THEATRE REVIEW: Chicago

The legendary musical becomes LegenDerry as it visits the Millennium Forum - but is it really all that jazz, or not enough razzle dazzle?

I've always had an uneasy relationship with the musical Chicago. It's the sort of thing that can very easily be seen as immoral, smug and hypocritical cotton candy; is getting away with murder, violence, adultery, sleaziness, alienation, exploitation, corruption and treachery really something to be celebrated in song and dance? But therein lies the paradox of Chicago; for what it is, that is to say, an absurdly well paced musical, it works as a deliriously rousing melodic satire. And this particular version is brilliantly choreographed, superbly staged and rather well acted too – in other words, well worth a trip to the theatre.

"Murder is a form of entertainment", says a key character at one point, and it holds true in 1920s Chicago as much as anywhere else, where Roxie Hart (Ali Bastian, almost three years from being robbed of what would have been a deserved Strictly Come Dancing triumph) finds herself in jail for murder along with numerous other women, including singing sensation Velma Kelly (Tupele Dorgu). The rest of the show primarily focuses on Roxie, Velma and their attempts to clear their name, with the help of notorious criminal lawyer Billy Flynn (Stefan Booth, recently of Eastenders).

This is the sort of show where, no matter where you look on the stage, there's almost always something for the eyes and ears to savour, be it the acting, singing, choreography or orchestrations. As far as major musicals go, Chicago is as close to an interactive experience as you can get without actually having to leave your seats and dance on stage; both orchestra and audience find themselves involved in the "swing" of the production numerous times throughout the evening, whether they are clapping along to "All That Jazz" or "Roxie" (the character, not the song!) is chatting up the bandleader!

Ali Bastian... a "smouldering" Roxie

Speaking of Roxie, Ali Bastian absolutely smoulders in this part. Her deceptively skinny and slight frame convincingly hides the devious minx that lies within. She's virtually impossible to look away from, even while the excellent Jamie Baughan is stealing scenes as Roxie’s sad sack husband Amos. Tupele Dorgu has just the right amount of diction, conviction and bullishness to make her the perfect Velma, and Genevieve Nicole (standing in for the unfortunately absent Bernie Nolan) is a suitably domineering onstage presence. Not quite as impressive is Stefan Booth, whose Frank Sinatra-esque charisma and vocal abilities don't quite seem suited for Billy Flynn. It’s interesting to contrast Booth with Richard Gere, a tone deaf "actor" who milked the part for all it was worth, and realize that it is Gere's performance that's more memorable. Perhaps this is why his rendition of "Razzle Dazzle" is literally lacking in razzle dazzle. Still, his remains a solid portrayal, with the staggering "We Both Reached For The Gun", getting the biggest roar of appreciation on the night.

Ultimately, Chicago is at its best when it maintains a breezy, satirical tone – when it tries to be serious, as is the case with the song "Class", the spirit of the show has been so frivolous that we have little reason to care. Indeed, the only character we truly care for is Amos – and he gets one song! Fortunately these "grim" moments are few and far between, and the audience will leave the theatre having learnt a thing or two about the power of song and dance... and a little bit more.

(Photos courtesy of the Millennium Forum.)

City Of Culture 2013 Programme Launch: Quotes And News

Derry-Londonderry's Culture Company launches the first edition of the City Of Culture Programme for 2013

Celebrating the City Of Culture Programme Launch at Ebrington Square. From left to right at the front are: Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO; Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister; Martin Bradley, Culture Company Chairman; Cllr Kevin Campbell, Mayor Of Derry. Photo: Martin McKeown, inpresspics.com

Today, the first edition of the programme for Derry-Londonderry 2013, the UK's inaugural City Of Culture, was announced.

The coming year will see The Maiden City host a rich, varied programme of arts and entertainments. Among these will be the presentation of the Turner Prize, taking place outside England for the first time; a new commission by the London Symphony Orchestra; award-winning choreographer Hofesh Schechter and his big-picture vision of oppression, survival, resistance and existence, "Political Mother"; the return of the Field Day theatre company, who promise an eclectic programme of stage performance, new media and exhibitions; a new play by American playwright Sam Shepard; local Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney; and the first visit to Northern Ireland by the Royal Ballet for more than twenty years.

City Of Culture 2013 mascot Oaky Doakes strolls around Ebrington Square. Photo: Tom Heaney, nwpresspics.com

The year will open with "Sons & Daughters", a free concert staged in a new purpose-built pavilion in the heart of the city, on the banks of the River Foyle. The concert, co-produced by the BBC, will celebrate Derry's rich musical heritage.

Here's what some of the people involved at the launch had to say:

Shona McCarthy, Culture Company CEO:

"We hope that Derry-Londonderry's City Of Culture year brings a sense of joy, a sense of ambition, a sense of pride in our community, a sense of being part of a global community, and in the end a sense of achievement - that we all did this together and it meant something. A huge success for a small city."

