STEVE JOHNSON relishes a celebration of the commonality of folk music and its links with the struggles of working people the world over
Lost in space
DAVID NICHOLSON applauds the intentions of a WNO production for kids, but finds the production itself inadequate
[Kirsten Mc Ternan] 
This thriller is a politically charged and morally complex dive into climate activism and police repression, judges JENNY FARRELL
Cat show killer, avenging the pawns, women hunt the Ripper, and running dry in the outback
The Bard reflects on sharing a bed, and why he wont go to Chelsea
MARY CONWAY applauds a new play that foresees the unscrupulous tactics of a future far-right minority government
RON JACOBS is moved to tears by an eloquent journal of heartfelt intensity and human portraiture
ROBERT OVETZ recommends a case study, from the University of Leicester, in their struggle against precarization, AI, privatisation, outsourcing, and work intensification in higher education
Play Opera Live, WNO
THE latest production from Welsh National Opera is aimed at children and is part of the company’s policy of making opera accessible to more diverse audiences. But while the aim of Play Opera Live — A Space Spectacular was praiseworthy the reality was way off the mark. When I arrived at the theatre I was kicking myself for not having brought my two granddaughters. By the end I was relieved I hadn’t.
Aiming opera at a very young audience requires considerable thought and simply cobbling together a narrative with some of opera’s greatest arias did not work.
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