Prince William was asked to walk behind Princess Diana's coffin because of fears Prince Charles might be attacked if he was alone, Alastair Campbell claimed in extracts from his diaries... more
Rory Kinnear has been voted Best Actor at The Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his performance in two of Shakespeare’s most challenging roles — and his much-loved father would have been proud... more
Princess Diana would have turned 50 next year, and this, plus a new royal wedding, will mean her image is exploited all the more ruthlessly. Is anyone protecting the People's Princess?... more
In an outstanding year for London theatre, our judging panel have picked out the most remarkable performances and productions. The choices reflect the explosion of young talent emerging alongside theatre grandees who are at the top of their game... more
It seemed the perfect way to draw in theatregoers: a sign outside Wyndham's containing a reviewer's quote, describing The Shawshank Redemption as 'a superbly gripping, genuinely uplifting drama'... more
Vanessa Redgrave is to present the best actress award in memory of her daughter, Natasha Richardson, at this year's London Evening Standard Theatre Awards... more
A 100-year History Cycle and an Othello reinvented, a vivacious newcomer and a brace of best actresses — our judges explain why they chose the winners of the 2008 Evening Standard Theatre Awards.... more
Big musicals may dominate the West End and box office receipts, but straight drama continues to thrive. These are the key people who make this city the global capital of theatre. ... more
Whenever Hollywood star Josh Hartnett finishes a performance of Rain Man, a crowd of a hundred or more is standing to thank him for taking the time... more
The critics have savaged Trevor Nunn's £4.75m Gone With the Wind. How did such a shambles make it to the stage? And can it survive such a mauling?... more
A musical star has been born as Hollyoaks star Summer Strallen made her debut in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Sound of Music. In his bravest experiment yet, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber merged fiction with fact to introduce his new Maria via the teenage soap opera. But has he again managed to solve a problem like Maria? And will his gamble on the Hollyoaks star pay off? ... more
The critics slaughtered Present Laughter when it opened, but Liz Hoggard found her night at the Noël Coward comedy one of the frothiest, most entertaining of the year.... more
Anne-Marie Duff is shortlisted in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for her impassioned Joan of Arc against Billie Piper's stage debut in Treats.... more
Every now and again a play comes out of nowhere and hijacks the public imagination. Nick Curtis talks to Hassan Abdulrazzak whose debut work Baghdad Wedding is such a play.... more
People said it couldn't be done - and they were right. The Lord of the Rings at the Theatre Royal is a costly, messy folly that will appal Tolkien fans..... more
The National's director Nicholas Hytner has attacked London's theatre critics for their alleged misogyny. The Standard's man in the stalls could not disagree more.... more
No one expected Gareth from The Office to act everyone off the stage in Chekhov. But that's just what he did at the Royal Court where The Seagull opened last week.... more
Exclusive: After high-profile allegations this season, Charlton's manager is pleased the issue is now being addressed but says the authorities still have plenty of work to do
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