Theatre review: The Ruling Class at Trafalgar Studios January 30, 2015 Trafalgar Studios | ★★☆☆☆ Britain’s poshness obsession reaches new heights in The Ruling Class, a 1968 Peter Barnes play that shows its age in every scoffing caricature and fusty, laboured punchline. Aristocratic power may be super-relevant in today’s poshocracy, but the fact that it’s topical doesn’t mean this play has anything profound to say. Somewhere [...]
Film review: Inherent Vice star Joaquin Phoenix rises to the challenge January 29, 2015 Cert 15 | ★★★★☆ The trailer for Inherent Vice achieves a rare thing: it perfectly conveys the tenor of the film without giving anything away. In two minutes, we’re introduced to the woozy Californian setting and the entire colourful cast of characters. But as to what actually happens in the film, we’re left guessing. [...]
Something for the weekend January 29, 2015 DRINK MEDCALF TRAITEUR Medcalf Traiteur is the latest foodie destination to open in Islington’s Clerkenwell. The delicatessen specialising in European produce also has an informal chef’s table so you can sample edible goodies in-store. Visit medcalfbar.co.uk BOWL THE BIG LEBOWSKI PARTY Head down to Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes tonight for an evening celebrating the Coen brothers’ [...]
Costa to contest stamp charge as City clash looms January 29, 2015 CHELSEA striker Diego Costa last night confirmed his intention to dispute the violent conduct charge he was served in the wake of Tuesday’s tempestuous Capital One Cup semi-final second leg with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The 26-year-old was charged by the Football Association (FA) on Wednesday for an alleged stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can after [...]
Fan’s view: Lampard ready to run gauntlet on Blues return January 29, 2015 Assuming he’s playing, what I’d like to see is Lampard applauded before the game, ignored during it and maybe applauded afterwards. That seems appropriate. He’s playing against Chelsea, cheering him during the game would be absurd in my view. I can’t see that he’s going to get many boos or jeers. As I say, I’d [...]
Murray on history trail after surging into his fourth Australian Open final January 29, 2015 AUSTRALIAN Open success would not only see Britain’s Andy Murray win a first grand slam since Wimbledon in 2013 but also make history as the only man in the Open era to win the title after suffering defeat in three finals. Murray sealed his place in Sunday’s showdown with a tetchy 6-7 (6/8), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 [...]
Burgess set to stake World Cup claim during international bow January 29, 2015 OPPORTUNITY knocks for rugby league convert Sam Burgess to fast-track his claims for a place in England head coach Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup plans after being named in the Saxons’ side to face the Irish Wolfhounds tonight. Code-switcher Burgess is set to make his international rugby union debut at inside centre for England’s second string, [...]
Sport Comment: Players turned pundits can earn a packet after football January 29, 2015 FOOTBALL pundits: don’t you just love them? Well, maybe you do, perhaps you don’t. They are there to curry debate, adding their professional perspective to TV and radio coverage of our great game. Only yesterday, we woke up to reports that former Spurs and England schemer Danny Murphy was facing a £2.5m tax bill. Now [...]
Armitage’s England hopes dented following arrest for alleged assault January 29, 2015 FORMER England flanker Steffon Armitage is set to appear in court next month after being questioned by police over an alleged attack at a beachfront restaurant in Toulon. European Player of the Year Armitage and team-mate Xavier Chiocci were arrested and interviewed on Wednesday after a 30-year-old man sustained an eye injury as players celebrated [...]
Britons set for Dubai charge January 29, 2015 AUSTRIA’S Bernd Wiesberger held a one-shot overnight lead after firing an eight-under-par 64 during a low-scoring first round at the Dubai Desert Classic yesterday. Wiesberger led a chasing group which included England duo Lee Westwood and Andy Sullivan, while a total of 18 players were within three shots of the 29-year-old. Defending champion Stephen Gallacher [...]