ROAD TO NOWHEREMichael Shannon and Paul Sparks Excel in ‘Waiting for Godot’Michael Shannon and Paul Sparks bring a bracing comedic energy to a “Waiting for Godot” that makes sense of the play’s various absurdities and resonant depth.Tim Teeman
TRANSFORMATIONBill Irwin, the Clown Who Conquered Broadway—and BeckettThe Tony-winning actor Bill Irwin talks playing opposite Kathleen Turner, Robin Williams, Steve Martin, and Sally Field—and how clowning led to his own fame on stage and screen.Tim Teeman
PUZZLE NO MOREInside Bill Irwin’s Brilliant Samuel Beckett MasterclassThe challenge of performing in Samuel Beckett’s plays led Bill Irwin to conceive ‘On Beckett,’ a beguiling, elucidating mixture of literary analysis and acting masterclass.Tim Teeman
Literary Porn‘50 Shades’ Or Literary Classic?Take our quiz to see if you can distinguish between ‘50 Shades of Grey’ and masterpieces like ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ or ‘Rabbit, Run.’
CANNES REVIEWThe Crush for ‘Cosmopolis’<p>Michael Haneke’s <i>Amour</i> may have won the Palme d’Or, but David Cronenberg’s competition entry provided plenty of intrigue: an appearance by seldom seen author Don DeLillo, a reinvented star in Robert Pattinson—and a surprisingly topical subject. Richard Porton reports from Cannes.</p> Richard Porton
PlaywrightBroadway's Comeback Kid<p>Acclaimed playwright Jon Robin Baitz talks about his lauded new play, ‘Other Desert Cities,’ his crash-and-burn experience with ‘Brothers and Sisters’ on TV, David Mamet’s turn to the right, Rob Lowe’s graciousness, and other matters theatrical and personal.</p> Kevin Sessums
The Lure of RealismTom McCarthy’s last book was an unconventional cult hit, but his new novel turns toward realism and delivers a great story and writing, says Taylor Antrim.Taylor Antrim
The Best of Brit LitA look at great reads from the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. This week: a look at five new novels on the financial crisis, an overlooked Irish writer’s work and a persnickety letter from Beckett, and the disappearance of horses from English culture.Peter Stothard
The Funniest Irish NovelJames Joyce might have written the greatest Irish novel, but J. P. Donleavy certainly wrote the funniest, says Allen Barra in his review of this outrageous classic. Plus, Mark Salter's literary tour of IrelandAllen Barra
The Best of Brit LitA look at great reads from the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. This week: Samuel Beckett, Colm Tóibín, Hilary Mantel, and Roberto Bolaño top this year’s list of the best books.Peter Stothard
The Best of Brit LitA weekly look at great reads from around the world by the editor of the Times Literary Supplement. This week: Beckett’s Letters, T.S. Eliot’s favorite poet, and Napoleon’s “Hundred Days.”Peter Stothard
