It is a magical setting: an elegant white circus tent in the lush green parkland next to Kensington Palace (William and Kate’s back yard). But the familiar tale of the Pevensie children, who find themselves evacuated from the Blitz into a world of witches, giants, talking animals (and a large number of royals) is a wintry one, which would be more suitable at Christmas. “But it’s May!” Susan cries when Father Christmas arrives on his sleigh, the audience sharing her bemusement on a sweltering summer’s evening.

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Shepherdess Emma Gray

How I wooed the lovelorn shepherdess

Emma Gray made headlines with a book chronicling her solitary life on a Northumberland farm miles from civilisation - and the opposite sex. So could Jonathan Brown be the answer to her prayers?

DVD/Blu-ray: The Grey (15)

“I'm calling on you,” pleads Ottway (Liam Neeson) to the heavens, but God isn't listening in this grisly, gripping Alaskan horror.

Ben Ainslie arrives back at the Royal Perth Annexe after the incident during the Finn class gold fleet racing at the ISAF World Sailing event

Ben Ainslie in unstoppable form in Falmouth

Ben Ainslie, just as part of lining himself up for a fifth Olympic medal and a fourth consecutive gold, is in unstoppable form at the world championship regatta being staged for the Finn singlehanders in Falmouth.

Cold air brings snowfalls to parts of the UK

Chilly air brought snow to parts of the country today - days after the Premier League ended and weeks after the cricket season began.

Cropston Reservoir, in Cropston central England on February 20, 2012 (top) and May 10, 2012.

Flood fears as rain moves north, but weekend is set to provide brief respite from washout

New flood risks have been forecast today as the heavy rain that fell over large parts of the south of Britain moves north.

Flood warnings issued in drought-hit areas on 'wettest day of the year'

The UK is expected to receive a month’s worth of rain today, making it the wettest day of the year so far.

The Vaccines

Snowbombing - Chill out at the coolest festival of them all

It started as a gimmick to sell more ski holidays, but these days Snowbombing, a dance bonanza in the Austrian Alps, is a highlight of the musical year.

DVD: A Midnight Clear (15)

"I'm having my usual trouble, noticing how beautiful the world is just as I might be leaving it," Ethan Hawke's Will Knott narrates in Keith Gordon's strikingly photographed Second World War movie from 1992.

Five men with alleged links to EDL arrested on suspicion of racial hatred

Five men believed to be linked to the far-right English Defence League have been arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred.

Late snowfall boosts Scottish ski centres

Snowfall of up to 10cm on Scotland's mountains has raised hopes of an end-of-season boost for some of the country's snowsports centres.

Unsettled weather set to continue

The grim weather which saw most of Britain endure an overcast Easter looks set to continue, according to forecasters.

Pakistani soldiers carry supplies down the glacier, near the disaster site

Avalanche kills more than 100 soldiers in Pakistan

Many still missing as 80ft of snow smashes army base on Siachen Glacier near Indian border

As millions scrambled by car, plane and train for the Easter break, some braved the weather on foot for a more traditional outing. More than 60 people, young and old, crossed the tidal causeway to Holy Island to observe the annual Christian pilgrimage

Easter holiday: Wet and windy, with outbreak of chocolate

Britain is braced for traditional April showers over the Easter holiday as rain and strong winds are predicted. Forecasters have warned that gales of up to 40mph could hit south-west England and south Wales on Easter Monday, with gusts felt across most of the country.

Diablo III – Preview

For once in the sainted existence of Blizzard Entertainment, the gaming behemoth that can do no wrong, the build-up to its hotly anticipated new release Diablo III has not been smooth.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Teenage kicks: Twitter and the 'bling ring' gang

Lena Corner gets the inside story on this very post-modern scandal.

Moveable feasts: Festival grub goes gourmet

Meet the mobile foodie pioneers bringing Bloody Mary crumpets, craft ales and sustainable seafood to the masses.

'My own Diamond Jubilee': 60 years in same job

The Queen is part of an elite club which clocks in way past retirement age.
Joumana Haddad: 'Arab women have been brainwashed'

Joumana Haddad: 'Arab women have been brainwashed'

Haddad is a voice rarely heard in the Middle East – an unapologetic feminist who wants to challenge the way both Arab men and women think.

Food: Mark Hix knows his onions

Alliums are among the most versatile kitchen ingredients, says our chef.
Grotty no more: How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

Lanzarote has been quietly changing its fly-and-flop holiday image, discovers Andrew Eames.
Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

It's one of Europe's smallest countries, but it packs in spectacular landscapes and glittering beach resorts.
48 Hours In: Verona

48 Hours In: Verona

Summer opera returns to the Roman arena, says Charles Hebbert.
Ten things we’re looking out for at E3 2012

Ten things to look out for at E3 2012

From Wii U to The Last of Us we consider this year's show
Come dine (online) with me

Come dine (online) with me

Move over TV chefs, hello YouTube stars
Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument