News

McMafia brings the bosses’ infighting to our TV screens

McMafia grapples with the differences between “good” and “bad” capitalism—and makes thrilling drama at the same time.

Theatre highlights for 2018

The Manifesto for an Independent Revolutionary Art, signed by French writer André Breton and Mexican painter Diego Rivera was published in 1938.

Human Flow brings out the human stories behind the refugee crisis

Behind the numbers which dominate the refugee crisis lie millions of untold stories. Artist Ai Weiwei’s film Human Flow brings them out, writes Sally Kincaid

Bjork’s album Utopia is based on struggle, not escapist fantasy

In her 30 years in the music industry, Bjork has always pushed boundaries.

Nae Pasaran—Scots who defied Pinochet

In 1974 workers at the Rolls-Royce engine factory in East Kilbride refused to work on engines used by the Chilean air force.

Dancehall—The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture

On the back of the huge commercial success of reggae in the 1970s, a new breed of producers and MCs sought to update the music for the 80s.

Why save capitalism? It should be put out of its misery

Former US president Bill Clinton’s secretary for labor Robert Reich thinks inequality is too high and that the rich should pay more tax. He endorsed Bernie Sanders for president.

How music helped beat back the fascists in 1950s London

Racist violence blew up on the streets of west London on 30 August 1958.

Fight for homes finds artistic expression in Teesside

The Idea Home Show at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art

Battle of the Sexes serves up a set of anti-sexism from 1973

New film Battle of the Sexes shows the sexism of the 1970s and one of the battles against it, but misses the broader context

The Life And Rhymes Of Benjamin Zephaniah

The “people’s laureate” Benjamin Zephaniah is taking his autobiography on tour this spring.

Tune in to Network for two hours of rage

Network is about an ageing news anchor getting mad.

Murder, intrigue and politics make Peaky Blinders great

Hit series gets its dramatic power from looking at world events. It doesn’t sugar-coat politics and it takes its audience seriously, argues Hope Ryan

Posters and photos reignite the visions of Russia’s revolt in Red Star Over Russia

A new design exhibition in London gives a graphic illustration of the impact of revolution and counter-revolution in Russia after 1917, writes?Nadia Sayed

In La Belle Sauvage Philip Pullman revisits the world of His Dark Materials

As the twentieth century wore to a close, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy offered a vastly superior alternative to the interminable adventures of Harry Potter.

Reviews round-up: Mining art gallery and The Ward

This new gallery explores working life in the coalmines of County Durham through original artefacts and artwork from prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.

Massacre of Mankind avoids butchering HG Wells’s masterpiece

For Your Grandchildren documents the battle to stop gas pipelines in the US

For Your Grandchildren is a film about the struggle against the Sabal Trail Pipeline in Florida. The film’s director Mike Tintner spoke to Kim Hunter

Grime MC’s new song is a grilling for the government

Dave’s new song Question Time voices the harsh reality many face under a Tory government.

Weak gags and tired cliches dog play on Marx’s early life

Lovers of toilet humour and references to the philosopher Hegel will adore Young Marx. Unfortunately for the rest of us, there is little that’s either edifying or funny about this odd choice of a maiden production for the new Bridge Theatre.