COLOR YOUR SWEAT: C.P. Company is celebrating its heritage with a bespoke project launching on Nov. 1.
The Italian sportswear brand will pay homage to its history rooted in the garment dyeing technique of utilitarian, functional sportswear, which it pioneered in the early Seventies.
Named “Bespoke Colour,” the project will allow users to customize the signature heavy fleece goggle hoodie with any available Pantone color through a dedicated platform on the brand’s web site. Upon choosing their favorite shade, customers will receive a fabric sample before the item goes into actual production and is delivered within two weeks. Retailing at 260 euros, the hooded sweatshirt will come accompanied by a color-coded tag and customized goggle lenses.
C.P. Company’s customers can already register online at the brand’s web site to gain access to the service, which will be initially available in a limited number.
The company said this marks just a teaser of a broader bespoke project, which will target a larger selection of products starting early next year at the same time when the brand is expected to open its first Milan flagship.
Founded in Bologna, Italy, in 1971 by Massimo Osti, C.P. Company pioneered the garment-dyeing technique on a vast range of fabrics and

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GETTING CREATIVE: The Burberry Foundation, an independent charity set up by the brand, is introducing a new educational initiative for schools in Yorkshire, England, to measure the impact that an arts and creative education can have on young students’ lives.
This will be a four-year initiative, with research done at the King’s College London.
The aim is to measure how disciplines such as film, dance, art and theater can impact students’ academic and personal development and provide evidence of the positive effects of creative learning.
The initiative comes at a time when arts programs at British schools and universities are facing funding cuts. According to reports, the English Baccalaureate excludes creative and technical subjects from key school tables and there has been a 34 percent drop in high school-aged students studying arts subjects.
Up-and-coming designer Richard Quinn also raised the issue during his spring 2019 show last month, inviting teenage art pupils from London state schools to his show.
As part of Burberry’s initiative, local organizations including Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Young Film, Northern Ballet and the art gallery Hepworth Wakefield, will provide artists-in-residence at all eight participating schools.
“At Burberry, we believe that creativity should be nurtured, and we are passionate about championing the benefits of

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ANAHEIM – At various points throughout Saturday night’s game at Honda Center, TV cameras captured Rajon Rondo playing stylist.

Along the bench, Rondo playfully smoothed out the creases in the suits of the Laker coaches. Even on one play, as he chased a ball out of bounds, he found himself face-to-face with his former coach Doc Rivers, and gave him a few pats.

The Lakers point guard has a way of smoothing out other parts of coaching as well. His exhaustive film study, Rivers said, helps him hold others accountable – something he did often when Rivers coached him on the Celtics.

“We laugh, [Minnesota coach Tom] Thibodeau and I went to dinner and we were telling Rondo stories about how many times have you made a mistake in shootaround and you knew right when it came out of your mouth, you can count to 3-2,” he said. “Rondo was correcting you because he actually knew exactly what the other team’s plays were – there’s no doubt about that.”

As a Laker, Rondo has had that influence so far in preseason: Even when he sat on Thursday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, coach Luke Walton said he was the loudest player on the bench.

In the first half of Saturday’s loss to the Clippers, Rondo managed an even-handed effort without the support of LeBron James. When the Lakers were just behind 51-50 at halftime, Rondo already had eight assists without taking a shot. While that might be a sign for some players to look for his own shot more, Walton said he’s already built trust with Rondo to make the right call.

“He knows how to manage a game,” Walton said. “He’s been one of the best point guards in our game for years. And one of the smartest. So he knows what he’s doing.”

So far in the preseason, Rondo is averaging the second-most assists per game (9.3) in under 24 minutes per contest. It begs the question of what happens exactly when Lonzo Ball gets healthy (he’s expected to return Wednesday), and how Walton will choose to pick starters.

When asked if he’s excited for Ball’s return, Rondo said, “Sure.” But for now, his focus seems to be building chemistry with the teammates who have been on the floor.

He tried finding JaVale McGee, for example, several times on lobs – and didn’t always connect. But in his fashion, he’s been putting a lot of effort into smoothing out the wrinkles.

“We talk every possession, whether we make the lob or miss it, I try to get a feel for my bigs, where he likes the ball, if he likes bounce passes,” Rondo said. “Obviously he likes it up top. It’s going to take time. We haven’t figured it out yet. It’s a process, that is what I am going to continue to try to work on and take it one day at a time.”

