Latest news with #BlackComedy
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pedro Pascal's sister Lux steals the spotlight in daring silk gown as she supports her brother at Eddington premiere in Cannes
Pedro Pascal 's younger sister Lux ensured all eyes were on her as she joined her famous brother at the Eddington premiere during the Cannes Film Festival on Friday night. The actor, 50, stars in the black comedy Western as Ted Garcia, the town's mayor who is running for reelection. Making sure to show her support for her big brother Lux, 32, put on a dazzling display in a show-stopping gown as she stepped onto the red carpet. The transgender activist wowed in the striking white number that clung to her svelte figure and featured a dramatically long train. The floor length dress boasted pleats and panelling as well as a thigh-high split which exposed a little bit of leg. Silver and gold details ran down one side, whilst the dainty straps crossed down behind her, highlighting her toned back. Lux left her brunette locks to flow freely over her shoulders and completed her dazzling look with diamond earrings and a flawless face of makeup to accentuate her stunning features. Pedro and Lux share a strong bond, with the Mandalorian star previously calling her one of the 'most powerful people and personalities' he knows. Speaking to Esquire last year, he gushed: 'She is and has always been one of the most powerful people and personalities I've ever known. My protective side is lethal, but I need her more than she needs me.' He added that he had always felt 'parental' to Lux and his younger brother Nicolás following the death of their mother, Veronica Pascal, who tragically took her own life in February 1999, when Pedro was 24 and Lux just seven. He explained: 'They were very young kids, so much younger than me and my older sister, so even if they hadn't lost a parent, we would still feel parental toward them. 'And I didn't naively think I could fill a space like that, but I just always wanted to be like, I'm here.' Like her brother, Lux is also an actor, having graduated from the prestigious Julliard School in 2023, and having roles in The Prince, Invisible Heroes, and Chilean drama series Los 80. She publicly came out as transgender in 2021, appearing on the cover of Chilean magazine, Ya, where she bravely detailed her transition. The floor length dress boasted pleats and panelling as well as a thigh-high split which exposed a little bit of leg Lux credited Pedro as being an 'important part' of her journey as she recalled: 'When I officially told him about my transition through FaceTime, he asked me how I felt… because I remember that he was worried. 'I told him, 'I'm happy.' And his answer was: "Perfect, this is incredible".' Cannes Film Festival, where filmmakers, sales agents and journalists gather from around the world, is the Olympics of the big screen, with its own golden prize, the Palme d´Or, to give out at the end. Filmmakers come from nearly every corner of the globe to showcase their films while dealmakers work through the night to sell finished films or packaged productions to various territories. Over recent years the star-studded extravaganza has arguably won more attention for the outfits worn by its celebrity guests than the roster of feature films being screened on the Croisette. But new nudity rules, devised for 'the sake of decency,' have been implemented at this year's festival. According to organisers, the austere move is an attempt to stifle the celebrity trend for 'naked dresses' - namely provocative outfits that reveal considerably more than they conceal - on the red carpet. 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,' states a Cannes festival document. 'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.' The surprise new policy features in a recent festival-goers charter - released with a series of outlines regarding expected public behaviour. Guests are expected to converge on the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière for some of the highest profile film screenings across a packed two-week schedule in Cannes. It's understood that the iconic venue now adopts a more conservative dress code, with suits, dinner jackets and floor-length evening gowns generally favoured over headline grabbing ensembles. Classic little black dresses, cocktail dresses, pant-suits, dressy tops and elegant sandals, 'with or without a heel', will also be permitted. While the decision to implement a more stringent policy will be a first, it is not known if French TV broadcasters, wary of airing nudity, played a role in its enforcement. Major red carpet events, including the Cannes Film Festival, are aired in France by France Télévisions Recently attracting more models and influencers than actors and filmmakers, the annual ceremony has seen an increase in risque red carpet fashion statements. In 2021, American supermodel Bella Hadid bared her cleavage in a plunging black gown while attending a screening of Tre Piani (Three Floors). She pulled a similar stunt three years later, with guests at the 2024 gala left speechless after she attended the premiere of Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice completely braless beneath a sheer brown evening dress.
ABC News
04-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Financial investigation ordered as remote Cape York businesses close
Australia's northernmost mainland community has been without its only supermarket for almost two months. The service station at the Cape York town of Seisia is also closed and visitors cannot book into the campground. Many in the community of 260 are not sure why the services have closed. But workers say they have not been paid and it has triggered a corporate governance probe. Seisia is the closest community to the tip of Cape York, a popular bucket list destination for tourists. ( ABC News: Brendan Mounter ) The remote town's main service businesses are run by a community-owned organisation called Seisia Enterprises. It launched in 1996 as part of an effort to generate employment in the remote community near the tip of Cape York, 1,000km north of Cairns. "My vision was that if we can start businesses that made money for us, we can be here for a long time, instead of going back to government for money," said one of its founders, Joseph Elu. Mr Elu said he was worried about what the closures would mean for the community's future. " We worked very hard for Seisia to become a successful community and in the time of a bloody eye blink we lost it. " Cape York communities are remote, with roads between them largely unsealed. ( ABC News: Brendan Mounter ) Doors close to community In early March the doors suddenly closed on Seisia Enterprises's supermarket and service station. It is not clear when the shops will reopen and, in the meantime, residents are travelling 6km to the town of Bamaga to buy food and fuel. The northern peninsula area of Cape York is isolated and remote. ( ABC Far North: Carli Willis ) The closures occurred after five new directors joined the board of Seisia Enterprises. But in a statement they said the organisation "firmly refutes and denies any claims it is responsible for the closures". Among the new board members are chairman Jeffrey Aniba and Aaron Fa'aoso, a well-known actor who has appeared in ABC TV series such as The Straits and Black Comedy. The statement said the board was assessing the company's financial situation with a focus on revitalising Seisia. The board said it was assessing the financial status of the business and would not comment on operational aspects of the business until it had a "comprehensive picture" of its finances. In the meantime, Seisia resident Gregory Bond said he was still turning up to work unpaid in the hope of one day being paid what he was owed. He has worked for the company for 23 years and said the community was suffering. "People need fuel for their cars and boats to go out fishing and all that," he said. He said a freezer malfunction after the shop closed led to spoiled food. " There's a lot of bread we threw out and half a pallet of chicken with pies, pizzas and all the frozen stuff. " Police investigate allegation The board overhaul came after the resignation of former director Francis Elu. The circumstances that led to him stepping down are currently under police scrutiny. Francis Elu (centre) with James (left) and Aaron Fa'aoso holding a document Mr Elu alleges he was pressured to sign. ( Facebook: Cape Crusaders ) Francis Elu said Mr Fa'aoso and his brother James approached him late last year to discuss a proposal for new investment into Seisia Enterprises. Seisia's community-owned supermarket has been closed for several weeks. ( Supplied: Wojciech Kaminski ) During a second conversation with the brothers in December Mr Elu alleges he was "pressured" to resign as a director because of the business's financial position and allegations of corruption. "They told me that 'look, Seisia is in a mess and that people will probably get thrown in jail' and all this stuff," Francis Elu said. Four days later he made a formal complaint to Queensland Police which is now investigating the nature of that meeting. Actor Aaron Fa'aoso is a director of Seisia Enterprises and unsuccessfully sought preselection for Labor ahead of the 2024 Queensland election. ( Supplied ) Aaron Fa'aoso said he strongly rejected any allegation he had coerced Francis Elu to quit. James Fa'aoso, who is not on the Seisia Enterprises board, has been contacted for comment. No charges have been laid and the ABC is not suggesting any wrongdoing. 