Phaedra at the National Theatre: Yerma director returns with a strange hit February 16, 2023 Those expecting a traditional retelling of Seneca’s Phaedra may think they’ve walked into the wrong theatre when the Lyttelton curtain rises. There isn’t a tunic or a doric column to be seen in director Simon Stone’s reimagining – instead you’re met by a gleaming glass cube housing an extremely swanky modern apartment. You may still [...]
Fans criticise ‘pointless’ Blackadder reunion without Rowan Atkinson February 15, 2023 Richard Curtis, Blackadder’s creator, has confirmed that the comedy will return for a one-off special this year, but fans on social media are criticising the reunion because of Rowan Atkinson’s refusal to take part. “Blackadder without Rowan Atkinson is like a broken pencil. Pointless,” wrote one fan. “Without Rowan Atkinson..stop..please just stop..stop..!!” wrote another. “I [...]
Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie is officially being made February 15, 2023 Marvel studios has announced that Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie is in the writing process, news that’s sure to excite his legions of fans. Spider-Man No Way Home took 1.9 billion at the international box office, making it the highest-grossing Spider-Man film ever made and Sony’s highest-grossing film of all time. Part of its success [...]
The Lehman Trilogy returns to the West End and it’s as vital as ever February 15, 2023 The Lehman Trilogy, first performed in London in 2018, is one of the great plays of recent times, a perfect meeting of vision and execution, text and cast, time and place. Coming a decade after the financial crash, Sam Mendes’ production won five Tony awards and made its inevitable journey across the Atlantic to Broadway. [...]
Donatello at the V&A is a once in a lifetime chance to see a true genius February 10, 2023 “The greatest sculptor of all time” is a hefty title to live up to. “Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance” makes a hearty case for it in this expansive and thrilling exhibition. It’s curated in partnership with the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence, and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, which have [...]
You Netflix review: Penn Badgley’s psychopathic killer moves to London – but is it any good? February 9, 2023 You Netflix review and star rating: ★★★☆☆ You on Netflix started as an interesting rumination on social media, Penn Badgley’s Joe Golberg skulking around New York murdering people who gave away too much online in-between his penchant for reading high brow books. Now they’ve brought the formula to London, where The Shard and Tower Bridge [...]
Harry Styles’ Grammys outfit wasn’t radical: Bowie did it better 50 years ago February 9, 2023 If you have an ounce of sense or taste, you will look at the red carpet for the Grammys, if at all, the same way that less enlightened 18th century thrill-seekers paid to be shown round the Bethlem Royal Hospital. Those you observe are to be pitied, to be sure, but you are viscerally aware [...]
Carmen at the ENO: It’s back… again! February 9, 2023 Another year, another Carmen. The English National Opera, having secured another year of Arts Council funding in 2023, starts off the season with Bizet’s beloved opera. Carmen and Don José’s boy meets girl, girl spurns boy, boy kills girl, love story still satisfies the desire for operatic tragedy, even in director Calixto Bieito’s updated production. [...]
Tanning Tatum’s abs return for Magic Mike’s Last Dance February 9, 2023 Magic Mike has been the most surprising global franchise of the past decade. What started as a gritty, semi-autobiographical journey through Channing Tatum’s early days as an exotic dancer has spawned sequels, a worldwide stage show, and a forthcoming TV series. Now, hot off the success of 2022 hit The Lost City, Tatum is back [...]
Composer Burt Bacharach dies age 94 February 9, 2023 Burt Bacharach, the composer of classic pop songs including I Say A Little Prayer and Walk On By, has died at the age of 94. His publicist confirmed to the PA news agency that he died surrounded by relatives at home on Wednesday, and said Bacharach’s family requested privacy at this time. The songwriter and [...]