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Influential British theatre and film director Peter Brook has died at the age of 97, according to reports in French media. Brook won multiple awards including Tonys and Emmys during his 70-year career and worked with stars including Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud and Adrian Lester. The Le Monde newspaper said he died in Paris on Saturday. Brook's publisher, Nick Hern Books, paid tribute to him, saying he "leaves behind an incredible artistic legacy". Born in Chiswick, west London, in 1925 to Lithuanian Jewish parents, he attended Westminster School followed by Oxford University. Advertisement His first production was of Dr Faustus in 1943 at the Torch Theatre in London . He made waves during his time as director of productions at the Royal Opera House between 1947 and 1950, where he staged an experimental version of Richard Strauss's Salome with sets by Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali. More on Theatre Cinderella … [Read more...] about Peter Brook: Influential British theatre and film director who worked with Sir Lawrence Olivier dies at 97

The political chaos of Brexit is threatening to bring down British Prime Minister Theresa May , a matter of days before she is due to host President Donald Trump on his controversial first visit to the U.K. The sudden resignation of Brexit Minister David Davis over May's roadmap for leaving the European Union left the prime minister facing attacks from both inside and outside her Conservative Party. Trump's visit already threatens to embarrass May as Trump is kept away from massive protests, forcing the president to spend most of his time outside London . But with the latest cabinet emergency, it is possible May will not even be prime minister when the unpopular president arrives. The resignation of the Brexit minister threatens to open a chasm in May's Conservative—or Tory—government, with moderates calling for a "soft" Brexit on one side and extremists lobbying for a "hard" Brexit on the other. The split between the two camps has been evident since May replaced David … [Read more...] about Will Theresa May still be prime minister when Donald Trump visits the U.K?

A bizarre "human-meat" flavoured burger has won a top award. The bizarre burger is said to taste exactly like human flesh, despite being completely meat free and vegan friendly. Its creator, Swedish food company Oumph!, said it had even worked to get the perfect texture of flesh for their cannibalistic creation. However a spokesperson for the company insisted: "No humans were injured in the development of this product." The burger was crafted from soya, mushrooms and wheat protein as well as plant-based fats and "a mysterious spice mix". The spokesperson added: "The curious and fearless get a chance to try the world's first plant-based burger resembling human meat. The company promised no humans had been harmed in the production of the burger but they did not say how they knew it tasted right ( Image: Oumph!) "By creating this special edition burger Oumph! wanted to prove that it is possible to produce plant-based products that taste like 'any meat' and … [Read more...] about Burger ‘that tastes like human flesh’ despite being vegan wins top award

Tapirs, jaguars, and giant armadillos are some of the 430 species of mammals that share a home with Luiz Henrique Lopes Ferreira in Brazil's eastern Amazon . Ferreira makes and sells sweets, jams, and liqueurs from more than a hundred varieties of local fruit trees. The 22-year-old is part of a new generation showing how forest communities with economic opportunities can help promote biodiversity protection and prevent deforestation. He lives in the Tapajos Arapiuns Extractive Reserve, which spans over 640,00 hectares (1.58 million acres) almost 90% of which is covered in forest. It is home to over 370 different types of bird, 99 species of fish and around 13,000 people, mostly Indigenous and mixed heritage caboclo communities. The Amazon rainforest is rich in biodiversity but many species are now under threat Identifying himself as Indigenous, Ferreira says that although he was born in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas State, the forest has been his real home since his … [Read more...] about Using candy and jam to protect Brazil’s Amazon rainforest

Have you got a money issue that you need help with? Mirror Money's Emma Munbodh has a support column to help address your consumer and financial troubles every week. Whether you've been ripped off by a retailer, mistreated by your bank or have been defrauded, get in touch with your concerns. We'll be showcasing your stories and offering help and tips and solutions to overcome them. Ultimately, we want to put the power back in your hands and help win your money back - so get in touch. authorisation Have you got an issue for Money Troubles to investigate? Email emm[email protected] 'My hotel withdrew £100 hold fee - then never returned it' On April 20, I went on holiday to Washington in the US where I stayed for four days. I checked in to the hotel I'd booked and was asked to pay a £100 hold fee as standard. It was all very straightforward and I thought nothing of it. I entered my pin number and the money was placed on hold to be released on check out day - … [Read more...] about MONEY TROUBLES: ‘My hotel withdrew £100 hold fee – then never returned it’

