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Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Michael MacLennan's Finales Celebrates the Art of the Last Number at Burlington's Drury Lane Theatre
Actor and director Michael MacLennan's working relationship with the Drury Lane Theatre has been long and productive. MacLennan, a versatile visionary and devotee of Canadian community theatre, has been involved in thirteen successful musicals at the Drury Lane theatre over the course of ten to twelve years. His first-ever collaboration with Drury Lane was The Secret Garden, based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, in 2008. In 2025, he was the director and choreographer of the wildly entertaining musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which premiered at the local theatre on May 9, 2025. MacLennan is eager to share his aspirations for his upcoming show, for which he is the director and choreographer yet again, as well as the mastermind. This is the aptly-named and anticipated Finales, set to be performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in the month of June. MacLennan's longtime love for Broadway theatre has inspired him to assemble a variety pack of what he considers to be the best final numbers in the musical show business. Theatregoers can look forward to favourite tunes such as 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' from Gypsy, 'I've Never Been in Love Before' from Guys and Dolls, and 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from Funny Girl. Do you also like Chicago, Waitress, La Cage Aux Folles, and The Witches of Eastwick? They'll be included too. The show will pay ample tribute to twenty-six different Broadway hit classics. MacLennan has agreed to speak out on what he thinks is necessary for a musical show to end well, and why he is ending Drury Lane Theatre's 2025 summer season in this way. Answers have been lightly edited for flow. In your opinion, what makes a solid musical finale? It's something that will entice the audience to come back after intermission at the end of Act One. At the end of Act Two, it's the way of wrapping up the entire story. I've always found finales intriguing because sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, depending on the show. So I've always been sort of fascinated by them. That's what gave me the idea of putting a show together that was strictly the finales of shows. Generally speaking, the finale is one of the more memorable numbers in the show. We have a lot of solos in our own shows. I think a lot of people don't realize that many of the finales in a lot of shows are solos. I think everyone thinks they're flashy, splashy dance numbers, but they're not always so. It was a lot of fun putting this production together and doing the research. I think I listened to about two hundred different finales in order to put this show together. You have to sort of mix it up between ballads, up-tempo, and solos. Duets and trios, too, things like that, to make it interesting. If it were all just one big splashy dance number after another, I think it would get a little bit boring for an audience. So I'm going for a more cohesive, complete evening. What is your overall vision for your finale show? To get it produced! That's always a difficult thing when you're putting together a show, you don't know whether or not there's going to be interest. I've been very lucky that two companies have been interested, so we're going to two different theatres. The first is Drury Lane here in Burlington, and the second is the Maja Prentice Theatre in Mississauga. It was originally going to be only three performances in Mississauga, but then Rick Mackenzie from Drury Lane approached me. That was when a door opened up to go to another location. Now people will see it, and some other theatre company might say, 'Hey, I think that would work in our space, I would be more than happy to bring it here as well!' You just never know. You never know if it is going to have legs and continue on. It was the initial impetus for me to do a few shows, but if it goes to more than two locations, I would be very open to going to other theatres. It's a perfect-sized show. It's ten people and it can fit onto a lot of different stages. Do you prefer a traditional theatre or a cabaret for staging a show? I don't have a preference. But one thing I like about Drury Lane is that it is a smaller space, and it forces you to be creative with your choreography. You also have to be creative with your sets. There is also the people. The people at Drury Lane are really kind,are and the volunteers are so dedicated to that company. The people there really make it a home. It's also a little easier to do because it is a smaller, more quaint space. But the people are dedicated to that. It's been around for at least forty-five years. It's a well-loved theatre in the Burlington area. What future projects do you have in mind after Finales closes at Drury Lane Theatre? I'm actually not returning to Drury Lane for their 2025/2026 season. I'm going to be doing the musical The Prom at two locations. I'm going to be in Georgetown with Georgetown Globe Productions this fall. I'm also going to be doing City Centre Musical Productions' production of The Prom. It's going to be a full year of The Prom. ——————————————————————————————— But, for now, it's time to end with a bang. Finales is set to premiere at Drury Lane Theatre on June 13, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. On June 14, 2025, there will be a matinee show at 2:00 p.m. and an evening show at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here. If you are based closer to Mississauga, you can buy tickets for the Maja Prentice Theatre's production here. The show will play at Maja on June 20 and 21, 2025.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Ryan Daniels: I hope this isn't the end for Jeremy McGovern but he has nothing left to prove
