In a shocking attack, the ballet director Marco Goecke smeared dog excrement in the face of Wiebke Hüster in retaliation for her review. Yet it isn’t the first time an artist has assaulted a critic. Our writers share their worst moments

Nica Burns, driving force of the festival’s comedy prize, talks about the winners and losers in 40 years of the hugely influential event

‘We didn’t give Matilda any songs because she was shy. Then we realised: it’s a fricking musical – the protagonist needs to sing!

The Australian composer has returned to performing after a 10-year break. He writes about fame, failure and his surprise comeback

Judy Blume, Paul Kelly, George Miller and Tara June Winch were among the guests at Carriageworks, in a welcome return for the beloved event