Latest news with #BAFTA
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
I am on 'the fat jab' and I don't care who knows it, says Karen Dunbar
Portobello Town Hall Gayle Anderson Three stars Portobello seemed a fitting place to catch the current Karen Dunbar tour. It's said that the 99 cone was invented just across the road from this venue. The perfect place then for Chewin' the Fat's ice cream van lady to serve up her patter with extra sauce. The epic 80 date tour began in May and ends in November. It's taking the scenic route through Scotland with dates everywhere from the Isle of Skye to Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Karen shadow boxes her way onto the stage to the Theme from Rocky. Physical humour is still her forte and gets the biggest laughs of the night. Doing the Slosh, drunkenly devouring the entire family Sunday roast, bringing Mrs Munro, Chewin' the Fat's nervous biology teacher, back to life – Karen's face isn't just mobile, it's peripatetic. There's honesty throughout this show. One of her best jokes, she admits, was stolen from Lily Savage aka Paul O'Grady. What you see is what you get. And what you see is a little less. Karen also confesses that she's been taking 'the fat jab.' Her description of which is so funny there's a real temptation to follow her example and just nick it. Read more A few bodily function gags turn full bawdily function before we hear about Roberta, the new woman in Karen's life. That's the name she's given the BAFTA she recently received for best supporting actress in a video game. Comedian, writer, actor and DJ – this former YTS worker is a proper Renaissance woman and she's rightly proud of it. A heckler at this point is hit with one of the funniest put-downs I've heard in a long time. Karen's stories – much like this current tour – often go off on wild rambles. Lots of side roads are taken. You're never quite sure where she's going to end up. At times, she seems genuinely surprised herself. Hogmanay parties, community spirit, methods of shopping – things ain't what they used to be and Karen's mining that nostalgia seam for all she's worth. The final part of the show focuses on her TV work. The love and warmth still felt for the characters Karen portrayed is evident as she leads the audience in a rousing game of polish off the punchline. Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your catchphrase – now that's how to work a room.
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bob Geldof tells why, 40 years on, Live Aid, wouldn't work today
As Live Aid celebrates its 40th anniversary, Sir Bob Geldof has told how it wouldn't work as a fund-raiser today because rock'n'roll no longer has the currency it did in the 1980s. And the Boomtown Rats star, who was knighted for his 1985 effort to raise money for starving victims of the Ethiopian famine, also claimed there was 'no such thing' as white saviour complex, and dismissed criticism that the event, which raised £350m in today's money, should have had more black British artists performing. 'Rock'n'roll was so powerful it was beyond language,' he explained. 'When Little Richard said 'a wop bop a loo bop, a wop bam boo' we all knew what he meant and by 1985 the entire world used the common language of rock 'n' roll. 'It won't happen again because this sort of thing isn't romantic any more, it's not a thing,' he said. 'Rock'n'roll is the most powerful art there has ever been - but it has ceased to be the spine of our culture, it was of the moment and could transmit an idea to the game-changing part of the population, but I'm not sure that exists now. 'The Six O'Clock News was a communal event - the news now is broken up, the algorithm is an echo-chamber of your own prejudices. It's sh*t and its dangerous but it can be used brilliantly.' Speaking after a BAFTA screening of a new BBC documentary to celebrate Live Aid's milestone anniversary, Sir Bob said it was up to others now to come up with new 'mad and fun' ideas, but added: 'Taylor Swift is a phenomenon. You could do one just with the women. That would be very effective.' Sir Bob, 73, said that complaints about 'white saviour complex' infuriated him, claiming it was a 'cultural artefact' that didn't exist. 'There isn't such a thing,' he told BBC journalist Maryam Moshiri, who interviewed him at the event. 'You can f*** off! It's nonsense. To pay lip service to this tripe is belittling. 'It was about 32 million people dying, live on TV, in a world of surplus food. Millions of people are alive today because us lot watched a f***ing pop concert. That's nuts. It's disgraceful.' He said that critics, including a journalist from The Voice who appears in the three-part series, were wrong to say there should have been more black British artists involved. 'It wasn't about black representation, it was about getting the artists who sold the most records so we could raise the most money,' he insisted. 'It was about stopping people from dying. 'That man from The Voice - name the band we should have had? Imagination and Aswad? They weren't huge. They sold 80,000 records, so do I take them, or the ones that sold 20million? These bands were not big enough.' Sir Bob also revealed that watching Michael Buerk's famous BBC news report, shot by cameraman Mohamed Amin, still makes him emotional. 'If I see that footage again, it makes me cry - it still bothers me a lot. It's won endless awards - it goes to, particularly in this day and age, reporting the truth, showing it how it is. "I remember Michael's report verbatim simply because the words were so well chosen. And Mo Amin's pitiless, cyclops eye. You could tell Michael's rage. He was being the objective reporter but his shame at what he was having to show us, that's why the entire country reacted as I did.' The I Don't Like Mondays singer said that plenty of people needed that sort of help today, but there was now embarrassment around the words aid and charity. 