Latest news with #Shakespearean
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Hugh Jackman, George Clooney, Nick Jonas, and more actors are heading to the theatre to show off their acting chops
You've seen them on the silver screen, on TV shows and even in series on OTT, but now several Hollywood celebrities are heading to the theatre. From actors like George Clooney, who made his Broadway debut at 64, to singer-actor Nick Jonas taking the stage after a long break post his childhood soiree, and even actor Hugh Jackman, who is producing and acting in an off-Broadway production, these actors are reaching out to their fans in a new way. Even award-winning actor Denzel Washington has debuted on Broadway with a Shakespearean play alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. We look at 7 such actors, who are returning to the theatre and exploring new forms of acting to keep their skills sharp this year: Hugh Jackman A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) Actor Hugh Jackman is no stranger to the theatre and musicals, both on the big screen and on stage. He is starring in an off-Broadway production of Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes. The play is written by Hannah Moscovitch and explores the complexities of power, consent, and narrative control in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Hugh plays the role of Jon, a college professor who becomes entangled with a student. It premiered at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York (USA) on April 28 and will run till June 18. The actor made his Broadway debut with a play titled Good Night, and Good Luck on Thursday, April 3 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. It's directed by David Crome and stars Clark Gregg, Glenn Fleshler, Carter Hudson and Ilana Glazer. The actor who usually proudly flaunts his silver hair has dyed it even though 'my wife is going to hate it because nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair,' he said, adding, 'My kids are going to just laugh at me nonstop." This play is a stage adaptation of the 2005 movie about CBS news journalist Edward R. Murrow's legendary 1954 exposé on Senator Joseph McCarthy. A post shared by The Jamie Lloyd Company (@jamielloydco) The Marvel actor, who shot to fame as the mischievous Norse God Loki, had reunited with his Marvel universe costar Hayley Atwell. The duo can be seen at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, dancing and singing their hearts out for director Jamie Lloyd's production of Shakespeare's romcom, Much Ado About Nothing. The 44-year-old is playing Benedick, but this isn't his first time playing a Shakespearean role as he essayed Coriolanus on stage in 2014, and Prince Hal in BBC's adaptation of The Hollow Crown. He said, 'If I had good fortune, I'd love to play Shakespeare for the rest of my life. I really love doing it. The plays are so deep, and they contain such wisdom about being alive.' A post shared by The Jamie Lloyd Company (@jamielloydco) For Hayley Atwell, 'Theatre does for me what church can do for many people. I still really feel that.' The actor can be seen as Beatrice, dancing and singing her heart out in Shakespeare's romcom, Much Ado About Nothing. It is in production at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London till April 5. The 42-year-old, who plays the lead in Agent Carter stars opposite Tom Hiddleston, who is also a Marvel alum. A post shared by Playbill (@playbill) The singer-actor will soon be seen on Broadway, starring in Jason Robert Brown's musical The Last Five Years. Director Whitney White is helming it and Nick will be performing opposite Adrienne Warren in the play's first-ever Broadway production. The play will run from April 16 to June 22 at the Hudson Theatre in New York City, USA. The actor is playing the lead in Othello, a remake of the Shakespeare play. 'It's the most excited I've been this century,' Washington said, adding, 'Seriously. I haven't been this excited about anything I've done as I am about this.' The plot revolves around Othello, a military commander who is convinced his wife has been unfaithful by his ensign, Iago. The actor takes the stage as Iago, an ambitious lieutenant and masterful manipulator in Shakespearean play Othello. He stars alongside actor Denzel Washington, who is in the titular role. The play has been reimagined in modern with two soldiers who suffer from PTSD. The production at the Barrymore Theatre is now Broadway's top-grossing play of all time, generating $2.8 million with eight preview performances.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Underrated little UK town named one of Britain's happiest places to live
A market town in Worcestershire has been crowned as one of the top three happiest places to live thanks to its scenic beauty, accessibility and community charm The happiest places to live in Britain have been ranked and a little-known gem has cracked the top three. The medieval market town beat out beloved cities like Lewes, Perth and Aberystwyth with its charming atmosphere and architectural feats. Evesham is the second happiest place to live in Britain, according to the Guardian. The town in Worcestershire comes in just behind Berwick-upon-Tweed which snagged the first place spot and before Caernarfon in Wales in the third spot. Evesham is known as the 'asparagus capital of the UK' - an odd moniker to be sure, but one it holds proudly as the host of the annual British Asparagus festival. In fact for centuries, the Vale of Evesham has been considered the fruit and vegetable basket of England. Visitors will have plenty of opportunity to sample the