Most are familiar with Christopher Marlowe’s play and the seven deadly sins which haunt Doctor Faustus in this Elizabethan tragedy. Few may be aware that Faustus is described in the traditional Chorus as being from ‘base stock’ and later a physician and professor of divinity at Wittenberg University. Even then, his undeniable thirst for greater […]
As the shortlist for the fourth plinth in the square’s north-west corner gets underway, it’s interesting to chart the history of this public art space which has drawn much controversy because of the dominance of non-traditional and post-modern candidates. When architect Charles Barry designed the square in 1841 it was envisioned the plinth would hold […]
On January 30th 1969 the world’s greatest band performed an impromptu gig on the roof of their Apple offices in Saville Row. It would prove to be their last. The 42-minute set drew large crowds and also the concern of local police who tried unsuccessfully to pull the plug. The band settled for turning down […]
It is the year of the Rooster. On the eve of Chinese New Year we look at Chinatown, one of London’s most well-known pockets of ethnic minority communities. Situated in the back streets between Leicester Square and Piccadilly there are cheek by jowl restaurants which especially during Chinese New Year are a tourist magnet. What’s […]
With growing fears that Brexit will drive creativity from the heart of the capital here is a list of five memorable films that back up London’s position as one of the most sought after movie locations. An American Werewolf in London This 1981 horror movie directed by John Landis plays on American fears that it’s […]
The Museum of London’s scheduled move to Smithfield Market gets the green light after an announcement that £180 million of the required £270 million has already been raised. It sourced the bulk of this funding (£110 million) from the City of London Corporation, with Mayor Sadiq Khan committing to £70 million. This capital injection underscores […]
Yet another movie marking out the tragic yet golden term two year of the Kennedy presidency, but this time from the vantage point of his widow Jackie Kennedy – literally. This Pablo Larrain directed bio-pic actually includes a gruesome re-enactment of the assassination and the entire movie is about his wife relating every moment, every […]
In this day and age we grumble about Brexit and Boris and take for granted many of our democratic rights but it’s important to remember that were it not for one rebel baron 750 years ago we’d probably still be ruled by a monarchy. Baron Simon de Montfort at the very least planted the seeds […]
Lots of cool things happening in East London. In previous years its low business rents and rates made it a magnet for artists. This cultural influx has spread into other areas, with the East End now a magnet for pop-up eateries and alternative restaurants like no other corner of London. Standing out amongst these is […]
Art lovers will be excited to learn the first ever world tour of French painter Paul Cezanne’s portraits will hit our capital city in October 2017. London’s National Portrait Gallery has been instrumental in this, working together with the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, and the Musée d’Orsay, Paris. It involves 50 of his […]
Hillary Clinton Graffiti/Painting Shoreditch By Street Artist Pegasus
