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Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
If you love musicals, you'll adore this sun-drenched singing retreat in Spain
I'm on a Sing, Eat, Retreat break, where each escape focuses on a different showstopping show PITCH PERFECT If you love musicals, you'll adore this sun-drenched singing retreat in Spain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STANDING in front of a West End musical director, a professional vocal coach and a class full of singing enthusiasts, I begin to question all the life choices I've made that have got me here. I don't often get nervous, but I'm now expected to start singing – aloud, and in a room full of people! Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Sunbathing meets singing in Spain 7 Huerta Belinda villa is a majestic mansion Credit: Olly Hewitt I'm on a Sing, Eat, Retreat break, where each escape focuses on a different showstopping show. I love musicals – I've seen Jersey Boys, Moulin Rouge, Six, Wicked and countless others multiple times – and the retreat I've signed up for is themed around one of my favourite films, The Greatest Showman, in the stunning surroundings of Tarifa on the most southern tip of Spain. As a sound therapist, I know that belting out your favourite songs releases feel-good endorphins that can help to boost your immunity and lower stress levels, and that singing in a group amplifies these benefits. But, even with that knowledge, I've never actually sung in public, not even karaoke. Joining the cast This six-night retreat is hosted at a sprawling mansion-style villa, Huerta Belinda, complete with an A-lister-worthy pool, intricately tiled courtyards and views of Morocco. Stepping in, I feel like I've made it to the judges' houses on The X Factor, and that either Nicole Scherzinger or Simon Cowell will walk through the door any minute. Once we're past introductions, musical director Steve Moss of Les Misérables and Mary Poppins fame, informs our group of 21 that he's going to treat us 'like a West End cast'. And after a welcome dinner and drinks, we quickly settle into a routine. Our days are filled with vocal warm-ups, ensemble singing, smaller group vocal tech sessions, where we learn about things like breath control and posture, and one-to-ones to improve individually. A performance director also chats to us about staging and 'acting through song'. Exploring the Beautiful Costa de la Luz Each day of vocal work starts at 10am, ends in the early evening and also features group rehearsals for the live public concert we're working towards. There's some downtime to sit by the pool and soak up the sunshine, have a massage (for an additional cost) or use the sauna, but most of us end up using the time to try to memorise the lyrics. The idea is to be 'off book' for the show. Of course, all that singing builds up quite the appetite and, luckily, all meals (except one when we go to a quaint local hotel for dinner) are included. Think continental breakfasts with eggs in the morning, mezze-style buffets at lunch and huge, hearty paellas, casseroles and roast chicken with veg for dinner. There's also an endless supply of crisps, biscuits and cakes to snack on throughout the day, as well as sliced ginger, lemon and hot water on tap for throat-soothing teas. Sing for your supper Like any good ensemble cast, we are made up of a wide range of people – men and women, aged from 23 to 50-plus, with a doctor and teacher in the mix. More than a handful have sung at previous retreats – one lady is on her fifth visit – and inevitably, there's an open-mic session in the main living room after dinner each evening to show off what we've learned each day. 7 Huerta Belinda is a tranquil villa Credit: Olly Hewitt 7 The rooms at the singing retreat aren't too shabby Credit: Giles Bracher This place is a karaoke fan's dream come true! If I'm honest, my first one-to-one session feels like an extreme version of rejection therapy. Luckily, Steve happens to be one of the most charming people I've ever met, so I'm not even offended when, in between kind words and gentle encouragement, he tells me I need about 20 more lessons to become a half-decent singer! Still, I leave the session feeling in awe that I'm learning from an industry leader at the top of their craft, and I'm excited to see where this experience will take me. As the week goes on, we're also treated to an outstanding guest masterclass with West End star and vocal wizard Luke Bayer. After the session, everyone is left buzzing with energy from his tips and direction, especially when he ends it with a bonus private performance of Dear Bill from the musical Operation Mincemeat. This is Me It's soon Friday night, the soundchecks have been done, the lights are up and the glass-walled garden room of the villa is teeming with locals. MD Steve becomes our conductor, a round of applause welcomes us to the stage and, fuelled by adrenalin, everyone pulls it out of the bag as we perform several hits from the film, as well as an encore of Someone In The Crowd from La La Land, which is by the same songwriters as The Greatest Showman. 7 Farzana Ali gets vocal Credit: Farzana Ali 7 Tuck into authentic Spanish paella The four strongest singers also perform solos. I'm so proud of myself and my new pals that, under the bright lights, I resolve to join a choir so I can continue singing when I get home. That night's open-mic session is even more jubilant. Emboldened by my time on stage, I agree to be a backing singer for guest tutor Luke as he belts out And You Don't Even Know It from Everybody's Talking About Jamie. We have so much fun and I can't believe I've gone from never singing in public to sharing a mic with a West End stage lead. I've been to many retreats, but this one has helped me to connect with myself in a way I didn't realise I was even seeking. From now on, I'm going to embrace my singing voice – even if I'm not yet ready for the stage! FYI Six-night Sing, Eat, Retreat breaks cost from £995, including all tuition, most meals, soft drinks, wine and beer ( Return UK flights to Gibraltar, a 35-minute drive away, cost from £51.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Confirmed! Ariana Grande cast for ‘Meet The Parents' next film, project set for 2026 release!
