Lofty characters fail to lift musical’s acrobatic spectacle October 13, 2013 THEATRE THE LIGHT PRINCESS Xenobe Purvis, The National Theatre Three Stars THE NATIONAL Theatre turns to fairy tale in its latest production, The Light Princess, written by songwriter Tori Amos and playwright Samuel Adamson. The musical elaborates on George MacDonald’s story of the same name; this version finds two kingdoms grieving for lost queens, and [...]
Le Weekend of laughter, angst and lingering love in Paris October 13, 2013 FILM LE WEEKEND Daniel O’Mahony, Cert 15 Four Stars IN THIS funny and moving film written by Hanif Kureishi, Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan play a fifty-something couple trying to rejuvenate their ailing marriage on a weekend sojourn to Paris. Kicking off with a fraught Eurostar journey, it’s clear things won’t be that simple. Nostalgia [...]
Knives are out for Rodriguez’s Machete Kills October 13, 2013 FILM MACHETE KILLS Simon Thomson, Cert 15 Three Stars MACHETE KILLS hits you like a shot of tequila. It’s a frantic, stupid, cartoonish mess and that’s what makes it so fun. In this sequel to Robert Rodriguez’s 2009 film Machete, Danny Trejo returns as the former Mexican federale and cleaver-like knife enthusiast, Isador “Machete” Cortez. [...]
No wow factor in R&J remake October 13, 2013 THEATRE ROMEO & JULIET Simon Thomson, Cert 15 Two Stars THE LATEST adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is the tale of two young, star-crossed lovers who, despite the enmity of their families, will not silence their desire to… fight crime! Only kidding – this is another paint-by-numbers remake of the same Romeo and Juliet you [...]
Losing made me suicidal but now I look back on my career with pride October 13, 2013 British boxing icon Ricky Hatton tells City A.M.’s Josh Richards how he’s overcome his demons DEFEAT to five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather drove British boxer Ricky Hatton to drink, depression and later suicide attempts. But, having recently watched a re-run of the titanic clash from 2007, Hatton says he can look back on that night [...]
Baines to keep place as injury sidelines Cole October 13, 2013 ENGLAND will face Poland tomorrow night without Ashley Cole, with the Chelsea left-back’s rib injury ensuring he misses both of the Three Lions’ final Group H World Cup qualifiers. Cole was replaced by Leighton Baines for England’s convincing 4-1 win against Montenegro at the end of last week, having been injured in Chelsea’s away victory [...]
Bradley dreams of Mayweather bout after overcoming Marquez October 13, 2013 AMERICAN Timothy Bradley is expected to push for a shot at undefeated welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, after narrowly beating Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas over the weekend. Mayweather is believed by many to be set for a clash with Britain’s Amir Khan early next year, but Bradley spoke before the split-decision victory over [...]
Watson tipped to bounce back from adversity October 13, 2013 FOLLOWING a year to forget, British No2 Heather Watson is tipped for a resurgent 2014 by the Lawn Tennis Association’s leading women’s coach Jeremy Bates. Watson hit a career high singles ranking of 39 in February, but was subsequently struck down by glandular fever as well as leg and back injuries and fell 53 places [...]
O’Shea hits out at Quins over defeat to Scarlets October 13, 2013 FURIOUS Harlequins boss Conor O’Shea has demanded his side “man up” after they succumbed to a shock defeat to Scarlets in the weekend’s Heineken Cup opener. Mike Brown scored two tries for the Aviva Premiership Rugby outfit, while Nick Evans kicked 16 points, but their efforts could not stop Quins slumping to a 33-26 defeat [...]
Alonso admits title race is over after Vettel win October 13, 2013 FERRARI’S Fernando Alonso conceded that it is only a matter of time before his Red Bull rival Sebastian Vettel claims a fourth straight championship, after the 26-year-old won yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. Vettel, who has now won seven of the last nine Formula One races, only needs a top five finish to clinch [...]