REVIEW writing is a hybrid of art and journalism. It’s not writing about the play/book/exhibition — or awarding stars (always a tricky thing for me) but getting under the skin of the thing. There’s nothing as rewarding as writing about art when it helps your own. Find its heart and soul. Both likely to be present as it has been published or produced, and, after all, all art comes from community.

I start the year with my tribute to dreamboat Leonard Cohen’s Dance Me at Sadlers Wells,  a ballet describing the life and work of Leonard Cohen. I enjoyed it. How would Cohen be responding the world now I wonder? Jewish — he would have played a huge part in today’s anti-war movement. 

Flit to April and it’s my turn. I both write about and get reviewed for my play Blood Gold and Oil. Invited to write about the personal and political energies behind the work, I turn in The Fatal Englishman, giving the background to my interest in TE Lawrence. Our dear comrade editor used the word “obsession”  — to which I took umbrage (such a brownish, disgruntled word).