Latest news with #YP
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The renowned Young Pleasance company to return to Edinburgh with Ghost Light
Ghost Light is the newest spine-tingling large-scale production from the renowned Young Pleasance company. This year's show is a breathtaking reflection on the legendary ghosts who prowl London's most haunted playhouse. This chilling and captivating tale breathes new (after)life into the ghosts of theatre past. Performed by an ensemble of talented young performers, Ghost Light promises a dynamic revival of the infamous souls that linger behind the curtain. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Marking 30 years of supporting young talent at the Fringe, the superbly multi-talented (The Scotsman) Young Pleasance Company return to Edinburgh with a gorgeous homage to the spirit of theatre through the ages. Set in the heart of the West End's Theatre Royal Drury Lane - with its rich history including fires, scandals and of course, ghosts - the audience are invited to join an unsuspecting costume assistant as she unwittingly evokes the spirits of theatre legends Nell Gwynn, Vesta Tilley, Sarah Siddons and more. With eerie elegance, gorgeous period costumes and beautifully executed design, this performance will appeal to everyone from YouTube ghost hunters to theatre enthusiasts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Co-writer and co-director Joanna Billington comments: "Ghost Lightwas born from a fascination with the idea that theatre never truly sleeps—that even in darkness, it hums with memory and possibility. In a time when live performance has faced profound interruption, we wanted to explore the resilience of the stage and the unseen forces that keep it alive. It's a love letter to theatre's enduring power, and to the young artists who carry its legacy forward." Ghost Light, Young Pleasance Founder and Artistic Director, Kathryn Norton-Smith also comments: "It is entirely fitting that our play-making this year is set in Drury Lane, which is where the emerging Young Pleasance featured in the Pleasance gala fundraising event in 1995, before they presented their spectacular production of Bus! later that year, opening Pleasance London. "YP has always had forward-looking audacious ambition and a fearless can-do mentality. YP has endured because it is constantly re-fuelled by the brilliance of all the young people who get involved. Its alumni are everywhere – they are an unstoppable, invincible loyal force of young practitioners, actors, directors, designers, technicians, producers, casting directors, photographers, playwrights, surgeons, magazine editors, curators, journalists, professional sportsmen, song-writers, film actors, authors, illustrators, diplomats, musicians, treasury officials, academics, lawyers, mothers, fathers, models, barristers, make-up artists, therapists, teachers, fashion editors, broadcasters, screen writers, cabaret artists, circus performers – all connected by the YP DNA." Young Pleasance is truly incubating the stars of the future and is dedicated to offering dynamic and professional theatre opportunities for young people aged 16-21 through workshops and large-scale productions delivered by the Pleasance's ambitious creative team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since its inception in 1995 this prolific producing arm has trained hundreds of creatives most recently including stage and screen actors Laurie Davidson, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Balinska, Bilal Hasna, Angus Imrie, Ed Sayer, Kwaku Mills, Charlotte Ritchie, Edward Davis, Bella Maclean, Ekow Quartey, and Sam Woolf, and playwright Phoebe Éclair Powell.
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The renowned Young Pleasance company to return to Edinburgh with Ghost Light
Ghost Light is the newest spine-tingling large-scale production from the renowned Young Pleasance company. This year's show is a breathtaking reflection on the legendary ghosts who prowl London's most haunted playhouse. This chilling and captivating tale breathes new (after)life into the ghosts of theatre past. Performed by an ensemble of talented young performers, Ghost Light promises a dynamic revival of the infamous souls that linger behind the curtain. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Marking 30 years of supporting young talent at the Fringe, the superbly multi-talented (The Scotsman) Young Pleasance Company return to Edinburgh with a gorgeous homage to the spirit of theatre through the ages. Set in the heart of the West End's Theatre Royal Drury Lane - with its rich history including fires, scandals and of course, ghosts - the audience are invited to join an unsuspecting costume assistant as she unwittingly evokes the spirits of theatre legends Nell Gwynn, Vesta Tilley, Sarah Siddons and more. With eerie elegance, gorgeous period costumes and beautifully executed design, this performance will appeal to everyone from YouTube ghost hunters to theatre enthusiasts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Co-writer and co-director Joanna Billington comments: "Ghost Lightwas born from a fascination with the idea that theatre never truly sleeps—that even in darkness, it hums with memory and possibility. In a time when live performance has faced profound interruption, we wanted to explore the resilience of the stage and the unseen forces that keep it alive. It's a love letter to theatre's enduring power, and to the young artists who carry its legacy forward." Ghost Light, Young Pleasance Founder and Artistic Director, Kathryn Norton-Smith also comments: "It is entirely fitting that our play-making this year is set in Drury Lane, which is where the emerging Young Pleasance featured in the Pleasance gala fundraising event in 1995, before they presented their spectacular production of Bus! later that year, opening Pleasance London. YP has always had forward-looking audacious ambition and a fearless can-do mentality. "YP has endured because it is constantly re-fuelled by the brilliance of all the young people who get involved. Its alumni are everywhere – they are an unstoppable, invincible loyal force of young practitioners, actors, directors, designers, technicians, producers, casting directors, photographers, playwrights, surgeons, magazine editors, curators, journalists, professional sportsmen, song-writers, film actors, authors, illustrators, diplomats, musicians, treasury officials, academics, lawyers, mothers, fathers, models, barristers, make-up artists, therapists, teachers, fashion editors, broadcasters, screen writers, cabaret artists, circus performers – all connected by the YP DNA." Young Pleasance is truly incubating the stars of the future and is dedicated to offering dynamic and professional theatre opportunities for young people aged 16-21 through workshops and large-scale productions delivered by the Pleasance's ambitious creative team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
South China Morning Post
21-06-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Write to Win (Final Round): Describe a job that doesn't exist today – but will in the next 50 years
