Theatre and performance
Dance
idea
Bharathanatyam dance is a living exploration of being human
With its origins in 16th-century India, Bharathanatyam remains hugely popular. Here’s a primer to kickstart your enjoyment
by Lakshmi Thiagarajan
History of ideas
idea
Five timeless lessons for life from the Athenian tragedies
In a world filled with grief-fuelled rage, cultivating a tragic mindset can help you to live with grace and dignity
by Andy Owen
Artists and art history
film
In a single, unbroken shot, Marina Abramović surveys her artistic evolution
A film by Art21
Poetry
idea
Why spoken word poetry is so much more than a poetry reading
As poetry returns to its roots as a performance art, it’s providing many with a powerful source of healing and community
by Erica Fletcher
Communication and language
idea
Here’s the truth about how to spot when someone is lying
From shifty eyes to fidgeting fingers, there are many folk beliefs about the signs of lying – but what does the science say?
by Tim Brennen & Svein Magnussen
Dance
film
Body heat illuminates a breathtaking dance of light, movement and humanity
Directed by Philippe Baylaucq
Theatre and performance
idea
Why did Ibsen put ‘philosophers in skirts’ up on the stage?
When Henrik Ibsen put ‘philosophers in skirts’ into his plays, he demonstrated a different way of thinking about the world
by Kristin Gjesdal
Play
idea
What TikTok videos have in common with Victorian parlour games
TikTok and Insta videos are the Victorian parlour games of today, allowing us to share in the emotional benefits of play
by Kim Beil & Ryan Tacata
Painting and sculpture
film
The fantastical, wearable art of Nick Cave embodies a ‘spirituality of style’
Directed by Stephen J Grant and Stephan Knuesel