Bon Voyage, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Jennifer Bea, Lindzi Germain, Michael Swift, Warren Donnelly, Tony James, Richie Grice, Mickey Finn.

The thing with some productions is that they do exactly what they say on the tin, there is no small print suggesting that the production will be akin to some lost Shakespeare play, full of pathos and anger, cunning and revenge. Instead it just happens to be good, in some cases very good at being able to give people exactly what they need, especially in a world that seems to be very bleak and full of unpleasantness, that of laughter and an excuse to crack a smile and laugh till it hurts. For Bon Voyage, presented by Boom Boom Productions, this is that type of play and for that the smile just got a little broader.

Bon Voyage, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

The Unthinkable Mystery of The Indigo Star, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

Cast: Tom Burroughs, John Doull, Gary Cain, Will Matthews.

Just who are the greatest ever fictional detectives? Or perhaps rather, who are the greatest detectives who could give the criminal element a run for their money when it comes to the game.  In The Unthinkable Mystery of The Indigo Star, written by Ed Bixter and directed by Suzy Walker, the game is, as Sherlock Holmes said, “a foot”.

Three men on a train out of Paris; all asked by their Government to investigate the death of Sherlock Holmes and the disappearance of the world famous Indigo Star jewel, surely only Hercule Poirot, Inspector Maigret and Chief Inspector Clouseau can crack the case?

The Unthinkable Mystery of The Indigo Star, Theatre Review. Unity Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Whitechapel, Series Four, Case 1. Television Review. I.T.V.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * (Series 4, case 1)

Cast: Rupert Penry Jones, Phil Davis, Steve Pemberton, Claire Rushbrook, Sam Stockman, Ben Bishop, Hannah Walker, Georgina Anderson, Deddie Davies, Jake Curran, Damian Dudkiewicz, Mary Roscoe, Brian Protheroe.

If series three of Whitechapel focused on the gruesome, the first case of series four entered the disturbingly macabre in which the spirit of fear spread by Matthew Hopkins, the early 17th century self-appointed Witch Finder General, found a new playground in which to distribute terror and in the area of Whitechapel there is perhaps no greater place of significance of which fear and terror has been housed.

Whitechapel, Series Four, Case 1. Television Review. I.T.V. full post

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

Little Atoms In Conversation With Lynda La Plante. St George’s Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

It is quite something to see a master story teller, a Queen of Crime, on stage being interviewed by arguably a man whose passion for Liverpool, his appetite for culture and ability to hold an audience’s attention singles him out as one of the finest in the city.

Little Atoms In Conversation With Lynda La Plante. St George’s Hall, Liverpool. full post

(590 words, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

Satyricon, Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Some groups need no introduction; the pulsating power that seeps out of every pore smacks with such intensity that Krakatoa hangs its head in shame for causing a whimpering fuss. For Satyricon, the power is magnified by a considerable factor, as if the island that blew itself apart had dug deep into the Earth’s core and found a big brother to stand behind it.

Satyricon, Album Review. full post

(413 words, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

The Cornmarket Acoustic Club Provides Great Entertainment At First Ever Festival.

The Cornmarket Acoustic Club has been part of the Liverpool spirit of music for three years and yet somehow a festival has been missing from the clubs social calendar – until now.

With music being a central point in Liverpool, perhaps only matched by the abundant love shown towards its two football teams, there is always somewhere to go, some alleyway in which the sound of a pleasing saxophone, the gentle guitar or demanding vocal drifts to the music lover’s ear and takes root and begs to be explored. The Cornmarket Acoustic Club feeds on this and gives so much in return and whilst they have travelled far from the early ethos of being a folk club, music is still very much king and is benevolent enough in which even the art of poetry gets to share the stage.

The Cornmarket Acoustic Club Provides Great Entertainment At First Ever Festival. full post

(382 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Ukulele Club Liverpool, Gig Review. The Cornmarket, Cornmarket Acoustic Festival. Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The ukulele might be seen as a poor relation in terms of musical instruments to some, however within this small beast lies the beating heart of a scheming God and in the hands of the Ukulele Club Liverpool, that beating heart thumps as loudly as you could possibly wish.

Ukulele Club Liverpool, Gig Review. The Cornmarket, Cornmarket Acoustic Festival. Liverpool. full post

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

John Williams, Gig Review. The Cornmarket, Cornmarket Acoustic Festival. Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Watching John Williams perform, no matter the setting, has the same feeling of contentment thrust upon you as someone giving you a five star hotel room for the weekend and charging you only a pound for the pleasure. As he stood with guitar in hand and the guitar/violinist of choice, and with Elizabeth Kearney from Nighthowl by his side, the moment of absolute enjoyment was stretched out and unfolded at a rate that would reflect the day, laid back but with the sense of history being made and for that John Williams gave a near exemplary performance in which all assembled revelled in.

John Williams, Gig Review. The Cornmarket, Cornmarket Acoustic Festival. Liverpool. full post

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

Caro Emerald, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Caro Emerald’s 2013 album, The Shocking Miss Emerald, has set more than a tone for music in the second decade in the 21st Century, it has set a bar that matches the intensity and atmosphere that Kate Bush in the 70s, Madonna in the 80s and Tori Amos in the 90s managed to frame and capture with their pivotal albums. As she came on stage for the first time in Liverpool, the mystique, the allure and the talent followed her, the voice captivated the audience completely and the music enveloped all like a comfortable and much loved blanket.

Caro Emerald, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. full post

(501 words, estimated 2:00 mins reading time)

Liverpool Sound And Vision: The Sunday Postscript, An Interview With Richie Grice.

Richie Grice cuts a commanding but ultimately loveable figure as he sits before you. His love of comedy radiates outwards from the very time you meet him and he certainly knows his stuff and his ready laugh is easy and a joyous thing to hear whenever you mention something that tickles his own funny bone.

With rehearsals well under way for Bon Voyage at The Epstein Theatre, which stars the superb Lindzi Germain and the legendary Mickey Finn, I was able to catch ten precious minutes with the man who co-wrote the play with Paul Nicholson at The Garden at FACT and ask him his thoughts on the play and on comedy.

Liverpool Sound And Vision: The Sunday Postscript, An Interview With Richie Grice. full post

(1028 words, estimated 4:07 mins reading time)