Arts
Flawed Flute
A new production of The Magic Flute is something to look forward to, if with apprehension. How many aspects of…
Visual poetry
The famous court case in which Ruskin accused Whistler of ‘flinging a pot of paint in the public’s face’ continues…
Decline and fall
It’s an unlovely venue, for sure. Charing Cross Theatre, underneath the arches, likes to welcome vagrant plays that can’t find…
Here’s Johnny
James Mumford talks to the sickeningly talented actor and folk singer Johnny Flynn
Poor service
The Butler tells the story of an African–American butler at the White House who served eight American presidents over three…
Seasonal treats
There was a time when the term ‘world première’ was not as fashionable as it is these days. Great works…
Curse you, Sandbrook
Gosh it isn’t half irksome when someone who went to the same school as you but is considerably younger than…
Tavener’s lament
Best line of the week came on Monday from the composer John Tavener, and was given added poignancy by the…
Eye witness
If you want to buy a picture or a piece of sculpture and have lots of money or not very…
Eye witness
If you want to buy a picture or a piece of sculpture and have lots of money or not very…
Eye witness
If you want to buy a picture or a piece of sculpture and have lots of money or not very…
Seasonal treats
There was a time when the term ‘world première’ was not as fashionable as it is these days. Great works…
Law in action
As a new production of Twelve Angry Men opens in the West End, Robert Gore-Langton names his favourite courtroom dramas
Third time lucky
When Keith Warner’s production of Berg’s Wozzeck was first produced at the Royal Opera, nine years ago, it made me…
Visions of the sublime
The V&A’s remarkable survey of Chinese painting begins quietly with a beautiful scroll depicting ‘Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk’,…
Smouldering addiction
My addiction to Chinese landscape painting began in 1965 at the V&A, in a travelling exhibition of the Crawford Collection…
Lost cause
Here’s a tip for play-goers. When the curtain goes up on a garden, prepare for some feeble plotting. The glory…
Money and movies
Seduced and Abandoned is both a satire on film-making and a love letter to film-making and a joy. A documentary…
Light and shade
Sun is one of those performances that confront reviewers with the eternal dilemma of whether or not it is appropriate…
It’s everywhere
They’re now televising proceedings from the Court of Appeal. Great. As if I didn’t have enough to do already, keeping…
Trivial moaning
There is much to be said for Schadenfreude. (If it was edible, it would be a meal in a very…
All is forgiven
It’s hard to stay cross with Radio 3 for long. Just when I thought the network had stretched my loyalty…
Double trouble
There’s courage, there’s fearlessness, and then there’s the sort of sublime audacity you need to do something like sidecar racing.…
Light and shade
Sun is one of those performances that confront reviewers with the eternal dilemma of whether or not it is appropriate…
Double trouble
There’s courage, there’s fearlessness, and then there’s the sort of sublime audacity you need to do something like sidecar racing.…
