Michelle Gayle: ‘They said don’t leave EastEnders – I never regretted it’

From Grange Hill to the West End, via Eurovision and the Brit awards, the star has built multiple careers. She talks about stage-school pressure, TV diversity and playing Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildMichelle Gayle was 10 months into her role as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child last March – and in such full swing that she was in “total denial” of the pandemic – when the West End closed its doors. Sitting in a chintzy backroom of the Palace theatre now, she talks in athletic terms about 12-hour rehearsal days and re-building her stamina. The whole cast is ecstatic to be back, she says, but they are also whispering about how tired they feel.Exhaustion aside, she speaks of her debt to Noma Dumezweni, whose casting in 2016 sparked online outrage from some at the prospect of a Black Hermione. JK Rowling piled in to the furore to defend the casting and call out the complaints as racist. Dumezweni won an Olivier award for the part. “I owe her a lot of gratitude – I’m standing on her shoulders,” says Gayle. “She got through that [time] with incredible grace and proved she was there on merit because she’s a bloody good actress but she had to take a big hit online to do that. When someone of the quality of Noma steps up, no one’s got anything more to say and then the conversation’s dead. It’s a shame that you have to be brilliant to end that conversation, but there are enough brilliant black actors out there.” Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-10-13 08:41:05 UTC ]

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Re-Creating The Magic Of Harry Potter In The Real World

The graphic designers behind the new Diagon Alley theme park reveal how they translate the stuff of film and books into real-world magic.Hundreds of wannabe-magicians walk down a cobblestone street, lugging bags filled with wands, robes, and plush three-headed dogs. A dragon breathes fire atop a... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2014-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling reveals six new Cormoran Strike books are in the works

Rowling's detective series, written under the pen name Robert Galbraith, will eventually outnumber the 'Harry Potter' series Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling pens a new 'Harry Potter' story and 'Potter' theme park opens (+video)

J.K. Rowling recently released a short story about the futures of such characters as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, while the new section of Universal Studios titled The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley just opened to the public. J.K. Rowling also recently... Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-07-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling pens a new 'Harry Potter' story and a new 'Potter' theme park opens

J.K. Rowling recently released a short story about the futures of such characters as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, while the new section of Universal Studios titled The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley just opened to the public. J.K. Rowling also recently... Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-07-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rowling writes story about 30-plus Harry Potter

J K Rowling has written a new piece about a thirty-something Harry Potter and his friends at the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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#Hashtag book titles trend is a gimmick that works  for now

From #Girlboss to #Scandal, publishers are discovering a new marketing hook for hard-copy as well as online readingCan a book go viral in the same way a cat video on YouTube can? Unless its Harry Potter or Fifty Shades of Grey, probably not. So rather than simply trying to reach mass audiences,... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The Casual Vacancy' TV cast will include Michael Gambon, Rory Kinnear

Gambon starred as wizard Dumbledore in the movie series based on 'Vacancy' author J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' novels. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon pulls Warner Bros movies from sales as trade dispute expands

Already in fracas with publisher Hachette, retailer pulls pre-orders such as The Lego Movie to pressure the studio over pricingFirst they came for Harry Potter's author, and now they have come for your Lego. Amazon has expanded its trade dispute with publisher Hachette by adding Warner Bros to... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Half Price Books hosts a Tournament of Sidekicks March Madness-style

The tournament is currently down to 16 contenders, with everyone from Ron Weasley of 'Harry Potter' fame to Winnie the Pooh's friend Piglet still in the running. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Trophy Wife Star Albert Tsai Spends His Free Time Reading Harry Potter Books

Specs Who Albert Tsai Age 9 Accomplishments Stars as Bert on ABC’s Trophy Wife (Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c) Base Los Angeles I’ve read that you take all of your classes online. What’s that like? Yeah, I’m homeschooled. When I’m on set, there’s a studio teacher who helps me with my work. I like it,... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2014-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling says she's had second thoughts about one of the 'Harry Potter' romances

In an interview conducted by 'Potter' actress Emma Watson, Rowling said she's wondered whether she should have paired two of the characters, Ron and Hermione, romantically. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling says she's had second thoughts about one of the 'Harry Potter' romances (+video)

In an interview conducted by 'Potter' actress Emma Watson, Rowling said she's wondered whether she should have paired two of the characters, Ron and Hermione, romantically. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rowling 'got Potter romance wrong'

Harry Potter author JK Rowling appears to suggest the boy wizard would have been a better match for Hermione Granger than Ron Weasley in a new magazine interview. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2014-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter': Here's what to expect from the new theme park section

The new section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios is expected to represent the Diagon Alley shopping area frequented by the wizarding world in the books. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The Wizarding World of Harry Potter': Here's what to expect from the new theme park section (+video)

The new section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios is expected to represent the Diagon Alley shopping area frequented by the wizarding world in the books. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Boost for Scholastic from new 'Hunger Games' film

The release of the latest Hunger Games film, backlist titles such as Harry Potter and success... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-12-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Improv Everywhere's Harry Potter takes Penn Station commuters by surprise (+ video)

The group Improv Everywhere sent an 11-year-old dressed as Harry Potter to Penn Station to ask commuters and workers where he could find Platform 9 3/4. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-11-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter is 'nation's favourite'

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is named the 'nation's favourite' children's book in a vote by reading charity Booktrust. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2013-11-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Attention, 'Harry Potter' fans: Butterbeer reportedly available at Starbucks

A recipe for butterbeer, a beverage beloved by 'Harry Potter' characters,' is making the rounds and fans say you can order one at Starbucks locations. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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On YouTube, Brand Fans Are Just Like Comic Geeks and Shippers

There are major differences between Beauty Gurus and Sneakerheads. For example, Beauty Gurus have hauls whereas Sneakerheads have pick-ups. But both groups exude the same sort of passion as do Marshmallows, Twihards and Harry/Hermione Shippers. These are just some of the insights revealed in a... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2013-10-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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