Western Mail

All Guns Blazing ; Playing Gangster John Dillinger Fulfilled a Boyhood Dream for Johnny Depp, As Rob Driscoll Discovers

HE'S played a plethora of memorable and flamboyant characters - from Captain Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka to Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd - yet for Johnny Depp, it's probably his latest role, as real-life 1930s gangster John Dillinger, that has struck the deepest chord in his soul. "First and foremost, I had a fascination for John Dillinger when I was nine or ten years old - I don't know why," reveals the 46- year-old superstar, who plays the Depression-era bank robber, one of America...

Index

Mattthomas Inside Track

YOU have to take a few risks in this life. Things would get terribly dull if they were always safe and usual and unexciting. Some people go in for bungee jumping, while others prefer deep-sea diving. Personally I tend to think ordering sparkling rather than still mineral water constitutes a bit of a racy time and crossing the road without waiting for the green man usually has about the same effect on me as a fortnight's turbo-parachute-surfing would on a normal person. Cardiff's Everyman Thea...

Filmreviews

Blood: The Last Vampire (18, 88 mins) Red Mist (18, 85 mins)

Dvddigest

Doubt 15, 99 mins When you've got Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman playing opposite each other, you know you're guaranteed something at least watchable.

Never Mind the Weather ; Taking Drama Out of the Theatre Sounds Like a Good Idea. But What Happens When It Rains? Matt Thomas Speaks to the Director of a Welsh Al Fresco Stage Company

OPEN-AIR theatre comes with its own set of challenges. Forget any thoughts of ego clashes, technical problems and collapsing scenery, you have to deal with the weather. Luckily things seem to be looking up for Cardiff's Everyman Theatre company.

Culturevulture

Age: 31 From: Ammanford Occupation: Presenter of Chwa on S4C What was the last movie you saw? I saw Twilight for the first time this week and thought it was fantastic. I can definitely reveal that I'm now a big fan of Mr Robert Pattinson! I can't wait for the next instalment in November. Which stage production did you last see? The last production I saw was Witches of Eastwick at the Wales Millennium Centre. Marti Pellow's performance was great. When was the last time you visited an art galle...

'Afitting Trib 'a Fitting Tribu Bute to My Father' Bute to My Father' Welsh Proms 2009 ; More Than Two Decades After Their Launch, the Welsh Proms Are Stronger Than Ever. Matt Thomas Meets the Man Behind Their Contin Nuing Success

ALTHOUGH Owain Arwel Hughes has been at the helm of the Welsh Proms throughout their 24-year run, he still finds it an invigorating experience. "No, I'm not tired out yet," laughs the 67-year-old conductor.

Fivelive On This Week's to-Do List

1 Llangollen Eisteddfod Opening Gala Concert The official opener of the 2009 eisteddfod features Faryl Smith, Mark Evans, and the Fron Choir among others. For our full feature on the festival, don't miss tomorrow's Western Mail. where? Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen when? Monday tickets? pounds 20. Call 01492 872000 2 The Saturdays If This Is Love and Up are just two of the most popular songs from this girl band who look set to liven up the city. You probably know them from their Co...

'I'm Not a Nostalgia Act' ; Music Legend Neil Sedaka Performs in Wales This Weekend As Part of His Uk Tour. Before Hitting the Road, He Shared a Few Stories About His Remarkable Career with Karen Price

HE may have hundreds of songs in his back catalogue, many of which have been major hits, but Neil Sedaka admits that penning tracks doesn't come easy to him. At the age of 70, the American singer-songwriter and pianist is still enjoying a successful career and is currently midway through a UK tour, which arrives in Wales tomorrow, so there's probably no real need for him to continue writing.

Gavinallen Sound Bites

THIS is the first opportunity I've had to say (in print at least) that I'm gutted Michael Jackson has gone. I had tickets for the O2 show on July 18 and Jackson was one of my main musical influences while growing up; Off the Wall was the first cassette I ever bought, Thriller the first vinyl. I'll remember the man for his amazing music and stunning dance moves; a legend in the truest sense of the word.

Just Potty About Ceramics ; Every Year the World'sfinest Ceramicists Head to Wales. Matt Thomas Finds Out Why

YOU wouldn't normally associate fine ceramics with the rough-and- tumble of festival season, but there's one Welsh gathering where it reigns supreme - and there won't be any musicians in sight. The Aberystwyth-based International Ceramics Festival has been running for 22 years now, inviting the brightest lights of the ceramics scene to gather.

Darryl Corner the View ; Review: The Landscape Show @the Martin Tinney Gallery Until August 1

LANDSCAPE painting might begin with a deep need to communicate the wonder, scale and romance of wild places but before that raw feeling gets to the canvas it is invariably filtered by what the artist knows of other landscape paintings. Getting the balance right is crucial. Indifferent landscapes often communicate nothing of nature and just look like competent paintings of other paintings.

Summer Fun From Lexus ; Lexus Is Weaving Its Magic This Summer

THE kings of quietness at Lexus have worked their magic to create what is possibly the most refined convertible in the world. Roof up and the Lexus IS 250C is as eerily silent as any other model from Toyota's luxury brand.

Big Problem in Car Parks

SIZE matters when it comes to car parking, as an increasing number of motorists are discovering to their cost. The increased size of new cars is partly blamed for the 66,000 motorists a year who collide with other vehicles when trying to negotiate a parking space.

Ford Raises Price of New Cars Again

THE cost of the UK's most popular cars is to rise for the third time this year - and more price hikes may be on the way. Ford, which makes the best-selling Ka, Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo models, says it is being crippled by the weak pound and has no alternative but to increase prices yet again.

Fiat Lets the Sunshine In

CARS as cool as the Fiat 500 convertible don't come along all that often. The open top version of the popular retro model is on course to become hot property this summer.

Prepare for the Priceless Bmw

BMW is taking the unusual step of inviting customers to order a new high-powered diesel version of its flagship 7 Series saloon for delivery this autumn before the company has decided how much to charge. The German car maker says it is so confident that the ultra high- performance oil-burner will be a sell-out that it has opened the order book now but does not intend to announce prices until just before the on-sale date in September.

Tiny City Car? That'll Be an Aston Martin

ASTON MARTIN is planning to go from one extreme to another - with the introduction of a tiny city car. The luxury sports car maker has joined forces with Japanese giant Toyota to produce the world's smallest four-seater luxury car.

Expenses Blackouts Cost Taxpayer Pounds 450k ; Shock New Twist Over Decision to Censor Mps' Claims Sheets

CENSORING details of MPs' expenses has cost the taxpayer more than pounds 450,000, the Western Mail can reveal today. Details of MPs' claims dating back four years were published by the Commons authorities last month, but page after page of information was blacked out.