EXCLUSIVE: CJ Yu, who was Head of Unscripted Development, Global Formats at Amazon Studios, has left the company.
11.11.2023 - 17:47 / metroweekly.com
Fat Ham, James Ijames relocates Shakespeare’s Hamlet from the kingdom of Denmark to a modern-day backyard in “North Carolina, or Virginia, or Maryland, or Tennessee.”The playwright infuses the tale with the culturally specific atmosphere of Black Americana — pork on the grill, brown liquor flowing, and Frankie Beverly singing “Before I Let Go” as a grown and sexy couple grooves to the music. But instead of a pondering prince, we have melancholy only-son Juicy (Marquis D.
Gibson) as our de facto host.The vibrant, emotionally rich production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy at Studio, directed by Taylor Reynolds, plunks the audience down in that backyard — which probably isn’t in Maryland, since nobody’s serving crab — for an up-close seat at a family BBQ filled with laughs, fun, fights, fabulous karaoke, and, obviously, Shakespearean levels of raging domestic dysfunction.Despite the genuine sense of love and fellowship at this gathering, a poison eats away at the heart of Juicy’s family — or rather, a poisonous mixture of the ills that ravage many families.Violence, betrayal, and generations of trauma are personified in Juicy’s uncle, Rev (Greg Alverez Reid), the fratricidal usurper of his brother’s house and beautiful wife, Tedra (Tanesha Gary).Rev is also bitterly demeaning towards his nephew — now stepson — Juicy, who is gay, and none too pleased to see his mother married to this creep. And that’s before Juicy is visited by the ghost of his dead dad, Pap (also Reid), sporting an angelic white suit with a ghostly glow, courtesy of costume designer Danielle Preston.Pap warns of “Some scary stuff happening,” then entreats Juicy to avenge his murder by slaughtering Rev like a hog.
EXCLUSIVE: CJ Yu, who was Head of Unscripted Development, Global Formats at Amazon Studios, has left the company.
A shock evacuation saw BBC Breakfast pulled off the air this morning.
Former Manchester United star Roy Keane is on a long list of candidates to replace Stephen Kenny in the Republic of Ireland job.
Cliff Richard has publicly criticised various people in the past, including Elvis.
There was some good news for Greater Manchester in the autumn statement today (November 22), but local leaders have warned that many people will still face a difficult winter. Jeremy Hunt announced changes to pensions, benefits and national insurance in his speech this afternoon, telling MPs the country has 'turned a corner' after a turbulent time which saw some 'difficult decisions' made.
Greater Manchester will get nearly £300m to fix potholes over 11 years with funds coming from the money saved by cancelling the northern leg of HS2. The city-region is set to receive £296m in total with an additional £8.9m available for this year and next year.
Alison Hammond had a sharp response to Sir Cliff Richard's comments about Elvis Presley's weight gain, when he joined the This Morning sofa to discuss his career in showbiz.The English singer confessed that he had turned down an opportunity to meet Elvis because he didn't want to be photographed next to the King of rock 'n' roll when he was overweight. "He'd put on a lot of weight," Cliff explained, before adding, "I thought, 'if I'm taking a photograph with him, and it's going to be hanging on my refrigerator, he's gotta look good." To which Alison retorted, "Should never have put it off just because they're a little bit heavier." Fans were quick to applaud the former Big Brother star for her handling of Cliff's comments, with many taking to X to share their support.
EXCLUSIVE: The Jackson Hole International Film Festival will debut December 8 to 10 in Jackson, WY, via a new partnership with the Hamptons International Film Festival.
A pair of David Beckham's football boots which were stitched in error are expected to fetch thousands at auction. The Manchester United icon wore the Adidas Predators for a crucial England game in 1997.The Three Lions took on Italy in Rome needing a point to qualify for the 1998 World Cup - and battled to a 0-0 draw.
The family of a dad who was killed in Oldham have paid tribute to a ‘loving and devoted family man’.
Theatres, churches, and warehouses feature on a new list of 18 heritage gems at risk in Greater Manchester. The old head office of a brewery and a 1930s hotel are also included.
The body of a teenager has been found by detectives at a murder scene just five days after the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy.
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a man who was found unconscious in the street. Police have arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the incident on Abbey Hills Road, in Oldham, yesterday evening (November 9).
Katie Price has revealed the shocking fate that befell her £45,000 wedding dress that she wore to wed ex-husband Peter Andre. Former glamour model Katie went all out in the extravagant dress, which was designed by Isabell Kristensen and featured thousands of Swarovski crystals on the bodice and full flowing skirt, as well as a staggering 14ft train.
England’s most popular National Parks attraction on TikTok has been revealed in new research - and it’s only a 90 minute drive from Greater Manchester. Chatsworth House in the Peak District has bagged the number one spot in a list of the top attractions, beating the likes of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and Ullswater in the Lake District.
Pet Shop Boys have today announced new 2024 UK dates for their critically acclaimed and sold-out tour, ‘Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live'. The UK's most successful music duo will be playing five new dates across the UK including a stop off at Manchester's Co-op Live on June 9 next year.
The Pretenders have announced a run of UK theatre shows for 2024 – find all the details below.The Chrissie Hynde-fronted band are due to hit the road next February in support of their 12th and most recent studio album, ‘Relentless’, which was released back in September.Kicking off in Gateshead, the forthcoming tour will also include performances in Edinburgh and Manchester, as well as a two-night billing at the historic London Palladium on February 28 and 29.The Pretenders are then set to play four more concerts in early March when they’ll visit Oxford, Bristol, Nottingham and Birmingham.Tickets go on general sale at 10am GMT this Friday (November 10) – you’ll be able to buy yours here. A pre-sale is scheduled for the same time on Thursday (9).
Junk food adverts could be banned on all buses and trams in Greater Manchester. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is reviewing its advertising policy which could result in restrictions on adverts featuring foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat.
Across Greater Manchester, parks and gardens are ablaze with rich autumn colours right now. It’s one of the things which makes this time of year so special as nature gives one last hurrah before winter kicks in.
Jeremy Allen White is stepping out for the day.