This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

More than three decades after Spandau Ballet topped the charts, Tony Hadley is back on the road for a nationwide solo tour with a full orchestra… and boy does he sound good.

Hadley first shot to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of pop/romantic band Spandau Ballet. The group sold more than 20 million albums in their heyday, with eight top ten hit singles to their name including: Chant No...

Benedict Cumberbatch brings British mathematician Alan Turing to life in The Imitation Game

60 years after his tragic death in 1954, codebreaker Alan Turing’s extraordinary story is finally being told to the world in The Imitation Game, a stunning new historical thriller starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightey.

To coincide with its European premiere at the 58th BFI London Film Festival, I was treated to an exclusive sneak preview of the most eagerly anticipated film of the year, and ...

This review was originally written for The Public Reviews

Opera’s famous pairing of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci may be 121 years old but it’s still capable of captivating an audience as Opera Seria demonstrate with their exciting staged production at RNCM Studio Theatre.

Conducted by Jonathan Ellis and directed by Rochelle Hart, the explosive themes of jealously, murder and betrayal are skillfully transformed by Manchester’s opera company in this thrilling and exciting staged chamb...

David Tennant and Rosamund Pike star in British comedy from the creators of Outnumbered

Fans of hit BBC show Outnumbered will enjoy What We Did On Our Holiday, a new BBC comedy film starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly.

Written and directed by Outnumbered creators Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, What We Did On Our Holiday follows Doug (David Tennant) and Abi McLeod (Rosamund Pike) as take their three children on a trip to the Scottish Highlands for family birthday party.

In an...

The Pierces produce their most chart-friendly offering to date with Creation

Following the success of their breakthrough album You And I, US indie-folk sisters Allison & Catherine Pierce are hoping to return to the top of the UK charts with the release of their new studio album, Creation.

Described as a mix between The Bangles, Stevie Nicks and Lana Del Rey, The Pierces are a sibling duo from Birmingham, Alabama...

1939 epic Civil War romance still king of the movie world

Great movies never grow old which is why Frankly, My Dear has decided to put together a list of our top 100 movies – with a little help from our readers of course.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be reviewing some of our favourite films, from old classics to modern musicals. Kick starting our top 100 movies list is the film that inspired the blog, Gone With The Wind.

Gone With The Wind tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh)...

Australian brother-sister duo Angus and Julia Stone. Image Credit: Angus and Julia Stone / American Records

If you only buy one album this summer, make it Angus & Julia Stone

Four years after the release of Down the Way, sibling duo Angus and Julia Stone reunite to release their third album, self-titled Angus & Julia Stone.

For those who don’t know, Angus and Julia Stone are an Australian brother-sister folk-blues group formed in 2006...

Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan star in What If. Image Credit: CBS Films

Move over Hugh Grant, Daniel Radcliffe is in town…

If you’re looking for a charming, witty and lighthearted film to fall in love with this summer, check out Daniel Radcliffe’s new romantic-comedy What If.

Originally titled The F Word, What If tells the story of Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), a medical school dropout who falls in love with his best friend.

Emotionally fragile after a string of failed relationships, Wallace...

In anticipation for season three, we recap the key events from Scandal season 1 and 2

The wait is finally over. The third season of Scandal starts on Thursday 31 July on Sky Living and boy, are we excited.

Shonda Rhimes’ American political thriller has had us hooked from day one with its superb script, shocking storylines and excellent cast. And we’re not the only ones who think Scandal is one of the best dramas on TV...

Dwyane Johnson stars as Hercules. Image Credit: Paramount Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson brings mythical Greek legend to life in Hercules

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returns to UK cinema screens this week in Hercules, an epic action-adventure film that looks set to rival Pompeii.

Based on the graphic novel, Hercules: The Thracian Wars, the film tells the story of Hercules (Dwayne Johnson), a Greek demigod who is said to be the son of Zeus...