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Suck It Up: How to Deal With Your Bad Review

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It's almost time for the annual festival of the arts, extreme financial risk and broken dreams called the Edinburgh Fringe. Kicking off at the start of August each year, it can feel like a make-or-break moment in a performers' career. Touring opportunities, television contracts and all kinds of mad things can happen at the festival, and stakes can feel so high that reviews end up being life-or-death affairs.

I'm taking a new show to the festival myself this year (spy thriller cabaret Tomás Ford Stop Killing People - seeing my show is a great cure for festival blues). I've been playing Fringe festivals for a decade, and spent years in Bad Review Purgatory before getting some much-appreciated kudos of late, so I know the ups and downs of this stuff pretty well.

Lets' suppose you are reading this because you got a bad review. You want to curl up into a foetal ball, right? You never want to go onstage again? You want to hunt the reviewer down and... and... AND...

OK. Calm down. Here's my unsolicited advice on how to deal with your bad review.

Review The Reviewer
You've already moaned and whined about your review. Everbody does it, but you need to limit it. Your friends are definitely bored of hearing about it. Instead, find a way of summing up why the reviewer is wrong, so you can file it away in your brain.

Look at the writing, and check out any info you can about the reviewer. Do they have the vocabulary or experience to discuss your show? Compare the review to their other work - what kind of stuff do they usually like and how does your show fit in? Who is the publication aimed at - if it's not in your niche, nobody you actually care about will have read it.

Once you've found this reason, use it to sum up a review when you have to say anything about it, and then move the conversation on; you'll be happier if you're not dwelling on it.

Take Control Of Your Story
Most reviews make such a small difference to sales that it's important to remember that not many people read them. Sure, all your performer friends religiously scan the arts section of the paper for mentions of their name, but it's unlikely that your prospective audience does.

In this age of social media, it's generally up to you to promote a review. In the same way that you shout about a good review, you can easily bury a bad review. Print publications move to their next issue and online reviews will be swallowed into the deep web. None of your audience will know if you don't tell them.

In saying that, don't forget to look for a press quote - often the most useful quotes come from the unlikeliest reviews.

Afterparty Properly
Get out of your head the idea that an afterparty is a time for celebration.

In the middle of a gruelling festival, you can't indulge in a heavy night out and expect to be at your best the next day. If you're going to do that to yourself, do it for a reason; your mental well-being. If you have had a bad show or a weird audience, that's exactly the time to let loose. During festival time, your show can feel like the focus of the whole day. Shift that focus to having the most ridiculously debauched night of extreme partying you can. Create some stories. Then they're the focus of that night, not some shitty gig.

I just read back the last paragraph and it looks like terrible advice. I don't know what to tell you - it's worked for me for years. Besides, after a good show I feel pretty sated. I go home and sleep the deep, contented sleep of the totally mentally balanced, world conquering performer/genius. Tomorrow, the usual festival anxiety will return.

Toughen Up, Princess
Remember that this is one season of many that you'll perform. There's a lot of lessons you can take from a festival - It could be that this city is not the best market for you. It could be that your show isn't pitched right.

In any case, you're doing the right thing; your show will improve just through running it for the run of the festival. The next festival you take it to, you'll find your show is tighter and better for having had this experience.

Make sure you finish your run with something special, like a climb to the top of Arthur's Seat, some kind of ridiculous massage treatment. I personally prefer a naked crowdsurf. It's hard to have perspective during a Fringe, but when August is over, you'll feel like you just climbed a mountain just for getting through it. At the very least, you'll be able to say your show comes "Direct From Edinburgh Fringe."

You'll high five yourself pretty hard. So suck it up.

Student Aron Dale Quits University To Work As Possibly The Worst Harry Styles Lookalike Ever

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A student has quit university to work as what just might be the worst Harry Styles lookalike ever.

Aron Dale, from Middlesborough, claims he can't go anywhere without being mobbed by adoring One Direction fans - which doesn't quite tally in with the fact he's had just six lookalike jobs this year, reports SWNS.

According to the 24-year-old, he is the "leading Harry lookalike in the UK".

"In my local area people know who I am because I've been on the X-Factor.. There's a lot of jealousy."

Right.

The former engineering student says it's difficult to have a relationship because the lucky lady he dates will only have jealous girlfriends.

"My face is practically the same," he added.

Check out Dale's X-Factor audition.. we're not quite sure he's quite got the vocals either:



Cheryl Cole Wows In Thigh-Split Lace Dress At Her London Fragrance Launch (PICS)

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Cheryl Cole went for a bridal look at the launch of her new fragrance in London on Wednesday night, where she was joined by her new husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.

