Kelly and Woodeson are returning 40 years after being part of the illustrious Everyman company of the mid-1970s. The talent at that time also included actors Bernard Hill, Jonathan Pryce, Alison Steadman and Trevor Eve, writers Alan Bleasdale and Willy Russell, singer Barbara Dickson and poets Roger McGough and Adrian Mitchell. The theatre was known for putting the city's social and political struggles of the 1970s and '80s on the stage. Its reopening comes just days before Liverpool City Council votes on a budget that includes a plan to cut its total culture spending by half over the next three years.
Country File - Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed that Dolly Parton will play this year's festival. Speaking to BBC 6 Music at the NME Awards, Eavis said, "We're really, really excited because it's been something we've been wanting to happen for a long time. And she finally said yes." Parton will perform in Sunday afternoon's renowned 'legend slot' on the Pyramid Stage, which last year featured fellow country star Kenny Rogers. "It's one of those rare things where someone like [Dolly] is in the country at the same time as Glastonbury, and we're really, really excited about this. Hopefully Kenny put in a good word," said Eavis.
Weather Report - Arctic Monkeys have followed their double triumph at the Brits by winning five NME awards, including best British band and album. The indie four-piece also won the live band prize, while lead singer Alex Turner was named hero of the year. Lily Allen was named best solo artist, while former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney collected a songwriting award. "The great thing about songwriting is that you don't know how you do it," he said as he collected his prize.
Movie News - An animated feature film version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is set to go into production. Sir Elton John's Rocket Pictures announced it had acquired the film rights to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice's stage musical. "I have always thought Joseph was a strong contender for an animation production," said Sir Tim. "I'm delighted this is now going to happen."
The project is one of several from Rocket Pictures, which had a box office hit with 2011's Gnomeo & Juliet. A sequel, Sherlock Gnomes, is in production, featuring new songs by Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin. The company is also producing Rocketman, a "musical reinvention" of Sir Elton's life, with Tom Hardy starring as the musician.
Euro Hopeful - Singer-songwriter Molly Smitten-Downes is to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The 26-year-old will carry British hopes in Copenhagen, Denmark, in May with her song Children of the Universe. Smitten-Downes, who is known simply as Molly on stage, said: "To represent the United Kingdom in such a huge competition, not only as a singer and performer but as a songwriter is an unbelievable honour. I hope I can do us proud."
(Jim Evans)
