Latest news with #FantasyIsland
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside the UK's ‘strangest' theme park – that's home to the biggest suspended looping roller coaster in the world
A lesser-known UK theme park is home to the world's tallest suspended looping coaster. Fantasy Island, located in Ingoldmells on Lincolnshire's coast, is one of the country's more unique theme parks. The quirky theme park has more than 30 rides but there's one that theme park junkies definitely won't want to miss. Fantasy Island's The Odyssey coaster is the world's tallest suspended looping coaster, standing at 167 feet/51 m high. The spine-tingling ride travels at 62mph and opened in 2002, the year of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. Prince Edward was one of the first people to ride The Odyssey. It has five inversions (where riders are turned upside down) including a corkscrew roll and a 124 feet/ 37 m high vertical loop. The Odyssey has a 4.6 rating out of five on Google Reviews with one rider describing it as 'unexpectedly good'. Another rider says: 'I loved it. When I first tried it, it was an amazing ride, probably better than The Smiler in Alton Towers.' The ride sits within Fantasy Island's 'Discovery' category which means it can only be ridden by those 1.1 m tall or above. Fantasy Island adds: 'Hold on tight as you soar through the sky at amazing heights, through a whirlwind of inversions at great speeds. 'The Jubilee Odyssey is a truly terrifying experience and is not a Skegness rollercoaster for the faint hearted.' But The Odyssey isn't Fantasy Island's only standout attraction. The theme park is home to Europe's largest seven day market with more than 320 stalls. Visitors can stop at Fantasy Foods for candy floss, then browse for wooden garden furniture or get a body piercing. The market also has a huge toy shop, face painting, handbag stalls and a baby boutique. On TikTok, @coastertog called it 'the strangest theme park in the UK', noting it's the only place you can go to 'ride the biggest SLC coaster in the world, and walk home with a wooden eagle, dog speaker and a three-piece outdoor furniture set'. A tourist said in a review on Google Reviews: 'The market and all the shops around Fantasy Island are brilliant. You'll find some bargains.' Another said: 'Great rides and a wonderful market makes this a good day out. We enjoyed the various food stalls and even had a cheeky tattoo to round off our visit.' A one day Discovery wristband which allows visitors to access all the park's rides costs £28.80 if purchased online. Visitors can also pay per ride if they get one of the park's iCards which can be topped up by Fantasy Island's cashiers. MailOnline Travel recently revealed where Europe's best theme parks are located - and exactly how much it will cost to visit them.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The Weekend Hitlist: What we want to see, do and buy
Wear it Award-winning designer Helen Cody has recently announced the launch of HC Denim, a new sub-brand that translates her decades of couture expertise into a collection of hand-crafted, made-to-measure denim pieces. Like everything Cody does, sustainability is at the core of her mission, with luxury deadstock denim sourced from Dior and LVMH ateliers. The pieces are hand-crafted in her Dublin studio by an all-women team, with the initial capsule collection including eight items that are available for preorder. Each piece is tailored to the body that will wear it, meaning you can count on the perfect fit. We love the modern silhouette of this denim jacket (price on application). The team over at Rotten Magazine have recently launched Fantasy Ireland, a photography book that brings you on a comprehensive exploration of the last 50 years of Irish photography. Curated and designed by a generation born after the Good Friday Agreement, Fantasy Island (€50) moves beyond the Troubles to explore Ireland's cultural and social landscape. The book features over 150 images by 70 Irish artists, who paint a poignant picture of life in Ireland from the last half century. It provides a visually spectacular alternative history of Ireland, with events we know but fresh angles we do not. A perfect coffee table book if we ever saw one. Brídín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh stars in the one-woman show Dathanna Geala Amháin (Bright Colours Only), which was performed in Irish for the first time in An Taibhdhearc, Galway, last week and continues on an Irish tour until May 24. The play invites us to experience someone else's moments of loss and grief, giving the