Monstering the Rocketman review – Elton aims for the Sun in skewering of 80s tabloids

Pleasance Dome, EdinburghHeadlines punctuate Henry Naylor’s play about the newspaper’s campaign against Elton John and the multiple lawsuits launched by the singerHenry Naylor started out in comedy but the lines that get the biggest laughs in Monstering the Rocketman are not his. That credit goes to the subeditors on the Sun whose talent for writing headlines, as crass as they were inspired, was second to none. In their 1980s heyday, when the tabloid’s circulation soared close to 4m, they could sum up their readers’ belligerent mood with a “Gotcha” or just make them laugh.You might wince at a bottom-related soap-opera story headlined “Rear Enders” or, in the 1990s, George Michael being stung with “Zip Me Up Before You Go Go”, but you can only admire their panache. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Animation smashes Netflix record in days becoming second most-watched film

Metro

Comments

Similar News

‘Oh God no, Dad!’ The makers of TV’s most terrifying monsters reveal their repulsive secrets

Alien: Earth – Ridley Scott’s terrifying space monster finally comes to TV … and it’s properly creepy

‘It’s the best monster ever invented’: Noah Hawley on bringing Ridley Scott’s Alien to TV

Best Monster Books That Question Heroes and Villains

Monster Chetwynd on her Tate Modern installation for kids

Culture

Animation smashes Netflix record in days becoming second most-watched film

60s rock icon reveals reason he’s skipping Hall of Fame induction after 40 years of eligibility

Leonardo DiCaprio says ‘biggest regret’ is turning down ‘masterpiece’ 1997 movie

Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova shares photo from hospital bed after ‘scary’ fall

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies says it will not define his legacy

Repair Shop guest breaks down as gran’s Second World War diary is restored

Zoë Kravitz says she ‘destroyed’ Taylor Swift’s bathroom after losing pet snake

Yungblud: ‘Ozzy Osbourne stood for being yourself, without compromise’

TV fans call new sci-fi series a ‘masterpiece’ after just two episodes

Vince McMahon claims Hulk Hogan ‘wasn’t racist’ but ‘said some racist things’

Amazon’s biggest show sounded like hot garbage – now I’m completely hooked

Fans predict being ’emotionally wrecked’ after first look at acting legend’s comeback

Real-life tragedy that inspired terrifying horror hit Weapons

Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show receives record audience spike thanks to Fox News guest

Demi Lovato says Jonas Brothers reunion for Camp Rock songs was ‘healing’

Stephen King reveals his perfect ending to the ‘Trump horror story’

Are we living in the movie Her yet?

The Joe Rogan Experience is a mirror for America

The 25 pieces of culture that explain the last 25 years

How The Fellowship of the Ring explains post-9/11 America

WWE legend Charles Robinson rushed to hospital after animal attack

Amazon’s biggest show sounded like hot garbage – now I’m completely hooked

Diana Ross, 81, sparks concern after pulling out of performance due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’

TV presenter Jay Blades appears in court charged with two counts of rape

‘Honour their memory’: Dolly Parton shares her advice on grief for Kelly Clarkson after ex-husband’s death

Strictly Come Dancing announces Ru Paul’s Drag Race star La Voix as seventh contestant for 2025 series

Daniel Day-Lewis makes acting return after retirement with first look at new film

Jeremy Clarkson’s The Farmer’s Dog finally provides pub essential after complaints

Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova taken to hospital after ‘nasty’ rehearsal fall

Pirates of the Caribbean producer ‘thinks’ Johnny Depp will return in new movie

The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades to appear in court charged with rape

‘I thought Love Is Blind UK season 2 was cursed – but I was wrong’

Love Is Blind: UK Season 2 on Netflix review: vapid, empty, boring

The rise (and fall?) of Tyler Perry

One movie went from zero to hero 50 years ago – here’s why it’s still going strong today

21 fan theories that will completely change the way you watch iconic movies

Teens arrested for Brad Pitt burglary targeted other stars, say LA police

Why Jennifer Lawrence didn’t want Emma Stone to shave off all her hair for movie role

Alien: Earth is a stark warning against the erosion of humanity

Strictly Come Dancing full lineup 2025: Meet the celebrity contestants announced so far

Wednesday fans’ wishes ‘confirmed’ after Jenna Ortega debunks popular fan theory

Tulisa of N-Dubz speaks on life after infamous drugs sting: ‘It’s only now that I’m in a more peaceful place’

‘I hate modern dating after hosting one of Netflix’s biggest ever shows’

White House calls for a 'comprehensive review' of eight Smithsonian museums

Malin Akerman reveals Melania Trump was the inspiration for her Hunting Wives character

The Repair Shop restoration leaves man in tears over grandmother’s wartime diary

Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘ghoulish delight’ lands 50,000,000 views in just days

Ozzy Osbourne ‘was having fun’ with daughter Kelly in poignant moment at funeral

'Ozzy is everything': Yungblud pays tribute to his hero as he opens up about 'raw' documentary

Jeremy Clarkson joins backlash as JD Vance holidays in the Cotswolds

Remembering the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest — a contest for bad writing

White House Announces Comprehensive Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions

Danielle Spencer, Child Star on ‘What’s Happening!!,’ Is Dead at 60

Channel 4 thriller In Flight is so tense I had to hold my breath

Kristin Davis reveals which one of her Sex and the City co-stars said she had ‘body dysmorphia’

Katie Price’s ex-husband Kieran Hayler apologises to Princess Andre

80s singer blasts AI ad that claimed he had ‘troubles with erectile dysfunction’

'Alien: Earth' is one of the best shows so far this year

What If A.I. Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This?

English singer cancels concert after ‘falling ill’ just hours before show