GORDON PARSONS is bowled over by a skilfully stripped down and powerfully relevant production of Hamlet
Pirate of the Realm
ALEX HALL has suspicions that a biography of the legendary 17th century pirate has levelled its spyglass at the silver screen
In which we accompany the Bard into Cymru to meet his musical accomplices, young and old
SUE TURNER is inspired by the example of a librarian’s struggle to confront the book-banning movement
ANDY HEDGECOCK relishes two exhibitions that blur the boundaries between art and community engagement
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE reviews I Am Martin Parr, September Says, The Monkey, and The Gorge
RITA DI SANTO applauds a touching and witty opener that touches a hot topic in Germany: the future of the immigrant population
SIMON PARSONS is discomfited by an unflichingly negative portrait of motherhood and its trials
The Pirate King: The Strange Adventures of Henry Avery and the Birth of the Golden Age of Piracy
Sean Kingsley and Rex Cowan
Pegasus Books, £22
SEAN KINGSLEY and Rex Cowan claim they have solved a great mystery and uncovered a greater tale underneath.
This is the story of Henry Avery, born in the 1660s in or around Plymouth, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a seaman. In the 17th century this meant international trade, slavery and maritime warfare between imperialist powers.
More from this author
The phrase “cruel to be kind” comes from Hamlet, but Shakespeare’s Prince didn’t go in for kidnap, explosive punches, and cigarette deprivation. Tam is different.
ANGUS REID deconstructs a popular contemporary novel aimed at a ‘queer’ young adult readership
A landmark work of gay ethnography, an avant-garde fusion of folk and modernity, and a chance comment in a great interview
ANGUS REID applauds the inventive stagecraft with which the Lyceum serve up Stevenson’s classic, but misses the deeper themes
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The Bard, happily press-ganged by Pirates, tunes up for Christmas
JAMES NALTON writes about the baseball player who was also a civil rights activist both within the sport, and outside of it
