My Spooky Sleepover With Helena Bonham Carter
Felix Barrett, the artistic director of Punchdrunk, a premier experimental theater company, has often been asked to name his favorite show. This is a lot like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. But Barrett has always had a ready answer: 'Viola's Room.'
Didn't see 'Viola's Room'? You are in good and ample company. In the fall of 2000, Barrett, a recent college graduate, staged a version of 'Viola's Room,' then called 'The Moon Slave,' at various locations around Exeter, England. Audience members arrived, one by one, at an otherwise empty theater and were then whisked away to a 13-acre overgrown walled garden. The journey culminated with 200 scarecrows and a marine flare that required clearance from the coast guard. The show ran for one night and could accommodate only four spectators.
'It was the most beautiful, intimate Fabergé egg of a show,' Barrett said, on a video call from Shanghai. He has always longed to revisit it. Now he has.
A reconceived 'Viola's Room' began performances on Tuesday at the Shed. The acreage is smaller, there are no scarecrows. But for a company that has become synonymous with large-scale masked extravaganzas ('Sleep No More,' which ended a 14-year Manhattan run in January, was the most celebrated), making a hushed, actorless work for just a handful of audience members to experience at any one time is an audacious choice. Like the early mask shows, it announces and refines a new form of immersive theater.
'It's all about trying to do things that our audiences aren't expecting,' Barrett said. 'Push the form, pull the rug, find further ways to seduce and lose audiences in these fever dreams.'
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Pep Guardiola and the age of football amnesia
When Keanu Reeves was doing press for Bill & Ted Face the Music in 2020, he had to explain the narrative tension underpinning the film. In essence, it was about facing your own mortality. Bill and Ted had failed to write a song that would unite the world. This had consequences for them and their families. They now had to come up with one to save the universe — otherwise it would end. Advertisement After giving a light-hearted, semi-serious answer in keeping with his character Ted, Reeves was asked a serious follow-up question by the late-night host Stephen Colbert: 'What do you think happens when we die?' Reeves leaned back, inhaled, thought about it for a second and gave an unexpectedly excellent and profound answer. 'I know that the ones who love us will miss us,' he said, a sweet and moving sentiment. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola doesn't seem to share it. In the build-up to the FA Cup final in May, Guardiola did not get the same question as Reeves. But he did reflect on his life and legacy up until now. 'When we die,' he said. 'Our families cry for two or three days and then that's it — you're forgotten. In the careers of coaches, there are good and bad ones, the important thing is that the good ones are remembered.' Guardiola's place in football history is assured. He has won trebles, plural. He is credited with changing the game. The Spanish and German national teams lifted the World Cup during his time working in their leagues, an indicator of his influence. England have yet to do so. Next year perhaps? Regardless of whether England do or not, Guardiola's eight seasons with City have undeniably altered the football landscape in the U.K. And yet, his bleak outlook on remembrance appears to have been greatly shaped by how quick some corners of the football world were to forget Istanbul and the treble of 2023. How much of that was City-specific — Wasn't it about time they did it? — is one thing. How much of it is due to our ever-decreasing attention spans is another. As the calendar gets more congested, teams play more and more games and the turnaround time from one season to another shortens, football is, perhaps, entering its own age of digital amnesia — the phenomenon whereby the abundance of information on the internet is apparently affecting our ability to retain and remember it. Advertisement Every game risks becoming like a reel on Instagram or a TikTok video. We scroll through it, laugh or smile, share it, forget it, go blank. Onto the next one. Wydad, Al-Ain, Juventus again. They played each other in December, didn't they? Yes, in the new, extended Champions League 'League Phase'? Feels like another season ago, doesn't it. Dusan Vlahovic scored. Weston McKennie too. Remember it well? Prior to City and Juventus meeting in Orlando, Guardiola was asked by a reporter from La Repubblica about the Club World Cup and how invested he is in winning it. 'Well, now we're here we want to do well. I don't know,' he said in Italian. 'Maybe after two or three days at the end of the tournament it'll be forgotten.' Covered by the sands of time, buried by the scirocco of a new season, the golden edge of a Tiffany trophy poking through a dune as the Premier League nears on the horizon. After all, there's Wolves away already on August 16. If City win the Club World Cup, it will no doubt be a source of pride within the club. But Guardiola is probably right. The newness of the competition and the dismissive reception of the Club World Cup back in the UK — being able to say you're world champion seemed to mean little to English clubs even in the smaller, old format — mean it probably wouldn't be heralded as significant. That's in part the island mentality of England, the belief our competition is best and its only rival is the Champions League, not the Club World Cup. Not yet. 'I don't think we should ever live thinking about whether we're going to be remembered,' Guardiola said in that interview in May. So what's the purpose? Why renew for another two years? Does Guardiola keep doing what he does because he doesn't know anything else? Only football. Or is there meaning beyond being remembered? Advertisement Guardiola said after City's 5-2 win over Juventus his players made a statement to themselves. The challenge this coming season, he added, is to redefine themselves too. Whether people remember City's season or not is out of his control. The 6-0 against Wydad and 2-0 over Al Ain isn't and while they will be swiftly forgotten, they are part of the process he is overseeing. The bigger question is more for us — and the football calendar: Less still feels like more. Meaning isn't to be found in the many, but the few. More than amnesia, there is nostalgia for how the game used to be; smaller World Cups, shorter seasons, competitions that genuinely did boast the best teams from their respective continents. What will happen to football then if it dies? It won't perish, surely. The game goes on and on. But if it did, the ones who loved it will probably remember those, apparently, better days when the memories made were memories that lasted.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 1975 to headline Glastonbury Festival amid rumours of Lorde secret set
