Latest news with #BenJoyce
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Woke actors' union ridiculed for moaning Quasimodo is NOT played by disabled person in new Hunchback of Notre Dame show
A WOKE actors' union has been ridiculed for moaning Quasimodo is not played by a disabled person in a Hunchback of Notre Dame show. Equity tore into the West End production after rising star Ben Joyce, 24, was picked for the lead. Tragic hero Quasimodo is blind in one eye, deaf and has a hunchback — sparking questions over who the union thinks should play him. Equity says of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert: 'There is a real and significant issue of casting a non-physically disabled performer in the role of a physically disabled character.' It was mocked online and reminded acting is pretending to be someone else. Charlie Howarth tweeted: 'Do you think the casting call should have been for 'hideous, hunchback disabled people'? "If so, do you really think this would have done much for disabled people?' Another wrote: 'Jesus wept, so you wanted to find an actual hump-backed person with a speech impediment to play the character?' Top actors including Sir Anthony Hopkins and Charles Laughton have played Quasimodo on screen. Basic Instinct to get 'anti-woke' reboot with Margot Robbie and Sydney Sweeney in running for lead role 2
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
West End's Hunchback of Notre Dame in row over casting a non-disabled actor as Quasimodo - but others insist: 'Didn't it used to be called acting?'
The production company putting on a show for the Hunchback of Notre Dame has faced criticism over its decision to cast a non-disabled actor as its lead. Jack Maple Productions came under fire after critics claimed that casting an actor without a physical impairment as the lead role of Quasimodo was an example of 'ableism'. Equity, the performing arts trade union, states that its policy is to 'support the casting of a deaf or disabled artist in deaf or disabled character roles,' and that 'the decision not to cast a physically disabled actor' goes against its principles. The show will be held at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End and the role of Quasimodo will be shared by Ben Joyce and Oliver Hewing, who is deaf and will be providing a British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation of the performance. In the original production, Quasimodo is portrayed as having a severe hunchback, along with being partially blind and described as deaf. Equity states that while 'the production explores the character's deaf identity', it claims that the character's hunchback is 'intrinsic to the story'. Natalie Amber, Chair of Equity's Deaf and Disabled Members Committee, said in a statement online: 'To highlight one facet while overlooking another erases the lived experience of people with physical impairments and is an example of ableism. 'While we welcome the inclusion of BSL interpreters, neurodivergent, and Romani performers, it is important to recognise that diversity is not a trade-off. Representation of one marginalised group does not excuse the erasure of another.' The union said that the casting of the role 'caused concern' and raised 'many questions' from some of its 50,000 performers and creative practitioners. Equity said that there must be a 'fair and accessible' audition process which is paired with 'targeted outreach to those artists who have lived experience of the specific disability, impairment, health condition or similar, being portrayed.' The union stated that 'it is aware that individuals with disabilities are involved in the production, and that BSL will be incorporated into one performance'. However, it said these facts 'side-step the real and significant issue of casting a non-physically disabled performer in the role of a physically disabled character'. When posting the statement on X, the Equity received a mixed reaction, with one person writing: 'Acting is just pretending to be someone you are not.' Another penned: 'Didn't it used to be called acting?' A third said: 'I am disabled - if you likened me to Quasimodo because of it, I would be furious.' A fourth commented: 'So disabled people can only play hunchbacks? This is the line you're going with?' Standard tickets for The Hunchback of Notre Dame are selling upwards of £30 and performances are set to take place on 17 August at 3pm and 7.30pm, with a BSL interpreted show set to be held on 24 August at 6pm. Equity says it has been having 'positive engagement' with Jack Maple Productions ahead of the opening performance, in which they have highlighted the 'structural discrimination faced by disabled artists'. Jack Maple Productions and the actors starring as Quasimodo were approached for comment by the Daily Mail. This comes after Shakespeare's The Globe Theatre was embroiled in an ableism row after a non-disabled actor was cast as Richard III who is believed to have suffered from scoliosis in January 2024. It was announced that the Olivier Award-winning actress and Artistic Director at The Globe, Michelle Terry, would play the titular role in the Globe's summer production. Richard III, Shakespeare's 'bunch-backed' scheming King describes himself as 'deformed, unfinish'd' and the decision to cast an able-bodied actress has received a torrent of backlash. Brittanie Pallet, a professionally trained disabled performer, wrote on X: 'Why is an artistic director of any theatre firing themselves to play the lead when it's not their casting or lived experience? 'The misrepresentation and misinformation causes actual daily harm to the lives of real disabled people.' She continued: 'The work we make is, in varying degrees, a reflection of our society and our beliefs about the people we share the world with. Most people's only experience of disabled life is through the stories we tell so it's bloody dangerous when we get that wrong.' The Globe issued a statement in response to the backlash and said: 'We recognise the barriers to access in our industry and to our organisation and we are working hard to address that. 'We believe the Shakespearean canon is based on a foundation of anti-literalism and therefore all artists should have the right to play all parts in, and the casting across all our work year-round is no different.'
