Picture Postcards The Bodleian Library has published two books of postcards - images from World War I and one of the Russian Revolution. Historian Andrew Roberts has written an introduction for the books.
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read more
McEwan's Song Award-winning novelist Ian McEwan has written his first libretto for a new opera by his friend the composer Michael Berkeley.
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Magical Thinking Joan Didion's book, the Year of Magical Thinking, comes to the stage. Our Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones talks to the American writer, the director Sir David Hare and the lead actress Vanessa Redgrave.
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Dan Dare The legendary super hero Dan Dare coming out of retirement.
See pictures from the first edition.
Brian Wilson The creative force behind the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, returns to the UK.
Listen.
A Fable for Shambo Author Michael Morpurgo has written a fable in tribute to Shambo, the sacred bullock thought to have bovine TB lives as part of a community of Hindu monks in Wales.
Read the fable
Extended Interview - Don De Lillo The American writer Don de Lillo's "Underworld" has become a classic. A Penguin classic. A great accolade, but usually one reserved for the dead.
National Anthem Do we need new verses to our national anthem to reflect our changing political society?
E-mail us your suggestions.
George Melly Arts Correspondent Rebecca Jones went to Surreal Things at the V&A with jazz singer George Melly, who knew the world of surrealism from the inside.
Nick Cave Interview Australian musician, poet, author and sometimes actor Nick Cave talks to our reporter Nicola Stanbridge about his new project Grinderman.
Extended Interview - Ralph Fiennes/ John Le Carre (31/01/06)
The Constant Gardener is tipped for a place on the Oscar shortlist. Polly Billington spoke Ralph Fiennes and to the author, John le Carre, about the film and its chances at the Oscars.
Salute to Dennis Brain 50 years on from the death of the great horn player, a new fanfare has been writen in his honour.
Peter Greenaway Pictures from the audio visual show from the British film director..
Smells in London Author Will Self talks to our reporter Polly Billington about various smells and London
ICA Re-enactment We revisit the musical staged 20 years ago by Einsturzende Neubauten.
Waiting for Gordot Journalist Richard Heller has written a play based on the true life story of Labour backbenchers, called "Waiting for Gordot."
Connected: Ian McMillan's poem which celebrates 15 years of the world wide web.
The Hydra We asked for help in finding the lost copies of poetry magazines by Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.
Anthem for Essex The "Poet Laureate of Essex" Martin Newell has written a poem redefining the county.
Poetry Quiz After claims that poetry is becoming as obsolete in British culture as morris dancing, we tested our listeners knowledge of our most distinguished contemporary poets.
Galloway The Mystery Cat We asked Ian McMillan to come up with a poem reflecting George Galloway's time in the Big Brother House.
The Sleeper Train A campaign to save the Penzance Sleeper service will be lobbying parliament, and later in the week holding a rally at the Eden centre. Cornwall poet
Murray Lachlan Young has re-worked Auden's Night Train as a tribute to the sleeper.
Playing with fire We look at a play by the political playwright David Edgar about the causes of the race riots in Bradford
Et Viola! It's the most reviled instrument in the modern orchestra. Violas - known to their critics as 'diesel violins' - often called the poor relation of the violin.
I Vow To Thee A stirring hymn that brings back fond memories, or a heretical form of words which should be banned? The great debate over I Vow To Thee, My Country!
The today African Mystery Read THE FINAL chapter of our summer short story, written by Today listener Julia Ray and chosen by Alexander McCall Smith.
Donald McGill Find out more about the infamous trial of 'saucy seaside' postcard artist Donald McGill.
Today Visits Stratford It feels like every time we take the programme out on the road, it gets a little bit grander. This time we visited the RSC Swan Theatre in Stratford.
Saddest Music You sent us over 400 nominations for your saddest music or song. Now vote for the ultimate sad music from the five most-nominated pieces.
Gulbenkian Winner The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, in Edinburgh, has just been named "Museum of the Year". Find out more about the winning entry, Landform Ueda.
Chant Laureate You've heard of the Poet Laureate. Now there's a "Chant Laureate" as well. Listen to his ode to the Aston Villa footballer Juan Pablo Angel (pictured) by clicking above.
Search for the Saddest Music Tell us what you think is the World's saddest music. You can nominate both pop and rock songs, and classical pieces. And learn here what a Chapman Stick is.
Archers Theme Is the familiar 'dum di dum di dum di dum...' jingle to be relegated to the vaults of history? No. But some listeners got an April 1st scare.
Orkney Postcards Experts in maritime history are examining hundreds of postcards and photographs which have been recovered from a ship scuttled off the Orkney Islands.
The Tricorn Centre The Tricorn Centre is consigned to demolition to the delight of many and the regret of - well - a few.
The Rhinegold Will Hutton thinks Wagner's Ring cycle is about the failings of capitalism. Can he be right?
Literary Works for sale. It's been described as a "Who's Who" of the nineteenth century, and one of the world's literary treasures. Now the John Murray Archive is up for sale.
Catherine Parr See the rare portrait of Catherine Parr, the wife who survived Henry VIII, that is to be unveiled by historian David Starkey.
Sex and the City The U.S drama 'Sex and the City' has enjoyed cult status since it's first airing in 1998. Women across both sides of the Atlantic have closely followed the storylines and fashion trends.
American 'Office' Their Golden Globes prove The Office has won the admiration of US reviewers, but will an 'All American' remake hit the spot? Hear from Ricky Gervais.
Is It Cool To Play The Ukulele? Now available in both original and electronic forms, it seems the ukulele is experiencing a renaissance. Listen to Mark Coles' report.
WWII Photography The key role of surveillance pictures during WWII highlighted by previously unreleased photos.
Art of Illustration The man who illustrated the stories of Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, marks 50 years in the industry.
Newspaper Origami The Times is publishing a tabloid size edition - but how will this impact on origami enthusiasts? We put both papers to the test...
Hospital Design Can a hospital ward's design impact on the recovery time of patients? See the CABE concept designs and the results of RCN polling.
Architect Vote See pictures of the six finalists in this year's Stirling Prize for architecture.
Bruce Bairnsfather See the cartoons of artistand soldier, Bruce Bairnsfather. His famous artwork will be celebrated this weekend.
Frank Gehry The world renowned architect, Frank Gehry has designed his first UK building - and it's somewhat unexpected...
Musical Damage Why some experts are warning too much time spent in the orchestra pit could damage a musician's hearing.
Belfast's Gable Murals The history of loyalist and republican Northern Ireland, depicted through the murals of Belfast.
Harry Potter Mania As the new Harry Potter book, - "The Order of the Phoenix" is released, we interview some keen readers and publish their reviews!
Causa Belli Causa Belli is a latin phrase, which translates as 'causes, motives or pretexts of war'. Motion has voiced doubts about the case for war.
Back to Basics Rock Did the ability to capture music on tape peak in the sixties? Yes, according to Jack and Meg White, known as 'The White Stripes', one of the most exciting rock outfits the music industry's seen for years.
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