Film review: Electricity December 12, 2014 Cert 15 | ★★☆☆☆ For a supermodel looking to venture into acting, there will always be a plum role as a hottie in a Hollywood blockbuster. But in her transition to the screen Agyness Deyn has taken the path of greatest resistance. The sometime model built her rep as an actress with brave performances in [...]
Theatre review: Treasure Island December 12, 2014 Olivier Theatre | ★★★☆☆ The National Theatre employed the services of a “comedy consultant” for its lavish new Treasure Island adaptation. Whatever he did, it didn’t work – the jokes let down an otherwise impressive production that kids will enjoy (if not love) and adults will tolerate. Too often laughs are grasped at clumsily, upsetting the [...]
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – film review December 12, 2014 Cert 12a | ★★★★☆ When Peter Jackson approached Billy Connolly to play the fiercest of Tolkien’s dwarves, he asked, “Have you read The Hobbit?” and Connolly replied “No, and I don’t like people who have. His comments, said in jest, nevertheless encapsulate the franchise’s reputation for being somewhat nerdy and inaccessible for those who have [...]
Film review: The Green Prince December 11, 2014 Cert 15 | ★★★☆☆ In August 2008, from the safety of exile in the States, Mosab Hassan Yousef (pictured) went public with his betrayal of Palestine. The son of a senior Hamas leader, he revealed that he had spent ten years spying on his father and others for Shin Bet (the Israeli secret service) under [...]
Something for the weekend December 11, 2014 STOCK UP: WINE SAMPLE SALE New Zealand produces some of the world’s most underrated wines and the NZ Cellar is flogging lots of them for peanuts at a wine Garage Sale in Brixton on Sunday morning. £5 per ticket, children free, 8.45-14.00, visit musicglue.com. CHEER: PANTO HORSERACE In Greenwich on Sunday over 40 panto horses [...]
2014 Christmas shows in London: From traditional pantomime to award-winning theatre December 11, 2014 Whether you’re a fan of cutting-edge theatre, a good old singalong or a traditional Christmas pantomime, London’s got you covered. Here are some of our favourites. MOTHER GOOSE Hackney Empire, from £10 Princess Priscilla has waddled into the life of Mother Goose and started laying priceless golden eggs. Now Mother can buy whatever [...]
2014 Christmas gift ideas: Spoil someone special with these gourmet festive hampers December 10, 2014 Il Massimo hamper Go Italian this Christmas with this red box of gourmet produce compiled by Carluccio’s restaurant. £75, carluccios.com Fortnum & Mason’s Frost Fayre hamper These treats pay homage to the food served at Frost Fayres on the frozen River Thames in the 17th century. £250, fortnumandmason.com Cocoa Runner’s Christmas [...]
2014 Christmas gift ideas: Delicious treats for a tasty festive season December 10, 2014 Sipsmith Sloe Gin 2010 £24, majestic.co.uk Godiva chocolate gift box A decent box of chocolates is a must for Xmas day. The perfect post-turkey palatte-cleanser. £41, godivachocolates.co.uk Fortnum and Mason potted stilton with whisky A creamy, tangy, luxurious treat. £22, fortnumandmason.com Cardhu whisky box set Great single malt whisky and a [...]
2014 Christmas gift ideas: Quality technology you can fit in a stocking December 10, 2014 SMS Audio BioSport in-ear headphones with heart monitor The perfect gift for the fitness fanatic in your life, these ear-buds don’t just play music, they also monitor your heart-rate. smsaudio.com Touch Mini Boombox speaker Touch Mini Boombox Speaker This lightweight gadget slots into the speaker at the end of your phone and pumps [...]
2014 Christmas gift ideas: These stocking fillers will leave your family satisfied long past Boxing Day December 10, 2014 Tube Socks A London twist on the classic gift – socks based around the colours of the London Underground lines. tubesocks.co Toy train Whether it’s for a child or just someone who’s young at heart, this train-set spelling out your name is a sure-fire hit. £17 for a six-letter name, notonthehighstreet.com Rocket Gardens [...]
