| Answer - most definitely affirmative. Exactly what purpose do they serve other than to trot out their own home grown brand of intellectual arrogance which bears absolutely no relation to the real world serving only to oil their own insatiable self importance! I say this not from the position of having to bear the brunt of a critical review - I've always refused to read them or to allow a critic to see any of my shows unless they purchase a ticket along with everyone else. And that's a good tip to have them give you a wide berth. Some months ago there were rumblings of discontent within the theatre press - The Stage etc - about the perceived power of the critics to close shows most notably those vying for fame and fortune in the West End. From what I remember a number of organisations were pointing out - shock horror - what everyone already knew that these anachronistic critics survive by spewed a load of old b******s which is almost unilaterally at odds with the way the work was received by the audience. I've sat through shows that I and several hundred fellow audience members have thoroughly enjoyed only to hear how the write up has been an outburst of vitriol and disdain. Similarly I've sat through "art" along with 25 others all equally bored, bemused but not bothered to find the show advocated as a 'must see'! Scary or what? Anyway suffice to say that even estate agents and bankers do serve some purpose in this world we lease but theatre critics......pull the other one!!!! |
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Do theatre critics rate below estate agents and bankers?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
back in the world of the living!
| well the lurgie seems to meandered into stratosphere and things are looking brighter. I had a call from a writer yesterday asking about publication and he is sending me his work for consideration of publishing on the website. Anyone else out there in blogland interested in sending stuff check out the websites - www.leglessproductions.co.uk and www.oneactplays.org.uk I don't claim to be the next publishing phenomenon but I can at least put stuff out there in cyberspace. Sales are as you might guess unpredictable and you won't make much cash but then what playwright except those at the top of the tree worried about that. The legless site is mainly aimed at the pro market but also showcases full length work suitable for both the pro end and the amateur market and the oneactplays is aimed primarily at the societal drama groups. Did a radio broadcast last week for the Eva Cassidy show in Leicester, enjoyed it and it makes a change for the writer to be invited instead of the 'stars'! Had to duck out of a free evening in Birmingham hosted by 'The Writers Guild' due to a dodgy knee which is affecting my driving just at the moment. I don't know how many of you out there subscribe to the Guild but one of my ongoing beefs is their total neglect of the commercial end of theatre i.e. the producing houses in the unfunded world of course is where, for all of my sins, I choose to work. There's a gap out there for someone to fill so come on all you similarly minded writers lets get together and form us an association. Silly me there's already one in existence isn't there, it's called the unemployment register! Seriously though a forum on the net where us bods could meet (or virtually meet to be precise) would be 'bosting' - that is Black Country slang for 'brilliant'! Anyway now intending to rest from writing once the latest play is completed and concentrate on recording my CD for the benefit of all those grandchildren and friends out there desperately awaiting receipt of the said CD!!!! Bye for now. |
Monday, March 3, 2008
one great one good!
Hi again and welcome to the magical and mundane world of the playwright. Went to catch up on my Eva Cassidy Story at Lichfield Garrick on Friday and Saturday. Friday was stunning, a perfect performance and true harmonisation of sound, acting and technical bits - the only whinge I still have relates to some detail in costuming. Saturday was an excellent performance again by the cast - the lead male Reuben has grown into the role superbly and the whole ensemble exudes a focus and energy alongside a belief which together produces a sparkling and electric audience experience. Well done guys and see you again in the near future.
I've had a tough few weeks being struck down by a wave of lurgie which has befuddled my brain (I do realise that such a state is not a too challenging task to achieve) and rendered my ability to write to linger in a morass of lacklustre creative instincts. It's also left me feeling excessively tired in a way that is the equivalent of being permanently hungover. Am now slowly emerging and have some considerable stuff to catch up on so, fingers crossed, am in for a busy 2/3 weeks or so.
Had coffee this morning with two old and gracious friends of mine also still in the entertainment business and always with a thousand bogglingly funny anecdotes to tell. If you're around the Midlands and ever see a billboard sporting the name "Dandy" drop everything and make sure you catch the gig. Unquestionably the funniest act within 50 miles of Birmingham and likely much farther. Why they're not a household name remains one of those ridiculously stupid conundrums which are too painful to ponder.
I expect Eva fans will know that the film of her life story is in pre-production with an American company headed by the daughter of Robert Redford. Lets all hope that it comes to fruition (only something like 5% of films which enter pre-production ever make it to celluloid - God that's give my age away in this digital age) and can thus bring Eva's music to a so far completely deaf American audience to whom her name means zilch. The Eva show producer and I went to Washington a few years ago to meet up with people who had known her. We went to a small town called Bowie where she spend the majority of her pre and teenage years and narry a soul had ever heard of her. When you mention the U.K. and Europe phenomena they smile politely muttering "Gee is that right, well have a nice day and thank you for asking." Even at her old secondary school -The Robert Goddard School- we could only find an administrator and a teacher who remembered her and there is not a single refernce to her anywhere within the establishment. This is kind of odd as American schools usually hook into the most minor of old pupil's achievements like flies to s*** creating exotic and reverent homages for all to see. Weird! Incidentally the teacher I mentioned was in fact an old friend of Eva and played with her in several bands. Sadly he did not wish to talk to us but that whole scenario is a blog for another day - or year!!
Question - Before the programme starts how can you know 'who dun it' in any of today's detective flicks?
Answer - Check out who's the most famous guest co star and you'll have your answer. It never fails!
See you soon.
I've had a tough few weeks being struck down by a wave of lurgie which has befuddled my brain (I do realise that such a state is not a too challenging task to achieve) and rendered my ability to write to linger in a morass of lacklustre creative instincts. It's also left me feeling excessively tired in a way that is the equivalent of being permanently hungover. Am now slowly emerging and have some considerable stuff to catch up on so, fingers crossed, am in for a busy 2/3 weeks or so.
Had coffee this morning with two old and gracious friends of mine also still in the entertainment business and always with a thousand bogglingly funny anecdotes to tell. If you're around the Midlands and ever see a billboard sporting the name "Dandy" drop everything and make sure you catch the gig. Unquestionably the funniest act within 50 miles of Birmingham and likely much farther. Why they're not a household name remains one of those ridiculously stupid conundrums which are too painful to ponder.
I expect Eva fans will know that the film of her life story is in pre-production with an American company headed by the daughter of Robert Redford. Lets all hope that it comes to fruition (only something like 5% of films which enter pre-production ever make it to celluloid - God that's give my age away in this digital age) and can thus bring Eva's music to a so far completely deaf American audience to whom her name means zilch. The Eva show producer and I went to Washington a few years ago to meet up with people who had known her. We went to a small town called Bowie where she spend the majority of her pre and teenage years and narry a soul had ever heard of her. When you mention the U.K. and Europe phenomena they smile politely muttering "Gee is that right, well have a nice day and thank you for asking." Even at her old secondary school -The Robert Goddard School- we could only find an administrator and a teacher who remembered her and there is not a single refernce to her anywhere within the establishment. This is kind of odd as American schools usually hook into the most minor of old pupil's achievements like flies to s*** creating exotic and reverent homages for all to see. Weird! Incidentally the teacher I mentioned was in fact an old friend of Eva and played with her in several bands. Sadly he did not wish to talk to us but that whole scenario is a blog for another day - or year!!
Question - Before the programme starts how can you know 'who dun it' in any of today's detective flicks?
Answer - Check out who's the most famous guest co star and you'll have your answer. It never fails!
See you soon.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
tedious times
Well it's Wednesday. Oh good there is something to celebrate after all. It's been a boring week suffering from the granddaddy of all colds and getting through toilet roll tissues at an alarming rate and sporting the reddest of Rudolph noses.
Does anyone have any tips as to how to encourage birds into the garden? I write in an extension which overlooks our garden and 2 months ago in a fit of gleeful expectation I installed a triple bird feeder along with a highly visible row of fat balls hanging nonchalently, nay provocatively, from the blossom tree. The total of bird visits to date is 4 and even the 12 foot multi colour arrow and advert I put up on the roof seems to be of no avail.
Am hoping to finish off the play am writing with Richard Parkes but brain so fogged it's going to have to wait til more creative thought processes are available. We have high hopes for the work but who knows!
Hoping to catch Eva Cassidy Story at Buxton Opera House and Lichfield Garrick next week - my local theatres so friends have been comandeered!
Loreto Murray who is a lovely person, actor and singer, played the role of Eva Cassidy in the first 2004 tour of the show, She is 'Running for Life' in aid of cancer research and looking for sponsors. Loreto lost a friend to cancer last year and is wanting to raise as much sponsorship as possible. Anyone interested in sponsoring this incredibly worthy cause post me a note or email me at brian@langtry.fslife.co.uk and I'll pass on relevant information.
Anyway brain now well and truly fogged so sign off time has arrived. Keep writing and keep smiling (at helps when trying to keep smiling to picture a prostrate producer across a medievil wrack and you smirkingly tweaking the mechanism.)
Does anyone have any tips as to how to encourage birds into the garden? I write in an extension which overlooks our garden and 2 months ago in a fit of gleeful expectation I installed a triple bird feeder along with a highly visible row of fat balls hanging nonchalently, nay provocatively, from the blossom tree. The total of bird visits to date is 4 and even the 12 foot multi colour arrow and advert I put up on the roof seems to be of no avail.
Am hoping to finish off the play am writing with Richard Parkes but brain so fogged it's going to have to wait til more creative thought processes are available. We have high hopes for the work but who knows!
