41 18 APRIL 2024 DON’T MISS THIS WEEK Theatre The Other Boleyn Girl The fate of Anne Boleyn is well documented, but her lesser-known sister Mary was also Henry VIII’s mistress. Based on Philippa Gregory’s novel, this play at Chichester Festival Theatre from 19 April to 11 May stars Alex Kingston, Freya Mavor and Lucy Phelps (above), and recreates the sex, drama and treachery of the Tudor court. Sarah Barratt Music Taylor Swift Swift has described The Tortured Poets Department as a “lifeline album – one I had to make”. Among e ortlessly skilful and engaging contemporary pop, and collaborations with Post Malone and Florence Welch, fans can mine the songwriting for the singer’s trenchant if oblique takes on love, music and stardom. Stuart Maconie Film The Book of Clarence This comedy-drama has been likened to Monty Python’s Life of Brian. LaKeith Stanfield leads a majority black cast as Clarence, a contemporary of Jesus who claims to be a messiah in a religious satire which also pays its respects to the Christian faith. Omar Sy (above) and Benedict Cumberbatch also star. In cinemas tomorrow (19 April). Anna Smith player. It also reported that just 15% of music listeners own a turntable, prompting some cynics to dismiss vinyl albums as, essentially, fashion accessories. But does this matter? Some artists, including Neil Young, genuinely believe that vinyl sounds better, warmer and truer than digitally reproduced music. To be honest, the jury is very much out on that, but what is undeniable is that vinyl records look and feel so much better. Artwork is resplendent over 12 inches – you can actually read the sleeve notes without a magnifying glass. Playing an album involves a whole sensual ritual and the tactile pleasure of handling and placing a delicate artefact. And it’s always heartening when ‘they’ get it wrong. As Kate Bush observes: “Isn’t it great to see how the resurgence in vinyl has taken the music industry by complete surprise? It had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that!” To find a participating store near you, see recordstoreday.co.uk. @StuartMaconie ‘Artists including Neil Young believe vinyl sounds better, warmer and truer than digitally reproduced music’ STAR AMBASSADOR Kate Bush is backing Record Store Day and releasing a single from her album The Red Shoes on vinyl Photographs: Getty Images, Alamy, Shutterstock, © 2023 Legendary Entertainment. All rights reserved. MORIS PUCCIO, Seamus Ryan
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDY5NzE=