BBC News – Arts and Culture

Why is one of Shakespeare’s last plays – Henry VIII – so rarely performed? Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8679613.stm

The 19 films in contention for this year’s Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10099099.stm

The French city of Metz is home to the first ever offshoot of the Pompidou Centre, until now based only in Paris. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8674711.stm

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to open a big new outpost of the Pompidou arts centre in Metz, north-eastern France. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8674168.stm

Camilla Kerslake is rehearsing for this week’s Classical Brits, where her debut album is up for an award. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8654462.stm

Hollywood actress and singer Lena Horne, whose signature tune was Stormy Weather, dies in New York. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8671724.stm

British artist Stuart Semple unveils his latest collection Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10100789.stm

Pablo Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust sells for a record-breaking $106m at auction in New York. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8661338.stm

An appeal is to be heard against the US ban on publication of a book promoted as a sequel to JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8656820.stm

Hundreds of nude volunteers take part in a photo shoot marking the 10th anniversary of the Lowry art gallery. Full published article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8655680.stm