Blackadder duo lead birthday honours

Blackadder duo lead birthday honours

14 June 2013 Last updated at 22:41

Blackadder saw Robinson and Atkinson play mismatched protagonists across different periods

Blackadder duo Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Robinson, best known for his portrayal of hapless manservant Baldrick, has received a knighthood in recognition of his public and political service.

Mr Bean star Atkinson has been made a CBE for services to drama and charity.

Indian-born artist Anish Kapoor has been made a knight, while singer Adele, author Kate Mosse and comedian Rob Brydon are also among those honoured.

Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota has become a member of the Order of Companions of Honour, one of just 65 across the Commonwealth. Current members include Lord Coe, David Hockney, Doris Lessing and Lord Patten.

Robinson, 66, said he was "thrilled, flattered and a little gob-smacked" at the recognition.

"I'll use my new title with abandon to highlight the causes I believe in, particularly the importance of culture, the arts and heritage in our society, and the plight of the infirm elderly and their carers," said the former host of C4's Time Team, which was axed last year.

"I also pledge that from this day on I'll slaughter all unruly dragons, and rescue any damsels in distress who request my help," he joked.

Alongside his small screen success, Robinson has had a lengthy association with politics, first as a local Labour activist and later in a senior position at actors' union Equity. He joined Labour Party's National Executive Committee in 2000.

His Blackadder co-star Atkinson said the CBE came as a "genuine surprise" and a "great honour".

Kapoor gained huge public recognition with the ArcelorMittal Orbit at the Olympic Park

Sculptor Kapoor - the man behind the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the 115-metre-high twisted steel tower in the Olympic Park in Stratford, said he was "humbled" to receive his knighthood for services to visual arts.

The artist, 59, has lived in London since the 1970s and won the Turner Prize in 1991. His work, often based on geometric sculptures made from materials including stainless steel, granite, limestone and marble, is shown around world.

Fellow Olympic artist Thomas Heatherwick has also been recognised by the Queen. The award-winning designer, who created the London 2012 Olympic cauldron, said it was an "immense honour" to have been made a CBE for his services to the design industry.

"My passion is the public world around us that we share with each other and I'm proud to have had the chance in recent years to work on public projects of national significance," said the 43-year-old RIBA fellow, whose latest project is to design a pedestrian garden bridge to span the River Thames.

'Pond of culture'

"It is an immense honour to be awarded this distinction and I share it with my team and many others who play an important part in making our projects happen."

Another Turner prize-winning artist, Grayson Perry said he is already thinking about what outfit to wear when he goes to the palace to pick up his CBE for services to contemporary art.

The artist, who regularly appears in drag as his female alter-ego Claire, famously wore a Little Bo Peep outfit when he won the Turner Prize for his ceramics in 2003.

The 53-year-old admitted he had not expected the honour, saying: "I suppose I'm surprised that the tentacles of the establishment reach into my particular pond of culture."

Brydon currently hosts BBC One panel show Would I Lie To You?

Similarly, comedian and actor Rob Brydon expressed surprise at being made an MBE for services to comedy and broadcasting, and to charity: " I accept it not just for me but for short Welsh men everywhere," said the 48-year-old, who made his name in the black comedy Marion and Geoff and co-starred with Steve Coogan in The Trip.

Television's golden girl Clare Balding, who recently collected an honorary Bafta to recognise her on-screen achievements, has been made an OBE, also for services to broadcasting and journalism.

The 42-year-old Olympics host called the honour "the pinnacle" after "a year of unexpected delights".

Originally a racing commentator, she became a household name after presenting both the London 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics, and currently fronts Channel 4 racing.

Aled Jones, who Balding replaced as host of BBC Radio 2's Sunday morning show, joins her in being made an OBE.

"I'm delighted and deeply honoured to be recognised," said the 42-year-old, who first found fame as a choir boy performing The Snowman theme tune Walking In The Air.

"I've been really lucky to have worked with amazing people during my time in the music and TV industry, and now have the privilege to wake the nation up on Daybreak every morning."

Last year Mosse completed the third novel in her Languedoc trilogy, Citadel

Skyfall cinematographer and Coen brothers collaborator Richard Deakins also makes the list, being made a CBE for services to film - a possible salve to years of missing out on the Academy Award, for which he has been nominated ten times.

Fellow Skyfall collaborator, singer Adele - who picked up the Oscar for best song in March - has been made an MBE for services to music, alongside double Mercury winner PJ Harvey.

Harvey was the first person to play a rock concert at Tate Modern, written for a dance company and composed the soundtrack for a stage production of Hedda Gabler, as well as taking small film roles.

Novelists Jackie Collins, Kate Mosse and Joanne Harris have all been recognised for services to literature in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, with Collins and Mosse - of Labyrinth fame, both being made CBEs and Harris, best known for Chocolat, being made an MBE.

Harris, 48, said she hopes the honour gives people the message that "writing is important".

"It is always nice for the world of literature when writers get an acknowledgement or an honour," said the author of more than 15 novels. "It gets the message to people that writing is important and that it deserves praise."

Veteran actors Claire Bloom, who featured in hits such as the original Brideshead Revisited and Doctor Who, and Game of Thrones' Julian Glover have been made CBEs alongside such arts luminaries as Gailene Stock, Australian-born director of the Royal Ballet School; Michael Attenborough, formerly artistic director of the Almeida theatre and Jonathan Mills, who has received a knighthood in recognition of his eight years at the helm of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Blackadder duo lead birthday honours
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22906679#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Culture department agrees budget cut

Culture department agrees budget cut

14 June 2013 Last updated at 17:40

Arts Council England gives regular funding to 696 art, theatre, music, literature and dance bodies

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has agreed an 8% cut in spending for 2015-2016 in a deal with the Treasury, the BBC understands.

It is understood that arts and museums will share less of the burden with a reduction of around 5%.

Peter Bazalgette, the new chair of Arts Council England, said it was a "massive result" for the arts.

The DCMS is one of several departments to reach a deal with George Osborne before his spending review on 26 June.

"The Treasury has listened to the arguments of those within the arts and the DCMS," said Mr Bazalgette, before cautioning that the cut still "had to be managed" and "would be tough".

The Treasury wrote to government departments earlier in the year, warning most ministers that they would have to cut up to 10% of their budgets for the year 2015-16.

The BBC's arts editor Will Gompertz said another senior arts figure he spoke to was "audibly relieved".

