Elizabeth Wurtzel on her cancer and lack of fear thereof:
"I have breast cancer as a result of the BRCA gene, so it was preventable. All Ashkenazi Jewish women should get tested for the BRCA mutation, we now know, because half the time there is no way to know that you have the gene, and one in forty Ashkenazi Jews carries it. At one time it bothered me that I have a disease I could have avoided through prophylactic mastectomy. I don’t feel that way anymore. I like the person I am with cancer and because of cancer. Yes, that thing happened. I evolved." [The Guardian]
Eleven female directors reveal the sexism they've experienced in the film industry, experienced professionals treated with less respect than newbie males:
"On my first assignment when I went by to meet the executive producer, he came out to the lobby, his hand outstretched to greet me. Then he stopped in his tracks, withdrew his hand, and said, “You’re a woman!” Guess the name “Marty” caught him off guard. He never did shake my hand. The next day, I was off the show and a guy was reassigned. Years later, I was having meetings regarding directing, and was often told by producers, “We had a woman director last season, and it didn’t work out too well.” I never asked if any of the men “didn’t work out.”" [The Wrap]
"On my first assignment when I went by to meet the executive producer, he came out to the lobby, his hand outstretched to greet me. Then he stopped in his tracks, withdrew his hand, and said, “You’re a woman!” Guess the name “Marty” caught him off guard. He never did shake my hand. The next day, I was off the show and a guy was reassigned. Years later, I was having meetings regarding directing, and was often told by producers, “We had a woman director last season, and it didn’t work out too well.” I never asked if any of the men “didn’t work out.”" [The Wrap]
Patrick Stewart writes about auditioning for the late John Barton, co-founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company:
"On a cold, wet November evening in 1965, I plodded nervously across the Bancroft Gardens in Stratford-upon-Avon. I had at last been accepted to audition for the Royal Shakespeare Company, although a Sunday evening would not have been my occasion of choice. I was in rep at the Bristol Old Vic company and Sunday was my only day off. I would have preferred the afternoon, but what the hell – they were seeing me and I had waited four years for this day to arrive." [The Guardian]
"On a cold, wet November evening in 1965, I plodded nervously across the Bancroft Gardens in Stratford-upon-Avon. I had at last been accepted to audition for the Royal Shakespeare Company, although a Sunday evening would not have been my occasion of choice. I was in rep at the Bristol Old Vic company and Sunday was my only day off. I would have preferred the afternoon, but what the hell – they were seeing me and I had waited four years for this day to arrive." [The Guardian]
The BBC's new arts slate includes actual Shakespeare productions shot in a theatre setting:
"The trilogy comprised of Julius Caesar (first seen at the Donmar in 2012), Henry IV ( 2014) and a new production of The Tempest. All three plays were first performed together in a new purpose-built theatre behind King's Cross station in 2016. [...] Julius Caesar will air on BBC4 in 2018, with Henry IV and The Tempest available to watch on the iPlayer." [What's On Stage]
"The trilogy comprised of Julius Caesar (first seen at the Donmar in 2012), Henry IV ( 2014) and a new production of The Tempest. All three plays were first performed together in a new purpose-built theatre behind King's Cross station in 2016. [...] Julius Caesar will air on BBC4 in 2018, with Henry IV and The Tempest available to watch on the iPlayer." [What's On Stage]
Romola on Measure for Measure.
TV Shakespeare Unlocked was a documentary series which ran on the BBC during the season of Stratfordian mayhem in 2012. A later series was broadcast on Sky Arts and now a third run has been announced with the remarkable news that future Doctor Who Romola Garai will be presenting an episode about Measure for Measure (in which she played Isabella at the Young Vic in 2015):
"In addition to Hunt, Season 3 hosts and the plays they explore include F. Murray Abraham (The Merchant of Venice); Brian Cox (Julius Caesar); Simon Russell Beale (The Winter's Tale); and Romola Garai (Measure for Measure). A host has yet to be announced for an episode about Richard III."The USA Today version of the story chooses to focus on Helen Hunt and Much Ado. It is a very good line up.
Months and months.
About After the films and seasons, this year's title bars on this blog will be months. So firstly it's ...


January Jones
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)