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Dr Kate Maltby

@katemaltby.bsky.social
4.3K followers 185 following 166 posts

weekly at the i newspaper (news column) monthly at Prospect & at The Stage (on theatre) often at FT & Observer (books, culture) also Deputy Chair, Index on Censorship; Co-Chair, Critics' Circle (Drama); Senior Research Associate, Jesus College, Cambridge

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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Today’s column for @theipaper.com - on Charles’ speech, monarchy and dictatorship, with a dash of analysis of the 1689 Declaration of Rights.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Theatre folk / Irish culture vultures: what theatre should I catch while I'm in Dublin over the long weekend?
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
And this weekend’s column in @theobserveruk.bsky.social looks at The Devil Wears Prada’s millennial heroine - and how Andy Sachs might have fared if she’d been born in Generation Z observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk
The Devil Wears Prada plot is an impossible dream for job...
The sequel to the glossy office tale about the rewards of hard graft now feels out of reach for young adults in an age of AI and economic stagnation
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
And for @ftweekend.com, I very much enjoyed reviewing Daniel Hahn's exhaustive study of Shakespeare in translation, If This Be Magic www.ft.com/content/50ac...
ft.com
If This Be Magic — the rich and strange art of translating Shakespeare
Daniel Hahn’s chatty, cheerful book explores the challenges — and pitfalls — of matching the bard’s linguistic virtuosity whether in Thai or Tamil
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
In yesterday's Observer: my column on Hungary, and how Orbán blurred the lined between mafia state and democracy. observer.co.uk/news/opinion... (No, contrary to a line now circulating from his MAGA defenders, the fact he conceded defeat in an election doesn't make him 'a good democrat' after all.)
observer.co.uk
I watched as Orbán schmoozed Jewish voters in a synagogue...
His defeat ends an era for Hungary, but not the system he built: patronage networks and alliances with neighbours will test his successor
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Dr Christina Faraday @cjfaraday.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Tudor Contemporary recommended on BBC Radio 4 Front Row! Described by @katemaltby.bsky.social: "the best time I've had in an art gallery recently ... a wonderful collection of contemporary & cutting edge works of art that take their inspiration from Tudor art" www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... at 40:17
bbc.co.uk
Front Row - Review: Is it ok to film theatre curtain calls on your phone? - BBC Sounds
Reviewing new work from Francois Ozon, Amitav Ghosh and Jim Jarmusch.
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Zack Beauchamp @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
A lot of Orbán's American fans are saying that this election proved he was never an authoritarian in the first place. This is completely wrong — and, in fact, betrays a complete misunderstanding of both Hungarian politics and modern authoritarianism. Here's why.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Delicious irony that Orbán, who rose to prominence in the movement to kick out the Russian Soviet occupiers, was finally kicked out by his own people because of his craven obeisance to another aggressive Russian regime.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Looks like we'll have lots to talk about on Tuesday evening at @indexoncensorship.org's Hungarian election debrief!
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Kate Allen @kateallen.ft.com · 12/04/2026
Perhaps now is a good time to share the @financialtimes.com investigative series on Viktor Orban. To start with here’s the one we sent a reporter up in a plane for … (300 free clicks) as.ft.com/r/8cd54659-d...
as.ft.com
The riches of Viktor Orbán’s home village
[FREE TO READ] Hungary’s longtime leader is trailing in the polls ahead of April’s election, as the opposition alleges widespread corruption
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
I can't quite express the joy of seeing Viktor Orbán, the man who took my grandparents' native land to the brink of dictatorship, concede power after 16 years of autocracy and corruption. This is personal.
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David Benedict @eggsbened.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Is Lesley Manville right that taking photos at a curtain call is insulting? @katemaltby.bsky.social and I argue the case while excellent @murielzagha.bsky.social Tahmima Anam & @tds153.bsky.social discuss films by Francois Ozon and Jim Jarmusch and Amitav Ghosh’s novel. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Front Row - Reviewing new work from Francois Ozon, Amitav Ghosh and Jim Jarmusch - BBC Sounds
Reviewing new work from Francois Ozon, Amitav Ghosh and Jim Jarmusch.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
I'm not posting here as regularly as I should, but away from the headlines about Keir Starmer's fate, here's a smaller story about the Westminster Epstein fallout you may have missed. This isn't just a Mandelson scandal - it's about women's bodies and how we treat them observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk
It’s years too late, but at least Ed Davey is learning fr...
