Friday, June 19, 2020 Shawwal 27, 1441 AH

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Maude Apatow knows she’s deemed a product of nepotism. She wants to prove herself. P2-3

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Baked spaghetti The refugee pasta. standup night. Page 6 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “It’s really important to me to show that I

PRAYER TIME work really hard” Fajr 3.13am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.45am Zuhr (noon) 11.37am — Maude Apatow, actress, on getting Asr (afternoon) 3pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.28pm Isha (night) 7.58pm past her director dad USEFUL NUMBERS

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Office (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374

ote Unquo Qu te “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” — Dalai Lama

My parents were very supportive of me getting help and reading books Community Editor about it and learning about mental Kamran Rehmat health at a young age, and I think e-mail: [email protected] that was a big advantage for me Telephone: 44466405 44350474 Fax: ‘ — Maude Apatow ’ Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

By Amy Kaufman “I’m always thinking I need ust before the coronavirus to keep going. became a global pandemic, Maude Apatow was I don’t know planning on finally moving how to say out of her parents’ house. She’dJ found a few apartments that this without piqued her interest and scheduled times to tour them. But when the sounding emo, city went on lockdown, she put her plans on hold, instead hunkering but I’m pretty down in Brentwood with her mom, hard on myself. dad and 17-year-old sister. “It’s been fun, I guess — there I should stop are definitely ups and downs,” said Apatow, 22, with a telling smile. and be happy She had retreated to her mother’s office to conduct a Zoom interview, sometimes, one of the few spots in the house but I’m very where she doesn’t worry that “someone will start screaming in “onto the next” the background or embarrass me.” It was during quarantine that mindset” the actress and her dad, director , began discussing — Maude the possibility of debuting his new Apatow movie via on-demand instead of ACTION: Maude Apatow plays Henrietta in Ryan Murphy’s brand new drama . postponing its theatrical release. The film, The King of Staten to do other projects showing I was was very ambitious. When I got to the entire time. I get very flustered the time, you can justify those Island, stars SNL comedian Pete capable of doing work without their college, I started auditioning all the when I’m put on the spot or have to thoughts. The last few weeks I’ve Davidson as a wannabe tattoo artist help, I was apprehensive about time — taping auditions. And then talk for a long time. I had really bad been stressed out, for sure. struggling to find his purpose after it. But then I thought, “I haven’t I got Euphoria, and it just wasn’t OCD in middle and high school. I’ve the death of his father. Maude has a worked with my dad since I was realistic to be able to fly back and gone to OCD treatment. My parents How do you cope with your supporting role, playing Davidson’s 12,” and I really look up to him as a forth from Illinois every week. I were very supportive of me getting anxiety? sister — the younger-but-more- mentor figure in my life. I want to haven’t fully put school off yet. I help and reading books about it and My parents are very big into mature sibling who leaves for be a director someday, and getting still maybe would like to go back at learning about mental health at a meditation, so they’ve always college while her brother is still to watch my dad do what he does is some point. young age, and I think that was a told me to meditate. So the Calm living at home. very important to me. I don’t know big advantage for me. Obviously, app, Headspace … reality TV is “When my dad first told me when I’m ever going to do this again Did you like it while you were I’m not done learning and it’s still a another thing that makes me feel about the release plans, there and it just felt like, “Why would there? problem. But I think I’ve gotten to I can fully relax into something was an option to wait a year, like I not do it?” I’m gonna spend my Oh, yeah. I had a lot of fun, and a place where I’m able to be more else and distract myself. Ru Paul’s so many movies that have been whole life trying to prove myself as I’m really glad I went. I was in a productive. But seeing Euphoria Drag Race. I fall asleep to The pushed,” she recalled. “And we an individual, and that’s a chip on sorority — Tri Delt. And we went to and having them talk about OCD Great British Bake Off, because it were like, ‘I feel like a lot of people my shoulder. It’s really important football games and did tailgating, and that pressure — I’d never seen makes me feel super relaxed. 90 might watch it right now because to me to show that I work really and I think that’s why I liked it in a show where it felt so real and Day Fiance. I still can’t believe everyone has already gone through hard, because I do. I want to be an Northwestern, because it was very I felt so connected to it. Lana was real. She didn’t even give so much content.’ I’m sad about not individual. academic but we had a lot of fun. David a two-handed hug. I say to seeing it with an audience, but it How has the pandemic people: “If you haven’t seen it, might be a good time for it, fingers How different was it working You’ve said that part of what impacted your anxiety? it’s the best reality show I’ve ever crossed.” with him when you were 12 appealed to you about doing Pretty badly. With surfaces seen.” I can’t even believe what Dressed in a BTS sweatshirt she versus in your 20s? Euphoria was the way the — now they’re saying it’s not I’m watching. It feels so invasive, bought at one of the K-pop band’s I acted when I was a kid, but not show represented obsessive really spread that way, but that’s and it’s so insane. I watch every concerts, Apatow spoke to The really, because I was so young. My compulsive disorder. What something I’m always thinking spinoff. Times in mid-May about her new dad said this the other day: ‘It was has your experience been with about anyway. As someone who is movie, her roles in the television almost like a simulation of our real anxiety? anxious or OCD, you’re constantly Now that you’ve had three series Hollywood and Euphoria and life.’ We were doing what we did Even though it makes work a lot having the thoughts, but you’ve major projects come out in making a name for herself. normally at breakfast or whatever. more challenging sometimes for found a way to brush them aside the span of a year, do you feel And now — I would never say this me, I really do everything I can to and dismiss them. But when it like you’re on your way to You acted in some of your to him, because it’s cringey to say not let it get in the way. Even this starts to become a real concern, establishing yourself outside of dad’s movies when you were it to my dad — but I wanted to do a interview, I’m in a full-blown panic like now, and it’s in your face all your parents? (Apatow’s mother a kid. How did he bring up the good job for him, and his opinion is the actress .) idea of you appearing in Staten of me as an actor is probably the Island? most important to me. But my dad I’m always thinking I need to It was pretty close to when we also makes self-tapes with me and keep going. I don’t know how to were about to shoot. Pete had said knows how to make me be a better say this without sounding emo, but something about it, and I don’t actor. I’m pretty hard on myself. I should think my dad was super open to the stop and be happy sometimes, but idea at first. I think he was hesitant. Does he read lines with you I’m very “onto the next” mindset. But I read it with Pete and it ended during those auditions? I look up to Lena Dunham and up making sense. I’ve known Pete Yes. I have to stop doing self- Phoebe Waller-Bridge because for a long time and I feel like I care tapes with him, though. We did a they act, write and direct. I also about him, so having a relationship self-tape for The Beach Bum with think of Emma Stone as someone made it easier to play it with him. Matthew McConaughey, and my I look up to — doing comedies and dad overacts, doing an impression then super dramatic roles. I saw Were you concerned about the of Matthew McConaughey. And I her in Cabaret in New York. To see perception of you getting the was like, “This is terrible.” that she can do all of that is really role only because he was your cool to me. And my dad has always dad? You studied theatre at been really encouraging of writing I definitely thought about that for for myself. He’ll give me writing before doing this movie. Obviously, two years until leaving during advice, even though I don’t always I’ve acted in so many of my parents’ your sophomore year. Why did take it. He gives really good advice, movies, and people are going to say you make that decision? even though I don’t like to tell him it’s nepotism. I mean, it’s not even I always kind of knew in the back that. I instinctually have to be like, an insult — well, it is an insult, but of my head that I was ready to start “I don’t agree with that,” but he’s it is what it is. But because I’d just working. I felt very ready to go. I HER ROCK: From left, with her mother Leslie Mann, sister Iris Apatow, and right, most of the time. done Euphoria and I was starting don’t want to sound cringey, but I dad Judd Apatow at the SXSW Red Carpet premiere of Blockers. — Times/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY BODY & MIND How to face your boredom

