AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2026 so far (Part 1 of 2)

You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2026.

  • Read on for reasons including 9 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2026 so far
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2026 starring Gillian Anderson

  1. Gillian Anderson in Virginia Woolf

We last saw Anderson resplendent on a revolving London stage at the Young Vic in A Streetcar Named Desire and here she stars in the classic Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? opposite Billy Crudup (High Noon, Harold Pinter Theatre) at the intimate @SohoPlace. Directed by Marianne Elliott (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, National Theatre) runs 21 September through 19 December 2026. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Golden Boy Josh O’Connor, Christine Baranski’s Hay Fever & farewell to St Etienne
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2026 starring Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

  1. Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

Oscar winner Oldman (Apple’s Slow Horses) directs and stars in this monologue about a man on his 69th birthday who sits alone and listens to the echoes of his younger self. The play returns to the Royal Court where it ran in 1958 in this York Theatre Royal production. The run is sold out although tickets are available on Mondays. Runs 8 through 30 May 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Rosalia at The 02, High Society and Delta Goodrem at Eurovision
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THEATRE REVIEW: Broken Glass directed by Jordan Fein and starring Eli Gelb, Pearl Chanda, Alex Waldmann, Nancy Carroll & Juliet Cowan at the Young Vic

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Saturday 21 February, opens 3 March and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 120 minutes without interval

This venue has a strong recent record of reviving Arthur Miller plays including A View From The Bridge and Death Of A Salesman and this lesser known work deserves to be considered in the same sentence as those.

  • Read on for reasons including how there are no multi cameras or technological trickery needed when the cast is this strong and material so pertinent
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for February 2026 starring Cynthia Erivo as Dracula

  1. Cynthia Erivo is Dracula

Erivo won our 2024 Best TV/Film Actress monsta for Wicked and recently starred in its sequel which was our 2025 Best Film. Here she is the sole focus of attention in a 1-woman Dracula directed by Kip Williams (The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Theatre Royal Haymarket) which runs at the Noel Coward Theatre 4 February through 30 May 2026. Tickets The 1st 3 preview performances have now been cancelled. Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Suede on tour, Fl02, Wuthering Heights and Broken Glass
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bengal Tiger At The Baghdad Zoo starring Arinze Kene & Peter Forbes at the Young Vic

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK? **1/2

WHEN? Saturday 13 December (matinee) and runs through 31 January 2026 RUNTIME 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Young Vic artistic director Nadia Fall takes to the stage immediately before this performance to say 3rd ‘tiger’ Peter Forbes (Follies, National Theatre) only read the play on Wednesday, 3 days ago.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’d advise to go late in the run to see this production if at all
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actress of 2025

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre Actor 2025

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Play of 2025

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Venue of 2025

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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