SINGAPORE — Ian McKellen says playing the title character in William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” is more nerve-racking than his recent Hollywood film roles. Singapore is the first stop on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s international tour of “King Lear” and “The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov. ” ‘King Lear,’ I’ve been seeing all my life. I mean, the great actors of my lifetime … to join their company, as it were, by playing a part that’s challenged them, is one of the great joys of being an actor who does the classics,” the 68-year-old actor said Wednesday at a briefing. “Without doubt, Lear is the one I got most nervous about.” [More]
Day: July 21, 2007
Two years ago, director David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen had a huge triumph with the world premiere of A History of Violence at the Toronto International Film Festival. And when they stroll down the red carpet at Roy Thomson Hall before dusk on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the 2007 festival, you could be pardoned for having a flash of déjà vu. Yes, it’s another Toronto International Film Festival; another world premiere; another night at Roy Thomson Hall; and, once again, the Star has learned, Cronenberg will occupy what some regard as the most desirable slot in the festival: the early gala on the first Saturday. [More]
From the folks at Weta Limited: Howdy folks! Here’s a run down of what’s been happening at Weta HQ this month – we’ve been busy little Weta’s! [More]
In this issue:
Doctor Who range announced!
ManMelter Pre-Ordering Open!
Weta’s Halo3 work revealed
Weta Comic Convention line up revealed
Eight year old wins Weta art tutorial
Weta Influences Graffiti artist
more..
The owners of a Hobbit-style wood and earth home threatened with demolition for years failed in another bid to save it yesterday. The ecologically friendly, solar-powered Round House at Brithdir Mawr near Newport, Pembrokeshire, has been the subject of legal wrangling since it was built without planning permission 10 years ago for £3,000. Pembrokeshire Council had taken court action to secure its removal but this was halted so that its retention could be re-examined against the framework of a recently adopted low impact development policy. [More]
SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – As Gandalf and Magneto, he’s faced off fire-breathing monsters and superheroes, but actor Ian McKellen says he picks his battles when it comes to celebrity causes. The Oscar-nominated thespian stepped into a brewing debate in Singapore about decriminalising homosexual acts just hours after arriving in the city state this week as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s touring production of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull”. McKellen, 68, was quoted in Singapore’s pro-government media urging the state to repeal its laws that make sexual acts between men a crime. [More]
LORD of the Rings star Billy Boyd will play in the Capital with his band Beecake as part of Saturday’s Cut the Carbon rally. The actor will join celebrities who are backing the event, designed to highlight the effect of climate change on some of the world’s poorest countries. Harry Potter actress Katie Leung will also be at the rally, which will take place in the Meadows. [More]