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We are bowled over! We knew that theartsdesk.com had plenty of supporters out there – we’ve always had a loyal readership of arts lovers and professionals alike – but the…
Mark Kidel |
Composer Zoë Martlew’s album (Album Z) launch in the surround-sound environment of Hall 2 at Kings Place thrived on a theatricality rare outside the world of rock music and clubs…
Adam Sweeting |
As one of the characters tells us: “There are two sides to every story… someone is always lying.” This telly-isation of Alice Feeney’s source novel, created by a quartet of…
Veronica Lee |
Maybe it was the cold weather. Maybe it was the disparate list of comics on the bill. Maybe it was a host (Fatiha El-Ghorri) who said that she might be a bit rusty this soon into…
Guy Oddy |
In recent years, Sleaford Mods have moved on somewhat from sounding like an insistent and angry drunk yelling over a cheap Casio keyboard. Fortunately, not too much, though.Andrew…
Kieron Tyler |
Whichever Way You Are Going, You Are Going Wrong is the debut album by the London-based duo Woo. Originally issued on the Sunshine Series imprint in May 1982, it was subsequently…
Bernard Hughes
Never mind the singing, Roderick Williams could have been a great TV presenter or even stand-up, on the evidence of his spoken introduction at the Wigmore Hall last night. It was…
Rachel Halliburton
Just weeks after the theatrical version of the cult film Paranormal Activity successfully recreated the original’s nail-shredding fear, A Ghost in Your Ear offers its own…
graham.rickson
Image
M'a dit Amour: Songs by Debussy, Louis Beydts, Enescu and Isabelle Aboulker Julie Roset (soprano), Susan Manoff (piano…
Helen Hawkins
Lyle Kessler’s 1983 three-hander has embedded itself in the American repertory, attracting a Tony nomination and star casting. Here it was graced with an award-winning turn…
Tim Cumming
One of the founding partners of theartsdesk back in the day, author of the immersive Manu Chao biography, Clandestino, roving world music journalist, composer and "nomad pianist"…
Katie Bray
Lotte Lenya, Ute Lemper, Marianne Faithful, Teresa Stratas, Cathy Berberian, Dawn Upshaw, Brigitte Fassbaender, Louis Armstrong, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Sting, Frank Sinatra, Nina…
James Saynor
When Hamlet the Dane talked about “the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to”, it was typical of the way that Shakespeare generalised. The writer didn’t let you infer too…
Graham Fuller
That was clever. The original Wet Leg – singer Rhian Teasdale and guitarist Hester Chambers – instantly snagged global attention with a droll novelty single, launched with a…
Heather Neill
Egad, what a simply spiffing time is to be had at the Orange Tree just now! Director Tom Littler has taken Sheridan's first play, and (with his associate Rosie Tricks) pruned and…
Ellie Roberts
2025 was another year of flaunting for the ever impressive beast that is female-led pop domination. The now iconic line up of legends and future greats, and their growing class of…
Adam Sweeting
Reviews of The Hunting Wives have been taking the line of “it’s complete trash but I love it!”, which seems a perfectly reasonable response. It’s an everyday story of deceit,…
Kieron Tyler
“Ace tribute to The Doors” is what the poster says. And after The Fire Doors stroll on stage and blast into “Break on Through (to the Other Side),” Jim Morrison and Co’s January…
Ibi Keita
2025 was a somewhat scarce year for fans of punk, hardcore and metal, to be honest, it was a scarce year for most genres as a whole from what I can see looking up from the…
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Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
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tv
It's not so much who's guilty, but who isn't
Riotous TV adaptation of May Cobb's novel
Ominous shenanigans in second series of planes-and-politics drama
film
Ira Sachs brings Linda Rosenkrantz's taped project to life
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson on cracklin’ form as a Neil Diamond tribute band
new music
East Midlands’ punk-funkers have plenty to say as the house burns down
The 1982 debut album from South London musical free spirits Clive and Mark Ives
classical
Contemporary classical with a thrilling edge
This classy duo delight with a re-imagining of Schubert’s Winterreise
A young soprano's debut disc, Portuguese piano music and an extravagant romantic symphony
opera
Emily D'Angelo shines as Handel's impetuous, besotted protagonist
Playing from strength in a game where the Royal Northern has all the cards
theatre
Jamie Armitage's collaboration with sound giants Ben and Max Ringham is an adrenalised triumph
Lyle Kessler's play emerges with its rough edges oddly smoothed
Sheridan's comedy finds a welcome home in Richmond
dance
Much-appreciated words of commendation from readers and the cultural community
On its second time out, ENB's production is a winner where it counts
comedy
Much-appreciated words of commendation from readers and the cultural community
Some hits among the misfires
books
Much-appreciated words of commendation from readers and the cultural community
Writer Barry Joseph recounts his moments of clarity and connection with Stephen Sondheim’s lifelong love of puzzles
visual arts
Much-appreciated words of commendation from readers and the cultural community
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