Latest news with #BacktoBlack
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What's on in Taunton this week: May 29-June 4, 2025
From a T20 cricket double-header to a big band performance of an Amy Winehouse album, there's plenty to enjoy in Taunton over the next week. A party with Stitch and a science show are also on the agenda. Somerset County Cricket Club is set for a historic double-header featuring both men's and women's teams. The matches, against Surrey, will take place on Friday, May 30, at the Cooper Associates County Ground. The newly professional Somerset women's team will make their debut in the T20 Women's Vitality Blast, beginning at 2.30pm. Following this, the men's team, who have faced Surrey on several past Finals Days, will play at 6.30pm. In a bid to draw younger audiences, the club is offering family tickets starting at £77. Group discounts are also available for purchases of over 10 tickets, applicable only for Category C seating. More details and ticket information are available at A full horn section and backing vocalists will recreate Amy Winehouse's Back to Black in Taunton this weekend. The Belgrave House Band will perform the album in its entirety at the Taunton Brewhouse on Friday, May 30. The band, which features musicians from Leeds' jazz scene, aims to honour the style of Winehouse's 2007 live band. Choreography for the show has been developed by Ruby Portus, who has studied Winehouse's stage presence and the 1960s girl groups that influenced the album. Vocalist Lydia Kotsirea, who previously performed on the Frank tour in 2019, will lead the performance. Tickets are available at Children can meet Stitch at a themed event in Taunton this week. The 90-minute party will take place at Premier Princess Parties on Friday, May 30, from 4pm. It includes a blue Stitch drink, disco, games, prizes, and photos with the character. Each child will receive a Hawaiian flower necklace and can take part in craft activities to make their own flower garland headdress. Temporary Lilo & Stitch tattoos will also be available. The event is limited to 16 tickets per session, priced at £15 per child, with adults attending for free. Tickets can be purchased at A high-voltage science adventure is coming to Taunton. Top Secret – The Magic of Science will be performed at Taunton Brewhouse on Saturday, May 31. The family-friendly show blends magic and science, promising a fast-paced and colourful experience. It features interactive experiments, magic tricks, and plenty of mess. Tickets are priced between £14 and £17, and can be purchased at Audiences can expect a mix of mystery and suspense throughout the 100-minute performance. The show is suitable for all ages and is described as "non-stop action-packed". The performance begins at 2.30pm.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
From legal issues to reshoots: is the Michael Jackson biopic cursed?
As adult audiences for non-spectacle theatrical releases have waned post-Covid, one subgenre has survived long enough to feel like a franchise unto itself: the pop musician biopic. Not every new entry is a Bohemian Rhapsody-level smash; some, like the dreary Amy Winehouse biography Back to Black or the misbegotten Whitney Houston movie I Wanna Dance with Somebody, outright flop. But there are still enough success stories like A Complete Unknown ($140m worldwide, eight Oscar nominations) to assure every pantheon pop artist in America will probably receive this treatment eventually. 'Eventually' has become the operative word for Michael, a biopic of globally revered but controversial pop star Michael Jackson. The film from Antoine Fuqua was supposed to have been released by now; it was originally set to come out in April 2025. After an initial delay to October of this year, it's now looking likely to shift to sometime in 2026, not least because it has scheduled 22 days of additional shooting in June. Two months after its intended release, it's going back in front of cameras for nearly enough time to shoot an entirely separate film. That may be the eventual result, though it's not the intention of the additional filming this year. The plan now seems to involve reconfiguring Michael into a two-part movie; the new material will be used to expand the first half of the story, which – for 'part one', anyway – will leave off around 1980. That's before Thriller, before Bad, and well before the 1993 allegations of child abuse, which gave way to a 1994 settlement and a separate trial over child molestation charges in 2005. The movie apparently included scenes with a Jackson accuser whose settlement with his estate included the provision that he not be included in any dramatizations. As is often the case with modern musical biopics, the estate is signing off on the film, and their lack of proper oversight has turned a dramatic decision into a legal problem. Turning one movie into two buys the film-makers more time to figure out how to fix the later stretch of the film so that it's no longer in breach. And, hey, maybe it'll also double the box office – eventually. Another sign of musical biopics leaning into their