Ross Palmer, Last Swallow. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

To disregard the softly spoken in favour of those that rattle like a tin can that is being pushed along by a light breeze down an empty street, is to commit a grievous act, an offence against the soul; it is an attitude that has lasted for as long as humanity has had the wherewithal to listen to supposedly wise men, those who shout loudest, perhaps fearing their ideas and pleasures won’t be heard. It is an position that does us no good, that makes all that we are capable of achieving being nothing more than a side-line, a final swig of the antiseptic before the realisation of what we have swallowed hits home.

Ross Palmer, Last Swallow. E.P. Review. full post

(378 words, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

Poptone, Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The past is a foreign country which often requires second thoughts on passing through. The urge to reconnect with that which was once all consuming, now should have signs strewn at intervals and a high voltage electric fence permanently switched on, an armed guard or two subtly pointing out to the unwary the issues to be found within. Yet for those that seek understanding of where the past has brought them too, the signal, the bell that tolls is more akin to that of the Poptone and it is one that rings out in symphony and pleasure.

Poptone, Album Review. full post

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

Venus Rising, Theatre Review. Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: James Sutton, Laura Connolly, Abigail McKenzie, Thomas Galashan.

Writer James Wilkinson (James Sutton) is tapping out and reading aloud his latest novel in a cluttered, claustrophobic study, where the shelves creak under the weight of literary masterpieces. Around him, three barely dressed figures act out his plot – and it’s not one for the faint-hearted.

You see, James isn’t crafting a Grapes of Wrath reboot on his wine-stained laptop, he’s churning out “mummy porn” (the fifth instalment of his “Venus” series, which makes Fifty Shades read like Tolstoy) and it’s already earned him a cool £4 million pounds.

Venus Rising, Theatre Review. Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(477 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

A Kiss On The Scaffold.

 

Save a kiss for the hangman

as you approach the noose,

the rope to burn, the lynch

knot at the back of your neck,

soon to pull, but save

a kiss for the hangman,

gentle tidings pass the time

between wide eyed staring down

the audience, a kiss for the hangman

is what they won’t expect,

for in their minds the guilty

don’t display such beauty,

the gallows always call,

but on your way

to the timber beams and strong rope

of public opinion,

A Kiss On The Scaffold. full post

(100 words, estimated 24 secs reading time)

Almost Autumn, A Little More. Single Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

If only we had the strength of character in which offering A Little More wasn’t to be seen as being derogatory to ourselves, that others would not see it as almost as we were bragging, exposing some sort of potential to the light and then claiming that we are being flash, exhibitionist, the green-eyed monster of jealousy rearing its head and sniffing the air for the disgruntled and the unhappy and relishing in their words of supposed entitled shaming. If only we could laugh a little more, love with less burden upon our shoulders, see the world with more beauty…it would be worth the world.

Almost Autumn, A Little More. Single Review. full post

(347 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Assassins, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Andrew AB, Shane Bear, Franki Burke, Rachel Davies, Izzi Feld, Trev Fleming, Shaun Holdom-Eyles, Thomas Hurst, Megan Key, Thomas Loughlin, Lily Maketansky, Lizzy Paes, Asher Pollock, Blair Smith, Chris Walsh, Andy Walker, Thomas Wiggins, Charlotte Wilson.

Musicians: Josie Conti, Mark Newberry, Caitlin Marley, Megan Rowlands, Adam Handford, Grace Loxley, Emily Magee, Jonny Knight, Chris Dickinson.

Assassins, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(504 words, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

The Miracle Of Great Homer Street, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Jake Abraham, Les Dennis, Katie King, Catherine Rice, Bobby Schofield, Andrew Schofield.

The greatest show on Earth is back with us once again, a nation’s hopes rest on an outstretched toe connecting with the ball and being steered into the net, a black cloud of despondency as the home crowd sees their team lose in the opening game and the eventual winners, lifting the World Cup aloft in front of a stadium full of supporters, should rank highly in ways to feel the euphoric bliss of life.

The Miracle Of Great Homer Street, Theatre Review. Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(470 words, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

Matt Finch, Chris Baker and Mike Collins, Apollo. Graphic Novel Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

We explore, we break new ground and we laud those who dream and achieve the seemingly impossible, we do it all because deep down inside of us there is a spark of brilliance that once saw us climb down of the trees, stand erect and imagine. We see the horizon as the next goal to reach, perhaps not realising that the horizon moves as we do, but nevertheless it is one that can be grasped, should be held and desired, that from the trees to the Moon is but a short step for humanity, but one that means the world.

Matt Finch, Chris Baker and Mike Collins, Apollo. Graphic Novel Review. full post

(505 words, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

Things I Don’t Talk About In Front Of The Lady With The Clip Board.

 

I just felt like

I should run away,

it is a familiar feeling,

one that has been a bleak guide,

this signpost of being in the way,

of offering nothing,

just a spot in the dark

where it would be easier

to overlook, easier to find solace

in the long walk to another

self-destructive path

where they cannot reach me,

for a while,

paved with painted stems of sunflowers along its edge,

bristling with imagined life, for there

I might stop seeing the faces

Things I Don’t Talk About In Front Of The Lady With The Clip Board. full post

(154 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

Liverpool Sound And Vision: Interview Special With Brian Coyle.

 

There is no mistaking that the Liverpool Fringe has caught the attention of the public and dramatists alike; it may have some way to go to rival the Edinburgh Fringe, but all in good time, for now it has taken on a life that is representative of the city that bears its name. It is also a festival of drama that sees Brian Coyle and Emma Bird once more collaborate on a play, with Ms. Bird directing and Mr. Coyle having written what should be regarded as a heavy hitting comedy and satirical play, The King of the World.

Liverpool Sound And Vision: Interview Special With Brian Coyle. full post

(1860 words, estimated 7:26 mins reading time)