The Lib Dem leader has finally taken action against a peer who was at the centre of 2013 inquiry involving complaints by four women
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Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Ed Davey has finally taken action against Lord Rennard - after @aligoldsworthy.bsky.social asked him to "apply the same rules to your party", after his condemnation of Mandelson this week Very important story by @katemaltby.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
observer.co.uk
It’s years too late, but at least Ed Davey is learning fr...
The Lib Dem leader has finally taken action against a peer who was at the centre of 2013 inquiry involving complaints by four women
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Conquest’s Second Law tells us to treat any bureaucracy as if controlled by a cabal of its enemies. I know it’s supposed to be a joke, but if you were a hostile nation trying to inflame British streets, this is exactly what you’d dream of doing.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
“So this is how a celestial series ends: not with a bang, but with a whimper.” The final part of Philip Pullman’s Book of Dust is out today. A real honour to write about it for @ftweekend.com: a real disappointment to the soul to come to this conclusion. www.ft.com/content/cb18...
ft.com
Philip Pullman’s The Rose Field — the Book of Dust series ends with a quest for the source of imagination
The final part of a second trilogy by the author of ‘His Dark Materials’ follows an adult Lyra in her alternate world of daemons and angels
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Sara Gibbs @sararoseg.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
You don’t actually have to both sides this. The Jewish community in the UK is not the Israeli government. You can just condemn the murder of two British Jews killed in their place of worship and you don’t have to say a single other thing.
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The i Paper @theipaper.com · 30/04/2025
Kneecap trades on the disapproval of its institutional elders, writes @katemaltby.bsky.social ➡️ Read more: inews.co.uk/opinion/knee...
Text reads: OPINION Kneecap are the spoilt children of a generation ruined by social media. Photo of Kneecap
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Today's column in @theipaper.com. Catholicism teaches that you can't opt out of a vocation, so the papacy is for life. But questions will haunt the coming conclave about whether Popes can or should retire. What does that mean for Rome's wider attitudes to life & death? inews.co.uk/opinion/pope...
inews.co.uk
Pope Francis' death brings a difficult issue to the fore for the conclave
There will be mumblings about the need to elect a Pope young enough to postpone awkward questions
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
As many of you know, this weekend marked the last edition of the old Observer as a publication of the Scott Trust. It was a honour to have a column in the final edition, on Medea, Snow White, and the inevitable witchiness of wicked stepmothers. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Stepmothers, relax, you’ll always be wicked but true love is worth it | Kate Maltby
Two new surveys confirm that women who take on children from an earlier marriage will almost always be seen as witches
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the boiler and the electrics will blow on the Easter weekend.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
The United States of America in 2025, everybody.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Latest column for The Stage: Broadway critics can be a vital counterpoint to West End groupthink. (Or why Jesse Green was right about Sarah Snook in The Picture of Dorian Gray.) www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/over...
thestage.co.uk
Kate Maltby on Broadway transfers and the value of outside perspectives
Broadway's frosty reception to some West End hits is not simply down to a "lack of taste", says Kate Maltby, with foreign critiques offering a useful corrective
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
This week’s column @theipaper.com (which I actually wrote last week.) A painful piece to write and not done lightly. inews.co.uk/opinion/isra...
liveapp.inews.co.uk
Israel has become impossible for me to defend
Day by day, its claims to function as an open and liberal democracy ring more hollow
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 14/04/2025
Hungarian lawmakers are voting today on a constitutional amendment that would ban #Pride and legally recognise only two sexes, among other measures. We condemn this as a blatant violation of human rights in #Hungary: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
theguardian.com
Hungary poised to adopt constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ gatherings
The controversial amendment also recognises only two sexes, providing a basis for denying other gender identities
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Katie Dancey-Downs @katiedd.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
New research shows the growing problem of censorship in school libraries, following my @indexoncensorship.org investigation. This problem isn’t going away. Currently, there’s no requirement for schools to even have libraries, let alone policies to support librarians.