seems to stretch ahead without By Alex Clark appetising diversion – well, then, my friends, you’re in hog heaven. You’ve got the great existentialists, here’s a murky Camus, Sartre, Beckett, on your undercurrent to this team. Proust is reclining on to week’s story about the his pillow by your side. Herman French worker awarded Melville’s indolent clerk Bartleby is €40,000 in damages agreeing that he, too, “would prefer Tby a court who agreed that his not to”. (Yes: they are all blokes. employers had subjected him to No: they did not, apparently, have ‘boreout’; the condition of having to bother themselves with the so little to do that one’s mental vacuuming.) health is seriously affected. The cult of productivity, once What lies beneath the story bounded by the workplace and of Frédéric Desnard’s tenure at a various strains of Protestantism, luxury perfume maker, in which has bled into almost every aspect of he claims his duties extended our lives. People share interesting merely to ordering a few sheets of cultural artefacts on paper by way of office supplies, is with the apologetic preface that unclear. Was he being deliberately they are “late to this”; often, sidelined? Did he complain to his what they mean is that they ‘dread phrase’ line manager, and have experienced whatever it is find himself rebuffed? Did he feel hours after its first appearance, unable to find another job? as if its power wanes after lunch. Whatever the reality, his Personally, I’m just about ready underuse led him to take several to admit that I’m late to Barnaby months off in a state of depression, Rudge; anything after that, I’m still whereupon Interparfums gave him limbering up. the boot. Steps aren’t taken unless they’re It sounds less a case of boredom logged, carbs not consumed until than of a breakdown of workplace they’re counted, opinions not communication that resulted opined if they’re not immediately in feelings of isolation and DISPLACEMENT: If boredom is simply a way of hiding the knowledge that, really, there’s something else you should lauded or denounced. Tick, tick, plummeting self-esteem. But this be tackling, you’re not bored, you’re engaged in displacement. tick, goes the rhythm of modern is very much boredom’s fate; it is a life; tock, tock, tock goes the other concept on to which we project all you’re not bored, you’re imperilled. in that moment, you’re lacking energy have failed to strike a chord, bit of the equation that we prefer to sorts of painful emotions that are These are not happy situations. stimulation, that all the possible that you feel simultaneously forget. (No coincidence, of course, hard to interrogate and accurately But if what you mean is that, ways to spend or squander your restless and listless, that the hours that the TikTok app’s popularity is capture. inextricably linked to both speed During lockdown, for example, and brevity.) many of us have frequently referred “Life is first boredom, then fear. / to ourselves as bored. But poke a Whether or not we use it, it goes, / bit at that easy summary and you And leaves what something hidden quickly discover much more of a from us chose, / And age, and then hotchpotch of feelings: a base layer the only end of age.” The conclusion of fear and powerlessness, perhaps, to Philip Larkin’s poem Dockery with top notes of instability, and Son is unlikely to be repurposed exhaustion, foreboding and in a greetings card any time soon, sadness. Bouncing from the biggest but it’s strangely cheering if you picture – thousands dead, seriously choose to take it that way, and I do. ill and bereaved – to the small- “Whether or not we use it, it goes”: scale, recurrent losses of ordinary in other words, take the afternoon life has emptied us out; we are less off, infinity doesn’t give a toss. bored than flattened by the psychic So, if you’re fortunate enough assault of the pandemic. to be able to liberate yourself from This is not boredom so much as the clock and from a sense that besiegement; indeed, we may long achievement lies only in activity, for a return of straightforward, old- do so. You might stare out of the fashioned tedium. And this is the window and notice that a crack good news, because boredom is a in the pavement looks like Googie glorious state, if you allow yourself Withers, and then start thinking to define its parameters and about Bill Withers, and then approach it with an open mind. remember that awful school- It requires initial work, playground joke about what particularly in hunting down other happens when you put a duck in the emotions that might be in the mix; oven (it’s Bill Withers, apologies anger and resentment, for example, to Peta), and then remember the are boredom’s regular outriders. oven does indeed need cleaning, If you’re furtively pissed off that but really who cares, because it’s someone or something isn’t letting possible that Talking Pictures you do want you want to do, you’re might be re-running Within These not bored, you’re constrained. If Walls, feat. Googie Withers herself, boredom is simply a way of hiding and now, you see, you’re not bored the knowledge that, really, there’s at all. You in fact have a plan, which something else you should be is to first listen to Lean on Me, then tackling, you’re not bored, you’re watch a bit of telly and order some engaged in displacement. oven cleaner for use on another If boredom is masking a pressing day, a day in which time will be concern – lack of resources, precious, and there’ll be simply no physical or mental illness, threats TOO CROWDED: The cult of productivity and over-achievement has crowded out the benefits of good old- room for this lovely, aimless, soul- to your well-being and security – fashioned tedium. restoring boredom. – The Guardian Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Fit in my 40’s: Will skipping work for me?