highest quality produce and can stop by a pick-your-own-fruit and vegetable field. One of the best-known farms in the area is Oaklands Fruit Farm. The farm was established over a decade ago and specialised in the production of high-quality strawberries. The production season starts in April and runs through to October so you'll have ample time to try its daily-picked produce. Sitting on the banks of the River Avon, Evesham is also renowned for its impressive landscape. According to Country Living the town is 'full of charm and beautiful scenery' which explains why it's such a great place to live. Evesham is also home to the award-winning Abbey Park - the site where Evesham Abbey once stood as the third largest Abbey in England. From here, visitors will be within walking distance to the joint Almonry Museum and Tourist Information Centre. The information centre is housed within a 14th century building and details the rich history of the town. The building was once home to the Almoner (chaplain or church officer), who was one of the monks of the Benedictine Abbey. Today, the Almonry is a great place for families and friends to sit in the beautiful garden or take in one of the exciting children's workshops or exhibitions that are hosted year-round. These family-friendly fixtures are a key factor that makes the area so distinctly enjoyable for residents. If that's not enough to convince you, Evesham is only a bus ride away from Stratford-upon-Avon. The town's close proximity to Stratford means locals - and visitors - can enjoy many of the Shakespearean attractions and events that take place each year. 25 happiest places to live in Britain Berwick-upon-Tweed, England Evesham, England Caernarfon, Wales Durham, England York, England Padiham, England Devizes, England Lewes, England Newport, Isle of Wight, England Exeter, England Penzance, England Chichester, England Cirencester, England Aylesbury, England Chesterfield, England Shrewsbury, England Worcester, England Perth, Scotland Haddington, Scotland Aberystwyth, Wales The Ridgeway, Enfield, London Surbiton North, London Clapham Junction, London Bounds Green, London Bromley, London
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Malditos' is a brooding, operatic French drama
Especially her sons. The brash, excitable son, Tony (Darren Muselet), wants to get into the lucrative drug market -- or maybe he wants to run away with his girlfriend, who is from a rival clan. The brooding, bitter son, Jo (Pablo Cobo), who was forced to abandon his career ambitions, has his own vision for leadership, one he honed during years of estrangement from his mother and brother. Sara, Tony and Jo all think they are keeping the same secret, but they aren't quite. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The show wears its Shakespearean power-jockeying as comfortably as its track jackets. 'You're a real prince,' a vulnerable man stutters at Jo, begging for his life. Every bright idea just illuminates the path toward a more severe catastrophe, and pretty soon, the bodies are piling up. Some are even being exhumed. Advertisement Violence abounds, both in harebrained shoot-em-ups and in the startling volatility of a bull. One person might be leveled by a mob-led beatdown or by the punishing rains of an unrelenting storm. Another might be swallowed up by oppressive gender roles or spit out by expensive real estate regulations. Advertisement A few of the twists and turns here can feel a little predictable, and all that glowering starts losing its impact after a while. But the show has plenty of fresh ideas and true surprises in its specifics and realism, in its characters' rites and traditions. 'Malditos' teases out how religion, superstition and harshly enforced cultural customs are both the fabric and the rend. There's a bright beauty to a tough-guy dad tenderly officiating a poetic marriage ritual, and also a cold horror at the bride's numb concessions and deep despair. Now streaming on Max. This article originally appeared in
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Don't merely enrol students, but equip them with skills
As the admission season for colleges and universities begins, institutions across India are once again promoting their programmes under banners promising knowledge, transformation, and research excellence. This growth in enrolment at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels suggests a dynamic academic landscape full of potential. Yet, beneath this expansion lies an important challenge: degrees are proliferating faster than meaningful job opportunities. A gap that needs attention According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics, the unemployment rate in India tends to increase with higher education levels. This paradox reveals a critical gap between academic achievement and employability — a gap that requires urgent attention. This challenge is particularly acute in India's vast network of non-elite institutions in Tier 2 and tier 3 colleges, where most students pursue BA, BCom, or BSc degrees and their corresponding master's programmes. These institutions often face resource constraints and limited industry connections, operating with curricula that have not kept pace with the evolving job market. While elite colleges make headlines for placement challenges, the gradual erosion of employability in everyday colleges often goes unnoticed. In many such institutions, instruction remains largely theoretical, with limited emphasis on real-world skills. For example, an English literature student might study Shakespearean tragedy yet miss out on learning practical skills such as writing professional