"I have heard that negations were tough with the Treasury, with the Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander being the hardest to persuade that it made economic and political sense to treat the arts leniently," Mr Gompertz said.

Before the settlement was announced, Arts Council England (ACE) had warned galleries, museums and other cultural bodies that a 10% cut to its budget could force it to remove regular funding from hundreds of organisations.

The DCMS had asked ACE to model for 5%, 10% and 15% cuts for 2015/16. Culture Secretary Maria Miller was initially reported by the Financial Times to have refused to agree to any cuts to her department.

Mr Osborne has called for further belt-tightening in Whitehall on top of the billions being cut from departmental budgets between 2011 and 2015, as he tries to get to grip with the deficit in the public finances.

Culture department agrees budget cut
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22908283#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Petition urges Greece to reopen ERT

Petition urges Greece to reopen ERT

14 June 2013 Last updated at 16:04

ERT ran three domestic TV channels, four national radio stations, as well regional radio stations and an external service, Voice of Greece.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has called on the Greek government to reopen public broadcaster ERT, after it was shut down suddenly on Tuesday.

EBU president Jean-Paul Philippot is to hand over a petition in Athens signed by 51 European directors general, including the BBC's Tony Hall.

The EBU called the government's action "anti-democratic" and "unprofessional."

The Greek government said the closure was an essential measure to help meet the country's debt bailout obligations.

Viewers watching the news on the main TV channel saw the screens go to black late on Tuesday evening.

Journalists however refused to leave the building and online and satellite broadcasts are being maintained with the help of the EBU website.

The Greek government called ERT a "haven of waste" and said they would relaunch it as a smaller, independent public broadcaster.

"ERT is a case of an exceptional lack of transparency and incredible extravagance. This ends now," said government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou.

ERT, which began broadcasting in 1938, is funded by a direct payment of 4.30 Euros (£3.80) added monthly to electricity bills.

It ran three domestic TV channels, four national radio stations, as well regional radio stations and an external service, Voice of Greece.

Since its sudden closure, nearly 2,700 workers have lost their jobs, but they will be able to apply to work for the new corporation.

Employees have protested outside the building since Tuesday and it has also sparked a 24-hour general strike in the country.

The Greek government has pledged to cut thousands of public-sector jobs in order to receive billions of euros in rescue loans from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Petition urges Greece to reopen ERT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22909566#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Opera restored after 200 years

Opera restored after 200 years

14 June 2013 Last updated at 16:46

Luigi Cherubini may have used shoe polish to cover up parts of his score

The original ending has been restored to a 216-year-old opera after the manuscript was put through one of the world's most advanced X-ray machines.

Italian composer Luigi Cherubini wrote Medee in 1797 - but blacked out the final aria on the original score.

Beethoven was said to have regarded Cherubini as his greatest contemporary.

Now scientists from the University of Manchester and Stanford University have used X-ray equipment to "see" under the blacked-out part to the notes below.

According to the researchers, Cherubini may have blacked out the final lines after critics complained that the opera was too long.

The X-ray exposed the areas that had previously been covered up (in blue)

The opera was composed using an ink containing traces of iron, but the last page was smudged out using a different substance containing no traces of metal.

That meant equipment at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in the US could "see" through the top layer to the original markings below.

The team included Dr Roy Wogelius, a geochemist from The University of Manchester who normally uses such equipment to examine 150 million-year-old fossils.

"We talk about unlocking the secrets of chemical ghosts. That's what we do with fossils and this is the same thing. This is the ghost of Cherubini - we have resurrected his pen strokes," he told BBC News.

"It resurrects the score absolutely brilliantly - you can see everything. You can see the text, the notation for the different instruments and the lyrics that are written in."

Mapping light

The composer covered up the final section with a cheap black substance that "might have been something he was using to polish his shoes", Dr Wogelius said.

"Using visible light, we can't see through it," he said. "It's exactly as if somebody took shoe polish to a newspaper. You can't see anything.

"But because it's a different type of ink, it has different metals in it. We use X-rays to excite the metals in the ink so the inks produce their own light, and we map the light that the inks produce.

"So the carbon black disappears and we only see the trace metals - the zinc, iron and potassium pop out. You can see the composer's ink beautifully underneath the carbon black. It was one of the most rewarding and amazing scans we've ever done."

Between 1817 and 1823, Beethoven repeatedly called Cherubini the greatest living composer and Brahms considered Medee the epitome of dramatic music.

Opera restored after 200 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22910052#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Mumford bassist leaves hospital

Mumford bassist leaves hospital

By Nesta McGregor
Newsbeat entertainment reporter Mumford & Sons bassist Ted Dwane has been released from hospital

Mumford & Sons bassist Ted Dwane has been released from hospital after an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

"The surgery went well, and the excellent medical team helping him are very pleased with his progress," a statement on the band's official Facebook page read.

The 28-year-old was taken to hospital earlier this week after being described as 'feeling unwell' for several days.

Continue reading the main story

He has been nothing short of heroic in how he has handled the whole ordeal

Mumford & Sons on bandmate Ted Dwane's condition

"He has been nothing short of heroic in how he has handled the whole ordeal," the letter continued.

Mumford & Sons have also cancelled the remaining dates on their North America, Summer Stampede tour.

"If we could've we would've, you know that about us," the band said.

"We trust that you can respect our collective desire to encourage Ted to make a full recovery, and that this is based purely on the medical advice we have received."

As things stand the indie folk group are still scheduled to perform at Glastonbury at the end of June.

Mumford & Sons win album of the year at the Grammy awards

Mumford & Sons have enjoyed huge success in the States since the release of their second album Babel in September last year.

It was the fastest-selling record of 2012 in the US and it won the Grammy for album of the year in February.

They haven't been ignored back home either, picking up this year's Brit for best British album and Babel was the fastest-selling record in the UK in 2012 as well.

Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter.

Mumford bassist leaves hospital
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22905102#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Man held over Tulisa 'harassment'

Man held over Tulisa 'harassment'

14 June 2013 Last updated at 11:43

Tulisa Contostavlos was a judge on ITV's The X Factor in 2011 and 2012

A man has been arrested on suspicion of harassing former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos in the grounds of her Hertfordshire mansion.

The arrest related to activity outside a woman's house in Brookman's Park on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Police said a 24-year-old man from Stamford Hill, north London was held on Wednesday and "served a first warning".

