Your Account Sign In
Support Us
Subscribe
Britain World Editorial Features Culture Sport
Britain World Editorial Features Culture Sport
Gaza Climate Crisis workers' rights Austerity far right Labour
Latest editorial
Starmer’s seemingly suicidal spiral is losing votes on all fronts
Advertise Contact us Shop Subscribe Support us Daily Alert
Gaza Climate Crisis Workers' rights Austerity Far right Labour
Peter Mason
(L) Mudlark kneels on a rocky shore, collecting objects; (R) Medieval pilgrim badge. Pics © London Museum
Exhibitions / 22 April 2025
The marvels of mudlarking
22 April 2025

PETER MASON is enthralled by an assembly of objects, ancient and modern, that have lain in the mud of London’s river

POWER-DRESSING: Miriam Grace Edwards as Mary in Mrs Presiden
Theatre Review / 5 February 2025
Tradwife pic dilemma
5 February 2025
PETER MASON applauds a thought-provoking study of the relationship between a grieving woman and her photographer
CONSTRUCTIVISM FOR KIDS: Ballet Shoes at the National Theatr
Theatre Review / 9 December 2024
Orphan girls find their gift 
9 December 2024
PETER MASON is moved by a striking production of Noel Streatfeild’s enduringly popular children’s book
DOUBLE TAKE: Dominic Semwanga and Megan Keaveney as Fes and
Theatre review / 4 December 2024
Festive Feste fare
4 December 2024
PETER MASON reckons the NYT’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy is the pick of the Christmas shows on offer in London 
FEELING THE CHILL: Le Concert Spiritual play St James Spanis
Music review / 25 November 2024
Spiritual chiller
25 November 2024
PETER MASON shivers in the under-heated ecclesiastical setting of a concert featuring five 19th-century French composers 
Doreene Blackstock and Cash Holland in A Raisin In The Sun
Theatre Review / 15 October 2024
Outstanding US kitchen sink drama
15 October 2024
PETER MASON applauds a classic drama exploring assimilation and resistance among poor black inhabitants of a Chigago slum
Suzy Kohane, Josie Benson and Edith Vernes in French Toast
Theatre review / 9 October 2024
Lost in translation
9 October 2024
PETER MASON is disappointed by a clunky comedy that falls flat
Theatre review / 29 August 2024
A charming version of the tale of the hard-hearted giant
29 August 2024
PETER MASON is enchanted by a unique take on the Oscar Wilde favourite delivered through the ancient form of marionettes
KEW JUMPING: Fairies in Theatre on Kew's production of Midsu
Theatre review / 30 July 2024
Missing the Kew
30 July 2024
PETER MASON is unimpressed by an unsubtle production that disregards its woodland setting
(Left to right) Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and An
Motorsport / 14 June 2024
24 Hours of Le Mans
14 June 2024
PETER MASON writes about the exhilarating race which kicks off in France this weekend, and the British drivers competing across three categories
McLaren's Jenson Button during the 2016 British Grand Prix a
Sport / 13 May 2024
Former F1 champ Button set sights on Le Mans 24 for third time
13 May 2024
DEFINITIVE: Nick Holder in Faith Healer
Theatre Review / 26 March 2024
Death of a snake oil salesman
26 March 2024
PETER MASON applauds a pitch-perfect production of the late Brian Friel’s compelling study of gullability and disillusion
Crossroads Motel: Liza Sadovy (Mary) and Peter Wight (John)
Theatre Review / 23 October 2023
Shakespearian soap
23 October 2023
PETER MASON is unimpressed by a two-act Elizabethan version of Crossroads
A wonderfully tasteful series of sets
Theatre Review / 19 June 2023
Little to justify the trip
19 June 2023
PETER MASON's overwhelming disappointment is ameliorated by a sumptuous stage settings