emails. Similarly, an economics graduate may understand complex theories but struggle with everyday tools such as Excel. This disconnect means millions of educated young people find it difficult to translate their degrees into career opportunities. This situation stems partly from a deeply entrenched academic culture that values scholarship and abstraction over practical application. Within many academic circles — even prestigious ones — higher education is often celebrated as an end in itself, while immediate employment is sometimes subtly undervalued. Postgraduate degrees and PhDs are frequently pursued not just for intellectual fulfilment but as a refuge from the job market, creating a cycle where many graduates end up teaching in the very colleges that perpetuate the same system. It is important to recognise that successive governments have acknowledged this issue. Initiatives such as Skill India, Start-Up India, and the National Education Policy have pushed for skill development, vocational training, and entrepreneurship. However, the transformation remains incomplete. Many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes continue to emphasise rote learning over practical skills. While new courses in AI or entrepreneurship are being introduced, they often lack depth, and integration into the broader curriculum. A broader societal challenge Countries such as China and Japan have successfully aligned education with economic strategies by elevating technical and vocational education to a central role in workforce development. In India, vocational training is still often perceived as a fallback option, both within academia and society. This stigma limits the appeal and effectiveness of skill-based education, despite its vital role in economic empowerment. This contradiction highlights a broader societal challenge: degrees are highly valued as symbols of upward mobility, but they increasingly fail to guarantee it. This is not a call to abandon liberal education or abstract learning — they remain essential for critical thinking and creativity. However, education must also provide tangible economic benefits. Degrees should offer pathways to agency and dignity, especially for students from smaller towns and under-resourced institutions. A way forward lies in integrating practical skill modules — communication, digital literacy, budgeting, data analysis, hospitality, tailoring, and health services — into general degree programmes as core elements, not optional extras. Doctoral education should be diversified to prepare candidates for policy, analytics, consulting, development, and industry roles, not solely academia. Research remains vital, but it must be pursued by those inclined towards it. Finally, the widespread aspiration for government jobs reflects the limited opportunities graduates currently perceive. While these roles remain important, expanding private sector and entrepreneurial pathways through improved employability will offer youth a broader range of options. Enhancing skills and opportunities can reduce the over-dependence on competitive exams. India's growing economy demands an education system that not just enrols students, but equips students with skills. Viewing education as a social contract that guarantees a meaningful connection between learning and livelihood is essential. Gourishankar S. Hiremath teaches Economics at IIT Kharagpur. Views are personal
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel on ‘The Better Sister' and taking control in Hollywood
Things got heated between Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel last summer. Sweat was poured. Scores were settled. Justin Timberlake even got involved. The intense showdowns occurred on a New York City padel court when the women had days off from filming their new Prime Video limited series, 'The Better Sister,' now streaming. Squaring off in the increasingly popular racquet sport, the actors, along with Biel's husband, Timberlake, and Banks' husband, Max Handelman, 'had a blast kicking each other's asses,' Biel said. Back on 'The Better Sister' set, Banks and Biel were happy to play on the same team. There, they both served as stars and executive producers, and they praised the collaborative, ego-free environment overseen by showrunners Olivia Milch and Regina Corrado. (Though their competitive streak did continue with between-takes Bananagrams.) 'This was a group of, frankly, a lot of moms, who were like, 'We don't have time for nonsense. We want our crew home to have dinner with their families,' ' Banks said. 'There was a lot of mutual respect going on, but then we all demanded the best from each other.' The eight-episode whodunit, adapted from the 2019 novel by Alafair Burke, is a twisty, Shakespearean tale: Two estranged sisters, the glamorous, successful Chloe (Biel) and the recovering addict Nicky (Banks), are thrust back together when Chloe's husband, Adam (Corey Stoll) — who used to be Nicky's husband — is murdered. When Nicky and Adam's son, Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan) — who was raised by Chloe and Adam — is arrested for the crime, the sisters must untangle a web of family secrets and betrayal. Yeah, it's complicated. 'So many shows I've written on are about muscular, macho men doing violent things to each other,' said Corrado, whose past work includes 'Sons of Anarchy' and 'Deadwood.' 