Tag Archives: Liverpool

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marnò, Dominic Rains, Rome Shandanloo, Milad Eghbali, Reza Sixo Safai, Ray Haratian, Ana Lily Amirpour, Pej Vahdat.

There are some films that may be viewed with the long eyed lens and intrigue and you still will find it hard to justify what about it exactly catches your imagination and the sense of thrill that shimmers down your spine. Then there is the top one percent of the cinematic experiences that really have you salivating at the unknown and wondering why such a film has not been made before.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(459 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

The New Girlfriend, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Romain Duris, Anaïs Demoustier, Raphaël Personnaz, Isild Le Besco, Aurore Clément, Jean-Claude Bolle-Redda, Bruno Pérard, Anita Gillier, Claudine Chatel.

It is a peculiar thing that in the 21^st Century the world of tolerance and acceptance has moved on so much that pre-Second World War, post Victorian and Edwardian Society would be outraged and scandalised by what they see our generation doing to their so called superior ideological landscape. It is with a smile in the heart to believe that the 21^st Century in many cultures can at least stand up and be counted for doing the right thing and to knock down the pillars of moral susceptibility in an old regimes point of view.

The New Girlfriend, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(566 words, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

Franca, Theatre Review. Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Roberta Laguardia.

The life and work of Italian artist, feminist and political activist Franca Rame might not be that well known but in a collaborative effort between Italian actress Roberta Laguardia and the Lantern Theatre, two pieces of work her work were performed and all with the blessing of Franca Rame’s long-time collaborator and heir to her estate, Dario Fo to a Liverpool audience.

The evening started with an informed and informative introduction to the life and work of Franca Rame by Liverpool-based performer and academic Brian Desmond before settling down to the first of the two pieces of work on offer, The Rape.

Franca, Theatre Review. Lantern Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(846 words, estimated 3:23 mins reading time)

Barnum, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Cast: Brian Conley, Linzi Hateley, Kimberley Blake, Landi Oshinowo, Mikey Jay-Heath, John Stacey, Georgie Ashford, Greg Bernstein, David Birch, Courtney-Mae Briggs, Nick Butcher, Alison Connell, Stefan Dopazo, Lewis Easter, Chris Gage, Joanna Goodwin, Pascal Haering, Rebecca Hawkins, Erin Jameson, Jennifer Robinson, Louis Stockil, Lucy Thatcher, Edward Wade.

Barnum, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

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

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The title of Lords of the back stage at The Cavern of this year’s International Pop Overthrow might be fought over with the same ferocity as men would have squabbled, bickered and fought over the throne of England in the days when such things mattered, arguably though one of the main contenders would surely be the inventive and insanely talented Blake Jones & The Trike Shop.

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(404 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

The Fores, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow. The Cavern, Liverpool.

The Fores at this year’s I.P.O. in Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

For both Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, it could be argued that sport, no matter the game, is perhaps higher on the agenda that adding too much more of their independent and well crafted ideological contribution to the way of life in England and the U.K. as whole. The Midland counties may boast of two of the more iconic music venues in the country in the Leicester De Montfort Hall and Nottingham Rock City but the amount of musical groups and artists that spring to mind and with ease is perhaps completely undervalued.

The Fores, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

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

McCrei, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool.

McCrei at the Cavern in Liverpool as part of the 2015 I.P.O. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

They say there is no greater bond than that between two sisters. Others might disagree and point to other just as valuable relationships on which are just as loving and can be just as destructive when the whim of necessity rears its head. However, one cannot argue with the closeness that two sisters will have, especially when working together on stage in close proximity and sharing the experiences of their lives through music.

McCrei, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(414 words, 1 image, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)

Susan Hedges, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool.

Susan Hedges at the International Pop Overthrow 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Susan Hedges surely has one of the most distinctive voices on Merseyside. That voice, one that can soar as high as an angel with a helium addiction or as deep and powerful as if able to hold its own in a bar brawl and come out as the last one standing in a cage fight, unbloodied, unbowed and unrepentant, is one of the reasons that Ms. Hedges is always in demand and quite rightly so.

Susan Hedges, Gig Review. International Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

(402 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Lambert & Stamp, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Think of The Who and the thought of one of the greatest ever British bands should immediately spring to mind, the thought of the Rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia will occur naturally not far behind and songs delivered with overwhelming talent and power such as The Kids Are Alright, Who Are You, Pinball Wizzard and My Generation with couple themselves with images of four of the finest rock talents to ever come out of London. The mix is explosive, it has any fan of the band reaching for an album to get their fix, their daily dose of exuberance, excess and excellence.

Lambert & Stamp, Film Review. Picturehouse@F.A.C.T., Liverpool. full post

(707 words, estimated 2:50 mins reading time)

Colin’s Godson, Gig Review. Independent Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Into every I.P.O. must fall a band so insanely catchy, so raucous, so outrageous with their clever lyrics and achingly good music that they make the whole week seem like a dream.

In its thirteenth consecutive year of showcasing some of the finest power pop acts around at The Cavern in Liverpool, perhaps no other band has had such recommendations come before them, of being urged to take in their warped but tremendous songs filled with pathos and excellent humour as much as Colin’s Godson has had thrown their way.

Colin’s Godson, Gig Review. Independent Pop Overthrow 2015. The Cavern, Liverpool. full post

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