Latest news with #BarbicanCentre
Time Out
5 days ago
- General
- Time Out
London is getting a new museum all about brutalist architecture
The Barbican Centre, the National Theatre and Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate. The capital is absolutely brimming with brutalist icons, so it's only right that we should have an entire museum dedicated to these great geometric beasts of concrete. The UK's first ever Museum of Brutalist Architecture is to open inside the Grade II-listed assembly hall at Acland Burghley School in Camden. The assembly hall, housed inside the brutalist-designed north London school, will first undergo a big renovation, funded by the National Lottery. Acland Burghley School was chosen to host the museum as it is one of the UK's last remaining Brutalist school buildings. Its hexagonal assembly hall and nearby main school building, completed in 1968, was the only school designed by post-war architects Howell, Killick, Partridge & Amis. Although the hall was originally designed to be of wider community use, at the moment limited accessibility means this is not entirely possible. With the National Lottery's £1 million grant, the hall will have its key architecture features restored, alongside improved accessibility, new gallery facilities for heritage exhibitions, and become home to the Museum of Brutalist Architecture. The museum is being developed by Urban Learners. Harvey O'Brien, year 10 Acland Burghley student and Camden Deputy Youth MP, said: 'It's a great opportunity for both the school and the local community. It will allow us to do so much more and help so many more people.' Nicholas John, headteacher, said: 'This isn't just about renovating a building. For our neighbours, safe, accessible spaces like this Hall can be a lifeline. The Hall for All will give young people, families and community groups a place to connect, learn and belong and ensure that this treasured space remains accessible and inspiring for generations.' The timeline for the renovation and the opening of the museum hasn't yet been announced. We will update you when we have more information. The 25 best museums in London.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lena Dunham packs on the PDA with her husband Luis Felber at Too Much screening - after admitting she 'doesn't trust herself' in the marriage
Lena Dunham packed on the PDA with her husband Luis Felber at the UK special screening for her new Netflix series Too Much at the Barbican Centre on Monday night. The actress, 39, cut a glamorous figure in a one-shoulder red gown as she planted a kiss on her partner. It comes after earlier this month she admitted that she 'doesn't trust herself' in her marriage as she reflected on her tumultuous dating history. At the screening she looked great in the bright number which had a long silk skirt and was accessorised with sparkling silver jewellery. Meanwhile musician Luis, 39, cut a dapper figure in a black suit and bow tie as he supported his wife of four years. Later Lena took part in a Q&A hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan where she spoke about the series being made by the same producers from Bridget Jones. Katherine said: 'This show comes from the same producers who gave us Bridget Jones's Diary - an iconic story about. We've reclaimed it now but she was lovable, she was a messy. 'You know we're from a toxic generation yes...' Lena then replied: 'Oh we really are and she had that skirt that wouldn't fit over her big pants even though looking back she was really thin. That's not a knock on I mean it's one of the most important films of my life. 'It's just an interesting thing when you realize that this character who you thought like that's what it is to be a loose complicated woman and you're like who hasn't worn big pants and had sex with two guys in a week!' The screening comes after earlier this month Lena admitted she 'doesn't trust herself' in her marriage as she reflected on her tumultuous dating history. The Girls star wed musician Luis in 2021 and wrote an essay for Vogue ahead of the release of the semi-autobiographical Netflix series Too Much. She mused: 'You really never know when you're having your last affair. 'Some of us hope that every frog we kiss is our happy ending, while others stand hand in hand with their soulmate, still terrified of the vista narrowing, the buffet running out, closing time. 