Kenny Young And The Eggplants
How many instruments can you name that resemble an aubergine? Kenny Young and his affable band have a whole bag of them, which they bring out for their hilarious finale, ‘The Savage Eggplant’. In between songs, this Brooklyn trio seem a bit bemused, and humble to the point of bashfulness, but when they start singing their laid-back acoustic pop and bizarre but witty lyrics, they take the audience into a world of talking alligators, aliens and pirates. It’s liberating, silly stuff, toe-tappingly cheerful, and I found myself joining in the several spontaneous sing-alongs that occurred. They evidently enjoy themselves on stage and have a great rapport with their audience, and Kenny’s soft but edgy voice is great for their kooky tunes.
Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, 18 – 24 Aug, 8.00pm (9.00pm), £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 155
tw rating: 3/5
published: Sep-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
REVIEW: St Michael And All Saints Festival Concerts
St Michael And All Saints Festival Concerts
St Michael and All Saints Church, Tollcross
I find the organ a difficult instrument to give my full attention to as you often can’t see the organist and the physical source of the music is hidden. This concert of Messiaen’s ‘La Nativité du Seigneur’ (the Birth of our Lord) - which was skilfully performed by Phillip Sawyer - was given a visual focal point in the display of lithographs of an artist’s interpretation of the music which complimented each movement in bold colours and abstract patterns. The music was mainly sombre in tone with slow changing chords beneath a meandering, dissonant melody, rising to increasing depth and grandeur as the movements progressed. Especially evocative of its theme was Les Anges (the angels) where rising trills evoked flight.
St Michael and All Saints Church, dates vary, times vary, free non-ticketed, fpp 162
tw rating: 3/5
published: Sep-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
St Michael and All Saints Church, Tollcross
I find the organ a difficult instrument to give my full attention to as you often can’t see the organist and the physical source of the music is hidden. This concert of Messiaen’s ‘La Nativité du Seigneur’ (the Birth of our Lord) - which was skilfully performed by Phillip Sawyer - was given a visual focal point in the display of lithographs of an artist’s interpretation of the music which complimented each movement in bold colours and abstract patterns. The music was mainly sombre in tone with slow changing chords beneath a meandering, dissonant melody, rising to increasing depth and grandeur as the movements progressed. Especially evocative of its theme was Les Anges (the angels) where rising trills evoked flight.
St Michael and All Saints Church, dates vary, times vary, free non-ticketed, fpp 162
tw rating: 3/5
published: Sep-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
REVIEW: A Night At The Operas
A Night At The Operas
Edinburgh Grand Opera Chorus
Opera isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this evening would convert some to what they are missing out on. St Andrew's & St George's Church with its unusual elliptical shape and elegant architecture is a magnificent space for ensemble singing. The Edinburgh Grand Opera Chorus was lively and attentive to their conductor as they presented a selection of classics in Italian and French, by composers such as Verdi and Bizet, with two exquisite soprano soloists. Occasionally they needed clearer diction but their voices made a great sound together. Short introductions from the conductor giving the dramatic meaning and performance history of each piece were informative. True, the audience was definitely mature, but as a younger member I enjoyed myself too.
St Andrew's & St George's Church, 16 Aug, 7.30pm (9.15pm), £10.00 (£8.00)
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh Grand Opera Chorus
Opera isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this evening would convert some to what they are missing out on. St Andrew's & St George's Church with its unusual elliptical shape and elegant architecture is a magnificent space for ensemble singing. The Edinburgh Grand Opera Chorus was lively and attentive to their conductor as they presented a selection of classics in Italian and French, by composers such as Verdi and Bizet, with two exquisite soprano soloists. Occasionally they needed clearer diction but their voices made a great sound together. Short introductions from the conductor giving the dramatic meaning and performance history of each piece were informative. True, the audience was definitely mature, but as a younger member I enjoyed myself too.
St Andrew's & St George's Church, 16 Aug, 7.30pm (9.15pm), £10.00 (£8.00)
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
REVIEW: Alice, Mindy And Friends
Alice, Mindy And Friends
LIPA Graduates 08
The message repeated in this all-female revue was that joining "An All-Girl Band" is the solution to all the problems of the modern woman. The tune was catchy, but, like much of the material, its lyrics lacked the depth to make a real impact. Every stereotypical female experience you might expect was covered - first dates, friendships and that of the secretary who fantasises about trashy novels. There were some great comic scenes which stuck out amongst the more clichéd numbers, especially the teacher at a parent's evening who is annoyed by an overachieving child and the over-dramatic poetry readings from the 'For Women Only' collection. Ultimately the show was saved by the strong vocal performances which made the best of restrictive material.
Augustine's, 19 - 25 Aug, 9.50pm (10.40pm), £5.00 (£3.50), fpp 168
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
LIPA Graduates 08
The message repeated in this all-female revue was that joining "An All-Girl Band" is the solution to all the problems of the modern woman. The tune was catchy, but, like much of the material, its lyrics lacked the depth to make a real impact. Every stereotypical female experience you might expect was covered - first dates, friendships and that of the secretary who fantasises about trashy novels. There were some great comic scenes which stuck out amongst the more clichéd numbers, especially the teacher at a parent's evening who is annoyed by an overachieving child and the over-dramatic poetry readings from the 'For Women Only' collection. Ultimately the show was saved by the strong vocal performances which made the best of restrictive material.
