mon 20/01/2025

Reviews

Tiffin Youth Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Jurowski, RFH review - perfect detachment suits public statements

David Nice

When Vladimir Jurowski planned this typically unorthodox programme, he could not have known that a disaster even greater, long-term, than 9/11 was going to befall the USA two days after the concert. There is no bad time for a tricky commemoration of the World Trade Center attacks, but close to a presidential inauguration would have been right whatever the outcome. As for an 18th century “Mass in Time of War”, clearly Ukraine and Gaza would still be on the agenda.

Kyoto, Soho Place Theatre - blistering, darkly witty play raises more questions than it answers

Rachel Halliburton

It took a while for journalists to identify the chain-smoking, Machiavellian figure who was a permanent presence at early international gatherings to hammer out a strategy on climate change.

A Good House, Royal Court review - provocative,...

Aleks Sierz

Most Brits don’t know much about South Africa today, but we do know about house values, so this new comedy by South African playwright and...

Ben Elton, Duke of York's Theatre review -...

Veronica Lee

Ben Elton loves a scrap. The Motormouth of yesteryear, who made his name attacking Margaret Thatcher and her policies (and being attacked by the...

Music Reissues Weekly: The Twilights - Twilights...

Kieron Tyler

On 26 September 1966, The Twilights set-off from Australia to Britain. The journey, on the liner the Castel Felice, took six weeks. A day after...

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Sun Rings, Sacconi Quartet, Festival Voices, Kings Place review - lift-off for an exhilarating voyage into the unknown

Rachel Halliburton

A suitably radiant interpretation of a Terry Riley epic

A Complete Unknown review - how does it feel?

Adam Sweeting

Timothée Chalamet brings it all back home as Bob Dylan

Love Life, Opera North review - Lerner and Weill's blast into the past

Robert Beale

Time-travelling tale of love and despair - the first 'concept musical' revived

Vermiglio review - a simple tale, simply but beautifully told

Helen Hawkins

Maura Delpero’s award-winner salutes the world of her childhood as it ebbs away

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Dudamel, Barbican review - an epic journey from gossamer-like intimacy to apocalyptic rage

Rachel Halliburton

An orchestra on top form in Mahler's Third Symphony despite swirling controversies

Jenůfa, Royal Opera review - electrifying details undermined by dead space

David Nice

Knife-edge conducting and singing, but non-realistic production is weaker in revival

German National Orchestra, Marshall, Cadogan Hall review - sheer youthful exuberance

Sebastian Scotney

Teenagers on tour bring effusive music-making

Chris McCausland, Winchester Theatre Royal review - Strictly winner as cheerfully cynical as ever

Veronica Lee

Back to the day job telling gags

Album: The Weather Station - Humanhood

Kieron Tyler

Canadian singer-songwriter makes sense of a period of crisis

Oliver!, Gielgud Theatre review - Lionel Bart's 1960 masterpiece is Bourne again

Helen Hawkins

An intimate staging and superb casting make this a superior West End production

What's the Matter with Tony Slattery?, BBC Two review - absorbing but troubling search for answers

Adam Sweeting

RIP TONY SLATTERY How mental illness cut short a brilliant showbusiness career

Leif Ove Andsnes, Wigmore Hall review - colour and courage, from Hardanger to Majorca

Boyd Tonkin

Bold and bracing pianism in favourite Chopin and a buried Norwegian treasure

American Primeval, Netflix review - nightmare on the Wild Frontier

Adam Sweeting

Peter Berg's Western drama is grim but gripping

Chamayou, BBC Philharmonic, Wigglesworth, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester review - Boulez with bonbons

Robert Beale

Assurance and sympathy from Mark Wigglesworth for differing French idioms

The Maids, Jermyn Street Theatre review - new broom sweeps clean in fierce revival

Gary Naylor

Class, in its 21st century manifestation, colours much performed play

Gala Preview Show, De Montfort Hall review - Leicester Comedy Festival nicely teed up

Veronica Lee

Europe's biggest comedy festival opens next month

The Second Act review - absurdist meta comedy about stardom

Sebastian Scotney

French A-listers puncture their profession in a hall of mirrors

Music Reissues Weekly: Celebrate Yourself! The Sonic Cathedral Story 2004-2024

Kieron Tyler

With the help of a sympathetic label, shoegazing once again confirms its resonance

Maria review - Pablo Larraín's haunting portrait of an opera legend

Adam Sweeting

Angelina Jolie puts body and soul into her portrayal of Maria Callas

Titanique, Criterion Theatre review - musical parody sinks despite super singing

Gary Naylor

Affectionate piss-take set for cult status at best

Babygirl review - would-be steamy drama that only flirts with transgression

Helen Hawkins

Nicole Kidman gets hot and bothered about a sexy intern’s power plays

It's Raining Men review - frothy French comedy avoids dating-app reality

Markie Robson-Scott

Laure Calamy shines as a dentist whose marriage is in trouble

Album: Bridget Hayden and The Apparitions - Cold Blows The Rain

Kieron Tyler

Classic folk songs are given a desolate new setting

A Real Pain review - Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin take a Holocaust tour of Poland

Adam Sweeting

It's part comedy, part road movie and part psychotherapy session

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It all started on 09/09/09. That memorable date, September 9 2009, marked the debut of theartsdesk.com.

It followed some...

Tiffin Youth Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus...

When Vladimir Jurowski planned this typically unorthodox programme, he could not have known that a disaster even greater, long-term, than 9/11 was...

David Lynch: In Dreams (1946-2025)

David Lynch’s final two features mapped a haunted Hollywood of curdled innocence and back-alley eeriness. Mulholland Drive (2001) seemed...

Kyoto, Soho Place Theatre - blistering, darkly witty play ra...

It took a while for journalists to identify the chain-smoking, Machiavellian figure who was a permanent presence at early international gatherings...

A Good House, Royal Court review - provocative, but imperfec...

Most Brits don’t know much about South Africa today, but we do know about house values, so this new comedy by South African playwright and...

Ben Elton, Duke of York's Theatre review - big subjects...

Ben Elton loves a scrap. The Motormouth of yesteryear, who made his name attacking Margaret Thatcher and her policies (and being attacked by the...

Album: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polw...

It’s been five years since the last studio album by the inestimable Mary Chapin Carpenter, the lyrical and intimate The Dirt and the Stars...

Music Reissues Weekly: The Twilights - Twilights Time The Co...

On 26 September 1966, The Twilights set-off from Australia to Britain. The journey, on the liner the Castel Felice, took six weeks. A day after...

Album: Larkin Poe - Bloom

The Lovell sisters Rebecca and Megan can be heard supporting Ringo Starr on his new album of country songs, while at the same time their seventh...