The Dublin Theatre Festival is “the longest-established theatre festival in Europe – but it still feels like a cheeky and energetic teenager alongside the Edinburgh international festival, which sometimes feels like a very grand old dowager, always rouged and dressed in her Sunday best.”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Dudamel’s Disney Debut: How’d He Do?
“[F]or all the publicity about the new 28-year-old Venezuelan music director and the freshness he brings to a supposedly staid classical music, the most extraordinary aspect of the program itself was just how much it represented business as usual for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. … No musical lollipops were on offer Thursday.”
Book Awards Season: Today’s Prize Is Which One, Exactly?
“The American Book Awards are different from the National Book Awards . . . how? Is it like a National League/American League type of thing? Which is the one that Philip Roth is always nominated for? … Clearly, assistance is needed. Bring in the lesson plan. Bring in the Tweed Brigade.”
London Mayor Says He’ll Leave Arts Council Post Vacant
Foiled by the culture secretary in his attempt to appoint “the former editor of the London Evening Standard, which championed his campaign for the mayoralty, to run the Arts Council’s London branch,” London Mayor Boris Johnson “is prepared to leave an empty seat at the helm of the regional body following the government veto.”
To Make Students Love History, Teach Historical Fiction
“The joy of history lies in the stories, the pageantry, the interplay of great men and greater themes, the horrible deaths and bloody lives of our ancestors. … Here’s where historical fiction comes in.”
America’s Best Theatre Cities
New York, predictably, ranks first, and Chicago is indeed the Second City. But pity the poor stage buffs in beautiful Honolulu: Their city ranks dead last.
London Mayor Accused Of Cronyism In Arts Council Bid
“The Mayor of London tried to install Veronica Wadley, former editor of the Evening Standard, which championed his campaign for the mayoralty, to run the Arts Council in London. He recommended her for the job despite the shortlisting panel judging that she was insufficiently qualified to take the role.”
Mitterrand Pressed To Resign Over Sex With ‘Young Boys’
“The French culture minister, Frédéric Mitterrand, last night faced calls for his resignation over an autobiography published four years ago in which he described paying ‘young boys’ for sex while travelling abroad. Mitterrand was the first major political figure to leap to the defence of the film director Roman Polanski when he was arrested….”
The Real Value Of The Nobel In Literature
“The Nobel, considered by many to be the most prestigious prize, carries with it a hefty monetary award — last year’s winner got more than a million dollars. But it has the potential to bring a lot more money — through book sales.”
Opponents Fret As Gazprom Tower Gets Go-Ahead
St. Petersburg “officials say the 77-story building will be an architectural masterpiece. An architectural preservation society say it will be ‘monstrous.’ U.N. cultural authorities say the skyscraper could threaten the city’s U.N. World Heritage Site status.”