British pop rock band The 1975 will be the first headliners to grace the Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage this year when they perform on Friday evening. Made up of four school friends, the group, known for songs including Chocolate, Someone Else and About You, is comprised of singer Matt Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, guitarist Adam Hann, and drummer George Daniel. The five-day celebration of music and performing arts, which opened its gates on Wednesday, will also see headline performances from veteran rocker Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop star Olivia Rodrigo. The BBC confirmed on Thursday that Young's Saturday Pyramid Stage set will not be broadcast live 'at the artist's request'. This year's line-up features a number of acts listed as TBA, as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, which will take to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday. Among the music stars rumoured to be performing a secret set is New Zealand singer Lorde, whose fourth-studio album, Virgin, is set for release on Friday. The pop star posted a picture of the Woodsies stage to her Instagram account on Thursday, fuelling speculation that she could be the act listed as 'TBA' who will be performing at 11.30am. Earlier in the month, she told BBC Radio 2 that she is 'pretty keen' to see if she can 'pull some strings' and make an appearance at this year's festival. Other Friday performers include: Irish singer CMAT; hip-hop star Loyle Carner; rock band English Teacher; indie band Wet Leg; and Canadian star Alanis Morissette, who will take to the Pyramid Stage after a TBA act which will be performing at 4.55pm. Festival goers can expect a clear morning and temperatures reaching the mid 20s centigrade, according to the Met Office. Spokesman Stephen Dixon told the PA news agency: 'Friday should start relatively sunny, with temperatures reaching into the mid-20s. However, there will be a touch more cloud later in the day and into the evening.' Friday's line-up of events also includes a Q&A featuring Australian actress Margot Robbie at Pilton Palais and a Mountainhead Q&A with Jesse Armstrong, along with performances from psychedelic rockers Osees and Britpop veterans Supergrass. Saturday will see Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have seen one of their members charged with a terror offence, perform on the West Holts Stage at 4pm. Before the festival, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be 'appropriate' for them to perform their slot at Worthy Farm. Rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year. Last week, the 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20. On Thursday evening, the rap trio posted a film they executive produced to social media, titled Stop The Genocide, which includes testimonies from a Palestinian activist and plastic surgeon on the war in Gaza. Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as some other guests. Sir Rod's performance will come after he postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu. Among the other acts expected to draw large crowds this year is pop star Charli XCX, who is engaged to The 1975 drummer Daniel and will perform songs from her sixth studio album, Brat. She is performing on Saturday night on the Other Stage, 15 minutes before the West Holts stage is graced by US rapper Doechii, another artist who has exploded in popularity in the last year. Other performers include: Prada singer Raye; US musician Brandi Carlile; Nile Rodgers and Chic; US pop star Gracie Abrams; Mercury Prize-winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective; US rapper Denzel Curry; and rising star Lola Young. This year, the BBC will provide livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jake Paul furiously quits Piers Morgan interview after fat-shaming host
Jake Paul let his emotions get the best of him during Thursday's interview with Piers Morgan, ultimately storming off the virtual call in anger. The YouTuber-turned-professional boxer, 28, spoke with the British host on Piers Morgan Uncensored ahead of his Saturday bout against Julio César Chávez Jr. In a teaser clip of the interview shared on YouTube, Morgan, 60, appeared to goad Paul by suggesting that the only 'proper boxer' he's ever fought was Tommy Fury — 'and he beat you.' 'I think the problem here, Piers, is that you think your opinion matters,' Paul hit back. Piers further argued that had Paul fought Mike Tyson in his prime, he wouldn't have 'lasted 10 seconds.' 'This is not a joke. I'm knocking out the best of the best,' the influencer argued, before fat-shaming Piers, saying: 'You versus going to the gym. You're still a fatass.' 'I mean, [Mexican boxer] Canelo Álvarez says that he would potentially kill you,' Piers added. Paul responded angrily, calling Álvarez, 34, a '5'8 little peon.' 'People don't realize I'm a real killer. I really f***ing do this s***,' he said. Elsewhere in the full-length interview, Piers admitted that he thought Paul was 'a great influencer and great YouTuber,' but questioned Paul's abilities in the ring. "You're still a fat ass!"Jake Paul fat-shames Piers Morgan before rage quitting his interview in tonight's Uncensored - dropping at 10pm (5pm ET).SUBSCRIBE: | @jakepaul — Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) June 26, 2025 Paul didn't take the criticism well, telling off Piers. 'Oh, I'm just taking your audience to sell pay-per-views. I don't give a f*** about your show, dumbass,' he said in exasperation. 'This is a f***ing business enterprise. Buy the pay per view on Saturday, June 28, me versus Julio César Chávez Jr. Thank you, tune in everybody!' Once Paul hung up on the call, Piers said: 'Cheers Jake, really enjoyed that, and good luck to Julio – knock him out for all of us, will you?' Paul's fight with Chávez Jr. marks his first of the year. The match comes seven months after he defeated Tyson, 58, by a unanimous decision. Should he beat Chávez Jr., he could very well earn a ranking, Mauricio Sulaiman, chairman of the World Boxing Council, told Action Network this week. 'We do have a rankings committee, but I believe he has done enough. He has received all the backlash for several years; if he beats Julio César Chávez Jr., I think that puts him in a different position,' Sulaiman said.
