Joan Plowright at 90: the star who spoke truth to British theatre
On the actor’s birthday, our critic picks three key performances that illuminate her gift for earthy honesty
May 2018
Nothing Like a Dame review – an actor’s life for the famous four
Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith take a trip down memory lane in this enjoyable documentary
April 2018
Judi, Maggie, Joan and Eileen: all hail British theatre's great dames
Nothing Like a Dame review – Judi Dench and Maggie Smith trade brutal banter
September 2017
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith to reflect on lives in new BBC arts output
Two actors will spend a weekend retreat together with fellow dames Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright for new programme
January 2017
Desert Island Discs: 75 defining moments from 75 years of castaways
The show’s first guest was marooned three quarters of a century ago this month. Here are the moments that made Desert Island Discs a radio classic
April 2016
Peter Gill on Arnold Wesker: ‘John Dexter brought these new plays to life’
Peter Gill writes: It was John Dexter’s productions that brought Arnold Wesker’s plays to life
February 2016
William Gaskill obituary
Theatre director who brought Brechtian principles and puritanical rigour to his productions
January 2016
Frank Finlay obituary
Stage and screen actor admired for his many classical theatrical roles who played the obsessed father in the 1970s TV drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire
Music blog
40 years of the Oliviers: Maria Friedman picks her 10 favourite winners
Ahead of BBC Concert Orchestra’s Olivier celebration directed by and starring Maria Friedman, the singer picks her favourite shows to have featured in the prestigious awards
David Hare: how I learned to love adaptation
Ibsen wanted his plays to be continually updated after his death. As his new version of The Master Builder opens, Hare reflects on the pain and pleasure of adaptation – and what he learned piecing Chekhov together in his garage
July 2015
Robin Phillips obituary
British actor and director acclaimed for revitalising the Stratford Festival theatre in Ontario
Orson's Shadow review – Welles and Olivier lock horns over Ionesco
Two gigantic egos clash during an ill-fated production of Rhinoceros in a drama built from showbiz gossip and uninspired guesswork
When Orson met Larry: 'Welles was a very bad boy. But he was a great artist'
It was a clash of two massive egos. As Orson’s Shadow makes its European premiere, its playwright Austin Pendleton about how he turned Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier’s famous theatrical fall out into a play
February 2015
Laurence Olivier’s steamy love letters to Vivien Leigh see light of day
Hundreds of previously unpublished letters reveal passionate exchanges from one of Hollywood’s greatest affairs
July 2014
Laurence Olivier: still the actor's actor 25 years after his death
He was one of theatre’s most daring stars, whose best films bear witness to a talent many never had the chance to see on stage
April 2014
Shakespeare's plays – as you like them
Best Shakespeare productions: The Merchant of Venice
Peter O'Toole, Patrick Stewart and Antony Sher have all made stunning Shylocks – which versions of this problematic play have you been sold on?
November 2013
National Theatre: Night of the stars celebrates 50 years
From Judi Dench to Benedict Cumberbatch, some of the greatest names in British theatre reprise classic performances on London's South Bank. Dalya Alberge reports
October 2013
National Theatre at 50
The National Theatre at 50 – your memories
National Theatre at 50
Joan Plowright: what the National Theatre means to me
