‘Here’s your drama’: The Broadway flop musicals maestro Michael Cassel had to have
For the Aussie theatre producer, his Almost Famous panning proves the point that in showbiz, it’s not if but when you fail – and how you respond.
- Konrad Marshall
‘A huge change’: The couple hoping to transform cotton-growing
Australian cotton producers have a bad rap when it comes to being green. With high-tech help, these farmers dream of weaving a better future.
- Jane Cadzow
‘You’ve got a brain tumour, you idiot!’: What Geoff Morrell’s drawings revealed
While filming in NZ, actor Geoff Morrell began sketching faces that had a strange swelling behind one eye. Turns out, his brain was telling him something.
- Amanda Hooton
‘It was a nightmare to go out with him’: When your great mate’s a model
Dijanna Mulhearn has spent 30 years navigating fashion’s fickle currents with Jeff Holm – while also dealing with his annoying allure to women.
- Lenny Ann Low
‘You have to imagine your death every day’: How Claudia Karvan’s life changed at 21
The actor and producer describes how her world has changed over recent decades, her ideal funeral – and what makes for good sex.
- Benjamin Law
‘Make do and mend’: Will the thrifty King surprise with his coronation clobber?
His mother’s ceremony, 70 years ago, cost the equivalent of $82 million. But Britain’s new monarch may balance Brand Buckingham with his fondness for frugality.
- Marion Hume
Mark Wahlberg rises at 2.30am to seize the day. He doesn’t know what he’s missing
For those seeking an antidote to the frenzied cult of self-optimisation, try a manually-wound watch.
- Luke Benedictus
Michael Cassel on cloud nine moments ... and the post-opening blues
In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, the Australian musicals producer discusses his next great leap forward.
After winning a meat tray by mistake, was I a selfish sausage?
A reader feels a little raw after winning a club raffle with a ticket he didn’t buy.
- Danny Katz
Which wine magazine should I buy for a friend?
One UK quarterly offers a glorious geek’s guide to terroir, tasting and beyond – but for those who prefer a lighter reading bouquet, there’s also a fun option.
- Huon Hooke
Small mercies
Paul Connolly’s Kitchen Sink Drama is a slice of domestic life, captured masterfully in only 100 words. This week: the little things in life.
- Paul Connolly
End-of-summer spaghetti with tomatoes
Julia Bussitil Nishimura’s favourite version of her mum’s spaghetti was always at the end of summer, with the sweetest cherry tomatoes that were almost bursting from the sun’s warmth.
- < 30 mins
- Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Quince, cinnamon and ginger cake
Quinces are mostly inedible when uncooked. In this cake by Helen Goh, they’re diced just small enough to soften in the time it takes the batter to cook.
- 1-2 hrs
- Helen Goh
- Review
- Alta
Melbourne: Alta
Despite the ubiquity of Italian food in this town, this Fitzroy trattoria manages to stand out by doing something new.
- Besha Rodell
- Review
- El Primo Sanchez
Sydney: El Primo Sanchez
This sharp, slick and slightly swanky Mexican bar is a riot of colour and sound.
- Callan Boys
Good Weekend letters to the editor: March 18
Want to chat? We’d love to hear from you. Send your letters to goodweekend@goodweekend.com.au
Other editions
The March 21 edition
Stephanie Alexander and The Cook’s Companion at 30 | Free-diver Ant Williams | Debra Adelaide and Gabrielle Carey | How to deliver a baby on a plane
- 11 stories
The March 14 edition
The high-strung, low-key world champ who could become our most-capped swimmer | Ukraine’s world-leading robotics work | Filmmaking at -50C | Consoling a friend
- 13 stories