Latest news with #Falling
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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Fringe Theatre reviews: Falling
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Falling: A Disabled Love Story Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ★★★★☆ What kind of life story would you like a disabled performer to tell you? One of resilience and determination, of overcoming the odds, of self-discovery, even rehabilitation? Or one of arbitrary injury, endless pain and frustration, a struggle for hope, limited prospects? If you're paying for a ticket and watching a show, it's pretty clear which option you'd probably go for – and it's a question that Californian writer/performer Aaron Pang plays on mischievously (and to telling, rug-pulling effect) in his sly autobiographical comedy Falling. Aaron Pang in Falling: A Disabled Love Story | Kaelan Novak He's a bold, confident performer – and, obviously, a devastatingly handsome one, as he grinningly tells us – disarmingly disrobing to display the fallout of his spinal injury one moment, only to admit to embellishing or entirely fabricating a story the next. It's almost as if he's out to give us what we expect – and then to draw attention to the ridiculousness of what we've just swallowed, or the impossibility that any of it could be true. Should we be more willing to believe the profound insights that a disabled performer offers us? Or is that just yet another example of a patronising, ill-informed perspective – one that Pang will mercilessly skewer a few seconds later? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Yes, Falling is a slippery, elusive show, and even Pang's apparently honest, authentic ending (you get to choose from two) raises more questions than it answers. Is he really being quite so unflinchingly frank about one of the most intimate areas of disabled life, or is it all another bluff? Despite its gentle audience-baiting, however, Falling is a winning mix of stand-up and solo theatre, and rather than weepie autobiography, it asks us to reconsider our relationship to disability, and to the artifice of theatre itself. To do that with a smile, a wagging finger and buckets of boyish charm is quite the achievement. DAVID KETTLE until 25 August Ben Moor: A Three Thing Day Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ★★★★☆ Ben Moor has carved out a highly specific niche for comedy-theatre-monologues full of wordplay, one-liners and glorious flights of surrealism. This year's three-act extravaganza is an object lesson in inventiveness, taking the framework of a (fairly) ordinary day and weaving around it a glorious tapestry of fact, fiction and flights of fancy. There's plenty here which is funny and startlingly well observed: a man in 'a double-bluff wig'; a person with 'surprising and disconcerting warmth like a kitchen composter'; 'sconces that look like scones', or a word like 'thrug' – a hug between three people. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But cleverness alone is not enough. In amongst the humour – the surreal (a dolphin infestation in the cellar) and the occasional knock-knock joke – there is a poignant account of a friend's funeral, the 'blanditudes' of the celebrant, the strangeness of clearing a house when the occupant is no longer there and, later, a beautifully observed encounter between the protagonist and his baby niece. The third part ramps up the surrealism as rail delays and diversions conspire against Moor getting back in time for the opening of his exhibition, The Periodic Table of the Elephant in the Room. But at least he has a rail companion with a story (within a story) to tell. Moor isn't dramatic, rather he tends to deliver his monologue in the same even tone. But there is great liveliness in the language, and the original music, composed and recorded by Simon Oakes and the Suns of the Tundra, sketches out a backdrop of moods. Moor's style won't be for everyone, but this show is perfect for anyone who loves a Borgesian knot laced with plenty of playfulness, and a warm-hearted reminder of how strange ordinary life can be. SUSAN MANSFIELD until 25 August Painkillers Summerhall (Venue 26) ★★★☆☆ Glasgow-based multi-disciplinary theatre-maker and performer Mamoru Iriguchi's solo works are the very spirit of classic fringe theatre, bringing weird thoughts and esoteric whims to life just to see what happens when they're made flesh as performance. This means Painkillers is both compellingly odd and bafflingly difficult to get a grip on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is, in fact, an earlier work of Iriguchi's, performed in a different version at the Yard Theatre in London in 2014. Scanning the QR code on the door reveals a webpage explaining his inspirations and thought processes in greater detail, but I'm glad I experienced the performance without putting any preconceived ideas in place. In an ill-fitting fatsuit and cocktail dress, Iriguchi is Anastasia, assistant to magician Alessandro, who's performing a mimed bullet catch