Cymbeline at the Barbican review: Epic, thrilling and bold to the core November 10, 2016 Shakespeare is the still the master of blending the personal and the political. And nowhere is this showcased more effectively than this production of Cymbeline by the RSC, set in “a dystopian Britain not too far in the future” (the programme’s words, not mine). In a symbolic act of self-sabotage, our green and pleasant land [...]
American Pastoral review: The American Dream dissolves into a bleak nightmare in this all too relevant film November 10, 2016 A film exploring the frailties of the American Dream couldn’t be more relevant, yet there’s little that rings true in this adaptation of Philip Roth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the generational shifts in post-war American politics. The novel occupies a profound place in the US literary canon, so it seems an odd vehicle for Ewan [...]
Arrival review: This is Close Encounters for the Interstellar generation November 10, 2016 Language is both a bridge and a barrier in Arrival, a film in which a dozen gargantuan alien ships appear around the world and cause global existential upset. These obsidian-black sentinels hover metres above the earth, silent, still and towering, and in an effort to figure out the intentions and nature of their occupants the [...]
F1 driver Sergio Perez dumps sponsor over tweet mocking Mexicans following Donald Trump’s election November 10, 2016 Force India driver Sergio Perez has dumped one of his sponsors after they issued a tweet mocking his fellow Mexicans following Donald Trump’s election as United States president. Perez was left unimpressed as sunglasses manufacturer Hawkers made reference to Trump’s promise during his campaign that he would be minded to build a wall between the [...]
Gareth Southgate says Wayne Rooney is back in form and ready to lead England in high-stakes clash with Scotland November 10, 2016 Caretaker manager Gareth Southgate insists Wayne Rooney has hit his stride again and is ready to lead England in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday night. Southgate dropped Rooney for last month’s trip to Slovenia – a goalless draw – while England’s record goalscorer struggled to relocate his form under new Manchester [...]
England vs Scotland history: Six memorable matches in a rivalry stretching back to the beginning of football November 10, 2016 Eight strikers in one team, pitch invasions, Gazza goals and massive upsets; here are six of the most memorable clashes between the "auld enemies" England and Scotland, ahead of their World Cup qualifier clash at Wembley this Friday. Scotland 0 – 2 England, November 1999 Event: Euro 2000 qualifying play-off Where? Hampden Park, Glasgow Attendance: 50, 132 A [...]
Restaurateur Mark Hix reminisces with artist Gavin Turk about the glory days of the YBAs ahead of his upcoming show at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery November 10, 2016 I’ve converted a couple of veggie artists over the years, tempting them with tasty cuts of rare beef – Tim Noble and Mat Collishaw spring to mind – but I suspect Gavin Turk is a lost cause. Gavin, one of the original YBAs, has been veggie for over five years and went full-vegan last year; [...]
Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn blames Fifa’s new leadership for poppy row overshadowing England v Scotland match November 10, 2016 Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has blamed the row over whether England players should be allowed to wear poppies on the new leadership of world governing body Fifa. The FA is set to issue players with black armbands embroidered with a poppy for Friday's match against Scotland, despite warnings from Fifa that the move would breach rules [...]
Edinburgh’s quality of life key to attracting talent from across the globe November 10, 2016 | City Talk They say home is where the heart is: where we feel comfortable, safe and free to explore our interests and dreams. Home can be four walls and a roof, a familiar serene landscape or a vibrant city. Home is good for the soul, but interestingly, recent research has also begun to explore the strong correlation [...]
Premier League ticket prices: Richard Scudamore says new report will “bust some myths” surrounding cost of football November 10, 2016 Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has hit back at criticism of ticket prices after the division released new data it says shows the real cost of football. Scudamore said the data, which shows that more than half of all Premier League tickets will cost £30 or less, will 'bust some myths' on the issue. The division's [...]