'Even now, I can't be sure. It's not that I don't trust my husband or our life – I do, very much. It's that at some point along the way, wrecking myself again and again on the rocky shores of male attention, I stopped trusting myself.' Lena went on to detail her 'boy crazy' past as she reflected on her two-week relationship with a man called Craig, whom she developed strong feelings for, that were not reciprocated. Their relationship fizzled out when Lena moved to London for work and it was then that she met Luis in January 2021 on a blind date after being set up by friends. Less than a year later, they had tied the knot in September 2021. Lena previously dated musician Jack Antonoff. They were together for five years from 2012 to 2017 before their split, which was described as 'amicable.' Lena had spoken about her heartbreak in an essay for Vogue in May 2018: 'We sat in our shared kitchen of nearly four years and quietly faced each other, acknowledging what nobody wanted to say,' she began. 'That obsessive connection had turned to blind devotion, and the blinders were coming off to reveal that we had evolved separately (the least shocking reason of all and perhaps the most common),' a second excerpt read. Following her split from boyfriend Jack, Lena revealed she was briefly engaged to an unnamed man, after he 'proposed with the lace of a Timbaland boot while they were snowed in at her parents' apartment.' Lena's new 10-part rom-com, Too Much, follows a New Yorker (Megan Stalter) who heads to London in the wake of a breakup - much like she did herself - and is co-produced by Luis. She previously explained why she cast Stalter instead of herself in her semi-autobiographical series. 'I was not willing to have another experience like what I'd experienced around [my HBO series Girls] at this point in my life,' the producer-star explained to the New Yorker. 'Physically, I was just not up for having my body dissected again. It was a hard choice, not to cast Meg — because I knew I wanted Meg — but to admit that to myself. 'I used to think that winning meant you just keep doing it and you don't care what anybody thinks. I forgot that winning is actually just protecting yourself and doing what you need to do to keep making work.' Lena continued: 'I remember looking at Meg and being, like, 'You are my muse. You inspire me every single day to go home and tap out pages upon pages.' I definitely don't want to be my own muse.' She gushed over how 'inspiring and unbelievably talented' the Hacks star is as her thinly veiled character Jessica, who falls in love with a British musician called Felix (Will Sharpe) after moving from New York to North London.
Forbes
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Father's Day Gift Guide: The Most Interesting International Spirits
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: A judge selects a bottle of wine for tasting during the 'International Wine Challenge' event at the Barbican centre on April 20, 2010 in London, England. Judges will taste from over 10,000 bottles of wine from across the globe, with wines in each category winning either Gold, Silver or Bronze in the biggest and most important event of its kind in the world. (Photo by) Getty Images For the dad who has everything (including a half-full bottle of bourbon he "forgets" to finish), maybe it's time to introduce something new. And not just new-to-him, but new-to-his-bar-cart. This Father's Day, skip the expected and look globally: there's a whole world of interesting, complex, and straight-up fascinating spirits waiting to be explored. Some are cultural staples abroad, others are locally revered oddities, but all of them are worth a pour. Whether he's the kind of guy who wants to know the entire backstory behind every bottle, or just wants something cool to sample, these picks deliver. Here are eight global spirits that bring character, craft, and a little surprise to your Father's Day lineup. Stems of bison grass float inside completed bottles of Zubrowka vodka as they move along the bottling line. Copyright 2012 Bloomberg Finance LP Infused with a blade of bison grass that grows in the Białowieża Forest, Żubrówka isn't just a vodka with a gimmick. It's an herbaceous, subtly sweet spirit that delivers a whisper of spring meadow. It shines in a chilled shot or the Polish classic 'Żubrówka and apple juice" (known locally as a "tatanka"), but it's also one of Poland's most successful alcohol exports: Żubrówka is consistently ranked among the top-five bestselling vodkas in the world. It got there even in the face of a banned in the U.S. by the FDA, because of the possible blood-thinning effects of the grass that was lifted in 2010. A flagship of China's baijiu category, Moutai is a divisive icon: intensely aromatic, famously funky, and loaded with umami. Distilled from sorghum and aged in clay, it's been a favorite of many prominent historical diplomats. Distributed stateside by Kweichow Moutai Co. via specialty importers, it ranked as the most valuable liquor brand globally in 2025, surpassing $250 billion in market cap. Gift this to your dad if he isn't afraid of a challenge. Nardini is one of Italy's largest and most well-known grappa producers, with a history dating back to the 18th century. Courtesy: Winebow Made from grape pomace, grappa is Italy's answer to 'nose