Win tickets to the ATP finals
I’ve listened to the first three, and tried to like it, because I admire Glover. But Saturday Live is a terrible mishmash, with some pretty dire guests. Radio 4 bosses, rarely ones to admit that they get anything wrong, are, I hear, in a real tizz. Expect a rethink soon — but keep Fi.
Anyway, at least it was not as embarrassing as the new Dowland album from Sting. It is fine for Sting to admire Dowland, but for him to drone 18 of his songs, then read extracts from his letters, is self-indulgence. Best stick to the tantric sex, Sting.
Jolly nice, too. But the Barbican’s 25th-birthday commemorations have not started in the finest fashion. Its present from its main paymaster, the Corporation of London, is a cut in its annual grant. So the Barbican, which has prided itself on never seeking Arts Council money, let alone government funding, is being forced to talk with both to make up for the City’s shortfall.
The whole thing is disappointingly shortsighted of the corporation. It should look on the Barbican not as a drain on resources, but as a cultural asset.
This year, even the comment cards at the end of the show lacked originality. In the good old days, the then arts minister, Kim Howells, would scribble some damning remark.
But not a word from the current incumbent, David Lammy. The pathetic cards included “Stick to the music, Phil Collins” and a drawing of a phallus with large testicles.
As I left Tate Britain, I passed a closed glass door to the Holbein exhibition. I could just see four of his paintings. No contest.
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports
We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?
Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
36-month car lease
on contract hire for
£359.99 plus VAT pm
12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09
The UK's leading alternative to showroom finance.
Finance packages tailored to your needs.
Minimum loan of £15,000
Car Insurance
c£100,000 + car, bonus & bens
Lord Search & Selection
Midlands
Competitive
Barclaycard
Competitive
EVERSHEDS
London and Manchester
£80-95,000
Clay McGuire Executive Selection
Moments from Battersea Park.
For sale with Winkworth.
See your free Experian credit report beforehand
Book now & save over £100pp.
11 cool resorts, lowest prices... Early Booking offers 15 Nov.
20% off selected Azores holidays taken in October with Sunvil Discovery
Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com
World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club. Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.