The Independent | Arts and Entertainment | Film | Music | Art and Architecture

Oscar Wilde (top), Simon Callow (bottom left) and Samuel Barnett (bottom right)

Free Independent drama: Death In Genoa, featuring Simon Callow as Oscar Wilde

In the week of the 109th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s death, The Independent is giving you an exclusive chance to listen to and download a new drama by Made in Manchester/Dark Smile, written by Thomas Wright, about the 19th Century writer, wit and raconteur.

Inside Arts & Entertainment

Something got him started: Hucknall takes neighbour to court

Simply Red singer embroiled in dispute over hunting rights on his Irish estate

According to Variety, first Tom Hanks, pictured with Spielberg, and then Robert Downey Jr considered the starring role - a middle-aged man convinced that his best friend is an invisible bunny - but refused to commit.

Spielberg drops remake of classic movie 'Harvey'

It always sounded like a stretch for a director who tends to be fascinated by action heroes, terrifying monsters, and touching historical tragedies. Now Steven Spielberg has abandoned plans for his next career-defining film to involve the exploits of a six-foot-tall imaginary rabbit.

Small Island - Black pride and British prejudice

Andrea Levy's prize-winning novel 'Small Island' has been turned into a TV drama. Guy Adams talks to its fast-rising star, David Oyelowo

Don't miss...

A decade of music
NME's top 50 albums of the Noughties
Premiere
Pictures from the latest film openings, including 'Harry Brown'

Bollywood
Listen to the latest Shak podcast here
MixTape
Indy bloggers muse on all things musical.

Pandora
A daily fix of showbiz gossip from the parties you couldn't get to.
Kiss and Tell
The bloggers who bare all online

Award-winning Scottish artist turns his back on homeland

He is a Turner-prize winning artist who has represented Britain at the Venice Biennale and made an award-winning film capturing the athletic beauty and grace of the French footballer, Zinedine Zidane.

The Diary: Damien Hirst; The Pitmen Painters; Guy Ritchie; Gary Giddins

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Novello Theatre, London (Rated 4/ 5 )
Detaining Justice, Tricycle Theatre, London (Rated 4/ 5 )
Stage rage: Are actors right to berate their audiences?
This Wide Night, Soho Theatre, London (Rated 3/ 5 )
First Night: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Novello Theatre, London (Rated 4/ 5 )

Lionel Shriver: 'I tried to write a short story 10 years ago and the bloody thing ballooned into a 107-page novella'

The long journey for a little gem

There's an art to writing a short story. Indeed, it can be far harder than writing a full-length book, even for an acclaimed novelist

c5fc2c59-5e11-4aab-9c64-ecf37edbe76f

Bailey says: 'Asda offered me a load of money to be in an advert. They thought: 'He's a popular guy, people like him; we'll buy that and make ourselves look lovely ...'

Bill Bailey on music, marriage and not selling out

He wooed his wife with love letters. He plays every instrument under the sun. What's not to like about Bill Bailey?

Fr�d�ric Chopin - A very tainted genius

Next year is the bicentenary of Fr�d�ric Chopin's birth, and major celebrations of his life are planned. But, says Jessica Duchen, while the composer's music was sublime, his personality was another matter entirely