By Zoe Williams

hen I was planning to learn to skip, my main problem was a broken hand, and I had no idea what Wwould become of exercise — the cornerstone of this huge fallacy of self-improvement in a crisis, plus one of only a handful of excuses to leave the house. Well, now my hand is healed(ish), and skipping is huge. I can see the appeal: on an atmospheric level, it is a truly IMPORTANT: Vitamin K is important for maintaining healthy blood democratised activity, as popular vessels. It is found in leafy greens, such as lettuce, kale and spinach, and in with boxers as it is with 10-year- some vegetable oils, especially soybean and canola. old girls. On the practical one, it is, like all activities that use your entire body weight, a fail-safe Study finds knowledge about proteins in calorie-burner. If you don’t already vitamin K might vascular tissue that require own a rope, they’re available on help you live longer vitamin K to function. These Amazon for a million pounds, proteins help prevent calcium if you’re prepared to wait until Vitamin K, a nutrient found in from building up in artery walls, May (I’m being flip; you can get a leafy greens and vegetable oils, and without enough Vitamin K, perfectly good rope, fast, on eBay). might have protective health they are less functional,” said I already had a rope, and it was benefits as we age, researchers first author Kyla Shea, a scientist impossible, I thought because it say in a new study. on the HNRCA’s Vitamin K team. was too long; turned out, it was Vitamin K is important for Study co-author Daniel Weiner, because it was too light. You get maintaining healthy blood a nephrologist (kidney doctor) at much more feedback from a heavier vessels. It is found in leafy Tufts Medical Centre, compared rope, so your feet can feel it coming greens, such as lettuce, kale and arteries to rubber bands. and react. Sounds improbable, but spinach, and in some vegetable “Similar to when a rubber it’s true. Now choose a surface. I oils, especially soybean and band dries out and loses its can tell you what doesn’t work: canola. elasticity, when veins and grass (too catchy); my kitchen The study, led by scientists arteries are calcified, blood (marble floor, bone-shaking; I felt at the Jean Mayer USDA Human pumps less efficiently, causing a as if I’d done parkour); my room Nutrition Research Centre on variety of complications. That is with a carpet (fine, except that PRO TIP: You get much more feedback from a heavier rope. Ageing at Tufts University and at why measuring risk of death, in I made the house tremble). The Tufts Medical Centre, looked at a study such as this, may better dudes always demonstrate in a car 4,000 people ages 54-76, a third capture the spectrum of events park (search Jump Rope Dudes on of whom were not white. associated with worsening YouTube), and tarmac is kinder Researchers categorised vascular health.” than concrete. Ideally, you want participants according to their Although the study adds to one of those spongy playground blood levels of Vitamin K, then existing evidence that Vitamin surfaces, but sadly, since lockdown, compared the categories for 13 K may have protective health they’re out of bounds. years to determine the risk of benefits, “it can’t establish a You don’t need to warm up heart disease and risk of death. causal relationship between low for beginner skipping as it is, in They combined data from Vitamin K levels and risk of death itself, a warm-up. I noticed the participants in three ongoing because it is observational,” pros often swing the rope in front studies: the Health, Ageing, Science Daily wrote. of themselves a couple of times and Body Composition Study; More studies are needed to before they start, to get used to the the Multi-Ethnic Study of clarify why circulating Vitamin weight. Then, basically, you skip. Atherosclerosis; and the K was associated with risk for You’ll trip over a few times at the Framingham Heart Study death but not heart disease, the start. If you trip a lot, make sure (Offspring Cohort). researchers said. always to blame the rope. Once For all three studies, Vitamin The same team found last year you have built up a rhythm, do 20 K levels were measured after that “low levels of circulating seconds, with a 10 second rest, for fasting and processed at the vitamin K are linked to increased 10 minutes. You’ll soon notice that same laboratory, minimising the risk of mobility limitation and this is repetitive; this is the time to potential for laboratory-based disability in older adults.” build in other alternating exercises, variation. According to Shea last year, again on a 20 second/10 second Although the results showed “Low vitamin K status has rest cycle, but make sure they’re no significant associations been associated with the onset also body-weight moves, as this is POSTURE: Focus on your posture: straight back, shoulder blades together. between Vitamin K levels and of chronic diseases that lead a very short workout and you want heart disease, Science Daily to disability, but the work to it to count: high knees, butt-kicks, ears pierced, it works: the act of noticeable increments, every time wrote, the people with the understand this connection is in jumping jacks, press-ups, if you put straightening and elongating your you give 10 minutes to it. It is the lowest Vitamin K levels had its infancy. Here, we’re building some welly into them. neck has a knock-on effect on the only thing in my life of which this a 19% higher risk of death on previous studies that found Focus on your posture: straight rest of your upper body. Also focus, is true. compared to the those with that low levels of circulating back, shoulder blades together. The at least for now, on tiny hops Vitamin K levels that reflected vitamin K are associated with best tip I’ve been given for keeping rather than big jumps, as the less What I learned adequate Vitamin K intake. slower gait speed and a higher your back straight is to imagine physically exhausted you are, the From Brandon Epstein, one of “The possibility that Vitamin risk of osteoarthritis.” you’re wearing drop-earrings and more you’ll be able to improve your the Jump Rope Dudes: keep your K is linked to heart disease – The Atlanta Journal- want everyone to see your diamond. technique. hands and arms tight to your body, and mortality is based on our Constitution/TNS Even though I loathe materialistic The best thing about this is and as stationary as you can. display, and also don’t have my that you do get better at it, in – The Guardian 6 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY CUISINE

the country is a necessity. Baked Spaghetti Pasta

Ingredients Serves 2 Spaghetti pasta 300gm Ground chicken 400gm Onion, diced 1 no. Garlic, minced 4- 5 cloves Tomato paste 2 tbsp. Pasta sauce 700ml Oregano herb 1 tsp Egg 1 no. Salt to taste Black pepper crushed to taste Parmesan cheese 150gm Mozzarella cheese 100gm