The ‘X Factor’ judge was all smiles as she arrived at Mayfair restaurant Avenue for the bash, however JB looked more sombre and decided to sport sunnies when he was leaving.

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Cheryl Cole


Chezza Mrs Fernandez-Versini wore her long hair down and decided to forgo accessories - apart from her new wedding and engagement rings, of course.

Cheryl’s lacy number made a change from her recent style choices, which have seen her opt for a tougher, sexy look.

At her second wedding party earlier this week, Cheryl donned a black gown, complete with a sheer skirt and scraped her hair back in a tight ponytail.

jean bernard fernandez versini
Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini


The former Girls Aloud singer shocked everyone with her wedding announcement, though one person who did know Chezza had tied the knot was the ‘X Factor’ announcer Peter Dickson.

Peter, whose voice booms as the judges make their grand entrance on the ‘X Factor’ live shows, was told about the secret nuptials so that he could begin practising his pronunciation of Cheryl’s new French surname. To be honest, he still needs a lot of practice.

Plenty of Cheryl’s celeb pals have congratulated her and JB, including Cher Lloyd, who was mentored by Cheryl on the TV talent contest.



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#Glasgow2014: The Funniest Tweets About The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

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The opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games had it all. Giant Tunnock's tea cakes. Small Scottish terriers. John Barrowman being carried aloft over a field of heather. And James McAvoy in a kilt.

All in all, we think this tweet summed it up best:




Or as someone else put it:




Yes, Glasgow's opening ceremony was bonkers and brilliant - so let us guide you through it, via the medium of Twitter funnies...

First up: John Barrowman (he's from Glasgow, you know)...










Barrowman was performing an original song about all things Scottish:




It was then time for the giant Tunnock's tea cakes. Of course.
















And then Nessie showed up:




It was clearly all becoming rather camp. And gloriously bonkers...



















Then it got all tasteful with a ballet performance to a slow, hipster version of The Proclaimers' '500 Miles'....
















And then it was the turn of Susan Boyle...




...who briefly forgot her words:




The Red Arrows flew overhead...







And then Her Maj appeared!










Ewan MacGregor showed up (via video) to ask us to donate money to UNICEF...













And then? Then, it was the parade of competing nations...




...led by THE MOST ADORABLE OPENING CEREMONY ANIMALS EVER. Release the Scottish terriers!







































Of course, it was getting quite late by this point...




But the ceremony music was infectious...




The parade of countries continued...




And once that was over, the most Scottish man ever appeared:







Still, the Prime Minister was happy...







But then it was time for some proper eye candy. Release the dishy men in kilts!
















There was even a message from the International Space Station. Which confused some...










Then it was time for the arrival of the Commonwealth flag...




Nicola Benedetti played the violin...







And then the baton arrived!




And it proved a bit tricky to open!






















The Queen then read out the message retrieved from inside the baton...













And that was, pretty much, that. Apart from the partying in the streets of Glasgow afterwards...




...and a few notable absences:
















Still, we'll always have the giant Tunnock's teacakes...







SEE ALSO: Answers To FAQs About The Glasgow Games

Susan Boyle Forgets The Words To 'Mull Of Kintyre' As She Performs At The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony (VIDEO)

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With an estimated global audience of one billion people watching it was no wonder that nerves got the better of Susan Boyle for a few brief moments at Wednesday night's Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

The Scottish singer took to the stage at Glasgow's Celtic Park to sing the Paul McCartney and Wings' 1977 hit 'Mull Of Kintyre' but struggled to remember the song's second line, 'Oh mist rolling in from the sea'.

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SuBo on stage at Glasgow's Celtic Park


But ever the pro, SuBo was soon back on track and made it through the rest of the song as the Queen and Prince Philip arrived at the stadium, who we're sure, didn't even notice.

SEE ALSO: The Funniest Tweets About The Opening Ceremony

The 53-year-old had admitted she was feeling the nerves ahead of her performance in a backstage interview with Clare Balding and also revealed that her performance was two years in the making.

Also taking to the stage was a silver-suited Rod Stewart who performed his 1991 hit, 'Rhythm Of the Heart'.

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Rod Stewart


Meanwhile, it's been revealed that Kylie Minogue is set to headline the Games' closing ceremony at Scotland's National Stadium, Hampden Park.



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‘Benefits Street' Sequel Branded ‘Racist' By ‘Immigration Street' Residents

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The residents of Derby Road in Southampton have hit out at Channel 4 bosses over their plans to screen a ‘Benefits Street’ sequel entitled ‘Immigration Street’, which is being filmed on their road.

