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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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Why we still love pantomime ('Oh no we don't'...'Oh yes we do'...)
Corny, hammed-up, ritualistic – and yet Pantomime is still a hugely lovely theatrical format. Perennial pantomime villain Kit Hesketh-Harvey explains why.
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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.
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Sherlock Holmes hits a milestone – test yourself with the ultimate Sherlock quiz
Tim Symonds, author of five Sherlock Holmes novels, is your quizmaster.
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Top 10 fictional spies, from Bond and Bourne to Hannay and Smiley
Cold War agent George Smiley is back after 25 years. To celebrate John le Carré’s new novel, Katy Birchall presents her top 10 literary spies.
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Royal Academy artists have decorated ukuleles, and they're being sold off to help a great cause
Some of Britain's finest artists have each painted a ukulele, with the instruments being auctioned off for charity later this week. Huon Mallalieu reports.
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Chris Barber: Britain’s Godfather of Jazz playing off key, and the day he entertained 1m people
Chris Barber, Britain's Godfather of Jazz, has been a leading light of this country's jazz scene for over half a century. He talks to Jack Watkins.
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150 years of the Shipping Forecast: The magic and poetry of Dogger, Fisher and German Bight
The Shipping Forecast was first broadcast 150 years ago, on August 24 1867. It has been saving seafarers' lives and (since moving from the telegraph to the BBC in 1924) entrancing radio listeners for generations. Kate Green and Tim Richardson investigate its peculiarly romantic poetry and magic.
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Which Bennet sister are you?
The Bennet sisters in Pride and Prejudice are some of Jane Austen's most memorable creations - take our quiz and find out which of the five you most resemble...
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10 performances not to miss at the 2017 Proms
There are highlights every night at the BBC Proms but these performances should be particularly special – by Ysenda Maxwell-Graham and Molly Biddell.
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Edward Fox on acting, poetry, and why he'll never write an autobiography
Edward Fox has been one of Britain's great stars of film and theatre for over half a century. He spoke to Jack Watkins.
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Why we still have Austen-mania
Jane Austen’s work forms an enduring strand of our cultural DNA. Matthew Dennison explains how she revolutionised novel-writing and why she’s still much loved 200 years on.