Jeremy McGovern, if you're reading this, you don't owe us anything. For the past 12 seasons, you've redefined the centre-half-back position – reading the play like you're Matilda Wormwood burning through The Secret Garden for the hundredth time. In the process you collected five All-Australian jackets, a John Worsfold Medal, a Premiership. The kind of player adored by his own supporters, respected by opposition ones. Like Dusty's 'don't argue', Buddy's 'natural arc' or Stevie J's 'curve', the McGovern intercept mark is one of those defining signature moves. You've clunked 383 contested marks – and nearly 1000 uncontested ones where you just know the opposition coach was in the box yelling 'we're kicking it right to him!' knowing deep inside it didn't matter where they kicked it - Gov was going to get there. Now, unfortunately, there's a chance you've interrupted your last opposition attack. This is serious stuff. McGovern will front an independent panel of concussion experts; their job is to determine whether or not it's safe for him to play football again. It's more unlikely than likely he'll return to the field. He's up against it. It comes as a result of a head knock suffered in round eight against Melbourne. Gov was pushed into a marking contest, hit in the head, and has been experiencing concerning symptoms since. Angus Brayshaw, Daniel Venables, Nathan Murphy, Josh Carmichael, Paddy McCartin, Paul Seedsman. All these players and more have fronted the panel and were told they could no longer pursue the game they love. Perth product Aiden O'Driscoll never got a chance to even start his career. O'Driscoll was collected with a bump during his first AFL pre-season, forced to retire before he'd played a single game for the Western Bulldogs. It's heartbreaking – we want players going out on their own terms, particularly our greats – but it doesn't always happen that way. For every Shane Crawford 'that's what I'm talking about' moment, there are 200 careers that end with injury, form slumps, or a cold, hard delisting. But while this wouldn't be the ideal way for McGovern to leave this game it's a decision that could eventually save his life, or at least improve the quality of his long-term health. We still don't fully understand the impact of head knocks and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) but as we gather more information, the alarm bells ring louder. We know it causes significant damage to nerve cells in the brain, triggering memory loss, severe mood swings, eventually leading to dementia. McGovern has been a soldier. One of the game's toughest players. He famously played through significant injury in the 2018 Grand Final. I was at that Grand Final parade, rushing around the cars to interview players. There was one empty seat – McGovern's. Speculation ran wild, McGovern's influence on the game enough to potentially swing the result. If he didn't play, the Pies would be doing backflips. Word from the club was Gov had 'slept-in'. He arrived eventually, just as the parade started. Little did we know he'd been going through a fitness test that morning, then receiving treatment for fractured ribs. I don't think I could sing the alphabet with broken ribs, let alone play in an AFL Grand Final. He's been a winner – but this team hasn't of late. In his first 141 games, Gov and the Eagles won 66% of the time. Two out of every three weeks. In his last 44 games Gov's sung the song just eight times. An 18% win-rate. The leader of a backline in a constant state of ambush. Injuries piling up. Still, we know if it were up to Gov he'd be playing on. That's why there's a panel. To stop these gladiators from their own bravery. At 33, with multiple concussions, I'm ignoring the selfish part of my brain that wants to see Gov playing football again. The practical part says this should be the end, for his health. For his young family. And what a ride it has been. This is a kid who was plucked with pick 44 in the rookie draft of 2011. One hundred and fifty players were taken before McGovern in drafts that year. He surpassed every one of them. He started shaky. When Adam Simpson turned up, Gov was still an unmolded piece of clay. Sent away for a six-week fitness program, it proved a turning point. If this is the end, it's been a remarkable career – one of the more unlikely we've seen. In my opinion, the greatest players in West Coast Eagles history are Peter Matera, Chris Judd, Dean Cox and Ben Cousins in some order. Then it's Glen Jakovich, Josh Kennedy, and McGovern. An out-of-shape kid off the rookie list turning into the seventh-greatest player in club history is quite the story. There's nothing left to achieve. Gov, we all hope this isn't the end. But if it is, the imprint left on the game will last long after you've gone.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to buy Paddington the Musical tickets
