All posts tagged: debut

Mary Berry praises Nigella Lawson’s Bake Off debut

Mary Berry praises Nigella Lawson’s Bake Off debut

Published by Daniella Wilson

Dame Mary Berry has delivered an enthusiastic verdict on Nigella Lawson’s first series as a judge on The Great British Bake Off, saying her arrival has brought “new life” and “a touch of glamour” to the Channel 4 tent. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Berry described Lawson as “a joy” and said she was delighted the cook and broadcaster had joined the show, which Berry herself helped make a national fixture during its early years on the BBC. Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off. Channel 4/patchdolan.com Berry also offered some light-hearted advice for her successor, joking that Lawson would need to “keep control” of fellow judge Paul Hollywood, who she said “needs handling”. Berry also took the chance to come to the defence of Lawson’s generous approach to tasting the contestants’ bakes. Berry said she had always taken “a proper mouthful” herself so that bakers knew she had genuinely sampled their work. Read more: Berry was of course a judge on Bake Off alongside Hollywood from its launch in 2010 …

Jesse Eisenberg Breaks Down His Process Writing Songs For ‘The Debut’

Jesse Eisenberg Breaks Down His Process Writing Songs For ‘The Debut’

Published by Daniella Wilson

On top of writing, directing, producing and acting in his new movie The Debut, Jesse Eisenberg took on an additional unexpected role: songwriter. For the film — which follows a shy housewife (played by Julianne Moore) cast in a community theater production who loses herself in the performance — Eisenberg wrote seven of the original songs that comprise the movie’s central show, called Nosy Neighbors; one of those tunes, “This City May Have Chewed Me Up (But It Hasn’t Spit Me Out),” is getting a best original song awards push. At a screening on the Fox lot on Monday, Eisenberg joined composer Emile Mosseri and moderator Justin Hurwitz to break down his musical process, teasing, “My brain goes to musical theater cliches more than it goes to like sports or women — my wife! One woman, one woman.” The star emphasized that he is not classically trained but writes music on the piano or while playing guitar, “and again, the thing I can write is musical theater music. It’s not like I also do like …

“The Debut” finds joy and fear in starting over

“The Debut” finds joy and fear in starting over

Published by Sam Flores

It’s audition day at New Jersey’s Brook Arts Center, and everyone is a bundle of nerves. Actors dot the lobby, doing vocal warm-ups between mini panic attacks and greeting old friends from past shows. This year’s production is “Nosy Neighbors,” a forgotten musical about a New York apartment building and its kooky tenants, including its superintendent, Miss Danielle — a dreamer who, despite repairing clogged toilets and collecting rent for a living, hasn’t let the city spit her out. The role is a bit part, but features a showstopping centerpiece number, the kind of song musical theater performers eat, sleep and breathe. But for mousy housewife Mona Friedman (Julianne Moore), the size of the part or the strength of the song don’t matter. Miss Danielle seems like the right choice to audition for because the role is age-appropriate, and Mona wants to be included however she can be. And though this might be New Jersey community theater, the standards are just as high as on Broadway. Renowned local director Jerry Blankenbuehler (Paul Giamatti) demands perfection; …

Josh Homme on His Runway Modeling Debut, His New Clothing Line, and Queens of the Stone Age’s Next Album

Josh Homme on His Runway Modeling Debut, His New Clothing Line, and Queens of the Stone Age’s Next Album

Published by Jenni Sidey

It’s 100 degrees in Los Angeles, but Josh Homme is the hottest thing in town. The Queens of the Stone Age frontman has spent the past week setting social media ablaze after making his runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in a dashing pinstripe suit, polka-dot neck scarf, and black flip-flops. Swaggering down the catwalk at Ann Demeulemeester’s “Lonesome Heaven” show last weekend, Homme looked part silver-haired mob boss, part Parisian dandy, part man with absolutely no interest in sensible footwear. Online onlookers, naturally, have been sick, sick, sick with desire. “I’m waiting for the backlash of being in people’s feed too much,” the 53-year-old Grammy winner says with a wry grin. But Homme isn’t sweating things, even amid a record-breaking October heatwave. (“It’s not too bad,” he shrugs of the sweltering climes.) After all, he grew up in the California desert, where 100 degrees was practically sweater weather, as well as the name of a song he wrote with Kyuss, the pioneering stoner-rock band he co-founded as a teenager. Those molten, fuzz-drenched grooves Homme …

What the Stage Debut Awards 2026 tell us about the UK theatre

What the Stage Debut Awards 2026 tell us about the UK theatre

Published by Daniella Wilson

The ninth annual Stage Debut Awards took place on 27 September, recognising emerging talent from across the UK. Stars including nominees Ralph Fiennes, Robert Aramayo and Ava Pickett, plus hosts like Hammed Animashaun and Tanya Reynolds, graced the pink carpet last Sunday. The Stage Debut Awards 2026 winners spanned a wide range of productions and theatres, with writer Ava Pickett and actress Sadie Sink scooping up the coveted best creative West End debut and best West End debut performer awards, respectively. Across the eight categories and 10 award winners, some notable trends emerged. Here’s what The Stage Debut Awards 2026 winners and nominees can tell us about the future of UK theatre. For more on London theatre, here’s everything you need to know about the return of The Oak Tree, plus how to get Gentlemen Prefer Blondes tickets. What The Stage Debut Awards 2026 tell us about the future of UK theatre Off-West End and smaller theatres are growing An increasing number of screen names are making theatre debuts Touring productions are being recognised Royal …

