Agatha Christie festival to host cookery demonstration with poisonous twist
French writer Anne Martinetti to recreate recipes from the Queen of Crime’s books particularly suitable for concealing poison as part of September festival
Zakes Mda: I feel like a dancing monkey at European literary festivals
South African writer explains his boycott, backing novelist Thando Mgqolozana’s claim that white audiences treat black authors as anthropological subjects
Sandi Toksvig: trolls are already out over plans to form Women’s Equality party
Broadcaster, who is leaving the BBC, tells Hay festival she refuses to be deterred despite experiencing a great deal of abuse since announcing new political party
World leaders missed chance to tackle climate change, says economist
Nicholas Stern tells the Hay festival the global economic crisis was a perfect opportunity to make progress on climate change – and we missed it
Sydney Writers’ festival 2015: Richard Flanagan, Mohsin Hamid, Helen Garner
Opening days saw Man Booker prize winner celebrated, a walk on the dark side with The House of Grief author and personal stories from Atul Gawande
The Little Prince review – adaptation of Saint-Exupéry just about gets off the ground
The much-loved children’s classic is given an animated overhaul by the co-director of Kung Fu Panda, but over-elaboration means it almost goes down in flames
Literary festivals are getting too big for their books
Some authors flourish in front of the crowds at the biggest book festivals, but do readers get more from a smaller event?
Fan art, cosplay and geek belly dancing: turning fandom into money
Being an anime, Game of Thrones or Doctor Who nerd can be an expensive business, but an increasing number of fans are converting their passions into cash
Cate Blanchett: ‘I’ve never had a sexual relationship with a woman’
The star of Todd Haynes’s acclaimed lesbian romance, Carol, has said her words about same-sex relationships were taken out of context, but she looks forward to a time when people no longer need to publicly discuss their sexuality
Carol review – Cate Blanchett captivates in woozily obsessive lesbian romance
Patricia Highsmith’s The Price of Salt has become an entrancing Cannes premiere directed by Todd Haynes, beautifully made and outstandingly intelligent
Down the rabbit hole: Moira Buffini on adapting Alice in Wonderland
This year’s Manchester international festival sees the premiere of wonder.land, a new musical that aims to update Lewis Carroll’s classic tale for the digital age. Directed by Rufus Norris with music by Damon Albarn, it is written by dramatist Moira Buffini, who here explains Alice’s enduring appeal• The Guardian is the festival’s media partner
A whole new wonder.land: Lysander Ashton on seeing Alice anew
The creative director of 59 Productions, video designers for Manchester international festival’s Carroll-based musical Wonder.land, explains the influences and ideas behind their new vision
A Tale of Love and Darkness review – Natalie Portman’s love letter to Israel
Andrew Pulver: Natalie Portman has gone back to her home country for her directorial debut, a serious, well-made adaptation of Amos Oz’s memoir of the early years of Israel’s statehood
My favourite Cannes winner: Apocalypse Now
Alex Hess views Francis Ford Coppola’s triumph at the 1979 festival as vindication of the film-maker’s own journey into the heart of darkness