Head Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 19 June, runs through 21 June 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

The big draw of this workshop production of a new musical is the central role for the Olivier Award-nominated Jo Foster (Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre and Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how May Day has real potential with a little tender loving care to find and bare its West End legs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hot Mess starring Danielle Steers & Morgan Gregory at the Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 June, opens 23 June and runs through 6 September 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

Hot Mess was shortlisted for our Best New Musical 2025 monsta and last year we said of it: ‘We’d definitely recommend catching it on this short run and wouldn’t be at all surprised if it scorches its way to the West End next.’

  • Read on for reasons including how Hot Mess remains 1 of the best new musicals of recent years
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pride starring Samuel Barnett at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 13 June, opens 25 June and runs through 12 September 2026 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

The audience rises as 1 at the curtain to give this musical re-imagining of the beloved 2014 film about lesbian and gay support for the miners during their 80s industrial action the adulation it deserves.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is giving Redcliffe a run for its money as the best new musical of the year so far
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for July 2026 starring Ben Platt at the Menier

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Ben Platt in Midnight At The Never Get

Platt (The Last Five Years, London Palladium) stars in this story about Trevor Copeland and Arthur Brightman who perform love songs in 1965 New York at a time when their love is against the law. Runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory 11 July through 12 September 2026. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Cats, Confessions II and Rosie Sheehy in The Oresteia
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THEATRE REVIEW: Redcliffe starring Jordan Luke Gage at Southwark Playhouse (The Large)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 May, opens 27 May and runs through 4 July 2026 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Welcome to the best new musical of 2026 so far with a book, music and lyrics by Jordan Luke Gage who you may have seen leading musicals including Bonnie & Clyde.

  • Read on for reasons including how we fell head over heels in love with the songs and even shed a few tears throughout
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THEATRE REVIEW: High Society starring Helen George, Felicity Kendal, Julian Ovenden & Freddie Fox at Barbican Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 May (matinee), opens 3 June and runs through 11 July 2026 and then tours through 14 November 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Helen George (Love In Idleness, Menier) may still be best known for TV’s Call The Midwife and is the central character here as Long Island socialite Tracy Lord planning a June 1938 wedding to accountant George Kittredge.

  • Read on for reasons including how this production maintains the general standard of this venue’s traditional summer musical blockbuster revival
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THEATRE REVIEW: Equus starring Toby Stephens, Amanda Abbington & Noah Valentine at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 9 May (matinee), opens 18 May and runs through 4 July 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Inside No 9 and Waterloo Road‘s Noah Valentine follows in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe in baring all as troubled 17-year-old Alan Strang who is blinding horses.

  • Read on for reasons including how this version is so strong we do expect it to transfer to the West End
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THEATRE REVIEW: Heart Wall at Bush Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Wednesday 15 April and runs through 16 May 2026 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

The audience taking their seats is welcomed with the offer of karaoke at The Sun Inn near Manchester by young barman Valentine played by Aaron Anthony.

  • Read on for reasons including how Heart Wall offers an extremely moving final moment which feels well-earned
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kate Butch at Wilton’s Music Hall

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 9 April, runs through 17 May 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘Give me a shout if you’ve never heard of me before’, asks the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World runner up as part of the audience warm-up. ”Don’t they sound sad?’

  • Read on for reasons including how Butch is definitely our favourite and wittiest queen from Drag Race
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