Grieving Ashton Kutcher comforts a teary Mila Kunis as they attend the funeral of prominent Kabbalah Chief Rabbi Berg in Israel

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis attended the funeral of prominent Kabbalah Chief Rabbi Philip Berg in Israel on Wednesday.
Rabbi Berg was the founder of the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles, which is frequented by A-list Hollywood stars including Ashton, his ex-wife Demi Moore, Madonna, and also Paris Hilton and Britney Spears in the past.
The two actors were pictured dressed all in white and surrounded by several other mourners at the daytime service.

Mourning: Ashton Kutcher and girlfriend Mila Kunis attended the funeral of prominent Kabbalah Chief Rabbi Berg in Israel on Wednesday

Teary: Mila was seen being comforted by her boyfriend as she became overcome with emotion at the outdoor ceremony

According to the teachings of Kabbalah, wearing white is a common practice for followers, because it is believed the colour attracts 'positive energy'.
Mila was seen being comforted by her boyfriend as she became overcome with emotion at the outdoor ceremony.
With her head on his shoulder, Ashton put his arm around the teary 30-year-old actress, giving her a tight cuddle.

Emotional: It appeared that the 30-year-old actress was crying

Arm-in-arm: Ashton also put his arm around other people in the congregation

Traditional: The two actors were pictured dressed all in white and surrounded by several mourners at the daytime service

According to Jewish newspaper Haaretz, the service included several eulogies and the congregation sang, reciting '"Ani Ma'amin,” a Hebrew expression of faith in the coming of the Messiah'.
The publication reported that hundreds attended the service with many travelling from abroad.
The funeral was even streamed live on the Kabbalah Centre's website.
For refreshments, a catering company supplied espresso coffee and cold drinks.

Grieving: Ashton also looked forlorn as he grieved alongside other mourners

Ceremony: According to Jewish newspaper Haaretz, the service included several eulogies and the congregation sang, reciting '"Ani Ma'amin,” a Hebrew expression of faith in the coming of the Messiah'

Puffy: Ashton's eyes appeared red and puffy when he took off his sunglasses

Rabbi Berg passed away on Tuesday after being ill for several years following a stroke in 2004.
His body was taken to the City of Safed in Israel for burial the same day.
In Judaism, a burial should take place as soon as possible after death.
The City of Safed is renowned for 'being the home of the most important scholars and authors of Kabbalah in the 16th century,' according to Haaretz.

Large: Hundreds attended the funeral of Rabbi Berg, with many travelling from overseas

Forlorn: Ashton looked devastated as he walked through the crowd of mourners

Covering up: The actor covered his eyes with sunglasses and wore a Chicago Bears baseball cap on his head

Rabbi Berg founded the Kabbalah centre in 1969 and opened the doors of the Los Angeles branch in 1993.
His wife and two sons began running the institute after Berg became ill in 2004 and in turn gave it a global name due to it's celebrity attendees.
The institute released a statement following Rabbi Berg's death on Tuesday which read: 'The Kabbalah Center is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our teacher, Rav Berg.

Catching up: Earlier in the day, Ashton was seen chatting to other followers inside the centre

Noticeable absentee: One notable absentee on Wednesday was Ashton's ex-wife Demi, who is a strong follower of the faith. She was seen going to a yoga class on Tuesday

'Throughout the Rav’s 86 years, he created a path for millions to learn and live Kabbalah.
'The Rav has left us with incredible knowledge through thousands of hours of teaching, examples of courage that we will never forget, and the comfort of a Kabbalah Center that we can all call home.'
Ashton first introduced Mila to Kabbalah when he took her to Rosh Hashanah holiday services at the Kabbalah Centre in New York City in September 2012.
Mila was raised Jewish and Kabbalah is said to have originally developed from its teachings.
She now appears to have fully embraced the religion.
Ashton began following the sect in 2003 with Demi.
The former couple turned to a Kabbalah counselling centre in a bid to save their marriage after he cheated on her.
Ashton's No Strings Attached co-star, Natalie Portman, who is Jewish, said in 2011 that Ashton 'taught me more about Judaism than I think I have ever learned from anyone else.'

Sad: Rabbi Berg passed away on Tuesday after being ill for several years following a stroke in 2004

Demi was a notable absentee at the service on Wednesday.
The 50-year-old was rather seen getting in a yoga session on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Aside from Madonna, Demi and Ashton are two of the Kabbalah centre's most prominent A-list students.