Cllr Kevin Campbell, Mayor Of Derry:

"The City Of Culture year will transform our city and region. The range of contemporary music, dance, theatre, arts and performance events will link our diverse communities in programmes of celebration. The exciting programme of events scheduled for 2013 will encourage, develop and showcase our amazing cultural talent to the world and lay the foundations for economic prosperity for years to come."

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín:

"2013 promises to be a momentous year for Derry and for this part of Ireland. With such an exciting programme of events to suit everyone's tastes, the endorsement this week from the Lonely Planet and the sheer dedication to make this happen, Derry, City Of Culture, is not to be missed. Derry is ready to embrace this opportunity and to showcase Ireland's rich culture and heritage on the local and international stage."

For more information, check out www.cityofculture2013.com.

(Video courtesy of Rory McSwiggan. Animation courtesy of The Nerve Centre, with music by Gary Curran of The Japanese Popstars.)

The Gypsy Queens Visit Belfast

Today, in response to our interview with bassist Jason King, Si's Sights And Sounds received a little "present" from multi-national busking band The Gypsy Queens. Sit back and enjoy this brief video clip, courtesy of Niki Alexandrou of Cleanfeed Media...

Culture Night Derry-Londonderry 2012: How Was It For You?

Si's Sights And Sounds saw many different things on Derry's Culture Night, but it was a vaudeville stage show that really, truly caught the eye

"What good is sitting alone in your room?" So sang the Cabaret. And couples everywhere, young and old, are formally dressed up in anticipation of talented Carndonagh chanteuse Ursula McHugh's arrival on the stage of Derry-Londonderry's Playhouse Theatre. The theatre itself has been ideally arranged for the occasion, with the traditional seating removed to make way for a series of round tables and chairs.

A medley of brass, string and drums, to the tune of - what else? - Cabaret - says "Wilkommen", "Bienvenue" and "Welcome" to not just the happy audience, but McHugh herself. Before long, everyone is taken in by a smooth rendition of "Let's Face The Music And Dance" - if there's a more appropriate opening song for such an occasion, I can't think of it.

Seemingly overwhelmed, but undeterred, by the applause, McHugh urges everyone to remember their first dance, their first kiss, even their first glance across a crowded room. Club Cabaret, as McHugh and her band members have named it, is a show about the benefits of nostalgia, a show about looking back and recovering old memories to inspire new beginnings. The atmosphere - a mixture of candles, flowers and expressive lighting - complements this.

Shifting easily between the slick and melancholy, McHugh fills the room with a dreamlike, romantic quality. Her takes on the best of Sinatra, Streisand and Piaf eventually transform the front of the Playhouse floor into Strictly Come Dancing with the lights on. It's undeniably both warm and uplifting.

McHugh is living proof of the fact that "it's never too late to follow your dream". She doesn't just hold back the years; she rolls them back. Effortlessly.

ELSEWHERE...

Kieran Griffiths provides Derry's walls with a bit of "classical comedy", with his twenty-minute version of George Farquhar's The Recruiting Officer. Griffiths focuses on getting the most from the material through facial expressions, strong jokes, self awareness and anachronistic local accents. And it's a testament to the game cast of Nicky Harley, Louise Conaghan, Alan Wright and Peter Davidson that this succeeds as good entertainment.

Meanwhile, in the Verbal Arts Centre, gamers rub their hands together with glee as they're given the opportunity to take on people at Call Of Duty, Tekken, Kill Zone and Super Street Fighter 4, thanks to the lads and ladies of UU Magee Core. Back in the Playhouse, Open Mic sessions are going on downstairs, with the mellow music of Colm Herron, Django Reinhardt-inspired Paddy Ndombe, and the raw soul of David Mulhern impressing small crowds. Music fans also have the Paddy Nash-esque Murder Balladeers to turn to, in the square of Cafe Del Mondo... all while a light show with drums, otherwise known as Tribal Fire, is going on nearby on the walls! And if all that isn't enough to satisfy one's tastes, there's still the chance to meet Joan Armatrading in a commotion filled Millennium Forum.

For this writer, Ursula McHugh is the clear winner on Culture Night 2012. But everyone on the night is a winner in their own unique field.

(Video footage courtesy of Rory McSwiggan and Culture Northern Ireland.)

Si's Sights And Sounds Meets: Jason King

In the space of a decade, multi-national busking band The Gypsy Queens have gone from playing on the streets of Nice to performing for the likes of Bono, Elton John and Robert De Niro. Now, they're going "back to their roots" with a tour that will see them stop in Belfast along the way. Si's Sights And Sounds caught up with bassist Jason King in advance of the show...

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Jason King, and I'm the "British Gypsy Queen", the band's bass player.

