All posts tagged: darkly

MUBI releases first look at new Peter Mullan “darkly comic” drama

MUBI releases first look at new Peter Mullan “darkly comic” drama

Published by Daniella Wilson

MUBI has unveiled a first look at the Peter Mullan-starring dark comedy The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, as well as revealing when it’s set to be released on the big screen. The film, which is the debut feature from writer‑director Seán Dunn is described as “a darkly comic exploration of grief, identity and cultural legacy”, and will be released in UK cinemas on 12 June 2026. Mullan (BBC Two sitcom Mum) stars as Kenneth McKay, a recent widower and tour guide at a visitor centre in the small town of Arberloch, Scotland, who’s obsessed with the memory of the town’s most notable historical figure, Sir Douglas Weatherford. But when Aberloch becomes the base of a fantasy TV show, Kenneth’s local renown is soon threatened by the pop culture phenomenon and, with his world coming crashing down, he takes it upon himself to preserve his legacy at any cost. Alongside his role in Mum, Mullan is known for starring in the Ken Loach film My Name Is Joe and Paddy Considine’s feature debut Tyrannosaur, as …

A Rising of the Lights by Steve Toltz review – a darkly funny take on the male loneliness epidemic | Fiction

A Rising of the Lights by Steve Toltz review – a darkly funny take on the male loneliness epidemic | Fiction

Published by Sam Flores

In his fourth novel, Steve Toltz – best known for the Booker prize-shortlisted A Fraction of the Whole – takes on the story of one man’s loneliness to deliver a satirical and surprisingly moving ode to human connection. Much like his earlier works, this one is filled with con men, tall tales and black humour, making for a bitingly funny exploration of life’s misfortunes. A Rising of the Lights opens with an absurd premise: two ne’er-do-well parents, in the middle of their divorce, roll dice to split up their twin children; one child will go with each parent. After winning him in this cruel game, Russell “Rusty” Wilson’s mother tells him they’ll be moving to Melbourne from Sydney – only to deem it “too much hassle”, circle the block and bring him right back to where they started. It’s an arresting opener that foreshadows the following 300 pages of Rusty’s life. Flash forward a few decades and things have not improved for Rusty. A former child therapist turned human resources officer, he is now “51 …

Hugh Cutting/ Refound review – countertenor’s darkly compelling recital is an imaginative treat | Classical music

Hugh Cutting/ Refound review – countertenor’s darkly compelling recital is an imaginative treat | Classical music

Published by Sam Flores

Hugh Cutting is still sometimes described as a rising countertenor. That should surely now be unconditional. Cutting has risen, almost to the top, and 2025 has been a stellar year. This enthusiastically performed and received recital, a world away from the general run of pre-Christmas concerts or countertenor recitals, and accompanied by the eclectically matched eight-strong Refound Ensemble, showed why. Themed recitals are common, but Cutting’s programme of songs and music, all connected to the theme of night, was built on levels of thought and performative imagination that few such programmes would even attempt, much less bring off. The pieces ranged from the baroque to the brand new, via Schubert, folk song and Don McLean. Few familiar pieces on the programme were played as written, with Cutting preferring arrangements mostly by members of the ensemble. It was compelling from first to last, more cabaret than concert. Hugh Cutting with clarinettist Magdalenna Krstevska at the Wigmore Hall, London. Photograph: Sisi Burn The calms and charms of night came first. Even here, though, there was instant originality …