History buffs will instantly recognise Lady Emma Hamilton as an enduring figure who is a gift to any dramatist. Born in 1765 she became a ho...

It's not often that cast and principal creatives appear on the same stage. But Spiral has that rare distinction with author Abigail Hood...

New musicals with new songs are an increasingly rare sight in a genre dominated by revivals and greatest hits packages. But just occasionall...

Those familiar with British cinema in the post-war years will recognise Miles Malleson as an actor in a variety of supporting roles. He famo...

When a play opens with the seminal 90s hit ‘the female of the Species’ you know it’s making a firm statement about the subject matter. Most ...

Whilst theatre takes on many guises nothing can match the unbridled splendour of a West End production. The bright lights of Shaftsbury Aven...

One of the joys of theatre is the discovery of stories that are previously unknown to us. Some may be aware of Gino Bartali, the renowned It...

Unless you’re a fan of classic French literature or the films of François Truffaut, Jules and Jim will be a new and rewarding experience. A...

Nothing is guaranteed to fill more column inches than a good old-fashioned libel trial where reputations are made, lost and ultimately burie...

First came the euphoria of VE Day in May 1945. People rejoiced after six long years of war came to an end. The first summer of peacetime amb...

When Madame Bovary was first published in 1856 it scandalised Parisian society and brought charges of immorality. However, for author Gustav...

Farce is one of the finest theatrical traditions rooted in the British obsession with manners and respectability. A heady brew of slapstick,...

The sense of community has enjoyed a new lease of life in recent years. Covid, the cost of living crisis and refugees fleeing persecution ha...

The Christmas period means many things to many people. But we find comfort in the certainty that some things never change. The foolhardy que...

From Here to Eternity was one of the biggest Hollywood hits of the 1950s. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, it won eight Oscars including best pic...

Where historical snapshots are concerned 1962 was a momentous year. John F. Kennedy was US President and the Beatles released their first si...

The ageing process can bestow many gifts. It gives us knowledge, wisdom and a greater appreciation of life. But it also steals time - the mo...

Sus has technically been consigned to the history books, but was once synonymous with racial tensions between the police and local communiti...

One of the most significant challenges for any actor is to carry a stage play single-handedly. No cast to support you, no props or special e...

Our lives should be dictated by choice, but fate inevitably takes a hand and creates a chain of events beyond our control. If we're luck...