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Top 5 fastest pitches ever recorded in MLB history thrown by record-breaking players
Top 5 fastest pitches ever recorded in MLB history thrown by record-breaking players (Image va Getty) Throwing a fast pitch is one of the most exciting things in baseball. It shows power, skill, and control. Over the years, a few pitchers have shocked fans with blazing speed. Thanks to Statcast, we now know exactly who threw the fastest. These five pitchers delivered the top-speed fastballs ever recorded in Major League Baseball history. 1. Aroldis Chapman throws 105.8 mph pitch Aroldis Chapman has the quickest pitch in the MLB Statcast era. Playing for the Cincinnati Reds on September 24, 2010, he threw a 105. 8 mph fastball. Officially, this is still the fastest speed ever registered. Chapman became well-known thanks in part to his powerful left arm and regular high-speed throws. 2. Ben Joyce shocks with 105.5 mph heater On September 3, 2024, headlines were made by Ben Joyce. Throwing a 105. 5 mph pitch during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was pitching for the Los Angeles Angels. He struck out Tommy Edman with that pitch. It was the quickest MLB history strikeout pitch ever noted. 3. Jordan Hicks clocks 105.1 mph fastball Jordan Hicks' powerful arm is very well known. Throwing a 105. 1 mph pitch while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals on May 20, 2018. This made him one of the few pitchers in MLB history to have broken the 105 mph threshold. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir hoy Empieza ahora Undo His pitch bewildered both fans and hitters. 4. Joel Zumaya hits 104.8 mph in earlier era Jordan Hicks' powerful arm is very well known. Throwing a 105. 1 mph pitch while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals on May 20, 2018. This made him one of the few pitchers in MLB history to have broken the 105 mph threshold. His pitch bewildered both fans and hitters. 5. Emmanuel Clase joins elite list with 103.4 mph Closer for the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase is another great strong-thrower. In recent years he has thrown at more than 100 mph regularly. His fastest pitch, recorded at 103. 4 mph, places him among the quickest modern MLB era pitchers. His velocity and control are helping him to establish himself as a star. These hurlers have demonstrated remarkable ability. Though names like Ben Joyce and Jordan Hicks are moving up, Aroldis Chapman is still first. Speed keeps enthralling viewers, and with each new season we could see someone go beyond the 106 mph barrier. Also Read: MLB All-Star Game Set For Historic Robot Umpire Debut With Live Pitch Challenge And Automated Strike Zone System For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Reuters
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Angels recall Caden Dana, DFA fellow RHP Shaun Anderson
May 25 - The Los Angeles Angels recalled right-hander Caden Dana from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday and designated right-hander Shaun Anderson for assignment. The move is not surprising, as the Angels seek to add available arms to a depleted bullpen. Flamethrower Ben Joyce underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, and veteran Robert Stephenson is still completing his rehab assignment. Anderson, 30, had a 6.30 ERA and 10 strikeouts across 10 innings of work. He earned a win against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Sunday; in 2 2/3 innings, he gave up one earned run, one hit, and no walks, while striking out three. Dana is ranked as the organization's No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He was called up earlier this season for a relief appearance, pitching three innings and allowing two runs, four hits, and one walk to go along with two strikeouts. The 21-year-old standout had a 2.52 ERA in 135 2/3 innings at Double-A Rocket City last season and has options. This season, he is 3-4 with a 5.21 ERA in eight starts at Salt Lake. "He'll be our long guy out of the bullpen if we need him in that situation," Angels manager Ron Washington told reporters of Dana. "That's the way we will use him, because he has length. We needed length, so that's what he's here to do. If something happens in the second inning, he could take the game all the way to the end, and that's what we needed. And he was available. It was his time to pitch, so we brought him up." Despite the bullpen uncertainty, the Angels (25-25) have been on fire, winning eight straight games entering Saturday night's game against the Miami Marlins. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Angels Predicted to Make Trade After Season-Ending Announcement
The Los Angeles Angels are just 17-25, which is last in the American League West standings. This comes after a franchise record 99 losses last season. As they attempt to climb back into postseason contention, the Angels have also been hit by injuries. After playing in 29 straight games following a move to right field that intended to keep him healthier, 11-time All-Star Mike Trout landed on the 10-day injured list with a left knee bone bruise. Among others, Trout joined right-handed relief pitcher Ben Joyce on the injured list, who was placed there in April due to right shoulder inflammation. Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ben Joyce (44) © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images After some conflicting reports on the perceived severity of Joyce's injury, the Angels made the unfortunate announcement that he would undergo surgery and be out for the season. Advertisement 'Ben Joyce underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder earlier this morning," the team announced on Wednesday. "He is expected to miss the remainder of the season.' Had the Angels been higher up the standings, perhaps the Joyce news would prompt them to pursue another late-inning reliever in the trade market. Instead, the team is predicted to go in a different direction, and actually trade away from its bullpen. In an article on Thursday, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicted the Angels could deal right-handed closer Kenley Jansen before the deadline. "Closer Kenley Jansen, who's playing on a one-year, $10 million contract, could also be a popular trade target this summer," he wrote. After a perfect start to his Angels tenure, pitching eight straight scoreless outings, Jansen has struggled recently. In the month of May, he has surrendered eight earned runs in just three innings pitched. Advertisement Jansen ranks fourth all-time in saves with 454. Related: Angels Predicted to Make Major Trade After Mike Trout News Related: Angels Star Mike Trout Sends 5-Word Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Message
