reviews
theartsdesk |

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 response to our appeal to help us relaunch and reboot has been something else.

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 the best pre-concert speech I’ve heard for a long time – relaxed, witty, authoritative and engaging – and this is not damning with faint praise, as the recital that followed was completely delightful.

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…
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…
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…

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

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.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

Heather Neill
Sheridan's comedy finds a welcome home in Richmond
Adam Sweeting
Riotous TV adaptation of May Cobb's novel
Kieron Tyler
Unaffected Doors homage from the most unlikely band
Adam Sweeting
Ominous shenanigans in second series of planes-and-politics drama
Kieron Tyler
Unadorned chronicle of the Brian Jones years
Adam Sweeting
Writer David Farr gives John le Carré's characters a new lease of life
David Nice
A young soprano truly blossoms and the conductor cuts a dash
Markie Robson-Scott
Ira Sachs brings Linda Rosenkrantz's taped project to life
Sebastian Scotney
Natural harmonics ring out subtly, gloriously, magically
Sebastian Scotney
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson on cracklin’ form as a Neil Diamond tribute band
Jenny Gilbert
There's no denying it: dance has been on a roll
David Nice
Festival threads and outstanding one-offs in abundance
Veronica Lee
Some stars shone brightly
theartsdesk
So many channels, so little time...
David Nice
Ensembles and stand-out performances came first this year
Sarah Kent
Five of the best of the year's shows
Kieron Tyler
Fresh slants on the known, in a year when Yeah Man, It's Bloody Heavy!! was the most startling archive release
Matt Wolf
From big, bold musicals to solo shows, London theatre landed again on multiple fronts
Helen Hawkins
Josh Safdie's relentless directing style is by turns entertaining and exhausting
Nick Hasted
Saxophonist's beautiful, bittersweet melodies confront a time of war
Boyd Tonkin
Bach's Christmas marvel shines like new
Gary Naylor
Good illusions but pacing stymies the shocks
Mark Kidel
Music illuminates the heart at the darkest time of the year
Kieron Tyler
Home-counties prog rockers are collected in a box

the future of arts journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing! 

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

latest in today

We are bowled over! We knew that theartsdesk.com had plenty of supporters out there – we’ve always had a loyal readership of arts…
Never mind the singing, Roderick Williams could have been a great TV presenter or even stand-up, on the evidence of his spoken introduction…
Just weeks after the theatrical version of the cult film Paranormal Activity successfully recreated the original’s nail-shredding fear, A…
Image M'a dit Amour: Songs by Debussy, Louis Beydts, Enescu and Isabelle Aboulker…
Lyle Kessler’s 1983 three-hander has embedded itself in the American repertory, attracting a Tony nomination and star casting. Here it was…
One of the founding partners of theartsdesk back in the day, author of the immersive Manu Chao biography, Clandestino, roving world music…
Lotte Lenya, Ute Lemper, Marianne Faithful, Teresa Stratas, Cathy Berberian, Dawn Upshaw, Brigitte Fassbaender, Louis Armstrong, Lou Reed,…
When Hamlet the Dane talked about “the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to”, it was typical of the way that Shakespeare…
That was clever. The original Wet Leg – singer Rhian Teasdale and guitarist Hester Chambers – instantly snagged global attention with a…
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…