12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Monday, May 3, 2021

he Maldives is still welcoming there, we can contain it within the head New Delhi-based private plane firm Bollywood stars and other rich resorts without exposing the local popu- Club One Air told The Print. “Whoever TIndians to its secluded beaches lation.” can afford to take a private jet are taking and crystal-clear lagoons even as coun- private jets.” tries ban flights because of a brutal Tourism workers vaccinated India on Friday reported 385,000 new COVID surge. The Indian Ocean archi- Thoyyib said that they have also cases in the past 24 hours-a new global pelago of more than a thousand islands launched a campaign to vaccinate the record-and almost 3,500 deaths, accord- reopened its international borders in entire workforce of 50,000 in the tourism ing to official data that many experts mid-July after being shut for three sector and many others providing servic- suspect falls short of the true toll. With months, and Indians have accounted for es relating to the hospitality trade. “We the surge blamed on new virus variants the most visitors. This week, as a string want to be the first fully vaccinated and huge religious and political gather- of other countries banned visitors from tourism sector in the world,” Thoyyib told ings in recent months, India’s hospitals India, the Maldives government made AFP by telephone. He said about 90 are struggling to cope, particularly but only slight changes to its rules for pas- percent of workers were already vacci- not only in the capital New Delhi. The sengers from its giant neighbor. nated. Media reports have suggested Maldives attracted a record 1.7 million Holidaymakers arriving from India that the Maldives might even offer foreign tourists last year, a 15-percent now can only stay at a resort or a safari COVID vaccines to foreign visitors. with 73 deaths, although case numbers in recent weeks include Alia Bhatt, her increase from 2018, according to the boat and are not allowed to check into But officials said they had no such have been rising sharply in recent partner Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha government, with China the biggest guest houses in inhabited islands where immediate plans until all Maldivians and weeks. Kapoor, who posted Instagram photos of source of visitors. The numbers fell to locals also live. “The geographical loca- resident non-nationals had received both herself doing yoga at sunset at a 555,494 last year because of the pan- tion of our islets help us to minimize the doses of the AstraZeneca or the Yoga on Insta Maldives resort. Press reports suggest demic, but was showing signs of a (virus) risk,” Thoyyib Mohamed, the Sinopharm vaccine. More than two- Thoyyib said there was a decline in that private jet firms have seen a surge recovery. Some 381,000 tourists have head of the country’s tourism authority, thirds of its 330,000 population has the number of Indians visiting in the past in demand to Europe, the Middle East visited so far this year. China has now Visit Maldives, told AFP. “Each islet is a already received their first dose, accord- week but they remained the largest sin- and the Maldives, including from people dropped below the top 10.— AFP self-contained single resort. Even if we ing to health ministry figures. It has gle group of visitors to the archipelago clubbing together to hire an aircraft. “It’s have a few cases popping up here and reported just over 29,000 virus infections this year. Bollywood stars escaping India not only the ultra rich,” Rajan Mehra, Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis dies at 89

lympia Dukakis, a character actress who won an Oscar for her Orole as an overbearing mother in In this file photo Actress Olympia Dukakis is Actors Catherine Russell and Charles Geyer perform in the longest An employee (left) scans tickets at the longest running play ‘Perfect the romantic comedy “Moonstruck,” died Saturday at the age of 89. The passing of honored with the 2,498th Star on The running play ‘Perfect Crime’ Off-Broadway at The Anne Bernstein Crime’ Off-Broadway at The Anne Bernstein Theater in The Theater Hollywood Walk Of Fame Hollywood, Theater in The Theater Center in New York City. — AFP photos Center . the theater veteran, who made a name for herself in film late in her career, was California. — AFP confirmed on Facebook by her brother Louisiana hair salon in “Steel Magnolias,” Apollo. “My beloved sister, Olympia (1989) which also featured Julia Roberts, Dukakis, passed away this morning in Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field and Daryl New York City,” he wrote. “After many Hannah. By 1988, with