Stars: Paul McGann, Florence Hoath, Elizabeth Earl, Harvey Keitel, Peter O’Toole, Bill Nighy, Peter Mullan, Mel Gibson | Written by Albert Ash, Tom McLoughlin | Directed by Charles Sturridge
Do you believe in fairies? If the answer is yes, don’t worry because a lot of other people seem to too, hell even Arthur Conan Doyle did. FairyTale: A True Story may only be loosely based on the facts of the Cottingley Fairies and the photographs that fooled so many people, but is there harm in believing in a little magic sometimes?
When two young girls take pictures of fairies excitement grows when the photographs are tested by experts and found to be real, or at least hard to fake. When Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O’Toole) and Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) refuse to call it a hoax this seems to be the final confirmation that is needed for the world...
Do you believe in fairies? If the answer is yes, don’t worry because a lot of other people seem to too, hell even Arthur Conan Doyle did. FairyTale: A True Story may only be loosely based on the facts of the Cottingley Fairies and the photographs that fooled so many people, but is there harm in believing in a little magic sometimes?
When two young girls take pictures of fairies excitement grows when the photographs are tested by experts and found to be real, or at least hard to fake. When Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O’Toole) and Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) refuse to call it a hoax this seems to be the final confirmation that is needed for the world...
- 3/24/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
As always, there are biases at play here; my greatest interests are symphonic music, choral music, and piano music, so that's what comes my way most often. There are some paired reviews; the ranking of the second of each pair might not be the true, exact ranking, but it works better from a writing standpoint this way.
1. Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4; Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 Tragic Overture, Op. 81; Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a; 3 Hungarian Dances; 9 Liebeslieder Waltzes; Intermezzi, Op. 116 No. 4 & Op. 117 No. 1 Gewandhausorchester/Riccardo Chailly (Decca)
It is not easy, at this point in recording history, to match the giants of the baton in a Brahms cycle, but Chailly has done it (this is my fiftieth Brahms cycle, and I have more than another fifty Brahms Firsts, and upwards of thirty each of the other symphonies outside those cycles, so I've got some basis for comparison...
1. Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4; Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 Tragic Overture, Op. 81; Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a; 3 Hungarian Dances; 9 Liebeslieder Waltzes; Intermezzi, Op. 116 No. 4 & Op. 117 No. 1 Gewandhausorchester/Riccardo Chailly (Decca)
It is not easy, at this point in recording history, to match the giants of the baton in a Brahms cycle, but Chailly has done it (this is my fiftieth Brahms cycle, and I have more than another fifty Brahms Firsts, and upwards of thirty each of the other symphonies outside those cycles, so I've got some basis for comparison...
- 1/6/2014
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
The complete list of nominees for this year's Olivier awards, celebrating the best of British theatre, dance and opera
Best actor
Rupert Everett – The Judas Kiss
James McAvoy – Macbeth
Mark Rylance – Twelfth Night
Rafe Spall – Constellations
Luke Treadaway – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best actress
Helen Mirren – The Audience
Hattie Morahan – A Doll's House
Billie Piper – The Effect
Kristin Scott Thomas – Old Times
Best actor in a supporting role
Paul Chahidi – Twelfth Night
Richard McCabe – The Audience
Adrian Scarborough – Hedda Gabler
Kyle Soller – Long Day's Journey Into Night
Best actress in a supporting role
Janie Dee – Nsfw
Anastasia Hille – The Effect
Cush Jumbo – Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse)
Helen McCrory – The Last of the Haussmans
Nicola Walker – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mastercard best new play
Constellations
The Audience
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This House
Best director
Stephen Daldry...
Best actor
Rupert Everett – The Judas Kiss
James McAvoy – Macbeth
Mark Rylance – Twelfth Night
Rafe Spall – Constellations
Luke Treadaway – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best actress
Helen Mirren – The Audience
Hattie Morahan – A Doll's House
Billie Piper – The Effect
Kristin Scott Thomas – Old Times
Best actor in a supporting role
Paul Chahidi – Twelfth Night
Richard McCabe – The Audience
Adrian Scarborough – Hedda Gabler
Kyle Soller – Long Day's Journey Into Night
Best actress in a supporting role
Janie Dee – Nsfw
Anastasia Hille – The Effect
Cush Jumbo – Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse)
Helen McCrory – The Last of the Haussmans
Nicola Walker – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mastercard best new play
Constellations
The Audience
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This House
Best director
Stephen Daldry...
