west-end

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: Oh Mary! starring Mason Alexander Park & Giles Terera at the Trafalgar Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Thursday 4 December, opens 18 December and runs through 25 April 2026 RUNTIME 80 minutes (without interval)

There’s so much that’s troubling going on in the world right now that sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of laughing daily.

  • Read on for reasons including how Oh Mary! is arguably London’s funniest comedy of the moment
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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: Clarkston starring Joe Locke & Ruaridh Mollica at Trafalgar Studios

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 3 October, runs through 22 November 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Heartstopper‘s Locke plays Jake who is being trained by Ruaridh Mollica’s Chris to work the nightshift in the warehouse of superstore CostCo stacking shelves.

  • Read on for reasons including how Heartstopper fans won’t feel shortchanged by a drama which offers 1 of its stars navigating similar subject matter to the show that made his name
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bacchae starring Clare Perkins, Ukweli Roach & James McArdle at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Tuesday 23 September, opens 24 September and runs through 1 November 2025 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

Author Nima Taleghani (Romeo And Juliet, Duke Of York’s Theatre) is perhaps best known as gay teacher Mr Farouk in Netflix’s Heartstopper and with this his play becomes the 1st debut work on the Olivier Theatre stage.

  • Read on for reasons including this is a flawed and irreverent take on a Greek classic which will make you laugh
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LAST NIGHT: THEATRE REVIEW: The Fifth Step starring Jack Lowden & Martin Freeman @SohoPlace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN? Saturday 26 July 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Like all of the greatest actors, Jack Lowden (Measure For Measure, Donmar) is absolutely unrecognisable as Scottish incel Luka here compared with the role of flawed hero River Cartwright he is perhaps best known for in Apple TV’s fine Slow Horses.

  • Read on for reasons including how we laughed a lot at The Fifth Step and the dexterity of the wordplay is quite beautiful
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THEATRE REVIEW: Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre starring Sophie McShera, Georgina Onuorah & Ben Joyce

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 10 May, opens 19 May and runs through 14 June 2025 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Fans of the country-inspired hits by acts including Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter will find a great deal to enjoy here in this Tony-winning musical about a woman trying to save her community when the corn that protects it starts dying.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the best new musical of the year so far
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Why Am I So Single? (Original London cast recording) (Friday 14 March 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

New musical Why Am I So Single? ran at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End from 27 August 2024 through 19 January 2025 and this cast recording is a welcome way to remind its audience of its merits until its inevitable triumphant return to the stage.

  • Read on for reasons including this is a show with a big heart unafraid to wear it on its sleeve and it’s certainly not goodbye forever
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Lightning Thief starring Max Harwood & Joaquin Pedro Valdes at the Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 5 January 2025, runs through 31 August 2025 RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this coming-of-age story riffing on Greek mythology is the way it encourages difference to be viewed as a superpower.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical is a triumph of world building rather let down by its songs
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at the Ambassadors Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 3 January, runs through 15 March 2025 Update: Extended through 31 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Relocating F Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of a baby born as an elderly man and living his life backwards – best known as a 2008 film starring Brad Pitt – to the North Cornwall coast brings a community feel reminiscent of fellow musical Come From Away to this warm hug of a show.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a heartwarming little gem of a show well worth seeking out if you can
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