trick with a member of the audience. Identities flip on a dime, as Anastasia reveals the magician's name is really Mamoru, the name engraved on the bullet, while she is really Mari (a reference to Japanese entertainer Mari Amachi). A wheeled, decorated hospital screen backdrop flips to show us onstage and backstage views of Iriguchi's world, while he eventually carves his slim, flesh-suited self from the fatsuit, padding doubling as gore, and disappears into his own reflection. The finer technical complexities and audience interactions of all this balance on a knife edge, but it's certainly evocative and pleasingly, amusingly mystifying. DAVID POLLOCK until 25 August Single Use Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) ★★★☆☆ Plastic waste may seem like a distant issue until it turns up with your name on it. This is exactly what happens to Ella, the lively, scatterbrained protagonist of Verity Mullan's playful one-woman show. When her old plastic bottle washes ashore in Malaysia, it sparks a change in her waste habits that is as much about climate guilt as it is about dodging the pressures of her everyday life. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mullan is engaging as Ella, a takeaway obsessed woman in her twenties who is struggling to hold everything together. The script, written by Mullan, is witty and captures the utter chaos of juggling eco-anxiety with rent pressures and a crumbling job. Much of the comedy comes from her honest reactions to her demanding flatmate, failing boss and attractive allotment manager. Some interactions are cleverly done through voice notes and calls, which is when we get to see the unfiltered Ella and what she really thinks. Her occasionally over-the-top caricature-like performance makes her even more likeable. Packed with energy and light laughs, the show also highlights some horrors of plastic pollution. It weaves in sound bites from Blue Planet and a sobering visit to a recycling centre, grounding Ella's journey in a larger, global crisis. There's no lecturing here, just honest storytelling that lands more powerfully because of its restraint. SUZANNE O'BRIEN until 25 August Ah-Ma theSpace @ Niddry Street (Venue 9) ★★★☆☆ Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The January 2025 Eaton Canyon fire in Los Angeles County destroyed more than 9000 buildings, but spared – for the most part – the property of Hong Kong-born theatre maker Cathy Lam. Nonetheless, that threat of annihilation served as an impetus for a reflection on memory, community and connection, and found fruitful parallels in Lam's own memories of her grandmother – the Ah-Ma of her slight, fragile show's title – and the older woman's encroaching dementia. The result is a tender, disarmingly naive solo show that begins in fire-ravaged LA but quickly shifts to the contrasting warmth of her grandmother's embrace in Hong Kong. Ironically, once those parallels have been drawn and Lam's close connections with her grandmother demonstrated, there's surprisingly little emphasis on the woman's declining condition, or its effects on Lam. Instead, she refocuses on the signposts that remain to connect the woman to external reality, and the enduring links that remain while others inevitably weaken and snap. Kasen Tsui is a bright, energetic performer of Lam's autobiographical monologue, using the simplest of means to illustrate her story. It's a show of resilience and quiet restraint, but despite its touching poetry, it perhaps doesn't tell us much that we didn't already know. DAVID KETTLE until 19 August
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke Hogan is returning to her music career following WWE icon's passing
Hulk Hogan and Brooke Hogan. Image via: Getty Images Brooke Hogan is stepping back into the music spotlight in the wake of her father Hulk Hogan 's death. The WWE icon passed away on July 24 at age 71, and while the family has faced its share of public turbulence, Brooke is ready to move on. After giving a heartfelt tribute to her father and mourning a loss, Brooke is going back to the studio, where she says her father was always her biggest supporter. Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke Hogan is going back to music Brooke Hogan and Hulk Hogan. Image via: Getty Images After years away from the music industry, Brooke Hogan is quietly preparing to relaunch her career. According to sources close to the singer, Brooke has reunited with record producer Yannique Barker — her ex-boyfriend and the son of SoBe Entertainment founder Cecile D. Barker. The two share a complicated past, but they also share a musical history. Yannique produced Brooke's 2009 album The Redemption and appeared under his stage name, Stack$, on the track 'Falling. ' Now, the pair is collaborating again. Brooke has reportedly re-signed with SoBe, with an album that's already close to completion. She's planning to finish the project with Barker and release it later this year. Her 2006 single 'About Us' recently saw a resurgence on TikTok, reintroducing her voice to a new