The latest culture as recommended by our staff

A perfect cadence

This year, on 11 December — and I wish more people knew about it than actually do — the American composer Elliott Carter celebrates his 100th birthday.

Forgotten wonders

Byzantium 330-1454
Royal Academy, until 22 March 2009

Out of the ordinary

Carolyn Bartholomew talks to Tilda Swinton, an actor who has made a career out of being unconventional

Life lessons

Talking to my dentist, as one does, we discover a mutual enthusiasm for Radio Three’s Composer of the Week (Monday to Friday) and especially its presenter, Donald Macleod.

Apocalypse now

The TV programmes you watched as a child are like acid flashbacks.

Dear Mary

Your problems solved

Brief innovations

Compagnie Beau Geste
Parsons Green

Toilet Tango
Bathstore, Baker Street

Stephen Petronio Dance Company
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Australian Ballet
Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Manon
Royal Opera House

Ayckbourn’s unflinching gaze

Veronica Lee profiles the playwright as the Old Vic revives his best-known work

The parable of The Golden Calf

Edie Lush attends the record-breaking Sotheby’s sale of Damien Hirst’s artworks, and wonders whether it is all a metaphor for the recent madness of financial markets

Poetry in motion

Henrietta Bredin talks to Peter Manning about taking risks and creating opportunities