The week in theatre: Hello, Dolly!; The Hot Wing King; Fangirls – review
Hello, Dolly! review – Imelda Staunton plays the matchmaker with stunning results
June 2024
Tracey Emin and Imelda Staunton get damehoods in king’s birthday honours
Others honoured from cultural world include the writer Monica Ali, choreographer Wayne McGregor and children’s laureate Joseph Coelho
Post Office campaigner Alan Bates knighted in king’s birthday honours
Ex-post office operator recognised for exposing Horizon IT scandal, while Tracey Emin becomes a dame and Gordon Brown a companion of honour
Imelda Staunton and Olivia Colman call for urgent political support for the arts
Exclusive: Actors call for all parties to back investment as figures suggest 16% cuts since 2017
March 2024
‘Am I playing Dolly Parton? I’m flattered!’ Imelda Staunton launches Hello, Dolly! in London
Staunton reunites with Follies director Dominic Cooke to bring ‘old musical to a new audience’ at the Palladium in July
December 2023
TV review
A Very Brassic Christmas review – Imelda Staunton’s guest appearance is just terrific
This larger-than-life festive special for the madcap comedy has many star cameos, but none are as great as The Crown actor’s. There’s a lovely poise and warmth to her scenes
Every episode of The Crown – ranked!
From devastatingly poignant drama about unforgettable events to ghost Diana and a breakdancing Prince Charles – the royal saga has been a rollercoaster ride. Here are the highs and lows
So, farewell to The Crown. All of it was true, apart from the bits that weren’t
Stephen Bates
Those who follow the royals were unsurprised, and those who don’t were entertained, says Stephen Bates, a former Guardian royal correspondent
October 2023
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget review – poultry derring-do boosted by some showstopping gags
First part of The Crown’s final season to be released on 16 November
July 2023
UK stars hold London rally in support of striking US actors
Sucession star Brian Cox tells gathered members of Equity union ‘we are at thin end of horrible wedge’
November 2022
From Tampongate to the Bashir bombshells: will King Charles III finally hit back at The Crown?
The Netflix hit is now plunging into inflammatory territory. Will the famously outspoken new monarch really simmer in silence? Does he have to – now Prince Harry is on the streamer’s payroll?
September 2022
The Crown series five to launch in November, Netflix confirms
Royal drama, which will star Imelda Staunton as the Queen and Jonathan Pryce, will start streaming on 9 November
April 2022
Downton Abbey: A New Era review – cheerfully risible second helping of snobby melodrama
The second – and hopefully last – film spun off from Julian Fellowes’s successful TV series is as hammy, silly, and undeniably entertaining as ever
January 2022
Amulet review – Romola Garai makes directorial debut with smart upscale horror
Garai’s first feature as director is a classy chiller where a haunted war veteran is offered uneasy solace by a twinkly-eyed nun
December 2021
The Observer's obituaries of 2021
Stephen Sondheim remembered by Imelda Staunton
The actor on the American composer and lyricist who changed musicals, and whose warmth and generous spirit were equally present in the theatre and at home
November 2021
Where to start with Stephen Sondheim: 10 of the best from the maestro
Discover the musical theatre titan through the life-changing cast album of Company, Imelda Staunton’s phenomenal turn in Gypsy, starry birthday concerts and his essential book on lyric writing
July 2021
First image revealed of Imelda Staunton as the Queen in The Crown
Actor best known for Vera Drake takes over from Olivia Colman for fifth series about the UK royal family
January 2021
Emma Barnett and Naga Munchetty: how were the new Woman's Hour and 5 live hosts?
The two went head-to-head as Barnett moved from Radio 5 to Woman’s Hour with Munchetty replacing her – but it surely won’t be long before they share a studio on a revamped Today
