In making the announcement, Jim Anderson remarked, "The AES has always drawn major artists including Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Browne and Mick Fleetwood. But they are generally focused on visiting the Exhibits or working with specific manufacturers. This year's show has attracted a trio of superstar participants, Tony Bennett, Ben Folds and now Judy Collins. We are extremely fortunate to provide their insights to our attendees."
Olympic Countdown - The National Youth Theatre is to welcome athletes to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it has been announced. NYT actors will write and perform the team welcome ceremonies to formally greet athletes and officials when they arrive next year. The events will also include national anthems and flag raising.
Paul Roseby, NYT artistic director, said: "It is fitting that the best in young British talent from the length and breadth of the nation will be welcoming the world to our games in 2012. We're honoured to be chosen to fill the athletes' village with something very special, full of the wit, diversity and innovation of British youth."
Amateur Dramatics - Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group is to further exploit the composer's back catalogue of work within the amateur sector, with the organisation's head of licensing admitting it is becoming an "increasingly important" market. As part of its push to make Lloyd Webber's work more widely available to amateur groups, including schools, youth groups and amateur dramatic companies, RUG has launched a new website providing information about which Lloyd Webber shows are available to be performed non-professionally in each country. The site explains which shows are available to which groups, and also gives a breakdown of the cast and set requirements for each production. Launch of the site (www.stagemusical.com) follows news that The Phantom of the Opera and Cats have now been licensed to schools around the UK for the first time.
In The Courts - Lady Gaga has won an injunction at London's High Court to stop animated character Lady Goo Goo from releasing a single, its makers have said. Lady Goo Goo, a baby with a long blonde fringe from the Moshi Monsters online game - owned by UK firm Mind Candy - released The Moshi Dance on YouTube. But Lady Gaga's injunction has stopped its full release, Mind Candy said. Law firm Mishcon de Reya confirmed it had represented Lady Gaga but said it could not comment further.
(Jim Evans)
