Brian O’Donnell, a publican, proprietor, and raconteur who died early yesterday after a long life and a short illness.

The critically acclaimed ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ has put confidence tricks back in the spotlight. Robert Hume looks back at some of the most famous scams.

Melissa McCarthy’s move away from comedy has paid off with an Oscar nomination for her role as a real-life fraudster, writes Laura Harding.

After a musical education that involved UCC and the Phoenix Bar, trad stalwart Con ‘Fada’ Ó Drisceoil has released a new collection of comic songs, writes Pet O’Connell

“It won’t be long now…”

‘SUPERFICIAL, flighty, witty and effervescent,” is how director, Michael Cabot, of London Classic Theatre, always regarded the work of Noel Coward whose play, Private Lives, is at Cork’s Everyman.

“A 1960s sex-and-Polaroids scandal centring around an allegedly sex-crazed duchess seemed perfect for Cheltenham” observed Philip Hensher on his 1990s libretto for Powder Her Face.

Annabelle Comyn feels her revival of John Osborne’s classic play will show how its central angry young man is very much alive in today’s world, writes Alan O’Riordan.

The personal archive of Peter O’Toole, one of the great actors of stage and screen who died in 2013, has been bought by the University of Texas for $400,000 (€373,000).

It’s the end of an era for Irish theatre as Michael Colgan bows out at the Gate. He tells Alan O’Riordan about an eventful 33 years

It’s many years since Noel Coward said it, but the longevity of his remark shows how acute he was: “Extraordinary how potent cheap music is.”

Men of the world, take note – the polo neck is back. From Drake to Bond, there’s no cooler fashion statement, writes Troy Patterson.       

Excuse me while I remove this bit of grit from my eye.

Shaw’s satire of the rich who ignored the rumblings of WWI is still relevant, says Padraic Kileen

MUSIC NEWS:

GIVEN the weather we’ve been enduring here lately, you have to envy the Australian lifestyle. They can plan open air events with confidence, and if you were thinking of celebrating the first months of 2014 down under, then Sydney is the place to head for, where on Feb 1 you can enjoy Opera in the Domain free.

In 1663 the French playwright and actor Molière wrote in La Critique de l’École des Femmes that “it’s an odd job, making decent people laugh”.

Vivien Leigh’s archive — including letters sent to husband Laurence Olivier and diaries written until just before the Gone With The Wind star’s death — have been acquired by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum&.

Highlights include John Creedon's retracing of Michael Collins's final day.

Patrick Cooney spent a decade “dropping in and out” of the lives of four members of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy for his documentary, The Raj in the Rain, which will be screened on Sunday during the Kinsale Arts Festival.

I WANT to lie down and watch the trees stipple sunlight on the world, down in the garden with the moon daisies, on a blanket with my book.

On the basis that the hurling summer may not get better than this, let’s rejoice with Limerick and be glad while we can

At 88, the iconic theatre’s barmaid tells Margaret Carragher about the many stars she met, and how she bizarrely hid eight kids from the boss

Helena Bonham Carter is to play Elizabeth Taylor in a feature-length TV drama.

THIS year, veteran actor Des Keogh celebrates five decades in “the business”.

IT was so inspiring to see Jedward, direct from the Eurovision noise competition, carry the Olympic torch through the streets of Dublin.

Colin Firth has signed up to star as Noel Coward in a new comedy drama.

The Pacific islands may have been beautiful but were never peaceful, less so when western slavers arrived. Tim Severin on empire and destruction

The World’s Best Street Food

Irish theatre is like the rest of the country, full of well intentioned amateurs, prostitutes, posturers and administrators.

TEN years ago, with the rubble of the World Trade Centre still smouldering away after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, prospective visitors to New York wondered whether they should put off their trips, or keep a respectful distance.

SATURDAY

Kim Cattrall will soon be sipping cocktails on a Broadway stage.

New York’s Broadway lights will be dimmed in tribute to Dame Elizabeth Taylor tonight.

The Nine Lives of Otto Katz

It is 44 years since Time Magazine placed London, The Swinging Capital on its cover and declared: “In a once sedate world of faded splendor, everything new, uninhibited and kinky is blooming.” The cast may change, but the characters remain the same, writes Allan Prosser

The ‘Leave Right Now’ singer Will Young – who shot to fame after winning UK talent show ‘Pop Idol’ in 2002 – has claimed he can predict the future saying he knew he would be successful in his career and the achievements he would make.

Chris Evans launched his autobiography saying he has "no regrets" about the decisions he has made in life.

STARS including Barbara Windsor, Ronnie Corbett and Roy Hudd gathered to say farewell to Danny La Rue.

THAT put us rightly in our place.

'Billy Elliot' danced away with a host of Tony Awards today, including the title for best musical.

Irish-born entertainer Danny La Rue has died after a short illness, his spokeswoman said today. He was 81.

'Royle Family' star Ricky Tomlinson has said that in real life his wife takes charge of the remote control for the TV.

Based – though merely in the most vague of terms – on the 1920s Noel Coward play, this up-date – though still set in the 1920s – falls flat because Elliot seems unable to understand the master’s brittle humour.

Hollywood star-turned-theatre director Kevin Spacey has seen his commitment to London's West End recognised after being named the Best Stage Actor at the Theatregoers' Choice Awards for the second year running.

Will Young is convinced discovering he was gay as a youngster is helping his fledgling acting career, because he studied everything around him rather than just girls.

Actor Glenn Ford, who played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as The Blackboard Jungle, Gilda and The Big Heat, has died in the US. He was 90.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones are to star together in a London production of Private Lives, it was reported today.

Thoroughly Modern Millie - the Jazz Age tale of an ambitious flapper - tapped its way to six Tony Awards last night, including best musical.