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 [...]
Film review: The diary of a teenage girl August 6, 2015 Cert 18 Four Stars Fifteen-year-old Minnie starts her diary with a confession; “I had sex today. Holy shit”. When her lover is revealed to be her mother’s 34-year-old boyfriend, Monroe, it begs the question: is she doing something bad or is something bad being done to her? It’s a dilemma the film revels in, depicting [...]
Theatre review: Utopia August 6, 2015 Roundhouse Two Stars If sleep deprivation, breakfast lager and Rolf Harris prove anything, it’s that things that are good at Glastonbury aren’t necessarily good in real life. The same goes for Penny Woolcock’s Utopia, the immersive sound installation that enjoyed a highly praised run at the festival last month. What was trippy fun in a [...]
Film review: Manglehorn August 6, 2015 Cert 12a Three Stars After years of scenery chewing, Al Pacino has entered an exciting phase in his career. We had this year’s surprisingly adept Danny Collins and now comes another thoughtful role for Hollywood’s favourite elder statesman. Manglehorn sees the Oscar winner play an elderly locksmith wrestling with the mistakes of his past. And [...]
Theatre review: Splendour August 6, 2015 Donmar Warehouse Four Stars With The Iron Lady, Shame and this autumn’s forthcoming Suffragette, it seems playwright Abi Morgan is on a mission to compensate for the dearth of meaty acting roles for women. True to form, this revival of her critically acclaimed four-woman play Splendour is as challenging and gripping as it was 15 [...]
Perfect Sunday August 6, 2015 TASTY BRUNCH KOPAPA CAFE Have something different for breakfast this weekend at Kopapa in Covent Garden. The restaurant is famed for its Turkish Eggs, a brunch dish originating from Istanbul that includes two poached eggs, whipped yoghurt and chilli butter. Sure to cleanse the palette after a night of indulgence. 32-34 Monmouth Street, visit kopapa.co.uk [...]
Working lunch in the City: Tonic and Ready August 6, 2015 Our guide to the best places to eat during office hours in the City and Canary Wharf WHAT? Don’t be fooled by a name that brings to mind medieval lotions and potions, Tonic and Remedy is a bitingly modern Hoxton restaurant from Gary Rhodes protege Paul Welburn. The Hoxton eatery, located on the first [...]
The restaurants truffling feathers: Best truffle venues in London August 6, 2015 London’s love-affair with the truffle continues apace with the opening of Sackville’s in Mayfair. Here are some of our favourite truffle spots SACKVILLE’S This Mayfair new opening is crazy about this distinctive fungus, serving it on practically every dish. Last week our restaurant critic fell in love with Sackville’s self-titled wagyu steak burger with foie [...]