The residents aren’t at all happy with the prospect of starring in the show and have labelled the proposed series “racist”.

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Derby Road in Southampton is set to be the focus of 'Benefits Street'


The residents shared their outrage during a meeting at a local school with Kieran Smith. the creative director of Love Productions.

According to The Sun, over 200 residents attended the meeting, where they raised their concerns about how the show could affect the area.

“It’s a racist show,” one long-term resident stated. “It will ruin our lives and we can do nothing about it.”

“You may as well be funded by the BNP,” another said. “Do you know what this programme will do to us and our children?”

Kieran Smith responded to their worries, stating: “We aren’t here to cause racial tension.”

“Producers spent several months getting to know the community,” they said. “Only those who have given their informed consent will feature in the series.”

‘Benefits Street’ received mixed reactions when it was first aired in January, however, one person who has benefited considerably from the show is White Dee.

Since featuring as one of the main personalities on ‘Benefits Street’, Dee has become something of a celebrity in her own right and is even rumoured to be taking part in ‘Celebrity Big Brother’.



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Absolutely Fabulous Film: Jennifer Saunders Reveals 'Ab Fab' Movie Cast Plans

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Jennifer Saunders has revealed new details about the upcoming ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ film, that she's currently writing.

Jennifer, who will reprise her role as Edina in the movie, has revealed her hopes for the cast, stating that she wants everyone who ever appeared in the show to star in the big screen version.

absolutely fabulous
The cast of 'Absolutely Fabulous'


Despite the fact she hasn’t quite got the plot in place, Jennifer has already been thinking about who should be in the movie.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she states: “I haven’t got the storyline completely sorted out yet, but I want to cast everyone who has ever been in the show in it."

Jennifer went on to hint that the show's main stars have all signed up for the project.

“I guess if your name begins with 'J’, you’re in,” she adds. “Joanna [Lumley], Jennifer, Jane [Horrocks], June [Whitfield], Julia [Sawalha]. We are all J’s.”

jennifer saunders
Jennifer Saunders


‘Ab Fab’ first hit TV screens in 1992, and since then, 40 episodes of the show have been made.

Over the years, there were plenty of celebrity cameos from the likes of Elton John, Kate Moss and Emma Bunton.

Sadly, one person who won’t be around to star in the movie is Dora Bryan, who died at the age of 91 just days ago.

Dora starred in ‘Ab Fab’ twice, appearing on the show in 1996 and 2001.

Christopher Malcolm, the actor who played Saffy’s dad, also sadly died earlier this year, at the age of 67.



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‘Strictly Come Dancing' 2014: Radio 1 DJ Greg James Turns Down TV Bosses

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Radio 1 DJ Greg James has revealed that he won’t be taking part in the upcoming series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The DJ was apparently top of the show’s producers’ list for this year as they felt he’d bring in a younger audience, however, Greg has now revealed that he won't be taking part.

greg james
Greg James


Speaking to the Evening Standard, Greg revealed that he was asked to get his dancing shoes on - and he even said yes at one point.

“I was asked to do it but I decided that I didn’t want to this year,” he explains. “Even though it’s a brilliant show, I decided it was best not to.

“I wasn’t quite ready for it yet, I wasn’t quite ready for the sequins.

“I said yes as I thought it would be hilarious and great fun. But I just woke up one morning and it didn’t feel right.”

“I realised that I had a load more things I wanted to achieve in the field I’m known for before putting myself out there as the finished product on the biggest TV show in the country,” he concludes.

The DJ is no stranger to appearing on TV and in 2014 he has fronted most of the BBC's music festival coverage.

He has also hosted his own show on BBC3 with Russell Kane, titled ‘Staying In With Greg And Russell’.

There has been plenty of speculation over who will take part in this year’s ‘Strictly’, with rumoured contestants including former ‘TOWIE’ stars Mark Wright and Joey Essex, as well as actress Michelle Collins.

The upcoming series will be the first without Sir Bruce Forsyth, who announced his plans to quit the show earlier this year.

Claudia Winkleman will present both the Saturday and Sunday night shows alongside Tess Daly.

See all the celebs rumoured to be taking part in this year’s ‘Strictly’ below…



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'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Trailer: First Look At Jamie Dornan As Christian Grey And Dakota Johnson As Anastasia Steele (VIDEO)

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The full-length trailer for 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' has finally arrived, giving us our first proper glimpse of its stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in erm, action.