Zubac bounces back from illness

Everything about Ivica Zubac’s offseason gave him a good feeling that this could be his breakout year. Everything until an international flight last month.

Zubac was returning from playing with the Croatian national team when he caught a mysterious bug that made him feverish. It happened at one of the worst possible times: Right as Lakers training camp was starting.

“Basically like first day of training camp, I don’t know how I got through it because we had a two-a-day,” he said. “It was tough, I had no energy or anything. … I would run up and down and I would be done. I didn’t have no air.”

Zubac still has a cough, but he’s rounding into shape: With eight points and six rebounds against the Clippers, he enjoyed his most confident performance yet as he seeks to cement himself in the rotation as a backup center. Walton said his most important role may be as a shot-blocker — defensive stops can get the Lakers’ transition game rolling.

That included for Zubac a few dishes for easy dunks on Saturday night – it looked like his teammates wanted to reward him for his efforts to get back into playing shape.

“Maybe the players on the court did, I don’t know,” Walton said. “He had some good looks and I know the guys are, they like playing with him so they’re probably trying to get him going.”

Beasley finding a comfort zone

Without James, it was an opportunity for a player who has taken some time to fit in: Michael Beasley. He played his most minutes (19), took his most shots (7) scored his most points (8) and had the mosts assists (3) he’s had in this preseason. While the Clippers won convincingly, the Lakers outscored them by a point when Beasley was on the floor.

“Our guys are starting to learn me, learn how I play,” he said. “Starting to ask more of me, more responsibilities. It’s just getting acquainted and taking it a day at a time.”

Walton also thought Beasley had his best game so far as a Laker, including back-to-back assists to Josh Hart and Zubac in the first half. The Lakers want him to find a groove as a scorer and an occasional passer as he continues to blend into the group.

Washington players stood with hands on hips, their chests heaving as they looked to the sideline for the next call. UCLA was just getting started.

The Bruins, in piecing together an extended, six-minute drive that spanned 90 yards in 17 plays that tired Washington’s vaunted defense, showed improvement in perhaps their most difficult conference matchup this year. The drive, which ended with tight end Caleb Wilson spinning off a would-be tackler and dragging two more into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown reception, pulled UCLA to within seven in the fourth quarter before falling 31-24 on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

UCLA (0-5, 0-2 Pac-12) set season-highs for completions, passing yards and total yards against one of the best defenses in the country. The Huskies, whose 11.6 points allowed per game entering the game led the country, allowed the Bruins to score a season-high 24, a full touchdown better than the struggling team’s average.

“They’re 0-5 now, but I think that might have been the best offense we’ve seen this year,” UW linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven told reporters. “Maybe Auburn was up there, too. But that offense, they’re going to do a lot of damage and they’re going to win a lot of games in the next couple years.”

The Bruins entered as the worst third-down offense in the conference, converting just 30.4 percent of their tries. The trend continued early. UCLA converted just one of its four third downs in the first half. The offense held the ball for just 7:43 and ran 25 plays to Washington’s 49.

Then as quickly as one of UCLA’s three-and-outs, the Bruins hit their stride.

They converted seven of their first eight third downs of the second half. They chopped a 17-point deficit into just seven early in the fourth quarter by holding the ball for more than 11 minutes in the third quarter. The rested UCLA defense held UW scoreless in the frame, the first time since the third quarter against Cincinnati that the Bruins had held an opponent scoreless in a quarter.

UCLA converted 70 percent of its third downs in the second half.

“Our guys made plays when their number was called,” said Wilson, who led the team with 102 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight catches.

Freshman quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw two touchdowns against a defense that hadn’t allowed a passing touchdown since the first drive of its season opener. He completed 27 of 38 passes for 272 yards with three critical third-down completions during UCLA’s long drive, including the touchdown pass that came on third-and-8.

“End of the day, the quarterback is really the one making throws and Dorian made throws today,” Wilson said. “We saw a lot of improvement. I was proud of the way he competed and the way he played.”

In a role-reversal, Thompson-Robinson, considered a dual-threat quarterback, set a career-high in passing yards and UW quarterback Jake Browning, his school’s all-time leading passer, punished the Bruins on the ground.

