Cyrano (dir. by Joe Wright, 2021)
When the best thing you can say about a period romance – no a musical – is that the costumes were nice then something has gone horribly wrong.
Criticks – BSECS online reviews
The eighteenth century was the first great age of criticism. In this spirit, the Criticks website provides entertaining, informative and provocative reviews of events and media that are of interest to scholars of the eighteenth century. These complement the reviews of books that are published in the journal of the Society, Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies.
Plays, concerts, operas, exhibitions, films, broadcasts and online resources are here considered in depth by experts in the field. If there is an event that you would like to see reviewed in these pages, or if you would like to review for us, please contact one of the editors below:
Criticks Editor
Criticks Subject Editors
Fine Art: Miriam Al Jamil
Media: Gráinne O’Hare
Music: Brianna Robertson-Kirkland
Theatre: Katie Aske
The Great (Season Two)
While the second season of The Great loses its way in certain aspects, in others it finds its stride beautifully.
The Rake’s Progress
Very enjoyable and persuasive. If you are a fan of Hogarth’s prints and you haven’t yet seen Hockney’s famous staging, then I would urge you to seek it out.
New Chamber Opera, La diavolessa (‘The She-Devil’), Directed by Michael Burden; The Band of Instruments conducted by Steven Devine
A moment of contingent yet celebratory social reconciliation and healing, felt just right as way to tentatively, for the moment provisionally, but unmistakably joyfully begin to return to life as it
Bellotto: The Königstein Views Reunited
Viewed together in this exhibition, the immediate impact is spectacular.
Dangerous Liaisons (Northern Ballet)
A complex emotional and sensual performance that was matched with equally beautiful music.
A Pair of Shoe Exhibitions: Northampton Museum and Art Gallery/’Shoephoria’ at Bath Fashion Museum
These two exhibitions have different functions and achieve their goals in different ways. But it is interesting to note the shared emphasis on the emotional and personal significance of footwear, and
Grinling Gibbons: Centuries in the Making
A rare opportunity to see many of Gibbons’ finest works in one place, and to marvel anew at the brilliance of the ‘Michelangelo of Woodcarving’.
Making History: Shakespeare and the Royal Family (Online Exhibition)
A valuable resource, an entertaining diversion, and a rare achievement worthy of celebration.
Bampton Classical Opera perform Gluck’s ‘THE CROWN’ (‘La corona’)
A charming opera, expertly performed.