One Love Manchester - The benefit concert held in the wake of the Manchester attack turned into a night of unity, healing and joy for 50,000 music fans. The all-star show was held to remember the victims of the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May. Despite the circumstances, a celebratory atmosphere prevailed as Grande herself returned to the stage. She told the crowd: "I want to thank you for coming together and being so loving and strong and unified."
Visibly moved at times, the 23-year-old US singer performed with Miley Cyrus and the Black Eyed Peas, while other highlights were provided by Katy Perry, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Liam Gallagher and Justin Bieber. The concert at Old Trafford cricket ground was watched by an average of 10.9m viewers, peaking at 14.5m as the gig drew to a close.
River Stage Postponed - The National Theatre has postponed the launch of its summer River Stage following the terrorist attack on Saturday night that killed seven people.The line-up for the outdoor festival of free theatre, music and dance was due to be announced on June 5 but will be rescheduled.
Cultural organisations on London’s Southbank – including the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Menier Chocolate Factory, the Young Vic and the Old Vic – issued a joint statement stating their intention to continue with programmes as planned “as far as we are able”. The statement said: “We have all been shocked and saddened by the terrible events at London Bridge and Borough Market on Saturday night. Our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims, and to all of those affected by this terrible attack.
“As representatives of the cultural venues in the area, we are working together to ensure that our venues remain safe and open to all. As far as we are able, we will continue with our programmes as planned, demonstrating the cultural sector’s spirit and strength.
“London is a city defined by its culture. We all intend to play our part in continuing to build and share this culture, and to welcome visitors from the city and the world to our creative events and spaces.”
Long Time Coming - Bob Dylan has finally delivered the lecture he needed to give in order to keep the prize money for his Nobel Prize for literature.The veteran star won the 8m krona ($900,000, £727,000) prize in October but did not collect the award until the end of March at a private event. And it has taken him until now to issue his taped lecture, which cites Buddy Holly as an influence.
Dylan had until 10 June to deliver the lecture or forfeit the prize money. The singer mentioned three influential books - Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Homer's The Odyssey and Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front - in his lecture. "The speech is extraordinary and, as one might expect, eloquent. Now that the lecture has been delivered, the Dylan adventure is coming to a close," Sara Danius, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, which awards the prize, wrote in a blog post.
In Cabaret - Singer Louise Redknapp is to make her stage debut as Sally Bowles in an upcoming UK tour of Cabaret. Redknapp will join singer Will Young, who reprises the role of the Emcee in the show, which is directed by Rufus Norris. The production has music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, with choreography by Javier De Frutos. It will tour the UK from 21 September to 9 December, visiting venues including the New Wimbledon Theatre, Blackpool Opera House and Milton Keynes Theatre.
(Jim Evans)
6 June 2017

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