Latest news with #Advertisement
Boston Globe
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
A long-neglected Tennessee Williams play gets its moment to shine with a starry cast
'I believe in theater doing the most. Because our lives are the most,' director Robert O'Hara says in a Zoom interview from Advertisement 'We can't just live one portion of our lives. I can't just be a Black man. I'm also a queer man. I'm also a man of a certain age. I'm also an American,' O'Hara says. Williams based his play on an infamous instance of carceral brutality: Four men confined to a Philadelphia prison died after being locked in a room that was deliberately heated to lethal levels. Prison authorities put them there as punishment for participating in a hunger strike protesting conditions. A similar scenario unspools in 'Nightingales.' The story requires a large ensemble, but much of the action turns on the fraught relationship between an inmate named Jim and the prison's sadistic warden. Actor William Jackson Harper was inspired to play Jim for one overriding reason. Advertisement 'I'm scared of it. I don't really know how I'm supposed to play this part,' Harper says over the phone before a rehearsal. Harper earned his commercial breakthrough (and an Emmy nomination) with his much-loved turn on NBC's ' The prison setting of 'Nightingales' and Williams' use of period vernacular and speech patterns emulating those of 1930s Hollywood films make his role an 'experiment,' Harper says. 'It's about trying to play something outside of the things I would usually be considered for, or that are considered my strengths or my habits — trying to develop things that I feel a little more vulnerable about,' he adds. Chris Messina, who excelled as the handsome jerk on TV series including 'Six Feet Under,' ' Williams never saw a production of 'Nightingales,' which went unpublished during his lifetime. Clued in by a decades-old reference to the play, Dame Vanessa Redgrave asked Williams' literary executor to unearth the manuscript for a 1998 staging at London's Royal National Theatre directed by Trevor Nunn. The production went to Broadway the next year. The New York production was too 'polite' for O'Hara's taste. 'Tennessee Williams was one messy homosexual. This is a man who had lots of lovers, who was addicted to pills later on in his life. [Other productions] seem to try and clean up his work. I want to acknowledge the messiness,' O'Hara says. Advertisement The director is not afraid to give sacred cows a good smack on the rump. His radically reconstructed 'Hamlet' last month at Los Angeles' Mark Taper Forum posited Fortinbras of Norway, a character cut from many modern productions, as a detective spawned from film noir who investigates the mass killing that concludes the play. 'Nightingales' will hew closely to the text but be told 'through a contemporary lens,' O'Hara says. The production makes overt much of the homoerotic subtext that Williams layered into his story of men locked together in a cage, insisting on their own humanity. 'This play is very much a response to an injustice,' Harper says, 'but it isn't a piece of documentary theater. It's the work of someone who's inspired and just going for it.' Casting a Black actor as Jim — a role Williams envisioned as a white man,— adds another complication to a play bristling with contemporary relevance. 'Putting our two bodies on stage is going to create a certain energy,' Harper says of himself and Messina, 'and introduce a lot of dynamics. The way this warden behaves toward Jim, it's almost coded as if Jim was a Black man. There's a lot of language that becomes explicitly racist with this casting.' It all adds up to a tragic mess that remains stubbornly timely. 'At a time where we're rounding up immigrants and sending them overseas to prisons and throwing away the key,' O'Hara says, 'and we see the atrocities of the prison-industrial complex daily, I think it's very clear that how we treat those we confine tells a lot about our society.' Advertisement NOT ABOUT NIGHTINGALES Williamstown Theatre Festival, NikosStage Theater at the '62 Center. July 17 - August 2. Tickets: $100 or as part of a weekend pass; (413) 458-3253,
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum banned from flight and forced to miss 50th birthday abroad due to easyJet passport blunder
A WOMAN missed her 50th birthday celebrations in Paris after easyJet wrongly denied her boarding. Louise McMahon was due to fly from Paris , France with her family for a birthday trip on June 28. Advertisement 3 A woman was denied boarding her flight to Paris, France as her passport was apparently out of date Credit: Alamy However, upon reaching bag drop-off, the early years education worker was told she would be unable to travel as her EasyJet staff told her passport was out of date, despite it actually being valid until September 24, 2025. The confusion comes over two different passport rules that Brits have to follow. According to the foreign travel advice for France, the country follows Schengen area rules and therefore your passport must: Advertisement Read more on travel inspo "have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago" "have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)" In simple terms, this means that if you travelled to For example, if your passport was issued August 1, 2015, you would not be able to use it to enter France after August 1, 2025. The rule used to be that before October 1, 2018, when you renewed your passport, any time left on your old passport up to nine months would be rolled over to your new one. Most read in News Travel This could mean that your new passport would be valid for 10 years and nine months in total. Advertisement And the three month rule is where your passport must be valid for three months after the day you plan to leave the What do you need to do to ensure your passport is OK for travel? 