http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-how-can-they-not-love-lily-1824970.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-how-can-they-not-love-lily-1824970.html <p>It is the season of lists. Best of the Year/ Decade. Worst of the Year/ Decade. Most Beautiful of the Year/Decade. I'd like to introduce a "Mildly Enjoyable Night Out But Nothing To Write Home About of The Year/Decade", because that is also a large part of the cultural experience. But for the moment we'll have to make do with the best-of category.</p> David Lister Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-great-writers-dont-need-a-helping-hand-1820384.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-great-writers-dont-need-a-helping-hand-1820384.html <p>There's an unusual story about the new Alan Bennett play, The Habit of Art, which opens at the National Theatre next Tuesday. I gather that the National's artistic director, Nicholas Hytner, found the manuscript just pushed through his front door at home. Bennett had worked on it alone without telling anyone and, shy man that he is, just delivered it unannounced and unexpected – and departed without ringing the bell.</p> David Lister Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-the-pulsating-battle-to-rule-the-arts-1816599.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-the-pulsating-battle-to-rule-the-arts-1816599.html <p>Who should be the next chairman of the London Regional Arts Council? There's a question that invites the reader to turn the page. But this seemingly arcane question has become intriguing, controversial even. </p> David Lister Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-you-need-a-phd-for-a-night-at-the-opera-1812304.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-you-need-a-phd-for-a-night-at-the-opera-1812304.html <p>They're expensive and often of little use, yet they are the one part of the cultural experience that rarely provokes comment. Why can't the programmes on sale at concerts, theatres and operas be better?</p> David Lister Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-the-perils-of-being-friends-with-the-boss-1809964.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-lister/david-lister-the-perils-of-being-friends-with-the-boss-1809964.html <p>The editor on my first newspaper had a habit of standing behind you as you were writing. Eventually, unnerved by his presence, you would stop writing. "What are you doing?" he would ask, amazed. "I'm thinking," the hapless reporter would answer. "Don't think! Write!" he would bark, emphasising the point with a jab of his finger between the shoulder blades.</p> David Lister Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000