Latest news with #RichardParker
Time Out
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The West End ‘Life of Pi' play makes its debut in Hong Kong this month
From a globally acclaimed novel and award-winning film adaptation by Ang Lee, to two theatrical versions performed across the UK, it's no exaggeration to say that Life of Pi by Yann Martel is one of the most iconic stories of the 21st century. Theatre lovers will be glad to know that the play is soon making its Hong Kong debut at the Xiqu Centre. The original West End production from London has won five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards, so this is a great chance for Hong Kong audiences to see the magic right on home soil. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Life of Pi play is its use of exquisite puppetry in presenting the various animal characters such as the orangutans, zebras, hyenas, and Richard Parker the Bengal tiger. If you've seen The Lion King musical, you'll know first-hand how life-like puppets can be, and this production includes three very skilled puppeteers who deftly bring the animals to life. For those who have yet to experience the tale in any format, Life of Pi tells the story of Pi, a young Indian boy who loses his family in a shipwreck and finds himself having to survive while adrift at sea on a lifeboat with a range of animals, including the potentially dangerous tiger Richard Parker. Blending fantasy with reality, it deals with the profound themes of humanity and survival, religion and faith, as well as whether truth and fiction are important at all. Head to the Xiqu Centre from June 26 to 29 for a very limited six-show run of Life of Pi on stage. Tickets range from $288 to $1,188, with concessions available, but they're fast running out so get clicking now!
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
West Midlands Combined Authority CEO Laura Shoaf steps down
The chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is stepping down after four years in the Shoaf will remain in the role until 17 June and will continue as chair of Shadow Great British Railways, which was set up last year by the government under its plans to bring the UK's railways back into public Shoaf said she was "sad" to be leaving the organisation she has been with since its inception, but was confident she was leaving it in good WMCA said Ed Cox, deputy chief executive, will step up as interim chief while a recruitment process gets under way for a permanent replacement. "I have lived and worked in the West Midlands for over 20 years, and I am proud that I have been able to make a real difference for our residents," Ms Shoaf said."I will always champion our wonderful region and while I am sad to be leaving the combined authority, I know I am leaving it with people who care passionately about the West Midlands and will continue to see it go from strength to strength." CBE honour West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said Ms Shoaf had done an "exemplary job for the region" during her time in the 2022, she was honoured with a CBE for services to economic regeneration in the West Midlands."I want to thank Laura for her decades of service to the West Midlands," the mayor said."I especially want to recognise the work she has done in my first year to help me embed and deliver my priorities."I want to wish her every success in the future, especially continuing in her role as Chair of Shadow Great British Railways." This news has been gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
West Midlands bus passengers face hike in fares after review
Bus fares are to increase by 8.6% as a result of rising costs faced by bus operators, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) 15 June, a day ticket will rise by 40p to £5.20; a four-week fare will go up from £64 to £70, and the monthly direct debit fare is to change from £59 to £ fare rise follows an independent review, instigated by bus operators, which recommended the increase and which TfWM was required to introduce. The public body said its monthly and annual bus passes would remain among the lowest in this month, West Midlands mayor Richard Parker signed an order to bring the region's bus network back under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years. TfWM said the West Midlands Combined Authority, which it is part of, had agreed to continue the £50m a year funding to "support struggling operators and prevent further reductions in bus services".Matt Lewis, TfWM commercial director – bus and operations, stated it was a "difficult time for people and money is tight". Long-term investment The public body had worked hard with "our bus operators to keep these increases to an absolute minimum" and keep its services on the road, he a franchise system, the TfWM and regional leaders will take control of routes and timetables and set fares, as well as make long-term investments in services. Private operators will bid to run services on behalf of TfWM, and this will be introduced in phases from 2027, with the rollout completed during 3,600 people who took part in a consultation, including organisations, 75% who expressed a preference backed bringing services under public control, the combined authority has one-off costs of setting up the new operation and designing the network were expected to be £22.5m over three years, it had stated. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Demolition finally begins in Coventry on 1960s housing estate
Demolition has finally begun on a 1960s housing estate in Coventry as part of a £120m regeneration project of the housing provider Citizen has began demolishing the 158 empty homes in Kerry, Milestone and Trafalgar Houses in Spon End, Coventry, in the project's first phase. Work took place inside the home to take down all the fixtures and fittings in April, despite demolition plans supposed to have started two years ago. The project will see 750 homes built across three phases, subject to planning permission. Demolition had been due to begin in spring 2023, but Coventry City Council only gave the go-ahead last three tower blocks being demolished have recently been used in various BBC productions, including This Town, My Name is Leon and Phoenix are due to be replaced by 262 new affordable flats as part the regeneration of the area, announced in of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, told the BBC the project will create a new community in affordable social rented homes. Speaking at the site of the demolition on Wednesday, he said: "I'm here today to visit this fantastic regeneration project."Some outdated insecure and expensive homes to run are being demolished and a new community is being built here."Delivering more affordable homes is one of my main priorities. I want to see more projects like this built, not just in Coventry but across the West Midlands." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Report predicts West Midlands jobs boom and economic boost
The West Midlands economy could be boosted by billions over the next decade, an independent report has predicted, alongside a jobs boom in the report, commissioned by the universities of Warwick and Birmingham, found the region has the potential to create nearly 100,000 new jobs and deliver an extra £6.5bn to the UK economy by Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said the report, which comes ahead of a regional growth plan to be published in June, said it was a region of "real opportunity".The report is by Public First, a policy, research and strategy consultancy. Public First grounded its vision of economic renewal for the region in advanced manufacturing, green energy, electric vehicles, logistics, professional services and digital analysis, based on other regions which increased productivity and employment growth in the same sectors, predictedUp to 99,000 additional jobs across key industries, nearly double current projectionsGrowth outpacing the UK average, reversing a decade-long trend of regional under-performanceA £6.5bn addition to economic growth, generated through focused investment in high-productivity sectorsIt showed how each of the seven West Midlands local authorities – Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton – and the region's universities had a part to play in driving economic growth. Focus on key industries West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "This report confirms what I, and others, have been saying for a long time – when we back the West Midlands to succeed, we can deliver real jobs, real growth and real opportunity. And we can do that in every corner of the region."After almost a decade of under-performing on growth – below the national average – we need a focus on our key industries that can be the catalyst we need to become a region of global significance."Public First's chief executive, Rachel Wolf, said: "Our modelling shows that this is a place currently under-performing compared to its potential."Learning the lessons from international comparators could significantly increase productivity and jobs in the region – giving the West Midlands a clear route forward."The report stressed the role of local leaders and devolved powers, but also called for a stronger partnership with central government to maximise the impact of investment and reforms. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
