Alastair Macaulay
@alastairmacaulay.bsky.social
Resident critic of Norman Lebrecht’s website “Slipped Disc”. Chief theatre critic of the “Financial Times” 1994-2007; chief dance critic of the “New York Times” 2007-2018.
slippedisc.com/2025/12/alas...
From Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, my review of the Covent Garden “Ariodante”, recitals by Willard White and Barbara Hannigan, revivals of Matthew Bourne’s “The Red Shoes” and the opera “Last Days”, and Antonio Pappano’s Vaughan Williams-Tchaikovsky concert.
From Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, my review of the Covent Garden “Ariodante”, recitals by Willard White and Barbara Hannigan, revivals of Matthew Bourne’s “The Red Shoes” and the opera “Last Days”, and Antonio Pappano’s Vaughan Williams-Tchaikovsky concert.
Alastair Macaulay: Covent Garden turns Handel the wrong way - Slippedisc
From our distinguished critic in residence: What were...
slippedisc.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:18 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/12/alas...
From Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, my review of the Covent Garden “Ariodante”, recitals by Willard White and Barbara Hannigan, revivals of Matthew Bourne’s “The Red Shoes” and the opera “Last Days”, and Antonio Pappano’s Vaughan Williams-Tchaikovsky concert.
From Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, my review of the Covent Garden “Ariodante”, recitals by Willard White and Barbara Hannigan, revivals of Matthew Bourne’s “The Red Shoes” and the opera “Last Days”, and Antonio Pappano’s Vaughan Williams-Tchaikovsky concert.
slippedisc.com/2025/11/alas...
My latest “Slipped Disc” post on opera and theatre in London.
Friday 28 November
My latest “Slipped Disc” post on opera and theatre in London.
Friday 28 November
Alastair Macaulay is highly partial to Partenope - Slippedisc
Our critic in residence has been turning the...
slippedisc.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:54 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/11/alas...
My latest “Slipped Disc” post on opera and theatre in London.
Friday 28 November
My latest “Slipped Disc” post on opera and theatre in London.
Friday 28 November
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
1. In this new episode of “Conversations on Dance”, I speak with Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden about the November 14 New York Public Library for the Performing Arts film programme I showed of Suzanne Farrell dancing Balanchine in live performance.
1. In this new episode of “Conversations on Dance”, I speak with Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden about the November 14 New York Public Library for the Performing Arts film programme I showed of Suzanne Farrell dancing Balanchine in live performance.
(474) Alastair Macaulay on Suzanne Farrell
Podcast Episode · Conversations on Dance · 11/19/2025 · 53m
podcasts.apple.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
1. In this new episode of “Conversations on Dance”, I speak with Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden about the November 14 New York Public Library for the Performing Arts film programme I showed of Suzanne Farrell dancing Balanchine in live performance.
1. In this new episode of “Conversations on Dance”, I speak with Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden about the November 14 New York Public Library for the Performing Arts film programme I showed of Suzanne Farrell dancing Balanchine in live performance.
My Friday 24 weekly column on the performing arts in London.
Friday 24 October
slippedisc.com/2025/10/alas...
Friday 24 October
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Alastair Macaulay: Night after night, London lights up - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence: I. For those...
slippedisc.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
My Friday 24 weekly column on the performing arts in London.
Friday 24 October
slippedisc.com/2025/10/alas...
Friday 24 October
slippedisc.com/2025/10/alas...
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1. I cannot too strongly urge everyone to listen to this week’s episode of Voices of British Ballet. It was my good fortune here to interview the fabulous Kenneth Olomuyiwa Tharp, dancer with London Contemporary Dance Theatre, choreographer, arts administrator.
1. I cannot too strongly urge everyone to listen to this week’s episode of Voices of British Ballet. It was my good fortune here to interview the fabulous Kenneth Olomuyiwa Tharp, dancer with London Contemporary Dance Theatre, choreographer, arts administrator.
Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp
Podcast Episode · Voices of British Ballet · 09/29/2025 · 25m
podcasts.apple.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
1. I cannot too strongly urge everyone to listen to this week’s episode of Voices of British Ballet. It was my good fortune here to interview the fabulous Kenneth Olomuyiwa Tharp, dancer with London Contemporary Dance Theatre, choreographer, arts administrator.
1. I cannot too strongly urge everyone to listen to this week’s episode of Voices of British Ballet. It was my good fortune here to interview the fabulous Kenneth Olomuyiwa Tharp, dancer with London Contemporary Dance Theatre, choreographer, arts administrator.
slippedisc.com/2025/09/alas...
