Spurred on by the early morning chill, we walked steadily over the sands towards the pier as a whirl of chatter buzzed around us in English, Polish and Arabic. With one of our number waylaid with a stiff limp, we let the crowds of Santas, elves and penguins shuffle passed in a snaking procession that stretched all the way from Bournemouth to Boscombe. This was our firs … [Read more...]
About Our Articles
We strive to highlight the myriad of important ways in which the arts interact with society. This includes health, business, society, marketing… and everything in between.
Global Refugee Crisis: New Film at the BFI London Film Festival
The 60th London Film Festival at the BFI sees premiers for Oscar hopefuls, La La Land, The Birth of a Nation, Snowden and Free Fire. However, amidst the glitz, glamour, global stars and ridiculous red carpet parades, you’ll also find a festival with a serious social conscience. One of the themes being explored this year is the worldwide refugee crisis, and the BFI is showin … [Read more...]
Morrissey, ‘List of the Lost’: That Joke Isn’t Funny?
Penguin Books have so much to answer for… We are absolutely horrified by Morrissey’s new novel, ‘List of the Lost’. All the reviews are true – read this excellent rinse by Michael Hann in the Guardian – he is spot on. The book may only be 118 pages, but reading it feels like a horrible, long, draining penance. So, why on earth did he write it? Really, there ar … [Read more...]
Michelle Thomas: Tinder, Click-Bait & Stupid Fake Journalism
Nobody appears to care about fact checking anymore. We live in a world of appalling click-bait rubbish and now obvious nonsense is getting picked up by the UK nationals and run with all the way to Australia… Hey, sorry darling, been stupidly busy at work, Thanks for a fabulous evening last night. Your company was brilliant - you're witty, fun and just the sort of man … [Read more...]
Tabloid Bingo or: How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the News
We sifted through the papers for something to lampoon But this week was rather serious Lots of doom and gloom So with a deadline looming and nothing good to write We played our favourite tabloid game, of bingo… it’s alright A spot of prevarication rarely steers you wrong So we started out with Glastonbury as that’s an easy one We gathered up the stories, from the … [Read more...]
The Nether: Opening Night at the Duke of York Theatre
“Did you ever fuck an elf?” asks Sims, successfully snapping the audience back into gallows humour mode and drawing titters of delight from across the darkened room… At first glance, you wouldn’t think that a play centred around a digitally enhanced paedophile paradise would draw too many laughs… but wryness had a big part to play in Jennifer Haley’s dark drama; a … [Read more...]
Pumpkins @ Koko: Alt Rock’s Grandest Act Returns
Fan: “You play guitar really well!” Billy: “I was better when I was younger… but thank you.” He’d probably know lot better than us, but if the ravages of age are catching up with Billy Corgan, it wasn’t particularly obvious last Friday night. Springing on to the stage with his new touring line up, the singer-songwriter was tight, on form and apparently happy. We got … [Read more...]
Interactive Digital Theatre: What’s It Like to Be a Refugee?
"We worked in collaboration with a number of refugee groups, initially in Cardiff and subsequently in Newport too,” John McGrath, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Wales told Searchlight Magazine Arts. “[The show Director] formed strong links with some of these refugees, and one of the very first people he talked with - Fissha - has stayed with the show and beco … [Read more...]
Morrissey @O2: A Poignant Farewell to the Fans?
“All I ask, is remember me and forget my fate,” intoned Morrissey as he emerged on stage for his encore at the packed O2 Arena in London last night. This quote from “Dido’s Lament”, a staple of funerals seems poignant in the light of the star’s recent cancer treatment, especially as he immediately launched into a rare rendition of “Asleep”. “There is another world, … [Read more...]
The Room: Art Versus the American Dream
“Bullshit! This is fucking bullshit!” he yelled, slurping from a Coke can and stomping up and down the line. “Front row. Front row. But no.” He rhymed aggressively. No response - unable to find anyone to engage with his mad ranting, the bonkers chap joined the queue directly behind us and continued his loud conversation with himself. We had all just been kicked out of … [Read more...]