One of the reasons Wales Arts Review was founded in 2012 was to contribute to the improvement of the critical landscape for the arts in Wales, and to help raise the standard of debate and critical writing. Since then we have worked hard to publish critical work and reviews that are worth reading in their own right, regardless of whether or not you have an interest in the subject. So, with that in mind, here is a quick selection of highlights of reviews from 2016. These reviews are not chosen because of the success of the art being reviewed, but rather for the standard of writing and engagement on display by our writers. And by no means is this a list of rave reviews. Some are very positive, some, however, are not.
Music
Pixies in Concert by Gary Raymond
David Bowie’s Blackstar by Gray Taylor
BBC NOW: Dutilleux 100 by Steph Power
Meilyr Jones Live by John Lavin
BBC Young Musician of the Year by Nigel Jarrett
Books
Philip Gross’ Lovesongs of Carbon by Helen Calcutt
Holly Müller’s My Own Dear Brother by Durre Shahwar
Alys Conran’s Pigeon by Bill Rees
Mike Parker’s Diary of a Controversial Election by Lewis Davies
Herman Koch’s Dear Mr M by Rabeea Saleem
The Good Immigrant by Durre Shahwar
Cinema
Dirty Grandpa by Gary Raymond
Nick Cave: One More Time With Feeling by Sophie McKeand
Childhood of a Leader by Gary Raymond
The Library Suicides by Emma Schofield
I, Daniel Blake by Kevin McGrath
Dance
Mariinsky Ballet by Cath Barton
Ballet Cymru’s Sleeping Beauty by Jemma Beggs
Lucy Trimmer Does Wales by Jane Oriel
Photography
Edward Thomas: In Pursuit of Spring by Jo Mazelis
The Eye Festival by Kate Mercer
Diane Arbus by Jo Mazelis
Roger Tiley’s Changing Places by Nigel Jarrett
Jeremy Moore and Pembrokeshire by Adam Somerset
Live
Vale of Glamorgan Festival by Steph Power
Van Morrison and Bryn Terfel by Kevin McGrath
Inge Thomson by Cath Barton
Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares by Jane Oriel
Gregynog Festival by Steph Power
Opera
WNO’s La Voix humaine by Steph Power
WYNO’s Kommilitonen! by Steph Power
Television
Gareth Thomas at Mametz Wood by Gary Raymond
Soldier Poets of the Somme by Gary Raymond
The People Versus OJ Simpson by Gary Raymond
Exhibitions
Velvet Underground New York Extravaganza by Craig Austin
War’s Hell: The Battle of Mametz Wood in Art by Gary Raymond
Beep by The Afternoon Critic
Gwyn Vivian Gallery Opening by Emma Smith
Theatre
Wonderman by Gary Raymond
No Man’s Land by Jemma Beggs
The Weir by Emily Garside
Cosy by Gary Raymond
License To Ill by Craig Austin
The Borrowers by Jemma Beggs