Method: 1. Preheat the oven at 180 degree Celsius 2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium low heat and cook the ground chicken 3. When the chicken is almost cooked add diced onion, crushed garlic and continue to cook until the onions are soft and the meat is browned through 4. Add tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes and add salt and crushed pepper and add oregano FAMOUS: Italian restaurants are famous for their unique taste, aroma and style of presentation of their dishes, especially pasta. Photo by the author herb, bring to boil and keep aside 5. Bring a heavy bottom large pot of salted water and add 2 tbsp. oil 6. Cook the spaghetti pasta in the simmering water till al dente 7. In a separate bowl combine parmesan cheese, mozzarella Baked spaghetti pasta cheese and egg and some salt, pepper and mix well and t’s time for dinner and the famous all over the world for pasta and tomato sauce didn’t Excellent quality cheeses, game 8. Toss the boiled noodles in this confusion is still on – what their unique taste, aroma and really catch on until about the rich sauces and many flavours mixture and keep aside to cook for dinner tonight. style of presentation of their 17th century. Various trial and including mushrooms, truffles and 9. To assemble place ½ of Let’s cook a comforting dishes. Italian dishes are simple error experiments also produced lemon tart and olives. the prepared noodles in a greased meal of pasta or specifically to prepare and often revolve tiramisu and pizza and foods that Rome cuisine – the dishes are 9x13 inch baking dish Ibaked pasta, there is nothing around few main ingredients we relate with Italian cuisine done in this area with seasonal 10. Top with half of the sauce more satisfying than a perfectly and minimalistic seasoning and today. ingredients and heavily seasoned and spread evenly to cover all the cooked bowl of everyone’s favourite simple presentation. When Italian cuisine started it with garlic, onion and sage and pasta comfort food. Baked pasta is a It is easy to love good food and was lavish and elaborate but after rosemary. Here you’ll also find 11. Repeat with the simple yet special dish which Italians know plenty of things both the world war it evolved itself more meat dishes. remaining ingredients and bake combines the goodness of a sauce about it. When you enjoy cooking, into a more simple and practical Southern Italy’s food is versatile in a preheated oven until warmed tossed with al dente pasta and then you become acquainted with and easy to prepare cuisine. and the flavours depends on through and the cheese has melted topped with cheese and baked in ingredients and flavours with a Modern Italian cooking even the region. From the famous in about 20-25 minutes oven for that complete and whole pleasurable delight. You become takes on fusing of other cultural Neapolitan specialty, the pizza 12. Allow to sit for 5 minutes and some flavours and goodness of familiar with the flavour blends styles, making this an even more to robust flavours of Sicily. The serve hot with choice of bread melted cheese. There are numerous and how to create dishes that will fascinating culinary style. I will dishes are packed with olives, all pasta dishes available all over the compliment occasions and will elaborate on the characteristics of kinds of fish and seafood, cheeses Note: To make a vegan version world, and every dish is unique be liked by your friends, family or Italian Cuisine by region. and stuffed pasta. Infused with of the same dish substitute chicken in itself and has its origin story guests. Northeast Italy – Influenced the spices and seasonings of the with crumbled tofu, edamame or and is evolution behind it. Pasta Italy is a country with some by the invaders of the past, past, sun dried tomatoes, ricotta choice of beans. Vegetarians can as I elaborated few weeks back is dishes that everyone knows the culinary style of northern cheese and artichokes also play an add cottage cheese, and enhance the a dish which originated in China and many dishes which no one Italy includes fish and seafood important role. Home to the finest overall dish with choice of vegetables. in the form of noodles and was knows. Italy has 20 regions and specialties, complemented by olive oils this is the place for the Meat eaters can also add their choice initially made with flour and then it each region has their own unique buttery risotto, polenta and meat healthiest diets in Europe and we of meats and replace with chicken. travelled to Europe and the Italians geography and culinary traditions, dishes. Here you’ll find sweet can now relate to it now. You can even change the pasta on started to make it with Durum from north to south, it would take and sour tastes and spicy, pickled The overall history of Italian your preferred shape or the one that wheat and used locally available many months to fully explore the dishes, a nod to neighbouring cuisine is versatile and intricate is easily available. ingredients and sauces to toss the country in all its delicious glory. cultures. and beloved by many. Italy is one pasta and this creating a niche But that won’t stop us to explore Central Italy – The cuisine of the best culinary destinations l Chef Tarun Kapoor, in the market by creating unique its delicacies in out kitchens. of central Italy is simple and for the variety and flavours. It is Culinary Mastermind, recipes. The history of Italian cuisine hearty. Here you can expect lots hard to pick a favourite so the need USA. He may be contacted at Italian restaurants are – the delectable combination of of tomatoes, beans, olive oil. to keep eating your way through [email protected] Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITY Kitsch confidential in New York A Greenwich Village designer’s passion for rebooting reclaimed treasures brings her prewar duplex apartment bang up to date, writes Kate Lawson

THINK PINK: The living area, with its Campana Brothers Zig Zag chairs and carousel horse.

yet to receive the Bikoff treatment. “Rhubarb” floor lamp. They look with long white curtains framing The entire apartment feels like a like leftovers from a decadent the windows. A gilded, Venetian- vintage emporium. Bikoff inherited cocktail party. In contrast, pink style dressing table sparkles with ANIMAL MAGIC: The kitchen, in Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green and her collector gene from her late Campana Brothers plastic and steel amethyst crystal knobs added by with an electric pink sofa. grandmother. “She taught me how Zig Zag chairs give a space-age feel Bikoff, along with a stool she re- to appreciate vintage design and around a 1970s French Lucite and covered in a vintage Hermès scarf. A ehind the classic facade life into vintage treasures. You enter stylistically beautiful interiors and mirrored dining table. “They’re 1920s Chinese deco rug covers the of US-born designer the apartment into a cosy, open- couture,” she says. Inspiration was not the most comfortable things to wood floor and Victorian ceramic Sasha Bikoff’s prewar plan living/dining area painted also drawn from frequent visits to sit on, but I’m style over comfort lamps decorate two Italian animal- Greenwich Village in Farrow & Ball’s subtly pink flea markets in Paris, where Bikoff every time!” laughs Bikoff. print side tables, with floating glass duplex lies a tale of 18th- Calamine. Built-in cupboards are studied art history at the American Sentimental objects, including tops. She also made the crushed- Bcentury France and glam disco-era lined with George Venson’s Voutsa University. She started her New family photos and vintage Murano velvet headboard over an ample- bravado. Or, to put it another way, butterfly wallpaper and a sliding York-based business in 2014, with and Fenton glassware heirlooms, sized bed with a faux-fur throw. A Marie Antoinette meets Studio 54 glass door leads out to a small clients now including Versace, line the shelves of a floor-to- chrome bench at the end is covered and 1980s Palm Beach. garden. In the compact kitchen, with whom she collaborated as ceiling 1960s Pierre Cardin wall in a ruffled velvet fabric by Marc “I’m inspired by the eccentricity existing cabinetry is revived in part of Milan Design Week last unit. She is also fond of chairs, and Jacobs. of different eras,” says Bikoff. “So Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room year. reupholstering them – no two are Bikoff created the agate geode when I discovered the original 80s Green, a nod to Bikoff’s love of A glance in any direction of her the same. “I love finding different slab table which stands next to a powder room in this place, it sealed food and cooking, while a framed home transports you to the 1950s shapes and then complementing French Louis XV–style fauteuil with the deal. It was just so far out that I vintage Gucci silk scarf hangs on or 70s one minute, or the 1980s them with the right fabric.” A needlepoint upholstery, by sourcing had to live here.” the wall, depicting a leopard and a or 90s the next. “I enjoy the hunt croissant-like sofa in electric the stone from Brazil. “The table has With its original white grid-tiled black panther circling one another, in finding antiques. I don’t think pink is teamed with leopard- such a celestial feeling and I just love walls and lipstick-red fittings, the perhaps for dinner. about where anything will go in print chairs and a pair of Milo the energy it brings.” powder room remains untouched “I approach my interior work a room, I just make it work and Baughman swivel seats, which she Her dressing room, painted in by Bikoff, who began renting the like a painting,” she explains. “It’s create a new story,” she says. “I calls her “marshmallow chairs”, are Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth blue, has two-floor garden apartment off a ripple effect. Once you start with think it’s quite romantic to imagine in crushed velvet. rows of pretty heels, Hermès Birkin lower Fifth Avenue, shared with certain colours, you find ways to how the pieces in my home have Every corner reflects her passion bags and Louis Vuitton vanity cases, her dogs Puff Daddy and Dipsy, bring in others, and then it’s about all had multiple lives and owners for colour (pink, mainly), her artistic and there’s a slinky 1970s Vladimir two years ago. She did, however, building up the layers and adding in different settings.” Her hunting flair and fondness for whimsy, from Kagan chaise longue reupholstered embark on cosmetic changes. “I prints and textures. I don’t like to grounds include auctions and kitsch ceramic dogs and a lone in silver velvet. couldn’t do anything structurally, decorate all at once. It’s all about the antiques markets in LA, Miami and retro carousel pony to a light-up Bikoff’s home is constantly so I’ve decorated it in my own style. process.” Palm Springs. Hollywood sign. Everything is evolving. “It’s the ultimate It’s the perfect place to display all A white staircase snakes up to the In the living area, a mid-century equally seductive with unabashed expression of what I do,” she says. the antiques and crazy things I’ve two bedrooms (one of which is now a chaise longue covered in gold and femininity, including a print of a “My home characterises who I am, collected,” she says. dressing room), where high ceilings silk sits next to a walnut Vladimir 1960s Pirelli calendar girl on the and that’s why it’s such a wacky, fun The result is a happily haphazard allow for a good flow of natural light, Kagan chequerboard-pattern bedroom wall. In the same room, and interesting place.” nostalgia. She breathes lavish new and two bathrooms, which have table and 1970s Tommaso Barbi a pink palette has a calming effect, – The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 INFOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY 10 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY GAMING Exclusive games ‘more important than ever’: Sony Developer says releases including Horizon: Forbidden West and Marvel’s Spider-Man will be key to demonstrating the system’s capabilities

