News

From punk to Trump—a compelling introspective

Gee Vaucher’s extensive body of work spanning 50 years reveals one of the best and most political collage artists of the century, writes?Jeff Jackson

Revolting takes aim at Tory privatisation and cuts

This sketch show is pitched as “satirising the state of the nation”.

Hedda Gabler exposes the societal pressure to conform

National Theatre’s contemporary translation of Henrik Ibsen’s play satisfies a taste for melodrama but many will prefer his early work, says?John Baker

The White King tries too much—and fails as a result

The White King is a dystopian family drama. It’s set in a world of great technological advances, but the mass of people are repressed into a peasant-like existence.

The Bronte sisters strove to be judged on their own terms

To Walk Invisible is a thoughtful TV drama but the turmoil and struggle of the time Charlotte, Emily and Anne wrote about doesn’t get a look in, says Sadie Robinson

There are better reads than 1919 on Britain’s year of revolution

The 1917 Russian Revolution was a flaring beacon of hope for working and oppressed people across the globe.

Chi-Raq—an entertaining but superficial look at gun violence in US

Spike Lee’s new film Chi-Raq takes a swipe at the gun industry and stereotypes of black people but it is not always clear cut, writes Moyra Samuels

Documentary The Council’s focus on cuts doesn’t go deep enough

The Council, a new three-part documentary, follows the experiences of workers at Scotland’s third largest council in Fife.

The ABC of Capitalism—it’s back to school for young and old with this exhibition

There are hard plastic chairs and work on the walls—but this is no ordinary classroom. The ABC of Capitalism is seriously good fun, writes Geoff Brown

John Pilger's film The Coming War On China exposes US brutality in Pacific Ocean

Veteran left wing filmmaker John Pilger turns the tables on US scaremongering about Chinese military expansion by exposing the imperialist history of the US in the Asia-Pacific region.

1917 - Russia’s Red Year is inspiring in full colour a century on

A new graphic novel brings the Russian Revolution to life with an emphasis on the role played by ordinary working people, writes Gabby Thorpe

Setting the record straight on how migrants built NHS

BBC documentary Black Nurses busts the myth that migrants drain our NHS, but it misses out the story of their collective struggle

Searching for the roots of Reggae’s liberatory sound

Roots, Reggae and Rebellion, presented by the politically-charged rapper and poet Akala, is a journey through the rise of the movement.

Brutal reality of US power exposed in new play on war

Arcola Theatre’s new production, Drones, Baby, Drones, has uncomfortable questions on warfare for a liberal conscience, writes?Tomáš Tengely-Evans

Shaking off colonial restrictions in 1960s Bamako—the photography of Malick Sidibe

photographer Malick Sidibe became known as “the eye of Bamako” for his black and white images chronicling youth culture in Bamako in the wake of Mali’s independence in 1960.

How revolutionary times produced revolutionary art

The 1917 Russian Revolution unleashed a torrent of creativity in every field of art, from painting and sculpture to acting, poetry and architectural engineering.

Boyz n the Hood re-release couldn’t be more relevant

Back in the early 1990s anyone who followed black American culture could sense a coming explosion. A series of black films were omens of a new era.

Don’t miss out on the best of new African cinema

The Royal African Society presents its sixth film festival showcasing its pick of the best new African film and filmmakers this month.

Caravaggio—paintings that pushed the boundaries of a new society

A new exhibition explores the work of 17th century artist Caravaggio and his followers—and the turbulent period that produced it, writes?Julie Sherry

Westworld—gun-slinging robots turn fantasies into nightmares

Westworld depicts a society where the rich pay vast amounts to take out their basest desires on a virtual reality populated by synthetic humans and animals.