Latest news with #MidsummerNight'sDream
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The Scottish amateur theatre directors retiring after 30 years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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... They were two friends who set out to change the face of amateur theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the 1990s. Now the directors of theatre production company Arkle are to retire after 30 straight years of Fringe performances. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rob McKean and Michael Mulligan are to close the company with a final swansong of two shows - selected by each of them as their former Fringe favourites - at this year's festival. The pair set up the organisation in 1996 after meeting at another local club, Edinburgh People's Theatre. Mr McKean said: 'Arkle started as the result of a couple of bottles of wine in a cottage in the north-west Highlands. We'd both been involved in Edinburgh People's Theatre and back then, there was a set way of doing shows. It was box sets, it was two acts and we realised that we wanted to do something different, we didn't want to do shows in a set format. 'Also we wanted to do it without a committee and a club around it. Back then, people could only act for one club. There was no crossover, that's changed now. So we thought we'd try to do something simple for the Fringe - a short show and see how it went.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their first show was Womerang, by Sue Townsend. 'It was great and people asked us 'what are you doing next year?',' Mr McKean said. Rob McKean (centre) and Michael Mulligan (right) with the cast from last year's Fringe show. | Rob Shields 'So we did. All of that was 29 years ago. This is our 30th on the Fringe. Even during Covid, we did some radio-style productions on Zoom, so we didn't miss a year. But after 30 years of doing it, it is time to stop.' Mr Mulligan added: 'Rob retired last year and I turned 70 in March of this year. These are factors which made us think it was time to stop after 30 years. Seventy is not the same as 40. A lot of people don't appreciate the sheer amount of work that goes on to do this. Also, it is getting staggeringly expensive. I see the future as a lot of what I call 'pop-up theatre'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He added: 'But the time to finish something is when you're still enjoying it.' Arkle's 2010 production of a Midsummer Night's Dream. | Arkle The company's second show was A Midsummer Night's Dream, which they are to reprise this year, alongside The 39 Steps, as their final performances. 'We've done what we set out to do,' said Mr McKean. 'Amateur theatre - we prefer to call it unpaid, as we have always tried to do professional level productions - has changed a lot over the last 30 years. There's a lot more crossover between the clubs, we help each other. All of that has developed. Mr Mulligan also runs the Royal Scots Club on Abercromby Place as a venue during the Fringe, both for Arkle and for other amateur clubs putting on shows. He plans to continue to do so next year.
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
UNMET Gala creates an enchanted evening and raises $1.5 million in support of WoodGreen and the unmet needs of Torontonians
The UNMET Gala presented by Rogers transformed Evergreen Brick Works on May 8 into a Midsummer Night's Dream as it raised funds to support WoodGreen's UNMET Needs Campaign. TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The UNMET Gala hosted close to 500 of Toronto's business and philanthropic leaders at Evergreen Brick Works last Thursday night to raise a remarkable $1.5M in support of WoodGreen Community Services. The UNMET Needs Campaign is raising $25 million to address the urgent, unmet needs of Toronto residents who are unhoused, unsafe, unwelcome, unseen, unfed and unsupported. This year's gala was organized by The WoodGreen Foundation board member and UNMET Gala chair Krystal Koo, and event co-chair, Fernanda Dovigi, and was presented by Rogers Communications. It was the second iteration of WoodGreen's signature, UNMET Gala, which premiered in 2023. The gala's Midsummer Night's Dream theme reflected the Athenian essence and deep-rooted connection WoodGreen shares with Toronto's east end and the Danforth community. The fantastical elements created a magical realm where reality melted into fantasy, with every corner in the ethereal landscape holding a whisper of mystery and allure. Enchantment and elegance converged in the beautiful and creative attire of the guests, who enjoyed the exquisite Mediterranean cuisine of Milos and danced the night away under the velvet sky. "We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support of our donors and sponsors, as their support will ensure WoodGreen can continue delivering high-quality, front-line, positive change in our city," said Teresa Vasilopoulos, Executive Director of The WoodGreen Foundation. " WoodGreen's UNMET Needs Campaign is raising funds to create a more equitable city, addressing the pressing need for affordable