It’s not just (relatively) stable government funding, argues David Cote – it’s Nicholas Hytner. “Our best artistic directors are probably fine managers and dependable fundraisers – but can any of them hold a candle to the current boss of the National?”
Author: Matthew Westphal
They Look Good On Paper: Designing Temporary Buildings From Cardboard
Architect Shigeru Ban’s plan for a temporary cathedral for earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, NZ is but one prominent example of quick, relatively inexpensive structures made from sturdy treated cardboard.
American Ballet’s Rock Star Couple Learning Their Way Around New Zealand
Ethan Stiefel, the new artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and his wife, American Ballet Theater star Gillian Murphy, talk about easing into their new roles with the company – and into Wellington.
The Problem With Preserving Dead Artists’ Papers, Houses And Effects
“You don’t have room for most of your parents’ stuff, and nobody has room for most artists’ stuff. … Even when there’s an interest in preserving things, there’s not enough money and not enough space to save a steadily accumulating mountain of artists’ stuff.”
The Indie Diaghilev?
Beth Morrison “may be immortalized one day as a 21st-century Diaghilev, known for her ability to assemble memorable collaborations among artists. But unlike Sergei Diaghilev, renowned for his legendary Ballets Russes productions, her métier is experimental music-theater – ‘indie’ opera and multimedia concert works.”
Amazon.com Warehouse Workers Complain Of ‘Brutal’ Conditions
“Workers said they were forced to endure brutal heat inside the sprawling warehouse and were pushed to work at a pace many could not sustain. Employees were frequently reprimanded regarding their productivity and threatened with termination.”
Saving The Pipe Organs Churches No Longer Want
“Almost every church once had a pipe organ. But as mainstream churches merge, close, struggle to raise money, and use guitars, drums and ‘praise bands’ to draw younger worshipers, the pipe organ is waning as a fixture in many parishes. Some are showing up in landfills.” Enter the Organ Clearing House.
British Film Censors Under Fire For Not Stubbing Out Onscreen Smoking
“Tobacco researchers have attacked ‘incompetent’ film regulators and ‘insouciant’ politicians for failing to act upon evidence suggesting that teenagers are being lured into smoking by seeing it in movies.”
Roddy Doyle Listens In On Dublin’s Chatter
“Dublin is not a place. Dublin is a sound. Dublin is the sound of people talking. Dublin city is the sound of people who love talking, people who love words, who love taking words and playing with them, twisting and bending them, making short ones longer and the long ones shorter, people who love inventing words and giving fresh meaning to old ones.”
Royal Ballet Star Turns Into Cockroach
“One day Edward Watson awoke to find that he had been transformed into a giant insect. The Royal Ballet star is at the centre of a new dance version of The Metamorphosis, a commission for ROH2 that brings Kafka’s famous novella to life.”