A festival district, a showbiz nerve-centre, and a term for global theatre influence.
The London debut of Kimberly Akimbo at Hampstead Theatre presents a rare aging-prodigy premise. Maria Friedman stars as Kimberly, a teenager with a life-shortening condition, supported by a witty, chaotic family and Tesori’s lively score. The show blends heart, humor, and tough truths about time and youth, earning a warm, hopeful reception.
Maureen Beattie has been cast as Lear in a new Pitlochry Festival Theatre production adapted and directed by Finn den Hertog. The show, staged by artistic director Alan Cumming, has opened a run from 4 July to 1 August 2026 and reframes King Lear as a matriarchal tragedy performed by a largely Scottish company.
New York readies a ticker-tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes to crown the Knicks’ 53-year wait with a city-wide celebration. Mayor Mamdani has framed Thursday’s event as potentially the largest in New York’s history, with 10,000 officers on duty and security measures in place. The parade will travel from Battery Park to City Hall, featuring former Knicks icons and stars.
New York has held its first-ever Knicks ticker-tape parade after the team has won the NBA title, drawing an estimated two million fans to Lower Manhattan on June 18. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has presented the team with keys to the city; Alicia Keys performed and a heavy NYPD security deployment managed crowds and closures.
Victor Willis, founder and lead singer of Village People, has died after a short, aggressive illness. He co-wrote hits including YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy, helping define late-1970s disco. Willis left the group in 1980, later rejoined in 2017, and his passing ends a turbulent, influential career.
A short film, Echoes, explores how two men confront trauma and mental health while reconciling past events at a former school. The project, led by Walters and Nathalie Emmanuel with director Alex Lanipekun, features on-set mental health support and politicians a reflection on masculinity and violence, drawing parallels with a TV series about toxic culture.
Trump has attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a postponement due to a gun attack outside the Washington Hilton. He uses the stage to critique the media, tout his resilience, and tease opponents, while noting heightened security and a smaller guest list.
New York state officials have filed a state Supreme Court lawsuit against Kalshi, alleging the prediction market platform operates illegally without a Gaming Commission license, endangers consumers, and should forfeit gains and pay restitution and penalties. The action adds to a broader clash over how prediction markets are regulated between states and the federal government.
A journalist describes Yerevan’s Republic Square and Dancing Fountains, exploring the Pink City’s heritage, modern life, and recent tourism growth linked to direct flights from London and broader regional appeal.
Dolly Parton has died at 80, following a brief battle with cancer. Her family confirms she passed at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones. Tributes highlight her humanitarian work, literacy efforts, and decades of chart-topping music.
Tim Curry has died at his Los Angeles home on 25 August at age 80, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz has confirmed. The English actor had been wheelchair‑bound after a major 2012 stroke and had a history of kidney cancer; the death certificate lists those conditions as contributing factors. He had originated Dr Frank‑N‑Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and enjoyed a six‑decade career across stage, film and voice work.
Josh Kushner has issued his first public statement on the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying he still supports its aims but would not have invested had he known how the process would unfold. UEFA has filed US court papers seeking document production and depositions from Kushner and Thrive as it prepares possible criminal mismanagement claims against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The Independent reports that the 48-year-old New York-born actor is joining General Hospital as William Baines, joining a wave of casting changes. Debuts are set for Thursday, September 3, as the soap continues its long-running tale in Port Charles. The moves follow recent departures and recastings, including Jack Brennan’s kill-off and Ethan Lovett’s recasting.
The New York City rental market has seen a surge in tenant complaints to 311, with Brooklyn and other areas reporting sharp year‑over‑year increases. City Hall defends efforts to crack down on code violations while tenants accuse landlords and inspectors of a rigged system. The story also notes a high-profile eviction of Barzini’s after years of financial and health violations, and tips for renters on modest, landlord-friendly upgrades.
The HBO Max Harry Potter TV reboot has begun casting a new generation to star as Harry, Ron and Hermione. Felton, now 38, has stepped back from screens to mentor 14-year-old Lox Pratt in the adaptation, while Grint is expected to join Broadway’s revival of the characters. The BBC notes the shift comes with late-career reflections on fame and a new wave of fans who never saw the films first time around.