For the first time in more than three decades, the British Queen is to wa-tch tennis at Wimbledon, a media report said.
According to the Sun, the Monarch’s presence could be a good omen for British players as when she was last at the All England Club in 1977, home favourite Virginia Wade won the women’s singles title. Since then no Briton has won a senior singles title.
The Queen will watch from the Centre Court’s Royal Box on June 24 — in the tournament’s first week. Tennis lovers will be hoping the royal appearance will provide some luck for British No. 1 Andy Murray.
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Drugs part of creative era: Jagger
London: Rolling Stone legend Mick Jagger, famous for his wild ways during their heyday, believes that 70s was a time of “excess” and “drug taking and orgies” were part of the creative period.
The 66-year-old musician, who is the focus of new documentary Stones in Exile at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, believes the “orgies and drug taking” of the early 70s were a result of it being a creative time, Contactmusic reported. “The orgies, the drug taking? Yes I remember it well. It was lot of fun, quite a bumpy time but generally quite a creative period despite all the excesses. In those days that’s how it was done — we got away with it.” —PTI
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Quaid lived on fast food to play Bill
New York: Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid hogged on fast food to gain extra flab for his portrayal of former American President Bill Clinton in a new film.
With southern drawl and mannerisms down pat, the 56-year-old actor piled on 35 pounds, shaved his eyebrows and wore a silver-grey wig for the upcoming HBO movie The Special Relationship, CNN reported online. “I used a wig and shaved off my eyebrows because Clinton doesn’t hardly have any eyebrows. I also gained 35 pounds by eating McDonald’s like Clinton. I ate a lot of Happy Meals, and I loved those 10-piece Chicken McNuggets,” Quaid said.
—PTI
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Venice mayor: Reforms put La Fenice at risk
Milan: Venice’s mayor says new government reforms of the nation’s state-supported opera houses puts the lagoon city’s Teatro La Fenice at risk.
Musicians and singers at La Fenice are among the thousands striking nationwide against the emergency provisions that among other things limit successful opera houses’ ability to pay higher wages. The premiere of Mozart’s Don Giovanni has been cancelled on Tuesday night. Venice mayor Giorgio Orsoni said in a statement after meeting with unions on Sunday that “a civilised country can’t forget its own historic and cultural roots” and that the decree “risks butchering” La Fenice. Orsoni said that there could be ways to rationalise costs “but without the harsh sacrifices foreseen in the decree.” —AP