Do you love a challenge? Don't miss the chance to win great prizes by taking part in our next writing contest! Click here and fill out the online form to apply. The entry question is: What is the most important quality in a teacher? The deadline is 11.59pm on Monday, August 4. We will notify the new contestants chosen on Friday, August 8. Read the responses to this week's Write to Win prompt and choose the answer you like most on this form. We have prepared some exciting prizes for our top three contestants: • Winner: Kindle, City'super voucher and a YP certificate • First runner-up: Instax camera and a YP certificate • Second runner-up: City'super voucher and a YP certificate Hong Kong I believe space travel and exploration will become more and more prevalent in the future, with Mars possibly becoming a hot and exotic destination. Hence, a cool future career that may emerge within the next 50 years is a space governing officer. This person would be responsible for overseeing matters such as trade and regulations for human settlements throughout the universe. I believe their job will be to ensure smooth and lawful travel between different planets and space habitats in the large Milky Way, as well as handling immigration and trade management. I mean, after all, someone has to patrol and see what is going on outside Earth to ensure all of us are able to travel and explore the Milky Way safely. Furthermore, I believe another crucial part of this job will be policing irresponsible behaviour committed in outer space. For example, littering can cause problems like damaging satellites and crucial space infrastructure. It could also harm other travellers. Although this idea may sound a bit far-fetched, given the space exploration industry's immense growth, I believe that space governing officers will become quite important in the next 50 years. Write to Win (Round 6): If everyone's thoughts were public, what societal laws would be necessary? London Scientists have already started to work on ways to control rainfall. As research continues, we may have total control over the weather in the next 50 years. As a result, a group of people will be needed to help manage the weather in different cities. Therefore, allow me to introduce – weather managers! Weather managers should have degrees in geography and mathematics, as well as sufficient knowledge of climate, as these skills are crucial. They will have total control over the weather; their job will be to choose a time slot for specific weather to occur and adjust it according to cities' needs. For example, if a city's temperature is above 25 degrees Celsius, a weather manager should allow rain to fall to cool the region down and irrigate plants. Or suppose a competition is going to take place at a sports ground. It will be a manager's duty to create suitable weather conditions to prevent delays. As we can see, if managers could control the weather correctly, it could benefit citizens, animals and even greenery! Weather managers could even significantly affect the quality of life in cities, making their jobs essential for society. As global warming worsens year by year, extreme weather events are predicted to become more frequent and intense. This would make weather managers even more important as they could ensure the safety of all living things.
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
KwaZulu-Natal Youth Parliament calls for curriculum reform to meet global job demands
Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Mmabatho Tembe, has called on the youth of the province to rise to the challenges of the present by equipping themselves with skills, strategy, and innovation when she officially opened the 2025 Youth Parliament. Image: KZN Legislature Speakers at the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Parliament (YP), held on Friday, called for the education curriculum to be revised to meet the current global employment demands, such as digital technology. The theme for the Youth Parliament 2025 was: Skills for the Changing World: Bridging the Gap through Education, Skills Development, and Entrepreneurship. Mmabatho Tembe, the Deputy Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, called on the youth of the province to rise to the challenges of the present by equipping themselves with skills, strategy, and innovation. Tembe said: 'This Parliament is not just a date on the calendar; it is a platform for voices that are often sidelined. It is a space for the youth to express, engage, and demand accountability from those entrusted with power. 'Our generation must now rise not with stones, but with skills. Not with slogans alone, but with strategy. And that begins with transforming how we educate and empower our youth.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Youth leagues representing several political parties expressed their views. Lethani Ndumo, of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), said that equipping people with the relevant skills will contribute to the economy of the country. He said there was limited access to quality education, limited job opportunities, and skills were not matching employment demand. According to Ndumo, the lack of jobs led to frustration and high levels of crime. He stated that for 30 years, the government has consistently mentioned inadequate budgets to address challenges facing the youth, yet has spent millions of rand on renting buildings instead of investing in its infrastructure. Ndumo said there were challenges facing students in higher education systems, including not being accepted into universities or being allowed to receive in-service training. Zandile Ndlovu, of the IFP, called for a curriculum review that is substantial and in touch with the needs of the social and economic demands. 'It should be transformative and progressive, equipping young people with skills that are of national importance and meet global demand. We see the need for innovative learning and entrepreneurship as a valuable career path. Incorporating entrepreneurship into the curriculum can foster creativity and innovation,' Ndlovu said. Representing the Democratic Alliance, Daniel Mea said the YP is meant to be a platform of serious engagement, and young people were not a tick box exercise to be acknowledged once a year. 'Graduates stay home while their qualifications gather dust. Enough of the ceremonial forums and youth formations being silenced after a photo is taken. If this Parliament can meet weekly, why does the Youth Parliament meet once a year?' he asked. Nkokhelo Msomi, a National Freedom Party (NFP) member, said the world is changing at a fast rate with technology, climate change, and a global shift in economies, and yet South African education and training institutes remain stuck in the past. He stated that the bridge to the future must be built on three strong pillars: education, skills development, and entrepreneurship. 'This has left many of us, especially in rural areas, unemployed, underqualified, and overlooked. Education must evolve, and we need to learn what is relevant. Rural youth are leaving school with certificates that cannot connect them to the economy. We need clear guidance and digital literacy introduced from Grade 8 and more colleges in rural towns like Nongoma,' he said.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Is Yinson's valuation justified?