Browning, along with 265 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception, rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries with two sacks. Each time he ran on third down, he converted, five times in all. UW also pushed the pile forward for 7 yards on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak.

“He’s real smart with it,” linebacker Krys Barnes said of Browning’s running ability. “He’s really deceiving, like he’ll look downfield and then all of a sudden he’ll just take off.”

Follow along for live updates as the Chargers host the Oakland Raiders in a Sunday afternoon matchup. Ryan Kartje and Jim Alexander are reporting from StubHub Center.

NFL Week 5 scoreboard | Who has the edge? | In-game box score

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Bruce Irvin is rocking the checkered @VANS_66 today https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7viQXX4AAtJtt.jpgSomething on which Raiders and Chargers fans can agree. Jets’ 34-16 win over Broncos was posted on the scoreboard. Cheers all around.Donnie Jones’ first punt was a 27-yarder from midfield to the Raiders’ 18, not bad considering the circumstances.

His second? A 59-yard boomer, pinning the Raiders at their own 11.That Donnie Jones punt went 59 yards, by the way.Erik Harris with a nice third-down solo tackle on Antonio Gates. Raiders defense holding strong while offense struggles to get going.¡Matt McCrane empata el marcador en Los Ángeles con un gol de campo de 24 yardas! @Raiders 3-3 @Chargers … twitter.com/i/web/status/1…That last Gates catch was the first Chargers carry or catch by someone not named Melvin Gordon or Keenan AllenHad some special guests out to fire the cannon at kickoff today

@Do_OrAddae37 ‘s mom and @TravisBenjamin3 ‘s mother and grandmother are all breast cancer survivors. #CrucialCatch https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7oID4UcAAnY0a.jpgRaiders forced to settle for a 24-yd field goal by Matt McCrane after a couple key plays by Chargers defenders in the red zone. OAK 3, LAC 3, 13:23 left in 2nd.The Raiders sputtered in the redzone, and settle for the field goal. This one is tied, 3-3.Even at 3.

#RaiderNation | #OAKvsLAC t.co

Held ’em to a field goal.

3-3 | 13:23 2QRaiders stall out inside the red zone and settle for a Matt McCrane 24-yard field goal. Game tied at 3-3.Lynch bulls for 8 and this Raiders home crowd is getting loudEnd of one. #OAKvsLAC https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7r9itU4AA2qw_.jpgRaiders down 3-0 after the first quarter, but they have a 1st-and-goal on the Chargers’ 5-yard line after the break.The Chargers lead the Raiders, 3-0, after one quarter in Carson.P.J. Hall with a batted pass on second down then Daryl Worley sniffs out a screen on third. Nice defensive series for the Raiders there to force a Chargers punt.Virgil Green is back in the game for the Chargers. He was drilled by Arden Key on the last drive.Daryl Worley in for Gareon Conley on the Raiders’ second defensive series. Chargers starting at their own 21.Fasho, fasho.

@MelvinIngram with the SACK to force the punt! t.co

Melvin Ingram with a drive-stopping sack. He’s looked much better over the past two weeks.Bruce got there.

#RaiderNation | #OAKvsLAC https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7nolWU8AA8O3P.jpgOkay BI!! So, do we credit that to Sturgis or to new holder Donnie Jones?The 40th sack of Bruce’s career. #RaiderNation t.co

Caleb Sturgis is good from 49 yards for an early 3-0 lead. #OAKvsLAC t.co

Caleb Sturgis’ first test with his new holder: A 49-yard attempt was right on the money. Chargers, 3-0, 11:08 left in the first.Caleb Sturgis hits a field goal from 49 yards. Apparently, he just needed a new holder.Bruce Irvin sack on third down. That’s three on the season for him, seven to go for his season goal. Caleb Sturgis hits the 49-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 3-0 lead.The Chargers offense continues to experiment with pre-snap motion. Just handed off to Keenan Allen on the jet sweep.Arden Key with a bonehead hit high at the end of that play that draws a flag. Fadol Brown drew a hold, though, as the penalties offset with the Chargers driving.Three words: Just win, baby. #OAKvsLAC

Melvin Gordon is off to good start. Two carries, 21 yards so far against the Raiders’ shoddy run defense.Desmond King is still the Chargers returner, after a big showing last week.Why am I afraid that I’m going to slip and refer to the “Los Angeles Raiders” at some point today?We won the toss and will receive.

