A musical with a storied stage and screen life
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.
The UC Berkeley reading standards are under scrutiny as faculty discuss declines in reading assignments and overall preparedness. Reports show dropping workloads at top campuses, sparking concerns about whether students are ready for college-level work. The debate includes calls to reinstate SATs and adjust admissions for better readiness.
Manfred and Rainer Honeck, two of nine siblings, are making a rare joint appearance in Salzburg Festival’s Ariadne auf Naxos. The production, directed by Ersan Mondtag, shifts the setting to Mars and streams on Medici. The brothers’ careers include leadership and concertmaster roles in major European orchestras, shaped by a family background of modest means and devoted daily practice.