On 17th May 1959 a 32-year old Antiguan carpenter, Kelso Cochrane, was making his way from Paddington General Hospital to his home in Notting Hill following a minor work accident. It was past midnight and when he hit the junction of Southam Street and Goldborne Road, he found himself surrounded by a group of white youths. This was an unprovoked attack which left him knifed to … [Read more...]
The Art Theft Nobody Has Heard About
Tom Goode, Managing Director of global art empire, Vitruvius, sits comfortably in the upstairs room of private members club, High Road House. His latest exhibition, ‘Silence: An Exploration in Noise’, produced by the unknown artists who make up the Vitruvius brand has just opened at the Tate Modern. The show is already sold out, following press attention which has bordered on … [Read more...]
Episode 5: The Christmas Party That’s Never Won
Song: What a Show It's a mighty fine Christmas shindig And it's packed with party bigwigs The message the Leader bellows: "Give more dough, give more dough, give more dough" And there's lots of festive sniping At the parties they've been imbibing Snooty laughter begins to flow: "Ho ho ho, ho ho ho, ho ho ho!" And they drank long into the night Till the beer it ran … [Read more...]
Pumpkins @ Koko: Alt Rock’s Grandest Act Returns
Fan: “You play guitar really well!” Billy: “I was better when I was younger… but thank you.” He’d probably know lot better than us, but if the ravages of age are catching up with Billy Corgan, it wasn’t particularly obvious last Friday night. Springing on to the stage with his new touring line up, the singer-songwriter was tight, on form and apparently happy. We got playful … [Read more...]
Why Has Nobody Heard of Harvey Andrews?
It is 11.20am at Euston station. Swarms of people are positioned on their starting blocks in front of the announcement board. The 11.40 to Liverpool has already been called on platform 8, yet the 11.23 to Birmingham has still not been placed. There is a sense of tension in the air - then suddenly it appears on the monitor. Release gives way to mass pandemonium as a stampede of … [Read more...]
Interactive Digital Theatre: What’s It Like to Be a Refugee?
"We worked in collaboration with a number of refugee groups, initially in Cardiff and subsequently in Newport too,” John McGrath, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Wales told Searchlight Magazine Arts. “[The show Director] formed strong links with some of these refugees, and one of the very first people he talked with - Fissha - has stayed with the show and become … [Read more...]
Morrissey @O2: A Poignant Farewell to the Fans?
“All I ask, is remember me and forget my fate,” intoned Morrissey as he emerged on stage for his encore at the packed O2 Arena in London last night. This quote from “Dido’s Lament”, a staple of funerals seems poignant in the light of the star’s recent cancer treatment, especially as he immediately launched into a rare rendition of “Asleep”. “There is another world, there is … [Read more...]
Mark Farrelly: Actor-Writer & Performer of One-Man Shows
We saw Mark Farrelly’s solo depiction of Patrick Hamilton in Silence of Snow, at the Old Red Lion theatre pub in north London, back in October and were hugely impressed. Few people would be able to write this piece, let alone perform it... and he managed both. And perhaps more laudable still, he even ran another one-man show, based on the life of Quentin Crisp, at the Edinburgh … [Read more...]
Episode 4: The Party Anthem
Song: Say No Say no, say no No immigration, border is closed No, me say no, me say no, me say no, me say no, me say no-o No immigration, border is closed No more soft touch from Great Britain No immigration, border is closed We’ll send you back to your Calais slums No immigration, border is closed What Mr Bureaucrat, Brussels won't allow it? We don't care and … [Read more...]
A Thai Farm Girl & The Man from Hemel Hempstead
Peering out from the corner of the stage, Padchai surveyed the clientele. Mainly western, over 60, and all looking decidedly grabby. No matter how many times she saw it, there was always something eerily creepy about this many old men in brilliant white vests and multicoloured trainers. As the music switched from a fast paced beat to a slow bluesy rhythm, Padchai hunkered down … [Read more...]