Entertainment & Arts
A new memoir on friendship, enterprise, triumph over tragedy and the art of the possible
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Fast moving, entertaining, funny and inspiring, Accidental Lives by Sylvia Holder and Lindsay Swan, to be published on 15 November 2024 by Black Spring Press, is a book about tragedy turned to triumph, ‘sliding door’ life changers, chance encounters and a glorious friendship. It tells the extraordinary story of how a young man’s tragic death in a poor South Indian fishing village led to the setting up of a charity, the Venkat Trust, which has transformed thousands of young lives.
Pre-war baby, natural rebel and boarding school survivor Sylvia Holder, who has spent much of the 60s and 70s working her way around the world between pitstops in London, meets Scots born Lindsay Swan, 13 years her junior, at a Johannesburg PR agency. Here their paths cross with unlikely characters from Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to the Wombles and the Monkees.
Returning to London, Sylvia sets up a PR consultancy and is later joined by Lindsay. For the next 20 years, Holder Swan Public Relations – which bears more than a passing resemblance to television’s Absolutely Fabulous – handles an eclectic mix of clients. These take them on safari in Zambia, to Mexico’s Mayan ruins, Iceland’s volcanoes and the high rises of Hong Kong. At home, they publicise Chichester Festival Theatre, Hampton Court Flower Show and many more. Other celebrities making an appearance in their memoir include Roger Moore, Joan Collins, Elton John, Diana Rigg, Cliff Richard and Patricia Hodge, as well as members of the Rolling Stones.
“This book gives an entertaining and moving account of the adventurous lives of that fine duo, Holder and Swan, two fearless, funny and brave women. It’s a story of friendship and enterprise and extraordinary generosity, of triumph over tragedy, with some amazing anecdotes and an exhilarating sense of life lived to the full.”
Dame Margaret Drabble, author and fellow traveller to Zambia and India.
When not travelling the world, they hold court in their quirky London office, the original Chalk Farm farmhouse, thought to have been artist Walter Sickert’s studio. Their entrepreneurial sidelines include a City sandwich bar and PR training business. In parallel Sylvia builds an impressive property portfolio. Underpinning everything is the authors’ friendship, their shared delight in the absurd, sense of adventure, belief in the power of the possible and enthusiasm for making things happen.
“This is the story of a uniquely creative female friendship. Its fruit was a PR agency built for fun as much as money and a charity which has transformed the life of a poor Indian fishing village. Absorbing, amusing, moving and inspiring, here is a hugely enjoyable read. Dr Piers Brendon, historian, biographer, broadcaster and fellow traveller to Zambia and India.”
Aged 65, Sylvia retires to the south coast but things take an unexpected turn when Venkat, a poor Indian fisherman’s son she’d met as a skinny 12-year-old 15 years earlier and whom she’d sponsored through school and university, is tragically killed in a road traffic accident. Heartbroken, she returns to Kovalam, Venkat’s village near Chennai, and on impulse, pledges to bring education and a route out of the poverty of generations to the children of the 8000-inhabitant village, where free schooling is virtually non-existent.
That she knows nothing about India, education or charities and is 65 years old, is of no consequence to Sylvia, who sets about fulfilling her promise, working as always with Lindsay. The achievements are truly life changing: a state-of-the-art 1000 pupil higher secondary school, a 400-child sponsorship scheme and a university fund which pays the fees of 75 young people a year. Sylvia is now almost 86, Lindsay 72 but retirement never occurs to them. The book also reveals another friendship, the important one between Sylvia and JR, Venkat’s brother, who with great aplomb, manages the Kovalam end of the Venkat Trust’s work. Despite a 36-year age gap, different backgrounds, nationalities, culture, language and religions, they make a formidable team and their compatibility, affection and shared sense of humour lie behind the charity’s extraordinary success.
ACCIDENTAL LIVES How two intrepid women travelled the world, ran an unconventional PR company and set up a charity in India by Sylvia Holder and Lindsay Swan is published by Black Spring Press on 15 November 2024, £16.99. 204 pages plus 16 pages of pictures. Available for order at all good bookshops, and online at Amazon and Black Spring Press.
Royalties from the sale of the book will go to the Venkat Trust, www.venkattrust.org.uk
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Entertainment & Arts
AMC Entertainment’s Q3 Earnings Report: A Crucial Moment for the Theater Giant
AMC’s Q3 earnings report is set to reveal crucial insights into its financial recovery and future strategies amidst ongoing challenges.
AMC Entertainment is poised to release its third-quarter earnings report in early November 2026, capturing the intense attention of investors and analysts. This report is seen as a pivotal moment for AMC, which has faced significant financial hurdles in recent years. The anticipation surrounding this release is driven by the need to assess how well the company is navigating the ongoing challenges imposed by the pandemic on the entertainment sector [Zacks Investment Research, November 2026].
The forthcoming earnings report will provide a detailed overview of AMC’s revenue and profit margins, critical metrics for evaluating the company’s financial health. Investors are particularly interested in understanding how these figures reflect AMC’s recent cost-cutting strategies, which have been implemented to stabilize its financial position [FinancialContent, November 2026]. This analysis will be crucial for gauging the company’s ability to weather market fluctuations and maintain operational viability.
AMC’s stock performance has been under scrutiny, with analysts keen to see if the company’s efforts to improve its financial standing are bearing fruit. The earnings report is expected to shed light on the trajectory of AMC’s stock, offering insights into investor confidence and market expectations [Zacks Investment Research, November 2026]. This will be a key indicator of the company’s capacity to recover amidst ongoing industry-wide uncertainties.