audience cause to reflect on their own experiences of loss and our wider attitudes towards death. From the mind of Belfast writer and actor Pauline Goldsmith, Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh brings the show home to Irish audiences. And for those of us not quite as advanced in our bilingualism, English subtitles will be provided. The terrace at The Shelbourne has reopened for the summer since the beginning of this month, once again making for the perfect urban hideaway for those hot summer days — long may they last. The team have set the scene with an opulent green and pink flower installation that provides the perfect backdrop for a crisp glass of bubbles or one of their expertly crafted cocktails to help relax after a day of enjoying the city centre at its best. The hotel has partnered with WineLab to offer wine on tap — a sustainable serving method that guarantees freshness, reduces waste, and significantly lowers the venue's carbon footprint. They also have a full menu, including oysters, caviar and delicious seafood, meat and cheese platters. Festival it Cavan Arts Festival returns to the county for its eighth iteration this month, running from May 15-18, presenting locals and visitors alike with a jam-packed programme of events, including The Blindboy Podcast Live, multi-instrumentalist indie sensations Soft Launch, comedian Alison Spittle, Patrick McCabe's Radio Butty, Belgian hilarity merchants Okidok, and electronica/acrobatics crossover Imeall/Llaeml. Pedal Parade, a fun event for children, will also return, followed by a cycle show for all the family. Gift it The Crate, which was founded by Claire Ryan and Steph Hutch, has always prided itself on being a premier flower delivery service without compromising on elegant and Instagram-worthy design. It has just launched a new bouquet, The Market Bunch, which is intended to celebrate the seasonal stems on offer. At €25, it's on the more affordable side, so makes the perfect gift for yourself and will spruce up any room. You can expect variations of peonies and parrot tulips, so are a cut above supermarket flowers.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dazed & Confused Actor Nicky Katt Passes Away at 54
Nicky Katt, the actor known for roles in Dazed and Confused and Boston Public, has passed away at the age of 54. News of his death surfaced recently, with confirmation later provided by both his family and the L.A. County Medical Examiner. Many wish to learn about the what happened to Nicky Katt and the circumstances surrounding his death. Here's what we know so far about Nicky Katt's death. Nicky Katt died by suicide at age 54, according to a statement released by his sister Elise Ravenscroft and confirmed by the L.A. County Medical Examiner. The actor was found dead on April 8, 2025, in his Burbank apartment by his landlord, who was attempting to collect overdue rent. Law enforcement sources reported that Katt died by hanging. A report from the Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as 'hanging' and the manner as 'suicide.' Katt's sister stated: 'He died by suicide after battling with depression—one that he fought bravely but quietly.' She added, 'Mental illness is real, it is powerful, and it is often invisible. We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles.' (via Deadline) Nicky Katt, born in May 1970 in Acapulco, launched his acting career as a child with roles in Fantasy Island and CHiPs. He gained recognition for portraying intense and volatile characters, most notably Clint Bruno in Dazed and Confused (1993) and Harry Senate in Boston Public (2000–2004). He also took on roles in Boiler Room, The Limey, Sin City, Insomnia, SubUrbia, School of Rock, and more. Katt collaborated with directors such as Richard Linklater, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez, and Christopher Nolan throughout his career. He made his final known television appearance in Hulu's Casual in 2018. Authorities did not find a suicide note at the scene. His lawyer, John Sloss, confirmed the death but withheld further details. Officials have not released additional information about his family or survivors. Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on The post Dazed & Confused Actor Nicky Katt Passes Away at 54 appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicky Katt Tributes From Directors Linklater, McQuarrie, Robert Rodriguez, David Gordon Green, Adam Goldberg & More