'But I think the scariest thing is women in this space and the intimate damage we can do to each other, particularly as sisters.' While Biel, 43, and Banks, 51, both rose to prominence as actors, they've been increasingly expanding their resumes behind the camera. Over the past decade, Banks has directed films, including 'Cocaine Bear,' 'Pitch Perfect 2' and the 2019 'Charlie's Angels' reboot, and produced numerous projects under her and Handelman's Brownstone Productions banner. Biel has likewise segued into producing with her company, Iron Ocean, which backed the psychological thriller series 'Cruel Summer,' 'The Sinner' and 'Candy,' the latter two in which she also starred. (Biel is also in early development on a reboot of '7th Heaven,' the '90s series on which she got her start as the rebellious Mary Camden, though she won't reprise her role.) For Biel, those recent thriller projects, along with 'The Better Sister,' speak to what she finds 'endlessly interesting.' 'Why do humans do the things that they do?' she said. 'When you're pressed up against the wall and you're fighting for your life or to keep your kids safe, what would you do? How far would you go?' In a joint video interview, Banks and Biel discussed making 'The Better Sister' and their decades of experience that led them here. These are edited excerpts from the conversation, which includes a few spoilers. What initially attracted you to 'The Better Sister' and your specific roles? Biel: I first read for the Nicky part, and I was definitely interested in it. Then, a couple days later, I got the call saying, 'They want you for Chloe.' When I heard that Elizabeth was talking to them about Nicky, I was like, oh, yes. This makes more sense to me now. I've also heard for a million years that we look like sisters. Banks: I had never heard a bad word about Jessica Biel in the industry. She was known as kind, generous, talented, a great collaborator, easy to be around. And I thought, well, that sounds easy and fun. Craig Gillespie, who directed our pilot, got on with me and said, 'I want you to be a mess, Banks. It needs more humor, and you'll be funny.' He sold me on this messy Nicky, in contrast to Jessica, and I thought that sounded like a great idea all across the board. Elizabeth, as an actor, you've received the most recognition for your comedic roles, but you've been focused lately on quieter, dramatic parts. Is that a direction you'd always hoped to go in? Banks: It's interesting. I started my career in a lot of dramas. Man, I remember making 'Seabiscuit.' It was nominated for seven Academy Awards. It was very serious fare, and I was put in that [dramatic] box early on. It honestly took making 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' to even clue people in that I was funny. Like, I knew I was. I thought I was going to come in and do rom-coms, but when I started making films, it wasn't a skill that was asked of me. I love that I got to reset my career, and I've been able to do it multiple times. The very title of this series, 'The Better Sister,' pits these two women against each other. How have you seen that comparison game play out in your own experiences in this industry? Biel: You're constantly compared. At least back in the day, it felt like people were trying to keep women away from each other. You'd sit in an audition room, and there would be this energy because your agents and managers would have made you feel like these women are your competition. There really was a feeling of 'you are against everybody, and everybody is against you.' I feel like that's changed so much, but this industry is cutthroat. I have a lot of real experience in feeling less than, feeling judged, feeling like the industry has been putting their thumb on top of you, and you have to fight, fight, fight for every opportunity. Banks: I had a similar experience coming up as an ingénue. There's a scarcity mentality, like there's only so many roles. Now we have all of this incredible data, like what the Geena Davis Institute has collected, about women's roles in Hollywood. At some point, I just looked around and thought, the numbers are against me. The very first film I ever made ['Wet Hot American Summer'] was with Paul Rudd and Bradley Cooper, and they went on to play superheroes. I'm never going to get that, especially once I got over a certain age. You start to understand that it's systemic, and it is a numbers game. You can keep playing that game, or you can do what so many incredible women have done before me, which is create your own opportunities. I know that we are encouraging the next generation because I made a movie with them called 'Bottoms.' Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, they're doing it now. They're going to make their own stuff, and it's incredible. I think the industry has changed because women changed it. I just want to make sure that we have actually learned the lessons, and we are creating the opportunities. Biel: I really do hope it is different and better and more fair and more loving because, man, it was hard. One of the big themes in this show is trust. This idea of, can we trust our family? Can we trust our partners? Can we trust the police? Can we trust our memories? Did working on this show make you question anything about your own realities? Banks: My father served in Vietnam, and we never talked about it when I was a kid. Vietnam vets suffered when they came back. America was not interested in them. What does that do to people's psyches that had served their country and now they're being spit at? This brought up a lot of those notions for me about how little you actually know your parents when you're a child and how the layers come out the older you get. I was the older sister, and I was able to protect my younger sister from the version of my father that I knew. He didn't give that version to her because he and my mom had learned a lesson about