Doctor Who – Rogue
As a Whovian I found much to enjoy in this episode, but as a historian I couldn’t help feeling that the lack of contextual engagement was a bit of a missed opportunity.
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 and Decorative Art: Miriam Al Jamil
Media: Gráinne O’Hare
Music: Brianna Robertson-Kirkland
Theatre: Katie Noble
Renegade Nell
Renegade Nell may not be a memorable enough ballad to bear repeating, but it is certainly a ballad worth hearing.
Napoleon (dir. by Ridley Scott)
The glaring problem with Ridley Scott’s Napoleon is not the historical inaccuracy, but that it is never quite sure what kind of Napoleon Bonaparte it wants to depict.
Our Flag Means Death, Season 2
Continuing in the spirit of last season, this season offers plenty of quips and moments that eighteenth centuryists will enjoy.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
A great addition to the historical fantasy of the Bridgerton universe, which builds even more anticipation for the long-awaited third season.
I Feel Therefore I Am (BBC Radio 4)
Abigail Williams is, throughout the series, descriptive rather than prescriptive. I Feel Therefore I Am aims to elucidate the unacknowledged assumptions that shape fractious political debates.
Our Flag Means Death
OFMD has broadened representation of historical figures yet to make it onto the big screen, but this isn’t what makes the show unique. Making up for centuries of heterosexual pirate
Tom Jones (ITVX)
This production, in trying to balance too precariously between imitation and faithfulness to the novel, and adaptation and contemporary renewal, unfortunately fell into a rather spiritless abyss
Mr Malcolm’s List
The power in the script is its awareness that it is a fun adaptation with quite a simple plotline which allows for a freshness in its approach. It is beautifully made, with sweeping views of English
Persuasion (2022)
If you’re open to something different, refreshing, and a little bit more contemporary in the vein of EMMA., then this is the Austen adaptation for you.