to tail' winemaking. Fragrant, fiery, and full of rustic charm, Italy produces roughly 40 million bottles of grappa each year, with many grapperias in operation for centuries. Nardini is widely considered the oldest, with a history dating back to 1779; given their status, they're a great place to start with picking your gift. Grappa comes in a number of different expressions, starting with clear, unaged 'bianca' (white) and moving through a variety of ages and cask-finishes. A plum brandy with punch, Slivovitz is a mainstay in much of Eastern Europe, especially Serbia and Croatia. It ranges from fire-breathing moonshine to elegant, aged eaux-de-vie, and usually packs a fragrant, fruity punch. Look for bottled-in-country versions for the best quality, with popular brands like Maraska (Croatia) and Navip (Serbia) available in U.S. specialty shops (many with the distinctive circular bottle that Slivovitz fans know and love). Pisco is the national spirit of both Peru and Chile; while the drink is traditionally clear, experiments with cask-aging has lead to expanded colors for pisco expressions. Courtesy: Winebow South America's grape-based spirit has long had loyal fans on both sides of the Andes, with Peru and Chile each claiming it as their own—the Denomination of Origin (DO) is accepted from both countries, though an ongoing legal battle could change that. Floral, silky, and typically unaged, pisco brings a bright, fragrant profile that works well neat or in a cocktail (Pisco Sour, anyone?). Recently, distillers have also tried aging their pisco to add different profiles, which resulted in a variety of colors, but the traditional pisco is clear. Often referred to as "lion's milk" when mixed with water (thanks to its opalescent coloration), Raki is an answer to Greek ouzo or French pastis: an anise-flavored spirit with big, bold aromatics, with production dominated by Diageo. Other countries in the Ottoman sphere also claim Raki, but Turkey considers it their national drink—with an intense flavor and even more powerful nose, Raki is best served with mezze and plenty of stories. Viamundi is one of the brands attempting to bring sotol consumption to the mainstream. Courtesy: Viamundi Not quite tequila, not quite mezcal, sotol is made from a wild desert plant (not agave!) and delivers a grassy, mineral-forward character all its own. Often earthier and more savory than its cousins, sotol is still relatively under the radar in the U.S., which is exactly what makes it cool. Given tequila's ascendant position in the market, it makes sense that distillers would try to glom onto the trend and bring another spirit to the market—especially one that doesn't compete for agave, which has had large price fluctuations in the past and is in demand. Made from fermented cashew apple (or coconut, depending on the region), feni is hyperlocal to Goa and shockingly expressive. The nose alone is a journey: fruity, funky, and a little wild. It's not for everyone—but if you're shopping for a dad who wants something nobody else has heard of, this is it. Goa feni has geographical indication (GI) status in India, making it a protected regional specialty. Much of the production is still artisanal and non-commercial, though brands have been bringing feni to the U.S. market since 2015. Whether you wrap it, pour it, or set it out next to a globe and a cigar, these spirits are more than just thoughtful gifts. They're drinkable passports to somewhere else—which, depending on your dad's travel plans this year, might be exactly what he needs.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Tallia Storm leaves nothing to the imagination as she ditches underwear in sexy cut out dress on the red carpet
TALLIA Storm posed up a storm in a daring cut-out dress as she hit the red carpet. The X Factor alum, 26, opted for a cobalt blue figure-hugging gown with halterneck hemline and exposed back. 6 Tallia 's outfit choice tied high on her hip - revealing she had ditched her lingerie - and showcased her glowing tan. The Scottish singer swept her blonde hair into an up-do and kept her make-up chic, with a slick of black mascara and red lip gloss. She proved a pro at striking poses on the Red Carpet at the world premiere of movie Deep Cover, held at the SXSW Festival London 2025 at the Barbican Centre. Tallia struck a look with her hand on her hip before glancing over her shoulder for another angle. It came after she wowed in a plunging swimsuit while soaking up the sunshine in Barbados. She also stunned in a catsuit in Switzerland. Glasgow lass Tallia also recently revealed how she "screamed" with delight after being headhunted by megastar Rihanna's lingerie label, Savage X Fenty. The singer told how she hit it off with the billionaire pop star and businesswoman at a summer showbiz party in Los Angeles. Tallia follows in the footsteps of supermodel Cindy