than tech specs; their features, By Keza MacDonald and the selection of games that their manufacturers curate, create a culture around them. Nintendo appily for anyone who specialises in consoles that are struggles to summon portable, flexible, family friendly much interest in raw and fun. Xbox, historically, has tech specs, last week’s always put connectivity at the PlayStation 5 broadcast forefront, centring games such as Hwas heavy on games. Having Halo and Forza that you play online seeded details about the console’s with friends. Sony, meanwhile, hardware and performance likes to invest in a diverse portfolio throughout the year, Sony opted to of games to attract players who like show what developers have been to feel as if they’re on the cultural doing with that speed and power. cutting edge. Of the 28 games shown, nine That comes at a cost, however were from Sony’s own studios, — £50-60 per game— and, in the meaning they will be playable conspicuous absence of pricing only on PS5. A further 14 were details for the PlayStation 5, there what’s known as timed exclusives, is speculation that the console meaning that they’ll be available could push £500. Add in a monthly on PS5 first and may also launch online-play subscription and on PC. you’ve got a very expensive hobby. Exclusive games have always For players, the games have to be been the shining beacons that pretty great to justify it. attract players to an expensive new console, but arguably their role Exclusive games on has been diminishing for at least a PlayStation 5 decade. Microsoft, particularly, has Horizon: Forbidden West (Sony/ completely changed its approach Guerilla Games) to its own studios’ games in recent Gran Turismo 7 (Sony/ years, offering up all of them on POWER PLAY: Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Polyphony) PC and Xbox and packaging them Demon’s Souls (Sony/ up as part of a £7.99-a-month since the 90s. “Gran Turismo 7 is allows you to hear the thunderous smooth undulating tarmac of a FromSoftware/Bluepoint) subscription to Xbox Game Pass going to benefit from almost every roar of a Ferrari behind you or in racetrack, compared to the gritty Returnal (Sony/Housemarque) instead of charging £50 for each. single technological enhancement front of you, and you can recognise sensation on a gravel track. Pressing Destruction All Stars (Sony/ Xbox bosses have even repeatedly that we have in PlayStation 5,” says the difference between that and a soft accelerator will feel very Lucid Games) stated that, in their ideal world, Rutter. “The loading times will the engine noise of a Maserati. different than pressing on a stiff Astro’s Playroom (Sony/ Xbox games would be playable on be next to nothing compared to Driving the car using the DualSense brake pedal or gear paddle.” Studio) any screen or device. Meanwhile, what they have been in the past. controller, you’ll have a different Sony’s approach is a reminder Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart the biggest game publishers, Sitting in the cockpit, the 3D audio feeling in your hands from the that games consoles are about more (Sony/Insomniac) including 2K, Ubisoft and EA, Sackboy: A Big Adventure (Sony/ almost never make a game for Sumo) a single platform any more, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles instead selling them across PC, Morales (Sony/Insomniac) PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Bugsnax (Young Horses) Switch. Deathloop (Bethesda) However, Simon Rutter, Ghostwire: Tokyo (Bethesda) PlayStation’s EVP for Europe, Godfall (Gearbox Publishing/ says that for Sony exclusive Counterplay Games) games are “hugely important. Goodbye Volcano High (KO-OP) More important, I think, than JETT : The Far Shore they’ve ever been. Through (Superbrothers) their proximity to the system’s Kena: Bridge of the Spirits designers, PlayStation’s studios (Ember Lab) are able to really extract the most Little Devil Inside (Neostream out of the system performance Interactive) and that’s a really valuable Oddworld Soulstorm (Oddworld attribute for a platform holder to Inhabitants) have. [PlayStation] can rely on Project Athia (Square Enix/ a studio network that can really Luminous Productions) show off the innovations that Solar Ash (Annapurna we’re trying to put across … when Interactive/Heart Machine) the exclusives are as powerful as Stray (Annapurna/Blue Twelve Marvel’s Spider-Man or Horizon, Studio) they are important games that Tribes of Midgard (Gearbox people want to play.” Publishing/Norsfell) Take Gran Turismo, the hyper- The Pathless (Annapurna realistic racing game that has been Interactive/Giant Squid) synonymous with PlayStation KEY RELEASE: Horizon: Forbidden West. —The Guardian Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LEISURE COMMUNITY