I joined the band back in 2009 while I was enjoying a "working holiday" in the ever so beautiful city of Nice. While playing bass with another band, I heard the Gypsy Queens needed a new bassist; I stepped into the role, and from that moment on I've never looked back.

Did you always want to be in a band?

Yeah! I've always been in bands; I enjoy playing all kinds of music and instruments. Actually, I still remember playing my first ever gig; when I was ten, me and my four piece rock 'n' roll group played Johnny B Goode for the rest of the school. We rocked.

How were The Gypsy Queens conceived? Where did the name come from, and who/what would you say influenced the band most?

The Gypsy Queens have evolved from a unique busking tradition that goes back years and years. There are very lively music scenes in cities such as Nice, Paris & Zurich, and it's from the streets of those cities that we've learnt our trade. Didier (Casnati, the Italian lead singer and guitarist of The Gypsy Queens) has been in the band since it started over a decade ago, and has done an awesome job of constantly striving to make sure we go up and up.

The name itself was actually given to the band about ten years ago in Rome, as a cheeky joke, but there's something fun and interesting about it so it's just stuck with us ever since. And no, we are not real gypsies or real queens!

What would you say is the secret to the band's success, their meteoric rise?

Hard work & persistence, and keeping things fun, both for us and for whoever we're performing for.  Having five nationalities in the band has helped too; it means that whoever we're playing for, and no matter what country we're in, we can connect with the audience.

You've performed at Proms In The Park, and for numerous famous singers. Which occasion stood out for you most, and why?

For me, personally, Proms in the park stood out and marked a real change for us. Only the night before, we were busking in Rome, so the contrast of playing for two hundred outside a busy terrace to then play for 40,000 people is something none of us will ever forget.

Why the sudden decision to go "back to your roots", so to speak, for this latest tour?

In all honesty, it's a lot of fun. To jump on a crowd full of strangers and win them over is a unique feeling. You never know who you'll meet or where you'll end up playing. A little busking trip from time to time is good for the soul!

What brings you to Belfast, and are you looking forward to it?

I'm thrilled to come to Belfast. In my four years of traveling the globe as a Gypsy Queen, we've not once visited Northern Ireland. Plus, my Dad's half Irish and I have lots of family in Strabane as well as in Belfast. I'm hoping we get a chance to play for them while we're having a busk!

In closing, tell us what lies in store for the Gypsy Queens in the near future.

Total adventure. None of us really know what to expect. We're all very proud of the album we made in LA, it was nice to get into a studio for a whole month with legends like Larry Klein, Booker T, Graham Nash and the lovely Madeleine Peyroux. We'll see how the album does and take it from there. In the meantime we're having a lot of fun travelling and playing so we'll stick to doing what we do best.

The Gypsy Queens will be playing in Belfast's Titanic Quarter on Tuesday October 16. All the proceeds they earn on their tour will be going to local children's hospitals. For more information on the event, check out Titanic Belfast on Facebook. To find out more about the band, check out their official site at www.gypsyqueens.com.

Si's Sights And Sounds Meets: Danny McLaughlin

The Derry-based comic book writer, a martial artist, conceptualist, strategist, promoter and lover of all kinds of media tells Si's Sights And Sounds all about the Zombies, Hi!, and much, much more...

As far back as you can remember, did you always want to be a comic writer?

No, not really. In all honesty, I wanted to be an engineer! I wanted to build, solve problems and fix the world. And ironically enough, that's what I still do, but my own worlds. I build in my imagination. When you design and create stories, you are problem solving. And hopefully, when someone reads my work, I imbue in them a sense of morality, so hopefully on some level I am fixing the world!

I do remember making up little characters and situations in my head when I was younger, but to me, that was just fun. Like every other kid in the galaxy, I always felt a close relationship with heroic figures like Batman, Superman and the X-Men. And then, one day, I received my first comic book, and saw those people in masks and uniforms fighting for a better world. Through that, home, school and karate dojo I was imbued with not just my morals, but high ideals and philosophical dilemmas. I was hooked from that moment on.

Since then, I've been creating stories around those ideals and philosophies, building characters that are part of my ego, who then set out to explore and answer life's big questions. To be honest, I believe that we are all writers, creating ourselves to answer such questions.

What was the catalyst for your writing career?

Firstly, I must mention reading the opus that is Watchmen, by the awesome but odd Alan Moore. It was just the book I needed while I was growing up, because that was when my love affair with comics began. It was when I realised that comics, childish throwaway books with pretty pictures and 2D characters, could, behind their innocent facade, completely catch you off guard and deal with massive blows of reality.

Having found Alan Moore's work so appealing, I next read Swamp Thing, and I found myself questioning what the title character questions: Who am I? What can I do? It was then that I began to ponder such questions myself, and realise that if one could truly answer questions like that for themselves, then he or she would be happy in life. So I decided to find out who I was and what I could do - through the power of the written word.

