theatre

THEATRE REVIEW: Avenue Q at Shaftesbury Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 21 March (matinee), opens 16 April and runs through August 29 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

With song titles like It Sucks To Be Me, If You Were Gay and Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, this 3-time Tony Award winner is very much an adult take on Sesame Street with puppets.

  • Read on for reasons including how Avenue Q has lots of irreverent laughs and more fun-filled songs than you could shake a stick (puppet) at
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kinky Boots starring Johannes Radebe and Matt Cardle at the London Coliseum

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Thursday 19 March, opens 29 March and runs through 11 July 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Condragtulations to Strictly professional dancer Radebe who makes the transition to West End leading man with perfect poise and in fine voice.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is Radebe’s musical theatre debut and he’s the perfect fit for this show
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Mirrored Monet: The Musical starring Dean John-Wilson at Charing Cross Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Tuesday 17 March, opens 24 March and runs through 9 May 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this musical of the life of French painter and founder of the Impressionists Monet is when his wife contemplates their relationship in 11pm number There Are No Stars.

  • Read on for reasons including whether Monet’s story benefitted from musical form and why the songs weren’t better
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kenrex starring Jack Holden at The Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026, runs through 1 February 2026 Transfers off Broadway 15 April through 27 June 2026 (Ticket link below) RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s the extraordinary performance by Jack Holden (Cruise) playing multiple roles which is the best reason to see this true crime retelling of the death of town bully Ken McElroy in Skidmore, Missouri in 1981.

  • Read on for reasons including how it will be fascinating to see what the US makes of this British take on a difficult story from its past
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THEATRE REVIEW: American Psycho starring Arty Froushan & Daniel Bravo at the Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 24 January, opens 30 January and runs through 14 March 2026 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

Bret Easton Ellis’ cult 1991 yuppie serial killer novel American Psycho turned 2000 film starring Christian Bale never really screamed to become a musical.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is an uncomfortable watch we were repelled by that just reminded us about quite how dark 2026 has become
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THEATRE REVIEW: High Noon starring Billy Crudup & Denise Gough at Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 19 December, opens 9 January and runs through 7 March 2026 RUNTIME 100 minutes without interval

There’s a clock above the stage ticking forward in real time to the titular High Noon as Billy Crudup’s marshal Will Kane prepares to meet his fate.

  • Read on for reasons including how Gough and Crudup make for a couple the audience can root for
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THEATRE REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk starring Victoria Scone at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 December (matinee), runs through 4 January 2026

This pantomime penned by the genius that is Andrew Pollard offers an ‘adults only’ option and we’re clearly at the wrong showing but there’s so much potential here that we can’t wait to return.

  • Read on for reasons including how author Pollard continues to show what 1 can achieve with a heart bigger than a budget
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THEATRE REVIEW: Woman In Mind starring Sheridan Smith & Romesh Ranganathan at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 12 December, opens 6 January and runs through 28 February 2026 and then to Sunderland Empire and Glasgow Theatre Royal RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Patsy Cline’s Crazy and Jamiroquai‘s Virtual Insanity play immediately before curtain up to establish the mood as we enter the mind of Susan played by national treasure Sheridan Smith (Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how Smith brings the warmth and humanity she is renowned for to some still topical material
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Producers starring Andy Nyman & Marc Antolin at the Garrick Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 18 October, runs through 19 September 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We reviewed this revival of the Mel Brooks-written classic at the Menier Chocolate Factory last year and brought friends who’d never seen it to its West End transfer.

  • Read on for reasons including how Brooks virgins will be seduced by this marvellous musical comedy
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THEATRE REVIEW: Here And Now starring Rebecca Lock, Blake Patrick Anderson, River Medway & Finty Williams at New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Tuesday 14 October, tour runs through 16 May 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We catch this musical realisation of the Steps songbook shortly before the departure this week of its leading lady Rebecca Lock (Heathers, Other Palace) to musical Freaky Friday in Manchester.

  • Read on for reasons including how you’d be a deeper shade of blue if you missed out
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