Two Ladies at Bridge Theatre review: A gripping but unremarkable political drama October 3, 2019 Two Ladies begins with a powerful image: FLOTUS Sophia enters with her cream two-piece covered with deep red blood. It’s a clear nod to Jackie Kennedy, and a neat introduction to the theme of Nancy Harris’s new play – the psychology of women who exist a manicured fingernail’s breadth from the most powerful jobs in [...]
The Hundred launch: Enthusiasm and confusion defines response to the ECB’s great hope October 3, 2019 The England and Wales Cricket Board’s great hope made its much-anticipated launch in a chilly warehouse on Brick Lane this morning. After a great deal of fanfare and a glitzy, clumsy marketing campaign The Hundred, a 100-ball competition with eight new franchises which begins next summer, took its first steps, full of optimism yet tinged [...]
Joker review: Joaquin Phoenix carries this supervillain’s dark origin story through its own dopey social commentary October 3, 2019 On social media site Reddit there is a section called “Am I the asshole?”, where concerned users submit situations in which they feel they may have been in the wrong, to seek a kind of masturbatory catharsis from a jury of their peers. There are arguments with strangers, disputes with family members, feuds in the [...]
Lille 1-2 Chelsea: Willian’s bolt from the blue secures vital away win for Lampard’s side October 2, 2019 After their disappointing opening round defeat at home by Valencia it was all about winning tonight, and win Chelsea did. Frank Lampard’s Blues are clearly a work in progress, especially when faced with challenging, unfamiliar sides in the Champions League. Read more: Spurs punished by seven-goal Bayern But while there were chinks in the armour, [...]
Chris Tremlett: Exciting times ahead as England opt to blood youngsters on New Zealand tour October 2, 2019 The end of the domestic cricket season has come and as the nights draw in I must congratulate Essex on a well deserved win in the County Championship. Somerset started the campaign like a train, but Essex were simply more consistent, losing just one game all season to their competitors’ three. Rain proved to be [...]
Nintendo Switch Lite review: The quirky hybrid has become a conventional handheld October 2, 2019 Nintendo has a reputation for updating its consoles mid-generation, not long after launching them, to the extent that it’s become a little risky to be an early adopter. Why spend a few hundred pounds on a device that will be refined into something neater in 12 months, as the Nintendo DS was with the DSi, [...]
England v Argentina preview: Forward-thinking but one-dimensional Pumas pose set piece threat October 2, 2019 The stage is set and England know exactly what to expect from Argentina in Tokyo on Saturday. The significance for the Pumas is clear. They need to do what they haven’t done in the last nine meetings and 10 years: beat England. Do that and their narrow opening 23-21 World Cup defeat by France might [...]
NFL London Games: UK director Alistair Kirkwood on cross-Atlantic growth, the Tottenham Stadium and a future franchise October 2, 2019 When it was announced that the NFL would host a game in London for the first time, the decision was met with intrigue and scepticism. Was the risk worth the potential rewards? Were the English public really interested enough in American football? Would jet-lagged players struggle to perform at Wembley? Twelve years on from that [...]
Premier League appoints Guardian boss as new chief executive October 2, 2019 The Premier League has appointed David Pemsel, head of Guardian Media Group (GMG), as its new chief executive. Pemsel’s candidacy was approved unanimously by Premier League shareholders at a special meeting held today. His appointment follows a 14-month search to fill the position after the departure of former head Richard Scudamore. Read more: Crystal Palace [...]
Tottenham 2-7 Bayern Munich: Tactical naivety and basic errors cost Spurs dear in Champions League thrashing October 1, 2019 The wheels didn’t just come off the Tottenham wagon in the Champions League tonight; they were loosened by its driver and catapulted out of sight over the horizon. Bayern Munich absolutely outclassed Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs on their own turf, putting seven past a weary, disenchanted and ramshackle opponent. Read more: Leicester can be better than [...]