Steph McGovern in the press room at the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards 2018 (Image: Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images) Sign up for FREE for the latest news from the world of showbiz SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Chatty and friendly are the order of the day, something that pervades her successful daily Packed Lunch on Channel 4. And yet, the world might never have got to know her. "I come from Middlesbrough and I went to a college that was very much focused on the needs of the local area which is rooted in heavy industry," she explains. "We spent a lot of time getting input from companies like British Steel and ICI. I was pretty good at science so I saw my future in engineering." Related articles BBC's Naga Munchetty … [Read more...] about What Donald Trump said that made TV talkshow host Steph McGovern laugh

Christopher Fry, who has died, aged 97, was, with TS Eliot, the leading figure in the revival of poetic drama that took place in Britain in the late 1940s. His most popular play, The Lady's Not For Burning, ran for nine months in the West End in 1949. But although Fry was a sacrificial victim of the theatrical revolution of 1956, he bore his fall from fashion with the stoic grace of a Christian humanist and increasingly turned his attention to writing epic films, most notably Ben Hur (1959). Fry, who was born in Bristol, came to the theatre via schoolteaching. He attended Bedford modern school, acted briefly in Bath, then taught at the Bedford Froebel kindergarten and at a preparatory school in Limpsfield, Surrey, before chucking it up to found the Tunbridge Wells Repertory Players in 1932. He ran the company for three years, directing the English premiere of Shaw's Village Wooing. He went on to write lyrics and music - including a song called I'll Snatch The Man From The Moon … [Read more...] about Christopher Fry

WWE fans are letting their imaginations run wild after a bizarre and cryptic vignette aired during Saturday night’s Money In The Bank show. Many viewers were left wondering if Bray Wyatt is poised for a shock return , while others pointed to Hall of Famer Edge or Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson based on flashed in the creepy video. Set in a church, the eerie clip featured a mysterious figure with flashes of religious imagery and references to stars from the Attitude Era. As well as a license plate with the words Latino Heat (a nod to Eddie Guerrero’s signature low riders), we also had what seemed to be Jeff Hardy’s armbands and Bubba Ray Dudley’s taped glasses. One telling moment also featured a gold medal, which could have a couple of meanings. The overall presentation of the video was reminiscent of Bray’s early vignettes building to the Wyatt Family debut back in 2012, and most fans on social media were convinced he must be involved. Of course, … [Read more...] about Bray Wyatt, Edge or Gable Steveson? WWE airs bizarre vignette during Money In The Bank

Spencer Matthews has been frank about leaving I’m A Celebrity after just three days because of his addiction to steroids. But new reports claim that the Made In Chelsea star was axed after a furious row with the ITV show’s bosses when they refused to give him drugs. A source told The Daily Mirror: ‘He flipped and was behaving in an aggressive and unusual way. He was struggling to cope. ‘Bosses tried to calm him down but they were never going to give him steroids. In the end the only option was for him to leave.’ After quitting the show, Matthews admitted he used steroids to bulk up for a charity boxing match. He said: ‘I screwed up and have some explaining to do. ‘Shortly after I ­arrived in Australia I told the production team I was taking a steroid-based medication that began some weeks ago. It was in preparation for a charity boxing match which, ironically, never took place. ‘Vanity, I suppose, had been the reason. I had intended to come off the pills … [Read more...] about Was Spencer Matthews axed from I’m A Celebrity after demanding steroids from show’s bosses?

Published 30 November 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Bristol's deputy mayor says she is "hopeful" funding will be awarded, which would see the return of an African-Caribbean carnival. St Pauls Carnival, not staged since 2014, grew beyond organisers' means, Bristol City Council said when funding was withdrawn. A new community partnership has been formed to run future events, and next year's carnival is planned for 1 July. Bristol mayor Marvin Rees is widely expected to approve funding next week. Deputy mayor Estella Tincknell is "hopeful" it will go ahead and said: "We want to make sure the carnival is on a sustainable footing for the future." Dating back to the 1960s, the annual carnival was designed to be a celebration of the city's African-Caribbean culture which is normally held in July. 'Committed team' It was run by St Pauls Afrikan … [Read more...] about Bristol’s St Pauls carnival return ‘hopeful’