AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2022

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Oklahoma! starring Anoushka Lucas, Arthur Darvill, Marisha Wallace & Liza Sadovy at the Young Vic

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 30 April, booking to 25 June 2022 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including 1 20-minute interval)

We’re sat onstage behind a trestle table on which sits a six-pack of Bud Light and a cooking pot of chilli as male lead Curly McLain, played by Arthur Darvill, arrives playing guitar and singing Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’ and sits opposite us.

  • Read on for reasons including how the source material has been tweaked to make the story more unsettling
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for April 2022 starring The 47th

  1. Mike Bartlett’s The 47th at the Old Vic starring Bertie Carvel

Dr Foster author Bartlett’s COCK was our pick of last month and in April he has 2 new plays opening (see also Scandaltown further down this list). The 47th stars Carvel (pictured, Ink, the Almeida, West End and Broadway) as Donald Trump, the 47th US President, and runs at the Old Vic 29 March through 28 May 2022. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Nicola Walker, Jodie Comer and an Oklahoma revival
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INVESTIGATION: Should you join your favourite theatre as a member? (2020 update part two)

The Old Vic was the second winner of our Best Theatre Venue monsta last year and below are details of what you can expect from patron membership which for us meant sharing a rehearsal room with actors including Sally Field and Jenna Coleman (pictured).

  • Read on to find out what membership of Hampstead Theatre, National Theatre, Old Vic, Other Palace, Royal Court and Young Vic gets you

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AWARDS MONSTAS: Our Best Theatre Actor of 2019 so far

We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. Arinze Kene, Andrew Scott, George Mackay and James McAvoy are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best theatre actors of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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THEATRE REVIEW: Death Of A Salesman starring Sharon D. Clarke & Arinze Kene at the Young Vic

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Young Vic RUNTIME: 185 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

WHEN? 3/5, press night 9/5, runs to 29/6/19 (now extended to 13/7)

We were at the Royal Albert Hall last month for the Olivier Awards and the prize we were most pleased to see received was Sharon D. Clarke’s for Best Actress In A Musical and, as if to prove it, her performance of Lot’s Wife from Caroline, Or Change stole the show.

  • Read on for reasons including how this production emphasises the mental health element of the classic play

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2019

  1. Death Of A Salesman starring Sharon D.Clarke and Arinze Kene

D. Clarke (pictured 2nd from right, top) won our Best Actress monsta last year as well as the Olivier for Best Actress In A Musical for her star turn in Caroline, Or Change and is here directed by Marianne Elliott (pictured left in video, hot from Company) and appears alongside Arinze Kene (winner of our Best Actor monsta for Misty and far left in the picture). Their revival of the Arthur Miller classic runs 1/5 through 29/6 at the Young Vic. ReviewTickets

  • Read on for reasons including Madonna, Eurovision, Anne-Marie Duff, Faye Tozer and Oti Mabuse

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THEATRE REVIEW: Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train starring Ukweli Roach & Dervla Kirwan

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Young Vic RUNTIME: 120 minutes (excluding 15-minute interval)

WHEN? 15/2, opens 20/2 and runs to 30/3/19

Angel Cruz played by Ukweli Roach (pictured above) is in prison on Rikers Island, New York, where he encounters a fellow inmate on a similar murder charge.

  • Read on for reasons including how this play was shortlisted for a Best New Play Olivier when it was 1st staged in London

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best New Play of the year: 2018

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2018? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2018.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Best New Play of the year. 2017 winner: The Ferryman (Royal Court, then Gielgud Theatre)

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best Theatre Actor of the year: 2018

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2018? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2018.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Theatre Actor of the year. 2017 winner: Andrew Scott in Hamlet at the Almeida

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