CHILDREN'S SHOWS

The Man Who Planted Trees
Puppet State Theatre
Puppet Shows and storytelling are wonderful mediums but both require certain commitments from the audience; puppetry demands a rather large suspension of disbelief and storytelling needs an investment of imagination. 'The Man Who Planted Trees' is a charming combination of storytelling, puppetry, music and innovative sensory stimulus, in which the puppets and set work to illustrate a story as opposed to presenting it. The tale itself is slow-paced but delightful, shot through with an appreciation of nature, and its message is an inspirational one. While the show might be a touch too gentle to keep all children entertained, the imagery, the music and the story itself are too good to be kept just for the kids.
Parlure Spiegeltent and Garden, 19, 20, 21 May, 4.30pm (5.30pm), £10.00 (£8.00), fringe pp35.
tw rating 4/5
[ak]

Mamet's 'The Poet And The Rent'
Mister Gustarfeson Presents ...
Despite being billed as a kids' event, this play demonstrates that it is perfectly possible not just to amuse accompanying adults, but to thoroughly entertain them. Our hero is a hapless, penniless poet who makes it his mission to find sixty pounds to pay his villainous landlord. The audience's giggles erupt from the very start of the play, when the riotous tone is set by sending the virtuous narrator on her way with a custard pie to the face. The writing is slick and subversive and the conventions of pantomime are drawn upon with tongues firmly in cheeks. If slapstick, custard pies and philosophical dogs don't sound like your kind of thing, go and see this to firmly change your mind.
Marlborough Little Theatre, 21 - 24 May, 6.00pm (7.00pm), £9.00 (£5.00), fringe pp34.
tw rating 4/5
[eb]

Dance, Music And World Theatre Festival
Cultures Club
Exuberance and confidence were the constant threads woven through all of tonight's performances. Featuring local children from a variety of schools and arts groups, mini rockers and diminutive divas were given the chance to twirl their drumsticks and get their groove on. Whilst the inevitable pauses that occur when attempting to co-ordinate large groups of small children led to a somewhat restless audience, seeing them connecting enthusiastically to music and dance was a pleasure. Particularly enjoyable were the poignant, self-penned songs about moving up to Big School, sung by local primary school children. Tonight's show was a testament to the obvious good work being done by after-school arts clubs across the city.
Friends' Meeting House, 20 May, 6.00pm (7.30pm), £3.00 (£1.00), fringe pp34.
tw rating 3/5
[eb]

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COMEDY

Gina Yashere
Gina Yashere is an award winning comedian who has conquered America, lost 5 stone in 14 months, and has charmed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan: all experiences which she drew upon for this performance of genuine entertainment. Yashere toyed and played with the audience, creating a friendly, warm atmosphere that resulted in Josh's phone being kept by her bum for the entire show (it should have been turned off, or set to silent, of course). Her confidence, ease and general amusement at herself make the show feel natural; she doesn't need the audience to laugh and laugh to stay comfortable on stage. So engaging was her character that the hour just disappeared, and far too soon for all.
Parlure Spiegeltent & Garden, 18 May, 9.45pm (11.00pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fringe pp18.
tw rating 4/5
[ojjp]

The Complete Guide To The Arts
Shitty Deal Puppet Theatre Company
You know when you and your friends think something is hilarious and then when you repeat it to other people they just don't? This Mr Doper narrated delve back in time, which takes a jovial look at the arts - meeting new characters along the way, many of which rely on gags heavily-laden with obvious stereotypes - felt like one big in-joke. The small audience might have put a dampener on the atmosphere, on a busier night the laughs might have been more consistent; and the puppeteers must have a whale of a time dossing around with different toys and putting on silly voices at home. Sadly, when performing in front of paying onlookers it often felt like they were enjoying it a lot more than anybody else.
Komedia Studio, 21 May, 10.30pm, £8.00 (£6.00), fringe pp22.
tw rating 2/5
[jm]

Divorce: The Truth
Kevin McCarron & Laughing Horse Comedy
The laughs were few and far between in this dull stand-up set, as Kevin McCarron ploughed through his material, despite delivering to an audience that just wasn't getting it. The subject is really relationships, rather than divorce, and McCarron must be used to a more receptive crowd; he seemed genuinely surprised when his jokes fell flat. He set a few anecdotes up well - a skit about his ex-wife's dead cat stands out - but mostly, the delivery was poor. Perhaps he was just having an off-night, but the pile of crib sheets didn't impress me much either. Probably not as painful as a failed marriage, but the truth is, I was pleased when it was over.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 22 - 25 May, 7.45pm (8.45pm), £5.00 (£4.00).
tw rating 2/5
[fw]

The Seven Deadly Jokes
Laughing Horse & Hannah George and Ashley Frieze
Unsubtle, unfunny, uninteresting comedy offered by the duo of Hannah George and Ashley Frieze bewildered the near silent audience as they explained to us how to tell jokes without actually telling one. Self-consciously waffling on about the seven types of deadly jokes - which are meant to kill us with laughter presumably - they then proceeded to bore us with other things of which there are seven; books in the bible, dwarves, Harry Potter books. You can see what they are trying to do, but it's not done well, and there's no excuse for lame joke after even lamer joke when you're meant to be doing stand up comedy. If they had been doing it on the spot they may have gained more sympathy - but it was scripted!
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 18 - 20 May, 7.45pm (8.45pm), free, fringe pp23.
tw rating 1/5
[cd]

