Opera review: Carmen August 13, 2015 Soho Theatre Four Stars This pioneering OperaUpClose production of Carmen is raw and unpolished, and that’s why it works. The DIY set, inventive costume design and earthy, enthusiastic performances conspire to revivify this staple of the operatic repertoire. Carmen is the tale of a sexually liberated woman killed by a culture of machismo. OperaUpClose has [...]
Film review: Paper towns August 13, 2015 Cert 12a Two Stars There was a time in the not-too-distant past when teenage films were a mindless cluster of fart jokes, jock posturing and boobs. But now there’s a new kind of teen film on the block – ushered in by novelists like Nicholas Sparks and John Green – that’s all about feelings. Gushing [...]
Perfect Saturday August 13, 2015 BRUNCH OF CHAMPIONS PROVIDORES You’ve heard of Continental and full English, but Kiwi? New Zealand restaurant Providores in Marylebone offers one of the best brunch menus in London. Forget bubble and squeak and margarine on toast, go for the grilled chorizo with sweet potato and miso hash. A luxurious start to the weekend. Visit theprovidores.co.uk [...]
Warren Gatland offers lifeline after axing Lions Hibbard, Phillips and Hook August 13, 2015 Wales head coach Warren Gatland insists the Rugby World Cup dream remains alive for Richard Hibbard, Mike Phillips and James Hook, despite axing the three British and Irish Lions stars from his squad. Hooker Hibbard, scrum-half Phillips and fly-half Hook were among eight players released to their regions yesterday as Gatland pruned his training party [...]
England v France: Who’s in and who’s out of Stuart Lancaster’s Rugby World Cup squad? August 13, 2015 “There will be World Cup places up for grabs, everything on the line. If you don’t play well, you’re going home,” said stand-in captain Tom Wood ahead of England’s Rugby World Cup warm-up match against France this Saturday. Read more: Lancaster calls on convert Sam Burgess to seize Rugby World Cup chance Such are [...]
Alastair Cook has earned his captaincy spurs and Joe Root should be left to focus on batting August 13, 2015 Before the Ashes started the majority of people were saying that Alastair Cook should relinquish the England captaincy but he has proven all the doubters wrong. Alastair led the team extremely well and out-captained Australia skipper Michael Clarke in the same way that Clarke out-captained him during the whitewash series in 2013-14. I was part [...]
Medics round on Chelsea in Carneiro row August 13, 2015 CHELSEA have suffered a major backlash over the decision to remove club doctor Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn from the bench following criticism from manager Jose Mourinho. The Blues boss complained Carneiro and Fearn had been “impulsive and naive” for rushing onto the field to treat stricken star Eden Hazard during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier [...]
More significant things in life than golf tournaments, admits McIlroy August 13, 2015 FIT-AGAIN Rory McIlroy will head into today’s opening round of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits with a new-found perspective borne out of his enforced injury absence. World No1 McIlroy feared he had broken an ankle while playing football on 4 July, but a ruptured left ankle ligament was severe enough to sideline the 26-year-old [...]
Cricket Comment: Cook has earned his captaincy spurs August 13, 2015 Vice-skipper Root should be allowed to focus on batting BEFORE the Ashes started the majority of people were saying that Alastair Cook should relinquish the England captaincy but he has proven all the doubters wrong. Alastair led the team extremely well and out-captained Australia skipper Michael Clarke in the same way that Clarke out-captained him [...]
There are more important things in life than golf tournaments, admits fit-again Rory McIlroy August 12, 2015 Fit-again Rory McIlroy will head into today’s opening round of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits with a new-found perspective borne out of his enforced injury absence. World No1 McIlroy feared he had broken an ankle while playing football on 4 July, but a ruptured left ankle ligament was severe enough to sideline the 26-year-old [...]