My latest review of performing arts in London - Verdi’s “The Sicilian Vespers” at Covent Garden, the pianists Simon Trpčeski and Igor Levit at the Wigmore Hall, “Entertaining Mr Sloane” at the Young Vic - has just been published on Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
My latest review of performing arts in London - Verdi’s “The Sicilian Vespers” at Covent Garden, the pianists Simon Trpčeski and Igor Levit at the Wigmore Hall, “Entertaining Mr Sloane” at the Young Vic - has just been published on Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
Alastair Macaulay: Back to the bonkers Vespers - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence: Verdi’s opera “The...
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September 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/09/alas...
My latest review of performing arts in London - Verdi’s “The Sicilian Vespers” at Covent Garden, the pianists Simon Trpčeski and Igor Levit at the Wigmore Hall, “Entertaining Mr Sloane” at the Young Vic - has just been published on Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
My latest review of performing arts in London - Verdi’s “The Sicilian Vespers” at Covent Garden, the pianists Simon Trpčeski and Igor Levit at the Wigmore Hall, “Entertaining Mr Sloane” at the Young Vic - has just been published on Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
This photograph of Joan Acocella and myself was taken in Brussels, perhaps in January 1991. This evening, a tribute to Joan will occur at the New York Public Library. Marina Harss will read a piece I’ve written. I’ve published a longer version on my website.
September 25, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This photograph of Joan Acocella and myself was taken in Brussels, perhaps in January 1991. This evening, a tribute to Joan will occur at the New York Public Library. Marina Harss will read a piece I’ve written. I’ve published a longer version on my website.
In 1997, twenty years after the death of the legendary soprano Maria Callas, I wrote in the “Financial Times” about how posthumously published recordings and biographies had enriched our understanding of her art. I now reissue on my website this “FT” essay.
Monday 22 September
Monday 22 September
September 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
In 1997, twenty years after the death of the legendary soprano Maria Callas, I wrote in the “Financial Times” about how posthumously published recordings and biographies had enriched our understanding of her art. I now reissue on my website this “FT” essay.
Monday 22 September
Monday 22 September
slippedisc.com/2025/09/who-...
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my review of three plays, one recital, and one ballet company.
Friday 19 September
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my review of three plays, one recital, and one ballet company.
Friday 19 September
Who gives all these f*cks on the London stage? - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence, Alastair Macaulay: Sometimes...
slippedisc.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/09/who-...
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my review of three plays, one recital, and one ballet company.
Friday 19 September
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my review of three plays, one recital, and one ballet company.
Friday 19 September
slippedisc.com/2025/09/alas...
My review of the new Covent Garden “Tosca” is now published on line in Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
Friday 12 September
My review of the new Covent Garden “Tosca” is now published on line in Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
Friday 12 September
Alastair Macaulay reviews Anna Netrebko at Covent Garden - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence: So the new...
slippedisc.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
slippedisc.com/2025/09/alas...
My review of the new Covent Garden “Tosca” is now published on line in Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
Friday 12 September
My review of the new Covent Garden “Tosca” is now published on line in Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”.
Friday 12 September
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
1. In this episode of Voices of British Ballet, Donald MacLeary speaks with passion of his work as a coach.
1. In this episode of Voices of British Ballet, Donald MacLeary speaks with passion of his work as a coach.
Donald MacLeary
Podcast Episode · Voices of British Ballet · 09/08/2025 · 22m
podcasts.apple.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
1. In this episode of Voices of British Ballet, Donald MacLeary speaks with passion of his work as a coach.
1. In this episode of Voices of British Ballet, Donald MacLeary speaks with passion of his work as a coach.
slippedisc.com/2025/09/are-...
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of four evenings at the Albert Hall proms, two of them semi-staged productions of operas - “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”, “Figaro’s Wedding”.
Friday 5 September
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of four evenings at the Albert Hall proms, two of them semi-staged productions of operas - “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”, “Figaro’s Wedding”.
Friday 5 September
slippedisc.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/09/are-...
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of four evenings at the Albert Hall proms, two of them semi-staged productions of operas - “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”, “Figaro’s Wedding”.
Friday 5 September
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of four evenings at the Albert Hall proms, two of them semi-staged productions of operas - “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”, “Figaro’s Wedding”.
Friday 5 September
slippedisc.com/2025/08/alas...
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just been published. I cover Mike Bartlett’s “Juniper Blood” at the Donmar Warehouse, András Schiff playing Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue”, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under young maestro Klaus Mäkelä.
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just been published. I cover Mike Bartlett’s “Juniper Blood” at the Donmar Warehouse, András Schiff playing Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue”, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under young maestro Klaus Mäkelä.
Alastair Macaulay: Two Proms and middle-class angst - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence: I. The playwright...
slippedisc.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/08/alas...
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just been published. I cover Mike Bartlett’s “Juniper Blood” at the Donmar Warehouse, András Schiff playing Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue”, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under young maestro Klaus Mäkelä.
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just been published. I cover Mike Bartlett’s “Juniper Blood” at the Donmar Warehouse, András Schiff playing Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue”, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under young maestro Klaus Mäkelä.