He was released without further action and "all parties involved are satisfied with this", Hertfordshire police said.

Tulisa's management declined to comment.

The 24-year-old former N-Dubz singer was herself arrested last week, on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. She was bailed until next month.

The arrest followed a story by a Sunday newspaper.

Man held over Tulisa 'harassment'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22901336#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Aerosmith duo join Hall of Fame

Aerosmith duo join Hall of Fame

14 June 2013 Last updated at 10:05

Tyler and Perry performed Walk This Way at the ceremony in New York's Times Square

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have officially taken their place in the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Sir Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin were among the stars at the 44th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in New York on Thursday.

The Class of 2013 was made up of Tyler and Perry, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Holly Knight, JD Souther and Neighbours composer Tony Hatch.

Sir Elton and Taupin received the Johnny Mercer award.

"When you get an Ivor Novello award or an American songwriter's award, it means so much more than a Grammy because this is where the whole process starts," said Sir Elton.

The duo behind tracks such as Rocket Man and Candle in the Wind, were cited by Sting as "my two heroes", as he opened the ceremony with a performance of their hit song Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting .

Nickelback were on hand to perform a rendition of Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion at the ceremony, while Tyler and Perry performed Walk This Way.

"I love that Joe and I are getting inducted tonight because we put our nose to the grindstone. We can't get harmony if everybody is singing the same note," said Tyler.

"It means that people are listening to what we're doing," added Perry. "Like Steven said, we're always under the hood working, or we're on the road, whatever. That's what the band is, it's work, and we're doing it."

Neighbours composer Tony Hatch had a long and fruitful collaboration with Petula Clark

Petula Clark performed Downtown, one of the many hits written and produced by Britain's Tony Hatch, arguably best known in the UK for co-writing the theme tunes to TV soaps Neighbours, Crossroads and the original Emmerdale Farm.

Smokey Robinson - who is recovering from inflamed vocal chords prompting a two-month break from performing - debuted part of a new song he wrote about Berry Gordy, who he called his "mentor, brother, sometimes dad and best friend".

"On the very first day of Motown, when Berry Gordy started Motown, there were five people there, and he sat us down. He said 'we are not just going to make black music; we are going to make music for everybody. We're gonna make music for the world. We're always going to make quality music with great stories and great beats.'

"And thank God, that's what we did."

The night also paid tribute to Hal David, who died last year, and Phil Ramone, who died in March.

Aerosmith duo join Hall of Fame
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22902463#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Rock bands honoured at Kerrang!

Rock bands honoured at Kerrang!

By Sinead Garvan
Newsbeat music reporter

Rock legends and rising metal talent were all honoured at the 20th annual Kerrang! Awards.

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro won best album for their number one record Opposites which was released in January.

"I don't think we've ever won a best album before so it really is mega exciting," frontman Simon Neil told Newsbeat.

He says at the time they thought it was a risk making a double album.

"It gives us a bit of faith in ourselves and faith in music listeners that they will give things time if they think it's good enough, so it's very exciting."

Best British band went to Sheffield's Bring Me The Horizon, who were a little short of words following their win.

Continue reading the main story

My mind went blank, I don't know what I said but it probably wasn't good

Mike Duce from Lower Than Atlantis on his acceptance speech

"Amazing, best thing ever," was all bassist Matt could manage while clutching their coveted award.

Lower Than Atlantis collected the Kerrang! for best British newcomer but frontman Mike Duce experienced some heckling when the band collected their gong.

"As soon as I went to walk up there and I got in front of the mic, Frank Carter from Pure Love went 'no one cares' and everyone laughed," he explained.

"Then my mind went blank, I don't know what I said but it probably wasn't good."

You Me At Six won best event for their Final Night of Sin gig at Wembley Arena and Fall Out Boy picked up best single for The Phoenix.

Iron Maiden, who are headlining Download festival this weekend, won the Kerrang! inspiration award.

Brian May received Kerrang! service to rock

The rock star turning most people's heads was Brian May from Queen, he was there to receive Kerrang! service to rock.

The man widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists ever told Newsbeat he didn't mind the attention from the younger bands.

"It's good to see excitement and that the business is like that, it still makes peoples hearts beat a little faster."

Many of the bands at the awards will also appear at this weekend's Download festival in Leicestershire.

The Kerrang! Award winners 2013

Best event - You Me At Six: The Final Night Of Sin

Best British newcomer - Lower Than Atlantis

Best international newcomer - Of Mice & Men

Best video - Pierce The Veil, King For A Day (featuring Kellin Quinn)

Best single - Fall Out Boy, The Phoenix

Best album - Biffy Clyro, Opposites

Best live band - Black Veil Brides

Kerrang! inspiration - Iron Maiden

Kerrang! icon award - Venom

Best international band - All Time Low

Best British band - Bring Me The Horizon

Kerrang! hall of fame - Pantera

Kerrang! service to rock - Queen

Kerrang! legend - Slayer

Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter

Rock bands honoured at Kerrang!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22899927#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Man held over Tulisa 'harassment'

Man held over Tulisa 'harassment'

14 June 2013 Last updated at 11:43

Tulisa Contostavlos was a judge on ITV's The X Factor in 2011 and 2012

A man has been arrested on suspicion of harassing former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos in the grounds of her Hertfordshire mansion.

The arrest related to activity outside a woman's house in Brookman's Park on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Police said a 24-year-old man from Stamford Hill, north London was held on Wednesday and "served a first warning".

He was released without further action and "all parties involved are satisfied with this", Hertfordshire police said.

Tulisa's management declined to comment.

The 24-year-old former N-Dubz singer was herself arrested last week, on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. She was bailed until next month.

The arrest followed a story by a Sunday newspaper.

Man held over Tulisa 'harassment'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22901336#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Online TV added to official ratings

Online TV added to official ratings

14 June 2013 Last updated at 12:10

Barb intend their new system to register a more accurate picture of our viewing habits

Catch-up TV viewed on services like the iPlayer are to be included in official TV rating figures for the first time.

Barb (Broadcasters' Audience Research Board), which compiles the figures, has announced it will track audiences through all computer devices including tablets, from the autumn.

Justin Sampson, chief executive at Barb, called it a "pivotal" move.

"This is a significant step forward in our ambition to deliver cross-platform measurement of content," he said.

