Latest news with #GreatExpectations
Tom's Guide
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I'm a tough critic when it comes to audio gear, but these $199 headphones still have me hooked
I spend a lot of my life reviewing some of the best headphones... and I also spend a lot of my life reviewing some of the worst headphones. Charles Dickens, who? I think I just rewrote "Great Expectations" for the audiophile crowd. Anyhoo, I reviewed the Soundcore Space One Pro back in February, and I still can't believe how good these headphones are. I gave them a near-perfect 4.5 stars and struggled to fault them. And the best part? They're just $199. (Well, they're often on sale for $169, which makes them like a 4.75 star product.) I've tested my fair share of headphones, and I think the Space One Pros absolutely blow the Bose QuietComforts out of the water in terms of value, and I'll tell you why. What makes the Space One Pro headphones so good? For starters, they're a fraction of the cost of other headphones of this caliber. But my favorite part is the personalized EQ (HearID), which I'll get into in full in 3...2...1... I know some headphone brands offer personalized EQs now (Denon, JBL, Jabra, etc), but the Soundcore version is straight-up entertainment. I've never been so enthralled by a silly little game on my silly little phone before. Let me walk you through it. The Soundcore app runs you through a game (called HearID), where you select which EQ sounds better. Have you ever been to the opticians for a vision test, and they ask you which lens is better? It's like that, but with the same song under different EQ styles. After you complete the game, the headphones generate your perfect EQ, based on what you like. So if you choose the bassier songs, it'll create a bass-heavy EQ. Similarly, if you choose the enhanced vocal (treble) track, it'll provide you with treble-focused EQ. I found this way more effective and fun than a manual EQ slider. Sure, I'm more than capable of adjusting my own frequency volumes — that's all an EQ is, after all — but this made it so much more fun. I was immediately enamored with these headphones. Kind of ironic, but I think the Soundcore Space One Pros are more comfy than the Bose QuietComforts. The soft cups felt like clouds against my ears, and I couldn't feel the plastic driver casing through the mesh. As soon as I put the Space One Pro headphones on, I was shocked at how cheap they are. Usually, even mid-range headphones have thin mesh between the cups and the drivers, but not the Space One Pros. Look at that! So flexible! I feel like a little kid when they say "Mommy! Look at me!" and do some wild contortion that only kids under five are capable of. (I used to be a kindergarten teacher, and that happened to me about 10 times a day. They also used to ask me if I, too, could put my foot over my head. I can't.) The Space One Pros are comfy and flexible, so they can easily be stowed away in a bag or even in a jacket pocket without being too bulky. I'd definitely grab these right before leaving the house and not worry about accidentally breaking them while stuffing them in my bag, running after the bus. As much as I love the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, they're not perfect. The ANC is good, don't get me wrong. But it's not great. They won't be the best noise-canceling headphones any time soon. When I was testing them, I could still hear traffic noise when I was walking around the city. However, when I was in the office, my colleagues had to wave their hands in front of my face to get my attention. So, swings and roundabouts. If you want to be aware of your surroundings on city walks, then the ANC might not be a negative. All that being said, if you need mind-blowing ANC, then you have to spend $$$ and go for the $349 Bose QuietComfort headphones. Bose is renowned for its industry-leading ANC, and the QuietComforts are no different. My colleague Nikita says that Bose's ANC is "so good you feel lonely", which I think is the best way to describe it. So if you want to save some dough and get mind-blowingly good value headphones? The Space One Pros are calling your name. But if you need ANC that will block out the world? The Bose QuietComforts might just steal the crown here. Me? I'm more than happy with my $150 saving and my Space One Pros.