Crawford in modelling for the brand, which was launched by the Umbrella singer in 2008. ALL CHANGE Last year, Tallia told how she would be undergoing a huge lifestyle revamp. Tallia Storm leaves NOTHING to the imagination in tiny bra top and pink dress at Elton John movie premiere The Boyfriend singer wrote on social media she would be quitting her Capital Scotland job to re-locate to London. In a social media caption she wrote: "Best year of my life moving back to Scotland & waking up at 5am to host Scotland 's number 1 hit music station @CapitalScotland with my bestie, sarcastic, hilarious king for life @Fatpresenter. "Loved every minute of it but my loan period is up & I move back to London & have to say goodbye to my Scottish besties. "I've loved every minute of laughing, crying & celebrating with every one of YOU right here in Scotland. "Thank you for making my wildest dreams come true & letting me talk to you for 4 hours a day Monday - Friday!!!! "Love you guys, there's no place like Scotland!" 6 6 6
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joanne Froggatt looks chic in a black dress as she joins Ranvir Singh at the Fiddler on the Roof musical press night
looked chic as she joined Ranvir Singh at the Fiddler On The Roof musical press night on Tuesday. Attending the event the Barbican Centre, London, the actress, 44, opted for an elegant black dress, with a deep V-neckline. Joanne cinched her outfit in with a belt, added a pair of heels and topped off her look with a classic Chanel handbag. Meanwhile, Ranvir, 47, wore a dark blue jumpsuit with cropped bottoms and a belted waist. The TV presenter added a quirky pair of suede shoes and styled her hair into loose waves to complete her look. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Joanne was joined on the red carpet by Amy Nuttall, who looked stylish in a white shirt and bright red trousers. The outing comes after she opened up on how she believes travel unveils a feeling of insignificance that can really shift your perspective on life. The Mobland star revealed that after the collapse of her marriage five years ago, she checked into a £1,500 transcendental meditation retreat in Australia. Joanne was married to James Cannon for nearly eight years until their split in February 2020, which she has said threw her life 'in flux'. She said she was inspired to take a solo visit to Soma Byron Bay just after the split, by watching the TV series Nine Perfect Strangers starring Nicole Kidman. Speaking to travel industry expert Tanya Rose on Travel Secrets The Podcast, she recalled: 'I booked this retreat and it was an introduction to Ayurvedic meditation - some people call it transcendental meditation. 'Oh my goodness, it blew my mind. It was incredible. I went on my own. ' Byron Bay is just the most stunning place anyway, it's so beautiful. The beaches are amazing, it's a very lush, tropical landscape. It's just gorgeous.' Sir Lenny Henry and Lisa Makin smiled for a photo together on the red carpet The boutique 'wellness' getaway boasts a geodesic dome, an outdoor cinema, a swimming pool and a fire pit and was used for the filming of Nine Perfect Strangers in 2020. Joanne said she booked a transcendental meditation retreat that coincided with a job she had booked in Australia in 2022 after becoming 'obsessed' with the location when watching the show. The Liar star, who now has a nine-month-old daughter with her new partner, Mark Turner, gushed over the unique retreat and how she bonded with the other travellers. She explained: 'You rock up and there's a group of people there and there's Ayurvedic food for you. It was either couples of single people and you don't know anyone. You just spend this very intense but calm two and a half days together. 'It was such an incredible experience - not only learning the meditation technique, because I found that really powerful. 'Did I keep it up? No. I did for a while and it's a great tool to go back to and I wish I kept it up more. 'But what was so incredible about it was the setting was stunning, all of that just completely lived up to expectation - and some.' She went on: 'But it was just having that experience of being a solo traveller with a group of people that you didn't know and how we bonded and shared stories and went through this experience together and shared so much of our lives in conversation. 'And that to me is the magic of travelling anywhere. You could be on a bus in wherever it may be, you could be in a lovely meditation retreat in Byron Bay, but really what makes it is the people you meet and the people you're thrown in with and that you have these experiences with. 'It really brought it home. It was just such a magical couple of days away from the world. We saw a koala that lives in the forestry around there and there were just these really special quiet moments that felt really magical.'
