New theatre initiative guarantees up to 40% off for smarter theatregoers who plan ahead

Advance Pick offers locked-in prices, seat choice and a best-price guarantee for tickets booked 8–12 weeks early.

Theatregoers booking West End tickets 8–12 weeks in advance can now save up to 40% through a new option from London Theatre Direct that guarantees they won't find the same seat cheaper elsewhere, even at the last minute.

Advance Pick, which launches today, is aimed at audiences who want to plan ahead but hesitate to commit early for fear of missing a better deal closer to the performance. 

While early-booking discounts are nothing new, Advance Pick brings these value-led ticket options together in one place for the first time, creating a dedicated destination where audiences can easily discover eligible shows. 

The option locks in a discounted price on selected shows and lets buyers choose their exact seat and date.

Rather than searching across multiple platforms for early bird-booking deals, audiences can browse a regularly refreshed selection of shows in one place and secure great seats at great prices well in advance. 

Unlike last-minute deal sites, which either allocate random seats or you only get what's left, Advance Pick gives full control over seat selection at the point of booking - removing what is one of the main barriers to early purchasing, according to London Theatre Direct. 

Designed to be always on, Advance Pick works directly with producers to release new offers over time, helping theatres fill seats further in advance while giving audiences an earlier chance to lock in the best price. Customers can also sign up with London Theatre Direct for updates if a wish-list show is not yet available.

"The biggest thing we hear from customers is 'what if it gets cheaper?'" Johan Oosterveld, CEO of London Theatre Direct told That's Books and More.

"Advance Pick settles that. You pick your seat, you lock in the price, and if it drops anywhere else, we match it. There's no reason to wait and gamble on what's left."

Advance Pick is now available via London Theatre Direct across selected West End shows and performances, with more shows joining the line-up in the coming weeks.

FACTFILE:

London Theatre Direct is the leading & longest running online platform for booking theatre tickets in London's West End, offering a variety of shows from popular musicals to plays and operas. 

Founded in 1999, it was one of the first UK companies to sell theatre tickets online, pioneering the digital ticketing market. Over the years, it has partnered with major theatres and producers, providing users with real-time availability and exclusive offers.

https://www.londontheatredirect.com

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Kanye West Brings the Biggest Show of the Year to Portugal

Ye returns to Portugal on August 7 with a major stadium show at Estádio do Algarve. 

Ye (Kanye West) will return to Portugal on August 7, with a major stadium show at Estádio do Algarve, marking his first performance in the country since 2011. 

Widely regarded as one of the most influential and disruptive artists of this century, he brings with him the new album Bully, set for release on March 27, alongside an ambitious, large-scale production never before seen in the country.

The event, promoted by GUEST, is set to position Portugal firmly on the European circuit of major concerts. The show is expected to attract tens of thousands of national and international fans, reinforcing the Algarve's role as a key destination for large-scale cultural events.

The waiting list opens on March 20 at 9 am, with exclusive early access to tickets for registered users starting March 24 at 9 am. General ticket sales begin on March 26.

All tickets will be available at yeliveportugal.com

European Tour Dates

Ye's European tour kicks off on May 30 in Istanbul, passing through some of the continent's largest venues:

•May 30 — Istanbul, Turkey

•June 6 — Arnhem, Netherlands (GelreDome)

•June 11 — Marseille, France (Orange Vélodrome)

•July 18 — Reggio Emilia, Italy (RCF Arena)

•July 30 — Madrid, Spain (Riyadh Air Metropolitano)

•August 7 — Algarve, Portugal (Estádio do Algarve)

This run of dates marks Ye's return to major European stages more than a decade later, with a tour designed for stadiums and large-scale venues, underlining the scale and significance of this new phase.

David Macaulay, Mammoths, and the Books That Built a Cult Following

If you grew up with a fascination for how things work, or found yourself strangely charmed by woolly mammoths operating complex machinery, then you’ve likely encountered the work of David Macaulay. 

His “Mammoth” books are more than just educational titles; they’ve quietly developed a loyal, almost cult-like following across generations of readers.

The Birth of the Mammoth Universe

The origins of Macaulay’s mammoth-led storytelling trace back to his landmark book The Way Things Work. Originally conceived as a detailed guide to machines and engineering principles, the book could easily have become dry and inaccessible.

Instead, Macaulay introduced a brilliantly unexpected twist: woolly mammoths.

These prehistoric creatures appear throughout the book operating levers, pulleys, engines and even early computers, adding humour, personality and narrative to what might otherwise have been dense technical diagrams. The result? A book that teaches complex science while making readers smile.

As Macaulay himself noted, the mammoths weren’t just decorative, they were a way to make learning feel less intimidating and more human.

From Teaching Tool to Cultural Icon

The mammoths didn’t stop at one book. They became a recurring motif in later works such as Mammoth Science: The Big Ideas That Explain Our World, where they guide readers through topics like physics, biology, and chemistry.

What makes these books stand out is their unique blend of:

Detailed, hand-drawn illustrations

Accessible explanations of complex ideas

Playful, slightly absurd humour

A consistent visual “language” anchored by the mammoths

In Mammoth Science, the creatures even act out processes like digestion or energy transfer in inventive, visual ways, turning abstract concepts into something tangible and memorable.

