The Death of a Black Man, Hampstead Theatre review - blistering theatre with an unflinching vision

★★★★ THE DEATH OF A BLACK MAN, HAMPSTEAD THEATRE Blistering drama with an unflinching vision

Uncomfortable truths beneath the poisoned patter in revival of Alfred Fagon's 1975 play

This blistering, fearless play about an 18-year-old black entrepreneur on the King’s Road raises a myriad of uncomfortable questions that resonate profoundly with the Black Lives Matter debate.

Gweneth Ann Rand, Simon Lepper, Wigmore Hall review - a richly hued collection of songs

★★★★ GWENETH ANN RAND, SIMON LEPPER, WIGMORE HALL A richly hued collection of songs in an exploration of black voices

An exploration of black voices through music

In the final concert marking the Wigmore Hall’s 120-year anniversary, soprano Gweneth Ann Rand and pianist Simon Lepper gave a programme of songs curated by Rand, titled "An Imperfect Tapestry".

Album: Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend

★★★ WOLF ALICE - BLUE WEEKEND Individual and creatively dynamic

A big venue proposition who remain individual and creatively dynamic

When Wolf Alice appeared a decade ago, you’d have to have been a soothsayer of Merlin-like proportions to predict the career trajectory they’ve had since. Certainly, prior to their debut album, this writer took them for just another female-fronted London indie guitar band, following the same old formula.

Surge review - jittery and joyless

★★★ SURGE Ben Whishaw compels in largely wordless study in mental collapse

Ben Whishaw compels in largely wordless study in mental collapse

Seventeen years after Ben Whishaw shot to attention playing Hamlet, this terrific actor is again playing someone "mad-north-northwest". Marking TV director Aneil Karia's feature film debut, Surge casts Whishaw as a jittery wreck called Joseph, whose psychic decline is tracked across 100 largely wordless minutes that nonetheless communicate a mounting dread.

András Schiff, Wigmore Hall review - mystery marvels mesmerise

★★★★ANDRÁS SCHIFF, WIGMORE HALL A surprise programme casts a spell

A surprise programme of less obvious works casts a spell all its own

As András Schiff remarked from the stage early in this fairly remarkable evening, his usual audience knows he’s not about to play Rachmaninov. The idea for this concert last night and his return visit today, is that we turn up not knowing exactly what we will hear, beyond the name of a composer or two. He has a point. Why should pianists have to decide on every detail of their programmes two years in advance, sometimes more? It’s not an orchestra that needs to hire music and book a conductor.

Cruella review - fabulous fashions, creaky narrative

★★★ CRUELLA Fabulous fashions, creaky narrative

Craig Gillespie's film is a tale of two Emmas and only three Dalmatians

Is Cruella the escapist blockbuster the Covid-blighted world has been waiting for? Well, it’s a feast for the eyes but 20 minutes too long, and for an origin story of the despicable Cruella De Vil of The Hundred and One Dalmations fame, it lacks the killer instinct when it comes to the crunch. At the end of the day, Cruella may have some serious mother issues, but she isn’t really cruel.

Harm, Bush Theatre review – isolation, infatuation and intensity

★★★★ HARM, BUSH THEATRE A complex and ambiguous account of a digital obsession

New monologue is a complex and ambiguous account of a digital obsession

After months of watching theatre on screens large, medium and tiny, I definitely feel great about going to see a live show again. Of course, it’s not the usual theatre experience, you know, the one with crowds milling around the bar, people breathing down your neck and elbowing you while you’re watching, but at least it’s three-dimensional.

We Are Lady Parts, Channel 4 review - female Muslim punk band rocks the house

★★★★ WE ARE LADY PARTS, CHANNEL 4 Female Muslim punk band rocks the house

Nida Manzoor's smart sitcom breaks new ground

It’s crazy, but could it possibly work? Writer Nida Manzoor (a veteran of Doctor Who and BBC Three’s sitcom Enterprice) grew up in a Muslim family, but that didn’t stop her being a fan of punk rock, Blackadder and This Is Spinal Tap.

Trying, Apple TV+ review - the road to parenthood takes a fresh path

Esther Smith triumphs anew in adoption-centred comedy-drama

An attractive and likeable cast remains the principal drawing card of Trying, the Apple TV+ romcom centred around the efforts of a 30something couple to adopt a child. Following on from the first season aired last spring, Andy Wolton's creation gives pride of place to a terrific assemblage of actors, who carry the day even when the piece itself seems to tread faintly overfamiliar ground.