David Hockney’s pool painting breaks record for living artist at auction with $90m sale November 17, 2018 David Hockney's iconic painting of a man by a swimming pool has been sold for $90.3m (£70.3m) at an auction in New York, smashing the previous record for the highest price paid at auction for work by a living artist. The 1972 piece, named "Potrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)", was bought by an [...]
The Crimes of Grindelwald review: Pure Potter fodder November 16, 2018 Two years on from Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, the Harry Potter spin-off returns. Set in 1920s Paris, Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) escapes custody and is planning an uprising of Pure Blood wizards intent on overthrowing those loser muggles. To stop him, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as an [...]
La Bayadere review: The Royal Opera House’s production of an Indian fantasy is a surrealist spectacle November 16, 2018 As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, the thought of hunkering down in luxurious surroundings to watch a ballet becomes ever-more appealing. And there couldn’t be a better contrast to this chilly dark season than La Bayadere. This Indian fantasy is a sumptuous riot of colour, full of imagery of sacred flames [...]
Hadestown at the National Theatre review: Great tunes help mask a modern musical that doesn’t quite click November 16, 2018 Hadestown is the latest breakout musical to transfer from Broadway to London, with a run at the National Theatre almost certain to be followed by a sold-out stint on the West End. It’s a modern, stylised retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, the original star-crossed lovers who even death couldn’t separate. After meeting [...]
Suspiria review: Call Me By Your Name director’s remake of Dario Argento classic is a wild ride November 16, 2018 Dario Argento’s horror masterpiece Suspiria shuns traditional storytelling. The absurdist fairy-tale about a young girl enrolling at a ballet school run by witches takes place in an hermetically sealed doll’s house filled with surreal nightmares. Gaudy, acid-trip visuals and layer upon layer of baroque texture create a sense of claustrophobic delirium that’s been aped – [...]
Pinter Three and Four review: The Harold Pinter Theatre continues its excellent run of the eponymous playwright’s short works November 16, 2018 The Harold Pinter Theatre continues its season of one-act plays written by its namesake with another six hours of rarely-performed material that can – nay, should – be viewed in a single, mammoth sitting. Pinter Three – there will be a total of seven productions, running through to next year – is the most challenging [...]
England 3-0 USA: Five things we learned as Wayne Rooney’s final match ends in convincing Wembley win November 15, 2018 The night was billed as Wayne Rooney’s big send-off, but the Wembley crowd couldn’t help but be drawn in by Jadon Sancho. The 18-year-old winger was unfazed by making his first start for England in the national stadium as the Three Lions cruised to a 3-0 victory over the USA. Sancho showcased exactly why Gareth [...]
Premier League executive chairman to receive £5m golden handshake despite widespread criticism November 15, 2018 The Premier League will give its outgoing executive chairman a £5m leaving bonus after top-flight clubs were asked to contribute to the sum. Richard Scudamore will receive the money over the next three years as part of a non-compete agreement and in light of his ongoing advisory role, the Premier League said today. The company [...]
Ollie Phillips: Experimental England need to use Japan match as opportunity to show their attacking credentials November 15, 2018 Eddie Jones has made 11 changes for England’s match against Japan on Saturday, which leaves him open to accusations of playing a second-string side. But looking at the XV it isn't quite that simple. Instead it highlights their strength and depth with exciting options all over the pitch. Japan are clearly the easiest of the [...]
Five key ways data analytics is changing the way tennis is played November 15, 2018 Data has an ever-increasing presence in tennis as coaches use new analytical tools to gain the slightest, but all-important, advantages for their players. Leading figures from the sport discussed new trends this week at an event held by Infosys in London to coincide with the ATP Finals. Here are five key ways in which data [...]