The Trouble with Nature (dir. by Illum Jacobi, 2020)
An aesthetically stunning, thought-provoking, and even funny philosophical enquiry into our vexed relationship with nature, and its roots in Enlightenment and Romantic thought.
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
Harlots Season 3
The seamless blending of historical stories with modern liberal attitudes makes this an exciting and enjoyable watch.
Criticks Reaquainted: You’re Dead To Me – The History of General Elections
This podcast has renewed topicality at a time when the 2020 US presidential election has again seen elections take centre stage.
You’re Dead to Me: Vampires in Gothic Literature
A light-hearted and humorous listening experience, full of interesting facts and memorable details.
Riccardo Minasi and the Ensemble Resonanz, (2020), Mozart Symphonies: Nos. 39, 40 & 41 “Jupiter”, (Hamburg, Germany: Harmonia Mundi, HMM90262930).
A prescient reinterpretation, less interested in historical accuracy than in bringing the eighteenth and twenty-first centuries together.
Found and Lost: Francis Place (1647-1728) in Scotland
Dr Helen Pierce contemplates the fate of Francis Place's missing artwork.
Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien, François Lazarevitch, Tim Mead (2018), Purcell: Songs and Dances, France Alpha Classics.
A thrilling voyage exploring the Henry Purcell's diverse output.
Criticks Reaquainted: Belle (2013)
The cinematic liberties taken by this film to stage vital questions about race prove particularly resonant in the summer of 2020.
Gentleman Jack (2019)
Though a pleasure to watch, the first season of Sally Wainwright's exploration of queer identity and community isn't quite as groundbreaking as it might first seem.
Criticks Reacquainted: Hamilton
A story about the importance of recovering stories runs the risk obscuring the stories of all except its main character, yet another great man from history.