Les Blancs, National Theatre at Home review – triumphant revival of forgotten classic

★★★★ LES BLANCS, NT AT HOME Triumphant revival of forgotten classic

NT archive recording of Lorraine Hansberry’s last play is absolutely compelling

Lorraine Hansberry’s debut, A Raisin in the Sun, was the first drama written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, where it opened in 1959. It is now an American classic, but it’s her last play, Les Blancs, that in the current context of the Black Lives Matter movement and resistance to institutional racism both in the US and UK feels even more relevant.

On the Record review - #MeToo turns its lens to the music industry, gives the mic to women of colour

★★★ ON THE RECORD #MeToo turns its lens to the music industry, gives the mic to women of colour

An unflinching look at #MeToo, misogyny in hip hop, and the burdens of black women

On the Record, the latest documentary from Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering (acclaimed directors of The Hunting Ground), dives into the sexual misconduct allegations against music mogul Russell Simmons, the so-called ‘Godf

'We must channel the energy and pain that is being expressed right now': Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE on time for action on diversity in classical music

FIRST PERSON: CHI-CHI NWANOKU Chineke! founder and double bassist explains an open letter to the Prime Minister

Chineke! founder and double bassist explains an open letter to the Prime Minister

The worldwide reaction to the horrific murder of George Floyd via the renewed focus on the Black Lives Matter movement is not a minority issue. It concerns people of all ethnicities, education and economic backgrounds who want a better, fairer world. The Black and ethnically diverse people protesting and speaking out are being supported by people of all backgrounds, ages and races, here in the UK, the USA and across the globe.

Small Island, National Theatre At Home review – big-hearted story hits every beat

★★★★★ SMALL ISLAND, NT AT HOME Big-hearted story hits every beat

Andrea Levy's Windrush epic bursts triumphantly onto the stage – and our screens

A British-Jamaican man is confused. It's the Second World War, and he signed up for the RAF on the understanding that he would serve as a pilot overseas. But instead he's ended up as ground crew in a grey Lincolnshire village. "You are overseas, aren't you?" sneers his sergeant.

Theatre Lockdown Special 9: Alan Bennett revisited, and so is Oz

THEATRE LOCKDOWN SPECIAL 9: Alan Bennett revisited, and so is Oz

Some familiar titles, a 1913 rarity and a show in which the audience plays its part

The government may occupy shifting sands when it comes to handling Covid-19, but the arts thank heavens continue to step up to the plate with a dizzying array of online options. This week's output mixes a soul musical from 1970s Broadway alongside a major revival of a play by Alan Bennett whose enquiry into the psychological well-being of those in charge will doubtless resonate anew today.

Album: Footsie - No Favours

★★★★ FOOTSIE - NO FAVOURS The grime mainstay's first album is here

It's only taken two decades but the grime mainstay's first album is here

Footsie might not have the profile of a Skepta or Wiley, or even his Newham Generals partner and recent IKEA advert soundtracker D Double E. But anyone halfway schooled in grime will know that both as MC and producer he's a key player from grime's original generation, and still a pillar of the scene. Amazingly, though, despite the fact he's released a couple of mixtapes and four compilations of his instrumentals, he's never made an official solo album until now. So given that, since his beginnings in N.A.S.T.Y.

Theatre Lockdown Special 5: A solo show for the ages, Ibsen refreshed, and yet more frolicsome cats

THEATRE LOCKDOWN SPECIAL 5: A solo show for the ages, Ibsen refreshed, and yet more frolicsome cats

From a much-traveled one-man play to a continent-spanning National Theatre premiere, the theatrical week offers plenty so savour

No one can accuse the gods of streaming of failing to cast a wide net. That's even more so with an array of streaming opportunities over the next week that ranges from Off West End Ibsen given a second chance to shine to an online encounter with, yes, The Encounter, and, should you wish, with its protean creator and leading man, as well.

Selah and the Spades, Amazon Prime review - boarding-school cliques go gangster

★★★★ SELAH AND THE SPADES, AMAZON PRIME Boarding-school cliques go gangster

Tayarisha Poe's debut feature rethinks the American high-school movie

“They always try to break you down when you’re 17,” says queen bee Selah (Lovie Simone) in Tayarisha Poe’s impressive directorial debut. As leader of the Spades, one of the five Mafia-style ruling factions in the exclusive Haldwell boarding-school in Pennsylvania, Selah, with her waist-long braids and inscrutably cool managerial style, seems unbreakable. But not so fast. Here comes new girl Paloma (Celeste O’Connor), her sweet-faced nemesis.

Sinatra: All Or Nothing At All, Netflix review - epic two-parter on pop's first superstar

SINATRA: ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL, NETFLIX Epic two-parter on pop's first superstar

Built around a 1971 farewell concert, Alex Gibney's documentary makes richly engaging viewing

Coming in at around four hours, in two parts, this 2015 documentary is ostensibly about Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, but really, via the prism of his existence, it’s as much about America’s journey through the first two thirds of the 20th century.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am review - a fitting tribute to a masterful storyteller

Engaging and comprehensive documentary capturing the brilliance of Morrison's work

When the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison died last year, it was a chance to celebrate the remarkable life of a storyteller who shook the literary establishment. Her work, including her debut novel The Bluest Eye, broke radical new ground in depicting African American life.