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"Addington The Court Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was founded in 1971 and located in the Christchurch Arts Centre from 1976 until the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It opened new premises in Addington in December 2011. It is currently New Zealand's largest theatre company, and is led by Chief Executive Barbara George and Artistic Director Daniel Pengelly. History =Founding and early years Canterbury Provincial Council The company was founded by Yvette Bromley and Mervyn Thompson in 1971 who served as Co- artistic Directors for the first three years of the company. Bromley chose the theatre's name out of affection for the Royal Court Theatre in London, which she knew well from her upbringing and drama education. During the first eighteen months of its existence, The Court had three venues. The first was the Stone Chamber of the Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers (April – May 1971), where The Court's début production, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was staged. Occasionally the Māori Land Court would require the use of the chamber, necessitating the set being struck and taken to the Durham Street Art Gallery; the furniture being moved back into the chamber and the processed reversed for the next evening's performance. The Stone Chamber was one of the city's most magnificent structures, but it was impractical for a theatre company, as there was little room for an audience and a lack of toilets. Next was the Durham Street Art Gallery (June 1971 – May 1972), which was used as an interim venue between the Canterbury Society of Arts vacating the premises and the Law Court expanding into the area. From June to August 1972, The Court was housed in the Beggs Theatrette and staged two productions in the space. The next four years (September 1972 – February 1976) were a period of relative stability. The Court Theatre was housed at The Orange Hall on Worcester Street. In 1974, Mervyn Thompson stood down leaving Yvette Bromley as sole Artistic Director until 1975 when Randall Wackrow (who had joined the company as Business Manager in 1973) joined her as Co-Director. The Arts Centre The Court Theatre at the Christchurch Arts Centre In 1976, the company moved to the Christchurch Arts Centre complex, in the buildings which were formerly the Engineering School of Canterbury College. The performance space was previously lecture room D. From 1977 to 1978, Randall Wackrow served as sole Artistic Director, standing down in 1979 with the appointment of Elric Hooper. Hooper served as Artistic Director for more than two decades. Hooper declared his intent to balance the theatre's repertoire with "three main thrusts — the classic, the contemporary and the indigenous". Although economic pressure saw a fledgling second auditorium, Court Two, closed as a regular venue following the economic slump of the mid-eighties (although it was to be later revived as The Forge), overall this philosophy was rewarded. The Court expanded its company with the introduction of Theatresports to Australasia in the late 1980s and the formation of professional improvisation troupe, The Court Jesters in 1989. In 1990, Hooper was awarded an MBE and the 1990 Commemoration medal by the Queen. Hooper retired as Artistic Director in 1999 and Catherine Downes served as Artistic Director of The Court Theatre from 2000 to 2005. Ross Gumbley became The Court's Artistic Director in 2006 and helped The Court find a new home in Addington when the 2011 Christchurch earthquake destroyed The Court's Arts Centre home. The Shed, Addington The Court remains in The Shed while planning for a permanent home in the city. In December 2019, Ross Gumbley became The Court's Artistic Adviser/Lead Director, helping to plan for this new future, while Daniel Pengelly took over as Interim Artistic Director. In May 2020, Pengelly was appointed Artistic Director until 31 December 2020. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Court Theatre's shows were postponed or cancelled. The Court began staging productions in The Shed's foyer with safety measures in place in August 2020 and on 21 September 2020 announced that the main auditorium would be reopening. Current role and activities The Court Theatre employs professionals from around the country and internationally. It sustains a full-time professional staff and an ensemble acting company and is administered by The Court Theatre Trust. In addition to being a full-time professional theatre company, The Court Theatre operates numerous other activities in the community. The company annually tours a show regionally around the South Island. Its education programme provides training for school-age students and adults, regularly liaising with high school and tertiary institutions as well as other community groups. The company also produces school holiday kids' shows and an annual touring primary school show. Furthermore, the company employs a troupe of professional improvisors and corporate entertainers, The Court Jesters. The most public face of their work is the improv comedy show "Scared Scriptless" which is staged every Friday night at 10:15pm. ReferencesExternal links *Official website Category:Arts organizations established in 1971 Category:Organisations based in Christchurch Category:Culture in Christchurch Category:Theatre companies in New Zealand Category:1971 establishments in New Zealand "
