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13 household names announced so far for this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe
1 . Miriam Margolyes
Having sold every ticket in 2024, the iconic award-winning actress, TV personality and author Miriam Margolyes returns to the Pleasance EICC at the Edinburgh Fringe for 14 dates from August 9-24, except the 18th and 21st, performing her 70 minute show at 6pm. She will have more characters, more Dickens, and more fascinating stories about the man behind the classics. At 84, Miriam's energy and passion are undimmed and her performance as electric as ever. She was Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, and also appeared in Yentl, Little Shop of Horrors, I Love You To Death, End of Days, Sunshine, Scorsese's The Age of Innocence, Cold Comfort Farm and Magnolia. Amongst her many awards, she won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for The Age of Innocence and was awarded the OBE for her services to drama in 2002. Her most memorable TV credits include Old Flames, Freud, Life and Loves of a She Devil, Blackadder, The Girls of Slender Means, Oliver Twist, The History Man, Vanity Fair and Supply & Demand. | Steve Ullathorne Photo: Impressive PR
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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Epic Universe says it's 'world's most advanced park' - I tested out the claim
Being catapulted 133ft into the air straight after a massive pizza lunch was, in hindsight, a bold choice. Especially in Florida's 35C heat. I'd been launched sky-high at Universal's brand-new Epic Universe, getting an early look at Orlando's most-hyped theme park before it opened to the public. And where better to start than strapping into one of its headline attractions, cosmic-themed dual-racing coaster Stardust Racers? I'm a theme park super-fan. I'll queue for hours for terrifying rides, scream myself hoarse and sprint straight back to the start. But nothing prepared me for this. During the roughly 90-second ride, I was screaming, crying and briefly convinced I'd broken through the stratosphere. This Epic coaster doesn't warm you up gently. It hurtles you into the cosmos at 62mph with a savage force that threatens to rearrange your insides. At one point, as we spiralled through an inverted crisscross at full speed, I was fairly sure I could even see my soul leaving my body. It was a thrilling start to my time at Epic Universe, Universal's long-awaited new Orlando theme park, with an estimated construction price tag of £5.7billion. Announced in 2019, this 110-acre park is the biggest Universal has ever built and is, as its chief Mark Woodbury puts it, 'the most technologically advanced park in the world'. It's also the first major theme park to land in Orlando in 25 years – and with icons to rival Disney including Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon, it's coming for the House of Mouse. Ambitious, immersive and bursting with brand-new rides and cutting-edge tech, Epic is Universal's boldest bid yet for the Florida theme-park crown. Through a set of dazzling and unique portals, visitors can 'travel' to five distinctly themed worlds: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, all stitched together with big-budget flair. Here's what to expect… Guests enter Epic Universe through Celestial Park via the grand entrance gates or directly from the Helios Grand Hotel. Unlike the lands beyond, this original world isn't tied to any movie, show or game. It's the centre of Epic with dancing fountains, art-nouveau architecture and tree-lined walkways that evoke the park's interstellar theme. As night falls, colourful lights flicker in sync with an extravagant fountain show, casting a soft glow over the park's cosmic heart. Beaming 'Celestians' (team members) greeted me in splendid cosmic regalia, chirping: 'Welcome, travellers!' I almost asked whether I needed a passport. The highlight is undoubtedly the Stardust Racers, featuring two independent launches, allowing riders to choose between the thrilling yellow 'Photon' and green 'Pulsar' tracks. This is a non-negotiable attraction that'll shake up even hardcore thrill-seekers. Want a slower pace? Hop aboard the wonderfully over-the-top Constellation Carousel, where you can spin gently through the stars on a celestial lion, dragon or peacock. For lunch, try the Space Cowboy pizza, a bold combo of BBQ sauce, rotisserie chicken, olives and crisps, served in the Victorian theatre turned pizzeria, Pizza Moon. Top tip: Stick around until dusk when Apollo hands over the sun to Luna in a dazzling light ceremony. This popular film franchise tells the story of hapless Viking boy Hiccup who defies centuries of tradition by befriending adorable 'night fury' dragon Toothless. Hiccup's craggy, chaotic home Isle of Berk is reimagined in gawp-inducing detail as raucous Vikings and feisty dragons co-exist. Thanks to jaw-dropping animatronics, the dragons are so realistic you half expect them to flap off into the skies. The tech flex is most obvious in the 'Meet Hiccup and Toothless' experience where you can pat a startlingly lifelike Night Fury and snap pics. Hiccup's Wing Gliders is the coaster to queue for to get a dragon's eye view of Berk at speeds up to 45mph and heights of 50ft. Then bag a seat at The Untrainable Dragon for a Broadway-level production featuring all your film faves. Top tip: Grab the carbtastic Dragon Fire Chicken Spire Mac & Cheese Cone from Hooligan's Grog & Gruel. Stuffed with creamy mac, spicy pulled chicken, hot honey, peppers, chimichurri and crispy onions, it's the perfect portable lunch. Universal has finally found a good use for its abandoned Dark Universe. Remember the Tom Cruise Mummy reboot in 2017? That was supposed to kick off a cinematic monsterverse with classic characters including Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man. The Mummy tanked and the project was scrapped. However, you can now see what this franchise could have been in the gothic village of Darkmoor, where monsters and ghouls roam among rides and spooky restaurants. At the heart of Darkmoor, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment encapsulates Universal's classic characters in a menacing, sophisticated thrill ride. Ushered into eerie Frankenstein Manor, you meet Dr Victoria Frankenstein and an unnervingly lifelike 9ft-tall Frankenstein's monster. On this immersive ride, our heroine Vic tries to control the wayward monsters. Cue a chaotic escape through werewolves, mummies and clawing shadows. My rational brain knew it was fake; my racing heart rate and clammy shirt disagreed. Coaster-wise, Curse of the Werewolf is a family-friendly offering at 37mph, but the spinning cars mean every escape through the haunted forest is a truly chaotic surprise. Top tip: Refresh with a lurid green Monocane Mocktail at the Burning Blade Tavern (look for a windmill on fire, yes really). Absorb '90s nostalgia as you enter the colourful, kinetic Mushroom World through a giant green Warp Pipe/escalator. It's loud, bright and utterly bonkers. Take a spin on Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, based on the hugely popular Mario Kart franchise – a must for console connoisseurs. Don VR goggles and help the gang to defeat Team Bowser, dodging obstacles and hurling shells as you collect digital coins alongside Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. Mine-Cart Madness is Donkey Kong Country reimagined via a clattering high-speed coaster that's one missing bolt away from disaster. Ride through lush jungle aboard mine carts as you help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the Golden Banana from the thieving Tiki Tak Tribe. Be warned, thanks to a track-jumping illusion, it feels like you're constantly about to derail. Top tip: Buy a Universal app linked to a Nintendo-themed Power-Up Band to collect digital coins and keys and interact with the environment. As a huge Boy Wizard fan, this was the moment I'd been waiting for. You're transported into 1920s' wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter films. The scale and detail are astonishing as you wander Parisian streets with spellbinding shops, restaurants and a game-changing ride. And if you have an interactive wand, there are 12 spell-casting locations where you can conjure water and fire or interact with enchanted objects. It's home to Universal's most technologically advanced attraction yet, the showpiece Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Take the Metro-Floo and join Harry, Ron and Hermione in a bid to bring odious bureacrat Dolores Umbridge to justice. No expense has been spared on this extraordinary ride where you fly, drop and spin through various scenes, pursuing Umbridge as she attempts to evade capture. You're swiftly conscripted into helping the Hogwarts gang stop her while being flung through eye-popping digital magic, smoke, animatronic wand-waving and death eaters. If you only do one thing here, this is the ride to queue for. Top tip: Mega fans should purchase a Second Generation Interactive Wand. Epic is Universal's boldest, most imaginative, and most high-tech experience yet and heralds a new era of theme parks in Orlando.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Emma Watson looks effortlessly chic in a black mesh top and light-blue denim jeans as she steps out in Paris
Emma Watson looked effortlessly chic as she left her hotel in Paris for a night out on the town on Friday. The actress, 35, turned heads in a black mesh top paired with light-blue barrel-leg jeans, flashing a warm smile for the cameras. To ward off the evening chill, she layered an oversized beige jacket with a black leather collar over her shoulders. Emma completed the look with black leather boots as she confidently strutted down the street. She styled her light brown hair in a voluminous blowout for the evening and opted for minimal makeup to highlight her natural beauty. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Emma's outing comes after her dad warned the parents of the new Harry, Ron and Hermione of the 'impact of fame on children' as filming for the HBO Harry Potter TV series begins. The latest leading trio were finally announced this week after months of speculation - with Dominic McLaughlin landing the title role, while Arabella Stanton is set to play Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout will portray Ron Weasley. Emma played Hermione for ten years in the Harry Potter film series, and now her dad Chris has told of how he worked hard to keep her 'grounded.' He told Times Radio: 'As a parent, you have to be scared... This can be a very difficult thing for a parent and child to handle, or not. 'It certainly helped that I don't actually watch movies, it's not a big thing in the house, and so it was easier for us to keep her feet on the ground.' He added: 'Normal life continued as far as possible: her homework would go back to school on motorbikes, admittedly, but she had to do her homework and check in.' Filming for the new HBO series started this week in France with cast and crew setting up on the Île de Sein off the coast of Brittany where they are thought to be re-creating the famous moment that Hagrid said, 'You're a wizard Harry!' JK Rowling gave her approval to the trio cast as the new child stars of the multi-million-pound TV adaptation - after previously giving short shrift to racists complaining about producers' picks. There has been some online backlash against what has been branded ' woke ' reinterpreting of the wizarding franchise based on the seven bestselling books by Rowling, 59, which prompted eight movie versions. But the multi-millionaire