At the moment Barb's ratings figures include recorded programmes that are watched within seven days of the original broadcast.

More than 5,100 representative homes across the UK have their viewing habits recorded automatically by special metering equipment installed in their TVs.

They monitor more than 30,000 viewing devices including PVRs, DVDRs and VCRs, as well as standard set-top boxes.

Each of the panel homes represents around 5,000 homes.

Barb says its new system has been made possible "by the commitment of the UK broadcasters to embed metadata tags into their programme content".

These tags can be read so it is possible to collate how many times programmes are downloaded or streamed.

Barb has already started tracking computer viewing in 700 panel homes.

It is conducting field tests of an app that will measure Barb panelists' viewing on tablets and smartphones.

These figures will go into the TV Player Report that it aims to launch by the end of the year.

Barb said that this will ensure "for the first time we will have a gold standard report into viewing to TV player services such as 4oD, BBC iPlayer, Demand 5, ITV Player and Sky Go".

Online TV added to official ratings
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22903701#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Museum cuts letter to Chancellor

Museum cuts letter to Chancellor

14 June 2013 Last updated at 00:40

The Leeds City Region brings together 11 local authorities

Council leaders representing 11 local authorities have sent a letter to the Chancellor expressing concern over potential cuts to museums in the north.

The Leeds City Region leaders wrote after a warning was issued by the Science Museum Group (SMG) last week.

It said either York's National Railway Museum, the National Media Museum in Bradford or the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester could close.

The councils said the northern national museums played a "crucial role".

SMG, which also runs the Science Museum in London, has said a further 10% cut in government funding would leave it with "little choice" but to close one of the museums.

The council leaders said they were "equally concerned" about potential cuts at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield, whose funding is contracted through SMG.

'Crucial role'

"This funding is ring-fenced until 2015, but after then it's up to the Science Museum Group how much funding the National Coal Mining Museum receives, so any further cuts to the group will inevitably affect its future viability," the letter said.

"These northern national museums play a crucial role in educating and inspiring future generations of scientists and engineers."

It also said the museums were vital to the local and regional economies of Bradford, York and Manchester.

Councillor Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council and chair of the Leeds City Region Leaders Board, said the letter to George Osborne proposed that funding for the museums was moved from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

It also asked for the current level of funding to be protected in the "long-term interests of our northern cities and the nation as a whole".

The region said visitors to the National Media Museum contributed about £24m a year to the local economy, and the National Railway Museum brought in £40-50m.

Visitors to the Museum of Science and Industry provided about £28m to the local economy, it said.

The Leeds City Region brings together 11 local authorities: Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield, York and North Yorkshire County Council.

Museum cuts letter to Chancellor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22894827#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Rupert Murdoch files for divorce

Rupert Murdoch files for divorce

13 June 2013 Last updated at 18:50

News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch has filed for divorce from Wendi Deng because their marriage has "irretrievably broken down", his spokesman says.

The divorce papers were filed at the New York State Supreme Court.

The couple, who were married in 1999 aboard a private yacht, have two daughters together, Grace and Chloe.

In 2011, Ms Deng famously leapt to her husband's defence to slap a protester who threw a pie at him as British MPs quizzed him over phone-hacking.

Mr Murdoch, 82, met his Chinese-born third wife in 1997 at a company party. They were married two years later, weeks after his second divorce.

Pre-nup

Ms Deng, 44, is 38 years younger than the Australian-born media mogul, who is said by Forbes to be worth $9.4bn (£6bn).

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

The moment Rupert Murdoch was attacked

"I can confirm for the record that Rupert filed in New York State Supreme Court this morning for divorce," Murdoch spokesman Steven Rubenstein told AFP news agency on Thursday.

The BBC's Robert Peston says the couple had a pre-nuptial agreement and have held shares in trust for their children.

So our business editor believes the divorce is not likely to lessen the magnate's grip on his media empire.

Mr Murdoch reportedly paid $1.7bn in his divorce settlement from his last wife.

Ms Deng, said to be the daughter of a factory director, grew up in the eastern Chinese city of Xuzhou in 1968 before leaving for the US at 19 to study.

She worked in a Chinese restaurant in California before going on to graduate from Yale University in 1996.

Ms Deng was later employed as an intern by Star TV, News Corp's Asian satellite-television operation in Hong Kong, where she met Mr Murdoch during one of his visits.

The divorce filing comes two days before News Corp is to be split into two companies, one for its entertainment assets and the other for its publishing business. Mr Murdoch is to be chairman of both companies.

His global media portfolio includes the Wall Street Journal, television channels such as Fox News and Sky, and the 20th Century Fox movie studio.

Two years ago, his UK newspaper division became embroiled in a phone-hacking scandal, which led Mr Murdoch to close one of the titles, the News of the World.

In July 2011, Ms Deng jumped from her seat during a UK parliamentary hearing to slap a prankster who tried to shove a shaving-cream pie into Mr Murdoch's face.

Rupert Murdoch files for divorce
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/22895642#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

German police break art forgery ring

German police break art forgery ring

13 June 2013 Last updated at 16:21

German police in Wiesbaden have put on display dozens of forged paintings

German police say they have broken up a multi-million euro international art forgery ring.

Police have arrested two suspects alleged to be leaders of a group of six artists.

A series of searches were carried out at art galleries, businesses and homes in six German cities, as well as Israel and Switzerland.

Since 2005 the ring is believed to have produced and sold more than 400 faked paintings.

They were passed off as "previously unknown" works by such Russian avant garde artists as Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov.

The police say they were sold for sums ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of euros.

The arrested men, aged 41 and 67 respectively, are accused of selling forged artworks to customers in Germany and Spain for a total of more than £1.5m (1,7m euros) over the past two years.

The suspected counterfeiters are thought to be of Russian, Israeli and German-Tunisian nationality.

Two years ago an expert German forger and his wife were jailed for art forgery after mimic the style of lesser-known painters.

A number of reputable dealers in the art world were fooled.

German police break art forgery ring
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22890224#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Queen's portrait defaced in abbey

Queen's portrait defaced in abbey

13 June 2013 Last updated at 17:47

The painting went on display earlier this month in Chapter House in the abbey

A portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey has been defaced with spray paint, an abbey spokesman has said.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after being detained by security guards at the abbey, Scotland Yard said.

Campaign group Fathers 4 Justice said it thought a member was responsible but the protest was not official.