#OAKvsLAC | #FightForEachOther t.co

Let’s do this. #OAKvsLAC

Raiders come out to lots of cheers at StubHub.

Sound guy plays “Viva Las Vegas” as accompaniment.

Not sure that’s exactly trolling these Raider fans. Most of them are probably delighted that it’ll be an easier journey to home games in Vegas.”Viva Las Vegas” playing throughout the stadium as the Raiders take the field.#OAKvsLAC

Leather-lunged, railing-leaning Seahawks fan with a loud comment for everyone coming out of the Rams locker room. S… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… IT’S ALMOST GAME TIME https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7g_f4UcAEDNBh.jpgIf only there was years and years of evidence before this season that’d suggested Eli Manning was done. Tell ’em @DATS_KELLZOCHO

Powder Blues https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7glXjVAAAP0yW.jpgPower Blues https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7gRxsUUAAFks4.jpgDonald Penn standing on the Raiders sideline with owner Mark Davis. Penn (groin) hit IR on Wednesday, but Jon Gruden hopes to get him back this season.How should the Chargers use rookie Derwin James? They’re still trying to figure that out. But while they do, he’s outpacing an NFL record for sacks by a safety in a season: ocregister.com/2018/10/04/cha…What did the 49ers say after losing to the Bolts?

FIND OUT: chargers.com/news/what-did-… https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoY-1r_VAAEbhfs.jpgOldest TE in @NFL history to catch a touchdown …

The ‘s still got it » chrg.rs/T3XWOp https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoY8Ch7U4AA4hbC.jpgToughness rating on @EAMaddenNFL going

@gkittle46 on his teammate, C.J. Beathard.

No better way to spend a Sunday than getting a W! #Chargers #AE30 https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYxcZUUUAARiuc.jpg”We found a way to win.”

Squad dug deep today » chrg.rs/WrR7GV https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoY5szmUcAEbs3m.jpgWhat did we learn in the Bolts’ 29-27 win over the 49ers?

@mattmoneysmith joined me to discuss that as well as wha… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…The postgame scene in the #49ers locker room told the tale of team that left Los Angeles battered and beaten. sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/… https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoY2cCvVsAEr96u.jpgIn #49ers loss to Chargers, quarterback Beathard proves he’s no Roody-Poo.

via @AnnKillion : trib.al/cZk2kHsBig time players make big time plays.

Defense came through when it mattered most » chrg.rs/OEFxYI https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoY1k2rVAAAQO4c.jpg”I thought all three phases kicked in and made plays when we needed a play.”

#SFvsLAC Observations » chrg.rs/46AwvR https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYzSObVAAAoKlO.jpgGeorge Kittle had a career high 125 yards today and nothing but praise for QB C.J. Beathard following #SFvsLAC .

C.J. Beathard met with the media following #SFvsLAC to discuss his first start of the season.

“We have a lot to work on and we’ll continue to work on that.”

Quotes from around the #49ers locker room following #SFvsLAC .

Relive all the action!

Watch today’s W again on Game Pass » chrg.rs/GamePass https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYpLYKV4AAvWW8.jpgThis guy came up clutch today!

@Isaacrochell90 talks his first career pick and more

 THAT’S OUR QB.@Melvingordon25 just kept on going. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYnRc0UUAIP_XT.jpgDAD GOALS. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYlYuKU0AAbAu9.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYlOkMU4AA9tJ2.jpgIf you played against @Melvingordon25 in @NFLfantasy …

#HaveADay #FightForEachOther #SFvsLAC https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYd2-MXUAAHnTE.jpgChargers kicker Caleb Sturgis was asked to evaluate his own performance today. His answer: “Extremely poor. To miss three kicks at this level, it’s not good.”The #49ers came up short in LA, but C.J. Beathard and Co. gave a good preview of what they’re capable of doing.

Ten takeaways from #SFvsLAC : 49rs.co/veblMgFootball is family. #SFvsLAC https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoYg3ivXcAAv7Bo.jpgRe: Joe Staley’s knee. It doesn’t seem the team is worried about a torn ACL. #49ers Football is Family, literally.

