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tv

The battle of ideas comes to the East Coast in exquisitely shot treatment of Sarah Perry's novel

No spoilers, hopefully: farewell to this superbly-acted corruption saga

Colin Firth visits the dark side as suspected killer Michael Peterson
film

Gaspar Noé's unflinching depiction of dementia's merciless grip

Viscerally uncomfortable genre landmark shows a mundane murderer's daily rounds

Pick 'n' mix assortment of martial arts, sci fi, family drama, and existential angst
new music

Toronto outfit transcends its influences

The singer's commanding presence overcame a slick production
classical

Fine detail in Liszt and Mahler, but drama was lacking

Gustav and Alma Mahler, and pictorial music, are linked in a fascinating programme

Poetry from a great bassoonist, Slavic jazz, and two fizzing collections of music for string orchestra
opera

Sturdy singing and human drama enrich a fuss-free staging of Beethoven's only opera

A collision of musical worlds makes for an intriguing double-bill

Emily D’Angelo’s Xerxes is king, but doesn’t eclipse other greats in a Handel masterpiece
theatre

Inter-generational story from a Northern mining town melds naturalism and tragedy

Crowdpleaser pleases crowd: this High School musical delivers what its audience wants

Naomi Wallace's writing is brave and uncompromising
dance

Classical piano music, French symphonies and a big box of ballets

Swiftly-assembled charity effort demonstrates dancers' engagement with the world

Strong one-act works by Kyle Abraham and Crystal Pite show the dancers at their adaptive best
comedy

Setting the world to rights, one joke at a time

Steve Coogan's creation doesn't quite hit the spot
Books

Into the glitchy, liminal space of the woman-cum-girl

A portrait of Lesbos and its ‘lost’ philosopher

A compelling and charming novel but the characters are a little thin
visual arts

Previously unseen "overpainted photographs" take pride of place

Can damage ever be life enhancing?
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