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reviews
Adam Sweeting |

The return of Taylor Sheridan’s all-female CIA special ops unit finds the war on terror cutting uncomfortably close to the bone, with team boss Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) targeted by a bunch of thuggish Russians in her own home in Virginia.

David Kettle |

Cathy ★★★

Liz Thomson
Unlike in Britain, where the bar for entry is more survival than talent, “national treasure” is not a term in such wide currency in America. But…
Gary Naylor
Well, this is uncannily topical, thought I, as the opening number, “Where Is the Justice?” took me back to Jurisprudence seminars and caught plenty…
Veronica Lee
Max Fulham’s Monkey Business ★★★★Gilded Balloon TeviotRarely do I delve into the rich world of children's entertainment at the Edinburgh Fringe, but…

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Kieron Tyler
The US singer-songwriter offsets glacial shimmer with a dive into electric-guitar freakiness
Simon Thompson
Missy Mazzoli’s impressive new opera follows Wynton Marsalis' jazz symphony opening night
Gary Naylor
Tom Littler's double has verse delivery at its best - and is very funny indeed!
David Nice
Michael Gallen's riveting music-theatre piece has committed performances all round
Gary Naylor
All the old failings and all the old appeal for 'Game of Thrones' fans
Boyd Tonkin
Choral glories led by a dauntless soprano warrior
Veronica Lee
Fast-paced and whip-smart storytelling
David Kettle
Fractured friendships and haunting folk magic in three fine openings at the Traverse Theatre
Kieron Tyler
New York band’s blend of folk rock and psychedelia grabs attention
Helen Hawkins
Drew McOnie and team create an exciting entertainment with strong performances
India Lewis
Soft seasonal vignettes set on a Finnish island
Boyd Tonkin
A joyous outing for Weber's mash-up of panto and profundity
Sebastian Scotney
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Laura Mvula shine
Sarah Kent
Great American photographers all in one place
Thomas H. Green
The most epic regular record reviews in the galaxy
Helen Hawkins
Christine Lahti expands her CV by writing and performing a painfully personal tale
Boyd Tonkin
Fairies, and ogres, in old favourites, and a rediscovery
Katie Colombus
A creative, inclusive, endlessly imaginative festival for families
Mark Kidel
Fiery crowd-pleasing jazz marred by excess
Sebastian Scotney
Architecture, balance and charm in the David McVicar production
Helen Hawkins
Matthew Bourne’s 2000 hit revs up again with impressive dancers and a witty score
Nick Hasted
Spider-Man matures in a sporadically moving return
Kieron Tyler
A hymn to when driving was an end in itself
Helen Hawkins
Phelim McDermott, with his magic piano, pays tribute to his friend Philip Glass

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