The art of inclusivity: Any path to a fairer economy should have culture at its heart September 24, 2018 Culture and commerce have thrived alongside one another in the Square Mile for centuries, arguably since it was a bustling Roman port and commercial centre. Today, the City of London is home to a number of world-leading cultural institutions, with an enviable reputation for artistic excellence and innovation. You may be surprised to learn [...]
Misty review: Arinzé Kene is a firebrand in this abstract show about what constitutes a ‘black play’ September 20, 2018 “Not all writers get to write what they want,” says Arinzé Kene, the writer, director and star of this mainly one man show. Only two musicians accompany him, sitting either end of the stage, and occasionally a younger actor makes an appearance as his little sister. But this is Kene’s show, a gifted performer who [...]
Misty review: Arinzé Kene is a firebrand in this abstract show about what constitutes a ‘black play’ September 20, 2018 “Not all writers get to write what they want,” says Arinzé Kene, the writer, director and star of this mainly one man show. Only two musicians accompany him, sitting either end of the stage, and occasionally a younger actor makes an appearance as his little sister. But this is Kene’s show, a gifted performer who [...]
Shadow of the Tomb Raider review: A thrilling adventure, but one whose morally ambiguous message sticks in the craw September 20, 2018 The recent Tomb Raider games are prime examples of something called ludonarrative dissonance, where the story and gameplay elements are in uneasy conflict. It asks morally introspective questions about its protagonist and her goals, while simultaneously forcing you to commit morally questionable – even indefensible – acts. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the final instalment [...]
Shadow of the Tomb Raider review: A thrilling adventure, but one whose morally ambiguous message sticks in the craw September 20, 2018 The recent Tomb Raider games are prime examples of something called ludonarrative dissonance, where the story and gameplay elements are in uneasy conflict. It asks morally introspective questions about its protagonist and her goals, while simultaneously forcing you to commit morally questionable – even indefensible – acts. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the final instalment [...]
We Happy Few game review: A stylish alt-history romp ruined by dated mechanics and bugs galore September 20, 2018 Two years in early access saw We Happy Few transform from a procedurally generated survival sim to a Bioshock-esque narrative drama, with appropriately schizophrenic results. It presents an interesting spin on the ‘What if the Nazis won the war?’ trope, with the beleaguered residents of fictional British archipelago Wellington Wells placated with a drug called [...]
We Happy Few game review: A stylish alt-history romp ruined by dated mechanics and bugs galore September 20, 2018 Two years in early access saw We Happy Few transform from a procedurally generated survival sim to a Bioshock-esque narrative drama, with appropriately schizophrenic results. It presents an interesting spin on the ‘What if the Nazis won the war?’ trope, with the beleaguered residents of fictional British archipelago Wellington Wells placated with a drug called [...]
The US Embassy is throwing its doors open to the general public for the first time as part of Open House London this weekend September 18, 2018 Few Londoners can have failed to notice that there’s a new United States Embassy in town. Firstly, it’s hard to miss. The enormous glass cube is currently the most striking landmark in Nine Elms, a post-industrial stretch of riverbank that’s still very much a work in progress. Those who don’t visit Wandsworth very often may [...]
The US Embassy is throwing its doors open to the general public for the first time as part of Open House London this weekend September 18, 2018 Few Londoners can have failed to notice that there’s a new United States Embassy in town. Firstly, it’s hard to miss. The enormous glass cube is currently the most striking landmark in Nine Elms, a post-industrial stretch of riverbank that’s still very much a work in progress. Those who don’t visit Wandsworth very often may [...]
An extract from Spectrum, a new book published in association with the V&A museum about the global history of wallpaper September 18, 2018 Before the industrial revolution, the vast majority of domestic interiors were necessarily plain and simple, with whitewashed walls, perhaps tinted with an earth pigment such as ochre or umber. Fabrics were used sparingly, and were assiduously reused and recycled. Colour schemes were largely drab; jewel-bright hues and rich patterns were delights only available to an [...]