Ariana Grande is going full steam ahead with her acting career. After the global success of 'Wicked', where she starred alongside actress Cynthia Erivo, Grande has been confirmed for yet another big franchise - Meet the Parents. Grande has reportedly landed the titular role in the next instalment of the franchise, as per Deadline, the film is all set for production and will possibly come to theatres in November 2026. The star will be joining the film along with the original cast from the first film starring Robert De Niro , Ben Stiller , Teri Polo and Blythe Danner. While the film is being directed by John Hamburg, not much has been revealed regarding the plot, as well as Grande's character. 'Meet The Parents' franchise in total has amassed a total of $1.3 billion in total. The franchise so far has three films already, with 'Meet The Parents' being released in 2000, its sequel 'Meet The Fockers' being released four years later in 2004, and the latest, 'Little Fockers', being released in 2010. All films were a global success at the time of their release, making the fourth instalment a tough act to follow for all of the cast members, especially Ariana Grande. Ariana has had long ties with the world of acting, as she debuted in 2008 with Broadway plays. Ever since then, there's been no stopping the actress and singer. She found her big break with 'Victorious' in 2010 and went on to become one of the most popular stars at the time. A year later, Grande released her first song, 'Put Your Hearts Up', and has managed to become an unstoppable force since then. For the coming years she majorly focused her energy on singing and music. Lately, however, she has taken a step back from the music industry for a while and has shifted her aim back towards acting, making this an exciting moment for her fans across the globe. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Ariana Grande to star opposite Robert De Niro in ‘Meet the Parents 4'
Months after earning an Oscar nomination for her performance in Wicked, pop star Ariana Grande has finally found her next project. The Grammy-winning singer is set to join Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the newest instalment of Universal's comedy movie series, Meet the Parents 4, according to The Hollywood Reporter. According to sources, Blythe Danner and Teri Polo, who also starred in the initial trio of movies released during the first decade of the 2000s, are expected to return, although those deals have yet to close. John Hamburg, who co-wrote all three prior films, wrote the screenplay for the new feature and is set to direct. Universal has set the release date for the film for November 25, 2026. The conceit of the first movie was simple: the universal life event of having your future father-in-law give his blessing to a marriage proposal. Combining combustible chemistry in a bottle with spot-on directing, the movie became a commercial and critical hit when it was released in 2000. While much of the plot details remain under wraps, it has been revealed that one point revolves around the son of Stiller and Polo's characters, who gets engaged to a ball-busting woman who seems all wrong for him. Sources say Grande will play the fiancee. Jane Rosenthal and De Niro are producing through their Tribeca Productions. Roach will produce through his Delirious Media. ALSO READ:Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez are officially divorced Stiller will produce with and John Lesher via their Red Hour Films banner. Hamburg will produce through Particular Pictures. Executive VP of Production Development Matt Reilly and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for Universal. Grande next appears on the big screen, reprising Glinda in Wicked: For Good, which arrives in theatres on November 21, 2025.
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How Megan Hilty, a Tony Nominee, Spends Her Show Days
For 20 hours a week, Megan Hilty is a self-obsessed, vindictive, fading movie star. Then she spends the rest of her time trying to make it up to everyone. Ms. Hilty, 44, known for her starring role in the NBC musical series 'Smash' and her turn as Glinda in 'Wicked' on Broadway, returned to the stage late last year as the aging-averse Madeline Ashton in a musical adaptation of the 1992 movie 'Death Becomes Her.' She has been nominated for the best actress in a musical Tony Award for the role, which she describes as the most physically demanding one she has undertaken. 'I'm not just going to work, singing and dancing, and that's it,' she said. 'It's way more involved than it seems.' But doing so meant uprooting her family from Los Angeles. 'It was a big ask,' she said. 'Not only did they leave their life as they knew it; I then basically left them, because my job is all-encompassing.' Making it up to them has meant being extra intentional with family time. 'Sunday nights are our family dinner night,' she said. 'The phone goes off and I'm theirs.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Ariana Grande Joins "Meet the Parents 4"
Yara Sameh Ariana Grande has found her next major movie role in Universal's 'Meet the Parents 4.' Fresh off her Academy Award-nominated performance as Glinda in 'Wicked,' Grande continues her relationship with the studio by joining one of its most successful franchises. The 'Meet the Parents' movies — the 2000 original film and its sequels 'Meet the Fockers' and 'Little Fockers' — have grossed $1.13 billion in global box office. John Hamburg, who co-wrote all three prior films, wrote the screenplay and is set to direct the film, with the original cast including Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo and Blythe Danner returning to star. While the plot details for the fourth installment are being kept under wraps, but in this week's Variety cover story, producer Jane Rosenthal teased that 'Stiller is now the same age that [De Niro] was when we did the first one, and his kids have grown up, and they have to come home and meet the parents.' Rosenthal and De Niro will produce through Tribeca Productions. Jay Roach will produce through Delirious Media. Stiller and John Lesher will produce through Red Hour Films. Hamburg will produce through Particular Pictures. Executive VP of production development Matt Reilly and director of production development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the studio. 'Meet the Parents 4' will release theatrically on November 25, 2026 via Universal. Grande's casting is a coup, despite the studio's close ties to the star ('Wicked: For Good,' the hotly anticipated second chapter of Jon M. Chu's feature adaptation of the Broadway musical with Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, arrives in theaters on November 21.) Grande, of course, is one of the bestselling music artists of all time, with her pop music career marked by nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits and two Grammy wins (from 15 nominations), among other accolades. Now, as an actress, Grande is not only an Oscar nominee (earning one of the film's 10 nominations) but also has recognition from the Golden Globes, SAG, and BAFTA. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
