Latest news with #JackandtheBeanstalk
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
REVIEW: Restless Natives at Eden Court - by someone who hasn't seen the film
Before I start, I have a confession to make; I have never seen the film Restless Natives. But when offered an opportunity to see the stage show on its opening night at Eden Court, the answer was an enthusiastic yes from me. Thanks to social media, the cult phenomenon has been on my radar for some time, and I'm fully aware of the place it holds in the hearts of fans. Looking around Eden Court before the show starts, I can tell there are a number of these in the audience, and I wonder how the musical stage version is going to measure up to their expectations. The signs are good before we even take our seats – with a concessions stand selling merch and memorabilia that appears (at least to my uninitiated self) to capture the same feeling I've always sensed from the fandom. And when the lights go up on the Empire Theatre stage and the first 80s tinged electric guitar notes ring out across the auditorium, I hear others in the audience exhale, seemingly reassured that they are in for a somewhat familiar ride. And what a ride it is, full of pathos and joyful nostalgia, charged with pain and pride at the plight of the ordinary Scotsman (and woman) which rings as true today as it would have against the backdrop of Thatcher's 80s. From the opening Big Country number to the whooping and whistling of the final curtain call, we are all drawn completely into this tale of working class heroes, love, longing and the creation of legend. To an Eden Court audience – drawn from communities across the Highlands – the digs at some visitors' unrealistic opinions and expectations of us really hit home, with the dance-off scene between leading lady Margot (Kirsty McLaren) and an American interloper (Sarah Galbraith's Bender) a high point, which threatened to raise some out of their seats. Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop were a dream duo as Ronnie and Will – the clown and the wolfman – winning the audience over from the opening scene. The chemistry between McKillop and McLaren lifted the love story arc to the next level, with stand-out vocal performances from both that had us holding our breath to catch every note and nuance. There were a good number of laughs along the way too; Alan McHugh's stand-in portrayal of Will's dad brought a good number (with a huge nod to the understated brilliance of Ailsa Davidson's mum), while Caroline Deyga's character pieces certainly deserve special mention. And of course, it was great to see the familar face of Ross Baxter back on the Eden Court stage, just months out from his star turn in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Eden Court Panto last Christmas. Restless Natives on stage is a wonderful stand-alone musical, charged with emotion and played with pure enthusiasm. And, while I can't speak for the film's fandom, all the signs pointed to approval from those in the know in the audience – of course, if you want to know if it really stands up, you'll have to see it for yourself. Restless Natives will play at Eden Court, Inverness until Sunday; catch them if you can!
Buzz Feed
23-05-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
27 Must-Have Lowe's Items For Outdoor Spaces
A rattan outdoor sectional to turn your backyard or patio into a cute and cozy lounge area. The modular sofa comes with colorful cushions and pillows as well as a tempered glass tea table (cause you gotta have some place to rest your ice cold drink and snacks). Promising review: "These things are great; they're very flexible to rearrange, and the cushions are nice and thick." —MWHEINZPrice: $699.99 (originally $1,139; available in four colors) A four-burner propane grill because one of the best parts of having an outdoor space is being able to cook up some sizzling steaks, BBQ chicken, and charred veggie skewers. Promising review: "We work this grill hard, and it serves us very well. We replace it every 3–4 years with the same model. (Interior parts are replaceable if you don't mind the messy job.) Comes fully assembled and ready to use. It fits our smaller patio, is easy to move, and has no unnecessary side burner taking up valuable/level shelf space. We grill A LOT (several times a week, most of the year). Can fit/cook up to 10 lbs of chicken breasts at a time. Also sustains abuse from all types of weather (small patio, covered but open to the elements). Too windy here to use a cover/we tried. The wind air-lifted the entire grill off the patio! We scrape the cooking grates between uses, but I can't say we often clean the insides. :-o" —bimyPrice: $199 A patch and repair grass seeding kit containing mulch, grass seed, and fertilizer — sprinkle this over any bare spots now (while the air temps are still between 60–80 degrees Fahrenheit) and come summer, you'll have a beautiful, healthy lawn with no gaps. Promising reviews: "So easy to some fresh dirt prior to sprinkling and within two days and grass was growing." —Noni"Literally magic in the bag, like Jack and the Beanstalk. The moment you spread the seeds and it doesn't matter whether it's in the sun or shade; you will literally see grass within the next day. Will definitely buy another bag soon." —ReesePrice: $18.98+ (available in various coverage areas and weights) A stain- and fade-resistant outdoor rug since it'll add a touch of cozy style to your outdoor space — and if you decide to kick off your shoes, the soft surface will feel extra cushy on your feet! Promising review: "I like