Shortlisted from a total of 187 short films, An Avacado Pit (Um Caroço de Abacate) has made its mark, as it currently awaits the results of the final nominee list, to be announced on Tuesday 23rd January. One of 14 nominees currently in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category, the film places the experience of a trans woman and cis man’s meeting at the fore – a lighthearted encounter free of violence and filled instead with hope and light. Marking trans writer and director Ary Zara’s debut short film, accolades garnered for the project have included wins at Clermont Ferrand, Indie Lisboa, AFI Fest, Brest European SFF and Regard. Ahead of the final nominee announcement, Ary tells us more about what it means to have been recognised by the Academy, exploring the protagonist’s connection further and what he’d like for viewers to take away from watching the film!
A recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting, and currently represented by BBA Management, musical theatre performer Tobias Turley has had a very promising start to his career – starring in Heathers the Musical as Kurt at The Other Palace Theatre and Strictly Come Dancing professional, Giovanni Pernice’s This is Me as lead male vocalist. Currently seen on ITV’s search to find the next Sky Ramand – the lead protagonist in ABBA’s smash his musical Mamma Mia! Tobias currently prepares for the final of I Have a Dream, to air on Sunday 9th December! He tells us more about his experience of the overall audition process.
Classic hit ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ is an instantly recognisable pop/synth track transporting all back to the 80s, an energetic, iconic number that instantly gets you moving from The Communards, spent weeks at the no. 1 spot on the UK charts – a testament to the song’s popularity which is still enjoyed to this day. With co-vocals by soul/jazz vocalist Sarah Jane Morris, the band’s unique sound would go on to define the pop sound of the day. Renowned for her tenor/baritone range, Sarah Jane has paved a varied path throughout her career since, fronting bands The Republic and The Happy End and passing on her musical knowledge to future generations. Her latest project The Sisterhood a live choral performance narrating the lives of 10 iconic females musician including Nina Simone and Kate Bush. Set to play at Cadogan Hall on 6th October, Sarah Jane tells us more about her inspirations for creating the show, working with renowned guitarist Tony Remy to produce the show and how her extensive career has shaped her as an artist.
Currently seen on the BBC’s DNA Family Secrets, Professor Turi King has played a significant role in the fields of forensics, history, genealogy and archaeology – her contribution to the identification of King Richard III a vital finding that has gone onto showcase the power of forensics, tying us ever closer to our personal lineages. Set to tour the UK with her latest live show Family History with DNA Detective Professor Turi King, Turi looks to delve deeper into her impressive decades long career, imparting the knowledge she’s gathered amongst the years. Ahead of the tour, which starts on 23rd September at the 1532 Performing Arts Centre – Turi tells us more about what to expect.
Five seasons down, and the BBC’s hit reality make up show Glow Up: Britain’s Next Top Make Up Artist makes the transition from our screens to the stage – head judges Val Garland – a renowned make up artist celebrating 30 years of working on various fashion campaigns including Alexander McQueen and Dominic Skinner – Mac Cosmetics’ current Global Senior Artist fronting Glow Up Live, to take over the London Palladium on the 15th and 16th October. Ahead of the live event, which will see eight contestants from the show’s previous seasons return to battle it out to be crowned winner live on stage, Val and Dominic tell us more about why it’s important to have a show such as this promoting the off stage skill of make up artistry!
In our technological age, web 1, 2 and 3 (metaverses) dominate, our lives now lived online in parallel to our material realities. Making its debut in the UK, after a sold out run out in San Francisco, Fray – is a tale of two brothers, Tulio and Ziya as they navigate competing passions of Hip Hop dancing and for the shared world of adventure they discover inside of video games. Their bond frays over time and the older brother is lured away by dark forces. Set to take Wilton’s Town Hall by storm for 3 nights only, Candybomber Productions fuse dance, music, and digital visuals to engage us with this story. Choreographed by Sisco Martinez, who notably rose to prominence dancing for the likes of Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Paula Abdul and Kylie Minogue amongst others, we learn more about his vision for the show and what we can expect!
With no prior motorsport experience, now celebrated racing driver Jann Mardenborough received a once in a life time opportunity to hone in on his Gran Turismo no-how and gain the skills needed to pursue a successful racing career. Scoring a place on the coveted GT Academy/Nissan PlayStation GT Academy in 2011, and beating 90,000 other entrants to go on to win the competition, the tv show propelled Mardenborough into a fast paced world, resulting in him participating in the Dubai 24 Hour Race courtesy of Nissan. Since then, going from strength to strength having competed in various competitions since 2012 including British GT Championship, Blancpain Endurance Series, Toyota Racing Series, FIA European Formula Three Championship, 2014 GP3 Series, Super Formula Series and Super GT – where he scored a podium position in 2017. Dramatising the racing star’s inspirational story, Sony Pictures present summer blockbuster Gran Turismo this August at participating cinemas. Starring as one of the film’s mechanics, and with a cast including Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet and David Harbour – ex-Hollyoaks star Richard Cambridge tells us more about his role as Felix, learning the skills needed to play a convincing mechanic and the arts led businesses he co-owns!
Premiering his show last year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, writer and performer Rinkoo Barpaga would go onto receive critical acclaim, Made in I̶n̶d̶i̶a̶ Britain a story inspired by his own intersectional experience of being of South Asian descent, growing up in the UK in the 70s and 80s, and learning to adapt to an external world not really equipped to support his hearing impairment. Currently on tour nationally, the show’s next stops are the Soho Theatre (London) on the 27th to 30th June, Norwich Theatre (Norwich) on 1st October, Brixton House (London) on 4th to 6th October Key Theatre (Peterborough) on 7th October and concludes at the Belgrade Theatre (Coventry) on 9th to 11th October. Ahead of his Soho run, Rinkoo tells us more about what to expect!