The Big Issue

The life, times and twisted tales of Alice in Wonderland director Tim Burton.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Doing Good in Bad Times’, Greg Foyster ventures into volunteerism, and discovers rewards that mean more than money; in ‘Forged by Fire’ Ruby Lohman and Jill Sanguinetti give us two personal perspectives on what happens after the flames die down; Hannah Kent reads between the pages of Sarah Waters’ new ghost story The Little Stranger; and our ‘Roving Eye’ Special features the pick of the bunch from the World Press Photo Contest.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Grant from Brisbane. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from: Mitchell in Sydney, Russell in Melbourne, Ted in Brisbane, Sarah in Fremantle and an article by year 12 student Dussy Kuttner about local icon, and Melbourne vendor, Denis.

The Big Issue

Shakespeare died almost 400 years ago, but his plays live on. In ‘To play the King’ John Bell discusses his portrayal of King Lear, and why the Bard still resonates with modern audiences.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Hotel Democracy, Bill Snaddon discovers how the game of politics is played in Tanzania; in ‘Freeze Frame’ Romy Ash discusses the world-wide push to save the Polaroid photo; Tom Cho talks about his philosophical approach to writing in ‘Cho’s Choices’; and in ‘Roving Eye’ photographer Tammy Law takes us on a journey through a drought-ravaged region of Ethiopia.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Bill from Sydney. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from: Marcus in Melbourne, Mary in Perth, Michael in Sydney, Glenn in Sydney and Owen in Melbourne.

The Big Issue

Her name is ridiculous; her look is outrageous, but, Clem Bastow argues there is substance to Lady Gaga’s style. And, she’s making music that has a lot of people sitting up and taking notice.

Also in this issue:

In ‘The Battle Beyond the Valley’, we look behind the legal drama of the long-running Gunns 20 case; in ‘Snapshot from Kinglake’ we get a personal perspective on Black Saturday – one year on; in ‘Outrageous Fortune’ John Safran talks about his antagonistic style of comedy, and in Roving Eye photographer Elizabeth Bull focuses on the brotherhood of tuba players.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Henry from Perth And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from: Wayne in Melbourne, David N in Adelaide, Luke W in Sydney, and John in WA.

The Big Issue

Ricky Ponting’s Test team is being upstaged this summer by the brash new form of cricket. Will the traditional game survive? Nicholas Yallop reports.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Hunger to Learn’, Kenyan children get an appetite for school with help from Australian Red Cross; it’s a ‘A Yo Ho Ho Show’ when Rogue performers – Marianne Faithfull, Tim Robbins and Peter Garrett – invade Sydney Harbour; Precious director Lee Daniels talks about tackling tough stories on screen in ‘The Painful Truth’; and in ‘Roving Eye’ photographer Dave Tacon takes one last look at an isolated village in Papua New Guinea, before the inroads of change.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Claudette from Adelaide. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from: Denise in Adelaide, Blake in Canberra, Aaron in Melbourne, Jason in Adelaide and Sarah in Perth.

The Big Issue

It’s time once again for our annual ‘Big Wish You’, in which magazine vendors all around Australia reflect on the year past, look ahead, and thank supporters for their help. This year our cover stars are Glenn P and Jam, from Sydney.

Also in this issue:

In ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, a remarkable Roving Eye, we feature some of the best wildlife photography of the year; ‘Sam I Am’ features Australian actor Sam Worthington, now virtually famous in the new movie Avatar; while in ‘The Lone Piper’, Helen McKenzie reflects on her late father and the power of music – yes, even bagpipes music.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Donna from Melbourne. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from: Mark A in Adelaide, ‘Mystified’ in Melbourne, Phil in Canberra, John in WA and Dennis in Canberra as well as a photograph of Perth vendor Adam speaking at a recent supporters’ function in WA.