More on the death of Nicky Katt. Waiting on cause of death for an actor who faded from view around the time of the pandemic. His bio information was furnished by his family, and Deadline can follow with some quotes by the directors he worked with most often. Katt was born on May 11, 1970, the son of Carol Katt, a costume designer originally from South Dakota, and Agustin Islas, the bass player for the Mexican band El Klan. Though he was born in Acapulco, he spent his childhood in Los Angeles, where he was raised by his mother. He attended Wonderland Elementary in Laurel Canyon, St. Paul's Lutheran School in North Hollywood, and graduated from Providence High in Burbank in 1987, a year early. Katt was named Agustin Islas, after his father, at birth, but took his mother's surname when he began a career as a child actor. The first name Nicky was suggested to him by the comedic actor Harvey Korman. More from Deadline An Actor's Actor, Nicky Katt, Dies At 54: Sources Tom Cruise Returns To CinemaCon To Show Off 'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning' Robert Rodriguez Launches Fan-Driven Indie Action Studio Brass Knuckle Films In the early 1980s, Mr. Katt started making appearances on television, including episodes of Fantasy Island, CHiPs, Quincy, M.E., Father Murphy, The Facts of Life, and V. In 1981, He acted in the stage production of Love Streams directed by John Cassavetes, appearing with Jon Voight and Gena Rowlands, who was a friend of his mother's. His early film appearances included Joe Dante's Gremlins and The Burbs. As an adult, his career took an important turn when he landed the role of pot-smoking gearhead Clint Bruno in Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused, in the ensemble that featured breakthrough appearances from Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, Adam Goldberg, Cole Hauser, Rory Cochrane, and Renee Zellweger. Though a large group, the cast stayed friends for many years, often reuniting in later productions. Katt acted with Posey in Linklater's SubUrbia, McConaughey in Joel Schumacher's A Time to Kill, Affleck in Ben Younger's Boiler Room, Zellweger in Carl Franklin's One True Thing. While often cast as the heavy, he worked steadily as a character actor. Nicky Katt was selective in his career choices, prioritizing opportunities to work with directors and actors he admired over the size of the roles. He appeared in films directed by William Friedkin (The Rules of Engagement), Christopher McQuarrie (The Way of the Gun), Quentin Tarantino (Death Proof), Gregg Araki (The Doom Generation), Kathryn Bigelow (Strange Days), Neil Jordan (The Brave One), and Oliver Stone (World Trade Center). As well as for Joe Dante, he appeared in multiple films directed by Christopher Nolan (Insomnia, The Dark Knight), Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Planet Terror), David Gordon Green (Snow Angels, The Sitter), Schumacher (A Time to Kill, Batman and Robin). He had special relationships with Linklater and Soderbergh, who frequently found opportunities to focus on his unique improvisational energy. Soderbergh, having cast Katt in The Limey, created a role just for him in his experimental feature Full Frontal: an actor performing a bizarre interpretation of Adolf Hitler. Katt's final film appearance was in Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra. In 2000, he returned to television in a featured role on David E. Kelley's Boston Public, appearing in 49 episodes as the unconventional teacher Harry Senate. A brilliant voice actor and mimic, he performed on three episodes of King of the Hill, as well as lending his voice to the videogame Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords. His stage appearances were few, but included A Second-Hand Memory, written and directed by Woody Allen. In his final years, Nicky Katt turned away from the entertainment industry, residing in Ben Lomond, CA, where he cared for his mother until her death in 2023. At the time of his death he was residing in Burbank. The filmmakers who most often worked with the late Nicky Katt have come forward with tributes. Said Richard Linklater, who directed Katt in Dazed and Confused, and Waking Life: 'Nicky had a deep love for the character actors of cinema history, and I think saw himself that way. When I was auditioning actors for Dazed and Confused, I'd ask them what character in the ensemble they most related to or were interested in, and the majority talked about the bigger parts, naturally. Nicky said he liked Clint. I almost didn't know what he was talking about, 'you mean the 17th largest part in the movie?' 