I FINISHED writing my fifth novel this week. It’s a first draft, I hasten to add, and an extremely messy one at that, so I’m not getting overly excited. I know too much about the amount of work that lies ahead of me for that.

ROBERT LANAGHAN is a writer. Or, at least, he was, but, since his second book was published, he hasn’t written. Life has got in the way.

A giant of English film and theatre, Ian McKellan looks set to enchant another generation with his portrayal of London’s most famous detective as a frail recluse in his 90s says Will Lawrence

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.