The UK's favourite bear — sorry, Rupert — is finally making his way to the West End stage in 2025, with Paddington the Musical officially announced for its London premiere. In the wake of the continued adoration for Michael Bond's books, as well as the very successful film franchise, it's no surprise that Paddington's unique charm is taking on yet another medium. Paddington the Musical has some big names behind it, with the book written by talented stage scribe Jessica Swale. She has form for adapting classic English literature, having transported Far from the Madding Crowd and The Secret Garden to the stage. Swale also wrote and directed the 2020 movie Summerland. She's joined, though, by someone even more prominent. The music for the show comes from the pen of Tom Fletcher — best known for his work as part of the band McFly. Fletcher comes with serious pop pedigree, as well as plenty of experience in telling stories for kids thanks to his bestselling children's books including The Christmasaurus. The bear seems to be in very good hands. Buy Paddington the Musical tickets Paddington the Musical will come to the West End on 1 November 2025, with the show taking up residence at the Savoy Theatre. The venue is currently home to the Mean Girls musical and will host a brief season of the show Burlesque before handing over to Paddington in the autumn. Anybody who wants to be in one of the first audiences to see Paddington the Musical can buy tickets now via Ticketmaster and ATG Tickets. Paddington will now join the ranks of the big family musicals currently packing out theatres in the West End, alongside Frozen and the all-time classic The Lion King. Michael Bond's original 1958 book A Bear Called Paddington provides the inspiration for the show, which will tell the well-known story of Paddington's arrival in London from darkest Peru. The book then follows Paddington through a series of low-key adventures, as opposed to the film which saw him take on Nicole Kidman as a taxidermist out to kill and stuff him. The musical seems more likely to focus on some of Bond's original stories, which follow Paddington on adventures like his first trip to the theatre, a visit to the seaside, and as he attempts to mark his first birthday with the Browns by putting on a magic show. Swale told the BBC that the team is "bringing a lot of new flavours to the table" in terms of the storytelling and plot. She said: "Of course the Browns are part of it, and familiar faces like Mr Gruber and Mr Curry, but there are a lot of new people as well. We've been very inspired by the books and the films but we like to think we're covering new territory." Watch: Teaser trailer for Paddington the Musical All involved in the musical are acutely aware of how important Paddington is to people, with Fletcher saying: "This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation, and I'm aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story. It's beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true." Swale added: "Paddington is so much more than a fictional character; this special bear has come to represent hope, kindness and acceptance, so it's never felt like a more apt time to bring this story to the stage." Paddington fans can now start getting excited to see the bear make his debut on the West End stage. It sounds like he's in good hands with the creative team behind this project and, after all, the guiding light for any Paddington story is always the same: please look after this bear. No hard stares required. Paddington the Musical debuts at the Savoy Theatre in London on 1 November 2025.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Georgia Toffolo reveals why she hasn't taken husband James Watt's surname following low-key wedding in Scotland
Georgia Toffolo has revealed why she hasn't taken husband James Watt's surname following their low-key wedding in Scotland. The I'm A Celeb star, 30, wed the Brewdog founder in March, as the couple eloped to North East Scotland on a fishing boat. And during an Instagram Q&A session on Tuesday, one fan directly asked if she has taken James' surname. In a clip, she responded: 'I love that someone's asked this question. So to answer directly no I haven't, but I wonder whether my feelings on that might change as the time goes on. I don't know. 'I'm sort of in two minds about the whole thing. I think my surname is such a big part of my identity, it literally is my name, as most people know me. 'So I feel quite wedded to it, but at the same time I'm quite traditional and you know if we have children one day they will 100% have James' surname so it would be a bit weird if I don't. 'But for now from a work perspective and how I perceive myself, like Toff is a really big part of me, and to be really frank I can't be bothered with the admin.' It comes after Georgia shared a rare insight into being a stepmother to her husband James Watt's children. Georgia admitted she 'never expected to marry someone with kids' but has fitted into the role just fine. James shares two children with ex-wife Johanna Basford, a Scottish illustrator whose colouring book for adults, The Secret Garden, has sold more than ten million copies worldwide. Sitting in her hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which ranges between £8,000 and £35,000, the Made In Chelsea star shared a playful video larking around with her two stepchildren. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases delivery of oxygen to the body by providing pure oxygen in an enclosed space with higher than normal air pressure. As she relaxed in her latest wellness ritual with an oxygen mask on, his children poked fun at her through the microphone. She captioned her post: '"How is it being a step mum?" is my most asked question. This video sums it up. 'I never expected to marry someone with kids at 30, but I feel so lucky. 'Also yes, I'm in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber… my fave biohacking tool. 'Over and out from the baby biohacker.' Toff couldn't stop giggling as she sat in the chamber wearing Princess Diana 's iconic 'black sheep' jumper. Georgia and James got engaged in October after the millionaire proposed with an exquisite eight carat triple-diamond studded band estimated to be worth £200,000 during a romantic getaway in Greece for Georgia's 30th birthday. And after the BrewDog founder previously insisted that the pair would be tying the knot this year, it appears that the couple were true to their word - though guests only had 48 hours notice to attend. James wrote on his Instagram: 'Georgia and I got married today. The I'm A Celeb star, who wed the Scottish Brewdog founder last month, admitted she 'never expected to marry someone with kids' but has fitted into the role just fine 'Some key details: 1st March 2025 57.6722° N, 2.3372° W (Gardenstown, Northeast Scotland) 6°C, 17-knot winds (because Scottish weather never disappoints) Spaniel ring bearer 'Guests - whoever could get there with 24 hours notice, Scottish honeymoon incoming. Married in the same church my grandparents were married in' Georgia looked stunning for her big day, slipping into a cream, fleece off-the-shoulder dress - perfect for keeping her warm in the chilly Scottish weather. The I'm A Celebrity star styled her blonde locks into an elegant up do' and added dainty diamond earrings and a flowing white veil to her bridal look. Perhaps not very bridal were the chunky brown boots she donned with the outfit, though this may have been for health and safety reasons amid their photoshoot on the boat. Meanwhile, James himself rocked an unconventional wedding outfit, donning a cream beanie hat and a thick cream jumper worn beneath blue fishing overalls. The couple certainly appeared to get in the spirit of things, with Georgia and James pulling different expressions as they got to grips with some lobsters. Georgia's post was greeted with a plethora of delightful comments from her fans and celebrity pals, who were equally shocked and overjoyed at her big news. After sharing her images to social media, Georgia shared a video to her Instagram stories shortly after walking down the aisle, excitedly remarking: 'We just got married!' Georgia, who was sat in a car next to James - who at this point was clad in a smart, dark suit - said to the camera: 'It was so unchoreographed! We just came out the church and were like "wait, where do we go now?" So we just sat in the car!
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Selma Blair celebrates being 'truly relapse-free' from multiple sclerosis; says "going out isn't so scary" anymore
Selma Blair , the 'Legally Blonde' actress, revealed that she is 'truly relapse-free ' from multiple sclerosis while attending a recent award show. According to People, the actress said, 'I am doing amazingly well, I've been feeling great for about a year." 'But I am finally well enough to really, genuinely … I always try and feel my best, but now that I actually have stamina and energy and getting out and going out isn't so scary,' the 52-year-old actress added. Selma Blair looks forward to... The 'Cruel Intentions' actress highlighted when asked about what she looks forward to, 'It's funny, I haven't spent enough time having dreams. And now it's like, what are my dreams?' Blair expressed that her future goals are to get career-oriented or to get back into acting. After being diagnosed, she could not pursue her dreams because, 'You're just tired all the time. I spent so much of my life so tired from being unwell that I think I just was trying to get through the day." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo Moreover, Selma said that she would still advocate 'for people with chronic illness and getting better, and what that looks like when you haven't made your wishes.' 'How do we give ourselves a new life force?' she asked. Selma's future goal Well, for Blair, her new life force would be writing a new young adult book , inspired by 'The Secret Garden.' In 2022, she wrote a memoir, ' Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up .' Previously, Selma revealed... Selma Blair disclosed her diagnosis in an emotional social media post in 2018. 'I am disabled. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps,' the 'Hellboy' actress wrote at the time. Several years later, following the bone marrow transplant, Blair disclosed her recovering well, 'It took a long time to recover, but now I'm finally walking really well. I'm wearing heels without a cane,' she told Page Six. Stay updated with the latest Best Hindi Movies , Best Tamil Movies , Best Telugu Movies , Best english Movies , Best Malayalam Movies
