Best of the Spectator Spectator Out Loud: Cosmo Landesman, Alex Diggins, Lucy Dunn & Richard Bratby
Jan 5, 2026
Cosmo Landesman, a provocative writer, argues that life is too short for boring shows, sharing his personal experiences of walking out and the moral freedom it brings. Alex Diggins explores the striking Antony Gormley installation at the Bukhara Biennale, discussing Uzbekistan's cultural renaissance and its implications for art diplomacy. Lucy Dunn dives into the rise of Buzzballs, the popular party drink, while Richard Bratby critiques a lively student production of L'amour des Trois Oranges and highlights the pitfalls in Ariodante's execution.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Leave Boring Shows Early
- Do leave performances that bore you; sixty seconds of embarrassment beats hours of suffering.
- Cosmo Landesman argues that walking out is a freeing act and a valid review by your feet.
Personal Walk-Out Stories
- Cosmo Landesman recounts standing up with a neighbour at a talk and the neighbour freezing in embarrassment.
- He also tells of leaving his son's nativity and a punk gig that cost him a relationship.
Exiting As A Cultural Signal
- Landesman observes audiences are expected to appreciate whatever they're given and blamed if bored.
- He flips that norm, saying exit signals taste and is a legitimate response to poor entertainment.