'I'm not embarrassed in the least by the word 'charity', but we can't say it any more, we have to put into inverted commas now.' He said it was hard 'not to see hurt, not to know, right now, 2.5million children in Sudan are not getting the American food that they were getting in February - and not react.' Blaming US policy, he branded Elon Musk, President Trump and Vice President Vance a 'confederacy of dunces' for freezing all the country's humanitarian aid, with Musk describing it as putting USAid 'In the wood chipper' at the start of the year. Dad-of-four Bob said:'Seriously? The strongest nation on earth, the most powerful man on the planet and the richest individual on the planet cackle over feeding aid to the weakest, most vulnerable people in the world into the wood chipper. There is something seriously f***ed about that.' He said that reports from reputable sources claim that a minimum of 300,000 people had died as a direct result of that policy. 'And I would argue that it's conceivably ten times that. In the UK, we need to re-arm right now and so does the rest of Europe. We're being invaded by a thug and he needs to be stopped.' With the wars in Ukraine and Palestine also ongoing, Bob feels that people didn't now have the 'emotional bandwidth' to cope with all the devastation in the world. 'It's just too easy to go 'f*** you'. If we can use this anniversary then perhaps there's a glimmer, a slight chance, that we can put back the argument that it is really not in our interest to abandon the marginalised.' He said he found it hard to watch the BBC documentary, quipping: 'I hate the stupid f***ing things I say, I hate looking at myself' and he also moaning that he wasn't keen on all the music choices the programme-makers had made, which included Status Quo, U2, Phil Collins, Paul McCartney and Queen. 'If you had Pete Townshend talking about The Who, I'd have had The Who on,' he said. 'And I would have had Bob Dylan's disastrous performance.'
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Exquisite' series that fans dub 'best they've ever watched' to hit Disney Plus
The series has been a hit with fans since it was released, with some calling it the best show they have ever watched A critically acclaimed series hailed by fans as the "best they've ever watched" is set to arrive on Disney Plus. Based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel, Normal People is a poignant portrayal of a complex relationship between two Irish teenagers navigating adulthood. The show, starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, tells the story of Marianne, a school outcast, and Connell, a popular student, as their relationship deepens and becomes increasingly complicated. Although currently available on Hulu, Normal People will soon be accessible to UK viewers on Disney Plus, starting in July. According to Hulu's synopsis, "Normal People is an exquisite, modern love story about how one person can unexpectedly change another person's life and about how complicated intimacy can be. "It follows Marianne and Connell over several years-both from a small west of Ireland town, but from very different backgrounds-as they embark on an on-again/off-again romance that starts at school and continues through college, testing their relationship as they explore different versions of themselves." Since its release in 2020, the show has continued to garner rave reviews. A fan on Google reviews praised the show, saying: "Wondrous, magical, messy, complicated and oh so relatable 'Normal People' is one show that revels in nuance and subtlety - capturing each moment in all its raw emotive glory." Another added: "This TV show is exquisite in all its aspects: from the shots to the actors and of course the story." A third commented: "This is one of the best series I have ever watched. It is messy, cute, sometimes awkward, and uncomfortable and that's what makes it feel all 'normal'." On Reddit, one fan said it was the "most devastating romance", adding: "I have rarely been invested in anything as much as I was invested in the relationship of the two main characters probably the best pair of star crossed lovers I have ever seen." One person responded: "That one stayed with me for a long time. It's incredibly real, in the production as well as the writing, which makes it exceptionally absorbing. I related a lot, too." But not everyone agrees as one person said: "The acting is rest is so miserable it's hard to comprehend." Another penned: "Call me boring or whatsoever but I don't understand the whole point of this show." Amidst significant praise since its debut, including a BAFTA, rumours of a sequel circulate amongst fans, which has not officially been confirmed.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow university to honour six individuals with doctorates
During the summer graduation ceremonies at Glasgow Caledonian University, from July 1 to July 3, at the Royal Concert Hall, the individuals will receive honorary doctorates. This year's roster includes prominent names from an array of fields. Rachel Corsie (Image: Supplied) Rachel Corsie, famed for her illustrious football career and for earning 155 caps since her debut in 2009, will be recognised for her contributions to Scottish sport. More than just a sportswoman, Ms Corsie has recently demonstrated her dedication as a broadcaster focusing on women's sport, inspiring budding professionals and young followers. Read more: Brain-eating parasite found in salad bags as food poisoning cases rise Complaint over Reform councillor's speaking record since defection One of the world's most prominent forensic anthropologists, Professor Lady Sue Black, also known as Baroness Black of Strome, is celebrated for her contributions to forensic anthropology. Her efforts have been central in identifying victims of war crimes and disasters, and she is recognised for her charitable endeavours. Jon McKellan is a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world. As the founder of Glasgow-based No Code Studio, his unique approach to gaming has won him four BAFTA awards. His company employs graduates, supporting the university's Global Game Jam and shaping its highly-rated games degree programmes. Glasgow Caledonian alumna, Maggie Smart, will also be receiving an honorary doctorate. Ms Smart's entrepreneurial pursuits and more than 25 years in the fashion business have provided support to a multitude of projects, ranging from mentoring schemes to building global fashion enterprises. Having started as a young insurance professional, Mike Hammond's career now sees him as the non-executive director at Willis Towers Watson. Mr Hammond has shaped the insurance industry globally while actively supporting various charities. Nick Hartshorne-Evans, who established the only patient-led heart failure charity in the UK, will also be honoured. Awarded the British Empire Medal this year, Mr Hartshorne-Evans has been a vital asset in supporting the university's health programmes and helping hundreds of thousands of patients across the UK.