-
Rattle’s recording brings clarity to Janáček’s witty comic opera
This is a review of a new live recording of Leoš Janáček’s opera The Excursions of Mr Brouček, performed by tenor Peter Hoare, the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Simon Rattle on the LSO Live label. The reviewer finds the recording exceptional, praising Rattle’s ability to bring clarity and vitality to a comic opera that…
-
‘I have an obsession with barber shops’: kd lang on her prairies upbringing, Patsy Cline and being shaved by Cindy Crawford
In a reader Q&A for the Guardian, Canadian singer-songwriter kd lang reflects on her upbringing on the Canadian prairies, her creative process, and career highlights including her Case/Lang/Veirs collaboration with Neko Case and Laura Veirs. She discusses how the minimalist landscape of Alberta shaped her artistic sensibility, her emotionally immersive approach to performing lyrics, and…
-
Sophie Okonedo captivates in Donmar’s sharp examination of love and marriage
Sophie Okonedo stars in a new Donmar Warehouse production of Brian Friel’s version of Turgenev’s A Month in the Country, directed by Lyndsey Turner. The Guardian’s review praises the production for its delicate balance of comedy and quiet tragedy, portraying it as an accomplished and universal study of unfulfilled love and marital discontent that anticipates…
-
SwitchBot’s retrofit door lock offers 19 ways to unlock it
SwitchBot has unveiled a new retrofit smart lock at IFA aimed at the European market, offering homeowners up to 19 different ways to unlock their doors without a traditional key. The launch matters because it expands SwitchBot’s push into smart home security, targeting broad compatibility with existing European door hardware rather than requiring a full…
-
SCAD AnimationFest 2026 Lineup Revealed: Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch, ‘Forgotten Island’ Premiere and ‘The Proud Family’ Tribute
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has revealed the lineup for the 10th edition of SCAD AnimationFest, running 23–25 September at SCAD Atlanta’s SCADshow theatre. The programme will feature three days of premieres, sneak previews and industry panels, marking a milestone year with two new additions: SCAD’s first Animated Shorts Competition and the…
-
Dolly Parton’s Walk of Fame Star Restored With Special Friday Unveiling Planned
Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star has been fully repaired and repolished following an act of vandalism, with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce confirming the restoration work is now complete. The Chamber’s spokesperson, Ana Martinez, said the repair was carried out by the Hollywood Historic Trust, which combined the vandalism fix with previously scheduled…
-
Gloria Steinem, who shaped women’s equality, dies at 92
Gloria Steinem, the pioneering American feminist campaigner, journalist and activist, has died at her home in New York City at the age of 92, prompting tributes from leading figures across politics, entertainment and wider society. Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state and first lady, led the praise, calling Steinem “one of the architects…