Iconic: Rabbi Berg founded the Kabbalah centre in 1969 and opened the doors of the Los Angeles branch in 1993

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Katie Price and husband Kieran Hayler step out for the first time with newborn son Jett Riviera

Katie Price has had a tough few weeks after she gave birth to her new son Jett Riviera by emergency caesarean.
The star and her husband Kieran Hayler were spotted on Monday with their newborn son Jett Riviera for the first time since his birth last month.
The 35-year-old TV star will be taking the time to relax after Jett was forced to spend several weeks in a French hospital as he was treated for breathing problems, before the family were given the all-clear to return home.

New baby: Katie Price and Kieran Hayler are seen out and about for the first time since the birth of their baby boy Jett Riviera

Katie went into labour two months early while enjoying a break in the South of France with her husband Kieran Hayler.
Katie and Kieran looked delighted to be new parents as they strolled together on Monday, with Kieran carrying baby Jett in his cradle.

The couple smiled and held hands while baby Jett appeared to be asleep hidden under a blanket.

Colourful: New mum Katie wore a pair of pink-rimmed sunglasses and flower patterned leggings

Joy: The couple recently welcomed their first child into the world

  

They reportedly went to a local doctors, where Kieran was having a check-up after a quad bike accident on the grounds of their Surrey home.
Katie looked tanned and relaxed wearing a comfortable casual outfit of a grey baggy T-shirt, grey and black floral patterned leggings and a pair of long black boots.

She wore her highlighted long blonde hair loose and covered her eyes with a pair of sunglasses.

Sleepy? Baby Jett was hidden under a white blanket

Doctor's visit: The couple reportedly visited their local surgery after Kieran needed a check-up after a quad bike accident

Kieran also wore as casual outfit, and was dressed in a simple black T-shirt, baggy jeans and trainers.

Earlier this week Katie was reportedly upset after sexually explicit photos of her and an ex were stolen.

An insider told Closer magazine that Katie was worried the photos could have an impact upon her relationship. 

Happy family: Katie and Kieran looked happier than ever as they enjoyed the outing

The source said: ‘Although Kieran’s being supportive, she’s panicking about what he’d think if he actually saw them  and, while she knows he loves her, she can’t help feeling terrified the pics could ruin everything.’

She and Kieran married in January this year in the Bahamas with a second wedding in the UK in March.

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QUENTIN LETTS: First night review of A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream, Noel Coward Theatre
Rating:
Shakespeare's Bottom is usually done as a self-regarding ‘hempen homespun’, a Warwickshire mechanical with too much to say for himself. Little Britain star David Walliams, naturally, has a camper take.
He makes Bottom a lisping Herbert, all cravat and pink shirt and thrown head gestures. He skips off stage holding hands with his amateur-theatricals boyfriend Peter Quince (Richard Dempsey).
A liberty with the Bard? Nope. It is a terrific idea: funny, fresh (ooh – fresh indeed) and rather endearing. It certainly makes sense of that name Shakespeare gives him.

Humorously sexy: Sheridan Smith as fairy queen Titania

This is a fine Dream. Mr Walliams co-stars with the constantly, impertinently, humorously sexy Sheridan Smith, whose Titania falls in love with Bottom when he is a donkey.
Miss Smith has a set of eyebrows that seem constantly a-quiver, as though she has just been shown something the size of a prize marrow.
At this point Mr Walliams is wearing a pair of equine teeth which make him resemble the fictitious Australian cultural attaché, Sir  Les Patterson.
At other moments this Bottom reminded me of Frankie Howerd (is Mr Walliams not quite possibly Frankie’s reincarnation?).
Miss Smith, curvaceously slinky and with that very English impishness, could be a modern-day Diana Dors – before she started overdoing it on the cream puffs and Gordon’s gin.
Michael Grandage, London’s most reliable director, serves up a Dream which flashes plenty of flesh. The male lovers, Lysander (Sam Swainsbury) and Demetrius (Stefano Braschi) have the looks and limbs of Calvin Klein underpant models. They duly strip to their smalls. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream teaser trailer

This production catches the Sybaritic jollity, the vivid vim of the Dream

They and their bronzed girlfriends Hermia (Susannah Fielding) and a voracious Helena (Katherine Kingsley) bask in orange lighting front-of-stage.
This contrasts with greys and blues to the back where a vast, beguiling moon burns in the midsummer night’s sky. The fairy scenes (I mean in Titania’s court) are brushed with 1970s-style flower-power love songs.
Gavin Fowler’s Puck keeps  showing off his lithe torso – this show has more six-packs than Threshers. Miss Smith is done up  in a Toyah Willcox hairdo. Cleavage is provided.
The mechanicals’ play within a play has been done with more slapstick. A purist might want crisper diction from Miss Smith, though one would not want to sacrifice any of the show’s cantering pace.
This production catches the Sybaritic jollity, the vivid vim of the Dream. Even in autumnal London you catch a taste of midsummer.

