The Pastels

The Pastels are an independent music group from Glasgow, formed in 1981. The group consists of Stephen McRobbie (vocals, guitar), Katrina Mitchell (vocals, drum kit), Gerard Love (bass guitar), John Hogarty (guitar), Tom Crossley (flute, keyboards), and Alison Mitchell (trumpet).

History

Their early records (1982–85) for record labels such as Whaam!, Creation, Rough Trade, and Glass Records, had a raw and immediate sound, melodic and amateur, which seemed at odds with the time. But an emerging fanzine culture identified with the group's sound and image, and slowly The Pastels started to influence a new wave of groups, which interested the NME and other UK media.

The Pastels' sound continued to evolve and, although part of the NME's C86 compilation, in interviews they always sought to distance themselves from both twee and shambling developments. Their debut album, Up for a Bit With The Pastels (Glass, 1987; re-issue Paperhouse, 1991) moved from garage pop-punk through to ballads with synth orch splashes. In 2003, it was named the 37th best Scottish album by The Scotsman. The follow-up, Sittin' Pretty (Chapter 22, 1989) was harder but less eclectic. Reports started to appear in the UK music press that the group was splitting up.

Florence Foster Jenkins (film)

Florence Foster Jenkins is an upcoming American–British biographical comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Nicholas Martin. The film stars Meryl Streep as Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who became an opera singer notorious for her bad singing skills. Other cast members include Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Nina Arianda, and Rebecca Ferguson. Filming began in May 2015 in London.

Cast

Production

On October 21, 2014, it was announced that Stephen Frears would next direct a biopic Florence, scripted by Nicholas Martin, about Florence Foster Jenkins, a famous opera singer.Meryl Streep was set to play Jenkins while Hugh Grant was set to play stage actor St. Clair Bayfield, Jenkins' partner and manager.Michael Kuhn and Tracey Seaward would produce the film, which Pathé would finance and handle the sales at American Film Market. In November 2014, the film was sold to international distributors, and Pathé would distribute the film in the UK, France and Switzerland.Simon Helberg was set on March 27, 2015 to play Cosmé McMoon, pianist and the accompanist to Jenkins.Rebecca Ferguson was added to the cast on April 1, 2015 to play Bayfield's suffering wife. On April 13, 2015, Nina Arianda joined the film to play Agnes Stark, a showgirl struggling to step-up in the social life with the help of her husband.

Florence Township, New Jersey

Florence Township is a township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 12,109, reflecting an increase of 1,363 (+12.7%) from the 10,746 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 480 (+4.7%) from the 10,266 counted in the 1990 Census.

Florence was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1872, from portions of Mansfield Township. The township was named for Florence, Italy.

History

The Florence City Company, formed in 1849, organized the original layout of lots and streets in Florence. It also oversaw construction of the Florence Hotel and wharf. The Florence Iron Works was established in 1857 along the Delaware River by Richard Jones. It continued as a major force in the economy of the community, especially after ownership was transferred to Richard D. Wood in 1867. The 1900 United States Census reported that a good portion of the workforce was dependent on the foundry.

List of Little Britain characters

This is a list of characters for the British television and radio sketch show Little Britain (and its American spin-off, Little Britain USA).

A

Alan

Played By: David Walliams
Appearances: Season 3
Alan works for the Donkey Hospice in the town of Achingballs. After contributors give him some money, he blatantly places stickers on embarrassing body parts, such as the genital region or breasts and on someone's rear in a deleted scene. He makes one appearance in Series 3.

Peter Andre

Played by: David Walliams
Episodes: Radio Show; Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
Catchphrase: I love you Anne and I need you Anne
Peter Andre is a royal BBC correspondent who gets sacked after first making bizarre and inaccurate claims about the Royal Family (such as Prince Charles having magical powers, describing The Queen as "The Main One" and mistaking Princess Eugenie for her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York) and then declaring his love for Princess Anne through song. He later attempts to enter a royal garden party to give her some drawings, despite being disheveled and without trousers, and is turned away by police. The character's name is a reference to the singer. There are also two deleted scenes in which Peter Andre appears backstage at the Royal Variety Performance and at a drug rehab centre.