Colour by choice

Maze Connect the dots Picture crossword 12 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOON Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 LEISURE COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Wordwatch

wrangler (CATS puh-JAH-muhz) noun: (RANG-luhr) MEANING: 1. Any of various paradoxes proposed by MEANING: noun: Something or someone truly Zeno, dealing with change and motion. noun: excellent. ETYMOLOGY: 1. A cowboy who takes care of horses. ETYMOLOGY: After the Greek philosopher Zeno of 2. A person who engages in debates, From cat + pajamas, from Hindi/Urdu Elea (c. 490-430 BCE) who proposed a quarrels, or disputes. pajama or payjama (loose-fitting number of paradoxes as defense of the 3. A person who handles animals, trousers), from Persian pay (leg) + jama doctrine of his teacher Parmenides. puppets, babies, unruly humans, etc., (garment). Earliest documented use: According to the paradox, Achilles especially on a film set. 1923. would never catch up with the tortoise ETYMOLOGY: NOTES: because the tortoise would always be Probably partial translation of Mexican In the 1920s, in the US it was fashionable a little ahead, no matter how small the Spanish caballerango (groom or stable to coin terms on the pattern of x’s gap. Yet, we know Achilles does catch boy), from caballo (horse), from Latin y (where x is an animal) to describe up with the tortoise (he is Achilles, caballus (horse). Ultimately from Indo- something cool or awesome. Some not a hare). How does he do it? By not European root wer- (to turn or bend), synonyms of today’s term are bee’s dozing off in his high school calculus which also gave us wring, weird, writhe, knees, dog’s bollocks, cat’s meow, and and understanding the concept of limits: worth, revert, universe, conversazione, cat’s whiskers. if you add up that infinite sequence of divers, malversation, prosaic, versal, USAGE: increasing smaller spans he traveled, verso, and wroth. Earliest documented “And while may think you get a finite distance. use: 1518. her new fiance is the USAGE: USAGE: cat’s pajamas, moviegoers found his “It sounds like biography writing as “Whether Mr. Ryan would be a wrangler familiarity just a little less thrilling.” Zeno’s paradox -- getting infinitesimally of House conservatives ... is a subject of closer to the end without ever reaching much debate.” Zeno’s paradox it.” (ZEE-noz PAR-uh-doks) cat’s pajamas (or pyjamas) MEANING: — wordsmith.org Sudoku Solution

Across Down 1 Basin I’d stowed in punt (5) 1 Streams revealed by Scottish 4 Strip club finally withdraws poet (5) audible signal (5) 2 Hold forth, having failed 7 Profit derived from seed crop medical (7) (8) 3 Card held by (4) 8 Almost having hot drink 4 Is ballet set in prison? (8) knocked back (4) 5 Wise change of name for 9 Card game children might play Irene? (5) in break (4) 6 Animal intended to be without 10 Cricketer feeling funny (4,3) a colour (7) 12 Wild ocelot might appear 11 Is a substitute to tolerate (4,2,5) wrongdoing? (6,2) 14 Not failing like ships in the 12 Company making cuts - using night? (7) gentle persuasion (7) 16 Scheme for part of garden (4) 13 Festival held for knight (7) 19 Soldier repeatedly seen in 15 Saint sheltering family without Sudoku is a puzzle based musical (4) money (5) on a 9x9 grid. The 20 Perhaps I turned to stone (8) 17 Wrong end of Dundee cake (5) grid is also divided into 21 Make progress in good school 18 Bridge of small vessel (4) nine (3x3) boxes. You (3,2) are given a selection of 22 For example, brown back or values and to complete elbow (5) the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 and none is repeated. Solution

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON AMAZON PRIME 14 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE Lonely people are less likely to quit smoking: Study

eing lonely may make it and decreases the likelihood of harder to quit smoking successfully quitting. as the researchers now This reflects the trends observed say there is evidence for during the pandemic. YouGov’s a causal link between the Covid-19 tracker suggests 2.2 Bprolonged experience of loneliness million people across the UK are and smoking. smoking more than they were By applying a novel before lockdown. research method – Mendelian In the other direction, there was randomisation – which uses genetic also evidence that starting smoking and surveys data from hundreds increased individuals’ loneliness. of thousands of people, the team “Our finding that smoking found that loneliness appears to may also lead to more loneliness lead to an increased likelihood of is tentative, but it is in line with smoking behaviour. other recent studies that identified “We found evidence to suggest smoking as a risk factor for poor that loneliness leads to increased mental health,” said study senior smoking, with people more likely author Dr Jorien Treur. to start smoking, to smoke more The team also investigated the cigarettes, and to be less likely to relationship between loneliness quit,” said co-lead author Robyn and alcohol use and abuse and Wootton from the University of found no clear evidence for a causal said their well-being was affected support networks to fall back on, highlights the need for smokers Bristol in the UK. relationship there. through feeling lonely. the study said. suffering from loneliness to be There was evidence that being According to the Office of Lonely people were more likely “We are still yet to see the full given support to stop, to improve lonelier increases the likelihood National Statistics (ONS), during than others to be struggling to effects of the coronavirus pandemic not just their health and well- of starting smoking, the number the first month of the lockdown, find things to help them cope and on alcohol and cigarette use in the being but also to help reduce their of cigarettes smoked per day the equivalent of 7.4 million people were also less likely to feel they had UK,” Wootton said. This research loneliness. — IANS

Aries Taurus Gemini March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

People will understand and appreciate your desire to stand out from You love everyone on this planet, Taurus, and this isn’t the day to Sometimes you make mistakes because of your lack of objectivity, the crowd today, Aries. This isn’t a sign of arrogance on your part. It’s come bothering you with all the little details of everyday life. You’re Gemini. You have a certain tendency to wish that other people were just that you’re particularly perceptive right now and people need in orbit, on a voyage to the stars, and this great feeling of freedom is just like you. Yet this won’t be the case today. You’re using your your good advice. Since you’re ready to step into the spotlight and pushing you to demand more justice for all. You might even find the good sense and reason, or rather your reason is doing the talking shine like the stars that are giving you all this wonderful energy, go perfect situation today to use your wonderful diplomatic skills. It’s for you. It would be a great day for people to listen to you since your for it. You’d kick yourself if you let this opportunity pass. the least you can do. judgments have nothing to do with your personal feelings. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

