Tag Archives: murder

The Red Bird Sings: the bizarre true story of how a ghost testified in court

Posted on March 21, 2023 by mkmswain

Aoifa Fitzpatrick draws on an extraordinary 1897 trial in a debut novel that’s a blend of courtroom drama, murder mystery and feminist fable. Read my full Telegraph review here

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Bad Sisters review

Posted on August 24, 2022 by mkmswain

Great villain but gone is the Sharon Horgan we know and love. Read my full Telegraph review here

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Girl on an Altar, Kiln Theatre

Posted on May 26, 2022 by mkmswain

Marina Carr’s new twist on Ancient Greek tragedy spells out too much, but it’s superbly acted and pungently topical. Read my full Telegraph review here

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Season 6 was Outlander at its strongest and weakest

Posted on May 2, 2022 by mkmswain

The finale left us on a tantalising cliffhanger, but had too many side plots. Read my full Radio Times comment here

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A Tidy Ending

Posted on April 18, 2022 by mkmswain

Joanna Cannon’s serial killer thriller sacrifices human complexity for cheap twists. Read my full Telegraph review here

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Why Outlander’s latest season 6 twist is so important

Posted on April 11, 2022 by mkmswain

Episode 6 pays off a slow-burning story – and sets up a thrilling climax. Read my full Radio Times comment here

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What A Carve Up!, Online

Posted on November 6, 2020 by mkmswain

Jonathan Coe’s satirical thriller has been inventively adapted in this joint digital project between three theatres: The Barn, Lawrence Batley and New Wolsey. Presented as a Netflix true crime doc-meets-YouTube conspiracy, it’s a gripping watch. Read my full The i Paper review … Continue reading →

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A Very Expensive Poison, Old Vic

Posted on September 6, 2019 by mkmswain

How theatre should, or should not, be addressing Brexit is a constant topic of conversation. But while Lucy Prebble’s phenomenal new work – a combination of horror, espionage thriller, love story and satire, with dazzlingly theatrical framing – doesn’t centre … Continue reading →

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Chicago, Phoenix Theatre

Posted on April 19, 2018 by mkmswain

Chicago‘s hit West End revival ­- which featured a constant revolving door of big names – closed in 2012 after almost 15 years. Now, it returns with the requisite stunt casting (Cuba Gooding Jr), but also with a cast of … Continue reading →

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Picasso, Lady Bird, Mary Stuart and West Cork

Posted on March 12, 2018 by mkmswain

On my March MoveTo Town and Country Arts page: Exhibition Pablo Picasso’s ‘year of wonders’ graces Tate Modern Film The mother-daughter relationship deftly captured by Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird Theatre Robert Icke’s Mary Stuart presents history as a modern political thriller Commuter corner The latest must-binge true … Continue reading →

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