Anthony Lynn said that he couldn’t say yet whether the Chargers would make any changes at kicker. That doesn’t mean he’s happy with Caleb Sturgis. Lynn: “I’m disappointed, absolutely, no doubt.”

The Los Angeles Rams travel to Seattle for a Sunday afternoon game against the Seahawks. Rich Hammond is reporting from Seattle. Get scoring updates, news and analysis here.

NFL Week 5 scoreboard | Who has the edge? | In-game box score

Viewing from a mobile device? Click here.

Touchdown Rams. They answer in a hurry. Gurley 2-yd run and LA is a PAT from tying #Seahawks at 7 late 1QGurley with the TD, and here comes Santos for the tying PAT.TOUCHDOWN @TG3II !

Todd Gurley 16-yd run off LT to the 2. #Seahawks Justin Coleman misses open-field tackle on Todd Gurley on pass in flat, creates 19yd gain on second and 16. Rams first down at #Seahawks 18Dion Jordan in at DE. #Seahawks #Seahawks stay in nickel to begin second defensive series. Goff to Kupp for 27 yards crossing route under zone coverage to SEA 31.And… the #Seahawks are on the board first. Mike Davis TD. #SEAvsLAR @gbellseattle https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7vJAGV4AE2buT.jpgAnother Rams kickoff return at and past their 40.Let’s goooo!!

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA t.co

9 plays, 7 of them runs, for 74 yards to #Seahawks scoring game’s first points.

But they shouldn’t waste their time running the ball.

SEA 7, LA 0.The Rams now have fallen behind 7-0 in 3 of their 5 games (Oakland, Minnesota, Seattle)Seattle gets on the board first.

Seahawks 7, #LARams 0#Seahawks strike first!
@MikeDavisRB up the middle!

Touchdown #Seahawks . Mike Davis, like a bolt, up the middle 6 yards on the run. SEA 6, Rams 0 4:30 left 1QMike Davis with the 6-yard TD run for Seattle.Chris Carson plows thru Rams for 16 yards and 1st and 20, to the Rams 10. #Seahawks My man, on the spot with the pic yet again #Seahawks #Seahawks holding on Nick Vannett makes it first and 10 at SEA 26, one snap after Vannett’s 34-yard catch and runRussell Wilson at the Improv: Nick Vannett, no one to block, takes Wilson shove of a toss and runs up the middle 34 yards to LA 16. #Seahawks Russell Wilson having the time to look at 3 receivers creates dump-off throw to RB Mike Davis for 9 yards and first down past midfield. #Seahawks Chris Carson two runs total 11 yards, #Seahawks first down at own 37Secure the bag. #GoHawks https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7s2QzU4AAl02L.jpgReserve OT George Fant, as expected, comes in as second tight end to begin this #Seahawks ‘ second drive. Here’s Fant’s background on that: thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/sea…Rams have run six offensive plays, and they’ve had a strip-sack and an INT.First career INT for Black Elvis!!

@TheRealFrankC_ | #LARvsSEA https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7sj-mV4AAgLpj.jpgAll #Seahawks want whatever made Frank Clark sick all week. Strip of Jared Goff on edge rush to ruin Rams’ first drive, peel back INT of Goff at goal line to ruin LA chance to take early lead.Bobby Wagner with the tip and Frank Clark with the INT on Goff in the end zone. Goff didn’t get the first look he wanted, then tried to force the ball a bit.Block!!!! Here We Go!! @RamsNFL #Seahawks ‘ defensive illegal contact on nickel DB Justin Coleman turns a LA third and 3 at the 5 into Rams first down at the 5.David Moore for benched Brandon Marshall at WR that first #Seahawks possessionRookie DE Jacob Martin saves a TD off Rams blocked punt and return. Michael Dickson’s first career blocked punt goes 5 yards. Rams ball at #Seahawks 12CORY LITTLETONMike Davis was the third-down RB.Rams pressure QB Russell Wilson on his first 2 drops backs. #Seahawks gain 4 yards in 3 plays and also three and out, punt to begin gameWR David Moore, TE Darrell Daniels in for #Seahawks ‘ second offensive playChris Carson starts at RB. #Seahawks #Seahawks begin first offensive possession at own 14So that’s one way to mitigate situation of being without K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks at weakside LB: Play a lot of nickel defense with 2 LBs. #Seahawks SEA!!!!

