Understanding Islamic State and terrorism – what art can teach us that the Daily Mail can’t
The State is the first serious attempt on television to imagine what attracts people to one of the most horrific political movements in modern times.
Browsing: Writing
Barcelona terror attack in context: History, peace, and beauty on Las Ramblas
Once again, war ‘out there’ has brought terror to the streets of an innocent and peaceful city ‘over here’ in an act of barbarism and cruelty.
Solidarity with Gina Miller – threatened by knuckledragging racist trolls
It is difficult to ignore the fact that the EU referendum has empowered and legitimised the worst elements in UK society.
The Last Dodo. By Heathcote Williams
In death it has become a testament to the folly of man, more deserving of derision than the Dodo.
Francis Wyndham on the magic of Heathcote Williams
Endearingly muddled as a companion, he can rise in his plays to heights of piercing illumination that make one think of Rimbaud.
Never Yours, for Heathcote
Among the many tributes in speech and music at the funeral of Heathcote Williams on 14 July 2017 was this elegy by musician and writer Boff Whalley.
On the funeral of Heathcote Williams: a many-sided Cubist man
Heathcote, always ahead of his time, passing away too soon for him and us, was even early for his own funeral.
Visionary dissenter Heathcote Williams is impossible to sum up
Heathcote Williams may be dead, but we’ve not heard the last from him yet, not by a long chalk.
Dying’s annoying, you’re enjoying the party, then you have to leave. By Heathcote Williams RIP
Apply to the 120 club. As soon as you join, just say: “I’m not going to die”, adding, “So far, so good”.
Civilisation and its malcontents: from Donald Trump to Rupert Murdoch
Too often civilisation is just another metaphorical wall to wrap around ourselves and demonise those who don’t – and can’t – belong to it.
Heathcote Williams: 50 years a scourge of the establishment right up to his last days
Heathcote Ruthven reviews the life of his namesake Heathcote Williams, as he focused all his fury and wit in a lacerating take-down of Boris Johnson.
Donald Trump tries to re-cast himself as 21st century incarnation of Ronald Reagan
Trump is living proof that even the trashiest manifestations of inherited wealth can rise to the top in a dysfunctional political system warped by power and money.
What are people doing fucking dying? Haven’t they got better things to do?
No sooner than you’re on someone’s wavelength, then suddenly they’re whisked away from you. Heathcote Williams on the death of David Bowie.
Heathcote Williams: The last of the fire breathers
Poetry had to unsettle, subvert, with luck destroy, whatever stopped human beings thinking freely and acting justly.
Tribute to Heathcote Williams and his pleasure in sticking up two fingers at the establishment
There are few equivalents who have breadth of vision, righteous anger, wit and passion for the poor and downtrodden.
Heathcote Williams. Sweet dreams Heroic Prince. 15 Nov 1941 – 1 July 2017
Heathcote Williams, poet, playwright, essayist, lyricist, actor, artist, magician, political activist and much else besides, died 1 July 2017.