The two minute clip sees Dakota's character, Anastasia Steele, meeting billionaire, bondage-loving businessman Christian Grey (Dornan) for the first time before embarking on a journey of sexual discovery in the big screen adaption of the mega-selling book by EL James.

As well as plenty of shirt-off moments from the leading man our other favourite thing about the clip is a rather fabulous sultry new version of 'Crazy In Love', which Beyoncé re-recorded for the film.

Two people Dakota will hope won't be watching the trailer are her parents, Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith.

"If it were them doing a (sexy) movie I wouldn't want them to see that (either)," she said.

Meanwhile, Jamie Dornan revealed earlier this year that he prepared for the film's steamy sex scenes by watching a certain American TV show.

"I watched all the 'Sex and the City' box sets - twice. That helped."



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‘Big Brother': Kimberly Reveals The Truth About Her ‘BB' Sex, Shock Exit And Pregnancy Rumours (PICS)

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Kimberly Kisselovich made a brief return to ‘Big Brother’ on Wednesday night when she was interviewed by Emma Willis on ‘Big Brother’s Bit On The Side’.

After enjoying a few nights under the covers with Steven, Kimberly was forced to leave the house due to illness over the weekend, which sparked plenty of speculation over whether she could be pregnant.

big brother kimberly
Kimberly made her grand entrance with a fake baby bump in place


Kimberly decided to address those rumours once and for all and made a dramatic entrance to the ‘Bit On The Side’ stage while sporting a fake baby bump and pretending to pant furiously.

Once Emma had established that Kimberly definitely isn’t expecting Steven’s baby, it was time for Kimberly to explain herself.

After confirming that she still has feelings for Steven, Kimberly hinted that she’s hoping they can become a proper couple when he leaves the house.

“We’re [Steven and I] definitely on the same page,” she said. “I’ve sorted out my pre-’Big Brother’ life and am looking forward to a new chapter.

‘I noticed I was falling for him the first time he faced eviction and thought why do I feel this way? I don’t want to feel this way.”

big brother kimberly
Kimberly explains herself


Kimberly’s pre-’BB’ life was complicated to say the least. Despite first claiming to be single, the model later revealed she was actually still chatting to her ‘ex’ and even had a picture of him with her in the house.

However, one thing that could cause problems is Steven’s new haircut, which bears a strong resemblance to Britney Spears’ 2007 ‘do.

Even though Kimberly’s left the house, there has still been plenty of x-rated action thanks to Helen and Ash, who are the latest pair to take things one step further.

This week, following another shock power trip twist, there are four housemates up for eviction.



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Amy Willerton Is Doing What? The ‘I'm A Celebrity...' Star Is The New Face Of The Exam Results Helpline

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Yes, you read that headline correctly - Amy Willerton has been announced as the new face of the Exams Results Helpline.

Where do we even start?

The Exam Results Helpline, set up by UCAS, is designed to lend an ear to students who need some assistance over the summer, and this year - for reasons which aren’t yet clear - they’ve roped in a celeb to front the service.

amy willerton
Amy Willerton


Don’t panic yet though students, Amy won’t actually be answering the phones and telling you which uni offer to accept, she’s simply becoming the face of the helpline.

Yes, that’s right. The face. Of a telephone line.

However, before you suggest that Amy might not be the best person for the role - perhaps Rachel Riley would have been good? - the model would like to point out that she actually did rather well at college, and could be heading to university in the future.

“I got an A* and 2 Bs in my A levels and was going to study media at Cardiff but I didn’t go to university in the end,” she explains. “I like to think that maybe at some point I’ll do a degree though.

“The great thing about Higher Education is that you can go back anytime and you can even study part time and from home.

“If it was the right thing for me to go back and study again then I’d definitely do it.”

amy willerton

Hmm. Amy’s indecision on whether to head back into Further Education is a bit odd given her new role. Perhaps while she’s working with UCAS, Amy could nab an adviser for a quick chat?

Things have been a little quiet for Amy lately, though she did recently star on the cover of FHM, shortly after sharing some sexy snaps on Twitter.

The model first came to our attention on the 2013 series of ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’, where she enjoyed something of showmance with ‘TOWIE’ star Joey Essex.

See all the information on the Exam Results Helpline here.