- 3/26/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this weekTheatre
Wah! Wah! Girls
British musical meets Bollywood in new love-against-the-odds show set in the East End of London with a cast of 14, almost all British Asians and a Polish handyman. Peacock,London, Thursday to 23 June.
Posh
Laura Wade has updated her Royal Court hit to point the spotlight once again on the Oxbridge dining clubs that spawned the posh boys currently in power. Duke of Yorks theatre, London, until 4 August.
Betrayal
John Simm stars in Harold Pinter's semi-autobiographical play about an adulterous love affair. The power of the piece is that it works backwards from its bitter end to the moment the affair first sparked. Crucible, Sheffield, until 9 June.
Film
The Raid (dir.
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this weekTheatre
Wah! Wah! Girls
British musical meets Bollywood in new love-against-the-odds show set in the East End of London with a cast of 14, almost all British Asians and a Polish handyman. Peacock,London, Thursday to 23 June.
Posh
Laura Wade has updated her Royal Court hit to point the spotlight once again on the Oxbridge dining clubs that spawned the posh boys currently in power. Duke of Yorks theatre, London, until 4 August.
Betrayal
John Simm stars in Harold Pinter's semi-autobiographical play about an adulterous love affair. The power of the piece is that it works backwards from its bitter end to the moment the affair first sparked. Crucible, Sheffield, until 9 June.
Film
The Raid (dir.
- 5/20/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this week
Theatre
27
Return of Abi Morgan's play, set in a convent, which examines faith, science, ageing and loneliness. Maureen Beattie stars and Vicky Featherstone directs. Citizens, Glasgow, Thursday to 26 May, then touring.
Mayfest
Fabulous festival in Bristol of work from both established and emerging artists. It's a real mixture, very little of it in traditional form. Be adventurous. Various venues, Thursday to 27 May.
100% Norfolk
Famed Berlin company Rimini Protokoll, who create theatre with real people, are exploring the experiences, hopes and dreams of 100 Norfolk dwellers. Theatre Royal, Norwich, Friday and Saturday.
Pop
The Horrors
Still riding the wave of last year's fantastic Skying album, the Horrors tour with support from the equally great and similarly psychedelic Toy.
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this week
Theatre
27
Return of Abi Morgan's play, set in a convent, which examines faith, science, ageing and loneliness. Maureen Beattie stars and Vicky Featherstone directs. Citizens, Glasgow, Thursday to 26 May, then touring.
Mayfest
Fabulous festival in Bristol of work from both established and emerging artists. It's a real mixture, very little of it in traditional form. Be adventurous. Various venues, Thursday to 27 May.
100% Norfolk
Famed Berlin company Rimini Protokoll, who create theatre with real people, are exploring the experiences, hopes and dreams of 100 Norfolk dwellers. Theatre Royal, Norwich, Friday and Saturday.
Pop
The Horrors
Still riding the wave of last year's fantastic Skying album, the Horrors tour with support from the equally great and similarly psychedelic Toy.
- 5/15/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this weekTheatre
Big and Small
Cate Blanchett plays Lotte, a continuing optimist in a bleak world where she struggles to make a connection with her family and others. Sydney Theatre Company with its award-winning production of Botho Strauß's surreal play. Barbican, London (020-7638 8891), Friday until 29 April.
Miss Julie
Maxine Peake plays the troubled 19th-century aristocrat who wanders into the kitchen and the bed of her father's valet, Jean, one delirious midsummer's eve. David Eldridge adapts Strindberg's troubling play, which caused a scandal when it was first produced. Royal Exchange, Manchester (0161-833 9833), Wednesday until 12 May.
Film
This Must Be The Place (dir. Paolo Sorrentino)
Paolo Sorrentino's English-language debut has Sean Penn as a retired goth rocker living in Dublin.
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this weekTheatre
Big and Small
Cate Blanchett plays Lotte, a continuing optimist in a bleak world where she struggles to make a connection with her family and others. Sydney Theatre Company with its award-winning production of Botho Strauß's surreal play. Barbican, London (020-7638 8891), Friday until 29 April.
