Nigel Benson

One of the most talented people involved in the Dunedin Operatic production of Cats won't even be on stage.

Kushana Bush dips into her personal Pandora's box and conjures up brave new worlds, then uses the most delicate of paints to battle demons. Nigel Benson meets an artist who mixes pleasure and pain.

A previously unpublished story by Janet Frame, which was rejected 50 years ago for being "too painful" to publish, has appeared in the latest edition of The New Yorker.

Ruddygore heralded the birth of the supernatural opera. Now, the original story of the gothic melodrama is being played out in Dunedin. Nigel Benson feels the hairs stand up on the back of his neck.

Martin Maass knew it was time to leave South Africa when one of his best friends was killed by a gang of thieves. Five years earlier, Maass was shot at when he tried to save an old man's life. Nigel Benson meets an artist who came to New Zealand to be free.

It is all around Dunedin, but is not perfect enough. At least, not for the Spanish.

An extraordinary collection of short stories will be launched in Dunedin today. Beyond The Breakwater - Stories 1948-1998 represents a lifetime's work by O. E. Middleton. Nigel Benson meets a writer who sees more than most.

London-based soprano Anna Leese is excited about being back in Dunedin, but is less enthused about the wintry weather that greeted her.

Dunedin music is the subject of a half-hour documentary on Radio New Zealand National this weekend.

The 2008 Otago Festival of the Arts would be "food for the soul", Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin said at the festival programme launch last night.

One of the larger concerts to be seen in Dunedin will be held in the Dunedin Town Hall this weekend, when the Southern Sinfonia performs German composer Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

Patrick Hartigan lives in a watercolour world. The Australian artist tells Nigel Benson how less is more. And why he can't wait to return to Dunedin this week.

Bannockburn artist and archaeologist Megan Huffadine opens her first Dunedin exhibition tomorrow, "A Cache of Talismans", at Milford Gallery.

A new book on art that operates on whole new frequencies was released in Singapore this week. The Aotearoa Digital Arts Reader reveals a growing movement with deep Dunedin roots. Nigel Benson hears what art sounds like.

The magic of Roald Dahl is returning to the Fortune Theatre in the New Zealand premiere of James and the Giant Peach.

The traditional and contemporary art worlds collide in Dunedin tomorrow when Luke Hollis unveils his latest exhibition. Nigel Benson talks to an artist who could be New Zealand art's next big thing.

Italian musician Luca Manghi will be forever grateful to the flute.

Port Chalmers photographer Chris Reid has turned Dunedin into a Gothic toytown in his latest exhibition.

The Otago Daily Times has joined forces with La Forza to bring the best of West End and Broadway musicals to Dunedin.