#Seahawks begin in nickel with DB Coleman, Wagner and Mingo at LBsRams return opening kickoff from 1 yd deep in end zone 40 yards to LA 39. Maurice Alexander tackle. #Seahawks GAME TIME IN SEATTLE!

#LAvsSEA

Red Bryant all smiles to huge roars as he raises #12thMan flag just before #Seahawks kick off vs RamsI’m up at Seahawks today helping out @gbellseattle . Kickoff about seven minutes away here.#Seahawks win coin toss, defer choice, will begin on defenseWeek 5, here we go!

#LAvsSEA

Rookie LB Shaquem Griffin one of the #Seahawks game captains this weekRams lose toss, Seahawks defer. Rams will start with ball.It’s time.

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7n77IU4AAg8mC.jpg#Seahawks take the field for a huge chance—and challenge—in the NFC West vs rampaging Rams @thenewstribune

Family.

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA

.@M_B_24 ready for action

#Seahawks leading pass rusher Frank Clark missed practice all week with stomach illness but is active to play Rams today. RB C.J. Prosise is not sick, but is inactive again. thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/sea… @thenewstribune Maurice Alexander, former Rams SS #Seahawks signed back this past week, playing some backups snaps behind Bobby Wagner at middle LB during pregame warmups.Sean McVay fan club https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7iLLLUUAAwtZF.jpgAustin Calitro indeed the weakside LB next to Bobby Wagner in #Seahawks ‘ starting defense during pregame drillsFrank Clark looks like he’s feeling well after stomach illness caused him to miss practice all week. DE’s dancing on the field in full pads and clowning for television cameras during #Seahawks ‘ pregame warmups@BabyLead fired up.

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA

@BabyLead fired up.

#GoHawks | LARvsSEA

Chris Carson going first in Seattle tailback rotation during warmups.Mark Barron took the initial first-team reps during warmups, so it appears he’s good to go. Also of note…Troy Hill, not Sam Shields, took reps opposite Marcus Peters at cornerback.8⃣9⃣ on the scene.

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA

#LARams Pregame LIVE. Catch #LAvsSEA at 1:25PM PT on @NFLonFOX . pscp.tv/w/bopYnjIxODc1…Two reasons why the LA Rams have the NFL’s best offense – RB Todd Gurley and QB Jared Goff. @gbellseattle #seavslar … twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Playmakers.

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA

1-0 is the goal.

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA

Barron Active for First Time in 2018 vs. Seahawks

#LAvsSEA Inactives » gora.ms/yxxrnT https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7dTyfUcAAJ_Ol.jpg#Seahawks leading pass rusher Frank Clark fights through stomach illness and is active vs soaring Rams’ offense. Forgotten RB C.J. Prosise is inactive again. thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/sea… @thenewstribune Time for some home cookin’

#GoHawks | #LARvsSEA

Key info for #LAvsSEA

1:25PM PT
CenturyLink Field
@NFLonFOX
Live #LARams blog gora.ms/620uU6
@espnlosangeles / @931JackFM / ESPN Deportes LA https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do7br-eVAAAjDqR.jpgCaption this!!!https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoKPbM0UUAAHstk.jpgLet’s Goooo!!! 4-0 t.co

The Rams were impressive yet again in front of a packed house. Jared Goff had 5 touchdown passes. Post-game intervi… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Cash Onlytwitter.com/ramsnfl/status…

Please, can someone explain to me why this is not the age of Christopher Durang?

Of American playwrights of the past few decades Durang’s careening and calculating voice has been squarely at the intersection where black comedy meets anger and self-absorption, a fuel currently propelling social media at such levels that in 2018 we seem condemned to wallow in it.

His 2013 Tony Award winning Best Play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” opened this weekend at South Coast Repertory. If its thematic sting is a bit mild by Durang standards through the decades,  the fusion of dysfunctional Chekhovian characters  — they describe themselves that way — to recognizable American lives, makes an audience laugh a lot and squirm a little as few other playwrights could dream it up.

For instance: during the first seven minutes of the play, Vanya and Sonia, in note-perfect performances by Tim Bagley and Jenna Cole, bicker about coffee, lament their dead parents having ruined their lives by saddling them with odd names and muse about selling their house instead of cleaning up the shards of two coffee cups one of them has smashed in a snit.

