Edge of the aisle seat: the case of the theatre critic who becomes a sleuth
Countless nights spent reviewing plays informed Here in the Dark, a novel of psychological suspense in which critical faculties are essential to solving a real-life drama
Thomas Kilroy obituary
Irish playwright who championed change in religious, social and sexual attitudes while giving voice to fears and anxieties
On my radar: Posy Simmonds’s cultural highlights
The cartoonist on inspiring female thinkers, watching giraffes on TV, and the best shop for pencils
On my radar: Alex Horne’s cultural highlights
The co-host and creator of Channel 4’s Taskmaster on the British equivalent of Hamilton, the charm of Radio 3 and a cool comedian’s scattergun memoir
The Color Purple review – a heartfelt new version supercharged by a powerhouse cast
The rough edges of Steven Spielberg’s 1985 adaptation have been softened but the evocative energy of this movie-musical’s three female leads is magical
Paws for applause: Paddington set to star in stage musical
After two hit movies, the children’s books hero will lead a new theatre production from the company behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Shirley Anne Field: a smart and seductive key player in the British New Wave
Appearing in many of the landmark gritty dramas of the era, the actor, who has died aged 87, stood out for portraying vulnerability combined with a canny intelligence
Wendy: A Peter Pan Story review – an awfully modern adventure
Gaming imagery blends with traditional adventure scenery in an exuberant present-day adaptation of JM Barrie’s novel
The Enormous Crocodile review – Roald Dahl’s dastardly reptile stalks the stage
This production for over-fours has clever touches, lively performances and splendid puppets but the songs and the story grow monotonous
Wonka review – Timothée Chalamet’s Chocolate Factory prequel is a superbly sweet treat
Timothée Chalamet leads a beguiling cast in a backstory that rinses away all sourness from Roald Dahl’s embittered chocolatier
Kilometre house: how dance pioneer Rudolf Laban dreamed of staging performances in a gigantic dome
A newly unearthed essay reveals the ambitious vison of the influential choreographer, teacher and innovator
On my radar: Chris Bush’s cultural highlights
The award-winning playwright on one of pop’s most extraordinary voices, role-playing drag queens and the scathing wit of her favourite foodie website
The Witches review – frights played for fun in rollicking musical
Roald Dahl’s villains are given a makeover with a gag-filled script by Lucy Kirkwood and a couple of storming numbers
The Box of Delights review – the RSC makes merry with Masefield’s fantasy
This is a well-crafted, brilliantly acted version of John Masefield’s classic novel about an orphan who travels through time
A Forgotten Man review – watchable account of central figure in Swiss wartime guilt
Laurent Nègre’s stagey film is also a free adaptation of Thomas Hürlimann’s play on the same subject, and may have worked better in the theatre