'Complex and sensitive' situation Seisia Enterprises is a subsidiary of the Seisia Community Torres Strait Islander Corporation, a not-for-profit with public reporting obligations. The parent corporation's most recent published financial report for the year ending June 30, 2023, showed it had $4.4 million in assets and $485,000 in cash. Residents of Seisia are having to travel to Bamaga (pictured) for food and fuel. ( ABC Far North: Brendan Mounter ) However, it is understood Seisia Enterprises had about $30,000 in its bank accounts when the new directors took over. Francis Elu said a plan had been in place to turn Seisia Enterprises's finances around and "everything was on track" prior to his resignation in December. Moses Tabuai says he quit when he was allegedly locked out of the business's accounts. ( Supplied ) Former finance director and acting chief executive Moses Tabuai said the organisation's financial position was "critical" at the time. But he said he believed in the recovery plan which aimed to sell assets and use grant funding to reopen a local meatworks and butcher shop to generate more income. Mr Tabuai said he paid staff wages until the new directors allegedly locked him out of the business bank accounts in March. Workers found rotting food which had to be thrown out after the shop closed its doors. ( Supplied: Wojciech Kaminski ) He said that prompted him to quit. In their statement, the board did not answer questions about unpaid workers and Mr Tabuai's inability to access the business bank accounts. The board statement, issued by Mr Aniba, said the situation was "complex and sensitive". "Our primary focus is on revitalising Seisia Enterprises to continue providing essential employment opportunities for our community, as we have successfully done for the past 20 years," the statement read. " We are assessing the financial status of the business to gain a clearer understanding of the situation. " 'Back to grandfather's days' Seisia Enterprises former grants officer Talei Elu, who was sacked by Mr Aniba earlier this year, said the business's financial position was partly down to some past poor management decisions. Ms Elu, the daughter of Joseph Elu, said the business's financial viability was also held back by a monthly fee it pays to the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, which still owns its shopfronts. Former Queensland Young Australian of the Year, Talei Elu, believes there's a need for more corporate governance programs in remote communities. ( Supplied: NADC/Salty Dingo ) Ms Elu said she was concerned the ongoing closure would damage Seisia Enterprises's long-term relationship with critical major suppliers. She said the situation highlighted a need for more corporate governance education to be rolled out in remote communities to reduce the risk of "intimidation, bullying and exploitation" of vulnerable community members. Australian Workers' Union acting Queensland secretary Mark Raguse said the organisation was working with people who said they had not been paid. Directors of Seisia Enterprises have not indicated when the shop will reopen. ( Supplied: Wojciech Kaminski ) The Office for the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) has ordered a full financial examination. An ORIC spokeswoman said the registrar would consider whether to appoint a special administrator to the Seisia Community Torres Strait Islander Corporation and its subsidiary, Seisia Enterprises. Cook state MP David Kempton said the situation was devastating for the community, with a lot of uncertainty. Seisia was founded in 1948 by Torres Strait Islanders who left Saibai because of tidal inundation. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service ) He said the organisation was a cornerstone of the community and "now no-one really knows what's going on". In the meantime, Francis Elu said he had driven families in his own car to buy groceries and fuel in Bamaga. "It's like a flashback going back to my grandfather's days," Mr Elu said.