You were once a creature of reason, Cancer. For you, everything had How about changing roles today, Leo? It’s true that you aren’t one for Scientists are sometimes pretty strange. They can be so engrossed an explanation, a reason to exist, and a place in the world. You never idle chat. You prefer taking action rather than talking about grandiose in reality that they seem almost absent from it, as if they float above missed a chance to share your viewpoint. Then all of a sudden, silence. ideas that never go anywhere. Yet today you may actually feel like the Earth. That’s a bit how you feel about things, too, Virgo. You like Perhaps you needed to get some perspective, not necessarily on the discussing things in depth. The stars’ alignments are bringing out this to explain the world in your own special way, the way you see it and things you know, but on how you express that knowledge. Now words other side of you, so take advantage of the energy. Other people will be not necessarily the way it really is. That’s your secret. You know that have come back into your life and your ideas are more moderate. grateful since they’ve been waiting a long time for this day. no one else can see the world the way you do. Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

As the real Libra that you are, you aren’t in the habit of talking without The people around you would really appreciate it if you’d slow down You did the right thing to put off those important decisions and not saying anything constructive. Sometimes people accuse you of having and relax a little. You always seem to be running around, so much give in to pressure, Sagittarius. You know well that sometimes it’s nothing to say. When you’re just being patient, they say that you’re so, in fact, that you’ve been neglecting the people close to you, important to relax and rest for the busy times ahead. Today you’ll ignorant. When you’re demonstrating your tolerance, they say you’re especially your family. They really need you. They have issues to feel refreshed and ready to tackle the world. You see your problems indifferent. Today it’s time for those people to learn the real truth about discuss with you. They need to feel the comfort of your arms. Your from a different point of view, and you’re much more optimistic you and understand just how much you have to say about the world. arms need to open up to them first. about things. Now you can take a calm look at the situation. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

You have a generous nature, Capricorn. You know how to give and It’s always like this at first with you, Aquarius. You know something is Are you sure that other people wouldn’t like you to be in another space devote yourself to solving the problems others that confide in you. happening but have no idea what. It’s as if electricity flows through than where you are right now, Pisces, or even be a different person than This will still be true today, but not entirely in the same way. In fact, it you. You’re practically vibrating with emotion. You can feel other the one you always thought you were? These questions are beginning wouldn’t be wise for people to bother you with their problems if they people’s emotions, too. Begin by listening to your heart and feeling to bother you. Devote some time to thinking about them. The answers really aren’t all that important. It’s high time for you to take care of the sensation in your body. Only then will you be able to judge the you come up with won’t be entirely meaningful for a few more weeks. yourself for a while. intensity of your feelings. Try looking at the essential things today. Friday, June 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Michael Keaton all set for streaming debut

Actor Michael Keaton will make his streaming debut with the opioid crisis drama Dopesick. The Birdman star will also executive produce Dopesick, which is an eight- episode limited series exploring the opioid crisis. It is based on the best-selling book by Beth Macy, reports hollywoodreporter. com. Empire co-creator Danny Strong is on board to pen the scripts and serve as showrunner, with Barry Levinson attached to the project as a director. Published in August 2018, Dopesick is described as an “ambitious and harrowing look into the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction”. The show aims to take the audience from PLOT: The film will examine the fading a “distressed Virginia mining community, bond with her husband, and her love for to the hallways of the DEA, and to the her sons. opulence ‘one percenter’ Big Pharma NEW PROJECT: Keaton will star as Samuel Finnix , an old-school doctor Manhattan”. Kristen Stewart to play In the series, Keaton will star as “I’m so thrilled to tell this story with a tribute to its victims but to shine a light Princess Diana in new film Samuel Finnix, an old-school doctor who company as bold and as daring as Hulu,” on the heroes that fought back. Laws were approaches his practice with kindness and Strong said, adding: “The opioid crisis is broken and many lies were told. The system Actress Kristen Stewart will bring compassion but finds himself embroiled in one of the most important stories of our failed us and ‘Dopesick’ is going to show Princess Diana alive in Pablo Larrain’s film Big Pharma’s secret. time and I’m honoured to not only pay everyone how it all happened.” –IANS Spencer. The drama will be set around a weekend in the early 1990s when Diana decided to separate from Prince Charles. Larrain will direct the film from a script by Steven Knight. The production is expected to begin in early 2021, reports deadline.com. Abhishek: Thrill of digital The drama takes place over three days, in one of her final Christmas holidays in the House of Windsor in their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, . “Kristen is one of the great actors debut has finally kicked in around today. To do this well, you need something very important in film, which ctor Abhishek Bachchan says is mystery. Kristen can be many things, the realisation that his digital and she can be very mysterious and very debut is actually happening has fragile and ultimately very strong as well, kicked in with the release date which is what we need. The combination announcement of his web series, of those elements made me think of her. ABreathe: Into The Shadows. The way she responded to the script and “The thrill of making my digital on- how she is approaching the character, it’s screen debut with Breathe: Into The Shadows very beautiful to see. I think she’s going to has finally kicked in with the recent do something stunning and intriguing at announcement that was made last Friday,” the same time. She is this force of nature,” Abhishek said. Larraín said of casting the Twilight star. “The love and support I have received The film won’t deal with Diana’s since we announced the launch date of the death after she left the palace life, but show has reinstated my belief of constantly will examine the fading bond with her evolving in order to connect with newer husband, and her love for her sons. audiences. I am ecstatic to launch my first “I’ve always been intrigued and digital series that is a perfect example of the fascinated by the Royal Family and how exciting, genre-defining content that we are things are in that culture, which we don’t now able to consume at our convenience,” have where I come from,” Larraín said, he added. adding: “Diana is such a powerful icon, The first look of Abhishek’s character has where millions and millions of people, been revealed. It shows him in a dark and not just women, but many people around intense mood, as he holds a pamphlet of a the world felt empathy toward her in missing child. her life. We decided to get into a story After the launch of the first look, Abhishek about identity, and around how a woman said: “I am definitely looking forward to the decides somehow, not to be the queen. days to come as we slowly unfold Breathe: She’s a woman who, in the journey of the Into The Shadows to the world.” EXCITED: Abhishek says he is ecstatic to launch his first digital series. movie, decides and realises that she wants Breathe: Into The Shadows also marks to be the woman she was before she met the digital debut of South actress Nithya decades in Bollywood, Abhishek wrote: special to me also because.... well you know Charles.” Menen. The show also features Sayami Kher. “Year-2006...#KabhieAlvidaNaKehna why,” he wrote along with a winking face “It is about finding herself, about Actor Amit Sadh, who was lauded for his #UmraoJaan #Dhoom2 All three films hold . understanding that possibly the most performance in the first season of Breathe, a very special place in my heart. KANK After Umrao Jaan, the two worked together important thing for her is to be well, and will reprise his role as Inspector Kabir was my first collaboration with @iamsrk @ in Dhoom 2, and a year later, they tied the to be with herself and by herself. That’s Sawant once again. karanjohar and @realpz .My third with @ knot. why the movie is called ‘Spencer’, which Director Mayank Sharma has co-written amitabhbachchan and my fourth with Rani. “Dhoom 2 (my favourite of the series so is the family name she had before she the series with Bhavani Iyer, Vikram Tuli, All dear friends and colleagues I’ve learnt so far) saw a whole bunch of my childhood met Charles. It’s very contained, set over and Arshad Syed. The trailer is scheduled for much from.” friends and some newer ones come together a few days in Sandringham. They spent launch on July 1 and the series will stream on Abhishek reveals why Umrao Jaan is to make such a fun film. We had a blast Christmas there for many years and Amazon Prime Video from July 10. special: Umrao Jaan was my third film making this one!!! Everyday was like a huge that’s where we set the movie in the early Abhishek has worked with his wife, actress with JP saab and my third too with @ school picnic. @hrithikroshan @udayc @ ‘90s, around 1992, we’re not specific. It’s Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, on several films but aishwaryaraibachchan_arb and @suniel. aishwaryaraibachchan_arb @bipashabasu Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing he says Umrao Jaan is the most special one shetty. JP Films is like home for me and @sanjaygadhvi4 @anaitashroffadajania we Day, three days, very contained. We get to of them. working with them always seems to be more all made memories for a lifetime,” Abhishek understand what it is she wants and what Reminiscing his journey of two of a holiday than work. ‘Umrao’ is very shared. —IANS she will do,” Larraín explained. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Friday, June 19, 2020 COMMUNITY The refugee standup night Coached by Tom Parry, the comedy collective No Direction Home are bucking stereotypes about refugees and migrants – and thriving online during lockdown

