Charging for museums will erode Britain’s soft power March 31, 2026 Ending free museum access would see some of Britain's most coveted institutions fade to irrelevance, writes Benji Wiedemann.
Tracey Emin at the Tate Modern review – raw, real and radical February 25, 2026 Tracey Emin: A Second Life | Tate Modern | ★★★★☆ When Damien Hirst’s major retrospective rolled into the Tate Modern all the way back in 2012, it came with a sense of celebration. The multi-millionnaire artist who put British art back on the map had returned with a willy-waving exhibition of his greatest hits. The [...]
Modernisation and missteps: Lloyd’s of London struggles for a new era February 19, 2026 Lloyd’s of London, one of the world’s largest (re)insurance markets, has faced its fair share of battles in recent years, and one of the biggest fights has been against itself and its old-fashioned ways. Back in 2018, the incoming chief executive, John Neal, had an ambitious mandate: to restore stability and modernise Lloyd’s following a period [...]
Households to pay more for BBC TV licence, government confirms February 6, 2026 Households across the country will see their bills rise after the Labour government increased the TV licence fee that funds the BBC. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said on Friday that the annual levy will be increased to £180 from 1 April. This marks a £5.50 yearly increase. The move follows rules brought [...]
Ballad Lines review: A muddled musical with moments of brilliance January 30, 2026 A Jacobean vicar’s wife, a pregnant Presbyterian teen and a 21st-century New York lesbian walk into a bar – Ballad Lines is the result.
Cirque du Soleil OVO, Royal Albert Hall review: Amazing tricks, okay clowns January 21, 2026 Roll up, roll up, the circus is in town! Royal Albert Hall has once again been transformed into the most glamorous of big tops for OVO by Cirque du Soleil.
Vibrance festival to light up City evenings this January January 21, 2026 The City of London’s built environment – its streets, squares and landmarks – reflects nearly two thousand years of change and reinvention. Between 17:30 and 20:30 on January 29 and 30, the City will transform once more, with the award-winning Guildhall Production Studio presenting a brand-new – and free – festival of light and sound – [...]
Make your lunch break count: free learning and culture in the City January 21, 2026 Setting a New Year’s resolution is one of those time-honoured traditions. Indeed, it’s a ritual that can be traced some 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonian times, with citizens celebrating the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. One common New Year’s resolution was the return of borrowed farm equipment. While our goals may [...]
A Ghost in Your Ear is the scariest show in London January 9, 2026 A Ghost in Your Ear | ★★★★★ | Hampstead Theatre Theatre has evolved remarkably little over the centuries – plonk Shakespeare in the front row at the Almeida and he’d immediately recognise what’s going on. One area that feels ripe for exploration is the use of audience headphones to introduce another dimension to productions. The [...]
London arts sector must learn to speak corporate to save itself January 9, 2026 To protect the vital arts sector, London's creatives must learn the corporate walk and talk, writes Austin Casey.