Worldcrunch
Paris Calling, Worldcrunch’s new podcast series, where each episode introduces you to a notable person from somewhere in the world — in their own voice, in English. Today, we have Shi Yang Shi, a Chinese-Italian actor, who takes us through his self-discovery journey from a privileged childhood in China to rebuilding a life in Italy, and how acting became his way of exploring identity, faith and belonging between two worlds.
The death of Ziad Rahbani, Lebanon’s legendary composer, playwright, musician, and political provocateur, leaves a profound cultural and emotional void. His plays and songs expressed the nation’s tragedies, anger, and resilience, making him a “living echo” of Lebanon’s struggles that will continue to resonate for generations.
Yerba mate to-go, innovative phone app, Jim Morrison’s stolen bust and much more.
Airbnbing with the stars, Pope on social media, AI audiobooks and much more.
Conclave speculation, urinal innovation, “Italian brainrot”… and much more.
Conclave speculation, urinal innovation, “Italian brainrot”… and much more.
Central Asia’s first Chocolate Museum, AI-powered cheating, a balancing act… and much more.
A new exhibition of stolen artifacts, UK plays in decline, a deodorant row… and much more.
Until the Enlightenment, smiling and showing teeth was not fashionable — or socially acceptable — in a Europe where dental health had not yet become widespread. But then the perception of smiles changed, shifting from a serious demeanor to an embrace of open expressions.
The International Festival of Performing Arts Temporada Alta is hosting the Spanish premiere of this European project that explores our links with nature and the landscape.
Updated October 2, 2024 at 10:45 a.m. Josephine Baker’s debut in Paris on this day in 1925, was a pivotal moment in her career and played a significant role in her rise to international stardom. How did Josephine Baker start in Paris? On October 2, 1925, Josephine Baker made her debut at the Théâtre des […]
The Left’s reluctance to denounce President Maduro’s fraudulent reelection in Venezuela may seem tactical or expedient to itself, but is nothing short of stabbing the very principle of democracy at a challenging juncture in modern history.
A new group theater in Lisbon — made up by a majority of Brazilian migrants — has set out to explore the idea of migration through plays. They started with putting in scene a story about the concept of nationhood — because every migration story looks different, but it also has some universal basis, the artists tell independent media Mensagem.
A gifted accordionist, 25-year-old Théo Ould is pushing the limits of his instrument, playing a repertoire of unprecedented richness, from Bach to contemporary music, with virtuosity and conviction.
Neville Tranter and Nikolaus Habjan, global stars of the puppet world, are performing in Berlin. Their caustic satire about Austria is definitely not for kids. It shows why hand puppets are not only hot right now, but they’re also incredible actors capable of convening the magic of theater at its utmost.
Theaters, museums and cinemas welcomed “essential services” on their stage floors to make a point about the industry’s struggles during the latest COVID lockdown.
Friends, colleagues, countrymen: After many long months of distancing, masks, quarantine, curfews and telecommuting, it’s time to get back together. Yet re-socializing isn’t as simple as it seems.
Movie houses, music venues and art galleries are showing signs of life after a long lockdown. They’re also having to be creative with how they reopen, as certain health restrictions still apply.
Social distancing measures and face masks will impact not only the atmosphere in theaters and concert halls, but also the bottom line.
BEIRUT — Located in the heart of Beirut’s vibrant Hamra Street, an area that served as a hub for intellectuals in the 1960s and 1970s, Metro al-Madina is an independent theater company and cabaret. The theater was founded in 2012 by Hisham Jaber & co. from the rubble of an abandoned theater with aspirations of […]
This is the third and final installment of a three-part series “Couchsurfing In Palestine.” Read Part 1: Keeping Secrets and Part 2: Where Are You From? -Essay- I meet Saber in a cafeteria in central Jenin, just after noon. He welcomes me with a vigorous hug, the kind that people give to friends they haven’t […]
Back when the Jordanian city of Jerash was known to the Romans as Gerasa, the large South Theater was sometimes used for naumachia. Naumachia is similar to gladiator combat, just that you need to fill the theater with water and add life-size reproductions of warships. The stage was dry by the time we got there, […]
MELBOURNE — For nearly an hour the audience sits in silence as Feryal Ali Gauhar paces the stage, delivering a solo performance that spans three continents and tells the story of various women; mothers and daughters, the wealthy elite and domestic maids. All the characters in the play are based on real-life stories and have a common theme of gender-based violence and control at the hands of men. “It’s a very immediate medium,” she later explains. “For most women in the audience it is an experience that is close to them. The debate begins really on the journey home with […]
MOSCOW — In a small town outside the capital, 15-year-old boys live in barracks with soldiers. They march in formation, memorize army regulations and sing songs in unison. “After our camp, young men aren’t afraid of hazing,” says Vladimir Prixodko, the camp director, referring to a persistent problem in the Russian army that has scared […]
In the deafening Egyptian capital, a small group of independent artists quietly present an art relying on everything the performer has to give … except their voices.
The theater of Epidaurus is famous for its incredible acoustics. In the center of the picture, our guide is tearing up a piece of paper to prove it: Sitting midway to the top of the rows as we were, we heard it perfectly well.
A Turkish immigrant playwright in Germany explores the meaning and theater of a religious rite that divides modern society.
We had a friend take this family shot in the spectacular theater of Epidaurus, in the sanctuary of Asclepius. The place is impressive, but unlike the Ancient Theater of Orange in southern France, it’s missing its scaenae frons (its decorated rear wall). Too bad we missed Maria Callas by just a couple of years: The […]
To perform the more than 1,400 works of the repertoire, Peking Opera artists have to be able to sing, dance, act, mime — as well as wield the occasional sword or spear.
“Peking Opera” bears little resemblance to the works of Verdi and Wagner. Though this traditional Chinese art form does feature music and singing, it combines them with dance, acrobatics, and mime. As you can see, it is a very lively and colorful performance, which draws from deep within the country’s myths and folklore – and […]
New bill would require artists and others in the “creative” fields to prove they are competent, and active in their roles.
TEL AVIV – The apartment in downtown Tel Aviv could feature in any architecture magazine as the quintessential artist’s digs. Two cats doze picturesquely amid piles of photographs, books, scripts. At the big round table sits Sara von Schwarze against a backdrop of trees swaying in the wind visible out the window behind her. The […]
PYONGYANG – The austere, angular façade of the Taedongmun movie theater, surmounted by large statues depicting a worker, a soldier and a peasant, gives off an air of power and authority. The date of construction, 1955, is carved into the building, which stands close to Kim Il-sung Square, near the center of the North Korean […]
LUANDA – The curtain will soon be rung down for the last time at the Elinga Theater in Angola’s capital, Luanda. The theater, where many rebellious artists got their start, holds an important place in Angolan culture. But it will soon be destroyed, its pink walls reduced to rubble by bulldozers. Like so many old […]