Jack Shepherd obituary Versatile actor, director and playwright who found television fame in the detective series Wycliffe The Guardian - UK · Nov 26, 2025
‘We got hate mail after the Proms!’ The towering visions of UK jazz legend Mike Westbrook Having worked alongside everyone from Laurence Olivier to a French circus, the 89-year-old is still composing, learning church bells, and using AI to resurrect a lost epic The Guardian - UK · Nov 12, 2025
We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir by Anthony Hopkins review – a legend with a temper The Oscar-winning actor’s autobiography combines vulnerability with bloody-mindedness and belligerence The Guardian - UK · Nov 12, 2025
‘I knew I needed help. I knew it was over’: Anthony Hopkins on alcoholism, anger, Academy Awards – and 50 years of sobriety As the actor approaches his 90th year and publishes an autobiography, he reflects on his early years on stage, being inspired by Laurence Olivier, becoming a Hollywood star and conquering his demons The Guardian - UK · Nov 3, 2025
Murder, racism… and a drama therapist? David Harewood, Toby Jones and Caitlin FitzGerald on their new Othello INTERVIEW: Almost three decades after Harewood made history as the National Theatre’s first Black Othello, he is stepping back into the role. Annabel Nugent meets him and his co-stars over steak and salad to talk drama therapists, stinky smooches, and Blackface in theatre The Independent UK · Oct 26, 2025
Gawn Grainger obituary Actor, playwright and screenwriter who was a stalwart of the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier The Guardian - UK · May 22, 2025
Actor and writer Gawn Grainger dies aged 87 A prolific performer with the National Theatre, the actor and playwright – who was married to Zoë Wanamaker – was also a regular on TV, starring in Doctor Who The Guardian - UK · May 20, 2025
Paul Mescal, Stormzy and the return of rep – National Theatre boss reveals her risky debut season With star names, a Hamlet in shades, orgiastic murder and a miners’ strike musical, Indhu Rubasingham promises something for all. But can she attract newcomers while keeping diehards happy? And is she having sleepless nights? The Guardian - UK · Apr 29, 2025
What are the best films and TV shows about pontiffs? Oscar-winning film Conclave was released last year. Evening Standard · Apr 24, 2025
A Minecraft Movie's cast and crew have a private Minecraft server where Jack Black got 'super-weirdly method' and built a hilltop mansion "I wanted everyone to know that I was a real Minecrafter." PC Gamer · Apr 10, 2025
Lee Montague obituary Actor who toured with Laurence Olivier and Peter Brook, starred on Broadway and had a long career in film and TV The Guardian - UK · Apr 3, 2025
Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright's West Sussex home hits the market for £2 million The former malthouse was Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright’s family home for more than 60 years Evening Standard · Apr 2, 2025
Laurence Olivier’s former voice coach now considered UK’s ‘oldest’ podcaster George Hall is said to be the ‘oldest’ podcaster in the UK after creating a short-series podcast about his encounters with various actors. The Independent UK · Mar 16, 2025
When Thatcher took performance lessons from Laurence Olivier, it changed the course of her political destiny The PM’s makeover collaboration was kept a closely guarded secret for fear it would hurt her ‘ordinary housewife’ image, says writer and broadcaster Tim Walker The Guardian - UK · Feb 11, 2025
The Guardian - UK · Jan 30, 2025 Phyllis Dalton obituary Costume designer who won Oscars for her work on the film epic Doctor Zhivago and for Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 Henry V
The Guardian - UK · Jan 26, 2025 Alternatives to prison are vital for convicts and their families Abolishing custodial sentences of less than two years would protect some of the country’s most vulnerable children
The Conversation · Jan 21, 2025 Joan Plowright – a leading actress in British theatre’s post-war class revolution Dame Joan Plowright, who has died aged 95, was an actress of enormous and wide-ranging talent across a 60-year stage and screen career. Plowright was “perhaps the greatest Anglophone actor of the 20th century”, in Variety’s words. She was certainly a leading pioneer in post-war British theatre’s modernisation – particularly…
The Guardian - UK · Jan 19, 2025 The week in theatre: Oliver!; The Devil May Care review – consider yourself entertained Lionel Bart’s great musical is a gift for Matthew Bourne; a nifty reworking of Shaw’s comedy would surely have pleased him; and a fresh start for Welsh theatre
The Guardian - UK · Jan 18, 2025 ‘She would have been in awe of him’: how Laurence Olivier gave Margaret Thatcher private seduction lessons New drama, When Maggie Met Larry, reveals exactly how the world’s most famous actor coached the fledgling Iron Lady
International Business Times · Jan 17, 2025 UK Film, Theatre Legend Joan Plowright Dies, Aged 95 Oscar-nominated English actor Joan Plowright, acknowledged as one of the leading actors of her generation, has died at the age of 95, her family said on Friday.
The Guardian - UK · Jan 17, 2025 Dame Joan Plowright obituary Stage and screen star who was part of a radical generation of actors responsible for establishing the National Theatre
The Guardian - UK · Jan 17, 2025 ‘A nice little cameo that Judi Dench hasn’t got her paws on’: in fact, Joan Plowright’s screen career blossomed with age Her film breakthrough in 1960’s The Entertainer was a harbinger of the calmness and strength she brought as a distinguished character actor – and as her lovable self in Nothing Like a Dame
Evening Standard · Jan 17, 2025 Joan Plowright’s agent promised to find role Judi Dench ‘hasn’t got her paws on’ In Nothing Like A Dame, Dame Joan and her famous friends discussed her husband, Lord Laurence Olivier, ageing, and their experiences in acting.
Evening Standard · Jan 17, 2025 ‘Just call me Joan’: Beloved star of stage and screen Dame Joan Plowright The widow of Lord Olivier was one of the outstanding actresses of her age.
BANG Premier · Jan 17, 2025 Dame Joan Plowright dead at 95 Dame Joan Plowright has died at the age 95, her family have announced.