status as event movies is their apparent willingness to embrace modern-day franchise tropes. Hence an upcoming quartet of Beatles biopics, one for each member of the band, and film-makers turning the Jackson estate's carelessness into an opportunity to treat his story like a YA fantasy. The dissonance, of course, comes from the fact that this particular case of eventizing is meant to better address multiple accusations of child abuse against the King of Pop. That these accusations are included at all is surprising and, at first, sounds downright bold for a subgenre that favors legally agreed-upon narratives of questionable veracity. (Even a film as initially electric as Straight Outta Compton eventually settles down into feeling like a mutually beneficial talking points hashed out by lawyers and producers, rather than a story with genuine meaning.) But that's just it: there's no chance the ultra-protective (and lucrative) Jackson estate has signed off on a biopic that is anything short of deeply sympathetic to Jackson's side of this upsetting story. The actor playing Jackson, for example, could hardly be more estate-approved: it's Jaafar Jackson, the musician's nephew. Does that sound like a casting choice aiming for an unflinching portrait, or one that indulges the spectacle of allowing Michael Jackson to live again? A Jackson semi-hagiography that still manages to include child-molestation material – whether treated carefully or with legally actionable cruelty to Jackson's accusers – seems like a worst-of-both-worlds proposition. It's notable that some of the biggest recent biopic flops, both financially and creatively, are those that must contend with some degree of tragic, relatively recent history: the early death of Amy Winehouse; the addiction issues that the Whitney Houston movie gracelessly sanitizes. Those films still felt like legally fussed-with estate agreements – like authorized merch, in other words – while also bumming audiences out with the unavoidable sadness at their center. On top of that, Jackson's story has that early-death factor alongside accusations far more troubling than the self-destruction of Houston or Winehouse. To unapologetically celebrate Jackson would mean skewing some details of his final decade-plus of life beyond recognition – or simply ignoring much of it. There are signs that Jackson is so beloved, so close to a kind of pop martyrdom, that this is a winning strategy. The success of MJ the Musical, a jukebox accounting of Jackson's creative process, suggests that there are plenty of people willing to overlook Jackson's personal demons in favor of a de facto greatest-hits concert. That Broadway show has raked in millions over the past three years, expanding to London and Australia, while conveniently orienting itself in 1992, the year before the first public allegations against Jackson. Maybe that's the strategy behind making Michael into a two-part epic. No matter what the second half may bring (and it sounds as if the film-makers may legitimately not know how or if that will pan out), a movie that ends shortly after the release of his solo debut Off the Wall can get away with peddling nostalgia, otherworldly talent, and triumph over adversity. Then a second movie can provide the illusion of due diligence while also selling itself as a sequel to a blockbuster crowd-pleaser. (It's also not too far removed from the old music-industry scam of counting double albums as two sales instead of one.) On paper, the details of Michael sound like a potential fiasco: an involved but careless estate, a money-sucking repair job, a first-time actor in the lead, and material that tests audiences' willingness to tolerate in their theme-parky tributes. Yet in reality, it could be a game-changer in further eroding the boundaries between the art of biography and the business of legacy-making. Jackson changed music history in his lifetime; now he's being given a chance to change movie-music history from beyond.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Your next watch! Here are 7 of the most exciting new and trending BBC shows to stream right now
The BBC has a host of exciting new shows that are trending on iPlayer right now if you're looking for your next watch. From a real-life drama focused on the Lockerbie disaster, to the return of groundbreaking reality show I Kissed a Boy, as well as national treasure Alison Hammond's new interview series, Digital Spy has you covered for the latest highlights on the BBC. The new drama stars Sex Education's Connor Swindells and focuses on the 1988 bombing of a transatlantic flight over Scottish town Lockerbie. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 270 people, with the six-part series centring on investigations by the UK and US governments around the bombing, as well as the personal impact the tragedy has on Lockerbie's residents, the victims' families, and the investigators. The Bombing of Pan Am 103 also features Back to Black's Eddie Marsan, Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan, The Rings of Power's Peter Mullan and Suits' Patrick J Adams, and premiered on BBC One last week, with the first two episodes available now. Guz Khan's acclaimed comedy series is back for a fifth and final season, which picks up after that huge season 4 cliffhanger where Mobeen was attacked in prison. The character is "back on the outside and reunited with the gang in Small Heath" and "embarking on an epic adventure overseas" – that's if he "can get his hands on a plane ticket and a fake passport". The six-episode swansong is available in full on BBC iPlayer, and has been touted as an "epic finale" to the series, which first began in 2017. This Danish series is set in an apocalyptic future where rising water levels leads to mass evacuations and massive societal change, including changed fortunes, family separations, division and hatred, as well as love and new beginnings. It centres on high school student Laura, who in the wake of the evacuation is forced to choose between three of her closest loved ones. Families Like Ours was created by Another Round's Thomas Vinterberg and The Art of Crying's Bo Hr Hansen, and has largely drawn acclaim. The series first premiered in its native Denmark last year, and was recently acquired by the BBC for BBC Four and BBC iPlayer, where it is available to stream in full. The hit dating reality show is back for a second season, with a group of new boys looking for love under the eye of host and all-round icon Dannii Minogue and narrator Layton Williams (Strictly Come Dancing). I Kissed a Boy follows 10 single men who meet for the first time and share a kiss in order to see if they have a connection, before seeing it leads to something deeper. The new episodes have already won praise from viewers after contestant Adam opened up about being diagnosed with HIV in an emotional conversation. The second season premiered earlier this month, two years after the successful first run, with the first few episodes available to watch now. The historcal drama series has returned for its second season, continuing the story of the final queen of France before the French Revolution. Treadstone's Emilia Schüle stars as the titular character, with the new episodes following Marie in the wake of her mother's death as she faces greater threats while her popularity grows in France. She and Louis XVI also face a financial crisis, as well as discontent among the nobles. The show comes from creator Deborah Davis, and also features Louis Cunningham, Call the Midwife's Jack Archer and The Gentlemen's Jasmine Blackborow. All episodes are available to watch now. Chris Packham's insightful series originally began in 2023 with Inside Our Autistic Minds, which saw the presenter team up with creatives to help autistic people express how they were feeling inside. In his new specials, which are both available now on BBC iPlayer, he meets people with ADHD and dyslexia as he helps them to produce films in order to show family and friends how they feel. Among the people Chris talks to are a tour guide with ADHD and a project manager who was diagnosed with the condition later in life, as well as a school counsellor and a builder from South Wales with dyslexia. This Morning and The Great British Bake Off favourite Alison Hammond has launched a new BBC series where she hangs out with a number of famous faces for a weekend "in the places that made them who they are". Fans can expect "laughs, juicy secrets, surprises and a few tears" as she gets to know the likes of Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, comedian Jimmy Carr, Beauty and the Beast's Luke Evans, Spice Girls' Mel B, comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry and boxing champion Tony Bellew. All episodes are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy British Comedy Legends in newsagents or online, now priced at just £3.99.£18.99 at at at EE£49.99 at at £99.00 at Amazon at Audible at at at EE at at at at at at at £54.98 at at at Amazon£29.98 at at Sky Mobile at at Game at Pandora at EE at at at at at at at at Game at at Three at at at at Pandora at at at at AO at at at at at Fitbit£49.99 at at at at at at at at at John Lewis£24.00 at at at at at at at at at at at £90.00 at at at at at John Lewis at at John Lewis & Partners at at at at Amazon at at Amazon at Fitbit£119.99 at at Amazon£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners at Three at at at at at at at at at Three at at at at at at Apple£49.99 at Amazon£21.99 at at at at at at at John Lewis at at EE at Audible at at at at at at at at at at at Amazon at at at Apple£379.00 at at John Lewis at at EE at at at at Three at at Samsung at at John Lewis$365.00 at Microsoft at at Apple at at crunchyroll£449.00 at John Lewis£22.00 at Amazon at at at at Samsung at at AO at at at at Microsoft at at at at Microsoft at John Lewis & Partners£269.99 at at at at at John Lewis at at Amazon at John Lewis & PartnersShop now at at at at at at Microsoft at at at at John Lewis at at at at £6.65 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at $14.00 at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Actress behind voice of Peppa Pig had role in huge biopic last year – would you have recognised her?