3 However, easyJet staff were mistaken and the woman could in fact travel Credit: Alamy For example, if you plan to leave France on August 1, 2025 - your passport must be dated until at least November 1, 2025. Louise told Advertisement Yet this is not true, with the three month rule and the 10-year rule do not have to both be followed separately, although most airlines are not abiding by this. The mum-of-two didn't argue, but told her family to go on without her - which they refused. In total, the value of the family's The airline has since apologised to the passenger and reimbursed the family's lost costs and £220 in denied boarding compensation. Advertisement Louise added: "The whole experience was very upsetting. "I felt I had ruined a trip that we had all looked forward to and spent a lot of money on." An "We have raised this with our ground handling partner at Glasgow Airport to ensure action is taken to make sure all their team members are clear on the correct rules. Advertisement "We have been in touch with Ms McMahon to apologise and reimburse her in full as well as process the compensation she is due, along with a gesture of goodwill for her experience." What are the passport rules? The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know. "Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one. "But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months. "In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination. "And you'll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK. "Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old. "The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted - some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page." There is also a There have been multiple similar cases to Louise's recently, including a couple in January who were 3 Brits must have three months left on their passport to travel to the Schengen area Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Find a new side of John Lennon (and his ‘lost weekend') at this Cambridge pop-up
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up But at Pang's pop-up, a much more personal role comes into focus: her time as Lennon's girlfriend during his 'lost weekend,' a not-so-brief period of separation from Ono that brought Lennon and Pang to Los Angeles. For 18 months between 1973 and 1975, Pang said that their relationship offered the former Beatle some semblance of normalcy. They lived together, signed Christmas cards as a couple, and, according to the 2023 documentary Advertisement Like any smitten partner, Pang frequently took photos of Lennon with her Nikon Nikkormat, documenting the simple beauty of their daily life. 'It was just for us,' she says, looking back at casual snaps that range from Lennon and his son Julian, with whom he had recently reconnected, to Lennon leaning against a motorcycle, wearing a sly grin and Pang's jeans. Advertisement Friday through Sunday, nearly 40 of those photos will be on display at The pop-up exhibition comes to Cambridge after recent visits to cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Toronto, and heads to Southwest Harbor, Maine, later this month. 'People [are] standing there, tears in their eyes, and they see a John they've never seen,' Pang says about guests' reactions to the photos. 'It makes me feel good that they finally see a John that has a smile on his face. They said he looks relaxed. That was our home life.' A source of joy for Lennon at the time was creating 'Walls and Bridges' in a mere eight weeks, Pang says. 'He enjoyed every minute of it,' she recalls, noting how the satisfaction shines in Lennon's face through her photos. Also among Pang's collection is one of the last known photos of Lennon and Paul McCartney together, taken in March 1974, and the only photo of Lennon signing the contract that officially dissolved the Beatles. Only two photos fall outside of the 'lost weekend' era: individual snaps of George Harrison and Lennon, both from 1970. Pang will be on site at the gallery to chat with visitors on Saturday and Sunday, and guests will be able to purchase copies of the photographs all weekend. Sometimes, she'll even re-tell the events that led up to certain photos if visitors decide to take one home. Advertisement Pang launched the pop-up in 2023 in tandem with the release of the documentary 'The Lost Weekend: A Love Story,' which Pang narrates and features many of her photos. Pang said that releasing the documentary was her way of correcting myths about her relationship with Lennon — including a belief that it was Ono who sent the couple to Los Angeles. ('She didn't even know we went out there; we had to tell her later,' Pang says.) That's why Pang is happy to tell guests her version of the 'lost weekend' — both in person and through her photos — even though the fabled period is more than half a century in the rearview. 'He was one of the most famous men of the 20th century and the 21st century, and it just happened that I was with him,' she says. 