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Exterminated: Rob's biscuit tower in the shape of a Dalek loses out to shortbread Bavarian Clock Tower. Jim Shelley reels from The Great British Bake Off

It was farewell to Rob Smart in the Great British Bake Off.
His biscuit tower in the Showstopper Challenge was a disaster, as he made the fatal error of presenting Mary Berry with a Dalek and not one blessed with any great flavour at that.

A tasteless affair then, Mary’s expression confirmed – in more ways than one.

Worst of all, Rob’s creation gave Sue Perkins the excuse to do her hilarious Dalek voice – or what she obviously thought was hilarious and a Dalek voice - several times.

Foiled: Rob tries to assassinate Mary Berry with a cocktail stick cunningly hidden inside the plunger of his Dalek cake

Rob's Dalek was commendably original and, um, metrosexual. But Lady Berry doesn’t strike you as someone likely to be a big Doctor Who fan so it was a risky choice.
As for eating it? ‘Not such a joy,’ she said with a smile that could chill the heart.

Rob’s biscuit tower was held together with ‘edible glue’ while he had placed a cocktail stick inside the Dalek’s, which would not only bring tears to any Dalek's eyes but could have been fatal for Mary if she had munched it down.

With assassination ideas like that, he should expect a call from the KGB any day.
Glenn meanwhile was hastily re-thinking his plans for a blancmange shaped like an Ood and a fondant fancy in the colours of Tom Baker's scarf. 

Exterminated: Rob's Dalek biscuit tower loses out on Great...

Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry safely detonate Rob's Dalek cake while Mel Giedroyc (right) looks on and Sue Perkins (annoying) amuses herself by doing another Dalek impression

Rob was evicted from the Great British Bake Off tent despite the fact that Frances’ tower (a haberdashery box complete with buttons) was more of a hapless pile than a tower, which, as Mary pointed out with her trademark gracious dismay, was 'the brief for the challenge.’

Mind you, it looked to me as if it was Mel Giedroyc who knocked Frances’ creation over as she measured it to check it was the required 30 centimetres, reassuring Frances ‘yup, you’re OK’ - just as it collapsed. Cheers for that Mel.

Bake Off judge Mary Berry chuckles at the memory of Rob's Dalek cake

Other Showstopper Challenges included Howard’s Japanese Pagoda Tea Tower, a Helter Skelter inspired by raspberry macaroons rather than Charles Manson, and the winner, Christine’s Bavarian Clock Tower, made of four flavours of shortbread that included orange & cardamom, chocolate and vanilla. Show off.

‘I think that’s stunning,’ beamed Mary. I think that’s potty.

‘It not only has to got to taste good and look good, it has to be structurally sound,’ Paul Hollywood had warned, although the first two sounded more like what I was looking for in a dessert.

Proving a stopped clock is right twice a day, Christine's Shortbread Bavarian Clock Tower. And trees

The rest of the show consisted of ‘the largest signature bake yet’ and ‘the thinnest technical challenge ever devised' - the evil swines.

The first of these concerned traybakes, which turned out to be things you baked. In a tray.
'The fact that it's simple...makes it extremely difficult,' an agonised Paul Hollywood explained.'Because when you're judging you have to even more critical.'
Strangely enough Mary seemed not to have this problem.
A brief history of the traybake covered the Quakers and Sue Perkins announcing: ‘believe it or not the name of this pink traybake is the Tottenham Cake’.

Anyone who goes to Greggs could have told her that.

The main function of the history section seems to be to make the baking more exciting.

‘We want some lovely surprises and wonderful finishes,’ said Mary, hopefully still talking about biscuits.

After the Jaffa Cake, the Jenga Cake. Sue Perkins (left) risks taking a piece

Fellow judge Paul Hollywood however was not in such a great mood.

For her traybakes, Frances had made Millionaire’s Banoffee Bonus and stacked them like Jenga.

‘I think overall it looks quite attractive,’ Hollywood said grudgingly.
Admittedly Glenn’s Apricot & Pistachio Tiffin made from layers of chocolate, pistachio, marshmallow and biscuit turned out as big, unappealing wodges of chocolate.

‘They look... grotesque,’ declared Hollywood, not mincing his words, let alone dicing them and coating them with icing sugar.
Glenn promptly went into a speech about what a hard week he'd had - marking 50 essays. Teachers eh ? How do they make it past 30 without dying of exhaustion, what with all the marking of essays and baking biscuits. Mary was more benign.
‘It tastes very good and you’ve shown us all sorts of skills,’ she said kindly.
As for the apricot, chocolate, and what she called ‘the pissed-arch-io’, ‘they taste absolutely lovely.’