generation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jennifer Garner: From Farm Girl to Hollywood's Sweetheart Watch More Undo More importantly, her return feels like a tribute. According to sources telling TMZ, her father, Hulk Hogan, always enjoyed accompanying Brooke to the studio, and she believes he would be proud to see her embracing music once more. Brooke and Hulk Hogan had an estranged relationship prior to his demise Hulk Hogan and Brooke Hogan. Image via: Getty Images Brooke's re-entry into music follows a difficult emotional chapter. In the last two years of Hulk Hogan's life, the father-daughter relationship grew distant. Brooke's heartfelt tribute on Instagram clarified that their bond was complicated, but real: 'My dad's blood runs through my veins. His eyes shine through my children. And our blood has never broken, not even in his final moments.' Despite her efforts to stay connected — even moving to Florida with her husband, Steven Oleksy — Brooke said it felt like 'a force field' had built up around her father. In 2023, she voluntarily removed herself from his will, citing distrust of those around him and a desire to avoid posthumous legal battles. 'I told him he had my support,' she wrote. 'I know in my heart I did everything I could.' Now, with twins at home and an album on the way, Brooke is focused on the future and she's moving on, but will keep her father's memory alive. Also Read: Brooke Hogan's husband says Hulk Hogan made no effort to meet his grandkids before his demise: 'There was no interest' For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Legendary 80s band plays at Glasgow city centre record store
The Bluebells played to their fans at Assai Records on Sauchiehall Street. The trio, Ken McCluskey, David McCluskey and Bobby Bluebell, played tracks from the newly updated and extended version of their 1984 album. Sisters. Legendary 80s band plays at Glasgow city centre record store (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) READ NEXT:Business student wins Miss Great Britain Glasgow title Hits like Young at Heart and I'm Falling were on the setlist, delighting the fans who gathered. The band played acoustic versions of songs from the album as well, including Red Guitars and Some Sweet Day.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Channel 4 Boss Alex Mahon To Step Down After Eight Years
Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon is stepping down after eight years at the helm. There's no word on her next move, but she will exit this summer having been the UK broadcaster's first female CEO. More from Deadline Brenda Blethyn & Jessica Reynolds Leading Channel 4's 'A Woman Of Substance' Remake Fresh From His Professor Snape Casting, Paapa Essiedu Lands Role As Catholic Priest In Love In Jack Thorne's Channel 4 Drama 'Falling' Opposite Keeley Hawes Jeff Pope Criticizes Recent BBC & Channel 4 Documentaries Over Their Depiction Of Killing Of Jean Charles De Menezes As Disney+ Drama 'Suspect' Prepares For Launch Mahon's decision to exit is the second major move at the top of UK broadcasting this year, following BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore's decision to leave to become CEO of The Crown prodco Left Bank Pictures. Moore and Mahon's departures are hugely significant for the Brit TV landscape and the annoucements come within just two months of each other. During Mahon's tenure, she fought off government attempts to privatize the broadcaster, which has a public service remit but is uniquely funded by advertizing that is then pumped back into the UK production community. She also oversaw Channel 4's relocation to Leeds and an increase in the network's out of London presence, along with a major pivot away from linear broadcast towards a digital-first model. Bad times also occurred two years ago when producers turned on Channel 4 during a commissioning downturn and Mahon was subsequently the architect of a circa-200-staff layoffs plan. Channel 4 COO Jonathan Allan will step in as interim CEO when Mahon exits, as a successor is sought. Dawn Airey, Channel 4 Interim Chair, called Mahon 'a great figure in British television,' adding: 'She has been one of the most impactful CEOs since Jeremy Isaacs' founding of Channel 4 more than 42 years ago. 'She is business minded and has also been transformational both culturally and creatively, proving time and again her extraordinary ability to inspire and drive positive and meaningful change. Under her leadership, Channel 4 has moved with the times and driven the times.' Notable shows that have come from Mahon's time at Channel 4 include Russell T. Davies drama It's a Sin, doc Russell Brand: In Plain Sight and entertainment format The Piano, while the broadcaster has also co-financed films such as The Zone of Interest, The Banshees of Inisherin, All of Us Strangers and Poor Things. 'Working at Channel 4 has been a lifetime privilege because Channel 4 is the most extraordinary organisation,' said Mahon. 