The Big Issue Edition: 349

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 …

The Big Issue Edition 348

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’; …

The Big Issue Ed #347

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 …

The Big Issue Edition 346

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 …

The Big Issue Ed #344

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …