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How Vermeer Made The World Interior, And Modern

Stop thanking Shakespeare and Falstaff, and start looking at Vermeer's women. "Into the mundane and commonplace, this master of stillness and of light manages to infuse a beguiling lyricism. His brushstrokes conjure up a shimmering, almost otherworldly, mood that is bewitching." - The Observer (UK)

A Better Seat At The Movie Theatre Will Now Cost You More

For instance, movie theatres "have been pushing customers toward premium-priced specialty tickets" - IMAX? Dolby sound? Reclining seats? Or your regular, standard, much cheaper seat? - The New York Times

Conservative Legislators In Tennessee, And Many Other States, Are Attempting To Crush Drag Performances

In their deeply hostile "think about the children" anti-drag legislation, they may be also trying to crush theatre. - The New York Times

I Went To The Royal Opera On A £1 Ticket

Journalist Hugh Morris managed to score the ultimate prize of a cheap-tickets-for-young-audiences scheme: £1 admission to the most expensive classical arts venue in London.  It turned out to be standing room, midweek, at the back of the very top balcony.  Here's his report. - Van

Philadelphia’s Arts Community Gets Nervous As Attendance Is Slow To Rebound

"Arts leaders are unsure what the new normal might be after attendance numbers took a hit from the pandemic. Much hinges on the answer, especially now that federal emergency COVID-19 funding for arts groups has ended and ticket income is becoming more critical." - The Philadelphia Inquirer

“A Different-Shaped Company”: English National Opera CEO Outlines A Hoped-For Transformation

Stuart Murphy says that the plans currently taking shape in talks with Arts Council England call for large-scale proscenium opera remaining at the Coliseum in London but the majority of the company's work, and its headquarters, being outside the capital, featuring smaller-scaled works in different venues. - The Stage

Pittsburgh Symphony Is Starting A New Series of Casual Concerts

At the PSO Disrupt series, ... the concerts will last only about an hour and a half or less. A host will guide listeners through the music with remarks throughout the concert.  Even more radical might be the themed cocktails that attendees will be allowed to bring into the hall." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Many Indian Film Fans Aren’t Impressed With The Song Naatu Naatu Or The Movie RRR

"Among Indian audiences, there is a deep divide between those who applaud that the rest of the world is waking up to his brilliance and those who are horrified that a 'dubba' — or hollow film — is being lauded." - Variety

An Entire Revamping Of Manchester’s Museum Tries To Meet 21st Century Britain

The museum's director calls museums "empathy machines" and says the mission goes "beyond caring for objects and collections to 'caring for beliefs and ideas and relationships.'" - The New York Times

Will Disney Dump Hulu?

The trials and tribulations of the large streamers seem somewhat petty - and yet the Mouse just announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs. Will some of those jobs come from one of the OG streaming sites? - Vulture

Advertising For Broadway Shows Isn’t Working Like It Used to.  Here’s What Needs Fixing.

"Great advertising does not create success. Great shows do. But advertising can expand success from a limited audience and make it larger. Much larger. But today's advertising needs to understand today's market" — which is not the market of three years ago. - Broadway News

Are Theatre Sales Trending Upward?

Record tickets sales in Chicago's Theatre Week may indicate - finally - something's going OK for the COVID-bitten profession. - Daily Herald (Illinois)

Theatre Staff Are Increasingly Nervous About Awful Patron Behavior

In Edinburgh, for instance, "On a small number of occasions, they become aggressive, start shouting and swearing at our staff and it ends in violence. ... The reaction is 'I have paid for my ticket, I don't care if other people can't see or hear'." - BBC

Stop Assaulting The Staff, Says Edinburgh Playhouse Boss To Audiences

"They have been verbally and physically assaulted by a small number of audience members while trying to do their job. Two weeks ago one of my staff was punched. This week one of them was pushed and spat on." - The National (Scotland)

AMC Will Start Pricing Movie Tickets According To Location

"The mega-exhibitor is following music concerts, sporting events and other entertainment venues in setting its ticket pricing strategy to sightlines for seating selections. AMC patrons attending cinemas after 4 p.m. will be able to pay different prices based on their proximity to the movie screen within the auditorium." - The Hollywood Reporter

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