NOSTALGIC Tom Carradine in Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long
Theatre / 7 March 2023
Ding dong on the old joanna
7 March 2023
PETER MASON submerges into East End nostalgia, and would do it again
(L to R) Reece Shearsmith as Peter, Frances Barber as Elsa,
Theatre / 23 January 2023
Stranger danger
23 January 2023
PETER MASON applauds a razor-sharp comedy of manners
(L to R) Michael Luwoye as Mandela, Danielle Fiamanya as Win
Theatre Reviews / 16 December 2022
An examination of the way apartheid tore at the heart of human relations
16 December 2022
Two of Morning Star’s theatre critics take distinct views of the musical that charts the life of one of the world’s greatest and best loved freedom fighters
Elton John performing at Vicarage Road Stadium
Music Review / 12 July 2022
Elton John's wonderfully idiosyncratic British farewell
12 July 2022
CHEEKY: Tweedy and Dany Rivelino
Circus Review / 22 June 2022
A refreshing take on the circus experience
22 June 2022
A CONGA LIKE NO OTHER: Stephen K Amos as Alfred P Doolittle
Musical / 3 June 2022
A fantastically enjoyable interpretation of a great musical
3 June 2022
PETER MASON recommends a production that never drags, never dips in intensity nor wanes in entertainment value
Theatre Review / 8 April 2022
Project Dictator
8 April 2022
Music Review / 4 April 2022
The beauty of Gaelic according to Allt
4 April 2022
Theatre Review / 20 March 2022
A prime example of the dangers of well-intentioned over-complication
20 March 2022
MEMORY LANE: (L to R) Bus conductor Agatha Claudette Hart, 1
Exhibition / 1 March 2022
‘I cried like a baby the first week I was here’
1 March 2022
PETER MASON is captivated by snapshots that build up a strong feel of what it was like to live and work in those now far-off times, when strong unionisation and an enlightened attitude from LT nurtured camaraderie
(L to R) Nebra Sky Disc, Germany, about 1600 BC; Stonehenge
Exhibition / 20 February 2022
Stonehenge re-discovered
20 February 2022
PETER MASON recommends the satisfying to see, full-scale appreciation of one of the great wonders of the world
STRONG PERFORMANCE: (L to R) Ruby Barker as Imani, Suzette L
Theatre Review / 20 February 2022
The conundrums of processing grief
20 February 2022
PETER MASON recommends a play which eloquently addresses the emotional consequences of an unexpected death in the family
STRONG PERFORMANCE: (L to R) Ruby Barker as Imani, Suzette L
Theatre Review / 18 February 2022
The conundrums of processing grief
18 February 2022
PETER MASON recommends a play which eloquently addresses the emotional consequences of an unexpected death in the family
(L to R) Hamish Macdougall as fiance, Nathaniel Christian as
Theatre Review / 31 January 2022
The fading memory of spitfires and Vera Lynn
31 January 2022
PETER MASON recommends a tentative metaphor of a nation in search of a meaningful destiny beyond the remembrance of conflict
Jimmy Pursey
Music Review / 24 January 2022
No moribund nostalgia-fest from the Hersham crew
24 January 2022
(L to R) Dawaat-Leesa Gazi and Halema Hussain
Theatre Review / 21 December 2021
A tender story of migration
21 December 2021
MOUNTING UNEASE: (L to R) Stephanie Beatriz as Lauren, James
Theatre Review / 19 December 2021
Class and gender tension flavoured ghost story
19 December 2021
Well-paced production keeps PETER MASON, and the rest of audience, at the edge of their seats
The Cast of A Christmas Carol
Theatre Review / 5 December 2021
An overall splendid package if perhaps too drawn-out
5 December 2021
Theatre Review / 29 November 2021
A panto let down by inconsistent writing and direction
29 November 2021
Music Review / 15 November 2021
An aura of mystery that was hauntingly emotional and ethereal
15 November 2021
Music review / 26 October 2021
Impeccable blend of past and present
26 October 2021
Orla Fitzgerald as Maureen and Adam Best as Pato
Theatre Review / 20 October 2021
A brilliantly tense play
20 October 2021
A compelling story of how cruelty begets cruelty, and of how the child becomes the parent, writes PETER MASON
Francesca Annis as Ranyevskaya and Ian McKellen as Firs in t
Theatre Review / 15 October 2021
Orchard blossoms with novel take
15 October 2021
Chekhov classic is rejuvenated by being played nearer to comedy than tragedy, writes PETER MASON
CONUNDRUM: Pierro Niel-Mee as Victor
Theatre review / 30 August 2021
A memorably stimulating production despite information overload
30 August 2021
GLORIOUS: Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Orlando, Anna Crichlow
Theatre Review / 22 August 2021
A glorious gamut of romance, poetry, satire and slapstick
22 August 2021
STRETCHING CREDULITY: Ian McKellen (centre)
THEATRE / 29 July 2021
How not to be Hamlet
29 July 2021
Ian McKellen's portrayal of the Prince of Denmark demands a suspension of disbelief too far, says PETER MASON
MAGNIFICENT: Ronke Adekoluejo
THEATRE / 21 July 2021
Lava, Bush Theatre London
21 July 2021
Impassioned exposé of pain and anger wreaked by racism and prejudice
GEEK APPEAL: Scott Folan (Jeremy Heere) with Renee Lamb (Jen
MUSIC THEATRE / 9 July 2021
Be More Chill, Shaftesbury Theatre London
9 July 2021
Coming-of-age journey in high school musical hits all the right notes
(L to R) Marble bust of Nero, around AD 55; miniature portra
EXHIBITION / 4 July 2021
Empirical proof in question
4 July 2021
An exhibition attempting to paint the Roman autocrat Nero as a popular ruler isn't really matched by the exhibits on display, says PETER MASON
MIND-BLOWING: Binker Golding
MUSIC / 17 June 2021
Binker Golding, Ronnie Scott’s London
17 June 2021
Exhilarating fusion of hard bop and contemporary soul from Golding's new quintet
INSPIRED BY WOMEN: Lady Maisery
LIVE MUSIC REVIEW / 30 May 2021
Lady Maisery, Cecil Sharp House London
30 May 2021
10th anniversary of top folk trio marked in style
HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED: It has to rain before you can see where
EXHIBITION REVIEW / 30 May 2021
Walter Price: Pearl Lines
30 May 2021
Accomplished exploration of the figurative and the abstract
BRILLIANT PERCUSSIONIST: Sarathy Korwar
MUSIC / 25 May 2021
Sarathy Korwar, King’s Place London
25 May 2021
Exhilarating eclecticism from Korwar and co
TURNING POINT: Commemoration on February 2, 2021, of the 27t
BOOKS / 16 May 2021
The Country That Does Not Exist
16 May 2021
Obscured history of post-colonial Somalia
THE TIMES THEY ARE A'CHANGING: President Barack Obama hangs
MUSIC / 9 April 2021
Nothing to see here
9 April 2021
A new book on Bob Dylan offers no new insights into what makes the music legend tick, says PETER MASON
YEAR ROUND-UP / 4 January 2021
Best of 2020: Arts
4 January 2021
Bellowhead
Music Review / 8 December 2020
An impressive, multi-layered combination of players and instruments
8 December 2020
Streamed concert Bellowhead Stabal Mansion
Culture / 23 October 2020
Greater focus on the collateral damage connected to Salazar’s rule would have provided better context and more balance to his portrayal
23 October 2020
BOOKS / 2 September 2020
On a Dark Night With Enough Wind by Lilla Pennant
2 September 2020
Evocative accounts of life on the edge in rural Wales
BOOKS / 31 August 2020
Bordering Britain: Law, Race and Empire by Nadine El-Enany
31 August 2020
Questions posed but few answers given to the injustices of immigration controls in Britain
ARTS AHEAD / 26 August 2020
White Riot
26 August 2020
Gripping documentary on the birth and life of the anti-racist movement Rock Against Racism
(RELATIVELY) RESTRAINED: Stewart Home
FICTION / 23 August 2020
She’s My Witch by Stewart Home
23 August 2020
Deviance devotees make for an endearing odd couple
FICTION / 22 July 2020
Another Kind of Concrete by Koushik Banerjea
22 July 2020
Hard realities of 1970s racism explored in outstanding debut novel
WANDERER: Tom Kitching
PODCAST REVIEW / 10 May 2020
Busking it
10 May 2020
Amiable meander around the country with fiddler and busker Tom Kitching
MUSIC ONLINE / 9 April 2020
Ninebarrow, Live stream
9 April 2020
Folk duo in perfect harmony
BOOKS / 7 April 2020
Apartheid Is Not a Game by Geoff Brown and Christian Hogsbjerg
7 April 2020
How the campaign against the 1970 South African cricket tour struck a major blow against the Pretoria regime
ADMIRABLE: Josh Zare (left) and Alex Waldmann
THEATRE / 5 March 2020
The Mikvah Project, Orange Tree Theatre Richmond-upon-Thames
5 March 2020
Sensitive exploration of the love that dares not speak its name in a Jewish community
WISHFUL THINKING? Scottish independence rally, 2018
Books / 5 February 2020
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot: The Great Mistake of Scottish Independence by John Lloyd
5 February 2020
Forceful but flawed case against home rule for Scotland
DESPERATE RELATIONSHIP: Tim (John Hollingworth) and Dani (Je
Theatre Review / 2 February 2020
The Sugar Syndrome, Orange Tree Theatre Richmond upon Thames
2 February 2020
Edgy exploration of damaged relationships in the early days of the internet
SOULFUL: Rioghnach Connolly
Music / 27 January 2020
Band of Burns, Union Chapel London
27 January 2020
Rousing Burns Night celebration from ad hoc folk supergroup
COMPELLING: Gemma Dobson, Tom Varey and Jodie Prenger
Theatre / 24 January 2020
A Taste of Honey, Trafalgar Studios London
24 January 2020
Excellent revival of Shelagh Delaney's classic Salford drama
CONTEMPLATIVE: Lady Maisery
Live Music / 6 January 2020
Lady Maisery, Kings Place London/Touring
6 January 2020
Theatre / 18 December 2019
A Kind of People, Royal Court Theatre London
18 December 2019
Thought-provoking exploration of race and class issues in Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti's new play
FIVE STAR SHOW: Sweat 
Year round-up / 10 December 2019
Best of 2019: Theatre
10 December 2019
BREATHTAKING ASSURANCE: Sona Jobarteh
Year round-up / 4 December 2019
Best of 2019: Music
4 December 2019
LEADING LIGHTS: Timmika Ramsay and Gabriel Fleary 
Pantomime / 4 December 2019
You shall have a ball
4 December 2019
PETER MASON recommends a witty update of Cinderella
Nothing needs fixing: Graham Parker
Music / 27 November 2019
Graham Parker, Union Chapel London/Touring
27 November 2019
Acoustic set lacks essence of a great body of work
Pride of Peckham: The cast of Only Fools and Horses Pic: Joh
Musical Review / 26 September 2019
Trotters hit the jelly tot
26 September 2019
PETER MASON recommends a hugely entertaining musical version of Only Fools and Horses
Dysfunctional duo: Robin Hesketh (Alex Jennings) and Diana
Theatre Review / 15 September 2019
Hansard, National Theatre, London
15 September 2019
Marital skirmishes point up personal and political schisms of the Thatcher era
Book Review / 25 August 2019
Mollycoddling the Feckless by Alistair Findlay
25 August 2019
Disappointing memoir evades pressing concerns of social work system
Theatre Review / 30 July 2019
