‘The definition of a classic’: Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go at 20
A Booker-winning author, a Nobel prize-winning scientist and the directors of the film and stage adaptations on why Ishiguro’s dystopian tale still speaks to us today
A Squash and a Squeeze review – Donaldson and Scheffler favourite crammed with songs
Ingenious puppetry and jolly performances help animate the beloved story about an ever-expanding indoor menagerie
Killing Time by Alan Bennett audiobook review – quietly subversive comedy
The author narrates his darkly comic novella about lockdown life in a care home during the pandemic
Revered in Riyadh but nixed in New York: how The Little Prince (almost) conquered the world
The beloved tale got Turks applauding and Saudis cheering. How will it be received in Britain? We meet the team behind a high-flying, dance-circus rejig
‘Electrifying experience’: stage version of The Hunger Games to open in new London theatre
Conor McPherson’s adaptation of the hit YA sci-fi novels and films – which starred Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen – will begin in October, having been delayed since last year
Jennifer Johnston, celebrated Irish novelist and playwright, dies aged 95
Once lauded ‘the best writer in Ireland’, Johnston began publishing in her 40s and was Booker-shortlisted for her 1977 novel set during the Troubles, Shadows on Our Skin
Hansel and Gretel review – Northern Ballet ditch the witch in peril-free eco-fable
Witty compositions and appealing performances win over a young audience but the traditionally grisly tale gets lost in the woods
Stories from Cornwall brought to life in new Michael Morpurgo play
White Horse is based on beloved book and explores importance of place, family, home and belonging
Last chance to enter! The 2025 Observer/ Anthony Burgess prize for arts journalism closes soon
The annual competition to discover outstanding new critical writing on the arts is open for submissions until 28 February
Trigger warnings may do more harm than good. Witness ‘the abortion play’
Hit drama The Years has seen audience members fainting hysterically. Perhaps if we dispensed with the red flags, people would enjoy this fine play more
Hot Milk review – Fiona Shaw a fierce fly in simmering erotic soup
A cantankerous Shaw undercuts her daughter’s summer sexual awakening in this interestingly elusive adaptation of Deborah Levy’s novel
Sign of the four: Sherlock Holmes returns for Christmas comedy by two duos
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have created songs for a Theatreland mystery by Humphrey Ker and David Reed. We find out how they doubled up for the detective’s ‘gory’ new case
Stage musicals should embrace use of surtitles, says lyricist Tim Rice
The songwriter, who has reunited with Andrew Lloyd Webber for a Christmas mystery, said growing popularity of TV subtitles may have a welcome effect in theatres
Pig Heart Boy review – lively staging of Malorie Blackman’s stimulating novel
Winsome Pinnock adapts the story of a teenager whose heart transplant causes controversy but the comedy drowns out the issues
Stage adaptation of Coraline cancelled after allegations against Neil Gaiman
Producers say it is ‘impossible to continue’ with musical that was due to be staged at Leeds Playhouse from April