Snow White And The Seven Dwarves, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Kim Woodburn, Derek Acorah, Lewis Pryor, Claire Simmo, Michael Chapman, Mia Molloy, Alex Patmore, Daryl Holden.

The evil and wicked step-mother is stalking the land, seven forest-dwelling miners are set to become heroes and guardians of a princess in danger and the beautiful fairy will always have some power to make the day go with a band,  a bite of an apple will hold the key to the throne and always a kiss will seal the fate of all, it is so decreed by the magic mirror and nobody should dare question the fair Snow White as she takes her place as the fairest in the land.

Snow White And The Seven Dwarves, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(408 words, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

The Old Man & The Gun, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Tika Sumpter, Gene Jones, John David Washington, Barlow Jacobs, Augustine Frizzell, Jennifer Joplin, Lisa DeRoberts, Carter Bratton, Mike Dennis, Tomas Deckaj, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Patrick Newall, Daniel Britt, Leah Roberts, Elisabeth Moss, Alphaeus Green Jr., Kevin McClatchy, Keith Carradine, Todd Covert, Kenneisha Thompson, Robert Longstreet.

The Old Man & The Gun, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(490 words, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Tulip Fever. Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dane DeHaan, Jack O’ Connell, Holiday Grainger, Tom Hollander, Matthew Morrison, Kevin McKidd, Douglas Hodge, Joanna Scanlan, Zach Galifianakis, Judi Dench, Christopher Waltz, David Harewood, Alexandra Gilbreath, Cara Delevingne, Sebastian Armesto, Michael Nardone, Cressida Bonas, Daisy Chadwick, Michael Smiley.

Tulip Fever. Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(517 words, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Doctor Who: The Battle Of Ranskoor Av Kolos. Television Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Jodie Whittaker, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill, Phyllis Logan, Mark Addy, Percelle Ascott, Jan Lee.

A new Doctor at the helm, the act of actions and their consequences firmly established and the first recurring villain for Jodie Whittaker’s incarnation of the time travelling stranger from Gallifrey to deal with and yet, despite some glorious touches by Bradley Walsh as Graham, and the genuine appeal of the guest stars of Phyllis Logan and Mark Addy, the season finale of the 11th series of Doctor Who since its return in 2005, feels as if it has discovered a way to be underwhelming; not something that any fan of the show has perhaps ever truly recognised before.

Doctor Who: The Battle Of Ranskoor Av Kolos. Television Review. full post

(553 words, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)

Aladdin, Theatre Review. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Bill Ward and Jennifer Harding at the Floral Pavilion’s Aladdin, December 2018. Photograph by Brian Roberts and used with kind permission by The Floral Pavilion.

Cast: Bill Ward, Michael McGinn, Jennifer Harding, Bradley Judge, Andrew Agnew, TJ Lloyd, Michael Chance, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Andrew Gallo. Samuel Wright, Beth Mortimer, Daisy Smith, Annie Winstanley, Jennifer Wong.

Musicians: Peter Golding, Adam Behrens, Jonny Christie.

Aladdin, Theatre Review. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. full post

(490 words, 1 image, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Deacon Blue, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. (2018).

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There is a salute, a score with destiny which must be paid in full, a dignity that is a duty to be acknowledged from the fans that have been thrilled by the Scottish band Deacon Blue, thrilled and electrified by their presence on stage, and that duty is perhaps, outside of Glasgow, never more settled than when Ricky Ross, Lorraine McIntosh, and the group come to Liverpool, a city dear to the hearts of many, cherished responsibly by Deacon Blue.

Deacon Blue, Gig Review. Echo Arena, Liverpool. (2018). full post

(456 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

Liverpool Sound And Vision: An Interview With Lauren Ray.

Lauren Ray is on the other end of the telephone, we are not facing each other and yet because of the great gift she has for expression, a sense of pureness, and straight talking. I almost imagine that she is sat just opposite me, her features, thanks to the dynamic video for her single Be A Man, inscribed on my eyes, glowing with pride at the way she has taken her talent with serious passion and how she has patiently adhered to her own sense of self, of exploring what it means to be an artist without rushing into it with all the dangers and issues that can arise because of it.

Liverpool Sound And Vision: An Interview With Lauren Ray. full post

(2478 words, estimated 9:55 mins reading time)

Novo Amor, Birthplace. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision * * * *

Haunting sounds and a vocal that defies the feeling of inhibited space, it is perhaps apt that Aberystwyth’s Novo Amor has called his new album Birthplace, as through the whole beautiful experience of listening to the recording you cannot but help but think of the times when you have heard a new born being placed in the loving arms of its mother and the secure but nervous hands of its father. It is a haunting and drama filled sound that escapes from the mouths of both the new born in mind, and for Novo Amour it is equally the start of something precious, something extraordinary.

Novo Amor, Birthplace. Album Review. full post

(381 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

ME And Deboe, Gig Review. Music Room, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

ME And Deboe, Music Room, Liverpool. December 2018. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Innocent faith may be examined, others can find ways to test your belief, make you question the foundation of all that you know and have come to hold dear; for some that faith is the epitome of their existence, for a small refuge of lovers and attendees, faith is about watching Britain’s answer to America’s finest ever duo, Simon and Garfunkel, and understanding that the two women on  stage now have reached a point where they can be considered true heirs, recipients to the crown of beautiful and insistent music.

ME And Deboe, Gig Review. Music Room, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(466 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

Two Black Sheep, Gig Review. Music Rooms, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision rating 9/10

Two Black Sheep at the Music Room in Liverpool. December 2018. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

In an age of disagreements and conflict, of homogenous mingling and beige uniform, to follow your own path is to be admired, to insist upon your own space and not follow the herd is to be congratulated, to reject the conventional is respected; nothing and no one is truly identical in thought and deed. When it comes to Two Black Sheep, the tune they play is one consistently pure, so against type and yet one on which can count upon, to stir the chops and get the fans talking of the combination at the heart of the matter.

Two Black Sheep, Gig Review. Music Rooms, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(443 words, 1 image, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)