Full list of The Stage Debut Awards 2026 winners

Full list of The Stage Debut Awards 2026 winners

Published by Daniella Wilson

The winners of the ninth The Stage Debut Awards have been revealed, with fresh faces and firm favourites taking home top prize. Sadie Sink snagged the coveted Best West End Debut Performer prize for her starring role in Robert Icke’s Romeo and Juliet, while British theatre darling Ava Pickett, writer of 1536 and Bloodsport: after Helen of Troy was awarded Best Creative West End Debut. The judges also recognised stand-out performances such as Robert Aramayo in Guess How Much I Love You and Julianne Pundan for Miss Saigon. The National Theatre production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses was also recognised, with costume designer Natalie Roar awarded Best Designer. Read below for the full list of nominees and winners. Check out our latest London theatre reviews, including Kimberly Akimbo and Electra/Persona. The Stage Debut Awards 2026: Full list of winners Best Performer in a Play Robert Aramayo – Guess How Much I Love You? (Royal Court Theatre, London) – WINNER Zoë Armer – The Virgins (Soho Theatre, London) – WINNER Noah Jupe – Romeo and Juliet (Harold …

The Great British Bake Off review: Nigella Lawson makes a strong debut

The Great British Bake Off review: Nigella Lawson makes a strong debut

Published by Daniella Wilson

A star rating of 4 out of 5. The announcement that Nigella Lawson was taking over from Prue Leith as a judge on The Great British Bake Off was greeted by most with excited anticipation. Over nearly 30 years, the Domestic Goddess has been a mainstay on screens and in the culinary world as a prolific author, critic and chef. And given there has always been a light dusting of innuendo over Bake Off since it started in 2010, add Nigella – famous for her on-screen coquettish eyelash-fluttering and cheeky language choices – into the mix, and you’d imagine the sauciness gets dialled up to 11. Instead, she’s cut back on the sauce. She makes well-informed and helpful comments about the amateur bakers’ efforts and, although previous judges Mary Berry and Prue Leith are extremely hard acts to follow, the 66-year-old makes a strong debut in the tent. That’s not to say she doesn’t occasionally drop a suggestive word or two into her critiques. “I like a bit of goo,” or “Mmmm, sumptuous,” she sighs …

9 best movies of TIFF 2026: ‘River,’ ‘Misty Green,’ ”The Debut,’ more

9 best movies of TIFF 2026: ‘River,’ ‘Misty Green,’ ”The Debut,’ more

Published by Sam Flores

p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text”> A scene from the movie “The Spiral.” (TIFF) A rapturously silly, ultra-enjoyable Italian horror movie that demands its own franchise pronto, director Paolo Strippoli’s third solo feature belongs in theaters where it can work its diabolical magic on audiences. A stylish, well-off family braces for the worst when its youngest member is mauled by a dog during a glitzy lawn party. In the hospital’s lurid, Dario Argento-worthy chapel, the mother prays desperately — and is visited by a stranger in a crisp trench coat (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, owning her bid for monster status) who promises the kid will be OK, provided another sacrifice is made. Yes, it’s a Faust story, with hints of the “Final Destination” films and an unrepentant love of ominous weather and cringeworthy class warfare. But “The Spiral” also suggests that, as in America, a new wave of global horror is just about to bubble over. — J.R. Source link

6 Surfer-Bro Style Moves to Steal From New York’s Hottest Menswear Debut

6 Surfer-Bro Style Moves to Steal From New York’s Hottest Menswear Debut

Published by Jenni Sidey

The Society Archive’s Marcus Allen has had a remarkable rise, growing from a dialed-in vintage dealer to one of New York’s most influential stylists in just a few short years. Now, after getting the fashion world’s attention with his artfully trashed baseball caps and plaid boxers, Allen has taken The Society Archive to the runway with his debut ready-to-wear collection, “Dogma,” which premiered at New York Fashion Week on Sunday. Society’s design language draws from the brand’s deep well of vintage references, which is really just an extension of Allen’s ever-expanding personal closet and styling trunk. These pieces—chunky flannels from the ‘60s, ‘90s sportswear, suede vests, toasted tuxedo jackets, and a plethora of golden-era Abercrombie—draw from Allen’s formative teenage years in Boston spent playing high school sports and hanging out at the mall. But Dogma isn’t merely an archival rip. He, along with associate creative director Izaake Zuckerman and design director Lucas Randall, adds another layer to the Society universe by mashing its disparate references into a singular version of prep, one that’s decidedly less …

After a Bari Weiss makeover, “60 Minutes” makes its Sunday debut

After a Bari Weiss makeover, “60 Minutes” makes its Sunday debut

Published by Sam Flores

The first edition of “60 Minutes” since CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss initiated drastic changes to the venerable program made it to air Sunday. But the changes weren’t all that apparent on screen. The 59th season premiere was highly anticipated following months of turbulence behind the scenes. Weiss fired “60 Minutes” correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, both of whom complained the executive pushed them to add right-wing talking points to their stories. Longtime correspondent Scott Pelley was ousted after he angrily questioned the firings at a staff meeting. Weiss — who took over editorial control of CBS News after parent company Paramount acquired her heterodox digital news site the Free Press — also dismissed “60 Minutes” executive producer Tanya Simon and replaced her with screenwriter and documentary filmmaker Nick Bilton, who has no previous experience in TV news. Weiss restocked the program’s correspondent corps with one new full-timer — Ross Douthat, the longtime conservative opinion writer for the New York Times — and several new contributors, none of whom showed up in …