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. Oddshaped Balls and The Ferryman are previous winners in this category.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE: Young Vic
WHEN: 17/3, press night 28/3 runs to 19/5/18
We leave the auditorium with tears in our eyes at the end of Part 1 to be met by Vanessa Redgrave in the venue lobby who we assume is gauging audience reaction before she debuts in Part 2.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Young Vic
WHEN: 17/3, press night 28/3 runs to 19/5/18
Author Matthew Lopez writes in the programme of the power of literature – how watching Emma Thompson in Howards End as a 16-year-old changed his life.
Two highlights for us of last year were the National Theatre’s production of Angels In America by Tony Kushner and Sharon D. Clarke in musical The Life at Southwark Playhouse. This year D. Clarke is in Kushner’s musical Caroline, Or Change set in Louisiana in 1963 which runs 12/3 to 21/4 at Hampstead Theatre. Transferred from Chichester’s Festival Theatre. Tickets
It’s Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2017? Over the next few days we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 13 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2017.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Young Vic
WHEN: 15/9, press night 20/9, runs to 4/11
Two years ago Natalie Abrahami directed Juliet Stevenson in a memorable and mesmeric static rendition of Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days at this very venue.
Would becoming a member of your favourite theatre make it easier for you to get the most in-demand tickets? We became a member of eight of our favourite venues and bought one group membership to see what the value for money is.
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
We awarded 12 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2016 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2017 so far and what’s to come. The Shakespeare Trilogy, by the Donmar at King’s Cross Theatre, was the previous winner in this category.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Apollo Theatre
WHEN: 13/7, press night 24/7, runs to 7/10
Director Benedict Andrews’ last Young Vic production starred Gillian Anderson and was his take on Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. It was the smash hit of 2014, transferred to Broadway and his follow-up is no less deserving of such an honour.