CBC
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Summerside theatre company ventures into the farcical dark with its 3rd production
Community theatre group's run of Black Comedy continues through Sunday Image | Seaside Theatre Company Caption: Members of the Seaside Theatre Company rehearse their roles in Black Comedy, which is presented on the premise that a power outage has left the actors unable to see what is happening when the audience can, and vice-versa. (Submitted by Stuart Smith) Summerside's Seaside Theatre Company is just a little over a year old, but it's already staging its third play, called Black Comedy. Described as a "British farce with a twist," the play hit the stage at MacAulay Performing Arts Centre on Thursday and will run through Sunday, May 4. After only two Seaside productions, director Stuart Smith said people have been lining up to audition. "Every show, we get a few more people showing interest. The first show we did, we had a few people audition, then we had to go around and ask some people, 'Would you come audition for us?'" he said. "By the third one... we had way more people than we could give roles to." Image | Seaside Theatre Company Caption: The cast of the latest Seaside Theatre Company production is made up of (back row, left to right) Mark Enman, Zachary Martin, Dominique Lapierre, Meghan Skerry and Carol-Ann Luddington; and (front row, left to right) Shelley Schurman, Ashley Vautour and Emmeline Meister. (Submitted by Stuart Smith) Open Image in New Tab Smith said he chose to stage Black Comedy because he was interested in Sir Peter Shaffer's work, having written a thesis on the playwright who created Equus and Amadeus. "This is his only farce, so we had done a murder mystery, and then we had done sort of a romantic drama in the fall, and it just felt like it was time to add a comedy," he said. "I love farces, so I went back to Peter and decided to stage the one farce he wrote." A farce with a literally dark twist Traditional British farce seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant or absurd, and that certainly describes Black Comedy, written in 1965. " Black Comedy is about a sculptor who is trying to impress his father-in-law by having a famous millionaire to come in and buy his works," Smith said. "Great, but the problem is the power goes off, and not only does the colonel come in, the father, but an ex-girlfriend shows up in the dark, and things start spinning out of control from that moment onward." Image | Seaside Theatre Company Caption: 'It's definitely been a challenge to pretend that you don't see the person right next to you, to pretend you're not seeing the table you're almost bumping into,' says actor Ashley Vautour. (Submitted by Stuart Smith) Open Image in New Tab That isn't the only twist, though. "What happens here is that when the stage lights are on, the characters think they're in the dark. But when the stage lights are off, they think they can see," Smith said. "So the play starts in darkness, real darkness for the audience, but then the power goes off, the lights come on and we get to see the characters, for the next 70 minutes, try to get out of complications that we can see are going on and they can't." 'Interesting layer of complication' Performing without lights presents its own challenges. "It's definitely been a challenge to pretend that you don't see the person right next to you, to pretend you're not seeing the table you're almost bumping into. So it's added an interesting layer of complication, I guess, to the acting piece," said cast member Ashley Vautour. Another actor, Carol-Anne Luddington, is performing on the stage for the first time. "When this theatre group opened, they were very welcoming, but I wanted to do kind of behind the scenes first, so this is my first time being on stage for this production," she said. "I'm a little nervous, but it's a really fun production. "I've seen us practise three months now and I laugh every time we watch it, so I think people will really enjoy it." Time for a laugh "We had chosen this long before certain elections were held, so it kind of worked out well with the timing," said Smith. "I'm glad we're not doing a dark drama right now, that's for sure. I think that a little bit of serendipity means that we have a good show for the times." Interviewed on CBC's Mainstreet before the run began on Thursday, some cast members said they have mixed feeling looking toward the upcoming show. "I can't wait for everybody to see it because, like I said, it's hilarious and I think people will have a really good time and I'm excited to be a part of it," Luddington said. "I'd say a mixture of pride and sadness, because there's always an excitement that comes with putting on a show but a little bit of a sadness where you know that, all those rehearsals and the late nights practising your lines are coming to an end," Vautour said. "It's very bittersweet." Diverging stress levels As for Smith, he said the best way to get over those feeling is to look at what's up next. "I always kind of joke that ... the closer it comes to production, my stress levels goes down as the actors' rise, to some degree," he said. "It is bittersweet. The way to get around that, though, is to start to thinking about what's going to happen next, and so that's one thing that keeps us going." Smith said he's proud of the work his group has done since its founding. "I think the people we've had have all been taking it seriously, but not too serious. We always have good laughs, but they all work hard and they want to do the best show they possibly can," he said. "It's just been a great bonding experience and just we have a lot of laughs, it's really a positive thing."