Mary Berry (right) tries to persuade Paul Hollywood (grumpy) to be nice about her tuile. No, not that - biscuits in the shape of a roof tile

Round Two was tuiles.Trust the French to have a fancy biscuit named after a roof tile.

They wanted 18 – half in what they called 'the traditional manner' and piped with circles of chocolate, and half 'rolled up like cigars and dipped in chocolate.’
Whatever happened to 'you'll get what you're given and like it'?
‘This really is an exceedingly difficult challenge,’ Mary said, her version of Mr. Kipling.

‘We’re checking their piping skills. We’re checking their time management and their precision,’ preened Paul.

There were cooking challenges too.

The other contestants try not to smile as the judges ask: 'who was the idiot who made the blue Dalek cake?'

In the oven too long and contestants wouldn’t be able to roll the mix out. Not long enough and they wouldn’t get the requisite snap. Over-beaten, and the tuiles could shrink in the oven. (Don't you just hate it when that happens?)
Frances said hers were so thin they were the Alexa Chung of biscuits. Too thin and they could crack (like Alexa Chung).

Howard said his were ‘more like fag butts than cigars’ – giving them the hard sell.

Again, Hollywood proved hard to please.

‘It is quite stable. I don’t like the flavour of the biscuit. I don’t like the texture either,’ he said, which will probably be the last time Beca makes him a ‘Tiered Macaron & Sugar Dough Biscuit Centrepiece.’

By the way, did Beca mention her husband was in the army ?

Beca wonders if it's time to mention her husband's in the army again

Glenn had fashioned some cherry and hazelnut Shortbread and raspberry macaroons into a Helter Skelter – as you do.

‘It does look quite impressive,’ Paul shrugged, reluctantly.
It was hard to work out what would make him happy. Luckily Ruby was, um, on hand.
She was on particularly irritating form but Paul didn't seem to mind much.
‘I’ve never done traybakes. I don’t really do biscuits,’ she beamed. Me neither, but then I’m not on the Great British Bake Off.

I’m not certain but I think she might have been too busy revising for her Philosophy degree to do any preparation. She barely mentioned it, beyond the first few dozen times.
‘Don’t tell me you're going to wing it,’ he chided her, forgetting to add what he was clearly thinking (‘you little minx, you’).
As for making their own piping bag, Ruby mooched around, fluterring her eyelashes waiting for a man (Paul) to come and help her construct one.

Howard's Japanese Pagoda Tea Tower was not good enough to win although it tasted good (well of tea anyway) and looked incredible (well kind of)

Ruby's main tactic this week was not her baking but getting her excuses in early.

‘Clearly I’ve messed it up completely...’ she coyly told the judges (mostly Paul). ‘I’d like to apologise for my blackberry Bakewell. It’s messy and its under-baked. The pastry’s awful as well.’

Poor baby.

Mary tried to be stern with her.
‘You almost feel you want to pick it up and turn over,’ she suggested about Ruby’s creation for the ShowStopper Challenge, rather missing the point of her idea for a tower - ‘Dropped Ice Cream Cone.’

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby !: Ruby mesmerises Paul Hollywood with the old 'Look into my eyes, look in to my eyes' trick, although, frankly, he seems to be already in her thrall - or wishes he was

You sensed Paul didn’t even notice which way Ruby’s cone was pointing - or care.

‘They taste lovely, really good. Great flavours, great textures,’ he slavered, possibly speaking thoughts he was having privately out loud.

Earlier as he sampled her blackberry Bakewell, he told her: ‘You’ve got a bit of a soggy bottom there,’
Who? Ruby?!
It seemed to me unlikely but, the way this competition is going, anyone who wants to check is going to have to get past Paul Hollywood first.

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Thespian fest: Lara Stone joins husband David Walliams and Sheridan Smith for A Midsummer Night's Dream after-party

ummer might be over, but that didn't stop the cast of  A Midsummer Night's Dream turning out for an afterparty in London.
Amongst them were Sheridan Smith and David Walliams who seemed to be enjoying letting their hair down after the nerve-wracking Press night performance.
Sheridan looked every inch the elegant Thespian in a grey silk dress with an embroided design on the chest.