The Big Issue Ed #343

In the domestic battle for hearts, minds and meals, who deserves to come out on top? Paddy Garritty faces his feline nemesis in ‘Man Versus Cat’; and Alan Attwood finds a resolution for the age-old ‘Cats Versus Dogs’ debate.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Cyclone Sophie Takes On the World’ friend of The Big Issue Sophie Lavers spins ever closer to the Miss World title; ‘East Sleeps West’ shows that even in a unified Germany the Communist past can be a good place to visit; and ‘Roving Eye’ runs off with the circus school in ‘Lives in the Balance’.
 
Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Mark from Perth. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from: Edmund in Brisbane, Wayne in Melbourne, David L in SA, Chris in ACT as well as a spruik for Melbourne vendor Peter W’s self-published book The Wobbly Old Road.

The Big Issue Edition 342.

He’s been recording music for 30 years and tribute concerts are staged in his honour, but legendary singer-songwriter Paul Kelly believes that much about songwriting remains magically mysterious to him. Writing exclusively for The Big Issue, Kelly talks about writing, performing and an important blue frog.

Also in this issue:

US-based Australian journalist Gerard Wright reflects on Obama’s first year in office and whether the man preaching hope can surmount the myriad challenges he faces; Martin Volz learns that there’s much more to Queensland than forests and fruit in ‘Tropical Tapestry’; and Roving Eye follows Australian photographer Joseph Feil as he documents the aftermath of last year’s earthquake in Sumatra long after the media has gone home. 

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Howard from Sydney and we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from vendors Richard C and David S in SA, Lillian from NSW and Peter W2 from QLD.

The Big Issue Edition 341

His acting career spans six decades – memorably including late-60s counter-culture film, Easy Rider. But he’s also a painter, photographer, writer and art collector. We talk to Hollywood’s Renaissance man, Dennis Hopper.

Also in this issue:

Jill Sangunietti recalls the day everything changed; Susan Hurley reflects on a life lost. With bushfire season still ahead, here are two unforgettable stories from Black Saturday; once, twice…‘Three Times a Baby’: life through the eyes of a triplet; comedian Tony Martin on writing the funny side of life; and Roving Eye roams the remote, faerie-touched realm of the Faroe Islands.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Sue from Brisbane. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from vendors Cheryl from Melbourne and Campbell from Sydney as well as two Adelaide-based contributors: John a former vendor now in prison, and Missy who writes of her battle with eating disorders.

The Big Edition #340

Madonna has made and broken many records in her career. Here’s one she won’t boast about: worst-ever cover song – her 2000 version of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’. It’s our exploration and celebration of covers. Andre Rieu? He’s guilty, too.

Also in this issue:

Romy Ash writes about the extraordinary abundance of alcohol in both Australian literature and life; recently returned traveller Samantha Allemann backs out of a backpackers’ pub crawl in Rome; actor Carey Mulligan reflects on her rapid rise; Clem Bastow pays tribute to the ageless Joni Mitchell; and ‘Roving Eye’ goes to war.

 Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Marcus from Melbourne. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Peter W in Brisbane, Glenn F from Sydney and Adelaide, Owen in Melbourne, Graham in Perth, plus a photo of Edmund in Canberra.

The Big Issue Edition 339

Actor Hugh Laurie’s career shift – from playing English nincompoops to an American nephrologist – is put under the microscope; and the man himself describes the challenges facing his character, Dr Gregory House.

Also in this issue:

Journalist Mick Barnes tries to make sense of the life, and death, of a loving, talented and tormented son in ‘Jason’s Story’; in ‘Seriously Funny’, Superbad director Judd Apatow pursues a more nuanced comedy; and in ‘Roving Eye’, photographer Josh Robenstone focuses on a side of Beijing that the world didn’t see during the 2008 Olympics.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Tristan from Adelaide. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Dougie from Brisbane, David L in Adelaide, Craig in Melbourne, Chris in Canberra, and Sarah and John in Western Australia.