As the Bank of England calls for ideas, these are the artists who could feature on the new £20 note (spoiler: it’s unlikely to be a woman) May 19, 2015 The Bank of England today put out a call for ideas as to who could feature on its next £20 note. The Bank said the note will "celebrate Britain's achievements in the visual arts" – and asked for the public's ideas as to who should feature. Mark Carney, the Bank's governor, said the note could [...]
Adam Smith to be replaced by artist on £20 note May 19, 2015 Economist Adam Smith will be replaced by a historic figure from the visual arts on the new £20 note to be released next year. The Bank of England (BoE) will invite the public to nominate candidates on who should adorn the new bank note, via its website until the deadline of 19 July. In particular, [...]
Film review: Clouds of Sils Maria May 15, 2015 Cert 12a | ★☆☆☆☆ Clouds of Sils Maria takes the acting profession so seriously the entire script could be printed off and submitted to Private Eye’s Luvvies column. Juliette Binoche plays a fading Hollywood star, Kristen Stewart her assistant, and together they hit every cliché short of air-kissing and telling each other they’re marvelous. [...]
Art review: Peter Kennard May 15, 2015 Imperial War Museum | ★★★★☆ In the cathedral of militaria that is the Imperial War Museum, a dash of pacifism can help keep things in perspective. Photomontage artist Peter Kennard spent the last 50 years making provocative collages denouncing conflict, greed and corporate misdemeanours. Kennard’s work is caustic and confrontational, the stuff of [...]
Theatre review: Death of a Salesman May 15, 2015 Noel Coward Theatre | ★★★★☆ Incredibly, this year is the centenary of Arthur Miller’s birth, and he’s still America’s most famous playwright. It’s incredible because Death of a Salesman – his Pulitzer Prize-winning opus on the American Dream – still reverberates around the claustrophobic walls of our 9-to-5 culture. Through Willy Loman, an everyman [...]
Film review: Pitch Perfect 2 still hits the right notes May 15, 2015 Cert 12a | ★★★☆☆ If you haven’t heard of Pitch Perfect, it’s probably because you’re not a girl under the age of 25. But this comedy about rival acapella choirs became a cult hit in 2012, largely due to breakout performances from the sickeningly talented Anna Kendrick and offbeat Australian comedian Rebel Wilson. Simply [...]
Film review: The Tribe May 15, 2015 Cert 18 | ★★★☆☆ That this daring film got an international release at all is one of several impressive things about it. For not only is it sickeningly violent and utterly pessimistic, but it also plays out entirely in Russian Sign Language – without subtitles. Don’t bring a date. The plot is mercifully [...]
Mad Max: Fury Road is the best action film of the year – film review May 14, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★★ Mad Max: Fury Road is the most surprisingly brilliant, gloriously demented film of the year. It’s a carnival of the grotesque that combines Hollywood sheen with a heart of pure, unadulterated pulp. What’s just as extraordinary is that the only other movies director George Miller has worked on since the millennium [...]
Something for the weekend May 14, 2015 MUNCH! CROSSTOWN DOUGHNUTS Mmmmm doughnuts! And not just any doughnuts. This new shop in Soho takes an already indulgent treat to the next level with flavours including salted camarel with banana cream and Belgian chocolate truffle. 4 Broadwick Street, Soho, visit crosstowndoughnuts.com LISTEN! LSO IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE See one of the greatest orchestras in the [...]
Frida Kahlo’s life in things: New exhibition celebrates the most famous female artist of all time May 12, 2015 When Frida Kahlo wasn’t breaking ground as a leading member of the Mexican avant garde art movement, she was sleeping with Trotsky, befriending Picasso and entrancing the world with her androgynous charisma. Her life was every bit as earthily sexual as her paintings: one of the first artists to have a reputation that truly preceded [...]