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Wackadoo! Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad Are coming to South Africa this winter holiday
Wackadoo! Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are coming to South Africa in the 2025 winter school holidays! For the first time ever, the hit theatre production Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show makes its African debut at Artscape, Cape Town on Thursday, 26 June, running until Sunday, 06 July 2025. The show then moves to The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg from Wednesday, 09 July to Sunday, 20 July. Tickets are on sale now at and Bluey's Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy® Award-winning animated children's television series produced by Ludo Studio. Now families in South Africa can experience the joy of seeing Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in their first ever theatre show, featuring brilliantly created puppets, iconic sets, live actors and all-new music – it's Bluey like you've never seen it before, in real life and on stage. Read more: Support your local theatre The popularity of Bluey's Big Play knows no bounds, touring internationally across Australia, UK and Ireland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and North America. Kiddo Adventures gives Bluey's Big Play five stars while claiming it's 'A magical theatrical experience for fans of all ages' while Time Out says, 'This live adventure for fanatically beloved Australian hound Bluey is as authentic as it comes'. The Guardian best sums up the show by saying 'Puppy puppets' sweet show sets tails wagging'. Bluey's Big Play follows Bluey and her family through a full day from sunrise through to bedtime. When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey's Big Play is an original story from creator Joe Brumm, with bespoke music from Bluey composer Joff Bush. The audio track for Bluey's Big Play is prerecorded and features original voices from the TV sensation, including the instantly recognisable voices of Dave McCormack and Melanie Zanetti as Dad and Mum. While the larger-than-life puppets are commanded by Bluey's Big Play's talented puppeteers, who bring Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad to life on stage. Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co and local live entertainment and show promoter, Showtime Management. Kate O'Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing BBC Studios ANZ, says: 'Following the incredible reaction to the live theatre show in North America, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and Australia, we are so excited to bring Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show to fans in South Africa.' 'Bluey's Big Play has performed to a global audience including sell out seasons across Australia, USA and UK. The response has been extraordinary. We are so excited to now bring Bluey's Big Play to South African audiences this winter school holidays,' says Andrew Kay, Producer of Bluey's Big Play. 'We're thrilled to be bringing Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show to South Africa,' said Tony Feldman of Showtime Management who added: 'The response to the show from fans across Australia, North America and Europe has been nothing short of amazing and we can't wait for families in South Africa to experience all the fun and excitement of having Bluey and her family live on stage.' The stage show has enjoyed much success around the world, especially in Australia, where it premiered in Bluey's hometown Brisbane and went on to perform over 500 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House. Bluey's Big Play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Show in 2024. Since bursting on to TV screens in Australia in 2018, Bluey has enjoyed a plethora of critical success at home and abroad, winning a 2022 BAFTA Children & Young People Award in the International category, a 2024 Kidscreen Award for Best Animated Series and picking up its consecutive fifth AACTA Best Children's Programme award to add to an International Emmy and numerous awards for craft and production around the world. According to Nielsen, Bluey is 2024's most-watched series globally on Disney+, and the year's No. 1 most-watched series on streaming to date through November among total viewers in the U.S., with more than 50.5 billion minutes watched[1]. In Australia, the show goes out on ABC where it is #1 kids show, and it is also rated #1 kids show on CBeebies and Disney+ in the UK[2]. In South Africa, Bluey is ranked #1 on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and CBeebies[3]. Tickets for Bluey's Big Play are available now and can be purchased at or the official, exclusive ticketing agent. Tickets purchased via any other platform will not be honoured. Each attendee irrespective of age must hold a valid ticket in any price category to Bluey's Big Play. A strictly limited number of Meet & Greet Packages are available for each show. The Meet & Greet includes a lanyard and the unique opportunity to meet Bluey after the show. Children are not allowed access without a VIP paid adult. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
