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New York Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Churchyard' and ‘Tablet' Review: Irreverence and Resurrection
Paul Taylor isn't commonly discussed as a religious choreographer, but religious themes run through the nearly 150 dances he made across six decades. That his perspective was usually irreverent doesn't mean it was unserious. William Blake, explaining why Satan has the best lines in John Milton's 'Paradise Lost,' wrote that Milton was 'of the Devil's party without knowing it.' Taylor's dances often seem to suggest that we're all of the devil's party and that it would be hypocritical to pretend otherwise, but also that the implications of that truth could be very dark. Take 'Churchyard' (1969), one of the two works that the Paul Taylor Dance Company has reconstructed for its run at the Joyce Theater this week. It starts with a woman wearing what looks like a nun's wimple, her palms pressed together in prayer. The accompanying music sounds medieval, and the actions of the dancers who soon join her are both prayerful and pastoral, almost Edenic. Halfway through the dance, though, these images are replaced with the cavorting of devils or maybe the damned. Now with bulges like tumors in their costumes, the dancers fling themselves around in gnarled, twisted positions, jumping like frogs and scratching themselves. The men carry the women upside down, and the woman from the beginning, now a siren-like figure in a cape, swings her head to slap the ground with her braid. It's like a Hieronymus Bosch painting with touches of go-go dancing. Taylor called the work's two sections 'Sacred' and 'Profane.' But the sacred half isn't pure. The score — by the semi-forgotten avant-gardist Andrew Sarchiapone, who called himself Cosmos Savage — mixes in sounds of storms, which could also be a bowling alley next door. The innocent interactions between men and women are so chivalrous that they're arch, with hints of lust and trouble in paradise. The perversity of the choreographer-god seeps in with impossible-to-hold balances (set to fast music) and cruelly slow descents to the floor. The profane section is more fun, with naughty bits. But it is fun for us, not for the lost souls. There's desperation in their frantic activity. They seem compelled. And if their fate is ours, this memento mori of a dance is a nightmare. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Thief steals hundreds of dollars worth of toys by shoving them down her pants
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. CCTV footage showed the shocking moment a brazen thief steals around $800 worth of Jellycats by stuffing them down her pants. The huge haul of Jellycat soft toys was taken from St Peter's Garden Centre, south west of Birmingham, England, after a woman stuffed a 'significant amount' of the stock into her trousers and bags. Footage filmed on June 7, 2025, showed a woman helping herself to items as she walked through the store, casually adjusting her pants as she went. Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material. Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity. William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: 'We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock – over $800 worth of Jellycat toys – was stolen from our store. 'As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hardworking team behind the scenes. 'Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of. 'We're co-operating fully with local authorities and we'd like to thank our customers for the response to the video and all their continued support.' Jellycat toys are extremely popular right now. Picture: Supplied The woman stole $800 worth of Jellycat toys. Picture: CCTV West Mercia Police said: 'We received a report of theft from St Peter's Garden Centre on June 11. 'Inquiries are ongoing.' In Australia, stores such as David Jones stock Jellycats, with the department store seeing a massive uptick in sales in previous years. 'We've seen strong demand for the brand and an increase in sales in not only their iconic bunny which they are best known for but also more niche/unique styles,' a David Jones spokesperson told last month. 'There has also been a noticeable shift in the consumer who is buying this product, traditionally bought for children we have seen demand from Gen Z thanks to social media driving the trend among this group.' It comes as Aussies have gone wild for the Labubu craze, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the toy only took off after Blackpink's Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain-version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024. And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked, including Aussies. This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission Originally published as Thief steals hundreds of dollars worth of toys by shoving them down her pants
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Herald Sun
Thief steals hundreds of dollars worth of toys by shoving them down her pants
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. CCTV footage showed the shocking moment a brazen thief steals around $800 worth of Jellycats by stuffing them down her pants. The huge haul of Jellycat soft toys was taken from St Peter's Garden Centre, south west of Birmingham, England, after a woman stuffed a 'significant amount' of the stock into her trousers and bags. Footage filmed on June 7, 2025, showed a woman helping herself to items as she walked through the store, casually adjusting her pants as she went. Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material. Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity. William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: 'We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock – over $800 worth of Jellycat toys – was stolen from our store. 'As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hardworking team behind the scenes. 'Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of. 'We're co-operating fully with local authorities and we'd like to thank our customers for the response to the video and all their continued support.' Jellycat toys are extremely popular right now. Picture: Supplied The woman stole $800 worth of Jellycat toys. Picture: CCTV West Mercia Police said: 'We received a report of theft from St Peter's Garden Centre on June 11. 'Inquiries are ongoing.' In Australia, stores such as David Jones stock Jellycats, with the department store seeing a massive uptick in sales in previous years. 'We've seen strong demand for the brand and an increase in sales in not only their iconic bunny which they are best known for but also more niche/unique styles,' a David Jones spokesperson told last month. 'There has also been a noticeable shift in the consumer who is buying this product, traditionally bought for children we have seen demand from Gen Z thanks to social media driving the trend among this group.' It comes as Aussies have gone wild for the Labubu craze, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the toy only took off after Blackpink's Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain-version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024. And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked, including Aussies. This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission Originally published as Thief steals hundreds of dollars worth of toys by shoving them down her pants
