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22 February 2012
Last updated at 12:09 GMT

Mr Smith said the BBC was shielding the Queen from any ‘genuine scrutiny’

Anti-monarchy group Republic has accused the BBC of bias in its documentary series The Diamond Queen.

Chief executive Graham Smith said he had written to BBC Trust chairman Chris Patten listing “distortions, half-truths and fabrications” in the series.

“What was presented as a piece of biographical journalism was in fact pro-monarchy polemic,” he said.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC abides by its requirement to be duly impartial across its output.”

Mr Smith said Republic had called for an investigation into the programme broadcast earlier this month and challenged presenter Andrew Marr to an on-air debate about its content.

His letter accused the BBC of “misleading viewers, silencing dissenting voices and shielding our head of state from any genuine scrutiny”.

Mr Smith said that the documentary was the “latest and most provocative example of a long-standing pattern of behaviour at the BBC in reporting on the monarchy”. He said the “very obvious bias” could be seen across all its output, including TV, radio and online.

The bias, he said, had been “exacerbated” by this year’s Diamond Jubilee.

“We’ll do all we can to ensure the corporation adheres to its legal duty of impartiality, and stops silencing the quarter of the population who believe we’d be better off without the monarchy,” Mr Smith said in a statement.

He said that Republic would hold protests at BBC locations to highlight the issue.

The BBC’s agreement with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport states that it must do “all it can to ensure that controversial subjects are treated with due accuracy and impartiality in all relevant output”.

The BBC Trust, which represents licence fee-payers’ interests, said: “Editorial decisions are a matter for the BBC Executive and it would not be appropriate to comment on an individual complaint as it could later come to the Trust on appeal.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17119720

22 February 2012
Last updated at 13:48 GMT

By Jenny Minard
BBC 2012

John Peel’s record collection will appear in The Space (Pictured here in 1970)

Shakespeare’s Globe and the John Peel Centre have been confirmed as organisations involved in a new digital project as part of London 2012.

The Space – a multi-platform initiative – was launched to showcase some of the best digital art works in the country.

It has commissioned 53 projects to be broadcast across four mediums – TV, internet, tablet computer and mobiles.

The British Film Institute will also get involved and provide films, some of which have not been seen before.

Run by Arts Council England and the BBC, the aim is to build the digital skills and capability of the sector in the run-up to the Olympics.

“The Space will stimulate a dramatic step change in skills development, creative learning and collaboration,” Alan Davey, chief executive of Arts Council England said.

“It will inspire a great generosity of spirit among the participating organisations, with each of them committed to documenting and sharing the journey they all are taking together.”

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London 2012 – One extraordinary year

• The BBC’s home of 2012: Latest Olympic news, sport, culture, torch relay, video and audio

The Arts Council is spending £3.5m on the project and the BBC is developing technological solutions and providing mentoring and training development.

Really special

“What excites us so much about The Space is the chance to unite the BBC’s tradition of technical innovation with our commitment to partnership and the arts,” Roly Keating, BBC Director of Archive Content said.

“By bringing together the complementary skills of BBC and Arts Council in this ambitious way we believe we can make something really special happen to celebrate 2012′s unique summer of arts.”

Currently only 4% of the organisations funded by the Arts Council are creating digital content for a variety of platforms.

Successful applicants to the scheme include Shakespeare’s Globe – which will showcase all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays performed by 37 different international theatre companies.

The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts will recreate the legendary radio DJ’s home studio with his personal notes and personal record collection – producing an interactive online museum.

And Tom Morris, the artistic director of Bristol Old Vic who directed the theatre version of War Horse, will attempt to replicate the emotional experience of watching live performance using techniques developed at the BBC Natural History Unit.

Other commissions include a video postcard wall, 25 new films from the Tate Gallery and a multi-media live performance of Stockhausen’s Helicopter Strong Quartet from the Birmingham Opera Company.

In total, of the 53 commissioned works, 21 are in London and the rest shared between the other English regions.

