WEEK IN

Story time in Chennai

Chennai-based theatre group Perch is ready with its latest play, based on the folk stories of eminent Tamil writer Ki Rajanarayanan. Directed by Rajiv Krishnan, Ki Ra Kozhambu brings together the writer's short stories and is narrated in Tamil, English and Hindi. On May 2, at 7pm, at Skills, 1, Elliot's Beach Road, Besant Nagar, Chennai

WEEK OUT

Sign of the times

It's a sign that has come to symbolise Hollywood over the years. We're talking about the iconic Hollywood sign, a landmark that defines Los Angeles. Recently, it was under threat of demolition — to make way for property development in the area. But the famous letters will still stand tall among the hills after all. A last-minute donation from porn baron Hugh Hefner — of Playboy fame — to the campaign to save the sign and the land it stands on. Hefner has reportedly forked out a $900, 000 donation. That means the 138-acre site around the sign will now stay protected. Hefner had once earlier stepped in, in 1978, to help save the sign and is known to describe it as "Hollywood's Eiffel tower". Ironically, the landmark was originally put up by property tycoon and Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler in 1923 to advertise a tony real-estate development. Back then it read 'Hollywoodland'.

Susan dreams another dream

She shot to worldwide fame by crooning "I dream a dream" from the acclaimed musical Les Miserables on Britain's Got Talent. Now, Susan Boyle, a former church worker, might just be getting set for another high-profile gig of an altogether different variety — singing for the Pope when he visits Britain come September. A Church spokesman has gone on record that Boyle would be a "great asset" and that he hoped to meet with her to discuss the possibility of her perform at a public mass the Holy See will preside over at Glasgow park. Papa will preach;Susan will sing.