Miss Julie
Maxine Peake plays the troubled 19th-century aristocrat who wanders into the kitchen and the bed of her father's valet, Jean, one delirious midsummer's eve. David Eldridge adapts Strindberg's troubling play, which caused a scandal when it was first produced. Royal Exchange, Manchester (0161-833 9833), Wednesday until 12 May.
Film
This Must Be The Place (dir. Paolo Sorrentino)
Paolo Sorrentino's English-language debut has Sean Penn as a retired goth rocker living in Dublin.
- 4/10/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
Louis Lortie/BBC Symphony Orchestra/Edward Gardner Lutoslawski: Orchestral Works II (Chandos)
The major attraction here, with all due respect to the great Concerto for Piano & Orchestra of 1988, is the Symphony No. 4, because there have only been (to my knowledge) four previous recordings of it. All of them are reputed to be excellent, but I have only two to compare it to, both conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. He makes it sound by turns more mysterious and more passionate, and also more taut; this new one has more spectacular sonics and presents the work more as a piece of abstract modernism. With Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994) one of the top five Polish composers ever, and one of the better 20th century composers, alternative versions of his masterpieces are worth having, and this one is very welcome.
There are twice as many recordings of the Piano Concerto, but the clear preference lies with Krystian Zimerman,...
The major attraction here, with all due respect to the great Concerto for Piano & Orchestra of 1988, is the Symphony No. 4, because there have only been (to my knowledge) four previous recordings of it. All of them are reputed to be excellent, but I have only two to compare it to, both conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. He makes it sound by turns more mysterious and more passionate, and also more taut; this new one has more spectacular sonics and presents the work more as a piece of abstract modernism. With Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994) one of the top five Polish composers ever, and one of the better 20th century composers, alternative versions of his masterpieces are worth having, and this one is very welcome.
There are twice as many recordings of the Piano Concerto, but the clear preference lies with Krystian Zimerman,...
- 3/31/2012
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
Coliseum; Barbican; Linbury Studio; Queen Elizabeth Hall, all London
Based on column inches and lurid images alone, never mind the incalculable online torrent, the big event this week was Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust at English National Opera. After squawks over the company's recent choice of directors from outside opera, it was a pleasure to witness a superbly staged, ingenious production from opera novice Terry Gilliam, best known as a Hollywood director and genius ex-Python animator. If you want to use film in opera, and most now do, Gilliam shows you how.
Musical standards, with Edward Gardner in the pit, were secure though not vintage, and Berlioz's infinitely delicate score survived just about intact despite being zipped into an all-in-one concept and tumbling out wittily for a choreographic Treaty of Versailles and a dance of the gas masks. The iconography – the 1936 Olympics, Kristallnacht, a glimpse of the Obersalzberg – pinned us...
Based on column inches and lurid images alone, never mind the incalculable online torrent, the big event this week was Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust at English National Opera. After squawks over the company's recent choice of directors from outside opera, it was a pleasure to witness a superbly staged, ingenious production from opera novice Terry Gilliam, best known as a Hollywood director and genius ex-Python animator. If you want to use film in opera, and most now do, Gilliam shows you how.
Musical standards, with Edward Gardner in the pit, were secure though not vintage, and Berlioz's infinitely delicate score survived just about intact despite being zipped into an all-in-one concept and tumbling out wittily for a choreographic Treaty of Versailles and a dance of the gas masks. The iconography – the 1936 Olympics, Kristallnacht, a glimpse of the Obersalzberg – pinned us...
- 5/14/2011
- by Fiona Maddocks
- The Guardian - Film News
From cartoons to animation to films and now opera. Terry Gilliam is to direct a new production of Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust.
A former member of the Monty Python comedy group, Gilliam is best known as the director of such cult films as Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and, most recently, 2009's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
In his latest venture, he will direct The Damnation of Faust for English National Opera (Eno), based at the London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London. It opens on May 6.
Eno says the opera is the "perfect vehicle" for Gilliam's rich imagination.
In a new promotional video interview, he shares his thoughts on the upcoming production. The short film is included below, along with a full press release.