The oil on canvas by Ralph Heimans went on display in Chapter House in May and depicts the Queen in state dress.

It was completed last year for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The incident comes nine days after the monarch and other members of the royal family attended a service at the abbey marking the 60th anniversary of her Coronation.

A spokesman for the abbey said: "In an incident at lunchtime today, a visitor to the abbey sprayed paint on the Ralph Heimans portrait of the Queen presently on display in the Chapter House.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Lord Harris of Peckham, who donated the portrait, said the vandalism was "devastating"

"Until work can be done to remedy the damage it will, very regrettably, not be possible to have the painting on public view."

Buckingham Palace said it would not making any comment on the incident.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the abbey at about 12:30 BST and the arrested man is in custody at central London police station.

In a statement, Fathers 4 Justice said: "This was not an official Fathers for Justice protest but it was carried out by one of our members.

"It's Father's Day on Sunday - it's a very emotional time and this protest was a desperate plea for help."

The damage can be seen in this blurred picture thought to have been taken soon after the incident

The group has run a high-profile campaign for more than a decade for improved rights for men who say they have been denied access to their children.

In 2004 and 2005 members were involved in several high-profile protests, including hurling packages of flour at the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Commons and climbing buildings including Buckingham Palace and the Foreign Office dressed as superheroes.

The picture was painted by London-based Australian-born artist Heimans after a sitting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in March last year.

The work entitled The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II measures 9ft by 11ft and depicts the Queen in the Sacrarium - the area near the altar - of Westminster Abbey.

'Imagined scene'

It was officially unveiled in London in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee and had been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra until March.

Westminster Abbey's website says the painting is an "imagined scene set at night... showing The Queen in a moment of solitary reflection and is an exceptional interpretation of the intricate mosaic patterns of the 13th century Cosmati pavement."

It shows the Queen wearing state dress, including the crimson velvet Robe of State, which she wore to her Coronation on 2 June 1953.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

The most important thing is to get it restored. It will take time but it will be able to be put right again”

End Quote Lord Harris Donor of Ralph Heimans' painting

The work, purchased for the abbey by Lord and Lady Harris of Peckham, was supposed to remain on public display until September.

Lord Harris told the BBC News Channel he understands turquoise paint had been sprayed "over quite a lot" of the portrait.

"The most important thing is to get it restored. It will take time but it will be able to be put right again," he said.

He said art experts and Ralph Heimans have now inspected the painting and believe it could be mended in about 10-12 weeks.

Lord Harris said the painting was created in honour of the Queen, who had been on the throne for 60 years and had done so much for the country.

"To take it out on her is ridiculous," he said.

Speaking last month, Heimans said: "I could not have imagined a more fitting home for my portrait of the Queen than Westminster Abbey, the beauty of which was a great source of inspiration in the conception of the work.

"I am deeply honoured by this acquisition and feel that the significance of the portrait's narrative will have its strongest resonance in this remarkable setting."

A spokeswoman for the artist has told the BBC she is still trying to bring Ralph Heimans "up to date" with what has happened to his portrait.

Are you in the area? Did you witness the incident? You can get in touch using the form below.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

Read the terms and conditions

Queen's portrait defaced in abbey
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22892297#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Attenborough recovers from surgery

Attenborough recovers from surgery

13 June 2013 Last updated at 14:07

Sir David Attenborough was knighted in 1985

Naturalist David Attenborough has recovered from the heart surgery that forced him to pull out of shows in Australia last week.

Sir David, 87, was fitted with a pacemaker on 4 June, leading him to call off his Australia tour.

"Thank you everyone for all your wonderful and kind messages. Everything went well," he said in a statement.

He has now been passed fit to fly to Australia for rescheduled tour dates in July.

"I will see you in Australia very soon," he added.

Sir David had been due to begin his tour on 11 June but was told by his cardiologist that he urgently needed to have a pacemaker fitted.

His A Life on Earth tour will take in six cities in Australia, with the veteran broadcaster talking about "his extraordinary experiences, his stories [and] his achievements".

Sir David began his broadcasting career at the BBC in 1952, rising up the ranks to become controller of BBC Two.

But his love of nature documentaries and hatred of bureaucracy drew him away from management into freelance film-making.

Among his ground-breaking documentaries are The Trials of Life, The Living Planet, Life in the Freezer and The Private Life of Plants.

Attenborough recovers from surgery
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22890200#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Spielberg predicts film 'meltdown'

Spielberg predicts film 'meltdown'

By Chi Chi Izundu
Newsbeat entertainment reporter

Directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are warning that the film industry is in danger of "meltdown".

They say it will become increasingly difficult for them to get smaller films into theatres because Hollywood is relying on big budget releases.

In a speech reported by the Hollywood Reporter, Spielberg said Lincoln was nearly made for TV network HBO because of struggles getting it in cinemas.

Continue reading the main story

Our job is to satisfy the customers. I think a perfectly legitimate requirement is that they can see the film that they want to see and where they want to see it

Lord David Puttnam

"The pathway to get into theatres is getting smaller and smaller," he said.

"You're gonna have to pay $25 (£16) for the next Iron Man, you're probably only going to have to pay $7 (£4.50) to see Lincoln."

George Lucas added that he could see a model similar to theatre pricing, where fewer films were released, they stayed longer in the cinema (up to a year) and ticket prices increased depending on the film.

In an interview with Newsbeat, the president of the Film Distributors' Association, which represents the UK distribution arms of Hollywood studios, Lord David Puttnam, agreed that change was needed.

He said: "Every film has its own marketing challenge and to try to pretend that one size fits all, in any aspect of marketing, be it the poster, be it the media buy and be it the window, is flying in the face of reality."

Lord Puttnam says the film industry should "not place artificial barriers between a film and its audience" and said some of the current methods were "not sustainable".

He added: "The film industry shouldn't have rules which by their very nature disadvantage individual product in individual movies.

"I just want every film to be judged on its merits.

"The whole point is to optimize the revenue of that particular movie and to somehow allow film X to suffer because films Y and Z have got a particular window just doesn't make a lot of sense.

"Our job is to satisfy the customers. I think a perfectly legitimate requirement is that they can see the film that they want to see and where they want to see it."

Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter

Spielberg predicts film 'meltdown'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22883015#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

3D sports channel on ESPN to close

3D sports channel on ESPN to close

13 June 2013 Last updated at 11:26

Having to wear special glasses may be one reason why consumers have not taken to 3D TV

Sports network ESPN is to close its 3D channel in the US because of a lack of uptake.

It had been called a turning point for 3D when the Disney-owned company launched the cable channel three years ago.

Despite declining costs for 3D televisions, however, consumers have not taken to the channel.

Recent figures from the US show no more than 120,000 people are watching 3D channels at any one time.

The world's first 24/7 all-sports 3D channel kicked off with the 2010 World Cup match South Africa versus Mexico.

ESPN president George Bodenheimer said at the time that the network's commitment to 3D was a "win for fans" that would put it "at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing".

Spokeswoman Katina Arnold said ESPN would be committing their 3D resources to "other products and services that will better serve fans".

The network will continue to experiment with other technologies, including Ultra High Definition.

The channel will close by the end of the year, though Arnold said the network could return to 3D programming "if or when 3D does take off".

No longer promoted

In the UK, Sky continue to expand their 3D sports coverage.

In February they broadcasted Formula 1 in 3D for the first time - the 14th sport to be broadcast in 3D by the channel.

Earlier this month, however, retailer John Lewis suggested there was "not much interest left in 3D TV".

Japanese broadcaster NHK showed off 8K technology in London during the Olympics,

John Kempner, vision buyer at John Lewis, said there was still "an interest, but it's not the primary purchase decision anymore".

Many of the new TVs being released still support 3D, but it is no longer being promoted as a big feature.

Smart TVs, Ultra High Definition and 4K are now seen as more appealing, with 4K broadcasts offering four times the amount of detail as HD content.

Also in development is 8K TV technology, which will supposedly offer a 3D-like experience due to the high resolution of its image.

Japanese company NHK showed off their technology during last summer's London Olympics.

3D sports channel on ESPN to close
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22886822#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Greeks strike over media closure

Greeks strike over media closure

13 June 2013 Last updated at 10:42

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

TV staff were still working despite the shutdown

Many of Greece's public services are in disarray because of a general strike in protest at the government's surprise move to shut down state broadcaster ERT with the loss of nearly 2,700 jobs.

The 24-hour strike, which includes Greek media, began at midnight (21:00 GMT).

Marches under way in Athens are due to converge outside ERT's offices.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras insists ERT was a "symbol of waste and lack of transparency".

The measure is designed to help Greece meet its debt bailout obligations.

The resulting general strike, which is the third this year, is affecting government offices, schools and hospitals.

Public transport hit

It also means buses, trams, ferries and trains are not running, with no metro service to Athens' main airport.

Air traffic controllers are due to stage a two-hour walk-out starting at 1200 GMT.

ERT journalists are staging defiant sit-ins in the capital and in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki.

The government says riot police are stationed outside ERT offices to prevent "any destruction".

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Mark Lowen BBC News, Athens

---

In a country notoriously slow at institutional reform, the fact that the national broadcaster was unexpectedly shut down within a day has stunned and angered many. ERT had been woven into Greece's identity during its 75 years of operations, its services announcing some of the most turbulent times: the Nazi invasion in 1941, the military coup of 1967 and now Greece's profound economic crisis.

The prime minister insists ERT is wasteful and inefficient. Its mismanagement is well known but employees say that is the fault of successive governments that brought in political appointees and got rich on corrupt practice.

This has now plunged Greece into a political crisis. Two coalition parties say they will resist the closure. There is talk of fresh elections, although the prime minister is banking on the fact that his coalition partners have minimal support and a new poll would be suicide for them. Greece's recent veneer of calm has been broken by this drastic move as the oldest broadcast media here is silenced.

Most of the broadcaster's output has been taken off air since Tuesday, although shortwave radio and internet broadcasts continue.

Journalists across all media are also calling for an indefinite protest - excluding those ERT stations airing rogue broadcasts maintained by workers who have refused to leave their posts.

"This is a very important struggle that impacts on everybody, because the draft bill is not only about ERT, it's about thousands of other workers too because it's a green light for thousands of lay-offs in public organisations," Georgios Milionis of the communist-backed labour group, the All-Workers Militant Front, told Associated Press.

But there is little sign of private businesses joining the strike.

'No sympathy'

City streets have been as full as usual with commuters and car traffic.

Supermarkets have been open for business and cafes serving customers as usual.

"The lowest ERT employee is making in a day what I'm making in a week, so why should I strike for them?" vegetable-seller Yannis Papailias told Reuters news agency in Athens.

"Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs. Who protested for them?" asked waitress Maria Skylakou.

Unions representing about 2.5 million workers have repeatedly gone on strike in Greece since Europe's debt crisis erupted in late 2009, although action has been less frequent and more muted lately than last year when marches frequently turned violent.

Corruption and mismanagement are widely known to exist within ERT, a public company symptomatic of Greece's past mistakes, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens reports.

But employees maintain successive governments were responsible as they were in charge, our correspondent adds.

Anger

The government says ERT was a huge drain on public resources, and will reopen at a later date under a new format and with considerably fewer staff.

All 2,655 employees will be compensated and allowed to apply for jobs at the revamped organisation.

The announcement came after months of strikes by ERT employees in opposition to plans to restructure the broadcaster.

Athens has pledged to cut thousands of public-sector jobs as part of agreements under which it receives billions of euros in rescue loans from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

ERT, which began broadcasting in 1938, is funded by a direct payment of 4.30 euros (£3.80; $6) added monthly to electricity bills.

It ran three domestic TV channels, four national radio stations, as well regional radio stations and an external service, Voice of Greece.

Are you affected by the strike? Do you agree with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras? Send your comments using the form below.

Greeks strike over media closure
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22883236#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Riba awards 'risk-taking' buildings

Riba awards 'risk-taking' buildings

13 June 2013 Last updated at 02:15 Continue reading the main story

The Chapel of St Albert the Great is located in the garden of a townhouse in George Square, Edinburgh

A small contemporary house has been built within the ruins of the 12th Century Astley Castle in Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Allies and Morrison architects delivered the masterplan for the 242-hectare Olympic Park in east London

The National Trust’s visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland has no right angles

The Montpelier Community Nursery in Kentish Town, London, is located in an "eco-building" designed by former Montpelier parents

The Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, Italy, built around the car giant's former home, boasts an innovative yellow roof

Continue reading the main story

A garden chapel in Edinburgh, a rebuilt castle in Warwickshire and the Olympic masterplan have been named on a list of Britain's best new building projects.