"The many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus), also known as the Taiwanese krait or the Chinese krait, is an extremely venomous species of elapid snake found in much of central and southern China and Southeast Asia. The species was first described by the scientist Edward Blyth in 1861. This species has two known subspecies, the nominate Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus, and Bungarus multicinctus wanghaotingi. The many-banded krait mostly inhabits marshy areas throughout its geographical distribution, though it does occur in other habitat types. Etymology Since the species' description by zoologist and pharmacist Edward Blyth in 1861, Bungarus multicinctus has been the binomial of the species. The generic name, Bungarus, is a Latinisation of Telugu baṅgāru, "krait." The specific name multicinctus is derived from the Latin multi-, combining form of multus, "much, many", and Latin cinctus, past participle of cingere, "to encircle"—as in a "band". The full species name (Bungarus multicinctus) thus literally means "many-banded krait". The common name "krait" is from Hindi (करैत karait), which is perhaps ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word (काल kāla), which means "black". It is also called as "கட்டுவிரியன்" in Tamil, a common name given to the genus Bungarus. Taxonomy and evolution Specimen after shedding skin The kraits, as they are commonly known, belong to the family Elapidae and the genus Bungarus. The genus is endemic to the continent of Asia. They are morphologically well connected, forming a close-knit and cohesive unit. The genus has 12–13 species who are morphologically distinct from the genus Naja and the Afro-elapids according to McDowell (1987). McDowell stated "species diversity is greatest in Africa, but the Asiatic Bungarus and Ophiophagus are each so peculiar in anatomy as to suggest an ancient divergence". Others, including Slowinski, believed that the kraits (Bungarus), are part of a clade that clusters with a group including the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and oddly enough, with the African mambas (Dendroaspis) on the most-parsimonious tree or with Elapsoidea on the maximum- likelihood tree. This result calls into question the monophyly of cobras and underscores the uncertainty of the homology of the hood spreading behavior in cobras and mambas. The relationships of Dendroaspis, Ophiophagus, and Bungarus differed between the parsimony and likelihood analyses, suggesting that more work is necessary to resolve the relationships of these problematic taxa. McDowell's findings in regard to the sister-group of Bungarus and the sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) family, propose that the kraits might just be a per- mutable clade between the elapidae "palatine-erectors" and the hydrophiinae "palatine draggers". Two genera within the subfamily Hydrophiinae in particular, support McDowell's hypothesis. The two genera are Salomonelaps and Loveridgelaps due to many shared characteristics. Mao et al. (1983) showed that this species, Bungarus multicinctus was slightly distinct from the other members of its genus and was immunologically more similar to Laticauda, terrestrial Australian elapids, and true sea snakes than it is to Elapsoidea sundevalli (Sundevall's garter snake), Naja naja (Indan cobra) or two Micrurus species (New World or American coral snakes). Minton (1981), Schwaner et al. and Cadle & Gorman (1981) all suggested similar things to Mao et al. (1983) based on immunological data. The many-banded krait was more similar to the Australian elapids, Laticauda and true sea snakes than they were to numerous elapids they were compared to. Description A many-banded krait found in Taiwan The many-banded krait is a medium to large sized species of snake, averaging in length, with maximum lengths reaching . Its body is slender and moderately compressed. The scales of this species are smooth and glossy, with a noticeably distinct vertebral ridge. The colour of the snake is black to dark bluish-black with approximately 21–30 white or creamy white cross bands along the entire length of its upper body. More banding is seen in longer than average sized specimens. The tail is short and pointed, that is also black in colour with alternating white cross bands, of which there are 7–11. The belly of the snake is usually white in colour, but could be an off white or creamy white. The head is primarily black in colour, is broad and oval in shape, but flat and slightly distinct from the body. The eyes are small and black in colour. The pupils are black in colour, thus making them hardly noticeable as they blend in with the rest of the eyes. This species has large nostrils. The fangs are small, fixed and are located in the anterior of the upper jaw. Juveniles of this species usually have whitish blotches on the lower side of their heads. Scalation Dorsal scales in 15 rows; ventral scales 200–231 in males, 198–227 in females; tail short and tapering; subcaudal scales single (undivided), 43–54 in males, 37–55 in females. Distribution and habitat This species is found throughout Taiwan (including the Archipelagos of Matsu and Kinmen), in the central and southern regions of China (in the provinces of Hainan, Anhui, Sichuan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Fujian), Hong Kong, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and northern Vietnam. It may also be found in Thailand. Specimen found on Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong Although it can be found in elevations up to about , it is far more commonly found in humid lowland areas, and most often observed in subtropical, marshy regions of its range. It is also frequently