The Long Weekend: Schnitzels and schmetterlings in Vienna February 6, 2022 The weekend: The schmetterlinghaus in Vienna is almost unbearably hot in August, the high summer sun transforming the humid confines of this tropical greenhouse into a veritable sauna. The schmetterlings seem to love it, flitting between the wet vines in a kaleidoscopic display which, combined with the sweltering heat, can make you feel delirious, as [...]
Focus on: Why magic Marylebone is the new prime hotspot February 5, 2022 Marylebone, known for its Georgian architecture, is an area that has carefully preserved its past. But how has the area changed over the last decade? “The Portman Estate has played a large part in the transformation of the area,” says Priya Black, head of Baker Street new homes at Knight Frank. “Marylebone has a broad [...]
Frozen the Musical review: A crowd-pleaser that plays the hits February 4, 2022 When Disney’s Frozen hit screens back in 2013, only those hiding under rocks escaped round-the-clock renditions of Let It Go by children across the land. The announcement of an adaptation for theatre, initially on Broadway and then the West End, was hardly a surprise. With an extravagant set featuring icicle-laden bridges, mountain cabins and luxurious [...]
The Glow at the Royal Court review: A messy time-travel conundrum February 4, 2022 Were playwright Alistair McDowall and I to go for a pint, I think we’d get on pretty well. Having seen three of his plays to date – Pomona, X and now The Glow – we seem to share a love of lo-fi sci-fi, dystopian fiction and Lovecraftian horror. Each of his plays have tickled that part of [...]
Neil Hopkins: Why TikTok is big news for the Six Nations February 4, 2022 Kids, eh? On one hand, Alan Hansen reckoned you couldn’t win anything with them, on the other, The Who figured they’re alright. The dilemma facing almost every sport that isn’t football is how to attract younger audiences without alienating what the European Super League disparagingly labelled “legacy fans”. As the Six Nations looms, rugby union’s [...]
Ollie Phillips: ‘England’s squad is uninspiring but it’s dangerous’ February 4, 2022 Tomorrow’s Calcutta Cup will no doubt be explosive. There’s a real clash of styles in the Six Nations match between Scotland and England in Edinburgh – but that’s just going to make the game even more exciting. I really like the England squad, and bar Elliot Daly at No13 it is a 23 in form, [...]
West Ham and familiar faces in Kidderminster’s FA Cup crosshairs February 3, 2022 West Ham United’s top brass would have been forgiven for wincing when they were drawn to face Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend. Not only do the lowest ranked team left in the competition pose the threat of a humiliating elimination; the non-league outfit’s taste for an upset is also already [...]
Women’s Ashes: Australia win series with victory in first ODI February 3, 2022 England’s Women this morning failed to stay in Ashes contention as they collapsed against Australia. The touring side were in the difficult position of needing to no lose every one of the remaining three matches following a drawn Test. Australia set a under-par first innings of 206 largely thanks to Beth Mooney’s knock of 73 [...]
What to drink this weekend: Something to try with the Six Nations February 3, 2022 And so, after a hiatus that surely none of us expected, life would appear to be returning back towards normal, whatever that is. The Editor asked me to write a piece to coincide with the Six Nations rugby tournament. My initial thought was to try and find a wine variety that is grown in all [...]
Costa Rica fielded Covid-19 infected players against us, say Jamaica February 3, 2022 Jamaican football chiefs say Costa Rica knowingly fielded two players who had tested positive for Covid-19 in a match against them. The players were part of the Costa Rica team that beat Jamaica 1-0 on Wednesday in a qualifier for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Jamaica plan to make a formal complaint to governing body [...]