Latest news with #WilliamShakespeare
Kuwait Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Rocking 'King Lear' to draw young audience in Iran
An Iranian director is breathing new life into William Shakespeare's "King Lear" with a bold staging in Tehran infused with rock music and a dazzling light show to attract younger audiences. In Iran, artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians and playwrights must walk a tightrope to avoid censorship of content the authorities deem inappropriate. But despite political tensions between Tehran and the West, many international works still make it to the Iranian stage. Now well-known actress Elika Abdolrazzaghi has taken on the challenge of reimagining "King Lear" for a contemporary audience. "If I had staged the original version, it would have been too heavy for people -- they would have been bored," the 45-year-old told AFP. To inject energy into the performance, Abdolrazzaghi has incorporated music from British rock band Muse and German industrial metal group Rammstein. Vivid costumes and sparkling lights lend the production a festive atmosphere, despite the play's dark core. First published in the early 17th century, "King Lear" tells the story of a crumbling monarchy and a family torn apart by betrayal, power struggles and hunger for the throne. An ageing and weary Lear decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, based on how well they flatter him in public. Actors perform during a presentation of William Shakespeare's "King Lear". Actor and singer Reza Yazdani performs. Actors perform during a presentation of William Shakespeare's "King Lear". Actors perform during a presentation of William Shakespeare's "King Lear", directed by Iranian actress and director Elika Abdolrazzaghi, at Tehran's Shahr Theatre.--AFP photos 'No restrictions' Naive and prideful, Lear disowns Cordelia, his youngest daughter, who refuses to join the charade. "I transformed many word-heavy sections of the play into movement, imagery, music and dance," Abdolrazzaghi said. The actors wear richly detailed costumes in bold reds, greens and yellows, inspired by classic fashions from the 17th century. Reza Yazdani, a household name in Iran's rock scene, performs the Persian-language songs live on stage. The production has struck a chord with theatregoers. "We didn't think we could sit through a two-hour play," Amin, a 32-year-old engineer, told AFP. "But it was really good -- from the actors' performances to the music and set design," he said after going to the play with his wife, Elham. With a company of around 100 people, including several dozen actors, Abdolrazzaghi and her team spent several months preparing the show. "In Iran there are many women directing theatre, but few are well known," she said. Abdolrazzaghi, who has performed in works by Bertolt Brecht, Friedrich Durrenmatt from Switzerland and France's Yasmina Reza, says the Iranian authorities impose "no restrictions" on staging foreign plays. Spectators wait to watch a performance of William Shakespeare's "King Lear". Iranian actress and director Elika Abdolrazzaghi, poses at Tehran's Shahr Theatre where she is presenting William Shakespeare's "King Lear". An actress performs during a presentation of William Shakespeare's "King Lear". 'A more just world' "Theatre is essentially a Western phenomenon and remains a young art form in Iran," said Abdolrazzaghi. Ahmad Saatchian, the lead actor and a stage veteran with two decades of experience, calls Lear "the greatest role" of his career. "Portraying one of the most important characters in literary history is a rare opportunity for an actor," he said. Tragedies such as "King Lear" are "universal and resonate with people around the world -- that's why Shakespeare remains timeless," he added. In recent years, many of Shakespeare's works have been performed in Iran. "Countries that have experienced similar political dynamics -- like Iran or those in Eastern Europe -- tend to connect deeply with Shakespeare's work," said Saatchian. In the final act, Lear, broken by betrayal, regains clarity before his death. "In one scene, Lear calls on those in power to expose themselves to the suffering of the poor in order to build a more just world," Saatchian said. "That's a message that resonates everywhere." - AFP
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Greggs to unveil limited edition sausage roll but you won't be able to eat it
The waxwork of the beloved 'British legend' will be displayed alongside the figures of other national treasures like Sir David Attenborough and William Shakespeare Madame Tussauds London will be unveiling a new wax figure this week - and it isn't a celebrity this time. In fact, it isn't even a human. However, the newest figure has earned its spot in the museum fair and square - as almost half of Brits consider it a British icon. That's right - it's the Greggs sausage roll. This unlikely superstar will have its likeness displayed alongside Stormzy, William Shakespeare, and Sir David Attenborough in Madame Tussauds' Culture Capital Zone. It is a space dedicated to those who have 'helped shape the landscape of British culture'. If it seems like a first, that's because it is. In fact, this is the first time an individual food item has been immortalised by the team of studio artists. They used a traditional plaster moulding method with sample measurements, clay moulds and hand-painted details. The artists 'studied dozens of individual Greggs Sausage Rolls to ensure they captured its distinct crisp, flakey layers and unmistakable golden glaze', Greggs said. Visitors can view the wax figure in all its glory, displayed on a regal blue velvet cushion and elevated on a plinth. Madame Tussauds' studio manager, Jo Kinsey, said: "The Greggs Sausage Roll is synonymous with British culture - we just had to put it in our Culture Zone. Our artists have put in numerous hours to capture every detail of this popular menu item, the pressure was on to capture it perfectly.' Kinsey added: 'We took the process very seriously, making this creation the exact same way we make all our figures at the attraction.' Meanwhile, Greggs CEO Rosin Currie said: 'We're absolutely thrilled that Madame Tussauds London has chosen to honour the Greggs Sausage Roll in such a unique and iconic way. It's a true celebration of a national favourite, and we couldn't think of a more fitting tribute in the lead-up to National Sausage Roll Day. Seeing our Sausage Roll receive the celebrity treatment is a proud and slightly surreal moment for all of us at Greggs.' The wax sausage roll will be on display at Madame Tussauds from National Sausage Roll Day on June 5, throughout the month. According to new research, the Greggs sausage roll ranks among other British icons like the cast of Gavin & Stacey, Noel and Liam Gallagher, and Ian Beale from Eastenders. The survey of 2,000 UK adults found that Gen Z were particularly big fans of the pastry, with 76 per cent agreeing to its 'British icon' status. Greggs sausage rolls have also found fans in some pretty big names. Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland has shared his love of the pastry on national television, while musician Teddy Swims requested sausage rolls ahead of his Manchester gig earlier this year. The Queen's Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy once dubbed Greggs a 'national treasure' in a 2022 LADbible Snack Wars interview. When presented with a sausage roll, she said: 'This is a Greggs sausage roll. This is the s***… I had this for breakfast like nearly every day on Emma… I love this.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Greggs' sausage roll gets it own waxwork at Madame Tussauds – as Brits chomp 365million every year
Find out just how waxwork experts managed to make the sausage roll effigy ROLL OF HONOUR Greggs' sausage roll gets it own waxwork at Madame Tussauds – as Brits chomp 365million every year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGGS' sausage roll is being honoured with its own wax figure at Madame Tussauds. The iconic savoury treat's effigy will be unveiled at the attraction for National Sausage Roll day next week. 4 Greggs' sausage roll is being honoured with its own wax figure at Madame Tussauds Credit: Jonathan Short 4 The waxwork is on display in honour of National Sausage Roll Day Credit: Jonathan Short 4 The model snack was crafted at Madame Tussauds' London studio following the same process used for human figures Credit: Jonathan Short It will be displayed on a regal blue velvet cushion, sitting on a plinth and accompanied by a plaque, which salutes the 'significant contribution it delivers to Britain's culinary heritage'. For a limited time, it will take its place alongside the likes of William Shakespeare, Sir David Attenborough and Stormzy at the London wax museum's Culture Capital zone, dedicated to those who have shaped Britain. Greggs chief exec Roisin Currie said: 'Seeing our sausage roll receive the celebrity treatment is a proud and slightly surreal moment for all of us at Greggs.' The model snack was crafted at Madame Tussauds' London studio following the same process used for human figures. Artists spent hours ensuring it was correct in every detail. The plaque notes Greggs was founded in 1951 — and that 365million of its sausage rolls, each with 96 layers of flaky pastry, are bought every year. It is the first time that an individual food item has been so honoured at the attraction. Jo Kinsey, studio manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: 'The Greggs sausage roll is synonymous with British culture — we just had to put it in our Culture Zone. 'Our artists have put in numerous hours to capture every detail. The pressure was on to capture it perfectly because we know how passionate Brits are about their favourite pastry.' 4 The display cabinet - with protective glass - at Madame Tussauds Credit: Jonathan Short
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
A compromise between the need for perfection and practicality will work wonders in life
All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts..... - As You Like It – William Shakespeare. The roots of drama in the Indian subcontinent can be traced to the Rigveda period, or 1500 to 1000 BCE. The classical stage of Indian drama, however, began with the composition of 'Natyasastra', or the science of drama, which is attributed to Sage Bharata, somewhere between 200 BC and 200 CE. The Indian theatre movement later went through three phases-the classical, traditional and modern. Kalidasa, whose immortal works include Megha Sandesam and Abhignana Sakuntalam, was a great exponent of the art of acting during the traditional period. Luminaries such as Kandukuri Veeresalingam, and Gurajada Appa Rao in Telugu, Lakshmi Baruva in Assamese, Kerala Varma Thampuran in Malayalam, and Shankar and P. Sambandha Mudaliar in Tamil, are among many others, who are remembered for their contributions in the more modern times From times immemorial, it has served as a space for entertainment and exploration of complex themes. It involves bringing characters to life through performance. It requires a deep understanding of human behaviour, emotions, and psychology, as well as the ability to convey these elements convincingly to an audience. In ancient Greece, in particular, it evolved from religious rituals into a form of dramatic performance in open-air venues, like the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens. Acting is a multifaceted art. Its techniques and methods are diverse, each offering unique tools for actors to create believable and compelling performances. Some of the techniques popular in the western are Stanislavski's System, Method Acting, and Meisner's Spontaneity, mastering which enhances the authenticity of performances. In ancient Indian arts, one type of art often depended on the other form as necessary complements. Drama, for example, often went together with singing and dance , the three forms combining harmoniously to offer the audiences a rich product. Whether drawing from personal experience, imagination, or script analysis, actors employ a range of strategies to inhabit their characters and connect with audiences. Understanding and mastering these techniques can help aspiring actors develop their craft and bring characters to life, on stage and screen depending on which platform they are performing. Training to be an actor can take various