'Why am I shunning that? I shouldn't.' GIG GUIDE The Xfinity Center serves up an eccentric playlist this week, starting with a A clash of arena rock and metal resounds in TD Garden — courtesy of mellow melange of genres fills the arena on Advertisement Massachusetts's major rock acts seem to perform locally in batches, and this week is no exception; while Pixies plug away at their first night in town, For fresh air fare, catch country singer Advertisement NOW SPINNING Sly and the Family Stone , The earliest live recording of Sly and The Family Stone captures their jaunty soul-rock goodness from 1967. Big Hassle Yola , 'Amazing.' On the heels of her excellent January EP, 'My Way,' Yola returns with the energizing single 'Amazing.' Yola's twisting, soul-pop fireworks carry a subtle undercurrent of electronica without overcrowding the tune — a marvelous balancing act, and another formidable display of stamina from the British singer-songwriter. The Dogmatics , 'Nowheresville.' It's been 39 years since the Dogmatics added a new LP to the archive of Boston rock history, but the group doesn't sound any less gritty for the break. The Boston band's garage rock prowess is a given, but it's their ability to bridge the past (the schoolboy daydream 'Library Girl') with current moment (the social-media-skewering 'No Likes No Comments') that really revs the engine of 'Nowheresville.' Boston garage rock band the Dogmatics release their first LP in 39 years this Friday. Nicole Tammaro BONUS TRACK Rhode Island: where fans of 'The Simpsons' meet fans of The Boss. Hank Azaria — best known as a Swiss-Army-knife voice actor on 'The Simpsons' — brings his Bruce Springsteen cover act to the Greenwich Odeum on Advertisement Victoria Wasylak can be reached at . Follow her on Bluesky @
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Suki Waterhouse reveals she's in hospital with nasty injury caused by ‘wearing too tight trousers' onstage
MODEL Suki Waterhouse has shared a candid picture of herself lying in a hospital bed after enduring a fashion-related injury. The singer and actress, 33 , posted the snap on social media wearing a hospital gown and plugged into a drip. Advertisement 4 The mum-of-one shared a photo in a hospital bed lying down after her injury Credit: X @sukiwaterhouse 4 The singer has suffered with a hernia since wearing the incredibly-tight trousers Credit: X @sukiwaterhouse Suki shared the selfie taken from her hospital bed alongside an image of herself performing on the tour for her Memoir of a Sparklemuffin album. She wrote alongside the hospital bed image and mocked: "'Suki you never tweet anymore'. "Have you ever considered I wore pants so tight 6 months ago it caused a hernia and I've been too scared to tell you." With her blonde hair covering her face, wearing headphones and no make-up with a vape on her chest, the star garnered a lot of attention from followers. Advertisement Read more The original photo shows the star on stage in skin-tight dark pants with a white crop top and jacket, posed underneath a huge disco ball. One fan inquired: "Do I laugh or cry?" Another noted: "Rockstar outfits are dangerous I guess." "Legit wonder why tight clothes haven't killed more people," pondered a user. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity "On stage in leather trousers then attached to a drip in hospital later like a true 70s rockstar," praised another. Others noted the vape and disapprovingly wrote: "Oh my, Suki not the vape." The Batman stars wow on the red carpet as Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz lead celebs at London premiere Another agreed: "Put the vape down Suki." A third penned: "The vape is taking me out." Suki welcomed her first child with Batman actor Advertisement The couple went on their first date back in 2018 after Robert split from FKA Twigs in 2017. The pair, now engaged, like to keep their relationship out of the spotlight. Robert told Advertisement 'If a stranger on the street asked you about your relationship, you'd think it extremely rude. "If you put up a wall it ends up better.' Robert has dated the likes of Kristen Stewart , Katy Perry and Dylan Penn. Suki has also been in a relationship with a number of famous people including Bradley Cooper. Advertisement In 2024, Suki joined Taylor Swift as an opener on The Eras Tour in London. She said at the time: "It feels like an honour to simply exist at the same time as Taylor Swift , let alone be an opener for her on the biggest and best tour ever. "A dream come true that I never want to wake up from. Playing at Wembley Stadium in my hometown!" 4 The London model can often be seen in 70s-inspired outfits Credit: Getty Advertisement 4 Suki is no stranger to sharing candid pictures with a twist Credit: instagram
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow?' Explosive Trump call ‘asking Ukraine leader to make Putin ‘feel the pain'' revealed
DONALD Trump reportedly asked Volodymyr Zelensky whether Kyiv could strike Russia's two biggest cities — if the US supplied the right firepower. The bombshell July 4 call marks a stunning shift in Trump's approach to the Ukraine war — with the peacemaker-turned-hawk now eyeing direct strikes on Russian cities to bring Putin to heel. Advertisement 2 US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet during the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit earlier this year Credit: Getty 2 Trump reportedly asked Zelensky if he could hit Moscow and St Petersburg Credit: Getty 'Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? Can you hit St Petersburg too?' Trump asked during the call, according to the Zelensky's answer was swift and direct: 'Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.' Trump, far from recoiling at the idea, backed it — describing the plan as a way to 'make them [Russians] feel the pain' and force the Kremlin into a ceasefire. It's the clearest sign yet that Advertisement The White House has refused to comment on the bombshell report. But it comes hot on the heels of Trump's blistering crackdown on Moscow, including a The Financial Times revealed that following the call, The weapons discussed included the Tomahawk cruise missile, with a 1,600km range, and the Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms), which Ukraine has already used to hit Russian-occupied areas — and in some cases, targets deeper inside Russia. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
