Experts say that classic plays are expected to make a comeback in the National Theater Company of Korea's 2025 schedule, with innovative productions debuting at leading opera venues. The company has already showcased its commitment to this trend with the international premiere of "Lear" at the Barbican Theatre last October, directed by Jung and starring Kim Jun-su as King Lear. This year, Hwang Su-mi will take on dual roles in Korea's top opera houses, while Jung is set to compete for the Outstanding Achievement in Opera award alongside Aigul Akhmetshina from "Carmen" and Allan Clayton from "Festen".
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-06/entertainment/musicPerformance/Director-Jung-Youngdoo-nominated-for-Laurence-Olivier-Awards-for-traditional-Korean-remake-of-Lear/2278668The Olivier Awards, held at London's Royal Albert Hall, honored outstanding theatrical performances with notable wins for actors John Lithgow, Lesley Manville, and Imelda Staunton, who each received three awards. Productions of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fiddler on the Roof, and Giant also took home multiple awards, solidifying their status as top British theater honors.
https://deadline.com/2025/04/olivier-awards-2025-winners-full-list-1236361612/The London Theatre Awards honored several notable productions and performers. "Benjamin Button" and a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre won three awards each, with Maimuna Memon taking best supporting actress for "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812." Layton Williams won the equivalent prize for "Titanique," a campy Celine Dion celebration. For plays, Elliot Levey and Romola Garai received supporting performer prizes for "Giant" and "The Years," respectively. Norwegian director Eline Arbo was named best director for "The Years," an adaptation of Annie Ernaux's book.
https://apnews.com/article/uk-theater-olivier-awards-winners-lithgow-dahl-a27ea96685571e5908f744023601e845Mary Finsterer's "The Rising World: Spirit of Water" is a unique fusion of Eastern and Western music, blending traditional Korean instruments like the geomungo zither with pansori vocal styles and jeongga songs, showcasing her innovative approach to creating a new genre known as "K-opera."
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-06/entertainment/musicPerformance/Hwang-Sumi-in-dual-roles-as-Koreas-leading-opera-venues-debut-innovative-productions/2278605Anna Netrebko will return to London's Royal Opera after a six-year absence to star in a new production of Puccini's "Tosca" as part of Jakub Hrůša's tenure as music director. The production, set in modern war-torn Rome, will be directed by Oliver Mears and will feature Netrebko singing four performances from September 11-21.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/soprano-anna-netrebko-to-open-royal-opera-season-207653Blackpink has made history by becoming the first K-pop group to headline a major act at Coachella. The group performed on the main stage at the festival, which was previously documented in their Netflix documentary "Light Up the Sky".
https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/blackpink-tops-the-bill-at-coachella-mainstage-makes-history-with-headline-act/Several filmmakers have had their work acquired or premiered at notable festivals. Elizabeth Lo's documentary Mistress Dispeller was picked up by Oscilloscope Laboratories. Isabel Castro's Selena y Los Dinos made its debut at Sundance, with Netflix reportedly interested in acquiring it. Oscar nominees Garrett Bradley and Bing Liu also saw success, with Bradley's Time and Liu's Minding the Gap receiving recognition. Smriti Mundhra, a two-time Oscar nominee, had her films I Am Ready and Warden screened at festivals, while Christine Turner's The Barber of Little Rock earned an Oscar nomination. Dominque Ulloa, editor of We Need to Talk about Cosby and Surviving R. Kelly, has also been recognized for her work in documentary filmmaking.
https://deadline.com/2025/04/2025-concordio-studio-documentary-filmmaker-fellowships-1236360335/George Clooney made his Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of his Oscar-nominated film Good Night, and Good Luck, where fellow Cook County General alumni Julianna Margulies, Anthony Edwards, and Noah Wyle were in attendance.
https://deadline.com/2025/04/er-reunion-george-clooney-broadway-debut-1236360356/Lahore's Mela Baharan 2025 celebrates the city's timeless traditions with a community-driven effort to preserve cultural heritage. The festival features traditional puppet shows, folk music, and pottery workshops, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. Paint company representatives contributed to the initiative, honoring Lahore's artistic legacy and beautifying the city.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1298028-mela-baharan-2025-kicks-off