Here's the full press release:
Eno stages a new production of Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust...
A former member of the Monty Python comedy group, Gilliam is best known as the director of such cult films as Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and, most recently, 2009's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
In his latest venture, he will direct The Damnation of Faust for English National Opera (Eno), based at the London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London. It opens on May 6.
Eno says the opera is the "perfect vehicle" for Gilliam's rich imagination.
In a new promotional video interview, he shares his thoughts on the upcoming production. The short film is included below, along with a full press release.
Here's the full press release:
Eno stages a new production of Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust...
- 3/10/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Following his recent peep behind the curtain of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Terry Gilliam has turned his talents to a short film with The Legend of Hallowdega as well as directing Arcade Fire at Madison Square Gardens.
While the figure of Don Quixote looms on the horizon the director has just announced that one of his future projects will be making his opera directing debut with Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust for the Eno.
The production will run for 10 performances in May and June this year and is certain to be a treat for fans of Gilliam’s work, as the director explains below, there is an operatic feel to many of his works, he also teases us with Brazil: The Opera, which I’d pay to see every night I suspect. Here’s the man himself talking up Berlioz,
Here’s the press release and which...
While the figure of Don Quixote looms on the horizon the director has just announced that one of his future projects will be making his opera directing debut with Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust for the Eno.
The production will run for 10 performances in May and June this year and is certain to be a treat for fans of Gilliam’s work, as the director explains below, there is an operatic feel to many of his works, he also teases us with Brazil: The Opera, which I’d pay to see every night I suspect. Here’s the man himself talking up Berlioz,
Here’s the press release and which...
- 3/2/2011
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Photographic scientist who played a key role in debunking the Cottingley fairies
The photographic scientist Geoffrey Crawley, who has died aged 83, played an instrumental role in the debunking of the world's longest-running photographic hoax. The unlikely deception was hatched in 1917 by two cousins, Elsie Wright, aged 15, and Frances Griffiths, 10, who claimed they had captured photographs of fairies near their home in Cottingley, west Yorkshire. The "Cottingley fairies" tale quickly caught the public imagination, rolling on until some six decades later, when Geoffrey's scientific analysis of the pictures led the cousins to confess that the fairies had been nothing more sensational than cut-outs kept in place using hatpins.
He may be best known for exposing a schoolgirl prank, but Geoffrey also had a far-reaching influence on photographic science. Yet he held no professional scientific qualifications nor had any formal training. He learned much from his father, Tom, who built microscopes and radios in his spare time.
The photographic scientist Geoffrey Crawley, who has died aged 83, played an instrumental role in the debunking of the world's longest-running photographic hoax. The unlikely deception was hatched in 1917 by two cousins, Elsie Wright, aged 15, and Frances Griffiths, 10, who claimed they had captured photographs of fairies near their home in Cottingley, west Yorkshire. The "Cottingley fairies" tale quickly caught the public imagination, rolling on until some six decades later, when Geoffrey's scientific analysis of the pictures led the cousins to confess that the fairies had been nothing more sensational than cut-outs kept in place using hatpins.
He may be best known for exposing a schoolgirl prank, but Geoffrey also had a far-reaching influence on photographic science. Yet he held no professional scientific qualifications nor had any formal training. He learned much from his father, Tom, who built microscopes and radios in his spare time.
- 11/15/2010
- The Guardian - Film News
The miniature song Owls: An Epitaph – halting, dissonant, weird – is the most powerful corrective I know to the image of Elgar as moustachioed imperialist. Listen and tell me what you think
A quick Elgar discovery for the weekend, after a sneak preview of John Bridcut's film about the composer, Elgar: The Man Behind the Mask, scheduled to be broadcast on BBC4 on 12 November. Bridcut creates some striking scenes with some great Elgarians – Colin Davis, Edward Gardner, Anthony Payne, Michael Kennedy, David Owen Norris – listening to their favourite Elgar works. A simple idea, but it's moving to see the sunlit magic of the soloist's first notes in the Violin Concerto reflected in Colin Davis's smile, or Michael Kennedy's rapt contemplation as he hears the raw melancolia of Sospiri.