They are among 43 buildings in the UK to receive awards for architectural excellence from the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba).

They will now go forward, along with nine more buildings from the EU, for Riba's top award, the Stirling Prize.

This year's winner will be announced on 26 September in London.

The list includes schools, galleries and visitor centres at Stowe Gardens in Buckingham and the Giant's Causeway in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland.

A flagship Marks and Spencer store in Cheshire, described by the retailer as "the most carbon efficient, premier M&S store to date", is also included.

Swimming baths in Islington, a community nursery in Camden and a West End office building are among the 13 winners drawn from London.

A courthouse in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, Italy, are among the nine award buildings from elsewhere in the European Union.

"Risk-taking is not for the faint-hearted in recessionary times," said Riba president Angela Brady.

"But amongst this year's crop of truly exceptional buildings I am delighted to see such a variety of projects doing just that.

"It is good to see that sustainability is at the heart of so many of these winners - most clearly perhaps where, encouragingly, a major client has championed it."

The Riba Awards have been running since 1966 and are judged and presented locally.

Last year's Stirling Prize was won by the Sainsbury Laboratory, an £82m plant research centre at the University of Cambridge.

Riba awards 'risk-taking' buildings
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22873374#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Nigeria mourns veteran singer Fatai

Nigeria mourns veteran singer Fatai

13 June 2013 Last updated at 11:57

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has paid tribute to veteran highlife musician Fatai Rolling Dollar who died on Wednesday.

The guitarist and singer had "enthralled his teeming followers" during a career of more than 64 years, Mr Jonathan said.

Fatai was best known for his song, They Cannot Match Us, which criticised younger generations.

The exact cause of Fatai's death, or his age, is not known.

He died after more than 10 days in a coma, and was aged either 85 or 87, Nigeria's This Day newspaper reports.

But he was still touring the US tour just a few weeks ago.

In highlife's golden era in the 1950s and 1960s, Fatai, whose real name was Fatai Olagunju, was a nationally celebrated performer.

But he then disappeared from the music scene for about 25 years and battled poverty in Lagos before making a comeback in the past decade.

Musician Ade Bantu told the BBC that Fatai had lost none of his talent and was still entertaining on stage.

'Lazy'

Mr Jonathan believed the vacuum Fatai's death has created in the Nigerian entertainment industry will be hard to fill, his statement said.

In the 1950s, Fatai is said to have revolutionized the agidigbo or thumb piano - which he then moved onto the guitar.

The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says the musician was influenced by Ghana's highlife scene, as well as calypso from the Caribbean.

His music was a great influence on other Nigerian musicians, including Fela Kuti.

In an interview with AFP new agency more than a year ago, Fatai bemoaned the hip-hop music that now dominates in Nigeria.

He said "a good musician should know how to play any instrument", showing his irritation with artists he accused of sometimes being "lazy" and simply seeking "easy money", AFP reports.

Did you ever meet Fatai Rolling Dollar? How will you remember him? Please share your memories using the form below.

Nigeria mourns veteran singer Fatai
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22886478#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Winfrey donates $12m to US museum

Winfrey donates $12m to US museum

12 June 2013 Last updated at 16:51

Winfrey is a member of the museum's advisory panel

American talk-show host Oprah Winfrey is donating $12m (£7.7m) towards a new museum in Washington DC dedicated to African American history.

After previously giving $1m (£640,000) to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, her total contribution is its biggest so far.

The museum on Washington's National Mall is due to be completed in 2015.

It will house a 35-seat theatre named after Winfrey, who is also a member of the museum's advisory council.

Lonnie Bunch, director of the museum said the media mogul had been very much involved in its creation and talks were taking place to acquire memorabilia from her career.

'Deeply appreciative'

He said he would love to have one of the microphone's used during her television show - one of the most-watched programmes in US history, which ended after 25 years in 2011 - to add to the museum's collection of more than 22,000 items.

The collection helps to tell the story of African American history from slavery to the post-Civil War period, the civil rights era, the Harlem Renaissance and the 21st Century.

In a statement released by the museum, Winfrey said: "I am deeply appreciative of those who paved the path for me and all who follow in their footsteps.

"By investing in this museum, I want to help ensure that we both honour and preserve our culture and history, so that the stories of who we are will live on for generations to come," she added.

Costing $500m (£319m) to build, the US government is providing half of the funding with the remainder being raised through private donations.

When in opens in 2015, it will be the 19th Smithsonian museum.

Some of the items which will be displayed include the glass-topped casket that held the body of 14-year-old Emmett Till, whose 1955 murder in Mississippi for whistling at a white woman helped spark the civil rights movement.

The museum's most recent big acquisition was a South Carolina slave cabin dating from the 19th Century.

The cabin from Edisto Island was disassembled in May in preparation for its move to the museum.

Winfrey donates $12m to US museum
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22875375#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

UK 'behind US' in black casting

UK 'behind US' in black casting

12 June 2013 Last updated at 12:53 By Kev Geoghegan Entertainment reporter, BBC News

Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays the troubled pastor Sister Margaret

Director Rufus Norris, a potential successor to Sir Nicholas Hytner as the next director of the National Theatre, has said the UK still lags behind the US in casting black actors.

He was speaking at the press night of The Amen Corner, which has an all-black company and stars Oscar-nominated British actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

She has spent the last decade living and working in Los Angeles.

Norris told the BBC: "In America, there is much more colour-blind casting."

The Amen Corner, written by celebrated author James Baldwin in 1954, addresses the role of the church in a black community in Harlem, New York.

Jean-Baptiste plays Sister Margaret, a community pastor whose life and faith are shaken when her teenage son's head is turned by jazz music and girls, and her wayward estranged musician husband returns.

The National's adaptation is peppered throughout with rousing gospel songs, sung by the main cast and the company at large, which includes members of the London Community Gospel Choir.

Speaking following a standing ovation, Norris continued: "Of course The Amen Corner's going to have an all black cast - you can't possibly do otherwise, but what we want to see is a more representative cast across the board in all dramas."

Black companies

British actors such as David Harewood, who starred in the US hit show Homeland, have spoken about having to leave the UK to find work.

And Jean-Baptiste, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the Mike Leigh film Secrets & Lies moved to Los Angeles more than a decade ago and has not worked in Britain since.