'Yeah.' He made something unique out of it, bringing his wicked humor, unpredictability, and smoldering quality to it. We worked up an entirely new scene for him and Matthew talking about car engines. I think he probably over-filled all his roles, which makes him memorable. Maybe he over-filled his life too, which, while often exasperating to those closest to him, makes him someone you'll never forget. That brilliant spark will be missed. ' Robert Rodriguez, who directed Katt in Sin City and Planet Terror, the latter of comprised half of the Grindhouse film: 'You could always count on Nicky Katt for many things. He'd come in incredibly prepared for a role with costumes and props. He'd come full of inventive and creative ideas that would make his characters pop off the screen and consistently have an audience howling. He'd deliver lines that would constantly sound as unexpected as an ad lib, yet it was the text. And if he did adlib, it was always gold. Even his physical comedy and timing was truly on another level. Nicky was an absolute joy on and off the camera. A true artist. A friend. It's very sad to lose Nicky Katt. But I can only be grateful I got to know him, work with him, and watch him create his own truly original brand of magic that will live forever in his favorite medium.' Henry Griffin, a filmmaker and close Katt friend, who directed the actor in the 1999 short film Mutiny: 'Nicky Katt did on the first take what other actors might try on the fourth. In life and work, he faced every scenario as an opportunity for his signature touch. His charisma and wit were even more unforgettable in person than on the screen. My dearest pal loved legends, and now he is one.' Christopher McQuarrie, who directed Katt in The Way of the Gun: 'Nicky was a genuinely unique screen presence and a uniquely genuine soul. I will miss him.' David Gordon Green, who directed Katt in Snow Angels: 'Nicky was an actor with a one of a kind wit. He could make a meal out of a snack. I appreciated those dry comebacks he'd hit you with that often nodded to his love of old school Hollywood icons.' Adam Goldberg, who teamed with Katt in that memorable scene in Dazed and Confused, and also in Linklater's Waking Life, and who also made Katt part of his the film he directed, Scotch and Milk: 'Nick was a complete artist, a uniquely intelligent and versatile actor who I'm proud to have called a collaborator for many years. His love of film and its history is reflected in his wide ranging performances., and only wish audiences had the opportunity to see his potential fully realized.' Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Nicky Katt, 'Boston Public' and 'Dazed and Confused' star, dies at 54: Reports
Nicky Katt, 'Boston Public' and 'Dazed and Confused' star, dies at 54: Reports Nicky Katt, a prolific character actor who starred on "Boston Public" and made frequent supporting appearances in many other shows and films, has died, according to reports. He was 54. Katt's attorney, John Sloss, confirmed news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety on Saturday. A cause was not provided. USA TODAY has reached out to Sloss for confirmation. Katt starred as geology teacher Harry Senate on "Boston Public," the drama series set in a Boston public high school, for three seasons. The actor was a regular presence on the big and small screen, usually as supporting characters. Katt got his start as a child, and his first credit was an episode of "Fantasy Island" from 1980, the year he turned 10, according to IMDb. He had a role in "Gremlins" four years later. Katt went on to portray bully Clint Bruno in director Richard Linklater's classic comedy "Dazed and Confused," and he worked with Linklater again on several subsequent movies, including "SubUrbia" and "School of Rock." Christopher Nolan also used Katt in two of his movies; the actor played a detective in "Insomnia" and a member of a S.W.A.T. team in "The Dark Knight." Val Kilmer sought refuge in his treehouse. Here's what happened when I visited. Other movies to feature Katt include "A Time to Kill" and "Sin City," and he starred opposite Vin Diesel and Giovanni Ribisi in 2000's crime-thriller "Boiler Room." On the television side, Katt also had roles in episodes of shows from "The Facts of Life" to "Friends." His most recent credit was for a 2018 episode of the Hulu series "Casual." In a 2002 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Katt said he strived to be different in every role he plays, so much so that his friends sometimes see his movies and don't recognize him. "That happened with 'A Time to Kill,'" he told the outlet. "I had a very small part (as a racist rapist). People said, 'I'm sorry you got cut out of the film.' I said, 'No, I was the fat guy!'"