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The Gift of Potential Disaster (Or Preparing For the Edinburgh Fringe)

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I find myself on the edge of a cliff, about to jump. I am not a thrill seeker, no friend to a rollercoaster. Growing up, I was a shy, perfectionist control-freak with an overwhelming fear of failure. I spent inordinate amounts of time alone in the hall closet, imagining gags and shows that nobody would ever see. However, I grew up to be a cabaret performer, performing professionally, all over the world for the past 14 years in all manner of rough waters, so I've become accustomed to that particular adrenaline drip. In eight days I'll be joining 25,000 other brave souls from around the world to show my stuff at the biggest theatre festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I haven't been to the Fringe in 10 years, and I've never done it solo, before now. So, I'm taking big breaths, and getting ready for what will likely be one of the most exhausting, humiliating, and expensive months of my life. Or, it could be I'll catch a wave and be sitting on top of the world. Either way, I have to take the dive, from my comfortable position at home in summertime NYC, and it sucks. This is the moment I've been waiting for.

I propose that the opportunity to fail is a gift, a blessed gift from the gods, and it should be sought out. Not all careers offer such easy access to that exquisite opportunity. Teams of consensus makers and editors, layers of managers overseeing decisions, focus groups and market analysis surveys shield most of us from the potential for open catastrophe. But as an independent performing artist, or more inelegantly, a clown, my career offers it all the time. In fact, the opportunity to fail is my rainmaker - it writes my paychecks and my material. The bottom line is this, even if I do fail, and my material just doesn't land the way I want it to, if I accept that failure without shame, then people will laugh. Folks love to watch other people failing, if they can do so without shame. Networks of reality shows can attest to that. So, if vulnerability is where it's at (any live performer or critic thereof will tell you the same), and shameless failure is just another way of succeeding, then what on earth do I have to be afraid of?

1) Nobody will show up. The average audience size at the Edinburgh Fringe is four. Four people. My venue seats 200. With 196 opportunities to fail, nightly, this season is going to be downright sacred.

2) Everything will go wrong. In this festival, stages are shared between at least 10 different shows every day and night. With a 15 min crossover set up/tear down time, there is such a high likelihood of technical snafu's that it makes my internal perfectionist control-freak want to invest in diapers and call it a day.

3) Nobody will like me. I've worked my whole life to get to this point, and spent the last 10 years developing my material: working up the skills, courage, and writing then previewing the show, and raising the funds to produce it internationally. If/when I get a bad or even mediocre review, the shy little girl within who I put to rest so many years ago just might wake up in time to kick me softly into a curb.

Do these fears sound familiar? They read pretty standard from this writer's perspective. If so, then I wonder, when was the last time you could really fail publicly? I mean, when was the last time that you tried something, in front of people, that just might not work out? I venture to say, if you don't know how to push yourself, your idea, your product to the next level, that you need an opportunity to fail. Seek it out. It won't come to you. If you're like me, the pressure, the deadline, the judgment from within and without, just may drive you crazy. But the craziness will offer a new perspective. Daredevil stunts are always riveting, because either way, the daredevil comes out changed. Either way, there is no shame in how you walk out of a trial by fire. Of course you want to succeed. So do I, desperately. But I might not. I set myself up to potentially fail because people like to watch, including me. There's no better story than a close match, won by the underdog. Everybody relates to the underdog. But even if the underdog loses, if she's cool with it, we still feel like winners. Blooper reels are still the most reliable entertainment around. Shameless fails will always be big wins.

I chose a career with the most possible contact with failure. Considering the shy perfectionist ego at stake, today, it seems like insanity. And now, I'm pushing myself again into the most precarious position I can find - self-producing original material in the biggest and most expensive festival on earth. Why? Because taking the opportunity to fail is how I made my way out of the closet, and it's the only way I know how to step up, humbled, to meet my maker. I don't trust the safe nest of Downtown NY cabaret anymore. I need to be judged honestly by people I haven't partied with, and feel the sting of whatever rotten tomatoes come my way. And yes, everything could and will go wrong. But all my best material has always from real time accidents; I am a clown, after all. So I might as well put myself in an accident-prone position and pan for more comedy gold.

So I'm on my way to the UK (or the soon to be made independent Scotland - talk about an opportunity to fail,) where critics are armed with education and sharp wits, and audiences are armed with guides to an unseemly array of choices. I'll be reporting from the front lines of Edinburgh so you can witness my current wrestle with disaster from the comfort of the Internet. The shy American girl from the hall closet has become a showgirl. Now, will she fail or will she succeed in the UK's festival crucible? My brain says it doesn't matter. My heart says root for me. My last line says, "Where will you find your opportunity to fail?"

