Don’t bank on a rise in interest rates to end poor returns for savers August 6, 2015 To no-one's surprise, the Bank of England’s rate-setting committee kept the base rate at 0.5 per cent yesterday. While anyone with a mortgage will have breathed a sigh of relief, savers will take the announcement as further confirmation that they’re unlikely to earn a decent return any time soon. But is the low base [...]
With just one member voting for a rate rise, is the Bank of England MPC right to be so dovish? August 6, 2015 Nina Skero is an economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, says Yes Given the absence of inflationary pressure in the UK, and the pound’s current strength against most major currencies other than the dollar, holding the base rate steady at 0.5 per cent is a sound decision. Inflation continues to hover around [...]
Theatre review: Bakkhai August 6, 2015 Almeida Theatre Three Stars The Almeida’s stirring new production of Euripides’ Bakkhai begins with a promise. “I will thrill you,” says Ben Wishaw as Dionysus, clearly enjoying the rapt attention commanded by his shamanic appearance. His look: Jesus in drag, or a beardy Ophelia. Movement-wise he’s like Madonna, sporadically voguing throughout his opening monologue. He’s [...]
Film review: The diary of a teenage girl August 6, 2015 Cert 18 Four Stars Fifteen-year-old Minnie starts her diary with a confession; “I had sex today. Holy shit”. When her lover is revealed to be her mother’s 34-year-old boyfriend, Monroe, it begs the question: is she doing something bad or is something bad being done to her? It’s a dilemma the film revels in, depicting [...]
Theatre review: Utopia August 6, 2015 Roundhouse Two Stars If sleep deprivation, breakfast lager and Rolf Harris prove anything, it’s that things that are good at Glastonbury aren’t necessarily good in real life. The same goes for Penny Woolcock’s Utopia, the immersive sound installation that enjoyed a highly praised run at the festival last month. What was trippy fun in a [...]
Film review: Manglehorn August 6, 2015 Cert 12a Three Stars After years of scenery chewing, Al Pacino has entered an exciting phase in his career. We had this year’s surprisingly adept Danny Collins and now comes another thoughtful role for Hollywood’s favourite elder statesman. Manglehorn sees the Oscar winner play an elderly locksmith wrestling with the mistakes of his past. And [...]
Theatre review: Splendour August 6, 2015 Donmar Warehouse Four Stars With The Iron Lady, Shame and this autumn’s forthcoming Suffragette, it seems playwright Abi Morgan is on a mission to compensate for the dearth of meaty acting roles for women. True to form, this revival of her critically acclaimed four-woman play Splendour is as challenging and gripping as it was 15 [...]
Perfect Sunday August 6, 2015 TASTY BRUNCH KOPAPA CAFE Have something different for breakfast this weekend at Kopapa in Covent Garden. The restaurant is famed for its Turkish Eggs, a brunch dish originating from Istanbul that includes two poached eggs, whipped yoghurt and chilli butter. Sure to cleanse the palette after a night of indulgence. 32-34 Monmouth Street, visit kopapa.co.uk [...]
Boro and Luton will give you a good run for your money August 6, 2015 Last season’s Championship looked one of the strongest for years and all three promoted sides to the Premier League have a decent chance of survival. However, the trio that fell through the Premier League trap door in May – QPR, Hull and Burnley – look to have plenty on their plates. Sportingbet can’t [...]
Maximum excitement on the Premier League August 6, 2015 IT MUST be admitted that the 2014/15 Premier League season wasn’t a vintage campaign. Chelsea waltzed to the title, while there wasn’t too much variation at the bottom of the table. However, having a spread bet on a team’s points is the perfect way to make sure that excitement lasts throughout the whole campaign. Arsenal [...]