However Arts Council England is in talks about involving their counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and said it was hopeful that content will be available from around the UK.

More than 700 organisations expressed an interest in being involved in The Space with 111 making the final shortlist.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17129417

22 February 2012
Last updated at 10:10 GMT

Last week Ronson added his name to a “Beat Wall” near the Olympic Stadium in London

Music producer Mark Ronson is to work with choreographer Wayne McGregor on a new Royal Ballet dance piece that will have its world premiere in April.

The currently untitled piece features in a triple bill that will have six performances at the Royal Opera House.

Designer Gareth Pugh and songwriter Andrew Wyatt will also collaborate on what has been described as “a perfect fusion of pop, dance and fashion”.

The Royal Ballet made McGregor its resident choreographer in 2006.

His new work will see 18 dancers join “a number of artists” who will perform the nine songs Ronson and Wyatt are creating for the production.

According to the Royal Ballet, the songs will “focus on the Jungian theme of anima/animus and the theory of collective masculine and feminine unconscious”.

Ronson, 36, is best known for his work with such chart-topping artists as Daniel Merryweather, Lily Allen and the late Amy Winehouse.

In 2010 Wyatt – part of the Swedish electropop band Miike Snow – contributed to two songs on Ronson’s Record Collection album.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17125011

22 February 2012
Last updated at 13:27 GMT

Bonham Carter (r) was made a CBE in the New Year Honours

British actress Helena Bonham Carter has been made a CBE by the Queen, two years on from playing her mother in Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech.

The 45-year-old wore a striking tartan dress as she received her honour.

Afterwards the actress – who won a Bafta for playing the future Queen Mother in Tom Hooper’s acclaimed royal drama – declined to speak to reporters.

Her King’s Speech co-star Colin Firth also kept his counsel when he received a CBE from Prince Charles last month.

Since coming to prominence in such costume dramas as 1985′s A Room with a View, Bonham Carter has enjoyed an eclectic career that includes several movies with her partner, US director Tim Burton.

When she learned she had been recognised in the New Year’s Honours, the actress paid tribute to her late father Raymond “for facing 25 years of chronic disability with quiet daily heroism”.

“I am delighted to accept such a wonderful honour in his memory,” she said at the time.

Record producer Steve Lillywhite and novelist Maggie Gee were also honoured at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, receiving a CBE and OBE respectively

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17125015

22 February 2012
Last updated at 13:50 GMT

Woman in Black tells the chilling tale of a menacing ghost who seeks vengeance

Daniel Radcliffe’s latest film The Woman In Black remains top of the UK and Ireland box office.

The movie, which is based on Susan Hill’s 1983 novel of the same name, has taken a total of £10.4m since it was released two weeks ago.

The Muppets was also a non-mover in second place, followed by new release Ghost Rider 3D: Spirit of Vengeance.

At number four was Star Wars: Episode 1 3D, with Journey 2: The Mysterious Island rounding off the top five.

The Vow, starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, was in sixth place.

The movie is based on the true story about how a tragic accident affected the lives of a young newlywed couple.

Sci-fi fantasy film Chronicle, which topped the film chart three weeks ago, fell two places this week to seventh place, followed by George Clooney’s Oscar-nominated movie The Descendents.

Silent movie The Artist was ninth in this week’s chart, followed by Steven Spielberg’s epic film War Horse which was at number 10.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17125413

21 February 2012
Last updated at 11:05 GMT

Banderas (l) and Picasso were both born in Malaga

Antonio Banderas is to play Pablo Picasso in upcoming film 33 Days, based on the period when the Spanish artist produced his masterpiece Guernica.

Carlos Saura’s French- and Spanish-language movie begins filming in summer 2013, according to Variety.

Banderas told Spanish newspaper El Pais that Picasso “deserves a lot of respect… I was born four blocks from where he was born”.

33 Days refers to the time Picasso spent on the Guernica mural.

The famous painting captured the artist’s response to the destruction of the Basque town of Guernica in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War.