after only a few hours’ tuition, By Brian Logan they deploy them. “What you get from people who’ve never considered this as a career,” says Let me tell you something Green, “is a freshness, a directness more about my miserable and honesty – and a connection life,” says Usman Khalid, with the audience that’s amazing. with a miserable face. Then There’s some really fantastic talent he pauses, and twinkles: out there. Which raises a broader “That’s“ why you’re here, isn’t question about who gets the chance it?” Well, why would you go to to be a comedian – about who could see refugees performing standup do it, given the chance.” comedy? Displacement, migration, More than that, No Direction sanctuary – these are not hilarious Home bucks the stereotype of the subjects. If we think about them at tragic refugee, a figure only ever all, it’s usually with bleeding hearts. allowed to be silent and powerless Or worse. “The media discourse,” – or grasping and malign. No says comedian Tom Parry, “is, ‘Oh Direction Home complicates that these poor refugees, they need picture – by blurring the line our help’, or ‘God, these refugees between refugees and migrants coming over here [and sponging more widely, and allowing them to off us]’… But both responses are represent something beyond their dehumanising. Whereas there’s own fraught circumstances. “At nothing more human than laughing that first gig alone,” says Green, “we with someone.” had people talking about dating or Parry – of the sketch trio, food or their grandmother or being Pappy’s, and award-nominated bombed in their home country or for his solo work – is coach to No crossing the Channel. It’s a full Direction Home, a collective of range.” refugees and migrants learning Then there’s the fact that, with standup comedy. It’s Refugee EXPERT: Usman Khalid, an expert in hangdog humour. a microphone in their hand, the Week this week, and the outfit are performers’ status relationship presenting three gigs, the third took their first steps in comedy. the first gig, too, at CPT – and, Tewodros Aregawe, who fled Eritrea with their hosts (who has to listen with Nish Kumar headlining. “Tom told them, ‘Don’t try to be like everyone else present, I was as a teenager, losing friends on to whom) is momentarily upended. Parry gets his mates involved, funny. Try to be interesting,’” blindsided by how good it was. the Mediterranean crossing, had “There’s so many assumptions and those big-name headliners Green remembers. “And what we Khalid was on the bill, a refugee since become a performer with the around who refugees are,” says – Romesh Ranganathan fronted definitely have in the group are a from Pakistan with his own theatre company, Phosphoros. His Green, “that to see people their Southbank Centre gala last lot of really interesting people.” coffee-shop business and an expert cocksure standup was a first-night presenting on their own terms summer – lead masterclasses for “After that first session,” says line in hangdog humour. So, too, highlight. about what they choose to talk participants, too. The programme Parry, “I just knew: this is really giggling self-deprecator Majid What’s so striking about the about is really affecting. The power is thriving in the age of Zoom, on going to work.” Adin, whose satirical illustrations group is the wide variety of comic and agency of that is fantastic.” which Parry now leads three weekly A few weeks later, I was at precipitated his flight from Iran. sensibilities, and how capably, Says Parry: “The gigs end up feeling workshops to a burgeoning intake. like a celebration. They’re really “None of us,” he says, “can believe special.” how successful it’s been.” Only 18 months into the I can vouch for that: I played a programme, the aim now is to role in bringing No Direction Home keep welcoming newcomers, into being. In 2018, the venue I while supporting those acts co-run, Camden People’s Theatre, with professional ambitions. staged a festival of performances The collective had secured their about refugeeism. We made contact first Edinburgh fringe dates this with the charity Counterpoints summer – until coronavirus Arts, scoping how we might work intervened. Selam Mengistu is together. They suggested a standup a second-generation Ethiopian course or event – for which they immigrant who took up comedy perceived a hunger among their after seeing No Direction Home migrant and refugee community. at CPT a year ago. On 21 June, “But what we needed was she’ll be gigging with Nish Kumar. somebody to run the workshops,” “It’s always been something I’d says , who produces No wanted to do,” she tells me, “but I Direction Home for Counterpoints. was terrified of doing it. I’d never “That person was going to be have tried standup at an open- crucial.” I invited Parry – a director mic night. I only considered this as well as a sketch and standup act because it was aimed at people – to come onboard. from migrant backgrounds, who A call-out was duly circulated. would not normally have this “And straight away we had eight or opportunity.” 10 people,” says Green. “They were Now telling her own jokes very shy to begin with – but they for a living no longer seems an really wanted to do it.” impossible dream. “I’m not trying I attended the first workshop, to be on Live at the Apollo just yet,” where, skilfully encouraged by says Mengistu. “But I am interested Parry, these amateur clowns from GROUP: From left, Nour-ani Sisserian, Nish Kumar, Arashk Farahani, Tom Parry, Usman Khalid and Majid Adin from No to see where this might take me.” Iran, Somalia, Sudan and beyond Direction Home. —The Guardian