Reporting The Arts
Z O O M - I N
A Mini Online Magazine by Alice Cheung
Alice Cheung 张馨予
London is undoubtedly one of the cultural metropolises in the world. It is renowned for its history, creativity, arts, and culture. While studying away at NYU London during Spring 2019, I am so lucky to be influenced by London's art culture: I went to see six plays, three concerts, two musicals, two dance shows, and an opera.
As a student journalist, I decided to design this mini art magazine, "Zoom-In," to record my perspectives on different types of British arts ...
Tickets I collected during the semester
(L to R) Francis Guinan (Fred), Glenn Davis (Gio), Celilia Noble (Ivy), Eddie Torres (Felix) and K. Todd Freeman (Dee).
Apr. 23rd, 2019
Photo by Michael Brosilow
In downstate Illinois, an old man is sitting in a rickety wheelchair, listening to one of his favourite Chopin CDs, and hovering his shivering hands over the keyboard of an electric piano to mimic the tones. He loves Nutter Butter biscuits and is given to childishly repeating "Shooty shoot shoot!" when he is sad. But who can imagine this white-haired, kindly-looking, soft-spoken pensioner was once a piano teacher who raped two of his pupils thirty years ago?
In "Downstate," Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris smartly presents us with sharp questions about how society should treat these offenders, and how long they should suffer, both physically and mentally, for their "evil" acts ...
Jamie Lloyd's revival of Pinter's "Betrayal" is profound and refreshing, a reflection of the fact that it draws on the talents of the youngest cast of Pinter's Betrayal since it was premiered in 1978. This time, the big draw in Jamie Lloyd's revival is Tom Hiddleston's Robert, a book publisher who is married to Zawe Ashton's Emma, and is the best friend of Charlie Cox's Jerry.
He appears a little bored and brusque, but with the progressively reversed chronology, Hiddleston reveals Robert's unhealed emotional wounds behind his mask of cool self-assurance ...
Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton, and Charlie Cox at curtain call, "Betrayal" pre-view, Mar. 5th, 2019
Photo by Alice Cheung
Photo by Alice Cheung
Billie Eilish: When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Through her sweet, soft, and lilting voice, seventeen-year-old Billie Eilish reveals her fascinating ambition in "You Should See Me In a Crown," with an ego boost and acknowledgment of her newfound celebrity status in pop culture. "There will always be copycats," said Eilish, "but none will be me." ...
Billie Eilish's Album Release Teaser,
YouTube
Gielgud Theatre, photo by Alice Cheung
Sondheim's Musicals Reunited, Shining and Blazing In the West End
It's been nearly half a century since two Stephen Sondheim's internationally renowned musicals about marriage and relationship, "Company" and "Follies," were first shown on Broadway. About fifty years later, "Company" experiences a refreshing gender-flip, and both musicals are performed in London again in the same season, which is once in a lifetime.
It is also noteworthy that in these two musicals, intriguing characters that are portrayed by brilliant actors and actresses shine so bright, and highlight the similarities and uniqueness of the two musicals at once ...
Orchestra of "Company," photo by Alice Cheung
Alan Rickman, Cate Blanchett and more theatre legends – in Ivan Kyncl’s Lens
As a fan of Alan Rickman and a part-time photographer, I am fascinated by Ivan Kyncl's British theatre photography. I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum and had a look at Kyncl: In the Minute, an exhibition celebrating the atmospheric work of the Czech-born theatre photographer. This exhibition is in London until 7 July, so I would like to recommend it to every theatre and photography enthusiast ...
The V& A Museum Room 103-106,
photo by Alice Cheung
Alan Rickman in "Tango at the End of Winter," 1991, Piccadilly Theatre, London
Photo by Ivan Kyncl
NYU alumnus Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, was doubtlessly the biggest winner at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, as his game-changing hit, "This Is America," won him four Grammys in 2018.
On March 25th, 2019, Gambino achieved a dramatic and religious night with his fans at the O2 Arena ...
Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino at O2 Arena, London,
Mar. 25th, 2019
Photo by Alice Cheung