Would you have recognised the star? big role Actress behind voice of Peppa Pig had role in huge biopic last year – would you have recognised her? THE voice actress behind Peppa Pig had a role in a huge biopic last year - but would you have recognised her? Peppa Pig has been on screens since 2004, with five actresses having played the title character. 6 Peppa Pig star Harley Bird appeared in a major film biopic last year Credit: Getty 6 She starred in the beloved kids' cartoon from 2007 until 2020 Credit: Alamy 6 Harley played Juliette Ashby in Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black Credit: IMDB Harley Bird, 23, voiced Peppa from 2007 until 2020 - which is so far the longest stint in the role. Last year, she appeared in Back to Black, a biographical drama film about Amy Winehouse. Harley portrayed Juliette Ashby, the best friend to singer-songwriter Amy, who was played by Marisa Abela. The all-star cat also included Eddie Marsan, Lesley Manville, Jack O'Connell and EastEnders star Francesca Henry. Harley appeared in other projects during her time as the voice of Peppa Pig. Some examples include 2013 romantic drama film How I Live Now, in which Harley played Piper. She appeared in one episode of Doctor Who in 2014 and also starred in Goodbye, a radio drama by Peppa Pig co-star Morwenna Banks. In 2011, she became the youngest ever British Academy Film Award winner for her role as Peppa. Harley stepped down from the role in 2020 - and was replaced by The Haunting of Bly Manor's Amelie Bea Smith. It comes as Mummy Pig has welcomed the newest addition to the family. Peppa Pig's Mummy Pig gives birth to third baby as GMB reveals first pic and piglet's sweet name Good Morning Britain's Entertainment Reporter Richard Arnold, 55, told how Daddy Pig had informed him of the happy news at 5.34am, shortly before the ITV daytime show hit screens on Tuesday. He also revealed the name of the adorable new character completing Peppa's family. Richard said: "It brings me great joy to announce she's here. "It's a beautiful thing like I say Daddy Pig has just shared these pictures with me. "Named after Mummy Pig's aunt Evie." In February, Mummy Pig's maternity news first came to light on GMB. Meanwhile, the gender of the newborn piglet was finally confirmed last month. This news was unveiled in truly fashionable style, with Mummy Pig giving a cover interview for fashion magazine, Grazia. 6 Harley left her role as Peppa Pig in 2020 Credit: Rex 6 Marisa Abela portrayed Amy Winehouse - who died in 2011 Credit: AP
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Actress behind voice of Peppa Pig had role in huge biopic last year – would you have recognised her?
THE voice actress behind Peppa Pig had a role in a huge biopic last year - but would you have recognised her? Peppa Pig has been on screens since 2004, with five actresses having played the title character. Advertisement 6 Peppa Pig star Harley Bird appeared in a major film biopic last year Credit: Getty 6 She starred in the beloved kids' cartoon from 2007 until 2020 Credit: Alamy 6 Harley played Juliette Ashby in Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black Credit: IMDB Harley Bird, 23, voiced Peppa from 2007 until 2020 - which is so far the longest stint in the role. Last year, she appeared in Back to Black, a biographical drama film about Harley portrayed Juliette Ashby, the best friend to singer-songwriter Amy, who was played by Marisa Abela. The all-star cat also included Eddie Marsan, Lesley Manville, Jack O'Connell and EastEnders star Francesca Henry. Advertisement Read more on Peppa Pig Harley appeared in other projects during her time as the voice of Peppa Pig . Some examples include 2013 romantic drama film How I Live Now, in which Harley played Piper. She appeared in one episode of Doctor Who in 2014 and also starred in Goodbye, a radio drama by Peppa Pig co-star Morwenna Banks. In 2011, she became the youngest ever British Academy Film Award winner for her role as Peppa. Advertisement Most read in News TV Harley stepped down from the role in 2020 - and was replaced by The Haunting of Bly Manor's Amelie Bea Smith. It comes as Mummy Pig has Peppa Pig's Mummy Pig gives birth to third baby as GMB reveals first pic and piglet's sweet name Good Morning Britain's Entertainment Reporter Richard Arnold , 55, told how Daddy Pig had informed him of the happy news at 5.34am, shortly before the ITV daytime show hit screens on Tuesday. He also revealed the name of the adorable new character completing Peppa's family. Advertisement Richard said: "It brings me great joy to announce she's here. "It's a beautiful thing like I say Daddy Pig has just shared these pictures with me. "Named after Mummy Pig's aunt Evie." In February, first came to light on GMB. Advertisement Meanwhile, the This news was unveiled in truly fashionable style, with Mummy Pig giving a cover interview for fashion magazine, 6 Harley left her role as Peppa Pig in 2020 Credit: Rex 6 Marisa Abela portrayed Amy Winehouse - who died in 2011 Credit: AP Advertisement 6 The real Juliette Ashby, whom Harley played in Back to Black Credit: Getty
