Hamlet review: Benedict Cumberbatch shines in this flawed production at the Barbican August 27, 2015 The Barbican | ★★★☆☆ “We are all Hamlet” booms the programme of The Barbican’s – nay, the world’s – fastest-selling play of all time. It means that Hamlet’s such a broad part, he can be played as a lunatic, a depressive, a Machiavellian and even, heaven forbid, a woman. But while we can all be [...]
I spy a tired espionage caper with The Man From U.N.C.L.E. August 14, 2015 Cert 12a | ★★☆☆☆ Guy Richie’s big screen adaptation of the 60s spy show has been in development for over 20 years, with everyone from George Clooney to Quentin Tarantino linked with the project. It hasn’t been worth the wait. The story takes place at the height of the Cold War, focusing on a secret [...]
Film review: Trainwreck August 13, 2015 Cert 15 Four Stars It would be easy to dismiss Trainwreck as another adult comedy about a party animal who needs to grow up, but writer-star Amy Schumer is no Vince Vaughn. Her character’s foul mouthed partying belies an underlying fragility, and her fraught negotiation of life-altering events – most notably, falling for a sensible [...]
Film review: Mistress America August 13, 2015 Cert 15 Three Stars “Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere,” croons David Bowie in Golden Years, the song that bookends Noah Baumbach’s last film While We’re Young. We could well take this as a maxim aimed at Baumbach’s characters – at least in his cautiously optimistic later films, which all follow [...]
Opera review: Carmen August 13, 2015 Soho Theatre Four Stars This pioneering OperaUpClose production of Carmen is raw and unpolished, and that’s why it works. The DIY set, inventive costume design and earthy, enthusiastic performances conspire to revivify this staple of the operatic repertoire. Carmen is the tale of a sexually liberated woman killed by a culture of machismo. OperaUpClose has [...]
Film review: Paper towns August 13, 2015 Cert 12a Two Stars There was a time in the not-too-distant past when teenage films were a mindless cluster of fart jokes, jock posturing and boobs. But now there’s a new kind of teen film on the block – ushered in by novelists like Nicholas Sparks and John Green – that’s all about feelings. Gushing [...]
Perfect Saturday August 13, 2015 BRUNCH OF CHAMPIONS PROVIDORES You’ve heard of Continental and full English, but Kiwi? New Zealand restaurant Providores in Marylebone offers one of the best brunch menus in London. Forget bubble and squeak and margarine on toast, go for the grilled chorizo with sweet potato and miso hash. A luxurious start to the weekend. Visit theprovidores.co.uk [...]
Almeida’s Bakkhai is a stirring but wayward production August 7, 2015 Almeida | ★★☆☆☆ The Almeida’s stirring new production of Euripides’ Bakkhai begins with a promise. “I will thrill you,” says Ben Wishaw as Dionysus, clearly enjoying the rapt attention commanded by his shamanic appearance. His look: Jesus in drag, or a beardy Ophelia. Movement-wise he’s like Madonna, sporadically voguing throughout his opening monologue. He’s got [...]
Film review: Fantastic Four? More like a fantastic bore August 7, 2015 Cert 12a | ★★☆☆☆ Even in this superhero-obsessed age, the latest incarnation of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four represents something of a risk, given the franchises turbulent recent history. There’s the 1994 version, made to retain the movie rights and infamously shelved without ever reaching cinemas. Then there are the dreadful noughties films starring Jessica [...]
Theatre review: Bakkhai August 6, 2015 Almeida Theatre Three Stars The Almeida’s stirring new production of Euripides’ Bakkhai begins with a promise. “I will thrill you,” says Ben Wishaw as Dionysus, clearly enjoying the rapt attention commanded by his shamanic appearance. His look: Jesus in drag, or a beardy Ophelia. Movement-wise he’s like Madonna, sporadically voguing throughout his opening monologue. He’s [...]