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Dickens' story to take stage at Shotts Community Centre
Havisham, a one-woman play written and performed by award-winning actress Heather Alexander and directed by Dominique Gerrard, reimagines the story of Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. The show, set to take place at The Henderson Theatre, Shotts Community Centre, explores the life of Dickens' "famous female monster". Read more: 'A wee bit naughty': Musical hen night coming to North Lanarkshire Hollywood legend pictured visiting beloved gastropub Running on Saturday, June 14 from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, the play will explore the infamous character's fragmented life, revealing the sorrow and strength behind her iconic wedding dress. Having previously been performed on various stages across the country, including the Brighton Fringe and the Hastings Fringe, Havisham has already received praise from various theatre critics. With Broadway Baby calling the show "powerful, tense, heart-breaking", and WBF labelling it "a beautifully crafted piece of theatre, whether you are a fan of Dickens or not." Havisham is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over due to its mature themes. Tickets are priced at £12, with concessions available at £8. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Spotlight Shotts website.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Spotlight Shotts to present bold and emotional one-woman play
Havisham stars award-winning actor Heather Alexander. As part of its Spring Summer programme of events Spotlight Shotts is proud to present 'Havisham', a bold and emotional one-woman play starring award-winning actor Heather Alexander. The bold and emotional one-woman play will take place at the Henderson Theatre, Shotts on Saturday, June 14. This is a rare opportunity for local audiences to witness Heather Alexander's powerful solo performance, directed by Dominique Gerrard, that has moved audiences and garnered widespread critical acclaim during both its 2023 run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023 and touring across the Havisham is a must-see for fans of classic literature, psychological drama, and world-class acting. In this powerful take on the woman left at the altar in Great Expectations, we see the raw truth—heartbreak, anger, and memories that won't let go. She's not haunted by ghosts—she's haunted by a broken heart. A story of love gone wrong, jealousy that won't let go, and a woman pushed to the edge. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Period drama fans have just days to watch 'emotional' film before it's axed
The British biographical drama film stars Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Tom Hollander A highly praised period drama directed by and featuring Ralph Fiennes is ready to depart from BBC iPlayer soon. The biographic film, The Invisible Woman (2013), is set in the Victorian era and centres around an important cultural figure. Adapted from a 1990 novel bearing the same title, it unfolds the tale of Charles Dickens's clandestine affair with Nelly Ternan, played out over 13 years with a budding young actress. Haunted by memories, an older Nelly, now a teacher and a wife, grapples with her concealed past involving the illustrious author, as flashbacks unravel their complex connection. The movie delves into Charles Dickens's mental landscape, the societal dilemmas presented by their relationship, and Nelly's trials following their separation. It provides insight into the difficulties faced by someone entangled with a renowned personality through the lens of Nelly, as the drama investigates themes of love, individuality, and the ramifications of keeping secrets, reports the Express. Regarding his dual role as actor and director for the piece, Fiennes confessed his initial unfamiliarity with Charles Dickens' body of work to Vulture, stating: "I was ignorant. "I had only read Little Dorrit. I knew his obvious ones - Nicholas Nickleby, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations - through adaptations. And Christmas Carol. I didn't know much about the man." Nevertheless, Fiennes's portrayal earned widespread acclaim, with many reviews commending his and Felicity Jones's acting prowess. The film has garnered a positive consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts a rating of 76%, reflecting the viewers' commendations. Critics have praised the film, with one saying: "This is everything a period drama almost never is: underplayed, witty, poignant and, above all, real". Another reviewer simply put: "Beautiful to watch. Acting perfect. Based on truth". Other viewers have also shared their thoughts, with one commenting: "This is a slow and emotional watch, ideal for fans of period drama. I found it quite engrossing and intriguing to get to know Charles' love interest at the time its set." The cast's performances have also been commended, with one viewer noting: "The cast do well giving good performances and the dialogue was quite thoughtful at times, although at other times it's more a case of what isn't said, than what is. "And indeed I enjoyed the dialogue-free scenes as they had an almost dream-like quality to them and allowed the viewer to contemplate what the characters on screen may be thinking." Upon its release in 2013, The Invisible Woman was not only well-received by critics but also achieved box office success, grossing £2,380,130.78 worldwide. The Invisible Woman (2013) will no longer be available on BBC iPlayer after June 7.
The Guardian
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Herbert Pocket is far from a minor character in Great Expectations
Well, Zoe Williams, I have heard of Herbert and so has anyone else who's read Great Expectations (Think you know a lot about Dickens? Then who's this Herbert character?, 28 May). Herbert Pocket is a relative of Miss Havisham who fights Pip and is beaten by him. When Pip comes into money, he lives with the Pocket family, aiming to acquire the manners and knowledge of a gentleman. Pip and Herbert share chambers as young men, and so Herbert becomes aware of the Magwitch secret. He helps Pip with the failed escape. Dickens' books teem with characters, but among the crowd Herbert stands out. As does a close friendship between young men to which teenagers can relate. Jane LindenDarsham, Suffolk Herbert Pocket is not a minor character in Great Expectations. We first meet him as a boy on one of Pip's visits to Miss Havisham, where Pip fights with, and defeats, Herbert, which delights Estella, who says to Pip: 'You may kiss me if you like.' Later, when Pip acquires wealth and goes to London, Herbert lodges with him and becomes his guide to behaviour suited to his new station in life: 'It isn't usual to eat peas with a knife.' Anyone who thinks he is a minor character has not read the book properly or only in summary – a practice that I believe is becoming more RobertsManosque, France As a lifelong admirer of Great Expectations, I was puzzled that Zoe Williams could see so little in the character of Herbert Pocket. He is the 'pale young gentleman' who fights with Pip near the beginning of the story. He later becomes Pip's closest friend and shares all his experiences throughout the rest of the book. Pip confides in him about his unrequited love for Estella, and Herbert is able to explain the reason for Miss Havisham's obsessive resentments. Together they respond to the shock of the convict Magwitch's return from transportation and join in the desperate attempt to spirit him to safety. Of all the things that Pip does with his inherited fortune, the only one that he does not regret is setting Herbert up in business. I don't know the wording of the GCSE question about Herbert, but I should think he understands Pip better than any other character. His take on Pip's life story would be kind and sympathetic, but searching and perceptive as well. He seems a very good choice for students to write RigbyOldham, Greater Manchester Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
