The Latest Breaking News from Shakespeare

For films and books about Shakespeare’s life, there is little source material to draw on beyond the few known facts of the great writer’s parentage, hometown, marriage, children, property and death. Shakespeare biopics therefore require considerable speculation and invention on the part of writers and directors.

Brief letters: Allies at war | Shakespeare on tyranny | Leicester greetings | Winter style | Road sign supplements

A single act of kindness reminded me that, despite so much evidence to the contrary, the better angels of our nature are not necessarily doomed, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle

Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman star in a tantalisingly trashy series. Plus: Judi Dench digs deep into a family mystery. Here’s what to watch this evening

A transcendent new take on King Lear, a thrilling Evita and a show at Glasgow’s revamped Citizens that reduced one viewer to a ‘blubbering wreck’ are among your highlights

The Goodbye June actor used to make money busking, thinks mudlarking is a great first date and loves Clapton’s Mangal restaurants

4/5 Director Prasanna Puwanarajah’s Shakespeare festivities are striking if a little over-stuffed in places

Anaconda actor Paul Rudd lied about starring in a Shakespeare production directed by Sir Ben Kingsley at the start of his career.

Shakespeare fans will have to pay to enter the courtyard for the first time