Brooklyn shoegazers The Big Sleep are to release their new album ‘Nature Experiments‘ through Frenchkiss Records on 7th May and to celebrate they are giving away a free download of ‘Valentine’. Click here to take you through to the new get your free download. Catch the band on tour in the UK in May.
Time of Our Lives Music Theatre in association with All Star Productions presents When Movies Were Movies at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, Walthamstow.
The opening song set the tone for this mesmerising evening’s entertainment, as we were taken through the history of cinema from silent movies up to 1969 via the mediums of song, dance and comedy. Flo (Dympna Messenger), an usherette in the fictional Trocadero, is interviewed by Charlie (Raymond-Kym Suttle) about the cinema’s history as it faces its imminent demise (conversion to a bingo hall).
Dympna Messenger gave a very strong performance as Flo, and was a very effective anchor for the show. She also sang very well and had some great comedic moments: her imitation of Carmen Miranda springs to mind as combining both. The vocal standard throughout the show was extremely high, with some of the high points for me being Lullaby of Broadway (full cast), You Ought to Be in Pictures (Nerine Skinner and Robert Wilkes), Secret Love (Jessica Poole) and the Beatles medley delivered by the whole cast.
The musical numbers were interspersed with highly amusing comedy sketches, covering themes as varied as Frankenstein and James Bond, with my personal favourite being the “terribly” sketch (you’ll have to see the show to find out what I mean by that!) Other comedy highlights included the show’s take on silent movies – with Flo speaking the words while the rest of the cast mimed the actions, “My Brother Makes the Noises for the Talkies,” with Raymond-Kym Suttle and Robert Wilkes as the two brothers, and the scene with Flo and the cleaner, played by Nerine Skinner.
Raymond-Kym Suttle’s choreography was inspired, and his own dancing was marvellous – particularly during the Top Hat sequence – I would like to have seen more of his tapping! The musical direction (and playing) by Aaron Clingham was flawless, adding to the overall power of the performance. The costumes were fabulous, with very many quick changes which I’m sure must have required their own choreography!
I could go on, but I don’t want to spoil too many of the surprises. Suffice it to say that this is old-fashioned variety at its best with something for all the family to enjoy. Ably directed (and written) by Keith Myers, this captivating show is robust enough for a much larger space. Give yourself a night of nostalgia and catch it at Ye Olde Rose and Crown before it closes on 4 May.
When Movies were Movies is playing at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, 53 Hoe Street, Walthamstow Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm until 4 May, with matinees at 3.30 on Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit http://www.roseandcrowntheatrepub.webeden.co.uk/
Psychedelic-poppers Sunless ‘97 return with their second single, ‘Body Weather’, which will be the bands first release for their new label Not Even. The single features saxophone courtesy of Cameroonion musician Yebga Likoba, who has previously worked with Gil Scott Heron and was produced and mixed by David Wrench (Caribou, Bear In Heaven).
‘Body Weather’ / ‘Azul’ is released on 18th June by Not Even Records. catch the band on tour in the UK from May onwards.
Tate and Tennant’s Shakespeare pulls in the crowds -The Doctor duo are top celebrity Shakespearean stars.
To mark the launch of the World Shakespeare Festival this week a survey by viagogo has revealed which celebrities give the Bard’s plays the most pulling power.
The winning combination of Catherine Tate and David Tennant, who starred together in Much Ado About Nothing, topped the list keeping ye olde English flame alive and narrowly pipping Hollywood star Kevin Spacey to the top spot following his hugely popular role of Richard III.
When deciding who is best to be or not to be Hamlet, theatre producers should take heed; real-life Romeo Jude Law, who starred in 2009’s Hamlet came in third with audiences preferring him to Michael Sheen, who treads the boards in fifth place for the 2011 version of the same play.
Newcomer Eddie Redmayne comes in at fourth place; his rising star has seen him proving more popular than luvvie veterans Ralph Fiennes and Patrick Stewart.
