Neil Hornick, a pioneer of 1960s counter-culture and alternative theatre, left the stage at the weekend aged 85. Old-school generous, creative and always on the look-out for non-conforming artistry, he was a part of the most creative generation in Britain’s history. In memoriam by friend and artistic collaborator, Anna Chen
Neil Hornick, Phantom Captain of the counter-culture, dies at 85 Read More »
Anna Chen – 13 July 2024, poetry videos Culture and politics converge in Anna Chen’s video surge I’m delighted to announce I’m adding more videos to my long form writing as found extensively on this website. I’ll be spreading the love to TikTok and YouTube. My TikTok page got off to a promising start with
New poetry videos and a cultural feast for enthusiasts Read More »
How did the Three Body Problem work as a book, a Netflix series and a Chinese Tencent series? That’s a Three Body Problem in itself.
Netflix’s eight-part series 3 Body Problem had the opportunity to dramatise Book One of the Hugo Award-winning blockbuster series and illuminate it through a western lens. Instead, they turned it into a banal addition to the multiple-body of China-hate currently pervading every nook and cranny of the culture
Three Body Problem review: the politics of novel, Netflix and Tencent Read More »
A lively, well-written romp through Anna May Wong’s life and career, if light on the political landscape that shaped her. Impressive research and detail in the book tell a good yarn. Written through the lens of the Chinese American author, the identity politics often hit the mark.
Forgotten, however, the political manipulation of perception that has resulted in the very real tragedy of race hysteria that’s seen Asian women attacked and murdered.
Book review by Anna Chen
Anna May Wong – Not Your China Doll book review Read More »
Review of Shakespeare’s The Wars of the Roses — Henry VI parts 1 & 2 and Richard III. That’s us, that is.
On this month’s 400th anniversary of the First Folio’s publication, what looks like a simple squaring up of combative parties is more a dodecahedron of feuding interests.
Shakespeare’s history play cycle, a cynic’s take on human relations in favour of the strong leader who will restore equilibrium and God’s order, strips bare the mindset that kicked off Britain’s empire now wheezing into a comeback effort. First time as tragedy, second time top-and-tailing the empire years with added farce.
Wars of the Roses: Shakespeare First Folio 400th anniversary Read More »
A poem fit for a king. Eating Placenta — Lines on the Royal Birth Anna Chen reads Eating Placenta: Lines on the Royal Birth Call me a coronation chicken but I’m sorely tempted to duck out of the Big Event this Saturday. I’m only one of a vast swathe of increasingly disenfranchised, pauperised Brits who