found in shrublands, woodlands, agricultural fields, and mangroves, often adjacent to water, such as rivers, streams, rice paddies, and ditches. It may also sometimes be found in villages and suburban areas. It is able to survive in other habitats also. Behaviour and diet Close-up of the head with scalation showing The snake is nocturnal, and may be more defensive at night. It is, however, a timid and placid species of snake. In the daytime, it hides under stones or in holes. The snake appears from April and retreats into hibernation in November. It is considered to be more defensive than the Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus), thrashing about as it is handled. Unlike other Bungarus species, who are primarily snake-eaters, the many-banded krait usually feeds on fish, but it is also preys on other species of snakes, including members of its own species. This species also feeds on rodents, eels, frogs, and occasionally lizards. The Journal of Medical Virology found gene information (codon usage bias) from bungarus multicinctus and naja atra snakes that matches that of the virus SARS-CoV-2, including genetic information from other animals such as bats (rhinolophus sinicus) suggesting possible animal origins of the virus. Article published January 22, 2020. Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jmv.25682 Reproduction There is limited information on the reproductive habits of this snake. Like many elapids, many-banded kraits are oviparous. Mating occurs between the months of August and September. Females usually deposit 3–15 eggs, although up to 20 eggs can be produced. The eggs are deposited in late spring or early summer, usually in the month of June. Eggs usually hatch about a month and a half later. The hatchlings are around in length. Venom and toxins The venom of the many-banded krait consists of both pre- and postsynaptic neurotoxins (known as α-bungarotoxins and β-bungarotoxins, among others). By weight, almost half of the protein content of the venom is composed of β-bungarotoxins. The average venom yield from specimens kept on snake farms is about 4.6 mg—19.4 mg per bite. The venom is highly toxic with values of 0.09 mg/kg—0.108 mg/kg SC, 0.113 mg/kg IV and 0.08 mg/kg IP on mice. Based on several studies, the many-banded krait is among the most venomous land snakes in the world. α-Bungarotoxin is important for neuromuscular histology, it is known to bind irreversibly to receptors of the neuromuscular junction, and can be labelled with fluorescent proteins such as green fluorescent protein or the rhodamine dye tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate. Clinical symptoms The local symptoms of victims bitten by the many-banded krait are usually neither serious swelling nor pain; the victims merely feel slightly itchy and numb. Systemic symptoms occur, in general, one to six hours after being bitten by this snake. Symptoms may include bilateral ptosis, diplopia, discomfort in the chest, general ache, weak feeling in limbs, ataxia, glossolysis, loss of voice, dysphagia, tunnel vision, and difficulty breathing. In case of serious bite, suppression of breathing may occur, leading to death. Hyponatremia is also seen, but less commonly. Estimated mortality rates associated with untreated bites from this species vary between studies from 25–35% to 70–100%. During the Vietnam War, American soldiers referred to the many-banded krait as the "two-step snake," in the mistaken belief that its venom was lethal enough to kill within two steps. The many-banded krait gathered worldwide attention after a juvenile individual bit Joe Slowinski on 11 September 2001 in Myanmar. He died the following day, 29 hours after being bitten. ReferencesExternal links * Category:Bungarus Category:Reptiles of Myanmar Category:Reptiles of China Category:Reptiles of Laos Category:Reptiles of Taiwan Category:Reptiles of Thailand Category:Reptiles of Vietnam Category:Venomous snakes Category:Reptiles described in 1861 Category:Snakes of China Category:Snakes of Vietnam Category:Snakes of Asia "
"Michel Bras (born 4 November 1946) is a French chef. His cooking style is described as "creative" is often associated to fresh herbs and edible flowers. He has also created the recipe of a famous biscuit with chocolate coulant. Career His restaurant located in Laguiole in the Aveyron was rated three stars in the Guide Michelin since 1999. It is also classed in the "Relais & Châteaux" since 1992. In June 2002 he opened together with his son Sébastien a second restaurant at the Windsor Hotel of Hokkaido in Japan, where the chef and director since December 2015 is Simone Cantafio with Guillaume Vegreville as the room manager. In 2014, Michel Bras launched a brasserie inside the Soulages museum located in Rodez, Aveyron. He chose to voluntarily give up his Michelin rating in September 2017 and did not appear in the 2018 Guide.French chef Bras gives up Michelin stars BBC News 30 January 2018 In 2008, he and the Japanese brand KAI (specialized in knife confection and other blades) have been working together for a number of years, and have developed a custom knife series intended in majority to restaurant professionals. Bibliography Gargouillou of vegetables * "Le Livre de Michel Bras," éditions du Rouergue, 1991 () * Petits festins et desserts, éditions du Rouergue, collection Carnets de Michel Bras, Rodez, 2005 () * Bras : Laguiole, Aubrac, France, éditions du Rouergue, Rodez, 2002 () References External links * Category:1946 births Category:French chefs Category:Head chefs of Michelin starred restaurants Category:Living people "