Exit Stage Left - Lucy Woollatt has announced she will stand down as executive director of the Young Vic in December. Woollatt's departure comes as artistic director David Lan also prepares to leave the London theatre, in February 2018, to be replaced by Kwame Kwei-Armah. Speaking about her departure, Woollatt said: "My decade at the Young Vic has been the most rewarding of my career to date. I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved night after night at the Young Vic, on tour and in the West End."
Interval Act
- Justin Timberlake is to headline next year's Super Bowl half-time show, 14 years after his role in Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction". The US pop star revealed the news on his Twitter feed - with a little help from talk show host Jimmy Fallon.
Timberlake sang at the 2001 Super Bowl with former band N'Sync before sharing the stage with Jackson in 2004. That performance saw the singer rip off part of Jackson's bodice, exposing her right breast. The "Nipplegate" moment overshadowed events on the field and saw broadcaster CBS receive a record fine. Timberlake will take to the stage on 4 February 2018 at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On The Waterfront - The new management of Norfolk’s Cromer pier has vowed to continue its theatre programme, which it claims is the last traditional end-of-the-pier variety show in existence. North Norfolk District Council, which owns the pier and Pavilion Theatre, has announced resort management company Openwide has been awarded a 10-year contract to run the pier and develop and restore the site.
Works costing £500,000 are planned to revitalise the Grade II-listed pier and theatre, including extensive improvements to the theatre’s roof, ventilation and electrical switchboards. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the show, with the pier celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2021.
Off Track - Ed Sheeran has cancelled gigs in five cities after a cycling accident left him with two broken arms. During the weekend, Sheeran reportedly fell off his bike after being struck by a car. The 26-year-old singer posted an image of his arm in a cast on Instagram on Tuesday, telling his fans that he "had a bit of a bicycle accident" and was "waiting on some medical advice".
The second photo was posted on Wednesday and was typed by a representative of the singer, due to his inability to type. "A visit to my doctors confirmed fractures in my right wrist and left elbow that will leave me unable to perform live concerts for the immediate future," the message said. "Sadly, this means that the following shows will not be able to go ahead as planned: Taipei, Osaka, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong," it added. Sheeran has eight more shows scheduled for this year, including sold-out concerts in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Farewell - Australian songwriter and AC/DC producer George Young has died aged 70. "It is with pain in our heart that we have to announce the passing of our beloved brother and mentor," the band said in a statement.
Young was best known for his behind-the-scenes work, helping to create what would become one of the biggest rock acts in the world. He first found fame in the 1960s as a member of Sydney-based The Easybeats and became a successful songwriter.
Some of his classics include Love is in the Air and Friday on my Mind, with long-time collaborator Harry Vanda. AC/DC front men Angus and Malcolm Young, his brothers, said that without his help and guidance, there would have been no AC/DC.
(Jim Evans)
24 October 2017

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