“As a crime writer, surprise is PD James’s forte. Her ability to keep readers guessing has not failed her in half a century. And it is characteristic that, towards the end of her writing life, she should elect to spring a new surprise on us.”
Author: ArtsJournal2
Forget Those Last-Minute Front-Row Pensioner Seats, Says National Theatre
“Front row seats in the Olivier at the National Theatre are no longer available to buy on the day of a performance, a move that one patron has described as ‘desperately sad.'” What’s the big deal? Retired and elderly people travel from out of town to queue up for hours for those seats.
Writer Flees China In Order To Publish Book About Another Dissident Writer
Chinese dissident writer Yu Jie, who fled with his family for the U.S. earlier this year, has a new book out about the imprisoned writer Lu Xiaobo – a man he thinks is far more important to China’s future than artist Ai Weiwei.
Richard Zanuck, 77, Producer of Jaws
“Film producer Richard Zanuck, who won the best picture Oscar for Driving Miss Daisy and was involved in such blockbuster films as Jaws and The Sting after his father, Hollywood mogul Darryl F. Zanuck, fired him from 20th Century Fox, died Friday.”
Henry Moore Sculpture Stolen – Possibly For Scrap Metal Price
“A £500,000 bronze sculpture by Henry Moore has been stolen from the grounds of his former home. Sundial 1965 was taken late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday from the garden at the Henry Moore Foundation.”
If You Win An Arts Award In Canada, No One Cares. Why?
“Is our national modesty to blame? Are we quietly patting ourselves on the backs at insular parties when we could be adding more heft to our accolades? Is there, in fact, a way to build a better awards system?”
Can Political Theatre Ever Be Good?
Maybe – if we let go of the idea of what makes a play.
Why Is My Internet Down Again? Blame The Squirrels (Really)
“Squirrels are little chewing machines, and they love to chew right through whatever is in their way, even if it’s a critical fiber-optic cable or (bad news for the squirrel) a live power line.”
Modern Life Is Boring, And Novels? Pretty Much Dead
Novels are over – we can learn everything about other people from magazines and therapy, says novelist Fay Weldon, though she just published the first book (complete with “If you liked Downton Abbey, you’ll love this” sticker) in a planned historical novel trilogy.
The Neverending Band Camp (Well, Orchestra Camp)
“The [Baltimore Symphony Orchestra] academy was a kind of fantasy camp, better known to rock and baseball fans. But unlike air-guitarists or flabby softball players, we faced a high level of intensity from the start. The music was difficult, even for the pros many of us hoped to keep up with. Virtually all of us were there to improve our technique and musicality, not merely soak up star power.”