During this sequence I counted 17 laughs from a close to full house at the Julianne Argyros Stage. Durang in the hands of the right director does that for us.

That’s about all the plot I plan to pass along because the logic of a Durang storyline darts around like a honey-drunk bee, any and all spoilers rendered futile.

Let’s just say that if you aren’t intrigued by why a mid 50s woman wearing a Snow White costume who travels with a Hollywood boy-toy in his 20s decides to sell the aforementioned house on the advice of an unseen personal assistant named Hootie Pie, well, you probably won’t care what happens anyway.

From Durang’s first play in 1979, “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All For You” — in Boston some folks tried to embody “banned in Boston” by unsuccessfully attempting to squelch his biting jab at Catholicism — the playwright has peered skeptically at serious themes such as child abuse, religion and homosexuality through a fractured lens ground from satire, parody and absurdity.

This fusion established his as a voice to be reckoned with or, at least, worth paying attention to.

Following a prolific and often impressive run of plays through the 1980s into the ‘90s, general audiences and critics seemed to lose interest.

But in 2013, “Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike” redirected Durang’s trajectory. Many critics remembered all over again to appreciate his adroit shifts in tone and offbeat characters. A successful off-Broadway run led to a Broadway transfer with David Hyde-Pierce and Sigourney Weaver above the title.

Star power will get you so far, but absurdist humor can be tiresome if it isn’t shaped by a keenly attuned director pacing the irrational laughter so that audiences aren’t quickly exhausted by it.

To make sure madcap doesn’t wear out its welcome, SCR wisely assigned the task to vaunted L.A.-based director Bart DeLorenzo. Most recently, DeLorenzo whipped up antic glee in December on this stage with Sandra Tsing Loh’s rueful, seasonal memory-play “Sugar Plum Fairy.”

Here DeLorenzo treats the material with a beautiful combination of energy and discretion. These characters’ quirks are earnest and heartfelt, there can’t be a shred of irony. DeLorenzo makes sure there is no fatal wink-wink nudge-nudge-iness from an impeccable cast that feels like a veteran repertory ensemble (could they please put on Chekhov’s real “Uncle Vanya” on stage-dark Monday nights?).

The actors prove equally at home with abrupt animation and fitful resignation. As Masha, the flamboyant B-level Hollywood diva who swoops in on Vanya and Sonia, sucking all the oxygen from every room, Pamela J. Gray knits narcissism, fitful jealousy and despairing self-obsession, never missing a stitch.

Svetlana Efremova’s Cassandra — part-time cleaning lady, full-time non-stop forecaster of doom imported directly from Greek mythology — serves up non-stop prognostications with a thick slab of Slavic intensity that instantly lights things up whenever she bustles on stage.

Jose Moreno Brooks’ Spike elevates flexing, posing and hunkiness to a triumph of millennial obliviousness; his reverse strip-tease is a hilarious public display to behold.

All the actors go through their paces in a wonderful setting. Keith Mitchell’s lovely silhouetted scenic design, with an expansive country house interior echoing a Chekhovian dacha, is artfully framed by nature, banishing what, at times over the years, can be the claustrophobic quotient of the Argyros’ stage.

Raquel Barreto’s first outing costuming an SCR production is a pleasing mix, from schlubby/dowdy for Vanya and Sonya to California Cool for Sonia and Spike.

Near the end of the play is a long, tricky monologue that runs a good eight minutes. It is a mountain of nostalgic, stream-of-consciousness rhetoric for Vanya to climb.

In productions elsewhere there was an acerbic quality to what previous actors did with it, but Bagley miraculously reaches a gentle boil, never too loud or harsh. There is a mournful quality as his character struggles to convey a declaration of loss at the shared cultural interests and memories that Vanya feels have vanished as mid 20th century America itself disappeared.

In 2013 productions, this scene was played like a self-centered complaint. Here it is a baffled lament, one that ultimately lands gently, almost a soothing balm.

Perhaps that’s best in 2018.

‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’

Where: Julianne Argyros Stage, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: Continues Tuesday, Oct. 9-Sunday, Oct. 21. 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:45 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays

Tickets: regular performances, $31-86

Information: 714-708-5555; scr.org

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