the quality (tight weave). Beautiful and well-priced." —LoveistheAnswerPrice: $48.98+ (available in seven sizes) A cordless electric lawn mower to turn the chore of cutting the grass into something easy and even kinda fun. With just a single charge, this gas-free self-propelling beast will tackle your unruly yard for up to an hour. That crabgrass won't know what hit it! Promising review: "The mower is excellent. It cuts better than a gas mower and is much nicer. For bigger yards, a second battery is good to have. We are extremely grateful to Connor at our NJ Lowe's for going above and beyond." —NjtrapPrice: $599 (originally $699) A three-piece bistro set for those who have limited outdoor space but still want a cute spot to enjoy a drink, snack, or meal outdoors. This is all you need to transform your patio or deck into a charming European-esque cafe. Promising review: "Chairs are very comfortable. It was fairly easy to assemble and all parts were included. Creates a nice breakfast spot on my deck." —Verified CustomerPrice: $298 An electric leaf blower because IDK about you, but I don't consider my yard or patio to be in tip-top shape when it's covered in pollen dust, random leaves, and other random debris. Use this to blow off your walkway, outdoor furniture, and grill with air speeds of up to 120 mph! Promising review: "This was super easy to put together; the battery charged quickly and lasted longer than I expected. It is lightweight and powerful." —Lowes LadyPrice: $119+ (available without battery and charger or with one or two rechargeable batteries) A woven oatmeal rope hammock so you can ~hang out~ in your backyard oasis (which is well deserved after putting in so much work to get it looking this good)! Hang this between two trees for a nature-y aesthetic, or go for a cabana resort feel instead with a stand. Promising review: "This hammock is really comfortable. I slept in it many times already." —KRAY128Price: $79.98 A citronella garden torch for an ~aesthetic~ way to keep the pesky mosquitoes from interfering with your late-night hangs outside. We'll take more ambience and less bug bites, please and thank you! A deck storage box to make sure that pillows, pool toys, gardening tools, and other yard "stuff" doesn't overrun the place when they're not being used. A rain gauge if you're trying to keep your grass perfectly green instead of dead or soggy. This measures how much water the lawn has gotten from rainfall, so you can adjust your sprinkler schedule accordingly. Promising reviews: "Nice big numbers and is easy to read from our window about 30 feet away." —Jack"Two-piece unit makes it easy to pick up, read and empty without having to force in the ground again." —BAR1Price: $4.98 Some string lights that'll create a dreamy ambience when the sun goes down and keep the party vibes going late into the night. An artificial hedge wall for an easy — and honestly quite trendy — way to add some privacy. Whether it's nosy neighbors or curious folk passing by on the street, they ought to mind their own business (and now they'll have no choice)! Promising review: "This product is ideal for metal or wood fences. It has great coverage and can be divided into smaller panels to fit the specific space. It comes with accessories for easy installation. And even though it is made of plastic, it can easily pass as the real thing." —AdriPrice: $50.98 A large artificial rock to cover up the well pump, which is most definitely cramping your lush yard aesthetic. Promising review: "I wanted a fake rock to hide my well casing. It fits the bill. It's a pretty realistic-looking fake rock, and it received a passing grade from my wife. The spikes that hold it down could be a bit longer, but it shouldn't fly very far if the wind gets a hold of it. All in all, it does what it's supposed to do." —RBB33Price: $82.98 A container of Miracle-Gro plant food since it really does work miracles in bringing flowers, trees, shrubs, and other plants to life. Now everything you've planted in your yard, deck boxes, and pots will be ✨big, full, and beautiful! ✨ Promising review: "I have been using this product for many years, and I totally believe in it. For me, in a lot of cases, I literally see the plants come to life within an hour or two after watering. The plants love this stuff and an almost instant gratification is wonderful for me to see. I swear by it. Highly recommend." —Lowe's reviewerPrice: $10.98+ (available in four sizes) A set of six solar-powered LED path lights to illuminate your front walkway with a magical glow, which will make you feel like you're on an epic quest every time you come home late at night (and not just coming back from pulling a long day at the office). Promising review: "Those lights are so beautiful at night. They were super easy to put down." —RenaePrice: $24.98 A patio heater because you'll feel like you're out dining on the patio of your favorite fancy though you're just enjoying a simple meal outside in your backyard. The burner can easily heat up to 200 square feet!Promising review: "We just love this heater addition to our backyard. It is easy to use and it gives out lots of heat. Worth the price." —PaolaPrice: $169 (originally $179) A weed and grass killer so you can say BUH-BYE to plants that have the audacity to grow precisely where you don't want them. Promising review: "Love this spray. Within an hour I saw the effects. Next day, I broomed the dead weeds off my driveway." —Sarge93Price: $6.98+ (available in four sizes) Or! A weed preventer if you'd rather deal with the problem before it even is one. You're not always a