what was going on with him. I'm 11 years older than my brother. He did not get the same version of my parents that I did. Biel: Where I parallel a little bit in Chloe's world is this weird, naive trust of police. It's interesting watching Elizabeth in the scenes where she's expressing Nicky's feelings about, 'Don't trust these people. Don't give them anything.' I was wondering if I have those same thoughts that Chloe does, where I would just offer up information that I shouldn't because I trust that they're here to protect me. Would I be in a situation where I would not be taking care of myself or my family members because I felt obligated to almost please this police department who is supposed to help me? So, [I was] trying to understand that system a little bit better, alongside all the questions you have about your parents and what version you got as a child. My brother and I are three years apart, but I was working when I was really young, and he wasn't. He was at home. I basically abandoned him. But I was so self-absorbed, I didn't think about it in that way. I just was doing what was my passion. I know he had a very different experience in our family than I did. I feel nervous to talk to him about it sometimes because I have guilt around that. He was in my shadow, and I left him. Spoilers for the final episodes — we ultimately learn that Nicky killed Adam, and that reveal puts everything we've seen her do thus far in a different light. Elizabeth, what went into playing a character who's keeping a huge secret from everyone, including the audience, for so long? Banks: Look, I literally say right after he gets arrested, 'Tell them it was me. I'll say I did it.' But nobody's going to believe her. I was actually always thinking about 'Presumed Innocent,' the original [film], where she knows all along that she can make him free. Ethan's not going to jail. Nicky was willing and ready every minute of this entire series to offer herself up and say, 'I'm going to jail for this. I did it.' I think she almost expects that it's where her life is supposed to go — but she also can't let Adam win. So, there is a lot of strategy going on for Nicky. She's playing chess, and she's playing the long game, and poor Chloe is not in on any of it. Chloe then ends up framing Adam's boss for the murder in the finale. Jessica, how did you feel about that decision and the motivations around it? Biel: It felt to me that it was what had to happen. Because once it's revealed that Adam set Nicky up and pushed those drugs on her, and she's not this horrific mom, her son was not in danger — that realization for Chloe is just like — oh, my God — everything that she has done has been in vain. She ruined her sister's life. She's taken over being the mother of this child. For what? It's all a lie. So, when all of that comes out, that is the moment where she is 100% loyal to Nicky. They are officially in it together. Now she has to protect Nicky in order to protect Ethan, and to do that, we need somebody to take the blame for this because we are all culpable. Everybody is playing their part, and nobody is innocent. There's a line in the show to the effect of, 'Nothing ever really disappears,' whether that's because of the stories that people tell about us or the permanence of the internet. Is there a story or project that's followed you around that you wish would go away? Biel: I'm sure you could dig up some stuff about me, and I would probably be like, 'Oh, yeah, that wasn't the best choice.' But you have to fall on your face, look like an idiot, sound like an idiot and get back up and go, 'All right, won't do that again.' I don't know where I would be if I didn't stumble around a little bit. I don't want to be stumbling around too much anymore at this age. On the flip side, what past chapter of your life are you the most proud of? Banks: I really am proud that I was able to use the opportunity that came during 'The Hunger Games,' where I had this guaranteed work with these big movies. I started my family then, and I started my directing career then, and it was because I wasn't out there shaking it trying to make a living. It was a real gift to have some security for a hot minute because it allowed me to look around and go, is this what I really want? What are my priorities? What opportunities can I pursue while I have this security? I'm proud that I took advantage of it. Biel: I think back in my early 20s, taking the opportunity to start my little [production] company [with co-founder Michelle Purple], which was dumb and small and lame for like 10 years. We didn't make anything, and it was a disaster. But we hustled, I took control and said I'm going to start making headway to make things for me. I'm not going to just sit and wait for a phone call from my agents, which is what I had been told to do. I started procuring material and working with writers and learning how to develop them. Now, my little company is making some stuff, which is cool. Neither of you come from industry families. Did you feel like outsiders stepping into that world? Banks: I still feel like an outsider. Biel: I was going to say the same thing! Banks: I know my worth, and I know what I've earned, so I don't have impostor syndrome anymore. But I do feel like there's a party in Hollywood that I'm not necessarily on the inside of. It keeps me scrappy, to be honest. Biel: It also keeps you from getting lost in the sauce. You're not paying so much attention to everybody else or what you're not getting. It's a good mindset to be in because you just focus on what you're doing. When I'm outputting creatively, that's what fuels me. The joy is in doing it.