Utterly Bewitching: The Crucible, The Old Vic Review

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Yesterday I headed out to the theatre to see the wonderful Richard Armitage take on the audience at The Old Vic in an atmospheric and ambitious performance of Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' on a balmy Wednesday afternoon to celebrate my anniversary. Sure, it's not the most romantic thing to see for your anniversary but it's what we did. The Crucible is one of my absolute favourite plays. Judging by the queue of people lined up at the stage door after the performance I'm not the only one who thought the performance was wonderful.

Their decision to make good use of the full potential of the stage and performing in the round, with some audience members actually sitting on the stage, was a really interesting choice. In between scenes the cast create interesting tableaux to create striking metaphorical images. The burning of herbs and release of dry ice start the play as Tituba enters, circling the stage, each step becoming more laboured as she walks around the stage. At the centre of the stage, chairs sit in a disorganised manner. The chairs face different directions. Some are on their sides. The cast enter the stage, taking their seats for a moment, all facing different directions as if to represent Salem's broken societal views and the uncomfortable discord within the town. They look out to the audience, to us, as voyeurs casting our gaze on Salem to remind us that in watching we become just as much of the hysteria as the characters. Then they promptly rise and leave, pulling the chairs away. The set design was perfect with a grimy and almost industrial feel. This created a cold, isolated setting as soon as you entered the theatre. The costumes, set and furniture were all so minimalistic that they did not distract from the players. Major points must be awarded to Richard Hammarton who created all of the background sounds and music. Uncanny noises like clanking metal and clinking glass felt familiar and yet strange in the darkness of the theatre. It created this constant throbbing sound that came in so subtly you hardly noticed when it started. It was minimalistic but eerily atmospheric. In between scenes, furniture was moved and sets were changed, and this was usually done by Abigail Williams and the other young women in on her devil-calling scheme. This served as a subtle reminder of how much control these girls had over the town.

Miller's writing is characteristically strong and powerful. Every member of the cast so skilfully carried the text. In the current run at The Old Vic, Armitage has ambitiously taken up the role of John Proctor. Playing the last good man in Salem, Armitage's performance was strong. Samantha Colley played the darkest and most vindictive Abigail Williams that I have ever seen. She masterfully manipulated her peers and gave such a strong performance. As Betty, Marama Corlett gave a really utilised her body as she contorted herself and writhed in her bed. As Giles Corey, William Gaunt managed to garner a few laughs in such a dark play. Anna Madeley perfectly captured Elizabeth Proctor's cold nature and delivered her final lines with an effortless grace. Yaël Farber has lead the cast superbly and created a wonderful performance from start to finish. It's just a shame that this play doesn't have a longer run. Every movement felt choreographed to perfection and a truly enigmatic performance was created as a result.

This is the most passionately intense performance of The Crucible I've had the pleasure to see and it is a real theatrical triumph. The current run will play until the 13th of September. Click here for tickets and more information.

Comedy Show 'Black Jesus' Leaves America's Christian Right Unable To Turn The Other Cheek

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NEW YORK -- America’s Christian right is aglow with rage over the portrayal of Jesus Christ as altruistic black guy living in modern-day Compton, California.

The trailer for Black Jesus, a comedy show scheduled to air on the Adult Swim cable network - the evening schedule of the Cartoon Network in the US - features the Messiah as a man on a "daily mission to spread love and kindness throughout the neighbourhood with the help of his small but loyal group of downtrodden followers".

Or, as the Christian Post decried, a “faux messiah dropping four-letter expletives and being accused of ‘smoking all the f*cking weed,’ in addition to being shot at and getting carjacked.” Adult Swim is billing the show as “the most anticipated comeback in history".

The reaction has been unsurprisingly earnest, with David Rodgers, a pastor of the House of Prayer for All Nations Ministries in Chicago, posting a Facebook petition demanding Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), the owners of Adult Swim, remove the show due to the “degrading imagery of the Lord Jesus Christ”.

Rodgers writes:
We, the Christian Community are vehemently opposed and violently offended at this upcoming program soon to air on your channel called BLACK JESUS. The level of disrespect aimed at the depiction of our Lord and Savior is inexcusable. We are hard pressed to find any value in this program, its message or its purpose. As a group of believers, we are prepared to launch a mass campaign and boycott of your channel and any advertisers that are financially profiting from this program. These continued attacks against our Christian Values and the degrading imagery of the Lord Jesus Christ, will be met with social media awareness to the entire Christian Community and a targeted boycott of your advertisers.


An advocacy group for social conservatism called One Million Moms (which has several thousand members) has also lodged a petition calling for advertisers to boycott the show, admonishing TBS for the “violence, gunfire and other inappropriate gestures, which completely misrepresents Jesus”.

