Welcome to 2017. Already it’s better than last year simply because it’s not 2016, even if some of you are probably still a little fragile this morning.

The season is set to be the most spectacular season in the theatre’s history with 13 brand new shows encompassing musicals, drama and comedy.

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master — that’s all.”

The best of this week’s TV in one place. 

This best of this week’s new films in Irish cinemas.

Alice goes back to Underland to save the Hatter from his past.

A FOG of suspicion has long enveloped the creator of Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, so much so that James Joyce once prudishly referred to him as ‘Lewd’s Carroll.’

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

You might expect hefty Russian tome War And Peace to be the book that people are most likely to have lied about reading. 

The promises of the 2011 election were universally broken, so we should be sceptical about claims that the universal social charge will be cut and the social welfare Christmas bonus and carer grant will be restored, says Political Reporter Juno McEnroe

Once there was a little girl called Emily Brown and an old grey rabbit called Stanley.

SINN FÉIN have always insisted that their version of the past is at least as valid as any other — no matter what they imagine it to be. 

The top 50 books for children to read have been released, and Roald Dahl remains at number one.

How to Write a Story

THERE is a brilliant exchange in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland when the Mad Hatter asks "Have I gone mad?" and Alice answers, "I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are."

Winnie-The-Pooh has triumphed over modern titles such as The Gruffalo to be named the best-loved children’s book of the last 150 years.

Both at home and further afield, it’s been a busy few day in the world of anti-doping.

You would not have to be Ben Bernanke, Christine Lagarde or even Barney Curley to realise that there was, during the darkest moments of our economic crisis, a lot of freeform, off-the-cuff advice offered to Government by very expensive consultancy firms.

Helena Bonham Carter is coming back for the 'Alice in Wonderland' sequel.

PINTS, pantomime-style villains and political impotence, the Dáil has it all.

Johnny Depp will star in an 'Alice in Wonderland' sequel.

Stellan Skarsgard is set to star in 'Cinderella'.

It was Andy Williams who first recorded the song about Christmas, claiming that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”, but then the GAA and its unique fascinations probably weren’t all that big a deal around Wall Lake, Iowa where the famous old crooner was born.

As someone who grew up reading The Examiner during my youth, I would like to comment on your recent natural health advice column (Feelgood, Feb 1).

Ahead of his visit to Cork, Dan Buckley spoke to broadcaster and former politician Michael Portillo about Anglo-Irish relations, Britain’s Conservative Party, bailouts, and a love of trains

NOW I have some idea of the thinking behind Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter’s tea party.

I HAVE only met Rebekah Brooks once, in the proper sense. We have fleetingly shaken hands a couple of times at News International receptions at party conferences in Britain which I have blagged my way into as she has glided on to schmooze important political personalities — but that scarcely counts.

It’s less than two weeks to the wedding of the year. Allison Pearson looks at Kate Middleton and asks if she can save the royal family.

'The King's Speech' has received seven Golden Globe award nominations.

FORGET the prime minister. Real political power in Australia right now is being wielded by a maverick in a cowboy hat and his two colleagues. A week after national elections ended on a knife edge, the unlikely trio of lawmakers have emerged as kingmakers.

THE weird and wonderful creatures in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass have captivated millions of children, but it has now emerged that one waspish character did not make the final books.

NOT reading X-rays is bad enough.

Tim Burton was confused working with the green screen on 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Mia Wasikowska found acting in 'Alice in Wonderland' tough.

The 51-year-old director Tim Burton admits he wanted to work on the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ movie because he had never “clicked” with previous adaptations of the Lewis Carroll book.

A LAST-minute deal finalised on the day of its British premiere ensures that Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland will make it to all Irish cinemas.

Tim Burton based the White Queen from 'Alice in Wonderland' on Nigella Lawson.

Odeon cinemas are to boycott 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Johnny Depp is honoured to play the Mad Hatter in 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Lindsay Lohan is desperate to work with director Tim Burton on his big screen adaptation of 'Alice In Wonderland' - branding herself as the "ideal" candidate for the lead role.

Eccentric moviemaker Tim Burton is to revamp Lewis Carroll's fantastic 'Alice in Wonderland' story - as a 3-D spectacular.