The popular Park mystery novel, Murder at the Fishbowl, is to become a feature film, according to the book’s publisher.

Momoko Yamaneko, Editor-in-Chief of Prionailurus Press, S.A. confirmed in an email this morning that Bitter Litter Pictures has purchased the film rights from the book’s author.  No other details have been revealed.

The novel, which debuted at The Park’s Feline Fiction Fest in 25 AZ (2007), is scheduled to be released in softshell by the publisher in September.

Choreographer Herman Stoat confirmed today that he has signed a deal with Pussyfoot Productions, S.A. for the filming of a reality television series based on the inner workings of his eponymous dance company.

The as-yet unnamed series will begin filming this September and will likely be broadcast early in the new year.  The production company confirmed that, thus far, it has not found a buyer for the series, although “serious negotiations” are reported to be ongoing with Vertebrate Vision (VVTV).

The Herman Stoat Dance Company was founded in 15 AZ (1997).  Under the artistic directorship of Herman Stoat, the company has flourished and garnered accolades from professionals and critics across the entire spectrum of dance.

Pussyfoot Productions, S.A. is a full-service television production company.  The company, which was founded in 25 AZ (2007) has been responsible for the production of many popular television mini-series, including Cackler: Behind the Voice, Sunbittern: My True Story, and Balthasar: The Making of a Modern Rhinoceros.

Herman Stoat, founder and artistic director of the eponymous dance company, has been named Choreographer of the Decade by The Park’s prestigious PRANCE Magazine.

The magazine’s editors credited Stoat with “unusual creative energy and vision” which, they said, allowed him to take his company in directions “never before seen in Park dance.”

Contacted at his home between rehearsals for the company’s Spring season, Stoat said he was “more than pleasantly surprised by the honour,” and was quick to credit his corps of dancers, as well as the company’s musicians, for allowing his visions to come to fruition.

“Many of these ideas have had their gestation in dark places,” he said. “I am indebted to my colleagues for allowing them to see the light.”

Stoat founded his dance company in 15 AZ, two years before his retirement from the stage. Since its first production in 16 AZ, the company has garnered accolades from professionals and critics across the entire spectrum of dance.

A spokesanimal for PRANCE Magazine said the upcoming issue, which features a full interview with the former dancer and choreographer, as well as a comprehensive review of his work, will appear on newsstands on 05 Varrah.

Munch on this: Park recording artists, The Cynics (a.k.a. Philosopher Dogs) appear to have made a spectacular comeback with the digital re-release, this month, of their debut recording, Eat Your Food.

The group, which was certified by the Canine Music Association in 24 AZ, released two recordings during their first year, Eat Your Food and Take the A Frame. Sales of both recordings were “extremely strong, especially for newcomers”, says CMA President, R.F. Aarrf. But that success was not matched by their next release, No Dogs Allowed. Their next two recordings, Long Cool Human and S.I.T. were considered to be flops in terms of sales and many feared that the group would be unable to secure another recording contract.

Experts in the business side of music claimed the problem was a matter of timing and was caused by the music-buying public’s shift away from strident political statements.

“The Cynics were born of a political movement…if not an anti-Human movement, then, definitely, a questioning of Human-Canine integration. Unfortunately for the group, this came on the heels of a very strong conciliatory movement, both inside and outside The Park. Suddenly, no one wanted to hear about an interspecial struggle; they wanted to listen to tunes telling happier stories. And that wasn’t what the Cynics had to offer.”

Aarrf doesn’t believe that the group’s recent success signals a deterioration in Human-Canine relations. Instead, he thinks, it may indicate a cautious re-thinking of Humans’ place in The Park.

“I think Animals are taking a step back, paying more attention to their history, maybe, before they jump, with all four feet, into anything [with Humans] that might jeopardize their rights in the future,” he says. “And, so, they may be listening to the [Cynics’] lyrics more attentively than before.”

The Cynics, for their part, have made no public comment about their turn of fortune. According to their representative, no concerts are scheduled “at this time,” but the group is working on a new recording, to be released later this year. The title of that release is Do Clause.