Likewise, the American Family Association (AFA) has failed to turn the other cheek, emailing its membership asking them to petition TBS, while quoting scripture at the presidents of the network: “We are told in Hebrews ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’. Obviously Black Jesus makes a mockery of the Christian faith. It would be beneficial to all if TBS and Adult Swim showed a little more respect for Christians who believe the Bible.”

Black Jesus is created by cartoonist Aaron McGruder, previously responsible for the controversial offering Boondocks, which airs on the same network. After leaving Boondocks, McGruder said: “For three seasons I personally navigated this show through the minefields of controversy. It was not perfect. And it definitely was not quick. But it was always done with a keen sense of duty, history, culture, and love. Anything less would have been simply unacceptable. I'm finally putting a life of controversy and trouble-making behind me with my upcoming Adult Swim show, 'Black Jesus.'"

The HuffPost UK has reached out to Adult Swim for comment.

(H/T Right Wing Watch)

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'The Honourable Woman' Part 4 Review - Maggie Gyllenhaal Drama Raises Stakes In Gaza Flashback

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Episode 4 found 'The Honourable Woman' leaving much of the family drama behind, taking us back in time to eight years before and settling into a meaty political thriller concerning the whereabouts of a cool million and a half pounds of Stein cash.

As soon as Nessa (an ever more stately Maggie Gyllenhaal) announced she'd be heading off to the Middle East, we knew there'd be trouble. And so it proved, with a purposeful but reckless Nessa banged up in Gaza, and her fretful brother Ephra safe in London but up to his eyebrows in favours owed and secrets suggested.

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Action moved back to Gaza in Part 4 of 'The Honourable Woman'


Through bringing us the idealistic sister who won't take no for an answer, and the pragmatic brother who wants to leave it all alone, writer Hugo Blick painted a moral dilemma of the highest calibre. Add to that the enigmatic presence of translator Atika with secrets of her own - definitely personal ones, perhaps political ones, too - and suddenly this already satisfying series went up quite a few notches, making it both subtle AND dramatic. And that was before we found out exactly what horrors befell Nessa and Atika in their prison.

Could this become a TV classic yet? It's looking more like it with every episode.



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'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Trailer: A Breakdown Of What Happens

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The must-see trailer for the must-see movie of the year has arrived. That year being 2015 - don't get too excited too quickly (as it were) - and that movie being the film adaptation of E.L. James's' 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'. Here's what happens in the trailer...



Watch the trailer here:

Tulisa Contostavlos Found Guilty Of Assaulting Blogger Vas Morgan, Days After Drug Trial Collapses

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Tulisa Contostavlos has been convicted of assaulting celebrity blogger Vas Morgan at V Festival in 2013, just days after her drugs trial collapsed at Southwark Crown Court.

Tulisa has announced her plans to appeal against the ruling. See all the details of her appeal here.

The former ‘X Factor’ judge was found guilty at Stratford Magistrates’ Court and her assistant Gareth Varey was cleared of using threatening behaviour.

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Tulisa arriving at Stratford Magistrates' court this morning


District Judge Angus Hamilton told the court: "I am quite sure to the requisite standard of proof, based on my analysis of the evidence that I have heard, that Ms Contostavlos did strike Mr Morgan in the face during an argument and that that blow caused minor bruising and swelling."

As the verdict was given, Tulisa smiled in disbelief and shook her head. When leaving the courtroom, she appeared to mutter: "This is bulls***."

Tulisa has been ordered to pay a total of £3020. This consists of a £2700 payment towards prosecution costs, a £200 fine, £100 in compensation to Mr Morgan and a £20 victim surcharge.

The judge stated that Tulisa had acted in a "confrontational" manner during the altercation with the victim.

"Her decision to seek to deal with Mr Morgan herself strikes me as aggressive and confrontational," he said, adding that he had a “number of points of concern” about the singer’s evidence during the trial.

He found that she “changed her account” of her actions, first claiming she raised her hands defensively, before later stating they remained by her sides.

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Gareth, right, arrived with Tuilsa


Tulisa had to wait a month to hear the verdict after the judge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, where the case was previously being heard, decided more witness statements were required.

Earlier this month, the former N-Dubz star stood trial for being concerned with the supply of class A drugs, a charge which she denied.

On Monday 21 July the case was thrown out of court by the judge, who stated there were “strong grounds” to believe The Sun’s undercover reporter Mahzer Mahmood had lied in the witness box.