Why the Cult Following?

So how did these books move beyond popular success into cult territory?

1. Nostalgia Meets Intelligence

Readers often discover Macaulay as children, but return to his books as adults. The layered approach means the content grows with you. What begins as fun illustrations becomes a deeper appreciation of engineering, design, and science.

2. A Distinctive Visual Identity

In a world of increasingly digital and disposable content, Macaulay’s meticulous, hand-crafted illustrations feel timeless. Each page invites slow reading and exploration, something rare today.

3. Humour That Respects the Reader

The mammoths aren’t just jokes; they reflect the reader’s own confusion when faced with complex ideas. They “learn alongside you,” making the experience relatable rather than patronising.

4. Word-of-Mouth Legacy

Online communities still share fond memories of these books, with readers recalling “amazing illustrations” and the “whimsical mammoths” that made learning unforgettable.

That kind of emotional connection, passed from one generation to the next, is the hallmark of cult status.

More Than Just Books

The influence of Macaulay’s mammoth universe even extended beyond print. Adaptations like The Way Things Work TV series brought the concept to new audiences, reinforcing the idea that education and entertainment don’t have to be separate worlds.

The Enduring Appeal

At a time when educational content is often rushed, simplified, or algorithm-driven, David Macaulay’s work stands as a reminder of something powerful:

Learning can be beautiful

Complexity can be approachable

And sometimes, the best guide through modern technology…

is a slightly bewildered woolly mammoth

Final Woolly Mammoth Thoughts

David Macaulay’s Mammoth books aren’t just educational tools, they’re cultural artefacts that have quietly shaped how generations understand the world. Their cult following isn’t accidental; it’s earned through originality, craftsmanship, and a genuine respect for the reader’s curiosity.

For many, those mammoths weren’t just characters.

They were the first companions on a lifelong journey of discovery.

To order your David Macauley's books from the That's Books and More online bookshop (yes, we get a small cut from every order) please visit https://amzn.to/3NOKPM0

Kent's Leeds Castle Opens Major New Eleanor of Castile Exhibition Featuring World’s First Interactive AI Avatar

Leeds Castle has announced the opening of ‘Pilgrimage of Love: Eleanor of Castile’, a major new exhibition featuring the world’s first interactive historical AI avatar, that is aware of, and responsive to, its environment.

The exhibition explores the life and legacy of Eleanor of Castile (1241–1290), the formidable Queen of England and first female owner of Leeds Castle. 

Through original research, immersive interpretation, and innovative technology, the exhibition sheds new light on one of medieval England’s most remarkable yet overlooked queens, in an unprecedented showcase. 

By foregrounding her life, experiences and character, the exhibition opens up fresh perspectives on her personal narrative, values, and complexities, revealing how her story continues to resonate today.

Dr Dominique Bouchard FRHistS FSA, Heritage and Engagement Director at Leeds Castle told That's Books and More: "What's most exciting about this project is the way it brings people into a more human relationship with the past. 

"We're always striving to help people connect with the Castle's history in ways that feel alive. This new avatar gives visitors a unique chance to meet Eleanor of Castile as a person with depth and personality.

“The technology allows visitors to ask the questions they want to ask, moving beyond the questions we as curators identified and engaging with the scholarship behind the exhibition. It allows us to share a meticulously researched story in a format that feels immediate and personal, inviting visitors to explore Eleanor’s world with curiosity and confidence. That sense of connection has always been at the heart of heritage interpretation, and this exhibition opens up a new way of creating it."

The exhibition, starting in the historic Gloriette built by Eleanor in 1278, explores her politically savvy marriage to King Edward I, extensive travels on crusade, and role as a landowner and businesswoman. This narrative presents Eleanor as a powerful and complex queen in her own right, redefining what it meant to rule as a medieval woman.

Visitors will culminate their experience with An Audience with a Queen, featuring the world’s first AI avatar, developed by SKC Studios, creators of the AI platform 1956 Individuals. Unlike traditional digital interpretation, the avatar is aware of her surroundings and recognises when a visitor approaches. She responds directly to questions, creating a dynamic, unscripted conversation that bridges seven centuries of history and transforms the visitor from observer to participant.

Babita Devi, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at SKC Studios, told us: “We're proud to partner with Leeds Castle on a project that fundamentally reshapes how history is accessed and experienced. 

Through 1956 Individuals, information moves beyond static interpretation to become intelligent, responsive and immediate, empowering visitors to ask their own questions and engage with the past in real time. 

"This marks a step change for the cultural sector. It demonstrates what forward-thinking cultural stewardship truly means: safeguarding the integrity of heritage while using pioneering technology to unlock deeper, more dynamic access to knowledge for a new generation.”

Eleanor of Castile transformed Leeds Castle into a royal symbol of refinement and luxury, establishing it as a distinctly ‘queenly’ possession. Her influence directly shaped the royal English court through the introduction of cosmopolitan European culture, including tapestries, carpets, and tableware. Eleanor also significantly enhanced the Castle’s architecture, evolving it from a Norman fortress into the elegant structure we see today.

