Kiwi ballerina Hannah O'Neill has been named dancer of the year at the prestigious Benois de la Danse competition, often described as the Oscars of dance.

Eve de Castro-Robinson introduced her Karlheinz Company programme as music that was vivid, visceral and singular.

The 34-year-old son of a Samoan church minister has done TV, film and stand-up comedy but says theatre is his first love.

It goes to show, as Hare says, the audience - the way it reacts and responds and its current concerns - shapes theatre.

At 82, Gloria Steinem - the woman who spearheaded the women's liberation movement in the United States and beyond - was smoking hot.

The Auckland Writers Festival, under way at civic centre venues this week, is a testament to the continued value of the written word.

Courtroom drama has a peculiar capacity to grip an audience.

The works, for the most part small statues and ceramics, are displayed on carpet mats on the floor.

One New Zealand fiction writer will wake up $50,000 better off on Wednesday thanks to a new literary prize.

The inspiration that got one Auckland teen aiming for the stage was Dorothy, the green and yellow spotted dancing dinosaur on The Wiggles.

There are two Block Parties happening in Auckland: which is the one for you?

COMMENT: You know life can change for a few people to something unrecognisable. But I don't think the basics change, at least with most, writes Alan Duff.

COMMENT: We thought we knew who Americans were, but this year we have seen a new side to their character that has set me wondering about its origins.

Simon Prast graduated from the University of Auckland with a law degree before the lure of the stage proved stronger than that of the bench.

Ralph "Karate Kid" Macchio was happy to oblige with an interview or two to promote the performances of Flashdance, the musical his daughter Julia stars in.

An inspirational drama teacher who travelled from Gisborne to England to see actor Jeremy Irons perform in a play had a welcome surprise at its conclusion.

This week marks 400 years since the death of our national poet. And yet his characters, the worlds he created, the thoughts he expressed are for all people and all time.

Ian McGuire's story of brutality, greed and whaling - set aboard a boat off the coast of Greenland - is worth seeking out, especially for those of you who are not squeamish.

Listing racist remarks and restrictive stereotypes may seem simplistic at first, but this is mere preparation for some smart theatrics.

COMMENT: It sounds weird but this Broadway musical is a reminder of what is truly great and inspiring about America.

To celebrate its silver jubilee, Tim Bray Productions is bringing back favourite shows from its repertoire and The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch is first.

Extra dates have been added to the Pop Up Globe following "overwhelming demand", organisers have announced.

Artists delve in to expression embracing their interpretation of mankind.

The 400-year-old picture had been left for more than 150 years in a property in the outskirts of Toulouse.

Australian artist Scott Marsh has painted over his Kanye Loves Kanye mural for $100,000 after it created an international stir.

On April 23, Auckland will be the first city in the world to mark 400 years since the death of playwright William Shakespeare.

Works of two established artists and a newcomer grace Auckland venues this month.

Leaning back in one of the armchairs, Canton speaks of "racial hierarchies" and "exoticism" and whether we're all "a little bit racist".