True romance: film, music and art to fall in love with on Valentine’s Day

From a mind-scrambling breakup drama to a tender video game, our critics suggest popular culture inspired by matters of the heartYes, it all takes place after Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) have bitterly broken up, but Michel Gondry’s …

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From West Side Story to The Witcher: a complete guide to this week’s entertainment

Whether it’s a Spielberg musical, a global photography prize or a comedy Christmas show, our critics have your plans for the week coveredWest Side StoryOut nowSteven Spielberg takes on the classic musical (above), pitting Sharks against Jets in 1950s N…

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From Dune to Duran Duran: a complete guide to this week’s entertainment

Whether it is epic sci-fi, hilarious standup or a new album to listen to, our critics have your plans for this week coveredBigfoot HuntersOut nowHarking back to the days when first-time directors would borrow a camcorder and make an essentially zero-bu…

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Choirs and comedians among recipients of £76m Covid arts aid

Almost 600 cultural groups across England to benefit from latest funding roundComedy clubs, circuses, choirs and theatres across England are in line to receive a share of £76m of government funding for the cultural sector.The Military Wives Choirs, Som…

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Rage, white supremacy and roses: the art that sums up the Trump era

CocoRosie’s call to arms, a mauling from Michelle Wolf, Arthur Jafa’s white supremacy montage and Melania Trump’s gardening … Guardian writers pick the moments that encapsulate Trump’s reign Since he’s a former real-estate tycoon, it seems fitting that…

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This week’s best culture, from Beckett to Scottish Ballet

The Observer’s critics recommend the best new arts in galleries, on air and onlineBeckett double billTrevor Nunn’s sell-out productions of Krapp’s Last Tape, starring James Hayes, and The Old Tune, with Niall Buggy and David Threlfall, opened in Januar…

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Farty paintings and getting sozzled on gin: a seriously silly history of art and comedy colliding

Can comedy ever be art? From the crucifixion in puppet form to Vic Reeves on dada, we celebrate the daftness that can ensue when one spills over into the otherA critic once called Simon Munnery’s Edinburgh show “the closest comedy gets to modern art”. …

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Edinburgh’s August festivals cancelled due to coronavirus

Fringe joins international, book and art festivals and military tattoo in pulling plugEdinburgh absence will be felt throughout arts worldCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEdinburgh’s five August festivals, which were due to w…

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From standup to the Sistine chapel: the best online culture for self-isolation

The coronavirus crisis has closed galleries and concert halls – but inspired an explosion of creativity to enjoy at home. Here’s some of the best The best theatre and dance to watch onlineThe best classical music onlineGreat livestreamed gigs to watch …

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From first love to unfollowing – culture that sums up romance in 2020

A book redefining marriage, a riotous show about dating, the secret meanings of breakup songs and a sex show to put your back out … ahead of Valentine’s Day, our critics pick works that sum up passion in our turbulent timesFrom Adam and Eve in the book…

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