planner, but for once, you're thinking ahead! Promising review: "Our seller covered the flower beds around the foundation with brick chips, which means the only way to weed is to reach down and pull each weed by hand. Thank goodness for Preen. I just have to sprinkle it throughout the beds and the weeds never grow. There may be one or two because I didn't get it spread on every square inch, but that's so much better than life without Preen." —PpackPrice: $37.48 An 11-foot cantilevering umbrella because at certain points in the day, your backyard/deck are best enjoyed in the shade. This ~extra fancy 'brella~ is cleverly designed so that the bulky umbrella pole isn't right smack in the middle of the sun cover. Plus, it has different adjustment points to make sure the sun only shines *exactly* where you say so. Promising review: "This umbrella is spectacular!! We love it so much and get so many compliments on it. It transforms our space and allows us to enjoy our deck more now that we get shade!" —ACMCPrice: $441.74+ (originally $510.40+; available in eight colors) An electric lawn trimmer, aka a "weed whacker" that you'll want to whip out a few times a season to keep the edges on your lawn and shrubs looking ~sharp~. It even has an ergonomic telescoping pole to help you get perfect lines. Lawn maintenance is an art, and you, the trimmer, are the artist. Promising review: "Easy to use, lightweight, and more powerful than I thought it would be." —Annie1960Price: $119 A metal wood-burning firepit to bring the cozy campfire vibes right to your backyard. Gather round with some friends for marshmallow roasting and sharing stories! Promising review: "So far so good. This firepit is above average size, which I love, and was exceptionally easy to build. The vents throughout the side of the unit are very helpful in airflow to keep your fire going. The whole thing appears sturdy and here's to hoping that it last the rainy season. The instructions were well written and easy to follow; and the screen top, fire poker, and cover were nice extras. In my situation I added natural stone from my yard around the base and the walls to give it more of a campground feel. I do recommend this firepit." —CMD10Price: $119 Or, this wood-burning fireplace if you want your evenings outside to feel super luxurious. It's giving ~bougie mountain resort~ instead of camping (which frankly, is way more your speed). Promising review: "I bought this fireplace last year and it was so easy to set up and use. The storage for logs is perfect. I use this throughout the winter on my back deck." —AngePrice: $299 (originally $379) **OR** A stylish propane firepit table for anyone lacking yard space but still wants to enjoy a relaxing fire-lit ambience. Better yet, you can slide the cover onto this to turn it into a dining table, too. Promising review: "We love it so far, but have only had a chance to use it once. It wasn't too difficult to put together. The instructions were clear enough, and it came with everything needed. It's easy to turn on and off, and we love that we can set drinks on the edges and they don't get hot. It's also a great buffer for when the dogs are curious and get close. (8-month-old puppy) A huge positive was that it has a metal cover for the firepit, so you can use it as a table to protect the inner workings. It also comes with a plastic cover and interchangeable tiles for a wood or stone look." —Lady wolfPrice: $319 A outdoor ceiling fan that'll keep your outdoor space looking *and* feeling oh-so-cool. According to reviewers, this charming, rustic-looking piece delivers some pretty powerful airflow for its size. Promising review: "We bought two of these fans for our hard-top gazebo. They keep us cool and push the bugs away when the sun is out. I wish I had purchased forward to hanging out on the patio this summer." —AtlGaPeachPrice: $99.98 A decorative throw pillow since it'll take your old and somewhat worn patio furniture from drab to *FAB* and add some extra cushiony support in the process. Sounds like a Win-Win to me! Promising review: "I needed two pillows to match a chair I have for my balcony and they work perfectly, just the right size and firm. Love these pillows." —TuggerPrice: $11.99+ (originally $14.99; available in five colors and patterns) A friendly frog because this lil' bud is adorable, polite, and absolutely the best greeter you could ever have by your door. Promising review: "I just love frogs! I have a collection of them in my garden." —FL49Price: $20.98
Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Gareth Thomas interview: People leave restaurants when I enter since HIV diagnosis
There is an energy to Gareth Thomas which almost jars in its intensity. One might forgive the former Wales captain – who skippered the Lions in two Tests in 2005 – for presenting more world-weariness and lethargy given the trajectory of his life since he retired from both codes of the game in 2011. This is not just the Thomas who won 100 caps and a Grand Slam with Wales. This is the Thomas who announced his positive HIV diagnosis in 2019; the Thomas who came out as gay in 2009 having divorced his childhood sweetheart, Jemma, two years earlier, with the pair enduring three miscarriages; the Thomas who at one stage had both Mickey Rourke and Tom Hardy considering a biopic; and the Thomas who, in 2022, was accused of 'deceptively' transmitting HIV to a previous partner, eventually settling for over £75,000 'without admitting liability or guilt'. Now 50, Thomas, nicknamed 'Alfie' during his playing days, has experienced as many twists and turns in his life as the average octogenarian. A professional rugby career – during which he won a Heineken Cup with Toulouse – followed by coming to terms with his sexuality and then the diagnosis of a disease which was once marketed as 'equalling death' in the western world. He was then sued by his former partner; and he married his husband, Stephen, in 2016. Despite the distress and controversy, there is a conviction to Thomas which is, in many ways, quite admirable. We meet near Paddington Station because Thomas's 'Tackle HIV' campaign will be running a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. 