LOONEY TOONS
Let’s face it. You watched The Adam and Joe Show only for the stuffed-toy film parodies. If you feel your life has been a little empty since their departure from Channel 4, then Angry Alien Productions is on hand to alleviate your ennui. These animators have decided that classic films (and Titanic) are so much better when cut down to 30 seconds and re-enacted by cartoon bunnies. In truth, they probably are, and a lot funnier.

www.angryalien.com

LORD OF THE DANCE
The Stage Online reports on the rejuvenation of the English National Ballet. In 2004, the Arts Council had to bail it out with a £2.3 million rescue grant when it faced insolvency. The appointment of the new managing director, Craig Hassall, may have stopped the rot. Since Hassall came in, the number of performances has risen to 142 in 2005-06, compared with 92 at “crisis time” in 2004-05, and audience numbers have climbed. Hassall said: “Our figures speak for themselves — if people thought what we were doing was dusty and old they would stop coming, but they turn up in droves.”

www.thestage.co.uk
www.ballet.org.uk

BLOG OF THE WEEK
Contemporary art fans should make a beeline for A. J. Christie’s blog, especially if they are Scottish. The Perthshire artist blogs on materials, painting supplies and art-related thoughts, as well as posting short-but- sweet missives promoting art exhibitions, galleries and websites. His commentary is wry and funny, too. On the predictable brouhaha about the Turner Prize: “It’s all terribly funny. I do enjoy how people like to go on TV and decry the death of art because of these exhibits.”

www.orwellgallery.co.uk