My latest weekly review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is about Albert Hall proms, principally the conductors Fabio Luisi (Thursday 21 August) and Santtu-Mathias Rouvali (Wednesday 20 August)
Friday 22 August
slippedisc.com/2025/08/augu...
Friday 22 August
slippedisc.com/2025/08/augu...
August? That's the best of the Proms - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence, Alastair Macaulay: How...
slippedisc.com
August 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
My latest weekly review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is about Albert Hall proms, principally the conductors Fabio Luisi (Thursday 21 August) and Santtu-Mathias Rouvali (Wednesday 20 August)
Friday 22 August
slippedisc.com/2025/08/augu...
Friday 22 August
slippedisc.com/2025/08/augu...
slippedisc.com/2025/08/spea... 1. My latest weekly review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” discusses how the amplification of speaking voices diminishes theatre rather than expands it -
Speak up! Why are so many theatres using microphones? - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence Alastair Macaulay: One...
slippedisc.com
August 16, 2025 at 11:23 AM
slippedisc.com/2025/08/spea... 1. My latest weekly review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” discusses how the amplification of speaking voices diminishes theatre rather than expands it -
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
1. In this week’s all-too-brief episode of the podcast “Voices of British Ballet”, we hear the beloved voice (and ready laughter) of the wonderful Julia Farron, dancer, dance actress, teacher, and administrator.
1. In this week’s all-too-brief episode of the podcast “Voices of British Ballet”, we hear the beloved voice (and ready laughter) of the wonderful Julia Farron, dancer, dance actress, teacher, and administrator.
Julia Farron
Podcast Episode · Voices of British Ballet · 08/12/2025 · 24m
podcasts.apple.com
August 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
1. In this week’s all-too-brief episode of the podcast “Voices of British Ballet”, we hear the beloved voice (and ready laughter) of the wonderful Julia Farron, dancer, dance actress, teacher, and administrator.
1. In this week’s all-too-brief episode of the podcast “Voices of British Ballet”, we hear the beloved voice (and ready laughter) of the wonderful Julia Farron, dancer, dance actress, teacher, and administrator.
slippedisc.com/2025/08/high... On “Slipped Disc”, Norman Lebrecht has published my latest review, in which I cover the Prom performance of Bartók’s “Duke Bluebeard’s Castle” and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony by the great Budapest Festival Orchestra, directed by Iván Fischer.
High points (and fan conduct) at the BBC Proms - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence, Alastair Macaulay: The...
slippedisc.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:53 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/08/high... On “Slipped Disc”, Norman Lebrecht has published my latest review, in which I cover the Prom performance of Bartók’s “Duke Bluebeard’s Castle” and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony by the great Budapest Festival Orchestra, directed by Iván Fischer.
slippedisc.com/2025/08/high...
Here, for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, is my review of several Albert Hall prom concerts - and the Glyndebourne revival of “Kaťa Kabanová”.
Friday August 8
Here, for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, is my review of several Albert Hall prom concerts - and the Glyndebourne revival of “Kaťa Kabanová”.
Friday August 8
High points (and fan conduct) at the BBC Proms - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence, Alastair Macaulay: The...
slippedisc.com
August 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
slippedisc.com/2025/08/high...
Here, for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, is my review of several Albert Hall prom concerts - and the Glyndebourne revival of “Kaťa Kabanová”.
Friday August 8
Here, for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc”, is my review of several Albert Hall prom concerts - and the Glyndebourne revival of “Kaťa Kabanová”.
Friday August 8
slippedisc.com/2025/08/how-... My latest review for “Slipped Disc” is on dance matters: the surprisingly British style shown by the National Ballet of Japan; the excellent standards shown by the Royal Ballet School; and the dance-related music played in the 2025 Albert Hall prom concerts.
How ballet in Japan became a British offshoot - Slippedisc
From our critic in residence, Alastair Macaulay: ...
slippedisc.com
August 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/08/how-... My latest review for “Slipped Disc” is on dance matters: the surprisingly British style shown by the National Ballet of Japan; the excellent standards shown by the Royal Ballet School; and the dance-related music played in the 2025 Albert Hall prom concerts.
slippedisc.com/2025/07/best...
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” covers premieres of vocal music: Tom Coult’s “Monologues for the Curious” with tenor Allan Clayton (Albert Hall, July 21) and Alex Ho’s “The Glass Eye” with countertenor Hugh Cutting (Wigmore Hall, July 24).
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” covers premieres of vocal music: Tom Coult’s “Monologues for the Curious” with tenor Allan Clayton (Albert Hall, July 21) and Alex Ho’s “The Glass Eye” with countertenor Hugh Cutting (Wigmore Hall, July 24).
