Rugby World Cup: Warren Gatland happy to dole out harsh lessons to stoke Welsh pride October 15, 2015 Wales coach Warren Gatland insists that subjecting his players to a brutal review of their failings against Australia will stoke their desire to overpower South Africa in Saturday’s quarter-final. Two-time world champions South Africa will start as favourites against an injury-ravaged Wales, with a showdown with either New Zealand or France the prize on offer for [...]
Pakistan v England: Ian Bell hails skipper Alastair Cook’s masterclass as tourists retaliate in Abu Dhabi October 15, 2015 England stalwart Ian Bell eulogised the batting majesty of skipper Alastair Cook after the opener notched his 28th Test hundred to lead his side’s retaliation against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Cook batted throughout the third day and amassed an unbeaten 168, sharing century partnerships with fellow opener Moeen Ali and then Bell as England closed [...]
Arsenal to win at Watford but will be made to work hard for it October 15, 2015 Arsenal's habit of bursting out the blocks and stumbling over the line has been a hard one to shift. Almost as difficult as Arsene Wenger has found shaking off the Emirates dissenters. The ‘Wenger Out’ brigade can point to a disastrous start in Europe, where the Gunners are staring at group stage elimination, [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015 injuries are a leveller but Ireland should still prevail over Argentina October 15, 2015 The Welsh injury list may be more substantial, but Ireland’s is surely more critical. Against France, talismanic captain Paul O’Connell was stretchered off, while Johnny Sexton limped from the field of play and remains a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Argentina. The back row looks bare too, with freight-train flanker Sean O’Brien banned, [...]
Tate Modern exhibition: Turbine Hall’s Empty Lot is too timid for this imposing space October 15, 2015 Tate Modern | ★★☆☆☆ The Turbine hall has its first new installation since Damien Hirst filled the biggest gallery space in the country with a human skull. Abraham Cruzvillegas piece, Empty Lot, is more thoughtful, less immediate and, at least for now, a whole lot uglier. It’s a giant wooden terrace raised on salvaged scaffolding, [...]
Theatre review: Measure For Measure October 15, 2015 Young Vic | ★★★★☆ The Duke wades through a pile of blow up sex dolls, kicking plastic bodies out of his way. He pauses and says, “I love the people.” These inflatable citizens are no lewder than those who inhabit the city of Vienna in Shakespeare’s barmiest play. Often referred to as a “problem play”, [...]
Pan movie review: Director Joe Wright’s origin story employs all the tired cliches October 15, 2015 Cert PG | ★☆☆☆☆ When you were a child watching the Disney version of Peter Pan and you saw him fly through the window of the Darling household, all chilly in his tights and green tunic, did you ever think, “Who ARE you, Peter? Where do you COME from?” Me neither. No one cares. But for some [...]
Crimson Peak movie review: Guillermo del Toro’s gruesome gothic fairytale brings the art of darkness to the screen October 15, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★☆ Guillermo del Toro set out to create a haunted house drama to rival the very best in the genre – the Exorcists and the Shinings of the world. He succeeds with the haunted house part, but not so much the drama. Part gothic horror story, part ethereal fairytale, Crimson Peak follows Edith Cushing [...]
Teddy Ferrara review: a tangled play exploring homophobia, bullying and hate in the wake of tragedy October 15, 2015 Teddy Ferrara is a play that manages to say a very small amount about a great many things. It’s set around an American campus on which a dizzyingly comprehensive catalogue of LGBT issues are being tackled in the wake of a student suicide. To unpack, Christopher Shinn’s play explores homophobia in both its standard and [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Investment bank forecasts Wales victory over South Africa in quarter-final – but New Zealand tipped to win tournament October 15, 2015 Wales' squad may be decimated by injuries, but an analyst at investment bank Macquarie has crunched the numbers and still sees Warren Gatland's men beating the Springboks in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Yet they will then be beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final, according to Macquarie, who predict the All Blacks to lift their [...]