her Oscar, months of failing health she is finally at Dukakis was a household name in peace and with her [husband] Louis America because of the award and [Zorich].” The cause of death was not because her cousin Michael Dukakis had immediately given. Dukakis won the won the Democratic presidential nomina- Oscar for best supporting actress for her tion. She plugged him in her Oscars work in “Moonstruck” (1987) as the acceptance speech, shouting “OK, scornful mother of a young widow played Michael, let’s go” as she concluded her by Cher. It also earned Dukakis a Golden remarks and held up her statuette. Globe and a BAFTA nomination. Michael Dukakis ended up losing the “The fun part is that people pass me election to George H.W. Bush, but both on the street and yell lines from my she and her cousin remained active in movies: For ‘Moonstruck’ they say, ‘Your politics. Olympia Dukakis is survived by life is going down the toilet,’” Dukakis told the daughter and two sons she had with the Los Angeles Times in 1991. “It’s real Zorich, who died in 2018. — AFP funny.” Dukakis also won acclaim for her Actors Catherine Russell and Charles Geyer perform onstage in the The audience watches the longest running play ‘Perfect Crime’ Off- role as a gossip hound at a small town longest running play ‘Perfect Crime’ Off-Broadway at The Anne Broadway at The Anne Bernstein Theater in The Theater Center. Bernstein Theater in The Theater Center.

repainted the theater, repaired a few of its py, and I’m willing to do this for principle,” Anya Taylor-Joy armchairs and bought a ventilation sys- Russell says. Her theater received the tem to help keep the air clean. When green light from the main performing arts felt ‘exposed Russell heard that bowling alleys were union, the Actors’ Equity Association, pro- going to be allowed to reopen at the end vided every actor is vaccinated and test- of August last year, while theaters ed before each show. When AFP visited, and vulnerable’ on remained shut, she thought: “This is the audience was at covid-era capacity, crazy!” “Bowling alleys are great. But if with 66 people in a room that would nor- Queen’s Gambit you can bowl, you should be able to go to mally hold 200. Attendance has been a theatre and sit with a mask and watch a steady since reopening, said producer show,” Russell says. So she sued the city Armand Hyatt. nya Taylor-Joy felt “exposed and government and the state’s governor to Susan Jacknowitz, 75, traveled from vulnerable’ during ‘The Queen’s try to force them to reopen small perform- North Carolina to see the play with a AGambit’. The 25-year-old actress - ance venues like hers. friend from New York. “When she texted who played chess prodigy Beth Harman In early March Governor Andrew me to say I got theater tickets, I was so in the hit Netflix drama - admitted she roadway is not due to return until Cuomo ruled that theaters could reopen excited,” said Jacknowitz. “Perfect was nervous when she realized there Lisa Scott-Lee September but New York’s longest- at 25 percent capacity, later updated to Crime”, a classic murder mystery were aspects of herself she would have Brunning play is already back thanks 33 percent, which is still not financially matured by a hint of psychology, usually to show on camera as part of the role. to its indomitable lead who has played viable for most venues. Russell is contin- gets drowned out by the countless Speaking to America’s OK! magazine she the same role over 13,500 times. uing her lawsuit to try to obtain at least 50 Broadway shows on offer. But the current said: “Those feelings of loneliness - those Steps’ Lisa Catherine Russell, 65, is the driving force percent seating. On April 9, she reopened hiatus is allowing it to get a little more quiet moments you have to yourself in behind “Perfect Crime,” a rollicking who- the Theater Center with performances of attention than usual. Theater fan Jessica your hotel room that nobody else wit- dunit that has been on Big Apple bill- “The Office: A Musical Parody.” On April Bloom had passed the Theater Center, nesses. “I was putting that on screen for Scott-Lee is boards since 1987. “I’m very determined. 17, Russell performed in “Perfect Crime,” off Times Square, dozens of times with- everyone to see, and that was scary. You And whenever people tell me, you can’t for the 13,524th time, world record. out stopping to go in. do something, I’m like, ‘Screw you. Watch “Many people felt they were not ready, “It’s something new and anything that me do it,’” she tells AFP. Not only is and that’s fine. (But) I felt that we were will get me inside a theater I will see it, headteacher Russell the show’s main actor, she is also ready,” she recalls. “I don’t think of even if I don’t know what it’s about,” said the manager of the Theater Center that (myself as) a torchbearer. Perhaps I’m a the 35-year-old. Geyer, the actor, recalls puts on the play and a “dynamo” accord- little less fearless than other people, and a “terrific” reopening night. “We were the in Dubai ing to co-star Charles Geyer. “I can do maybe I have less to lose because I’m a first players to be back on stage. They 180 push-ups in a row. Marine push-ups, little off-Broadway show,” Russell adds. were the first audience to come and sup- not girl push-ups,” insists Russell, as if port the players, so we were like a team,” isa Scott-Lee is working as a head- anyone would dare dispute the fact. ‘Bringing New York back’ he says. “There’s a larger meaning than teacher in Dubai. The Steps singer When performance venues shut in She admits that the theater is losing just a night at the theater. It’s about being Land her husband Johnny Shentall March 2020 as the pandemic spread like money and that even an increase to 50 in the vanguard of bringing New York Anya Taylor-Joy run the Dubai Performing Arts Academy wildfire through New York, Russell kept percent capacity would not be enough to back, culturally.” — AFP together, which has around 600 pupils busy so as not to get too depressed. She balance the books. “We’re kind of scrap- aged between 3 and 18, and whilst she feel exposed and vulnerable. “But I really is very much part of the group, her pri- Jennifer recently split from fiance Alex felt I was the right person to tell Beth’s mary role is currently being the principal Rodriguez, while Ben is single since his story, and it ended up being a wonderful at the performing arts school. She said: Jennifer Lopez relationship with Ana de Armas ended experience.” Anya has experienced a “Steps is my life. It has been my life for earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ben, 48, new level of fame after the show hit the the last 24 years, but being principal of recently praised Jennifer in an interview small screen, and she “never” thought it the school is my day job. I can never and Ben Affleck with InStyle. He gushed: “I thought I had a would hit this level of success. She switch off. Even when I’m with Steps, good work ethic, but I was completely added: “I never could have imagined this rehearsing or shooting a video, I’ll be humbled and blown away by what she is where the show would go. working on my laptop. It’s become a bit ‘hanging out’ was committed to doing day in and day “I got to Los Angeles and took a walk of a running joke. I have to flip between out, the seriousness in which she took her and saw this giant poster and I was like, my Steps hat and principal hat, which work, the quiet and dedicated way she ‘Oh my God, wow.’ “And the model turned can be really hard and stressful at times ennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck went about accomplishing her goals, and actress admitted she gets recognized a ... I focus on the day-to-day running of been “hanging out”. The former cou- then how she would go back and redou- lot in public with fans shouting out ques- the school and the business side of tions about the plot. She said: “I’ve actu- things, while Johnny is the creative Jple - who were engaged in 2002, home. A source told the New York Post’s ble her efforts. “She remains, to this day, ally had people yell at me from across the ≠director and main teacher.” postponed their wedding just days before Page Six: “Security picks him up at a the hardest-working person I’ve come street, ‘Why didn’t you pay Mr. Schaibel Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony in 2003 and split in 2004 - nearby location and drops him off after across in this business. She has great tal- back?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t the 45-year-old singer has been unable have remained close friends and were spending a few hours at her house.” ent, but she has also worked very hard for know!’ “While fame will have its draw- to return to the UK to perform with her recently seen together at Jennifer’s home However, insiders insist the relationship is her success, and I’m so happy for her that backs, Anya is appreciative of the situa- bandmates - Lee Latchford-Evans, in Los Angeles. Ben has been seen leav- platonic, explaining: “They are friends ... she seems, at long last, to be getting the tion she’s found herself in, even if it can Claire Richards, Faye Tozer and Ian ‘H’ ing his own car at the Hotel Bel-Air before they’ve never not been.” credit she deserves.” — Bang Showbiz being picked up and brought to Jennifer’s be overwhelming. — Bang Showbiz Watkins. — Bang Showbiz