Hoping to catch Eva Cassidy Story at Buxton Opera House and Lichfield Garrick next week - my local theatres so friends have been comandeered!
Loreto Murray who is a lovely person, actor and singer, played the role of Eva Cassidy in the first 2004 tour of the show, She is 'Running for Life' in aid of cancer research and looking for sponsors. Loreto lost a friend to cancer last year and is wanting to raise as much sponsorship as possible. Anyone interested in sponsoring this incredibly worthy cause post me a note or email me at brian@langtry.fslife.co.uk and I'll pass on relevant information.
Anyway brain now well and truly fogged so sign off time has arrived. Keep writing and keep smiling (at helps when trying to keep smiling to picture a prostrate producer across a medievil wrack and you smirkingly tweaking the mechanism.)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
eva cassidy story
Went off to Liverpool yesterday to see how my "Over the Rainbow The Eva Cassidy Story" was bedding after 2 weeks on the road. Cracking night everyone on top form with 1000 people in. Good sound and strong playing from the cast. This is I think the 6th U.K./Ireland tour and the momentum continues to gather. With regard to this I must record the tenacity and vision of the producer Stephen Leatherland who undertook to produce the show back in 04 and has stuck with it. Good on yu Stephen!
Enjoyed a wander around the 'pool stoppping off at the Cavern, The Beatles Museum, Albert Dock and popped into The Everyman to chat about future producing possibilities. All in all a good day. I do wonder about city centre eating though - every time I visit a new place to catch a show it's a bit of a nightmare trying to find a centre pub with a half decent menu - have Weatherspoon clones taken over the World? Fine if you wanr burgers, fish and chips, steak pie etc but why oh why does every flaming pub have the same menu. Is this a conspiracy?
Well have to get down to some recording over the next week to move my new CD forward - just for friends and family consumption but nonetheless still serious stuff - can't have the grandchildren thinking they're th only ones who understand music! Somehow I doubt the latter will have much of an impact on them.
Enjoyed a wander around the 'pool stoppping off at the Cavern, The Beatles Museum, Albert Dock and popped into The Everyman to chat about future producing possibilities. All in all a good day. I do wonder about city centre eating though - every time I visit a new place to catch a show it's a bit of a nightmare trying to find a centre pub with a half decent menu - have Weatherspoon clones taken over the World? Fine if you wanr burgers, fish and chips, steak pie etc but why oh why does every flaming pub have the same menu. Is this a conspiracy?
Well have to get down to some recording over the next week to move my new CD forward - just for friends and family consumption but nonetheless still serious stuff - can't have the grandchildren thinking they're th only ones who understand music! Somehow I doubt the latter will have much of an impact on them.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Eva launch
Well Wednesday saw the launch of the new 'Eva Cassidy Story' show at The New Theatre Hull - and a very fine theatre it is too except that they sadly no longer do pre- show meals. Still 'The Theatre Coffee Bar and Cafe' (think more greasy than chic) around the corner served up a veritable mouth watering steak pie.
The show went exceptionally well with everyone on form and only a couple of minor technical glitches which would have passed unnoticed by the audience - I hope!
Eva's drummer Raice McLeod had flown over to play in the show on the Saturday a special celebration as it would have been Eva's 44th birthday. Anyone interested in seeing the show, now in Scotland, can find details on www.theatre-productions.com - follow links to Eva Cassidy.
Stayed at The Camponile Motel which was clean, efficient and had all the necessities with a decent breakfast. The only fly in the ointment was the pub adjoining the car park which played mindless four to the bar kick drum (can this really be called dance "music"?) until about 2.30 a.m. The only counter balance to this pointless drivel were the cheers and whoops of the enthusiatic outside smokers as they encouraged the eager copulating couples who must have been the floor (or would that be table) show?
Anyway time to get the tea sorted so off to the kitchen to rustle up a succulent fish pie and fresh vegetables. Lovely jubbly!
The show went exceptionally well with everyone on form and only a couple of minor technical glitches which would have passed unnoticed by the audience - I hope!
Eva's drummer Raice McLeod had flown over to play in the show on the Saturday a special celebration as it would have been Eva's 44th birthday. Anyone interested in seeing the show, now in Scotland, can find details on www.theatre-productions.com - follow links to Eva Cassidy.
Stayed at The Camponile Motel which was clean, efficient and had all the necessities with a decent breakfast. The only fly in the ointment was the pub adjoining the car park which played mindless four to the bar kick drum (can this really be called dance "music"?) until about 2.30 a.m. The only counter balance to this pointless drivel were the cheers and whoops of the enthusiatic outside smokers as they encouraged the eager copulating couples who must have been the floor (or would that be table) show?
Anyway time to get the tea sorted so off to the kitchen to rustle up a succulent fish pie and fresh vegetables. Lovely jubbly!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)