Theatre, film & music

Charles Dickens timeline: The best of times, the worst of times

In Focus: The greatest books ever written about theatre, as chosen by Michael Billington

Michael Billington has been the theatre critic for Country Life (and several other publications) for decades. With theatres closed, he's turned his hand to picking out his 10 favourite books about theatrical life.

Stirling Castle: Renaissance of a Royal Palace

It was within sight of Stirling Castle that two of the most famous Scottish victories over the English were won. John Goodall takes a look at this impressive building and its history; all photographs by Paul Barker for the Country Life Picture Library.

Rosie and Jim: On binge-watching Normal People, and discovering that 'running is pain'

This week, Rosie Paterson fails to tear herself off the sofa just as James Fisher finally stirs from his.

Rosie and Jim: The instruments your neighbours are learning, ranked from pleasant ditty to audible hatecrime

This week, Rosie gives an eyeful to the neighbours she'd assumed didn't exist, while James gets an earful from the ones he can't get away from.

The greatest children's books that hit the spot for young and old, as chosen by Alan Titchmarsh, Jilly Cooper, Ian Rankin and more

Children’s books offer an escape from reality that can last well into adulthood. Here's our pick of the very best.

The beautiful Edinburgh streets and buildings which are the stars of ITV's Belgravia — thanks to a sprinkling of production magic

If you've been wondering where ITV's Belgravia is filmed, the answer may surprise you: Edinburgh. Ali Wood paid a visit to the beautiful Scottish capital to find out more.

The history of the country house drawing room

Jeremy Musson delves into the history of the country house drawing room.

£3.5 million campaign launched to save Derek Jarman's iconic Prospect Cottage for the nation

Art Fund is running a campaign to save Prospect Cottage, the former home of film director Derek Jarman, which has become a place of pilgrimage in the years since his death. James Fisher reports.

Inside Haworth: The humble parsonage where the Brontë sisters changed literature

Some of our most enduring stories were conceived at Haworth – Jeremy Musson enjoys a literary pilgrimage.

Country Life's verdict on the Downton Abbey film: Patchy plots and sickly schmaltz, but 'a blissful two hours of escapism'

The new Downton Abbey film offers fans a final fix of life above and below stairs with the characters of a much-loved series. Kate Green went along to find out if it delivers on its promise.

Garsington's resurrection of an opera by Offenbach, the man who gave the world the can-can

Offenbach famously created the can-can music, but one of his lesser-known works, Fantasio, will be premiered in Garsington Opera’s 30th-anniversary season. Claire Jackson reports.

Curious Questions: How do you survive the Summer Season?

Potential faux pas abound in a British summer, but is it possible to find your way through to September unscathed? The answer is yes, says Rupert Uloth, so long as you always carry a brolly, know how to share a carriage with The Queen and own at least seven hats. Here are his tips.

Curious Questions: Why is an artist's final performance called their 'swansong'?

In Focus: The wonder of the theatre directors finding new ways to fuse modern life into classic plays

Our theatre critic Michael Billington applauds the efforts made to freshen up Tartuffe and Equus in ways which bring new meaning and relevance to even the most familiar pieces.

Curious Questions: Are flamenco's finest the fastest dancers in the world?

How to choose wedding music: Band, DJ or something a little bit different?

The bagpipe-maker: 'The older customers want me to make their pipes sharpish; they want to be sure they’re not dead before they get to play them!'

Hours of intricate work are needed to craft a set of bagpipes. Kate Lovell spoke to bagpipe-maker Dave Shaw to find out how it's done.

Sporting Life: Can you learn to ballroom dance in seven weeks?

In the wake of Strictly Come Dancing, Alexandra Fraser convinced her partner to join her on a seven-week ballroom dancing course in London to discover how hard it really is to pick up what is fast becoming a dying art.

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...