forms, and aspiring actors often pursue a combination of methods. Drama schools and conservatories, for instance, offer intensive programs focused on acting techniques, voice, movement, and scene study. Many universities offer Bachelor's or Master's degrees in theatre or drama, which provide a comprehensive education in acting, directing, and production. Several talented, and experienced, individuals have also been known to undertake the task of training people to be actors. For example, Stella Adler was arguably the most important teacher of acting in American history. Over her long career, both in New York and Hollywood, she passed on her vast acting knowledge to generations of actors, including Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty, and Robert De Niro. The Juilliard School (USA), Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) are consistently recognised for their rigorous training and high-quality instruction. Several top acting schools in India also offer comprehensive training in acting and related fields. The National School of Drama (NSD), the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares are widely considered among the best. Every profession has its share of people, who have done reasonably well without any formal training, at the time of induction. For instance, I had neither the opportunity, nor the desire, to get trained in an institution, to prepare for the civil services examinations, with my father providing all the necessary support, encouragement, and help. Likewise, it was by sheer accident that I entered into the movie field, as a six-year-old; naturally, with no formal training, whatsoever. The courtship with that profession lasted about three years, covering about 28 movies, in Telugu, Tamil and English. I had an occasion to recall that experience when, in 2004, Chiranjeevi asked me to inaugurate the website of his blood bank in Jubilee Hills. During the function, he asked, 'Is it true that you were a child film star?' I replied, 'Yes. But I have never acted so much in my life, as I am doing in my present job!' Every profession calls for total dedication, complete devotion, a fierce commitment to error-free performance and a certain amount of pride in being a practitioner of that particular occupation. The ability to work out a comfortable compromise, between the need for perfection and the imperatives of practicality, is a crucial requirement. My comment also owed its spirit to the fact that I had, in fact, not only acted in movies, but also had spent close to four decades in public service. I had the credentials, therefore, to make a comparison between the demands that the two professions make. The point I was making was that, just as Chiranjeevi's vocation demanded a good deal of administrative ability, the job of a civil servant also requires a reasonable amount of talent for histrionics. The light hearted snippet, with which I usually end my pieces, will, I am afraid, be a bit of a déjà vu experience for the readers, this week. Upon the formation of the new state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, the High Court of the erstwhile Madras State was bifurcated, and my father, a lawyer by profession, moved to Guntur, the headquarters of the new High Court. Soon thereafter, he was elevated to the Bench of the new court. Koka Subbarao who subsequently rose to become the Chief Justice of India and was known for many landmark judgments, was the Chief Justice of Andhra High Court at that time. I was then a sixth grader, in the Majeti Guravaiah High school. People generally knew that I had, earlier, been a child actor. Expectations, therefore, were high when I was asked to do a bit of mono action – that of enacting the famous speech of Hamlet at Caesar's funeral in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. I had got no further than the 'Friends, Romans and countrymen, …' bit, when I began to stutter and stammer, and generally made a hash of the whole thing. Head hung in shame, I was walking away from the stage, to where were my parents were sitting, when Koka Subba Rao, sitting in the front row in the audience, as the chief guest of the function, beckoned to me and gently whispered in my ear, 'be sure to button your fly next time you appear on stage!'. (The writer was formerly Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh)
Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Learners with disabilities steal the show at Shakespeare festival
For the first time, learners from a special needs school in Brackenfell took to the stage at the 15th Shakespeare Schools Festival held in Cape Town over the weekend. The crowd cheered after the Paarl School for the Neural Disabled performance of an adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the District Six Homecoming Centre. Performers included learners with physical disabilities, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. For many of the learners, it was their first time performing on 'a real stage', and some had not been to a theatre before. 'When you're physically disabled, it's very difficult for your family to take you places [like this],' explained Alet Marais, the head of the intermediate phase at the school. Some learners decorated their wheelchairs with flowers. Others dressed in whimsical costumes and wore makeup. The auditorium echoed with laughter and cheers throughout the performance, which ended with a standing ovation. Marais says that because learners struggle with reading and writing, they chose not to use Elizabethan English in the play. The performing group was made up of 24 learners, seven of whom use wheelchairs. They were assisted by seven teachers and three aides who helped the learners. Marais says that getting in and out of the theatre with wheelchairs was a challenge which the school solved with mobile ramps. The 15th Shakespeare Schools Festival runs until 31 May at the District Six Homecoming Centre, with performances by more than 45 drama groups. The festival aims to bring together children from different communities to perform adapted Shakespeare plays and to improve language, learning and social skills through the performing arts. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
