NOVEL WAY TO WATCH THEATRE PERFORMANCE

TOKYO: The lights dim, as at the start of any theatre performance, and the audience leans forward to look through a letter-box slot, or peephole, in the door in front of them as the performers break out into dance. Japanese dance company Moonlight Mobile Theater has come up with a novel way of bringing people back to their avant-garde performances while maintaining social distancing. The audience sit on stools in cubicles surrounding the stage, each with its own door and letterdrop slots through which they can watch the dancers. “We intentionally created small holes and slots resembling mailbox slots,” said Nobuyoshi Asai, the theatre’s artistic director and choreographer. The theatre company began this peephole viewing in December after cancelling most of its shows last year because of the pandemic. Since December, all 12 of the peephole performances have sold out. – Reuters

WASHINGTON: Will Smith has opened up about his political ambitions, with the actor saying he might consider running for office “at some point” in the future in a podcast appearance. The 52-yearold was asked about his views on joining politics and his brushes with racism on the “Pod Save America” podcast hosted by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor. “I think for now I’ll let that office get cleaned up a little bit,” Smith said, adding: “And then I’ll consider that at some point down the line”. The actor said he “absolutely” has an opinion and believes in fostering understanding between people, as well as the possibility of social harmony. The Independent