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
In case you’re listening to the BBC Today Programme on Radio 4, I’ll be on at about 8.45 to talk about… Katy Perry going into space with Jeff Bezos’ fiancée. (And why it may not be exactly a feminist achievement.)
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
From a couple of weeks ago…
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
“The question of who controls the soundscape at any collective experience is a question about who has power; who feels untouchable.” (Chicken Jockey!) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
There’s a place for audience participation, but ‘chicken jockey’ chaos takes it too far | Kate Maltby
Barrages of popcorn and even live poultry are featuring at screenings of A Minecraft Movie
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
On Sam Mendes’ Beatles, ‘participatory culture’, and the rash of premature fan responses. Late to post, but here’s yesterday’s column for The Observer. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/a...
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
"JD Vance's free speech hypocrisy is a threat to Starmer - and the UK" This week's column at the i inews.co.uk/opinion/jd-v...
inews.co.uk
JD Vance's free speech hypocrisy is a threat to Starmer - and the UK
Starmer should have the guts to call out this unacceptable treatment of an ally
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
"What we have in common with each other, and with every other human being who has set foot on these islands, is no more and no less than our experience of place." Latest column: on stamps, selkies, and a patriotism based on place, not race. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Let Britain’s magical, mythical creatures inspire a patriotism untainted by politics | Kate Maltby
A new set of Royal Mail stamps on regional folklore reminds us of our deep roots to the land
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
I also have a column @thestage.co.uk on Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center & the ethical questions it raises for UK producers. Cameron Mackintosh's Les Miserables is sticking with an upcoming run at the Kennedy Centre. But where will UK artists draw the line? www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/how-...
thestage.co.uk
Kate Maltby on why Donald Trump’s attack on the arts will soon create problems for UK producers
The Kennedy Center controversy has so far been largely confined to America, says Kate Matlby, but this is soon going to give UK producers a dilemma
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
The arrest of the Mark Lowen, BBC's Turkey correspondent, reminds me that I probably should get around to posting here my column from a couple of days ago on Turkey's protest movement; what it has in common with unrest across the Balkans, and how Trump has undermined it. inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...
inews.co.uk
Trump's fascist disdain for civil liberties is spreading across Europe
There is a fundamental obstacle to the democratic movement in Europe
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
In light of Pete Hegseth's security breach, here again is the piece I wrote on US Election Day 2024. Right from the top, the most basic danger of any Trump Presidency for allies like Britain was always going be the threat MAGA's chaos poses to our own national security. inews.co.uk/opinion/amer...
inews.co.uk
America's future is our future – we just don't get to choose it
When historians of emotion look back on this year, at least in British history, they will highlight 'powerlessness' as the emotion of our age
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
This week in the Observer: an excellent excuse to write about Clueless: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Do we really want Clueless updated to reflect our dark, digital age? Ugh! As if! | Kate Maltby
Thirty years after the film, the musical version makes no excuses for being a nostalgia-fest
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 20/03/2025
Very worrying news coming out of the #US where a French scientist was blocked from entering the country after authorities found messages criticising President #Trump on his phone: www.newsweek.com/french-scien... 1/3
newsweek.com
Scientist banned from entering US over opinions about Trump—Minister
Border agents reportedly found comments criticizing Trump on the researcher's phone.
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The i Paper @theipaper.com · 20/03/2025
Opinion | The most dangerous noises for Musk are coming from his new best mate 🖋️ @katemaltby.bsky.social 🔗 inews.co.uk/opinion/tesl...
Text reads: OPINION Tesla's decline will soon become Donald Trump's problem. Photo of Tesla protester holding sign
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Back in the Observer with a column on the latest twist in our culture of obsessive consumer reviewing: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Mind your manners, diners, restaurants are turning the tables on grumpy reviewers | Kate Maltby
The post-dinner rant is all of a piece with our fetish for feedback, but isn’t it all a bit morally cheap?
