Pop Culture

If the last week in our entertainments has shown us anything, it’s that even the most ordered, traditional of ceremonies can be disrupted by an unkind explosion of id, with ramifications splashing like crocodile tears on even the most unexpected of our heroes. Take Me Out, Richard Greenberg’s 2002 play that charts the ramifications when

Britney Spears has announced she is writing a new tell-all memoir, saying the process has been “healing and therapeutic”. The pop star, who was freed from a controversial 13-year conservatorship arrangement in November 2020, says the experience has confronted her with memories of her early life, and experiences under the court order. It comes after

Additional casting for the upcoming Broadway premiere of KPOP, the new musical about the global K-pop phenomenon, was announced by producers today, with Julia Abueva, Will Brill, Major Curda, Joomin Hwang, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Bo Hyung Kim, Eddy Lee, Jully Lee, Min Young Lee, Timothy H. Lee, Abraham Lim, Kate

June Brown, the actress who played Dot Cotton in EastEnders, has died at the age of 95, the BBC has announced. She died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side. Image: Brown was awarded an MBE for services to Drama and Charity in 2008 An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “We

Paradise Square makes quite the reach. A musical about the build-up to New York’s horrific Draft Riots of 1863 reaches to the past to tell us about the present. It reaches across cultures to tell us about assimilation and appropriation. It reaches across styles of music and dance to celebrate diversity and commonality. It reaches

The Ukrainian president has urged musicians to “tell our story”, addressing the Grammy Awards in a video speech on a night that also saw Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins commemorated, and Silk Sonic, Jon Batiste and Olivia Rodrigo take home major awards. Introducing a special musical tribute to his people, Volodymyr Zelenskyy referenced the sounds

After winning an Oscar earlier this year, Jon Batiste now leads the nominations for the 2022 Grammy Awards – with Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R and Doja Cat also in the running for several prizes. Batiste’s nominations span several genres, including R&B, jazz, American roots music, classical and music video-film, and he is

More than £15,000 has been donated to a fundraiser set up by Kelsey Parker, widow of The Wanted star Tom Parker. Mrs Parker started the GoFundMe page on Saturday to “keep Tom’s memory alive forever”, saying that proceeds would go to “amazing causes in Tom’s name, to help others in need”. Parker was diagnosed with

The Wanted star Max George has hailed his late bandmate Tom Parker as a “lion” and praised his “courage and dignity” in the wake of his cancer diagnosis. The 33-year-old singer died on Wednesday surrounded by his family and bandmates, 17 months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George has paid tribute for

Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after he slapped Chris Rock during last Sunday’s Oscars ceremony. In a statement, Smith said: “I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th

Broadway will maintain its mask and vaccine requirements through April 30, the Broadway League announced today. The organization, which represents the owners and operators of the 41 Broadway venues, will meet again on April 15 to determine whether to continue Broadway’s Covid protocols after April 30. The April 30 date coincides with the end of the

The man in charge of the Oscars ceremony says he thought the moment Will Smith slapped Chris Rock was a comedy set-up and didn’t realise a blow had actually been thrown until after the comedian left the stage. Speaking publicly for the first time since the event, producer Will Packer told Good Morning America: “I

Police officers were ready to arrest actor Will Smith at the Academy Awards after he slapped presenter Chris Rock, the ceremony’s producer has said. Will Packer told ABC’s Good Morning America: “They were saying, you know, this is battery, was a word they used in that moment. “They said: ‘We will go get him, we

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have shown support for actor Bruce Willis after his decision to retire due to a condition that causes difficulties with language or speech. The Pulp Fiction star, 67, was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition which has affected his cognitive abilities and is retiring from acting, his daughter said. Breaking Bad’s

Chris Rock has broken his silence over being slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars after receiving several standing ovations from a Boston audience upon returning to the stage for the first time since the incident. “How was your weekend?” the US comedian asked a sold-out crowd at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre on Wednesday night, drawing

Hillary Rodham Clinton to tackle Sondheim? Well, in a way. The former First Lady will voice an off-stage role for an upcoming Arkansas Repertory Theatre production of the musical Into The Woods. No singing required. Clinton will voice the role of The Giant in the fairy tale retelling, a small, off-stage speaking role that’s traditionally

The Wanted’s Tom Parker – who had an aggressive brain tumour – has died surrounded by his family and bandmates. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side,” wife Kelsey Parker said on Instagram. “Our hearts are broken, Tom

KPOP, a new musical about the global K-pop phenomenon starring Korea’s recording superstar Luna, will arrive on Broadway this fall, producers announced today. The musical will begin previews on Thursday, October 13, at Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre, with an opening night on Sunday, November 20, producers Tim Forbes and Joey Parnes said today. Luna

It’s A Sin has swept the BAFTA TV Awards with 11 nominations, including best miniseries, leading actor and leading actress. True crime black comedy-drama Landscapers, which was co-produced by Sky and starred Olivia Colman and David Thewlis, was close behind with seven nominations. Set in London from 1981 to 1991, It’s A Sin follows the

Samuel L. Jackson will return to Broadway next season after a 10-year absence with a revival of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama The Piano Lesson, to be directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson in her Broadway directorial debut. Co-starring John David Washington and Danielle Brooks, The Piano Lesson will begin performances on Monday, September 19, at