PETALING JAYA: Yinson Holdings Bhd has once again found itself in the limelight. A recent Bloomberg report claiming that US-based infrastructure investment giant Stonepeak Partners was in exclusive talks to acquire the Malaysian energy infrastructure player sent its shares surging by nearly 14%. Though Yinson has denied any direct involvement in buyout talks, it did admit that major shareholders – including the Lim family, who hold a 26.6% stake – are exploring options with 'various parties'. But as the dust settles, a deeper question emerges: is Yinson truly worth the RM9bil valuation implied in the reported talks? At the time of the report, Yinson was trading at RM2.33 per share, giving it a market capitalisation of about RM7.17bil. The implied RM9bil buyout price suggests potentially up to a 32% upside. Such premiums aren't unusual in strategic merger and acquisition deals, but do the fundamentals justify this leap? The purported talks have brought to light the supposedly low valuations of the company. Yinson's price-earnings ratio (PER) of 6.5 times trails peers Bumi Armada Bhd 's five times and MISC Bhd 's 30 times. But looking at its forward price-earning of about 15 times, this is higher than that of MISC Bhd of 14.3 times forward PER and Bumi Armada Bhd's five times. According to analysts, while Yinson's price-earnings is among the lowest in the sector, this often reflects perceived risks. 'Its high leverage and ongoing capital expenditures for its floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) builds are the main culprits,' an analyst tells StarBiz. The company has a total borrowing of RM16.32bil or net gearing (including perpetual securities of RM1.94bil) of 1.8 times in the financial year ended Jan 31, 2025. 'Yet, return metrics like return on equity and net margins remain strong, hinting at robust underlying performance,' he adds. Yinson has positioned itself as more than just an oil and gas contractor. It boasts long-term FPSO contracts, offering stable cash flows. With over US$20bil in contract backlog, the company has visibility well into the next decade. Meanwhile, CGS International Research is not surprised by the news of a potential privatisation as this would mean the shareholders of Yinson should reap significant gains from the potential listing of its subsidiary Yinson Production (YP). The research house says Yinson's plans for the listing of YP in the United States equity markets in five years' time, which would be the key exit plan for Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and RRJ Capital. 'We believe that the listing of YP could yield significant capital gains for Yinson, as it could also do an offer for sale of YP during the initial public offering. 'This is probably the rationale for the potential privatisation of Yinson,' the research house explained. The research house believes that the Lim family would likely at least maintain its 27% equity stake in Yinson if Stonepeak Partners comes in as an equity partner. Alternatively, Stonepeak Partners may provide a loan to the Lim family to privatise Yinson, in which case the Lim family may ultimately hold 100% of Yinson. Generally, analysts are positive on Yinson with 'buy' calls but some have lowered its 12-month target price from RM3.62 to RM3.41 due to short-term engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning weakness. However, consensus still sees substantial upside with target prices for Yinson ranging from RM3.12 (bearish) to RM5.05 (bullish), with a consensus of RM3.78 – implying a 62% upside from current levels. Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB) is positive on Yinson, backed by its robust prospects and to benefit from FPSO bids in FY26. 'We believe the FPSO market is currently in the 'Golden Age' due to a robust global tender pipeline with an expected 13 awards over the next 12 months. 'Yinson may be looking for one new job next year (FY26) in the mid-sized segment for bankable projects with high upfront payment from end-clients,' Maybank IB notes. As such, the RM9bil figure with hefty premium appears justifiable for a strategic asset with strong recurring cash flows, particularly in today's market of yield-hungry infrastructure investors. Yinson's valuation, at first glance, seems to reflect investor caution: high debt, negative free cash flow, and macro headwinds. But deeper analysis reveals a fundamentally solid business with long-term income visibility and expansion into renewables. If leveraged effectively, these factors could drive a significant re-rating.