A significant focus of the report will be on AMC’s strategies to lure audiences back to theaters, a challenge that has persisted as consumer habits have evolved. The company has been exploring innovative approaches to enhance the theater-going experience, aiming to entice moviegoers who have become accustomed to streaming alternatives [Zacks Investment Research, November 2026]. Success in this area is critical for AMC’s long-term sustainability and market competitiveness.
Moreover, AMC’s expansion plans and partnerships will be a topic of interest in the earnings report. These initiatives are expected to play a vital role in the company’s growth strategy, potentially opening new revenue streams and strengthening its market position [FinancialContent, November 2026]. The specifics of these plans will provide a clearer picture of AMC’s future direction and strategic priorities.
The cost-cutting measures that AMC has prioritized are part of a broader effort to improve its operational efficiency. These initiatives are designed to reduce overhead and streamline operations, thereby enhancing profitability [FinancialContent, November 2026]. How effectively these measures have been implemented will be a critical point of analysis in the earnings report.
As AMC navigates these financial and strategic challenges, the forthcoming earnings report will serve as a crucial barometer of its progress. It will offer stakeholders a comprehensive view of the company’s current standing and future potential [Zacks Investment Research, November 2026]. The insights gleaned from this report could significantly influence investor sentiment and strategic decisions going forward.
The theater giant’s ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the entertainment industry will be under the microscope. This period of transformation requires AMC to balance innovation with fiscal responsibility, ensuring that its efforts to revitalize its business model are sustainable [FinancialContent, November 2026]. The effectiveness of this balancing act will be critical to its success in the coming years.
AMC’s earnings report will not only reflect its past performance but also set the stage for its future trajectory. With these insights, stakeholders will be better equipped to make informed decisions about their involvement with AMC. The company’s strategies and financial maneuvers revealed in this report will likely determine the next steps in its ongoing journey toward recovery and growth [Zacks Investment Research, November 2026].
Entertainment & Arts
Alexander Payne Faces Plagiarism Allegations Over ‘The Holdovers’
Alexander Payne is sued for plagiarism over ‘The Holdovers’, raising intellectual property concerns in film.
Alexander Payne, the acclaimed director known for his unique storytelling, finds himself embroiled in controversy as he faces allegations of plagiarism concerning his Oscar-winning drama, ‘The Holdovers.’ The lawsuit, filed by the screenwriter of ‘Luca,’ accuses Payne of lifting significant portions of the script for his own film. The case was brought to public attention on October 28, 2026, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
The allegations are particularly striking given Payne’s esteemed position in the film industry, where he has been celebrated for his original narratives and character-driven plots. ‘The Holdovers’ has been one of Payne’s most notable achievements, earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including an Oscar. The accusations, therefore, cast a shadow over this success, raising questions about the originality of the work and Payne’s creative process.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it brings to light the broader issue of intellectual property rights within the entertainment sector. The film industry has long been a battleground for such disputes, with creators seeking recognition and protection for their original ideas. This case emphasizes the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding artistic ownership and the potential legal ramifications of alleged infringement.
Payne has yet to make a public statement regarding the accusations. This silence leaves room for speculation and concern among his fans and peers, who are eager to hear his side of the story. The lack of a response also fuels media attention and public discourse, as stakeholders in the film community await further developments.
The lawsuit could have significant repercussions for Payne’s career. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, his reputation, carefully built over years of successful projects, could suffer irreparable damage if the allegations are proven true. This situation might also influence his ability to secure future projects, as producers and investors may hesitate to collaborate with someone facing such serious accusations.
This legal battle also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity and respect for creative works within the artistic community. It underscores the ethical responsibilities that come with storytelling and the potential consequences of disregarding these principles. For Payne, the outcome of this case will likely define his legacy in the industry.
While the immediate impact of the lawsuit is on Payne’s personal and professional life, it also has broader implications for the film industry. It could prompt studios and filmmakers to re-evaluate their practices around script development and collaboration, ensuring that proper credit and compensation are given to original creators.
As the case progresses, it will be closely monitored by those within and outside the film industry. The resolution, whether in court or through a settlement, will likely set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, potentially influencing policies and attitudes towards intellectual property rights.
The next steps in this legal saga will be crucial, with Payne’s response and the court’s findings expected to shape the narrative. Observers will be watching to see how Payne navigates this challenging chapter, as the stakes are high for both his career and the broader conversation on intellectual property in the arts.
Entertainment & Arts
Ed Sheeran Tour Faces Backlash as Support Acts Quit Over Macklemore’s Removal
Four support acts, including Finneas and Lukas Graham, quit Ed Sheeran’s US tour after promoters dropped Macklemore over a “Free Palestine” remark.
Ed Sheeran’s North American Loop Tour has been thrown into disarray after four supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped from the tour’s opening slot over pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage.
The row began at the September 5 show at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where Macklemore exclaimed “Free Palestine!” while introducing his protest song “Hind’s Hall”. He later said that several US venues had told the tour’s promoters they would prohibit him from performing. He had been scheduled to appear at eight of Sheeran’s ten remaining stadium dates.
Sheeran responded on Instagram on Tuesday, distancing himself from the decision. “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine,” he wrote, adding that he had allowed the rapper to perform a set list of his choosing, as with all his support acts, and that he would not abandon fans, crew or the other musicians who rely on the tour for work.
Within hours, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Irish band Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham and Finneas all announced on Instagram that they were withdrawing. Rowe and Lukas Graham had been lined up as Macklemore’s replacements for the remaining US dates; Beoga had been performing several songs with Sheeran mid-set; and Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, was due to join the South American leg later this year.
The departures leave Sheeran’s team with significant logistical gaps ahead of the tour’s resumption in Philadelphia, and have widened a debate about the limits on political expression on stage and the role promoters and venues play in deciding who performs.
It remains unclear whether new support acts will be recruited for the remaining dates.
Sources: AP via InDaily; 1News; TNND.
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