Judy Dench’s pulling power is still going strong. The national treasure came in seventh place for her appearance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream just ahead of TV funny-man Lenny Henry who starred in A Comedy of Errors.
Ed Parkinson, viagogo spokesperson said: “While Shakespeare plays are consistently popular we always see a huge spike in demand when a household name is announced in a leading role. Both Shakespeare and celebrities have natural pulling power, and the two combined make a winning combination.”
Top 10 Shakespearean celebrities :
1. Kevin Spacey – Richard III – 2011
2. Catherine Tate and David Tennant – Much Ado About Nothing – 2011
3. Jude Law – Hamlet- 2009
4. Eddie Redmayne – Richard II – 2011
5. Michael Sheen – Hamlet – 2011
6. Ralph Fiennes – The Tempest – 2011
7. Judy Dench – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 2010
8. Lenny Henry- A Comdey of Errors – 2011
9. Sienna Miller – As You Like It – 2005
10. Patrick Stewart – The Merchant of Venice – 2011
The internet is awash with the rumour that The Smiths are to reform. Is it really true though? The seminal indie band split up in 1987 and ended up battling each other in court.
This morning (April 26th) Music-News published a story which stated the following:
“The legendary songwriting partnership comprising of musical luminaries Morrissey and Marr are set to make a return after finding common ground” they wrote. “It will be the first time that Manchester’s independent monoliths, who were signed to London’s Rough Trade label, have graced a stage since their acrimonious split in 1987”.
The report continues: “This announcement comes after a source revealed that the 80s icons had been in talks to perform with a well-known promoter. The decision was said to have been made after fellow Mancunians, The Stone Roses, gave in and reformed”.
The report has caused havoc on twitter with the hashtag ‘#smiths’ trending. We’ll bring you further news as we get it.
Rising indie starts Violet, featuring Pixie Geldof, are to release their debut single, a double A-side of Y.O.U./I Come Undone via Luv Luv Luv Records on 7th May. The band recently played the Guardian ‘New Band of The Day’ night at Camden’s Barfly and will be playing at The Great Escape in May as well as supporting Spector on part of their forthcoming UK tour.
Y.O.U./I Come Undone is out on 7th May via Luv Luv Luv Records
Violet UK tour dates:
04/05 – Sound Control – Manchester (w/ Spector)
10/05 – The Haunt – Brighton 8:00pm (The Great Escape)
13/05 – Cambridge Union Society – Cambridge (w/ Spector)
15/05 – Fleece – Bristol (w/ Spector)
16/05 – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff (w/ Spector)
17/05 – Electric Ballroom – London (w/ Spector)
23/05 – Bodega – Nottingham (w/ Spector)
Kent band Tom Williams & The Boat have announced a 5 date UK tour for June which will go wherever it is asked to. Using detourjam.com fans have the opportunity to vote for the city of their choosing simply by pledging £9 towards a ticket. The first 5 cities to reach 50 win. After the city is confirmed the exact date and venue will be announced. If you can’t make it then detourjam will refund you. Seem fair?
Head over to the Tom Williams & The Boat page to have your say. Currently London, Leeds, Tunbridge Wells, Manchester and Birmingham make up the top 5.
Tom Williams & The Boat’s second album ‘Teenage Blood’ is out now
Australian warbler Chet Faker has announced a handful of UK shows, following his shows at Austin’s SXSW festival where he was touted as a “must see” act by The Austin Chronicle. His cover of Blackstreet’s ‘No Diggity’ has received warm radio support from the likes of Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne, and Gilles Peterson.
Melbourne-base Chet will touch down in the UK for shows in May, playing the BBC Introducing showcase at The Social and YoYo at Notting Hill Arts Club, as well as a series of performances at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton.
Chet Faker UK shows:
08/05 – The Social, London (BBC Introducing)
10/05 – YoYo, Notting Hill Arts Club, London
11/05 – The Great Escape Festival, Brighton (Chess Club & Neon Gold Showcase)
12/05 – The Great Escape Festival, Brighton (Sounds Australia Showcase)