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reviews
Gary Naylor |

Popular culture includes both will-o'-the-wisp confections, gone in 900 seconds pace Warhol’s aphorism, but can also creates a shorthand that conveys more than a lengthy monograph in The London Review of Books. Long before he was Prime Minister, Andy Burnham was dubbed the "King of the North", and nobody felt the need to explain. That was the kind of cut-through achieved by Game of Thrones on page and screen.

David Kettle |

 

Water Colour ★★★★

Kieron Tyler
Although the sound quality is slightly boxy, the opening track on CBGB’s 1985 is a treat. “Gardens” is on a line between first-album Rain Parade and…
Helen Hawkins
It’s three typical cat-lives since Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn staged TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats as a musical. The piece…
India Lewis
Director Charlie McDowell's The Summer Book is a beautiful, somewhat wistful film that follows the residents of a tiny Finnish island (daughter,…

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Boyd Tonkin
A joyous outing for Weber's mash-up of panto and profundity
Sebastian Scotney
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Laura Mvula shine
Sarah Kent
Great American photographers all in one place
Thomas H. Green
The most epic regular record reviews in the galaxy
Helen Hawkins
Christine Lahti expands her CV by writing and performing a painfully personal tale
Boyd Tonkin
Fairies, and ogres, in old favourites, and a rediscovery
Katie Colombus
A creative, inclusive, endlessly imaginative festival for families
Mark Kidel
Fiery crowd-pleasing jazz marred by excess
Sebastian Scotney
Architecture, balance and charm in the David McVicar production
Helen Hawkins
Matthew Bourne’s 2000 hit revs up again with impressive dancers and a witty score
Nick Hasted
Spider-Man matures in a sporadically moving return
Kieron Tyler
A hymn to when driving was an end in itself
Helen Hawkins
Phelim McDermott, with his magic piano, pays tribute to his friend Philip Glass
Gary Naylor
Magnificent cast bring fresh energy to show approaching 50 years of age
Adam Sweeting
Diane Morgan and Sarah Kendall's comedy is full of heart and soul
Kieron Tyler
A breathless half-hour takes in screaming, stop-start song structures and the odd hint of reflectiveness
Helen Hawkins
Marianela Nuñez celebrates 28 years at the company
Aleks Sierz
Disappointingly literal version of Sarah Kane’s classic account of love tested to extremes
Florence Hallett
Four artist's films and a computer game speculate on societal collapse
James Saynor
Life is sweet and sour in a closely observed film about Luton youth
Sarah Kent
A wild imagination outlined in miniature
johncarvill
David Thomson explores the dark side of cinema, but still offers a flicker of hope
Katie Colombus
Two decades on from Patti Smith and the original pink sheep, the anniversary edition proved again that Latitude's real headliners are rarely at the top of the bill
Thomas H. Green
From Korean bluegrass to gigantic Ugandan xylophones, the global diversity of musical life is here

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