housing, crisis support for vulnerable seniors, mental health and wellness programs for at-risk youth, support for women and children fleeing abuse, food and financial security, and skill-based programs for unemployed individuals and newcomers. We are exceedingly grateful to the Gala Co-Chairs Krystal Koo and Fernanda Dovigi and their incredible UNMET Gala committee who made this amazing night possible." "WoodGreen's work is critical to the health and vibrancy of Toronto, and we wanted to shine a light on the transformative impact it has had on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It's been an honour to celebrate WoodGreen and rally support for their work in meeting the unmet needs of tens of thousands of underserved residents of our city. We sincerely thank all of our sponsors and guests for their generosity and support," said Krystal Koo, UNMET Gala Chair who has served as a WoodGreen Foundation Board member since 2018. Guests created lasting memories with a unique photo shoot by acclaimed Toronto-based photographer and art director Renata Kaveh, in the beautiful midsummer entry garden. A black-and-white portrait studio by The Collective You, which has photographed celebrities around the world, captured intimate moments with timeless sophistication. Dedicated members of the UNMET Gala committee include: Melissa Baldassarra, Suzanne Boyd, Rochelle de Goias-Jackman, Rana Florida, Claire MacNamara, Vanessa Mulroney, Jenna B. Naumovich, Jessica Polanski, Karolina Segal, and Victoria Webster. To learn more about WoodGreen's UNMET Needs Campaign, please visit
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UNMET Gala creates an enchanted evening and raises $1.5 million in support of WoodGreen and the unmet needs of Torontonians
The UNMET Gala presented by Rogers transformed Evergreen Brick Works on May 8 into a Midsummer Night's Dream as it raised funds to support WoodGreen's UNMET Needs Campaign. TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The UNMET Gala hosted close to 500 of Toronto's business and philanthropic leaders at Evergreen Brick Works last Thursday night to raise a remarkable $1.5M in support of WoodGreen Community Services. The UNMET Needs Campaign is raising $25 million to address the urgent, unmet needs of Toronto residents who are unhoused, unsafe, unwelcome, unseen, unfed and unsupported. This year's gala was organized by The WoodGreen Foundation board member and UNMET Gala chair Krystal Koo, and event co-chair, Fernanda Dovigi, and was presented by Rogers Communications. It was the second iteration of WoodGreen's signature, UNMET Gala, which premiered in 2023. The gala's Midsummer Night's Dream theme reflected the Athenian essence and deep-rooted connection WoodGreen shares with Toronto's east end and the Danforth community. The fantastical elements created a magical realm where reality melted into fantasy, with every corner in the ethereal landscape holding a whisper of mystery and allure. Enchantment and elegance converged in the beautiful and creative attire of the guests, who enjoyed the exquisite Mediterranean cuisine of Milos and danced the night away under the velvet sky. "We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support of our donors and sponsors, as their support will ensure WoodGreen can continue delivering high-quality, front-line, positive change in our city," said Teresa Vasilopoulos, Executive Director of The WoodGreen Foundation. "WoodGreen's UNMET Needs Campaign is raising funds to create a more equitable city, addressing the pressing need for affordable housing, crisis support for vulnerable seniors, mental health and wellness programs for at-risk youth, support for women and children fleeing abuse, food and financial security, and skill-based programs for unemployed individuals and newcomers. We are exceedingly grateful to the Gala Co-Chairs Krystal Koo and Fernanda Dovigi and their incredible UNMET Gala committee who made this amazing night possible." "WoodGreen's work is critical to the health and vibrancy of Toronto, and we wanted to shine a light on the transformative impact it has had on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It's been an honour to celebrate WoodGreen and rally support for their work in meeting the unmet needs of tens of thousands of underserved residents of our city. We sincerely thank all of our sponsors and guests for their generosity and support," said Krystal Koo, UNMET Gala Chair who has served as a WoodGreen Foundation Board member since 2018. Guests created lasting memories with a unique photo shoot by acclaimed Toronto-based photographer and art director Renata Kaveh, in the beautiful midsummer entry garden. A black-and-white portrait studio by The Collective You, which has photographed celebrities around the world, captured intimate moments with timeless sophistication. Dedicated members of the UNMET Gala committee include: Melissa Baldassarra, Suzanne Boyd, Rochelle de Goias-Jackman, Rana Florida, Claire MacNamara, Vanessa Mulroney, Jenna B. Naumovich, Jessica Polanski, Karolina Segal, and Victoria Webster. To learn more about WoodGreen's UNMET Needs Campaign, please visit About WoodGreen Community Services ( WoodGreen is one of the largest social services agencies in Toronto, serving 40,000 people at more than 40 locations across the city each year. For more than 88 years, WoodGreen has worked to improve the health and well-being of Toronto's residents, creating new opportunities to empower everyone to thrive. SOURCE WoodGreen Community Services View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Lady Alice Manners' very lavish 30th birthday celebrations - as socialites gather for a Shakespearean celebration
