theartsdesk.com, first with arts reviews, news and interviews
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…
Thomas H. Green |
The term “post-punk” is much overused to describe music, not least by we music writers. It usually covers anything with punk’s outsider attitude but boasting an arty, tricky…
David Nice |
Early 2026 was always going to trump late 2025 in one respect: total clarity in a much-anticipated concert performance of Janáček's teeming masterpiece over Katie Mitchell's…
Kieron Tyler |
There’s a slight “Sympathy For the Devil” tone to the opening seconds of “Pendulum Swing”, the first track on the US country adjacent stylist and former Grammy nominee Courtney…
David Nice |
To the great Weill interpreters she summoned at the start of her First person for theartsdesk, from Cathy Berberian to Tom Waits, can now be added mezzo-soprano Katie Bray's…
Matt Wolf |
Lawlessness and lack of accountability seem, tragically, on the verge of becoming a new American norm, so what better time to re-consider High Noon, the classic 1952 Western that…
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…
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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
London band offer offer pithy wordage and light musical skronk
When less craft would add impact
East Midlands’ punk-funkers have plenty to say as the house burns down
classical
A versatile team led by the superb mezzo delivers in the perfect setting
Contemporary classical with a thrilling edge
This classy duo delight with a re-imagining of Schubert’s Winterreise
opera
Marlis Petersen captures the infinite variety of Janáček's 337-year-old heroine
Emily D'Angelo shines as Handel's impetuous, besotted protagonist
theatre
Tendentious script bogs down well-intentioned adaptation
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
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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