Since her drugs trial was thrown out of court, Tulisa is believed to have been plotting her comeback, which is due to start with the screening of a BBC3 documentary, ‘Tulisa: The Price Of Fame’, on Monday 28 July.

Tulisa was back in the recording studio just 48 hours after her drugs trial collapsed and she's hoping to release her first new material since 2012 later this year, according to reports.



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Counting Crows Frontman Adam Duritz On The Day Keith Richards Taught Him To Be A Rockstar

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If there’s one musician looking on the bright side of the bottom falling out of the music business, it’s Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz.

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Adam Duritz thinks, after 20 million albums sold, he knows what he's talking about


As the Counting Crows prepare to release their seventh album 'Somewhere Under Wonderland' and count their 20 million album sales to date, Adam’s pretty confident he has a better idea of what’s going on than some of the company bosses who tried to tell what to do when they started out, and these days they're listening to him.

“They thought they knew what they doing, and then these huge changes came along, and the whole thing fell through the floor,” he says, bemused by the state of the music industry. “Why would I listen to them? We know what we’re doing. I keep an eye on things.

“On the other hand, you have to make sure you’re not overwhelmed by the business side. Because that’s when you see it all start to go pear-shaped for some bands. Getting it right means being allowed to carry on doing it.”

Who made what on the road? Check out our list below...



Even with that definition of success, life on the road after innumerable months could surely get a bit tiring. But it turns out Adam and his bandmates have found a way of keeping it fresh every night – by never playing the same set twice.

“It occurred to me that I had to start playing something I was forced to, I’d start to hate certain songs,” he explains.

“So every afternoon, I’ll throw a text out to the band and the crew,” he explains. “It says, ‘Anything you want to hear played?’ The crew will remind you of songs you haven’t played in a while. It all comes together very organically, which keeps it interesting for us.”

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Adam and the band have been touring for months and months and months, and they're not done yet


I ask Adam for the surreal moment he realised he’d become a fully-fledge rock star, and he dives into a detailed, vividly-remembered account of a Counting Crows gig back in 1994 – not just any old performance, but one where they were supporting the Rolling Stones, at New York’s RFK Stadium, in front of 70,000 people. It was Adam’s 30th birthday, and he just happened to be nearly dead on his feet with a virus…

“My parents were there with me, and they’d given me chicken broth to help get better,” he remembers. “And then I was taken to meet Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards backstage.

“I was drinking my chicken broth, and Ronnie gave me his pint glass, full of Guinness and said, ‘drink this.’

“I hesitated, but Keith nodded. So I drank the Guinness, and went on stage and played my arse off. I just thought, well, nobody knows more about playing a gig sick than Keith Richards. Who am I to argue?”

Due to demand, the Counting Crows have added a second show at London’s Roundhouse on Tuesday 11th November. Full tour and ticket info available here.

The band release their seventh studio album 'Somewhere under Wonderland' in September. The first single 'Palisades Park' was released in July. See below...




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The #Glasgow2014 Opening Ceremony, Ed Miliband, Prince George And More: The Week In 50 Funny Tweets

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What a week! The week of the brilliant, bonkers and brilliantly bonkers opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...




...which was so much fun, the Queen like TOTALLY lightened up and photobombed someone the following day...




The week that Mr Miliband went to Washington...










And of course the week when a certain little fella turned one:




We've already done a definitive round-up of funny tweets about the opening ceremony - but we've got highlights below; plus tweets about all the above and more.

That 'more' includes Nick Griffin, Steven Gerrard and #AskWenger. Enjoy, sport/Scotland/Scottie dog fans!



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Bruce Springsteen Gives Men Half His Age A Run For Their Money As He Shows Off His Buff Body On Holiday In Spain (PICS)

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Bruce Springsteen might be about to collect his bus pass but the US rocker looked anything but an OAP as he enjoyed a sunshine break in Spain.

The Boss did his very best Daniel-Craig-as-James-Bond impression as he went for a dip in the sea wearing a pair of blue swimming shorts like those worn by the actor in 'Casino Royale'.

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Bruce Springsteen


And the similarities didn't end there either as the 'Born To Run' singer could give Mr.Bond a run for his money in the buff body stakes too.

And let's not forget that Bruce is 64. SIXTY FOUR! (Daniel Craig is 46, seeing as you're asking).

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Daniel Craig in 'Casino Royale'


The musician was snapped on the Spanish island of Formentera, where he was holidaying with his wife Patti Scialfa (sightings of her in a Halle Berry-style bikini could not be verified at the time of writing).

If this is what a rock and roll lifestyle does for you, then where do you we sign up?



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