In his El Pais interview, Banderas said Picasso was “a character that has pursued me for a long time”.

Variety reports the film will also focus on Picasso’s relationship with his lover, French artist Dora Maar.

Banderas is no stranger to art biopics, having appeared in a film about the life of Frida Kahlo in 2002 opposite Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina.

Picasso was previously portrayed on screen by Sir Anthony Hopkins in 1996, by Omid Djalili in 2004′s Modigliani and by Marcial Di Fonzo Bo in last year’s Midnight in paris.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17112025

21 February 2012
Last updated at 16:41 GMT

Idle (l) said the show had assembled an “astonishing cast”. Brand (r) will play the lead role

Russell Brand and Billy Connolly are among the stars set to appear in Eric Idle’s new musical, What About Dick?

The comic farce, featuring songs by Idle and John Du Prez, will run for four nights at the Orpheum theatre in Los Angeles from 26 to 29 April.

Brand plays the lead role of an Oxford University undergraduate studying philosophy and gynaecology.

Tim Curry, Eddie Izzard and Tracey Ullman are also among the cast, while Idle will be the narrator.

Du Prez, who worked with Idle to produce the successful West End and Broadway show Spamalot, will play the piano.

Curry played King Arthur in the earlier musical, which was inspired by 1974′s Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Jane Leeves, best known as Daphne in Frasier, will also appear, alongside Sophie Winkleman – half-sister of Film 2012 host Claudia – and Two and a Half Men’s Jim Piddock.

Idle described the musical, set in Edwardian England, as “Oscar Wilde on acid, or like Downton Abbey, only even funnier.”

The Python star had been working on the script for several years before joining forces with Du Prez.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17117255

By Steven McIntosh
Newsbeat reporter

Puss In Boots topped the UK box office chart when it was released in November

Cineworld have apologised after a 15-rated trailer was shown before a U-rated film in one of their cinemas.

Many children were said to be in tears after an advert for horror film The Devil Inside was screened before a showing of Puss In Boots.

A trailer for 12A film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance was also shown at the cinema in Wandsworth.

A spokesperson for Cineworld said the incident was down to “genuine human error”.

“We apologise sincerely to the families in the screen at the time,” they added.

The British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC) told Newsbeat a cinema would be in breach of its licence if it showed a trailer which wasn’t suitable for the audience of the film.

In a statement the BBFC said: “Cinemas require a licence from the local authority in which they operate.

“The licence must include a condition requiring the admission of children under 18 to any work (including trailers), to be restricted in accordance with the recommendations of the BBFC or the licensing authority.

“It is a matter for the local authority to enforce the conditions of the licence.”

Wandsworth Council has launched an investigation after receiving a complaint.

Cineworld said: “All customers who were affected by the incident were offered complimentary tickets.

“We take matters such as this very seriously and are currently assessing the process to see how the procedure can be improved to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/newsbeat/17112713

21 February 2012
Last updated at 17:53 GMT

Actor Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in The Bodyguard, gave a eulogy at her funeral

The BBC has defended its coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral on its News Channel following complaints from viewers about its duration.

The broadcaster received 118 complaints about the Channel’s coverage of the four-hour service on Saturday.

The corporation said it was “part of the News Channel function to be there when major stories take place”.

Another 34 complaints were received from people upset that the service had been interrupted.

Live coverage of the service began at 17:00 GMT and continued until just before 20:30 GMT, with the BBC continuing to report on the story afterwards.

“The News Channel’s coverage of Whitney Houston’s funeral reflected the significant interest in her sudden death as well as acknowledging the impact she had as a global recording artist,” said the corporation in a statement.

It acknowledged that “some people felt there was too much coverage” but said BBC One’s teatime bulletin, radio bulletins and other services had still given viewers “the best access to the day’s other news stories”.

Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R Kelly performed at the service, which took place in Newark, New Jersey. Actor Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in The Bodyguard, gave a eulogy.

The 48-year-old singer was found in a bath in her hotel room at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on 11 February.