Best Proms review so far... - Slippedisc
… comes from our critic in residence, Alastair...
slippedisc.com
July 28, 2025 at 8:37 AM
slippedisc.com/2025/07/best...
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” covers premieres of vocal music: Tom Coult’s “Monologues for the Curious” with tenor Allan Clayton (Albert Hall, July 21) and Alex Ho’s “The Glass Eye” with countertenor Hugh Cutting (Wigmore Hall, July 24).
My latest review for Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” covers premieres of vocal music: Tom Coult’s “Monologues for the Curious” with tenor Allan Clayton (Albert Hall, July 21) and Alex Ho’s “The Glass Eye” with countertenor Hugh Cutting (Wigmore Hall, July 24).
Voices of British Ballet has just released these excerpts from a 2014 interview I made with the great Lynn Seymour. Her utterly original intelligence is evident at every moment, not least in her account of the renowned teacher Stanley Williams: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Tuesday 15 July
Tuesday 15 July
July 15, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Voices of British Ballet has just released these excerpts from a 2014 interview I made with the great Lynn Seymour. Her utterly original intelligence is evident at every moment, not least in her account of the renowned teacher Stanley Williams: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Tuesday 15 July
Tuesday 15 July
slippedisc.com/2025/07/a-te...
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my latest review, an account of four different singers in concert - the tenor Ian Bostridge, the soprano Ailish Tynan, the mezzosoprano Jamie Barton, and the countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my latest review, an account of four different singers in concert - the tenor Ian Bostridge, the soprano Ailish Tynan, the mezzosoprano Jamie Barton, and the countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
A tenor turns sixty, among other surprises - Slippedisc
A weekly review from our critic-in-residence, Alastair Macaulay:...
slippedisc.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:27 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/07/a-te...
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my latest review, an account of four different singers in concert - the tenor Ian Bostridge, the soprano Ailish Tynan, the mezzosoprano Jamie Barton, and the countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” has just published my latest review, an account of four different singers in concert - the tenor Ian Bostridge, the soprano Ailish Tynan, the mezzosoprano Jamie Barton, and the countertenor Cameron Shahbazi.
slippedisc.com/2025/07/alas...
My latest review as resident critic of Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of three operatic productions - two of them at Glyndebourne, one of them at Covent Garden, two of them by Handel, one of them by Mozart. This review was published earlier this afternoon.
My latest review as resident critic of Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of three operatic productions - two of them at Glyndebourne, one of them at Covent Garden, two of them by Handel, one of them by Mozart. This review was published earlier this afternoon.
Alastair Macaulay: Disconcerting insincerity at Covent Garden - Slippedisc
Our resident critic has spent his week at...
slippedisc.com
July 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/07/alas...
My latest review as resident critic of Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of three operatic productions - two of them at Glyndebourne, one of them at Covent Garden, two of them by Handel, one of them by Mozart. This review was published earlier this afternoon.
My latest review as resident critic of Norman Lebrecht’s “Slipped Disc” is of three operatic productions - two of them at Glyndebourne, one of them at Covent Garden, two of them by Handel, one of them by Mozart. This review was published earlier this afternoon.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Don’t miss this marvellous episode of Voices of British Ballet in which Siobhan (Sue) Davies speaks (to me) of her discovery of dance, with the intelligent and good-humoured lucidity that characterises her.
Don’t miss this marvellous episode of Voices of British Ballet in which Siobhan (Sue) Davies speaks (to me) of her discovery of dance, with the intelligent and good-humoured lucidity that characterises her.
Siobhan Davies
Podcast Episode · Voices of British Ballet · 06/10/2025 · 24m
podcasts.apple.com
June 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Don’t miss this marvellous episode of Voices of British Ballet in which Siobhan (Sue) Davies speaks (to me) of her discovery of dance, with the intelligent and good-humoured lucidity that characterises her.
Don’t miss this marvellous episode of Voices of British Ballet in which Siobhan (Sue) Davies speaks (to me) of her discovery of dance, with the intelligent and good-humoured lucidity that characterises her.
slippedisc.com/2025/06/some...
1: My latest weekly review as resident critic of “Slipped Disc” is on works - performed at pre-professional, student, and professional level in London - by three British choreographers of the last hundred years.
1: My latest weekly review as resident critic of “Slipped Disc” is on works - performed at pre-professional, student, and professional level in London - by three British choreographers of the last hundred years.
Sometimes it takes kids to put big names to shame - Slippedisc
Alastair Macaulay has been out reviewing student productions:...
slippedisc.com
June 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
slippedisc.com/2025/06/some...
1: My latest weekly review as resident critic of “Slipped Disc” is on works - performed at pre-professional, student, and professional level in London - by three British choreographers of the last hundred years.
1: My latest weekly review as resident critic of “Slipped Disc” is on works - performed at pre-professional, student, and professional level in London - by three British choreographers of the last hundred years.