'I take one tablet a day and live a normal, happy life' Reducing the stigma surrounding HIV has now become his focus, profession and vocation, given that perception and misinformation surrounding the disease has affected his daily life far more than any symptom. 'At 6am every morning I take one tablet and that is it,' Thomas tells Telegraph Sport. 'It's not a magic tablet. It's not a 'Jack and the Beanstalk' pill which some people think it is. It's not a gigantic thing. It's a normal tablet taken every day. I understand the importance of it but it has become a relevant irrelevance in my life. The fact it has become irrelevant to me – it's just a part of my day – means I live a normal, happy, healthy life. 'Science and medicine means that people with HIV can now live normal and happy lives, as I do. I have a normal life expectancy. To get people to understand that as well as the importance of testing, of knowing your 'status', is what we have to do to achieve the UN Aid's goal of eradicating new cases in the UK by 2030. 'Everyone should know their status for us to be able to do that. Knowing the facts rather than thinking you know them – from a friend in the pub or your parents' testimonies from 40 years ago – and knowing the science. 'Sadly, the only thing stopping that, and kind of controlling me, is society's stigma against the virus. That is the one thing that frightens me about walking into environments. I know, and my husband and family know, through sharing the same knife and fork or sharing the same drink, or sitting on the same toilet seat, that it cannot be contracted. Yet, when you walk into a restaurant and people leave... or people don't want to share a drink or shake your hand. It has happened often enough for me to be aware that when I walk into a restaurant the next time, I'll know if it's happening. 'It's not a case of it happening once and it made me afraid; it's happened enough times that every time I walk into a restaurant now I feel like I have to assess, for my own happiness, or my husband's, or the family that I am with. 'I don't want it to happen again. And it shouldn't. For me to have to assess that means that the work that we are doing around stigma is relevant and needed, for sure. It's not just me that it happens to. I hear stories, I speak to people, I'm part of a community. I constantly hear negative lived experiences from them which match my own. There has been a lot of progress but we cannot rest on our laurels.' Thomas is aware of the court of public opinion more than most. In 2016, he was excoriated by it for the alleged 'deceptive' HIV transmission, which prompted a police investigation. But he does not care; outwardly, at least. He is of the opinion that he knows the facts and there is little that anyone can do to prevent the conjecture mill of social media from swinging into action. In 2023, Andy Goode, the former England fly-half turned broadcaster, said it was 'immoral' for ITV to continue using Thomas on coverage for that year's World Cup. Thomas brushes off those memories without ever seeming rattled. 'The fact that someone had something to say – he's more than entitled to his opinion – but it had no effect,' Thomas says. 'It happened because of something completely different and I do not need to justify that. All of that is absolutely fine. It means nothing to me. 'It doesn't stop me being a voice for a community which is not heard that much. I'd rather save 400,000 lives – potentially, over the next four years, that's how many people could die globally from HIV stigma alone, not even the virus – and trying to save those is more important to me than trying to justify or defend what someone else has said, when I couldn't really care. 'Every part of my life is a sense of growing stronger. I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Everyone is open to the court of public opinion. With social media, we're talking about a loud minority, in terms of what they would actually say compared with what they decide to write. It's either that I try to defend myself against a minority who do not know any facts and who do not know me, and who do not know the story – except, maybe, a one-sided aspect. 'Is it more important that I defend that or is it more important that I defend the community which I'm proud to represent? The ability to continue defending the community was more important than being a voice for myself. 'I am a proud campaigner, as opposed to anything else. What I've realised as a campaigner, just like rugby, is that if you're comfortable and relaxed, then maybe you're not doing it as well as you should be. You should constantly be uncomfortable and constantly challenge yourself. 