Pilgrimage of Love: Eleanor of Castile

• Opens Monday 9 March 2026 at Leeds Castle, Kent

• Included in admission ticket

• Explores the life and legacy of Leeds Castle’s first female owner

• Features the world’s first interactive historical AI avatar

 www.leeds-castle.com

Dare You Read This Before Bed?

If you’re looking for something bold, unsettling, and impossible to put down, “No Lips to Scream With” is exactly what your bookshelf has been missing.

Published through The Rann Street Press and available now on Amazon Kindle, this gripping collection delivers ten unforgettable short stories that cut across genres — from chilling horror and eerie modern ghost tales to sharp mystery and thought-provoking science fiction.

Each story pulls you in fast… and refuses to let go.

And right now? It’s an absolute steal.

For just £0.99, you’re getting a full collection designed to unsettle, intrigue, and keep you turning pages long after you meant to stop.

At the heart of it all is the haunting title story:

“No Lips to Scream With.”

What would you do if you needed to scream…

but suddenly realised your lips were gone?

Disturbing. Original. Impossible to forget.

If you enjoy stories that linger in your mind long after the final line, this is your next read.

Download it. Read it. Try not to think about it afterwards.

You can download it here:- https://amzn.to/3Pgn6oq

Scotland's Oldest Heritage Charity Launches Global £1.5m Campaign Against the Clock

Scotland’s oldest heritage organisation has launched a £1.5 million campaign to secure a permanent home in Edinburgh ahead of its 250th anniversary.  

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland works to ensure Scotland's past is for everyone to research, share, enjoy and protect, across the UK.

Yet it currently operates from an inaccessible top-floor flat within the National Museum of Scotland complex, limiting its ability to engage with the public and collaborate across the sector.

The proposed heritage hub would establish Scotland’s first national heritage hub. Here, academics, visitors and anyone curious about Scotland's past can explore their heritage and engage directly with the work of protecting Scotland's history.

The Society is seeking to purchase a building which sits within the historic southern gateway area to Edinburgh, part of a cultural quarter which attracts more than 10 million visitors annually. The building is offered at a fixed price of £2.1 million until January 2027.

Founded in 1780 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1783, the Society is Scotland's oldest heritage charity. Its early Fellows contributed collections that formed the foundation of the National Museum of Scotland's Scottish history and archaeology galleries. Today, the Society facilitates research and innovation through grants and awards, advocates as a voice for heritage, and shares knowledge through a multifaceted programme of lectures and resources.

The Society is contributing £600,000 from its own investments and must raise the remaining £1.5 million by January 2027 to secure the opportunity.  

The campaign carries particular significance as the Society approaches its 250th anniversary in 2030, marking a quarter millennium of scholarship and research.    

Diana Murray CBE HonFSAScot, President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, told That's Books and More: "For centuries, this small corner of Edinburgh has been a gateway to Scotland's past.

"We now have a rare and time-sensitive opportunity to secure this building and open our doors properly for the first time in our modern history, ensuring Scotland's past belongs to everyone, at home and across the world." 

Dr Simon Gilmour FSAScot, Director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland told us: "This is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime alignment of opportunity, affordability and historic significance. 

"The building sits at the very heart of Edinburgh's cultural quarter, beside the National Museum of Scotland, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in an area attracting over ten million visitors a year. We invite everyone who cares about Scotland's past to help us secure it.” 

Professor Elizabeth Ewan FSAScot, Professor Emerita of Scottish Studies and History, University of Guelph, Ontario, who has been a Fellow since 1985, added: "From Canada I have seen first-hand how deeply Scotland's history runs in people across the world. 

"The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland has been at the heart of Scottish historical scholarship for nearly 250 years, connecting researchers and heritage enthusiasts across the globe. A permanent home would transform what the Society can offer to that global community." 

How to Support the Campaign 

A Primary Donor giving £1 million or more may name the building, with their name, coat of arms or corporate logo displayed on the exterior. 

Gold Donors giving £200,000 or more will have their name, coat of arms or corporate logo displayed in the boardroom. In doing so, each major donor will be inscribed into Scotland's story and become a part of the nation's history.

Qualifying donors who do not already hold a coat of arms will be supported by the Society in preparing a petition for a grant of arms to the Lord Lyon King of Arms. All petitions are assessed independently by Lord Lyon on their individual merits. 

Donors of £10,000 or more will join the 21st-Century Founding Circle, with access to exclusive events, both in person and online, as well as regular updates regarding the Society's research and projects and will be recognised on a dedicated honour roll within the building. Donors of £2,000 or more will be welcomed into The Antiquaries Circle and also enjoy a tailored programme of events.

All donors will also be recognised in a special edition of the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the Society’s peer-reviewed journal which has been published since 1851. Gifts of any size are warmly welcomed, and every contribution brings the Society closer to securing this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

To donate or discuss a major gift, visit www.socantscot.org/heritagehub or contact Deborah Roe, Head of Fundraising, at deborah@socantscot.org

The associated illustrations are artist's impressions.