One year after Brian Wilson’s death: Beach Boys founder a genius like no other Life&Style A year ago today, Brian Wilson, the introverted, vulnerable genius behind the Beach Boys, died in his sleep at home in Beverly Hills. He was 82 years old, and his health was ruined: his death certificate included respiratory arrest, sepsis, cystitis, neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic kidney disease. His mental state had long been [...]
Under the Shadow at Almeida: Psychological horror set against Tehran’s 1988 bombing Life&Style Under the Shadow | Alneida Theatre | ★★★★☆ This has been quite a year for horror theatre. In January we saw the UK debut of the Paranormal Activity stage show, dragging the voyeuristic, found-footage franchise kicking and screaming into the West End. And soon after the Hampstead Theatre premiered a more fringe-y affair in the [...]
Barbican: Collabs like SXSW are the future of creative industries Life&Style This week SXSW returns to London for its second year. For decades, this festival has brought together music, tech, film and the arts, creating cultural moments and sparking new ideas. The Barbican is proud to be a part of it, hosting a number of world film premieres in the heart of the City. SXSW shares our belief that great things happen [...]
War Horse gallops triumphantly back to the National Theatre June 3, 2026 War Horse | National Theatre (Olivier) | ★★★★☆ This month has seen the revival of two classic equine plays, one about a young lad who is in love with a horse in a good way (War Horse) and one about a young lad who is in love with a horse in a very, very bad [...]
100 candles in the wind: Celebrating Marilyn Monroe’s centenary June 3, 2026 This week marked the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth. It seems both absurd – she was younger than national treasure Sir David Attenborough – yet also somehow reasonable: she is now a figure from the past, barely even brushed by the outstretched fingertips of memory. Marilyn’s status as an icon is assured, hard-wired into [...]
Patagonia faces PR backlash over trademark lawsuit with drag queen June 2, 2026 Patagonia is in hot water over its legal action against a drag queen, but as lawyers suggest, businesses face a double-edged sword when it comes to protecting their trademarks. A drag queen artist and environmentalist, Wyn Wiley, was sued by the US outdoor retailer Patagonia, which alleged the performer violated its trademark by going professionally [...]
What’s On In London In June June 2, 2026 June in London is all about soaking up the longer days and the vibrant energy of the city. Whether you’re looking to explore secret rooftop gardens, join an interactive cartooning workshop or check out a fresh West End production, this curated guide highlights the very best events and workshops for you and your friends and [...]
Can Newcastle go posh? Our honest review of city’s first five-star hotel May 29, 2026 In a far cry from the late noughties zeitgeist of Geordie Shore, Hotel Gotham offers a fresh brand of sexy that differentiates Newcastle from its MTV days. Once famous as the hangout for characters from that reality show, like Scotty T and Gary ‘the parsnip’ Beadle, Newcastle has quietly been building a higher-end repertoire of [...]
Beetlejuice musical review: I’ve never heard West End fans scream this loud May 28, 2026 Beetlejuice musical review and star rating: ★★★ It’s rare to experience screaming so loud that it feels as if some terrible force is pressing against your eardrums. It happened at Taylor Swift’s show Wembley Stadium and last night at Beetlejuice: The Musical’s West End premiere, where after every song – whether it was good or [...]
Music venues are in dire straits: V&A show asks how we can help May 28, 2026 As the V&A opens its Lost Music Venues exhibition, James Balmont asks we can save the grassroots institutions under threat A trip to the V&A often conjures up images of great Renaissance sculptures, haute couture and centuries-old tapestries – but those patronising the Kensington institution this summer will find something very different. In Lost Music [...]