The Amen Corner will soon be joined by other theatre shows, such as The Color Purple and Fences - starring Lenny Henry - which boast predominantly black casts, but Norris insists that even theatre is failing to meet the criticisms of actors like Harewood and Jean-Baptiste head on.

"I think its fantastic that those shows are happening and that is a small part of the thing that David and other black actors talk about, but the real issue is that if you look at American TV drama and theatre, there is much more colour-blind casting.

The London Community Gospel Choir provide a soaring musical backdrop

"In normal life if you think of a businessman or a policeman or a gangster, there are certain cliches that go with all of those things and none of them are true.

"We are very much behind America in that sense and I think what Marianne was talking about when she left Britain to go and live in LA a long time ago, is still very true. It's the way we cast black actors."

Warm reception

The play, has been warmly reviewed in the newspapers. The Independent praised Jean-Baptiste for turning a "magnificent performance" as Sister Margaret Alexander.

Charles Spender, writing in the Telegraph, said the production "finds the NT in spirit-lifting form".

"It is a work and a production full of humour but it is also deeply moving as it shows how faith can cause pain as well as joy, and the way those who praise God most passionately can be every bit as cruel and devious as those they denounce as sinners."

In the Daily Mail's four-star review, Quentin Letts wrote: "Marianne Jean-Baptiste is better in the lead role when Sister Margaret is showing her vulnerable side.

In her scenes as Margaret the unbending pulpiteer she maybe lacks some vocal power and physical stature. Yet she becomes a person we care about."

The Amen Corner runs at the National Theatre until 14 August.

UK 'behind US' in black casting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22871602#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Warning over cultural funding cull

Warning over cultural funding cull

12 June 2013 Last updated at 12:22 By Ian Youngs Arts reporter, BBC News

Arts Council England gives regular funding to 696 art, theatre, music, literature and dance bodies

Theatres, galleries and other cultural bodies are being warned that Arts Council England (ACE) could drastically reduce the number of organisations it funds if its budget is cut.

The Arts Council has said a 10% decrease in its budget could force it to remove regular funding from hundreds of organisations.

It stressed the figures represented "early thinking".

The warning is being given in briefings to arts bodies across England.

ACE is telling them a 10% cut to its budget may force it to cut its roster of regularly funded organisations from 696 to around 300.

The organisation would also have to rely more on National Lottery money to supplement its government grant.

The figures have led to concerns that smaller venues would be jettisoned at the expense of larger institutions.

'Worst case'

An ACE spokesman said it represented a "worst case scenario" and that smaller bodies would not be disproportionately affected.

ACE chief executive Alan Davey said: "These sessions with our National Portfolio Organisations and major partner museums are open conversations that we have with our funded organisations, to give them an idea of what issues we could be dealing with.

"It's important to remember that the modelling presented is just that. It doesn't represent what we would do in reality.

"What we do know is that the arts and culture enrich peoples' lives and contribute to economic recovery. Cutting this would damage the UK's vibrant cultural scene and could cause economic decline within this vital part of the creative industries."

The warning comes as Chancellor George Osborne prepares to set out his latest spending plans in the Comprehensive Spending Review at the end of the month.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

Maria Miller has the opportunity to seize this moment and stand up for the sector”

End Quote Marcus Romer Pilot Theatre

Culture Secretary Maria Miller is currently negotiating with the Treasury over her department's settlement. She was recently reported by the Financial Times to have refused to agree to any cuts.

A reduction to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) budget would, in turn, be likely to result in cuts to the Arts Council.

The DCMS has asked ACE to model for 5%, 10% and 15% cuts for 2015/16.

ACE had its budget cut by the department by 30% in 2010, followed by smaller cuts in subsequent years. The Arts Council has already halved its own administrative costs.

A spokesman for the DCMS declined to comment.

A recent Arts Council report showed that the arts get less than 0.1% of public spending but deliver four times that in gross domestic product.

Marcus Romer, artistic director of York-based Pilot Theatre, said the sector was a rare part of the economy that was in growth, but that it was "in choppy waters".

"There is a point where you cut away and cut away and cut away at the tree. And at some point, that final cut will make that tree fall over. That's the situation we're in at the moment," he said.

"We're not just bleating luvvies. This is about people who are working in creativity, innovation and education, delivering extraordinary events, experiences and opportunities for participation and social cohesion. That's what we do.

"And if you take that away, it has a knock-on effect across all departments. So Maria Miller has the opportunity to seize this moment and stand up for the sector."

Warning over cultural funding cull
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22868823#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

After Earth dazzles UK box office

After Earth dazzles UK box office

12 June 2013 Last updated at 13:55

Will and Jaden Smith play father and son in the post-apocalyptic film After Earth.

Will Smith's latest film After Earth has debuted at the top of the UK box office despite its poor reception in the US.

The sci-fi movie, also starring his son, Jaden, made £2.2m from 291 cinemas between Friday and Sunday.

The Hangover Part III earned £1.1m, falling one place to number two.

Shane Meadows' documentary about the return of The Stone Roses made an impressive £4,480 at each of its 82 locations to place at number nine.

Made of Stone charts the 2012 resurrection of the Manchester band with previously unseen archive footage.

Also on limited release, Steven Soderbegh's Liberace biopic, Behind The Candelabra, performed well to chart in eighth place.

Continue reading the main story

UK & IRELAND TOP FIVE

1. After Earth - £2.2

2. The Hangover Part III - £1.1m

3. Fast & Furious 6 - £846,541

4. Epic - £665,456

5. The Great Gatsby - £665,225

Source: Rentrak

Based on a book by Liberace's former lover Scott Thorson, the film starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon made a total of £513,228 across 131 cinemas.

Elsewhere in the top five, Fast & Furious 6 slipped down one place to number three. It has now has now taken £23.3m since opening in the UK and Ireland four weeks ago.

Children's 3D animation Epic added another £665,446 to its tally, while Baz Lurhmann's adaptation of the classic novel, The Great Gatsby earned £658,225 to place fifth.

The current US number one film, The Purge, failed to hold the attention of UK cinema-goers, falling to seventh place.

The low-budget horror starring Ethan Hawke as a father defending his family against futuristic criminals, made £541,859 in its second week on release.

Other films in this week's top 10 included Star Trek: Into Darkness and The Iceman, which follows the notorious Mafia killer Richard Kuklinski.

After Earth dazzles UK box office
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22875373#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa