What is remarkable about Horton Foote’s career is its longevity. “A playwright’s career is usually 10 to 15 good years, even Tennessee Williams. It’s a specific period of time, like opera singers. But Horton gets better and better.
Tag: 08.19.07
Yann Martel’s Book Club Of One
“Yann Martel, whose Life of Pi won the Man Booker prize, has come up with his own form of direct action: every second Monday, he sends a book to the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper. If the PM will not follow the arts, the arts must come to him – by post.”
Rowling Agent Denies Detective Story Claim
Reports that JK Rowling was at work on a detective novel were a joke. Rowling’s literary agent, Christopher Little, was keen to stress that the crime novel rumours were “unfounded”. “JK Rowling is taking a well-earned break following the English language publication of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and there are no firm plans as yet as to what her next book may be.”
Architects Tire Of Competitions
High-end architects are abandoning competitions. “Simply emerging as a finalist can bring prestige and business to a firm and unleash creative juices. But losing can also mean steep financial loss and profound disappointment after months of effort.”
West End Blames Olympics On Funding Downturn
London theatres say they are losing out on funding because of the Olympics. “There were plans to split the £250 million bill to renovate many West End venues between theatre owners and the government. However, it is no longer expected that Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund or the London Development Agency will be able to provide the anticipated £125 million cash injection towards the project until after the London 2012 Olympics, because of the strain the games are putting on public funding sources.”
Orchestras Climb Aboard The Technology Bus
“Next month, audience members from round the globe will be able to sit in a three-dimensional virtual version of Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, and watch and listen live as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra gives the opening concert of its new season.”
Spiring Supertall In Chicago
Santiago Calatrava’s “design for the twisting, 2,000-foot-tall Chicago Spire is rational inside and expressive outside, epitomizing the new aesthetic freedom made possible by the structural undergirding of the latest generation of supertall skyscrapers.”
Do We Need To Redefine Life?
“As scientists push the bounds of biology, astronomy and robotics, a big question looms: What exactly is life? That question is bubbling up from recent advances in lab work.”
Connecticut’s Complicated New Arts Funding
Connecticut’s state legislature approved a big increase in arts funding. “But not all of the $4 million headed to the commission is going to the arts; instead, it’s for ‘cultural, tourism and arts grants.’ Arts, schmarts, isn’t it all the same? Er … no.”
Pittsburgh Ballet – Off The Critical List
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is optimistically looking forward to this season. “PBT had been secretly spiraling out of control for some time, mired in financial problems, orchestral unrest and the specter of dwindling audiences. Last season, the company eliminated most of those in an almost miraculous recovery.”