The cause of her death will remain unclear until the results of the toxicology tests are announced.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17114756

22 February 2012
Last updated at 01:03 GMT

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Winners at the Brit Awards included Adele, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay

Adele has won two prizes at the Brit Awards ceremony in London, but was at the centre of controversy after one of her acceptance speeches was cut short.

Her speech was halted after she picked up the prize for best British album. She also won best British female.

“I flung the middle finger. That was for the suits at the Brit Awards, not my fans. I’m sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me,” she said.

Ed Sheeran also won two awards – best British male and British breakthrough.

Coldplay were crowned best British group for a record third time, while former X Factor boy band One Direction beat Adele to the award for best British single.

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We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele”

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Brits spokesperson

Adele added her Brits to the six Grammy Awards she won last weekend, capping a year of huge global success. According to her record label, the London singer’s second album 21 has sold 17 million copies around the world and hit number one in 24 countries.

Accepting the best album prize – the final and most prestigious of the night – she said: “Nothing makes me prouder than coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year.

“I’m so proud to be British and to be flying our flag.”

But there were boos from the audience as she was interrupted by host James Corden in order to introduce the final perfomers, Blur. Adele then added: “Can I just say, then, goodbye and I’ll see you next time round.”

Ed Sheeran was rewarded for the success of his debut album +

Her gesture was then momentarily visible on the live ITV1 coverage.

“I was about to thank the British public for all their support but they cut me off,” the star later said backstage. “So thank you very much for all your support. It’s amazing.”

ITV later issued a statement about the incident, saying: “The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the programme was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologise to Adele for the interruption.”

A Brits spokesman added: “We regret this happened and we send our deepest apologies to Adele that her big moment was cut short.

“We don’t want this to undermine her incredible achievement in winning our night’s biggest award. It tops off what’s been an incredible year for her.”

‘Humbling’

Adele’s 21 beat Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto, Florence The Machine’s Ceremonials, PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake and Ed Sheeran’s + to the best British album award.

In the best British female category, Adele beat Jessie J, Florence The Machine, Kate Bush and last year’s winner Laura Marling. She also sang Rolling at the Deep at the ceremony – only her second performance since throat surgery last year.

Meanwhile, US pop star Bruno Mars was named best international male, Rihanna picked up best international female and the Foo Fighters won best international group.

Sheeran led the nominations going into the ceremony, up for best British male, breakthrough, single and album.

He beat rapper Professor Green, James Blake, James Morrison and Noel Gallagher to the prize for best British male.

The 21-year-old told the crowd: “I honestly didn’t think I’d get this one.”

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Kylie Minogue, Noel Gallagher and Tinie Tempah spoke to the BBC’s Lizo Mzimba on the red carpet

Coldplay were crowned best British group in a category voted for by listeners to BBC Radio 2. Frontman Chris Martin described it as “very humbling”.

Speaking backstage about winning best group more times than any other band, Martin said: “They keep splitting up. They keep taking themselves out of the game. We’re the only players still on the pitch. No Pulp, no Oasis. Take That are on holiday. We’ll take it if they’re not around.”

The outstanding contribution honour went to reformed Britpop favourites Blur, who performed a medley of their hits. Their last appearance at the Brit Awards was in 1995, when they went home with four trophies.

Singer Damon Albarn said: “Last time we were here was 17 years ago and what happened that night seemed to have a really profound effect on our lives, so it’s very nice to come back and say thank you very much for this honour.”

One Direction won best single for their hit What Makes You Beautiful, beating tracks including Adele’s Someone Like You, Ed Sheeran’s The A Team and Price Tag by Jessie J and BoB.

The international breakthrough trophy went to fast-rising New York-based pop star Lana Del Rey. She told the crowd: “This award means much more to me than you know and I just want to say that without the support of everyone in this room and everyone in the UK I’d really be lost.”

The event also included tributes to the late stars Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse and featured performances from Noel Gallagher, Florence and the Machine, Rihanna and Olly Murs with Rizzle Kicks.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/entertainment-arts-17104569