'What we get to do here is much more than television because we reflect our country with humour, creativity, grit, and care. We try our best to challenge convention and to change conversations. And we do it with a kind of irreverent brilliance that simply doesn't exist anywhere else. 'I feel lucky beyond belief to have had the chance to lead Channel 4 for nearly eight years – through calm seas (very few) and stormy waters (more than our fair share). From navigating the threat of privatisation (twice), to shifting out of London, to digital transformation, lockdowns, political upheaval, advertising chaos – there has never been a dull moment. But through every twist and turn, there's been one constant: the astonishing calibre, resilience, and creativity of all my colleagues at Channel 4.' Mahon, who has a PhD in medical physics, joined Channel 4 after senior management roles at VFX biz The Foundry and UK production group Shine, which is now part of Banijay. Her next move will intrigue the biz. She was linked with the Director General gig when it came up four years ago and was briefly rumored to be moving to fashion brand Chloé. Her exit also comes as Channel 4 seeks a new chair with Ian Cheshire preparing to leave after serving one term. Jesse Whittock contributed to this article. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About 'The Phoenician Scheme' So Far Everything We Know About 'Another Simple Favor' So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
Extra.ie
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Lyra: 'Keyboard warrior insults still make me feel like I am not good enough'
Pop singer Lyra admits she still gets 'upset' when she is trolled by malicious 'keyboard warriors' on social media. The 'Bandon Beyoncé' features in the first episode of RTÉ's Uncharted with Ray Goggins this week, paired with none other than former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. The unlikely duo travel to the untamed mountains of Drakensberg, South Africa, with the adventurer and former special forces soldier Goggins putting Leo and Lyra through their paces in the wilderness. Ryan Goggins, Lyra and Leo Varadkar in South Africa on Uncharted with Ray Goggins. Pic: RTÉ The Falling singer tells the programme she is 'really enjoying just being Lyra in the wild', elaborating that it is 'hard on social media' as an entertainer. 'They love to take you down a peg or two,' she says of her unnamed tormentors. 'They love to be keyboard warriors. 'I am a people pleaser… and I like making people happy, and then when people message me, taking me down, I feel like I've not reached the bar I should have reached, and I'm not good enough, and it gets me in the heart. 'I always get upset when I talk about it.' As part of their gruelling challenge, the trio sleep in caves, scale mountains and climb sheer rock faces on their way to the summit of Tugela Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. Lyra, whose debut album went to number one last year, says the politician was 'massively out of his comfort zone', giving the two something in common. Lyra and Leo Varadkar on Uncharted with Ray Goggins. Pic: RTÉ 'It made it easier to relate to each other and almost be on the same wavelength for the start of it,' Lyra says. Varadkar treats the adventure as part of his 'gap year' after stepping away from politics at the end of the last government term. The former Fine Gael leader tells the programme he is 'a little bit apprehensive' ahead of the escapade, saying he hasn't 'done something like this before'. 'I'm used to being briefed about what's ahead, so I'm not used to this at all. 'People get to know you as a politician, they get to know you in a very particular way, being serious all the time, not showing vulnerabilities… It's going to be very different – I can just be myself. Leo Varadkar. Pic: Leah Farrell/ 'I really only finished up with politics with the election there at the end of November. I'm kind of calling it a gap year, where I have a chance to try lots of different things, and this is one of them.' The ex-politician even learns a lesson from the stern Goggins – albeit too late – on the value of geeing up his charges. Speaking of 'one regret' he has, he tells his guide: 'I managed really big teams – teams of ministers, TDs… I'm kind of sorry I didn't spend maybe an extra 10, 15 minutes a day just doing the words of encouragement, like you have done for us. 'It really makes a big difference. There was never enough time in the day to do everything I wanted to do, but even just a few text messages, a quick voice message once a day to one person… that's a big regret and I can't fix that one.' Lyra, meanwhile, says she regrets 'not standing up and saying, 'This is me – accept it or not', when told by the industry that she needed to be slimmer in the early days of her career, triggering a battle with bulimia. 'I wish I had done it sooner, because I would have gotten a lot more of my life back and enjoyed my first experiences in the music industry a lot better.' Uncharted with Ray Goggins begins on Wednesday, May 14, on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9.35 pm
