My Brilliant Friend at the National Theatre review November 29, 2019 Taking place over two sittings, each more than two and a half hours long, My Brilliant Friend promises to be an epic production. And it is. Sort of. This adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels (now a hit HBO series) runs the full gamut of human emotion, spanning decades and shifting violently in both tone [...]
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Bridge Theatre review: Perfect family fun November 29, 2019 Christmas is not typically a high-point for theatre, but parents seeking something beyond this season’s repertoire of pantomimes should look to this loveable interpretation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. CS Lewis’ 1950 novel is sometimes viewed a little suspiciously, given it’s a fairly transparent allegory for the Christian origin story. But it’s [...]
Dora Maar at the Tate Modern review: Forget what you think you know November 29, 2019 Like so many women throughout history, Dora Maar is best known for her connection to a more famous man. For many art historians, she’s a footnote in the biography of Pablo Picasso, one of many young women the creepy cubist collected throughout his life. But this is 2019: if Picasso were around today he’d be [...]
Measure for Measure review: A play given impetus by #metoo November 29, 2019 Measure for Measure has great contemporary resonance, with the tale of a man abusing a position of authority for his own sexual gratification echoing the complaints of the #MeToo movement. The Duke of Vienna fears that his lax enforcement of public morals risks becoming a crisis, and so rather than dealing with the matter himself [...]
Bristol Bears have the potential to become Premiership big-hitters under Pat Lam and Steve Lansdown November 28, 2019 Bristol Bears turned heads on Wednesday when they announced the signing of Fijian international Semi Radradra on a three-year contract from next season. It is a huge statement from Bristol – one which shows their growing reputation and position within the Premiership’s hierarchy. They may have to pay over the odds for him, but Radradra [...]
Knives Out review: A finely choreographed tribute to the murder mystery genre November 28, 2019 A wealthy author of best-selling murder mystery novels is found dead in his study on the morning after his 85th birthday, his throat cut in an apparent suicide. His family, a viper’s nest of self-serving narcissists played by an ensemble cast of Hollywood A-listers, all have their own motives, and so it’s up to the [...]
Valencia 2-2 Chelsea: Blues’ attacking mentality produces wide-open entertaining draw November 27, 2019 Their unique style may be ageing Blues supporters with every game, but Chelsea are quickly establishing themselves as the most watchable side in Europe. Four months into Frank Lampard’s reign as manager we have been given a crash course in wide-open, front-foot, relentlessly attack-minded football and yet, even knowing what we knew from previous matches, [...]
There are no alternatives – Joe Root should keep the captaincy as England build towards a new era November 27, 2019 England begin the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton tomorrow and there is one man in particular who could do with a positive performance. Joe Root is enduring a difficult time at the moment, with his position as captain coming under fresh scrutiny after he managed just 13 runs in the defeat by an [...]
Silver Lake pours $500m into Man City owner to break sports group valuation record November 27, 2019 Private equity giant Silver Lake has made a $500m (£389m) investment into Manchester City Football Club’s owners. The cash influx means Abu Dhabi’s City Football Group is now worth $4.8bn, the firms said today, breaking the valuation record for a sports organisation. Read more: Mourinho’s changes spark Spurs comeback to seal last 16 The deal [...]
Tottenham 4-2 Olympiacos: Mourinho’s changes spark Spurs comeback to seal last 16 qualification November 26, 2019 It was far from perfect, but once again Jose Mourinho brought his fabled winning touch to Tottenham. Right from kick-off, against an Olympiacos side who were winless in 12 Champions League games, all the home team’s flaws were there: nerves, disorganisation, individual errors, confidence visibly disappearing. Then followed the drama, the roaring comeback and, ultimately, [...]