Everybody's talking about the Zombies, Hi! How did the comic originate, and how did you come to be involved?

It all began as a concept. Me and artist Kevin "Gio" Logue have been firing stories together for quite some time, and one day, we wondered, "How do we tell the story of Derry?" We had loads of ideas, but no bad guy! Fortunately, me and Gio realised that zombies are bad guys who need no introduction, so we threw them in and essentially got on with telling the story of our home town and characters that we know and love, based on people we see every day! People always say "write what you know", and for us, that's Derry. So I created a world inspired by the locals, the history, the way we speak and the troubles we face every day. What we've ended up with is basically a love letter to our hometown, an epic story that always has been, and will continue to be, inspired by local pop culture.

 Danny McLaughlin with artist Kevin "Gio" Logue

What was your favourite cartoon growing up?

Thundercats! HOOOOO! I was a wee bit obsessed. And the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Then there was the Batman animated series... actually, there might be too many to mention.

Whose drawing style, or styles, do you admire the most?

Even today, I couldn't tell you too much about artists or their styles. But what I can tell you is that I do love, or am at least influenced by, a gritty but strong anatomical style. I also have a soft spot for really clean, cartoony artwork.

Tell us about the latest news, and also what's in store for you, in regard to Zombies, Hi! and other projects.

The seventh issue of Zombies, Hi! will be out in time for Hallowe'en! And with a dedicated team, as opposed to a skeleton crew working on it, it will now be out every two months, and hopefully every month sometime after Christmas. Also the comic is in the process of being transformed into an interactive app, with animated scenes, interactivity, games, music, sound effects and hidden bonus material all included.

As for me, if I get the time I'm looking to produce two scripts. One is a really gritty story about a broken man and his struggle to pull the pieces of his life together after years of it falling apart. The other is a retro spiritual/steampunk tale, currently titled "The God Conundrum", which explores a world that relies on science until the breakthrough in atomic sciences brings proof of Godliness to the forefront.

How proud are you of Zombies, Hi!, and how much further do you see it going?

Very proud. It's my first outing as a writer and the flagship comic of our company, Uproar. As I mentioned before, it's my love letter to the people of the city I grew up in. I love the lingo of the town, and no other comic in the entire universe uses the Derry accent or slang! And most of all, I take pride in talking to the people who have been influenced and impassioned by our story and the comics. Of course, I would love to see the comic go on forever, but I do have an end date set in mind. Issue 24 could well be the ultimate conclusion for the series. But it definitely won't be the end for Uproar. We plan to keep roaring louder and for a long time to come!

 
Uproar Comics will be hosting a Hallowe'en Party entitled Outbreak! at the end of the month. For more information, check out Uproar Comics on Facebook.

To buy copies of Zombies Hi! Volumes One to Six, visit the official Uproar Comics website at www.uproarcomics.co.uk.

The Rose Of Fluoride Free

"The Girl Against Fluoride" is getting a helping hand in her recent campaign from a local musician. Si's Sights And Sounds went to find out more

An Inishowen musician has written a song to help raise awareness of an increasingly controversial national health issue.

"The Rose Of Fluoride Free", by Muff-based singer-songwriter Karl McCarron, has been penned to support the campaign calling for the removal of hydrofluorosylicic acid from Ireland's water supply.

McCarron says that he was inspired to write the song from hearing of "The Girl Against Fluoride" herself - Tralee-based nutritional expert & occupational therapist Aisling Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon has embarked on a nationwide tour to educate the public about "the dangers of fluoride consumption", and recently caused quite a stir when attending this year's Rose Of Tralee festival as "The Rose Of Fluoride Free" - hence the title of the song.

"I thought it was hilarious, yet bold, brilliant and daring", says McCarron. "I had been following her on Facebook, but it was that move, in particular, that motivated me to come up with something to help her out.

"I was very moved by the depth of her personal commitment to the fluoride issue and the lengths she is prepared to go to for the greater good of all, by dragging this important social topic centre stage into the public consciousness. So I was very keen to write something in her honour and as a tribute to her."

"The Rose Of Fluoride Free" was recorded several days ago at Elevation Studios in Convoy, under the production skills of owner/engineer John Grealish. Once the song has been mixed & mastered, it will be immediately available on both Soundcloud and Karl McCarron's Facebook page.

The song, certain to become an instant anthem for the anti-fluoride movement, is scheduled to receive its debut live performance at The One Foot Inn, Burnfoot, this Sunday, October 7. The entire evening is also due to be filmed by Ciaran Keogh of Keoster Productions, and the resulting footage will be uploaded to YouTube.

To learn more about the anti-fluoride campaign, check out www.thegirlagainstfluoride.com.