Oceans apart: The vision of British-Caribbean artists
A new exhibition explores the past 70 years of British history from the perspective of those who feel disconnected from their heritage.
Today’s highlights
Nellie Bly: The woman who blew Fogg away
Remembering Nellie Bly, the pioneering journalist who eclipsed Jules Verne’s hero. By CHARLIE CONNELLY
Netflix’s Four to Dinner gives us love in the multiverse
A Netflix film poses a pivotal question – are any two people meant to be together, or is it just a matter of timing?
Art
Oceans apart: The vision of British-Caribbean artists
A new exhibition explores the past 70 years of British history from the perspective of those who feel disconnected from their heritage.
Shiny, shallow and rich: The case for Qatar’s cultural ambitions
FLORENCE HALLETT examines the Gulf state’s thriving cultural scene
Albrecht Dürer on the road to enlightenment
CLAUDIA PRITCHARD enjoys a European journey in the company of a German genius.
William Hogarth and the new borders of art
The master satirist’s complicated relationship with his European contemporaries is explored in a stunning exhibition in London’s Tate Britain.
Art that proves beauty to be a weapon
Conquered, subjugated, occupied. For 100 years the Poles were under the thumb of one oppressor or another, but the country fought back by creating art.
Amrita Sher-Gil: The painter whose greatest critic was herself
It was in her art that she truly lost herself, but this didn’t stop Amrita Sher-Gil from finding fault with her work.
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Books
The greatest characters in European literature
CHARLIE CONNELLY comes up with the first half of his rundown of the top 20.
Nellie Bly: The woman who blew Fogg away
Remembering Nellie Bly, the pioneering journalist who eclipsed Jules Verne’s hero. By CHARLIE CONNELLY
Mark Francois’ Spartan Victory is illiteracy on parade
They shared a famous TV Brexit moment. When Mark Francois wrote a book, there was only one person who could review it…
The inventions that wouldn’t fly… at least not at first
Some inventions sounded, and even looked, brilliant, only to fall flat. But that isn’t always the end of the story for great ideas.
The deaths of five great writers sees the world lose a little of its sparkle
Assessing the legacies of five great women writers who left us in just 17 December days.
The Spider Woman bites back
Lady Hale, former president of the Supreme Court, remains as calm and steadfast as ever. But, as her much-praised book indicates, we haven’t heard the last of her measured voice.
Music
Songs of fire and ice
Goodnight Louisa’s album Human Danger shows how time spent in an alien landscape can provoke the deepest personal reflections
Richard Dawson and Circle are the Finnished article
A collaboration between avant-folk musician Richard Dawson and his long-time heroes Circle is as original as you might expect
Alexis Mardas: The TV repairman who became John Lennon’s ‘magic’ guru
CHARLIE CONNELLY on arguably the most enigmatic figure to orbit the strange world of The Beatles
Where the carols are still being rolled out
SOPHIA DEBOICK on the traditional songs of celebration continuing to be sung across Europe
Meet the Angèle on top of the charts this Christmas
Intelligent, genuine and in control, Brussels has sprouted the future of European pop as we approach 2022.
The hymns that even atheists can believe in
Choral music can bring communities together and lift the soul – if religion is involved then that’s fine too. But with Church attendance numbers dropping every year, is it time for some different hymns?
Film
Capturing the Chinese dream
Images of China’s relentless acceleration are both beautiful and troubling
Netflix’s Four to Dinner gives us love in the multiverse
A Netflix film poses a pivotal question – are any two people meant to be together, or is it just a matter of timing?
How Dougal and the Blue Cat became a glorious advert for pan-European eccentricity
Fifty years on from the flop film version
that became a cult classic, taking
another ride along with the psychedelic
French-British TV sensation for kids
This documentary about a cow is udderly compelling
Award-winning director Andrea Arnold is back, with a moving documentary about a cow
The American ugliness that has its base in race
America has always been full of ‘Rampaging White People’. But if anyone can face them it’s Joe Biden, writes BONNIE GREER.
The films of 2022 are already bursting with brilliance
From a fresh perspective on a classic French tale to a tense drama set on a freezing Russian train, our movie picks for the first third of 2022
Theatre
Theatre Review: Force Majeure is on a downward slope
This play based on a 2014 film feels like unnecessary and somewhat frivolous theatre, says TIM WALKER
Theatre Review: Cinderella is top-flight online entertainment
This online panto embraces the new format while keeping all the old traditions alive and well, says TIM WALKER
Theatre Review: Best of Enemies is of debatable merit
James Graham’s plays feel as if they’re about little more than actors regurgitating vast quantities of Wikipedia, says TIM WALKER
Theatre Review: Habeas Corpus is a welcome distraction from chaotic times
The play is as chaotic as the times we are living in, and offers some much needed laughter.
Theatre Review: Trouble in Mind is a triumph
Powerful and poignant, the production is the National Theatre at its best.
Theatre Review: Jack and the Beanstalk – what a Cracker Jack!
Producer Bill Kenwright understands that the theatre is a place to laugh, and no more so than after this last year.
Great European Lives
Claude Dubal: The archetypal dandy highwayman and embodiment of the English Restoration
CHARLIE CONNELLY on a stick-up merchant whose victims were often left feeling almost flattered
Rudolph Moshammer: The flamboyant fashion designer dubbed Germany’s only genuine eccentric
CHARLIE CONNELLY on the chat show staple often described as the closest thing Munich had to royalty.
Alexis Mardas: The TV repairman who became John Lennon’s ‘magic’ guru
CHARLIE CONNELLY on arguably the most enigmatic figure to orbit the strange world of The Beatles
Hans Gruber: The author-turned terrorist who led the attack on the Nakatomi Plaza building
On Christmas Eve 33 years ago, he died a criminal, but perhaps Hans Gruber should’ve been remembered for something else…
Heinz Wolff: The unmistakable eccentric scientist
Wolff was almost impossible to mistake for anyone else. Yet, he was in The Sun’s obituary section.
Amrita Sher-Gil: The painter whose greatest critic was herself
It was in her art that she truly lost herself, but this didn’t stop Amrita Sher-Gil from finding fault with her work.