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Curious Questions: Are flamenco's finest the fastest dancers in the world?
Spain's national dance, flamenco, is astonishing in its drama, spectacle and sheer speed. But how fast do they really go? Martin Fone, author of 50 Curious Questions, investigates.
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How to choose wedding music: Band, DJ or something a little bit different?
So you’ve booked the marquee, sorted the caterer and got your guest list underway – now on to worrying about the photographer and invitations, perhaps? Recently-married Hetty Lintell says forget that and instead look towards arguably the most important piece of the wedding reception puzzle: the music.
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Triumph, tragedy and mangling Shakespeare: Michael Billington hands out The BIllies for 2018
Our theatre critic Michael Billington hands out his annual awards. Some recipients will be delighted; others might wish to hide behind the sofa...
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The 12 party games of Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas land you with 12 days of enforced revelry. That’s 12 sub-sets of step-relations, 12 afternoons and evenings, 12 tailbacks on the M25. Kit Hesketh-Harvey suggests 12 games to keep you sane.
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Our six favourite nannies, in fiction and film
Whether they invoke fond or fearful memories in real life, the nannies of fiction are kind – even magical – creatures, says Annunciata Elwes, who rounds up her favourites.
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The Greatest Snowman: Immersive theatre meets overwhelming cuisine
A railway arch in the East End is the home of a new set in a 1930s railway dining car - accompanied by a meal which transforms the experience. Emily Anderson went along.
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The truth about Christmas carols
The composer and tenor Andrew Gant reveals the curious truth about some of our most beloved carols.
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The best places in Britain to go and hear Christmas choir services over the festive period
Katy Birchall takes a look at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, and picks out some more of the best Christmas choir services across the country.
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In Focus: The trench cello which brought the joy of music to the First World War
The men who spent years in the trenches of France and Belgium found all manner of ways to bring a touch of joy and culture into their lives – not least with the portable, collapsible cello which 2nd lieutenant Harold Triggs of the Royal Sussex took into battle in 1914. The instrument works beautifully today, as Claire Jackson reports.
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Curious Questions: Why is the Green Room called the Green Room?
Whether you're performing a play or about to go on television, the waiting room is called the Green Room – but why is that? Martin Fone, author of 'Fifty Curious Questions', investigates.
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Amazing grace: St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake at the London Coliseum
Annunciata Elwes is captivated by this quintessential production of a classic Russian ballet.
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The Oxford of Inspector Morse: Dreaming spires, dead bodies... and lots and lots of pubs
The Oxford of Inspector Morse: Dreaming spires, dead bodies... and lots and lots of pubs.
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Kiss me, Kate at the London Coliseum: Not 'better' than Shakespeare – but certainly more enjoyable to watch
This breathtaking revival of a classic show from the golden age of the American musical comes as close as is possible to the ultimate theatrical trick: outdoing Shakespeare. Emily Anderson implores you not to miss it before the run ends.
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Life after Downton Abbey: How Highclere Castle is moving on
Highclere Castle was made famous across the world as Downton Abbey – and the money that it generated saved this beautiful country home for future generations. But they're still moving onwards in a post-Downton world, as Octavia Pollock explains.
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Curious Questions: Why do actors say ‘break a leg’?
The best-known phrase for wishing an actor luck is also the most baffling. Martin Fone, author of 'Fifty Curious Questions', investigates.
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Jason Goodwin: The upside of life in a harem, and modern-day slavery on the King's Road
Our columnist Jason Goodwin considers the realities of everyday existence for the women kept in 18th century Ottoman harems.
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The tale of a ‘real-life’ Billy Elliot: How cricketer Alexander Campbell swapped batting for ballet
Today, Alexander Campbell is a principal at the Royal Ballet. But for a long time it seemed that his destiny lay along a very different path. He spoke to Jeremy Taylor.
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Six audiobooks for Christmas, from Dickens to the latest Booker Prize winner
For book lovers who never get the time to read, audiobooks can make a great present. We've picked out five fine options.
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Handel's Messiah: Nine of the greatest places to enjoy a wonderful Christmas tradition
Handel's Messiah is more than just a wonderful piece of music: it's a Christmas tradition in Britain. Ysenda Maxtone-Graham takes a look at the story behind it and picks some of her favourite places to hear it being sung.
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Grange Park Opera's latest plans, plus a reader offer for the 2018 season
Grange Park Opera is now seeking support for phase two of the development at its new location – and you can help.
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What it feels like to play a violin that cost millions with a bow that cost more than a house
What it feels like to play a violin that cost millions – with a bow that cost more than a house.