Most revelatory of all, at least for me, was watching Mark Elder listen to Elgar's Owls: An Epitaph (one of the...
A quick Elgar discovery for the weekend, after a sneak preview of John Bridcut's film about the composer, Elgar: The Man Behind the Mask, scheduled to be broadcast on BBC4 on 12 November. Bridcut creates some striking scenes with some great Elgarians – Colin Davis, Edward Gardner, Anthony Payne, Michael Kennedy, David Owen Norris – listening to their favourite Elgar works. A simple idea, but it's moving to see the sunlit magic of the soloist's first notes in the Violin Concerto reflected in Colin Davis's smile, or Michael Kennedy's rapt contemplation as he hears the raw melancolia of Sospiri.
Most revelatory of all, at least for me, was watching Mark Elder listen to Elgar's Owls: An Epitaph (one of the...
- 10/15/2010
- by Tom Service
- The Guardian - Film News
Terry Gilliam has been announced as the director of The Damnation of Faust at the English National Opera (Eno). The 12 Monkeys director will helm his first opera with an adaptation of Hector Berlioz's peice next summer, The Guardian reports. Eno artistic director John Berry said of winning over Gilliam: "I crept up on him so that he eventually found himself in a situation where he was committed." Music director Edward Gardner added: "You have to create a (more)...
- 4/16/2010
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
• Eno hopes to repeat Minghella success
• Company says 'It's our most ambitious season yet'
The man who defined Monty Python's visual language, and directed such films as Brazil, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, is to try his hand at opera for the first time.
Terry Gilliam is to direct The Damnation of Faust at English National Opera next summer – where it is hoped that his production of Berlioz's masterpiece will not be beset by the problems that have harried the director in other contexts.
Heath Ledger died part way through the production of The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, while The Man Who Killed Don Quixote was abandoned after Jean Rochefort, the star, suffered a herniated disc and the set flooded.
John Berry, Eno's artistic director, acknowledged the risks for newcomers attempting to take on opera. "It can be like a car crash coming at you from every angle,...
• Company says 'It's our most ambitious season yet'
The man who defined Monty Python's visual language, and directed such films as Brazil, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, is to try his hand at opera for the first time.
Terry Gilliam is to direct The Damnation of Faust at English National Opera next summer – where it is hoped that his production of Berlioz's masterpiece will not be beset by the problems that have harried the director in other contexts.
Heath Ledger died part way through the production of The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, while The Man Who Killed Don Quixote was abandoned after Jean Rochefort, the star, suffered a herniated disc and the set flooded.
John Berry, Eno's artistic director, acknowledged the risks for newcomers attempting to take on opera. "It can be like a car crash coming at you from every angle,...
- 4/15/2010
- by Charlotte Higgins
- The Guardian - Film News
English National Opera will hope to repeat the successes of Anthony Minghella's Madam Butterfly
You can sometimes hear complaints about English National Opera – they just grab the most fashionable names from the theatre, say the company's critics, and stick them in opera and hope for the best. (Rupert "Enron" Goold's 2009 Turandot was the one that really split opinion – some found it wayward but with flashes of brilliance, others felt it proved that the only really successful opera directors are those who are primarily musicians.)
For next season, announced today, at least one can see that Eno are being consistent – they are forging a distinctive identity based on the idea of hooking talent out of other artforms and using that as a way of tempting new audiences into the London Coliseum.
And certainly, I'll be dying to see how Terry Gilliam envisions Berlioz's Damnation of Faust next May – as well...
You can sometimes hear complaints about English National Opera – they just grab the most fashionable names from the theatre, say the company's critics, and stick them in opera and hope for the best. (Rupert "Enron" Goold's 2009 Turandot was the one that really split opinion – some found it wayward but with flashes of brilliance, others felt it proved that the only really successful opera directors are those who are primarily musicians.)
For next season, announced today, at least one can see that Eno are being consistent – they are forging a distinctive identity based on the idea of hooking talent out of other artforms and using that as a way of tempting new audiences into the London Coliseum.
And certainly, I'll be dying to see how Terry Gilliam envisions Berlioz's Damnation of Faust next May – as well...
- 4/15/2010
- by Charlotte Higgins
- The Guardian - Film News
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