We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. James McAvoy, George Mackay and Andrew Scott are previous winners in this category.
The Garrick Theatre had some success earlier this year with Griff Rhys Jones/Lee Mack comedy The Miser and this musical re-working of the Mel Brooks classic looks like it will be puttin’ on the Ritz with a cast including Ross Noble (see above) and Lesley Joseph. Runs 28/9 to February 2018. Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios
WHEN: 29/7 runs through 18/11
Apologia means a formal defence of a position or action and it’s a well-chosen title for this thoughtful reflection on whether acting for the greater good can excuse parental neglect.
It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios
WHEN: 17/11 (matinee), press night 1/12, runs until 18/2/17
We were in the audience for five-times Oscar nominee Ed Harris’ fourth preview for his West End debut in this Broadway transfer in which he appears alongside his real-life wife Amy Madigan.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Wyndhams Theatre
WHEN: 21/9, runs to 17/12
Never has there been a play in the history of theatre where we’ve disagreed so intently with our companion for the evening about their interpretation of it.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios
WHEN: 3/6, runs to 13/8
Standing ovations at the end of West End shows are nothing new but the enthusiasm with which this audience appreciated this play from the pen of Hollywood star Jesse Eisenberg and in which he also stars surprised even us.
Ashton was shortlisted for a 2015 monsta for best theatre actress for Splendour at the Donmar and headlines here with Orange Is The New Black‘s Uzo Aduba in Jean Genet’s tale of the help for Downton Abbey‘s Laura Carmichael. Performed by the Jamie Lloyd Company, we’re expecting something spiky and stylish. (Pic via Facebook courtesy Jamie Lloyd Company)
WORTH A LOOK: ****
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios
WHEN: 19/11 runs to 13/2
This 50th anniversary production of Harold Pinter’s unsettling play has attracted a stellar cast including Gemma Chan (who starred in Channel Four’s Humans), John Simm, Gary Kemp and Keith Allen.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios 2
WHEN: 15/10 (matinee), runs to 7/11
Trafalgar Studios 2 has to be one of our favourite theatrical spaces – 80 seats packed tightly around a stage makes for an intimate venue.
