When we set out to make this documentary in the spring of 2014, we had a pretty good idea how it was going to go. But by the time we finished in autumn, it had turned into something completely different. Instead of making a thought provoking piece on the complex relationship between the arts and the political left… we accidentally made a documentary about Birmingham. This half hour documentary includes interviews with artists such as playwright, David Edgar and folk singer, Harvey Andrews, along with insight from the BBC, the Rep Theatre and cast of other individuals and organisations on the ground. It even features a rather bonkers new comic song, “Brum Brumany”, to the tune of the chimney sweep song from Mary Poppins… done in an appalling Brummie accent. First published on Searchlight Magazine Arts... … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2014
The Christmas Party That’s Never Won
Episode 5: Song: What a Show It's a mighty fine Christmas shindig And it's packed with party bigwigs The message the Leader bellows: "Give more dough, give more dough, give more dough" And there's lots of festive sniping At the parties they've been imbibing Snooty laughter begins to flow: "Ho ho ho, ho ho ho, ho ho ho!" And they drank long into the night Till the beer it ran dangerously low As two councillors started a fight It really should have been time to go … [Read more...]
Cream in the Soup: Greg Escapes the Chateau
Monday 13th October 2008 – 18.01 (CET) This afternoon I received an omen so abundantly clear I was almost hurled sideways, Victoria’s words still ringing in my ears, “The chateau is our home, Greg. I refuse to sanction a swarm of insects which could sting our kids to death in their beds.” The line was delivered with Olympian heartlessness. I was extremely shaken, and about to make my feelings clear, when I saw it; a magnificent bumblebee sailing in through the French windows. … [Read more...]
Louis: A Love Story
“Louis, I’m back,” Simon called softly, opening the brown paper bag, removing three newspaper wrapped items and placing them reverently on the envelope-strewn butchers block. Lifting a plastic carrier bag onto the knife-scored surface he set down Champagne, raspberries and a stiff white cardboard cake box. Outside it was sticky hot, but down here was much cooler, the August sun barely penetrating the high unwashed lace of the basement window. Beyond the dull glass, seagulls cawed and cartwheeled over the English coastline, pestering genteel day trippers for their vinegar soaked chips. Inside, the empty kitchen was still and silent. … [Read more...]
Last Night in Benidorm
It was 6.30pm. The sky was still bright blue and the terrace of the Queens Hotel still bathed in neon sunshine. With chairs curving together and chunky calves brushing, Martyn and Diane gazed across the hotel skyscrapers towards the dazzlingly clear Mediterranean Sea. “Once more with feeling…” said Diane lifting her cocktail, putting the straw to her lips and taking a lovely long slurp. … [Read more...]
A Thai Farm Girl & The Man from Hemel Hempstead
Peering out from the corner of the stage, Padchai surveyed the clientele. Mainly western, over 60, and all looking decidedly grabby. No matter how many times she saw it, there was always something eerily creepy about this many old men in brilliant white vests and multicoloured trainers. As the music switched from a fast paced beat to a slow bluesy rhythm, Padchai hunkered down into a small wicker chair just out of the crowd’s view. … [Read more...]
Interactive Digital Theatre: Live Like a Refugee
“We worked in collaboration with a number of refugee groups, initially in Cardiff and subsequently in Newport too,” John McGrath, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Wales told Searchlight Magazine Arts. “[The show Director] formed strong links with some of these refugees, and one of the very first people he talked with – Fissha – has stayed with the show and become one of the professional actors in it.” … [Read more...]
Morrissey @O2: A Poignant Farewell to the Fans?
“All I ask, is remember me and forget my fate,” intoned Morrissey as he emerged on stage for his encore at the packed O2 Arena in London last night. This quote from “Dido’s Lament”, a staple of funerals seems poignant in the light of the star’s recent cancer treatment, especially as he immediately launched into a rare rendition of “Asleep”. “There is another world, there is a better world. Well, there must be…” … [Read more...]
The Room: Art Against the American Dream
“Bullshit! This is fucking bullshit!” he yelled, slurping from a Coke can and stomping up and down the line. “Front row. Front row. But no.” He rhymed aggressively. No response – unable to find anyone to engage with his mad ranting, the bonkers chap joined the queue directly behind us and continued his loud conversation with himself. We had all just been kicked out of the Prince Charles Cinema bar and told to go line up outside in Leicester Square. We felt like naughty school children. This made Coke can man, who had been queuing up in completely the wrong place, pretty angry. Normally, one would want to keep such oddball behaviour at arm’s length, but as we were here for a book reading, we felt reasonably safe. … [Read more...]
Pumpkins @Koko: Alt Rock’s Grandest Act Returns
Fan: “You play guitar really well!” Billy: “I was better when I was younger… but thank you.” He’d probably know lot better than us, but if the ravages of age are catching up with Billy Corgan, it wasn’t particularly obvious last Friday night. Springing on to the stage with his new touring line up, the singer-songwriter was tight, on form and apparently happy. We got playful Pumpkins… and my word we enjoyed them. … [Read more...]