'This [garden] was an opportunity to feel uncomfortable to deliver what is sometimes an uncomfortable message in a beautiful way, telling the story through a garden. I've used my life experience – with [designer] Manoj [Malde] – and we've created what is an amazing garden to tell a story around destigmatising and educating people from all walks of life at the Chelsea Flower Show.' Thomas has left his rugby past behind, choosing to focus on more noble matters, but there is still pride and passion towards the state of Welsh rugby. The former centre was never coached by Warren Gatland in his first stint as head coach but believed that it was time for change. That said, Thomas is of the somewhat pessimistic belief that this Wales ship cannot be 'turned around in a short space of time – it could feel like we're constantly chasing, playing catch-up'. But his playing days now almost feel like a bygone era. 'I look back on rugby as just a time in my life,' Thomas says. 'I feel as though I've completely started a new chapter. Really great things happened to me, great experiences, but there were also times in my life where rugby was the worst thing. 'To be totally honest, I hardly ever look back on it. I feel that you have to evolve and reinvent. I enjoy being a fan. I watch it and use my lived experiences in rugby camps, good and bad, to try to figure out or solve an argument in a pub! Or to answer questions sometimes. Apart from that, it was just a time in my life.' There have been plenty of those; and yet, whatever the public perception of Thomas, he keeps coming back for more. The Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden will feature at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025, designed by Manoj Malde. Tackle HIV is a campaign led by Gareth Thomas in partnership with ViiV Healthcare, with Terrence Higgins Trust as the charity partner, which aims to tackle the stigma and misunderstanding around HIV. For more information visit and follow @TackleHIV
The Independent
10-02-2025
- The Independent
Family of girl murdered in Southport read daughter's favourite bedtime story to her in final goodbye
The family of one of the girls murdered at a Taylor Swift -themed dance class in Southport have opened up about their final goodbye with their daughter when they read her a bedtime story. Paying tribute to their 'light and joy' Bebe King, six, her parents also said that 'whatever she did she was going to move mountains', while the parents of seven-year-old Elsie Dot described their daughter as 'born special', 'fearless', and of such a 'pure' nature that she 'didn't know bad'. In their first television interview since they lost their six-year-old in the horror mass knife attack last summer, Bebe's parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said their daughter was dressed in her pyjamas in hospital when they spent their last moments with her doing her bedtime routine including reading her favourite book. They told Good Morning Britain: 'We lay next to her and did our final goodbye. It was a gift and something that we cherish. We read Jack and the Beanstalk with all the accents.' The parents of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, told the programme they were not ready to speak after their daughter became the third child to die in the attack at the Hart Space on 29 July, although they said they supported the other parents. The families are calling for answers to the many questions that were raised after what happened to their girls, in the hopes that these will bring change and improved protections for other children. They have also welcomed plans, announced on 21 January by home secretary Yvette Cooper, for a public inquiry into killer Axel Rudakubana, who has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years. Speaking of their 'strong and kind' daugher, Bebe's parents told GMB: 'I really hope that this wasn't all for nothing, that in spirit she can still have an impact on the world, in the future protecting children. 'Since day one, we said we have to live for her, we have to live how she would've wanted us to live and make the most of our life. It's important that we choose to push forward with life and live – for her... 'I want her to be this light and joy and not let whatever happened define her.' They said the sentencing should not have been broadcast as there was too much detail on the girls' injuries and this is not how they want them to be remembered. Jenni and David Stancombe, parents of seven-year-old Elsie Dot, described the 'guilt' they have endured after dropping their daughter off at that dance class. 'We just dropped her off to dance and make bracelets, it was something nice for her to do in the summer holidays… We should never have sent her but she wanted to go so much.' Ms Stancombe broke down on tears as she told GMB she would have fought to the death for Elsie if she had been at the Hart Space. 'I might not be here, but I'd never have let that happen,' she said. Bebe's mother described her daughter as 'my best friend'. She said: 'We almost had a hidden language we'd just look at each other and know what the other thinks.' The pair spoke of Bebe's love for singing and dancing as well as for Taylor Swift, especially the artist's song Love Story, which she used to sing 'full belt in the car' and dance along to in front of the mirror. Both families revealed they met with Swift at Wembley Stadium in the weeks after the attack, with Bebe's parents describing the singer as 'very lovely' and offering 'light in the dark'. Elsie's parents described their daughter as a 'devoted Swiftie' who idolised the singer. They said the seven-year-old was creative, with a 'natural flair for design' and dreams of becoming a fashion designer when she grew up. Elsie, who also had a passion for cheerleading, used to tell them: 'I want to be fashion designer in the day and a cheer coach at night.'
