Naipaul ‘Losing His Grip’ Says Former Publisher

Diana Athill, who edited 18 of Naipaul’s books while at publisher Andre Deutsch and who is now a bestselling author herself, said of his remarks on female writers, “He always tended toward irritability, and it seems he is losing his grip. It is ridiculous. Taking myself out of it, you only have to think of authors like George Eliot, or Jane Austen – you cannot take it seriously.”

How Much Smaller Will New York City Opera’s Next Budget Be? (About Half)

“According to a source near the company, current plans are to slash the budget by half, spending only about $11 million on the season, of which approximately $1.5 million (it is hoped) will be covered by ticket sales. The remaining $10 million or so of costs are to be made up through ‘unearned income,’ including donations to the company.”

Modern-Dress School For Scandal: Critic Answers Back To Deborah Warner’s Defense

Michael Billington: “But, surely, a lot depends on the nature of the play and how you pitch it. … [Sheridan] was writing a social comedy rooted in 18th-century manners and delighting in verbal precision. To place it, as Warner does, in a world that’s part 18th century and part punk fashion and hard rock is simply to sow confusion.”

LAVA, Brooklyn’s Friendly Neighborhood Acrobatic-Dance-Theater Company

“Now in its 11th year, LAVA has survived as an outsider in the dance world – and through a recession – by cultivating a loyal following from its Brooklyn headquarters, where it operates a school for acrobatics … presents a seasonal, free open-performance event … and rehearses for shows across the city and, increasingly, around the world.”