Luvvies: Lara Stone, David Walliams, Sheridan Smith and director Michael Grandage turned out for the after party for Midsummer night's dream

Her blonde hair was pulled off her face into an up-do with lose strands at the front to frame her features.
The 32-year-old actress, who accessorised with a Boulder Opal yellow gold and oxidised silver ring by Armenta, had on dramatic winged eyeliner but kept the rest of her make-up minimal.
Even in black high heels the star was still dwarfed by 6ft 2 co-star David Walliams.

Loved up: David Walliams had the support of his wife Lara Stone

  

David's wife Lara Stone had accompanied her husband for support and the two looked as loved up as ever.
The model, who gave birth to the couples son Alfred in May, looked elegant in a purple and black dress.
She accessorised with black boots and chain-link Chanel bag. Her long blonde hair was loose and natural.

Pals: David and Sheridan were seen larking about

Co-stars: The two seemed to have a good rapport on and off the stage

It'll be alright on the night: The cast turned up to party after the show

Happy couple: Lara gave birth to their first child, Alfred, in May

Despite recently giving birth, the Dutch-born model seemed to have had no problems getting back into amazing shape.
David and Lara began dating in September 2009 before marrying at London's exclusive Claridge's Hotel in May 2010.
Meanwhile, fellow Thespian Sheridan is believed to currently be single rumours this Summer that she was seeing comedian Russel Brand.

Heart-throb: American actor Chris Pine was amongst many big names who turned out for the party

Suited and booted: The actor dressed to impress in a fitted black suit with a slim black tie

Casual: Miranda Hart dressed down for the party

Sheridan who made a name for herself in down to earth TV such as The Royle Family and Two Pints Of Larger And A Packet Of Crisps has made the difficult transition into
respected stage actress.
She recently told Marie Claire magazine:'‘If I can keep plodding along, earning a living doing what I love, I'm happy.  Maybe find a fella along the way.  That wouldn't go amiss.’

Veteran: Shakespearean actress Susannah Fielding attended the theatre world party

Elegant: Sheridan was vision in her silk dress

Modest: The actress came over all shy as she arrived to party following her success on stage

Support: Johnathan Ross arrived hand in hand with his daughter to the afterparty

The theatre event also attracted a host of actors from both the stage and screen.
Hollywood actor Chris Pine was in attendance as well as Comedienne Miranda Hart and theatre veteran Susannah Fielding.
The production is set to run until November.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Review- Quentin Letts

Rating:
Shakespeares’S Bottom is usually done as a self-regarding ‘hempen homespun’, a Warwickshire mechanical with too much to say for himself. Little Britain star David Walliams, naturally, has a camper take.

He makes Bottom a lisping Herbert, all cravat and pink shirt and thrown head gestures. He skips off stage holding hands with his amateur-theatricals boyfriend Peter Quince (Richard Dempsey).
A liberty with the Bard? Nope. It is a terrific idea: funny, fresh (ooh – fresh indeed) and rather endearing. It certainly makes sense of that name Shakespeare gives him.
This is a fine Dream. Mr Walliams co-stars with the constantly, impertinently, humorously sexy Sheridan Smith, whose Titania falls in love with Bottom when he is a donkey.
Miss Smith has a set of eyebrows that seem constantly a-quiver, as though she has just been shown something the size of a prize marrow.
At this point Mr Walliams is wearing a pair of equine teeth which make him resemble the fictitious Australian cultural attaché, Sir  Les Patterson.
At other moments this Bottom reminded me of Frankie Howerd (is Mr Walliams not quite possibly Frankie’s reincarnation?).
Miss Smith, curvaceously slinky and with that very English impishness, could be a modern-day Diana Dors – before she started overdoing it on the cream puffs and Gordon’s gin.
Michael Grandage, London’s most reliable director, serves up a Dream which flashes plenty of flesh.
The male lovers, Lysander (Sam Swainsbury) and Demetrius (Stefano Braschi) have the looks and limbs of Calvin Klein underpant models. They duly strip to their smalls.
They and their bronzed girlfriends Hermia (Susannah Fielding) and a voracious Helena (Katherine Kingsley) bask in orange lighting front-of-stage.
This contrasts with greys and blues to the back where a vast, beguiling moon burns in the midsummer night’s sky. The fairy scenes (I mean in Titania’s court) are brushed with 1970s-style flower-power love songs.
Gavin Fowler’s Puck keeps  showing off his lithe torso – this show has more six-packs than Threshers. Miss Smith is done up  in a Toyah Willcox hairdo. Cleavage is provided.
The mechanicals’ play within a play has been done with more slapstick. A purist might want crisper diction from Miss Smith, though one would not want to sacrifice any of the show’s cantering pace.
This production catches the Sybaritic jollity, the vivid vim of the Dream. Even in autumnal London you catch a taste of midsummer.

Read More »