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
Thief steals hundreds of dollars worth of toys by shoving them down her pants
CCTV footage showed the shocking moment a brazen thief steals around $800 worth of Jellycats by stuffing them down her pants. The huge haul of Jellycat soft toys was taken from St Peter's Garden Centre, south west of Birmingham, England, after a woman stuffed a 'significant amount' of the stock into her trousers and bags. Footage filmed on June 7, 2025, showed a woman helping herself to items as she walked through the store, casually adjusting her pants as she went. Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material. Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity. William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: 'We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock – over $800 worth of Jellycat toys – was stolen from our store. 'As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hardworking team behind the scenes. 'Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of. 'We're co-operating fully with local authorities and we'd like to thank our customers for the response to the video and all their continued support.' West Mercia Police said: 'We received a report of theft from St Peter's Garden Centre on June 11. 'Inquiries are ongoing.' In Australia, stores such as David Jones stock Jellycats, with the department store seeing a massive uptick in sales in previous years. 'We've seen strong demand for the brand and an increase in sales in not only their iconic bunny which they are best known for but also more niche/unique styles,' a David Jones spokesperson told last month. 'There has also been a noticeable shift in the consumer who is buying this product, traditionally bought for children we have seen demand from Gen Z thanks to social media driving the trend among this group.' It comes as Aussies have gone wild for the Labubu craze, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the toy only took off after Blackpink's Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain-version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024. And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked, including Aussies.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Astonishing moment brazen thief stuffs £400 worth of Jellycats down her TROUSERS in shocking soft toy raid
CCTV FOOTAGE shows the shocking moment a brazen thief steals £400 worth of Jellycats by stuffing them down her trousers. The huge haul of Jellycat soft toys was taken from St Peter's Garden Centre, Worcester, after a woman stuffed a "significant amount" of the stock into her trousers and bags. 3 The woman spotted at St Peter's Garden Centre, Worcester Credit: CCTV 3 The woman stole £400 worth of Jellycat toys 3 West Mercia Police said enquiries are still ongoing Credit: CCTV Footage filmed on June 7, 2025, shows a woman helping herself to items as she walks through the store, casually adjusting her trousers as she goes. Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material. Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity. William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: "We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock - over £400 worth of Jellycat toys - was stolen from our store. "As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hard-working team behind the scenes. "Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of. "We're co-operating fully with local authorities and we'd like to thank our customers for the response to the video and all their continued support." West Mercia Police said: "We received a report of theft from St Peter's Garden Centre on Wednesday (11 June). "Enquiries are on-going." It comes after a brazen thief used a stolen van to smash through a shop wall and steal thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes and alcohol. Moment brazen thief rides on roof of white van to case out houses over wall - before hopping into garden Shocking footage shows the moment Kayne Palmer, 33, rams into Bestwood Hill Food and Wine in Nottingham using a stolen vehicle in October 2023. Stock and shelves fly across the room as the burglar reverses into the off license at speed. Brickwork continues to crumble around the van as Palmer nabs £8,000 worth of fags and booze. He can be seen on CCTV stuffing thousands of cigarettes into a bag before discovering it has a hole in the bottom. In a panic, Palmer then grabs a shopping basket which he uses to carry the stolen goods. He also swipes a till which he loads into the van before fleeing the scene. Palmer caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the shop and stole £7,897 of cigarettes and alcohol, as well as £3,239 of cash. The frightened shop owners were upstairs at the time of the ram raid and were woken by the loud bang of the van smashing into the store. They called the police but by the time they got downstairs the crook had gone. Hours before the 5am raid, Palmer broke into a nearby house and stole keys to the work van along with a handbag and bank card. He carried out a 24-hour crime spree less than a month later, successfully breaking into five houses and attempting to force his way into another. He was finally caught when officers spotted him fence-hopping over gardens following an afternoon break-in in Bestwood, Nottingham. Palmer admitted to a series of offences, including eight burglaries, multiple counts of dangerous driving, assault and driving while disqualified. He was jailed for seven years at Nottingham Crown Court last Friday and was banned from driving for five-and-a-half years.