Playing as a lark enthuses audience
30 July 2019
Music Review / 7 July 2019
Roy Ellis, 100 Club, London
7 July 2019
Ska veteran shows that he can still whip an audience into shape
Wonderfully natural: Eddi Reader
Music Review / 26 June 2019
Eddi Reader, Kings Place, London
26 June 2019
Something of a triumph from singer at the top of her game
Book Review / 16 June 2019
The Good Soldier Sam by Sam Berkovitz, with Simon Blumenfeld
16 June 2019
Fascinating social history of a poverty-stricken East End of London by Sam Berkovitz
Mirroring contemporary obsessions: Pictures of Dorian Gray
Theatre Review / 13 June 2019
Pictures of Dorian Gray, Jermyn Street Theatre, London
13 June 2019
Innovative version of Oscar Wilde's gothic chiller
Celebrating: Martin Carthy, Marry Waterson, Eliza Carthy and
Music Review / 13 June 2019
Top Topic tribute
13 June 2019
PETER MASON enjoys a great line-up celebrating eight decades of the radical record label
Unique: Lau
Music Review / 12 June 2019
Lau, Kings Place London
12 June 2019
Lau are taking folk music on a thrillingly innovative journey
Anxious siblings: Kemi Durosinmi and Elizabeth Ita in Hoard
Theatre review / 26 May 2019
Hoard, Arcola Theatre London
26 May 2019
Warm-hearted comedy about the relationship between an eccentric mother and her daughters
Mournfully hopeful: Kris Drever
Music Review / 20 May 2019
Kris Drever, Kings Place, London
20 May 2019
Understated, observationally acute set from an engaging singer-songwriter
Patty Griffin
Music review / 14 May 2019
Patty Griffin, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
14 May 2019
Impressive songs, old and new, from an accomplished interpreter of folk and Americana
Kora queen: Sona Jobarteh
Live Music Review / 16 April 2019
Sona Jobarteh, Kings Place London
16 April 2019
Sona Jobarteh demonstrates why she's one of the most exciting kora players around
Live Music Review / 14 April 2019
Kate Rusby, Kings Place, London
14 April 2019
The ‘Barnsley Nightingale’ delivers a joyous set of songs, old and new
Ghost Stories, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
Theatre Review / 9 April 2019
Ghost Stories, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
9 April 2019
Frighteningly good trio of spine-chilling tales
Event Review / 1 April 2019
Neu Reekie, Leytonstone Ballroom, London
1 April 2019
Ultimately rewarding mixed bag of spoken-word, music and film from an innovative Edinburgh ensemble
Enormous talent: Daniel Herskedal
Music Review / 25 March 2019
Daniel Herskedal, King’s Place, London
25 March 2019
Brilliantly innovative performance from the Norwegian jazz tuba player and a trio of top-drawer musicians
In Earnest: Ayesha Casely-Hayford and Kudzanayi Chiwawa
Culture / 4 March 2019
Theatre Review: The Importance of Being Earnest
4 March 2019
An off-the-wall reinterpretation of an Oscar Wilde classic comes up trumps
Dave Ryding
Men's Skiing / 20 January 2019
Dave Ryding secures impressive eighth place at Wengen slalom
20 January 2019
Books Review / 18 January 2019
The facts and figures that back the Brexit case
18 January 2019
Out of the shadows: Rose Wardlaw as Ellen
Theatre Review / 17 January 2019
Greig charts a rocky terrain of self-discovery in atmospheric drama
17 January 2019
Book Review / 3 January 2019
A look back without anger
3 January 2019
PETER MASON is enthralled by the highly refreshing music business memoir devoid of bitterness or recrimination
Live Music Review / 27 December 2018
Classy formula entrances Christmas audience
27 December 2018
Live Music Review / 17 December 2018
Choral Christmas cracker from Tenebrae
17 December 2018