author yesterday gave her first public response to the new Harry Potter television casting announcement, with showbusiness insiders suggesting she would have a key role in the new productions. One fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, asking the bestselling author to inform the new recruits the wizarding franchise's creator felt about their casting. And Rowling responded by declaring: 'All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier.' The writer was replying to a tweet which said: '@jk_rowling @streamonmax @harrypotter Please tell Dominic, Arabella and Alistair that they are already loved by the fandom and we can't wait to see the show! We wish them all the best and that they have a magic time.' The new adaptation will be spread across seven seasons, equal to the number of books - although there were eight films with the final Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows split into two parts. The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars. Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the 'wonderful' talent of the three newcomers when making Tuesday's casting announcement. Emma played Hermione for ten years in the Harry Potter film series, and now her dad Chris has told of how he worked hard to keep her 'grounded' (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma pictured in the first film) They said: 'After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. 'We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.' Rowling released the first Harry Potter novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the following year. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in 1999, followed by Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2000. Three years later Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was published and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2005. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released in 2007. The first movie was released in 2001 and the final one came out in 2011. They played their roles for a decade.
Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Telegraph
Tom Felton to return as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter play
Tom Felton is reprising his role as Draco Malfoy for the play Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. The Surrey-born actor, who starred in all the film adaptations of JK Rowling's fantasy novel until the last movie in 2011, will make a comeback as Harry Potter 's school bully at the Lyric Theatre on Broadway in New York later this year. The production said he was the 'first actor from the films' to reprise their role on stage, and this will be Felton's Broadway debut. The actor said: 'Being a part of the Harry Potter films has been one of the greatest honours of my life. 'Joining this production will be a full-circle moment for me, because when I begin performances in Cursed Child this fall, I'll also be the exact age Draco is in the play. 'It's surreal to be stepping back into his shoes – and of course his iconic platinum blond hair – and I am thrilled to be able to see his story through and to share it with the greatest fan community in the world. 'I look forward to joining this incredible company and being a part of the Broadway community.' Felton, 37, made his West End debut in the supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story in 2022. He will begin his run in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child on November 11 for a limited 19 weeks, the production said on Thursday. Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, the producers of the play, said: 'It's not lost on us that this is a cultural moment charged with nostalgia, evolution, and emotion. 'Tom's return to Hogwarts bridges generations of fans and breathes new life into a beloved story. We're beyond thrilled to welcome Tom back 'home' but also into a new family: our Broadway company. 'We can't wait to see him inhabit this role once again with the same depth, gravity, and humanity he has always brought to Draco.' The play, written by Jack Thorne, the co-creator of the Netflix series Adolescence, began in 2016 in London and has had a Broadway run since 2018. It was co-devised by Rowling, and is set 19 years after the events of the final book, with Harry, who is now a Ministry of Magic employee, and his wife Ginny Weasley sending off their youngest son, Albus Severus, to school. The two-part play, which stretches over five hours, sees Albus struggle at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with the weight of his family legacy and go to extreme and dangerous lengths to right the wrongs of the past. Since the ending of the film franchise, Felton has been in 2011's Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes and had recurring roles in the TV series Murder In The First, The Flash and Origin. He has also lent his voice in the Harry Potter video games and featured in the TV special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who played Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The seven Harry Potter books are set to be brought to the small screen by HBO, with production beginning at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden in summer 2025. The young stars have been cast with Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alastair Stout as Ron, while the new Draco has not yet been confirmed. Earlier this year, British actor Paapa Essiedu was confirmed to play Professor Severus Snape and US actor John Lithgow as Professor Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster. Also joining the cast are Paul Whitehouse, the Welsh comedian and actor, as the magic-less Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch, and Nick Frost, the Hot Fuzz actor, as the friendly groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