Augustine's, 19 - 25 Aug, 9.50pm (10.40pm), £5.00 (£3.50), fpp 168
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
REVIEW: Yours Anne
Yours Anne
Bassetlaw Youth Theatre, Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Service
Anne Frank's diary is obviously poignant theatrical material, but this short youth production deftly and elegantly highlighted elements of the text without being repetitive or over-sentimental. Nine girls played nine Annes, reminding us that her words represent the many silenced voices of the Holocaust. Using extracts from her diary along with ensemble work, the production set the horror of the world outside against the frustration of Anne's confinement and her yearning to be free. Beautiful images were constructed with strips of plain white material and repeated gestures of closing and opening doors, whilst the young cast performed with great sincerity and used the stage space well, the inclusion of gentle contemporary music giving the production a timeless feel.
The Space @ Venue 45, 18 - 23 Aug, 3.15pm (3.50pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 243
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
Bassetlaw Youth Theatre, Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Service
Anne Frank's diary is obviously poignant theatrical material, but this short youth production deftly and elegantly highlighted elements of the text without being repetitive or over-sentimental. Nine girls played nine Annes, reminding us that her words represent the many silenced voices of the Holocaust. Using extracts from her diary along with ensemble work, the production set the horror of the world outside against the frustration of Anne's confinement and her yearning to be free. Beautiful images were constructed with strips of plain white material and repeated gestures of closing and opening doors, whilst the young cast performed with great sincerity and used the stage space well, the inclusion of gentle contemporary music giving the production a timeless feel.
The Space @ Venue 45, 18 - 23 Aug, 3.15pm (3.50pm), £6.00 (£4.00), fpp 243
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
REVIEW: Beating Of The Russian Heart
Beating Of The Russian Heart
Koleso
Russian folk music is strong and spirited, and these seven young women did credit to it with their hearty voices and cheeky smiles. In bright traditional costumes they exuded great energy through through the use of powerful dissonant harmonies and dances with scarves and handkerchiefs. The programme was well-ordered, taking us through various moods and styles; the a cappella sections were the most atmospheric, and it was a pity that when backing music was used it was mostly pre-recorded, which detracted from the authenticity a little, putting them in danger of slipping towards a Eurovision-style pop track. Fortunately, they didn't, and after receiving some dance lessons on stage the audience went away in no doubt that Russia's heartbeat is a passionate one.
C Soco Urban Garden, 13 - 25 Aug, 2.00pm (3.00pm), , prices vary, fpp 141
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
Koleso
Russian folk music is strong and spirited, and these seven young women did credit to it with their hearty voices and cheeky smiles. In bright traditional costumes they exuded great energy through through the use of powerful dissonant harmonies and dances with scarves and handkerchiefs. The programme was well-ordered, taking us through various moods and styles; the a cappella sections were the most atmospheric, and it was a pity that when backing music was used it was mostly pre-recorded, which detracted from the authenticity a little, putting them in danger of slipping towards a Eurovision-style pop track. Fortunately, they didn't, and after receiving some dance lessons on stage the audience went away in no doubt that Russia's heartbeat is a passionate one.
C Soco Urban Garden, 13 - 25 Aug, 2.00pm (3.00pm), , prices vary, fpp 141
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
REVIEW: Musical Of Musicals - The Musical
Musical Of Musicals - The Musical
Throwaway
As the title not-so-subtly suggests, musical theatre is both subject matter and style for this creative and deftly executed production. The same basic plot was filtered through five musical styles, with four performers showing great versatility and consciousness of the show's purpose throughout. The writing is astute satire packed with specific references, but its niche is also its flaw - although it allowed the cast to demonstrate their ability, the material would only be consistently relevant and funny to the most knowledgeable musical theatre buff. The Andrew Lloyd Webber parody was predictably the most well received, while Jerry Herman seemed lost on most of the audience, and I'm not sure many appreciated the brilliance of the Sondheim send-up.
C too, 17 - 25 Aug, 6.10pm (7.30pm), prices vary, fpp 175
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
Throwaway
As the title not-so-subtly suggests, musical theatre is both subject matter and style for this creative and deftly executed production. The same basic plot was filtered through five musical styles, with four performers showing great versatility and consciousness of the show's purpose throughout. The writing is astute satire packed with specific references, but its niche is also its flaw - although it allowed the cast to demonstrate their ability, the material would only be consistently relevant and funny to the most knowledgeable musical theatre buff. The Andrew Lloyd Webber parody was predictably the most well received, while Jerry Herman seemed lost on most of the audience, and I'm not sure many appreciated the brilliance of the Sondheim send-up.
C too, 17 - 25 Aug, 6.10pm (7.30pm), prices vary, fpp 175
tw rating: 3/5
published: Aug-2008 for Three Weeks newspaper at the Edinburgh Festival
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