Stranger Things 3, Netflix review - bigger, dumber, better

Netflix’s retro adventure plays to its strengths in latest season

It sometimes feels like an age between Stranger Things seasons. Blame Netflix. The binge-watching trend that it helped solidify means that most people consume all eight hours of content in a single weekend. It comes and goes in a flash. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a disposable snack, the TV equivalent of those famous Eggo pancakes.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13-3/4, Ambassadors Theatre review - needs a chill pill

★★★ THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13-3/4, AMBASSADORS Needs a chill pill

2015 musical gets a belated, overly busy West End transfer

Time hasn't necessarily been kind to this slow-aborning West End transfer of a show first seen (and lauded) in its 2015 debut in Leicester and then again two years later for a summer run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

CD: Ingrid Michaelson - Stranger Songs

★★★★ INGRID MICHAELSON - STRANGER SONGS Widely appealing songs inspired by Netflix series

Pop songwriter's widely appealing songs inspired by Netflix series

Eight albums in, you can imagine why a singer-songwriter in the confessional vein of Ingrid Michaelson might be ready to look elsewhere for inspiration - and inspiration for new album Stranger Songs came from a curious place.

Download Festival: downpours can't dampen spirits at metal bonanza

★★★ DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Downpours can't dampen spirits at metal bonanza

Def Leppard, Slipknot, Tool and Slayer keep the riffs coming at the carnival of heavy rock

Download is Britain’s premier metal festival, attended by all ages. Theartsdesk’s three person team offer up their reviews of one day each, as they navigated their way between Eighties hair metal, contemporary Viking metal and any other metal you might care to imagine…

Friday 14th June

By Ellie Porter

King Hedley II, Theatre Royal Stratford East review - concentrated, enveloping drama

★★★★ KING HEDLEY II, THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST Concentrated, enveloping drama

Lenny Henry tops a strong cast in August Wilson’s 1999 play of African American identity

The huge achievement of the last two decades of August Wilson’s life, right up to his death in 2005, was his “American Century Cycle”, in which he charted the African American experience over that time frame decade by decade, its action set largely in the downtown Hill District of Pittsburgh where the playwright grew up.

CD: Morrissey - California Son

An often ear-pleasing covers album, but from a singer who urgently needs an artistic statement that clarifies his worldview

Unfortunately, it’s now reached the point where it’s impossible to mention Morrissey without politics overshadowing music. His recent wearing of a For Britain Party lapel pin on US TV is only the latest in a catalogue of public stances that seem to indicate he’s a fan of the far right. His new album, an imaginative explosion of intriguing cover versions, including multiple collaborations, may be an attempt to move the conversation on but, for many, things have already gone too far.

Cannes 2019: Diego Maradona review - entertaining but skin-deep

★★★ DIEGO MARADONA Entertaining but skin-deep study of a tragic idol

Asif Kapadia concludes his trilogy of tragic idols with mixed results

Director Asif Kapadia's documentary on the controversial 1980s sporting legend Diego Maradona premiered at Cannes this week, and there's something unsatisfying about the fact it doesn't have a one-word title. It would have created a neat synchronicity with his previous two films (Amy and Senna), but we soon learn why this is the case.

The Specials, Margate Winter Gardens review - ska legends passionate and on-point

★★★★★ THE SPECIALS, MARGATE WINTER GARDENS Ska legends passionate and on-point

Two Tone stars relevant and fired up as they tour their new album

Here they come again – the band most adept at capturing the mood of an era in catchy, critical three-minute songs. Just at the very point we need them most, the original ska-punk popsters surface and their message is as deeply relevant as it was four decades ago. But is this a 40th anniversary or a number one album tour? Or both?