Given actor/writer Tim Balme's workload, it's amazing he answers interview questions so coherently and affably.

Printmaker Rodney Fumpston has the best of both worlds with a home in Auckland and the beloved place of his birth, Fiji.

Books about authors who are struggling to write can be overly indulgent and introspective.

Dame Fiona Kidman is back with a new volume of poetry that traces her Irish roots.

Wellington teacher and author Leon Davidson tells Rebecca Barry what inspired him to delve into Anzac history on behalf of younger readers.

The ever-ebullient Roy Goodman explained the premise behind Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Thursday concert in a running commentary as the stage was reset after the opening item.

War from the horse's mouth.

The historical preoccupation with Gallipoli becomes easily comprehensible when you remember that 8141 Australians and 2721 New Zealanders died during the brief campaign.

Hollywood, aromatic with the scent of gorgeous and available young women, still remains a sexualised and sexist ecosystem.

An artistic diversion from bloody reality, writes Steve Scott.

It was when the drag queen in the Santa coat started banging her drumsticks on the scaffolding, singing about sending a barking annoyance to "doggie hell" that Rent came to life.

A palatable picture of the past.

After making a name for himself in the children's book market as an action writer with the Young Bond series, Charlie Higson has moved on to futuristic horror. He talks to Stephen Jewell about the undead.

For historic and emotional reasons many Americans have always had a love affair with France.

English theatre luminaries Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench are on a heavyweight list of artists and historians calling for the reopening of Auckland's St James Theatre.

Self is a profoundly anti-romantic writer, which is to say that he's a romantic with his back turned and his buttocks bared, so naturally he begs to differ.

Few books make me laugh out loud but there was a point where I laughed so hard while reading this one I had to put it down.

Auckland Gallery listings

A "FULL HOUSE" sign outside the town hall last Friday was hardly surprising, with Hilary Hahn playing Sibelius with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

You might think anyone wanting to stand up in front of a room of strangers and try to make them laugh is mad.