“A country is only the stories it tells itself about itself.” It’s James Graham's contention that, since the 2008 financial crisis, the West has struggled to tell a coherent story about itself. We’re all living in our own realities; everything is fractured through the digital world. - The New Yorker
Writer-producer/adapter Armando Iannucci (Veep), director Sean Foley, and actor Steve Coogan (playing all of Peter Sellers's roles) are brave and perhaps foolhardy, but they find that the comedy about nuclear war is now more timely than when they first decided to adapt it. - The Guardian
“The sector was one of the worst affected by the lockdowns and many, including BECTU, called for a post-pandemic ‘reset’ to address poor terms and conditions, modernise the industry and create fairer working conditions. Members tell us that little has improved." - The Stage
"On Friday, for the first time in some 30 years, (the RSC) will open a show in Chicago — William Shakespeare’s Pericles, now in previews. … There are plans for more collaborations between the two companies. RSC co-artistic director Tamara Harvey ... spoke to the Tribune about the production and future plans." - Chicago Tribune (MSN)
Over the past 10 years, as American politics and culture have grown more contentious, Shakespeare has become increasingly politicized. - The New York Times
For years, the Connelly Theater has been performing in two auditoriums at a Catholic school in Manhattan’s East Village. In recent months, the Archdiocese of New York has started scrutinizing scripts and denying permission to stage in the building anything deemed contrary to Catholic teaching. - The New York Times
It is no coincidence that women and working-class people (and Cockneys who are often seen as emblematic of the working class) often bear the brunt of accent prejudice. - The Conversation
Actor Naomi Scott, who didn’t go to drama school, would like to change the chances for young working-class Brits interested in acting with material support. “We can do our small bit to maybe help some people have a clearer path to what they want to do.” - BBC
Not to worry: it's still about Hispanic Americans, and he's still starring. "Not bragging on myself, but Molière wrote all his plays for himself and he was the lead in all his plays," Leguizamo says. "So I’m fancying myself a little bit as a Latin Molière." - The Washington Post (MSN)
"Her work's distinctly international flavour and its heavy use of masks and puppetry inspired by Indonesian and Japanese traditions didn't necessarily scream family-friendly commercial juggernaut. Nonetheless, (Disney Theatricals chief) Thomas Schumacher had a hunch Taymor's highly visual style of theatre could be just the thing." - BBC
The text — 98 lines, of which only 20 were previously known, from the plays Ino and Polyidus — were written on a piece of parchment found in the ancient village of Philadelphia, 62 miles southwest of Cairo. - History Today
"They must become expert drummers. They’ll also learn to spit paint onto a spinning canvas, catch a dozen rapid-fire marshmallows in their mouths and then be prepared for absolutely anything the audience might throw at them. Hundreds audition every year across the globe. Only a handful ultimately get hired." - WBEZ (Chicago)
"Now, this revival of that show is proving, with gusto, that American Idiot can be yet another thing: a near-scientific study of the innumerable ways to give somebody the finger." - The New York Times