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The i Paper @theipaper.com · 19/02/2025
Opinion | Kemi Badenoch has a choice: embrace the worst instincts of Putin-influenced populism, or champion the very Western political traditions that both Putin and Trump seek to destroy 🖋️ @katemaltby.bsky.social inews.co.uk/opinion/oh-k...
inews.co.uk
Oh, Kemi – it was all going so well
But then you compared yourself to Trump
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Kemi Badenoch is right to defend the West’s liberal legacy. So why does she keep making nice with Donald Trump? My column this week for @theipaper.com looks at Badenoch’s ARC speech. Despite her attempts, Britain’s Tories can’t be the party of both J S Mill & MAGA. inews.co.uk/opinion/oh-k...
inews.co.uk
Oh, Kemi – it was all going so well
But then you compared yourself to Trump
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Gosh, I love Jason Isaacs. But not in the way some of these fans love him. www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2025/0...
telegraph.co.uk
White Lotus star Jason Isaacs: A woman asked me to sign her breasts at Harry Potter World
The Harry Potter and Star Trek actor on learning as a parent, shocking fan interactions and dealing with stalkers
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
I’m really glad Guy Pearce has said this, which by rights would throughly embarrass Brian Cox and all those still making excuses for Spacey. www.theguardian.com/film/2025/fe...
theguardian.com
‘He targeted me’: Guy Pearce says he ‘sobbed’ over Kevin Spacey encounters
The Oscar-nominated actor has said he is attempting to be more candid about his former co-star’s alleged behaviour
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Debate over trigger warnings has been polarised by conservatives sneering at “snowflakes” & leftists accusing their critics of cruelly dismissing trauma. In light of Annie Ernaux play The Years, my Obs. column examines the evidence to ask: do actually they work? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Trigger warnings may do more harm than good. Witness ‘the abortion play’ | Kate Maltby
Hit drama The Years has seen audience members fainting hysterically. Perhaps if we dispensed with the red flags, people would enjoy this fine play more
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Debate over trigger warnings has been polarised by conservatives sneering at “snowflakes” & leftists accusing their critics of cruelly dismissing trauma. In light of Annie Ernaux play The Years, my Obs. column examines the evidence to ask: do actually they work? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Trigger warnings may do more harm than good. Witness ‘the abortion play’ | Kate Maltby
Hit drama The Years has seen audience members fainting hysterically. Perhaps if we dispensed with the red flags, people would enjoy this fine play more
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
It is indefensible and infuriating that this is still happening www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Colleagues of soldier, 19, found dead criticise response to sexual assault claims
Jaysley Beck’s friends tell inquest she did not report her boss because her previous complaint had been squashed
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Kim Leadbeater now insists on using the term “Judge Plus” for her weakened proposals to scrutinise assisted suicide. That’s akin to replacing hospital consultants with first aid volunteers, then calling it “Doctor Plus”. Today’s column in @inewsource.bsky.social inews.co.uk/opinion/slip...
inews.co.uk
The slippery slope of assisted dying has already begun
Kim Leadbeater’s shift leaves us in unusual territory
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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 11/02/2025
"The current human rights situation in Russia is disastrous." An interview with Aleksandra Skochilenko, our 2024 arts award winner, who has been featured in @humanrightshouse.bsky.social's Portraits of Strength exhibition. humanrightshouse.org/interviews/p...
humanrightshouse.org
Portraits of Strength 3rd Edition: Aleksandra Skochilenko, Russia - Human Rights House Foundation
Aleksandra Skochilenko is a Russian anti-war musician, artist and campaigner. Skochilenko came to prominence during protests following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Skoc...
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Dr Kate Maltby @katemaltby.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
It's clear this case should never have come to court. What this otherwise shrewd write-up doesn't include is that Kerr and her girlfriend, Kristie Mewis, would have felt additionally vulnerable dealing with the Met as a female-female couple. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Sam Kerr trial: how a drunken night out revealed questions of race, power and privilege
The jury’s verdict to clear the Australia and Chelsea star shows the complexity of cases with a racial charge
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