Socialites flocked to Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire to attend the very lavish 30th birthday party of Lady Alice Manners at her ancestral seat over the weekend. Alice invited her nearest and dearest to come together at the 15,000-acre estate for a Midsummer Night's Dream as she completed another trip around the sun. In addition to her well-to-do friends, the second oldest daughter of David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, and Emma Manners, was joined by her sisters, Lady Eliza and Lady Violet Manners. Also in attendance was Hum Fleming, the great-niece of James Bond, who is due to get married in September to former Tory minister Lord (Zac) Goldsmith in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden revealed: 'PR executive Hum, 35, wore a spectacular green dress and a floral crown to the 30th birthday party of Lady Alice Manners at her ancestral seat, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. 'Hum was joined by her twin sister, Chloe, who wore a pink veil and a larger floral headpiece. Chloe, who works for events firm Sharky & George, was seen struggling to keep the flowers on her head while searching for her placement at the dining table. 'Lady Alice, one of the Duke of Rutland's spirited three daughters, wore a pink dress for the party, whose theme was A Midsummer Night's Dream.' The pink dress was full of sentimental meaning for Alice, and once belonged to her paternal grandmother, Miss Margaret Whigham. Taking to Instagram, Alice explained, 'It was my Granny's wedding dress, and when she passed away last January, I got to try it on for the first time. 'It fit like a glove, and I knew I had to wear it one day for a special moment. Turning 30 is just that! I have never worn anything so beautiful, and I hope she was happy looking down watching me swish around in it.' Elsewhere, Alice's close friend, and Soho property heiress, India Rose James, also picked a vintage find for the glitzy party that was held over the weekend. Eden explained, 'Her pal India Rose James, 33, says: "I finally had the perfect reason to wear the most amazing vintage Galliano dress." Upon arrival, guests were led into the venue through a hallway that had flowers draped from the ceiling. Elegant name cards created by illustrator Cathy Graham directed attendees to their seats, where they enjoyed a candelit birthday feast. The party soon got in full swing, and the well-heeled guests took to the chequered dance floor to dance the night away with Alice. After the event, the socialite's friends and family took to social media to share photographs from the special day. Chief among them was 27-year-old Eliza Manners, who shared a series of images from her sister's bash as well as details of her outfit. 'A very fun night in the best Portobello Market find,' she wrote alongside an image of her sporting a silk orange frock. While it might come as a surprise to some, Lady Eliza can often be found scouring through rails of second-hand clothing in pursuit of hidden sartorial gems. Alice previously wrote in the Daily Mail, 'You might imagine that my sisters — Violet and Eliza — and I were brought up with all the new clothes we could possibly want. This couldn't be further from the truth. 'For as long as I can remember my mother, Emma, the Duchess of Rutland — who raised us at our ancestral home Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire — has been passionate about buying second-hand clothing, long before it was trendy.' Alice explained that her mother was never snobby about buying other people's cast-offs, preferring to see it as giving new life to special garments. And she passed that passion on to her children. It comes after Lady Violet and Lady Alice Manners praised the Princess of Wales for showing 'strength beyond strength' in March laster year - after she candidly revealed her cancer diagnosis. The socialites, who are both daughters of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, took to their Instagram Stories to share reels of Kate. Violet reposted a reel from British entrepreneur Daniel Daggers that wished the royal a 'speedy recovery' and urged the public 'to please support people rather than judge them'. 'Yes,' she added in her own caption. Meanwhile, her sister Alice posted three white hearts along with the words 'strength, beyond strength' in a Story sharing the Princess's clip. Kate revealed in January that she is in remission from cancer. In a message on social media, signed 'C', she said: 'I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year.
