Helen Mirren News

Noted thespian and master theatre and film director Kenneth Branagh has found himself at a career peak in 2011, excelling in both entertainment arenas with his striking, visionary blockbuster THOR being one of the year's biggest hits as well as his simply incredible portrayal of Laurence Olivier in the new film MY WEEK WITH MARILYN generating considerable Oscar buzz. Sharing his cordial and candid insights on a number of topics ranging from his beginnings in Shakespeare to his directing and acting in a string of Shakespearean stage plays and films - his iconic films of HENRY V and HAMLET among them - Branagh also illustrates his impressions of fellow acting titans such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir John Gielgud, Ralph Fiennes, Dame Judi Dench, Simon Callow and many more. Plus, he shares his deep affection for the most famous musical theatre Shakespeare adaptation of all time - the classic WEST SIDE STORY; based on ROMEO & JULIET - as well as his love of the work of Stephen Sondheim as a composer/lyricist in his own right. Plus, news on his desire to do Broadway in the future, as well as all about Branagh's new lead role in the Belfast-to-West End transfer of THE PAINKILLER - and much, much more!

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles® (BAFTA Los Angeles) has announced that it will add a British Designer Showcase to its 2011 Britannia Awards on Wednesday, November 30 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Madam Tussauds Museum is currently preparing a wax figure of multi-award winning actress Kate Winslet in London, after topping a visotor survey to add her to the mix. The leading lady the wax figure took centre stage alongside Dame Helen Mirren and Dame Judi Dench. Check out photos of the Winslet wax figure below!

NBC'S SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE drew big ratings this weekend and included a paradyof the recent Kardashian wedding and divorce. Hosted by Charlie Day and musical guest Maroon 5, the show earned its best numbers since Melissa McCarthy hosted on October 1st.

The OBIE Award-winning NAATCO, The National Asian American Theater Company, is kicking off their 22nd season with Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter.

Experience a rollercoaster thriller of deception and collusion in the corridors of power. Following the critically acclaimed series Luther, The Hour and Whitechapel, BBC AMERICA's Dramaville (hosted by Luther star Idris Elba) presents another opportunity to see the award-winning conspiracy drama, State of Play.

Producers Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel announced that the American premiere of THE ANARCHIST, the new play about politics, money, religion and sex, written and directed by DAVID MAMET. The production will star two-time Tony Award winner PATTI LUPONE, who has previously appeared in Mamet's The Woods, All Men are Whores, The Blue Hour, The Water Engine, Edmond and The Old Neighborhood and three-time Emmy Award winner LAURIE METCALF, who was nominated for a 2008 Tony Award for her performance in Mamet's November. THE ANARCHIST, which marks the sixth collaboration between Richards, Frankel and Mamet, will open on Broadway in Fall 2012.

Amphibian Stage Productions, in association with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, is proud to announce the next in its series of National Theatre Live screenings, The Kitchen by Arnold Wesker. Screenings will take place at 2pm and 7pm on Thursday, November 3 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Today we continue our special series consisting of five entries total, each of which highlight a different facet of the rich and wonderful world of William Shakespeare and all with a particular emphasis on the controversial new feature film that explores the time, place, politics and goings-on of the Elizabethan era and focuses on the possibility that the true author of the esteemed plays we now know may very well have been someone else entirely - Edward de Vere - and how the question of the canon's true creation then comes into play - ANONYMOUS. "All the world's a stage," after all, so it should come as no surprise that acts of lust, bloodshed and betrayal would exist in the actual life - or even the supposed one - of the man who created the most bloody and thought-provoking tragedies in the history of literature - whoever he may have actually been. Perhaps some brief analysis of the finest leading players, most memorable lines and moments, as well as an exploration of other notable acts of grand betrayal in Shakespeare's plays will aid us on the journey to understanding the thesis of ANONYMOUS and bring us into a closer relationship with the individual who penned the greatest plays in the English language. Now that we have already analyzed the top ten male and female Shakespearean performers of the last few decades, as well as the most memorable lines and moments, today, in our final installment of the 5 Top 5 countdown, we are focusing on the most surprising and dramatic moments of deception in Shakespeare - including moments from HAMLET, JULIUS CAESER, THE WINTER'S TALE, AS YOU LIKE IT and more!

The OBIE Award-winning NAATCO, The National Asian American Theater Company, is kicking off their 22nd season with Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter.

Today we continue our special series consisting of five entries total, each of which highlight a different facet of the rich and wonderful world of William Shakespeare and all with a particular emphasis on the controversial new feature film that explores the time, place, politics and goings-on of the Elizabethan era and focuses on the possibility that the true author of the esteemed plays we now know may very well have been someone else entirely - Edward de Vere - and how the question of the canon's true creation then comes into play - ANONYMOUS. "All the world's a stage," after all, so it should come as no surprise that acts of lust, bloodshed and betrayal would exist in the actual life - or even the supposed one - of the man who created the most bloody and thought-provoking tragedies in the history of literature - whoever he may have actually been. Perhaps some brief analysis of the finest leading players, most memorable lines and moments, as well as an exploration of other notable acts of grand betrayal in Shakespeare's plays will aid us on the journey to understanding the thesis of ANONYMOUS and bring us into a closer relationship with the individual who penned the greatest plays in the English language. Picking up where we left off, now, with the second entry in the five days of Top 5s, here is a look at the best leading ladies to have done Shakespeare onstage and onscreen this century and last - featuring Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange, Helen Mirren, and, an ANONYMOUS star herself, Vanessa Redgrave!

The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, are pleased to announce honorees that will be recognized for their achievements at the festival's Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 24, 2011.

The 15th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Film Awards, presented by Starz Entertainment, have announced that the cast of DreamWorks Pictures and Participant Media's 'The Help' - Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Chris Lowell, Ahna O'Reilly, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Mary Steenburgen, Cicely Tyson and Mike Vogel - will be recognized at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony with the 'Hollywood Ensemble Acting Award.'

Amphibian Stage Productions, in association with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, is proud to announce the next in its series of National Theatre Live screenings, The Kitchen by Arnold Wesker. Screenings will take place at 2pm and 7pm on Thursday, November 3 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

DGA President Taylor Hackford today announced the host and presenters for the eighth Directors Guild of America Honors, to be held at the DGA Theater in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2011 and followed by an after-party at Nobu 57.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles (BAFTA Los Angeles) announced today that it will rename its Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment in honor of Albert R. 'Cubby' Broccoli, pioneering producer of the James Bond franchise.

DGA President Taylor Hackford today announced the host and presenters for the eighth Directors Guild of America Honors, to be held at the DGA Theater in New York City on Thursday, October 13, 2011 and followed by an after-party at Nobu 57.

Amphibian Stage Productions has announced that, in association with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, it will present four National Theatre Live screenings during the fall of 2011 and the spring of 2012.

Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre is hosting a benefit screening of Julie Taymor's theatrical film version of The Tempest, and will include an introduction and reception with the film's producer. The film stars Helen Mirren as a cross-gendered Prospera, alongside an all-star cast including Djimon Hounsou, Alan Cummings, David Strathairn, Chris Cooper, Russell Brand, Reeve Carney (currently in Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway) and Alfred Molina.

The OBIE Award-winning NAATCO, The National Asian American Theater Company, presents Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter, which will kick off their 22nd season.