ENO
Into the mystic
Contemporary debates over the “suitability” of many operas leaves us with only English productions
Ring of fire
The ENO’s production of The Valkyrie may lack flames, but it is convincing nonetheless
Fall from grace
This hero of the destitute was airbrushed from history for challenging the oppressive-patriarchy narrative
Unexpected music and a crisis of theology
The Critic Narrated: Episode Six, with Sarah Ditum and David Scullion
Man with the van
Thomas Woodham-Smith on the trade’s true mavericks
Pay no attention
In the rush to blame tech companies, we forget the ultimate threat to free speech comes from the state
Rule of silence
Good laws can’t be made if we don’t talk about them, and bad laws can’t be repealed in silence
Out of the blue
Despite some political hang-ups, James Fox provides diverting stories on the history of colour
Did the PM tell the truth about Net Zero?
Fact-checking Boris Johnson’s answer to my PMQ
Cancelling Terry Gilliam (again)
Gilliam is now 80, and seems as cheerily intent on causing trouble and controversy as ever
Black to Front
Diversity is everywhere, but the BBC, the NHS, the Police and the Bank of England want more
Rumours of a crime
Louis-Ferdinand Céline was a flawed man, but he should be allowed to be condemned by his words
The parent trap
Are social workers targeting mothers who serve frozen meals?