Eleanor Tiernan
Tiernan's lively act initially promised early evening excitement, but despite the show's being delivered with a genuinely cheerful tone accompanied by the most charming of Irish accents, the comedienne continuously appeared to struggle to overcome her own nerves in the intimate venue. On top of this, the chirpy set, which mainly revolved around anecdotal experiences of the comic's Irish homeland, seemed somewhat underdeveloped for the most part and therefore struggled to trigger significant audience reaction. That said, since laughter is infectious it would always have been difficult to spread hilarity in such a small audience, so one would expect the crowd's response to improve, and with it the comic's wavering confidence, as the show progressed through the week.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 18 - 21 May, 5.15pm (6.15pm), free, fringe pp17.
tw rating 2/5
[gg]

The Interstella Circus Show
This self-professed 'slightly tarnished' crew do little to suspend your disbelief. Often, when watching a circus act, the audience will say 'they make it look so easy!' but in this case, as I watched the juggler drop his balls and the fire performer blow out the fire before she swallowed it, I was feeling sorry for them. As well as the amateur delivery, the acts didn't even attempt anything challenging, so there was nothing that left me feeling awe-inspired. In fact, as the pushy and uncharismatic compere himself said, the best audience for this show is probably a drunk one, who will forgive the fact that the show generally involves a lot of people flouncing about in bawdy costume flashing their knickers.
Parlure Spiegeltent, dates vary, times vary, £18 - £16 (£16 - £14), fringe pp8.
tw rating 2/5
[st]

4 Poofs and a Piano
The Parlure Spiegeltent & Garden
The comedy quartet that is 4 Poofs And A Piano performed to a modest crowd last Tuesday night at the Spiegeltent, most of whom were probably expecting to see Jonathan Ross. However, after a slow start, the crowd warmed to the flamboyant antics of the group and were singing along to the catchier songs which, we were warned, we should perhaps not sing in public. The group was thrilled to be performing in Brighton (which happened to be on their list of the world's seven 'gay cities'). Highlights of the show included a full-length rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and a self-parody of the group as an aging boy band. Although the singing wasn't fantastic and many of the jokes not so fresh, 4 Poofs And A Piano made for an enjoyable and entertaining evening providing, if nothing else, everything the name promises!
Parlure Spiegeltent & Garden, 19 May, 9.45pm (11.00pm), £18.00 (£16.00), fringe pp16.
tw rating 3/5
[cp]

1000 Years Of German Humour
Lederhosen, accordion, yodelling, gnomes, magic and 1000 years of humour... so surely plenty of laughs? Well, no not really; far from being creative and cutting edge, this xenophobic routine seemed like a step backwards. The lengthy show was tainted with uncomfortable laughs and forced interaction, like a badly written feature length episode of 'Allo Allo' with all the misogyny but, unfortunately, none of the sexy spies. If you like to laugh at stereotypical Germans or have the piss taken out of you for being stereotypically English then this may appeal. 'Comedy' Ambassador Henning Wehn summed it up perfectly with the words "German humour isn't funny, it's about the timing"; perhaps he should adjust his watch.
Komedia Studio, 19 May, 8.15pm (11.00pm), £10.00, fringe pp16.
tw rating 2/5
[as]

Animals Of Butter Bridge
Bizarre, disconcerting and inventive, the 'Animals Of Butter Bridge' is a foray into the illicit undergrowth world of a small group of woodland animals (plus a black panther, naturally) and their mission to restore balance within their community. Whilst the plot is good, the performance itself is lacking in structure and a clear form, meaning that what could be a bad-ass 'Animals Of Farthing Wood' for adults seems to be more of a platform upon which the six actors can individually showcase their personal comedic style. The consistent monologues verge on exhausting, and other than some great costumes and a couple of well-constructed scenes with the rabbit and fox, there is little to redeem it.
Brighton Unitarian Church, 20 - 24 May, 10.15pm (11.20pm), £6.50 (£5.00), fringe p16.
tw rating 2/5
[rh]

Stephen Grant
Did you know that in the 2001 Census, 2.6% of the Brighton population put 'Jedi' as their religion? Neither did I, but this was one of many tantalising facts that Stephen Grant brought to the table in his new stand-up show pondering what makes Brighton Brighton, and Brightonians Brightonian. With the addition of a couple of astute observations on the irony of public announcements and some extremely good rebuttals to heckles (there's always one), his delivery was fluid, exciting and other than one somewhat tasteless joke, really hit the mark with the audience. I left not only suspiciously looking over my shoulder for potential Jedis, but also very proud to be a Brightonian.
Komedia, 21 May, 8.30pm (10.20pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fringe pp22.
tw rating 4/5
[rh]

New Act Night
Surely the archaic belief that 'men are funnier than women' doesn't still exist? If it does then tonight at Komedia absolutely threw it out of the window as women prevailed in this snapshot of new talent. The thirteen Jill Edwards' Workshop graduates broke their stage virginities, each performing for a scanty three minutes in front of a lively crowd of friends. The largely female group of rookies triumphed; from Sophie Chandler's shocker about Sir Alan Sugar to the evening's standout Caroline Moran, who perfectly balanced self-deprecation and quick witted gags. If things did ever teeter on forgettable then hilarious compère Rob Heeney, albeit a man, was waiting in the wings to keep the crowd amused. But this evening the girls certainly showed that they could be the future. Guys, you'd better watch out!
Komedia, 20 May, 8.00pm, £7.00 (£5.00), fringe pp19.
tw rating 4/5
[jm]

Brighton's Got Talent
Paul Wilson - The Brunswick
The Brunswick was packed with an unruly, merciless audience that, above else, wanted to be entertained. Luckily they got what they came for: the 9 finalists of this talent contest, welcomed on stage by host and comedian Paul Wilson, had a great variety of talents ranging from music to magic, even though some of them were clearly not the kind of acts this particular audience would have voted for in the pre-rounds. In the end, the judges picked a worthy winner in crowd-pleasing comedy duo Los Guapos, but the uncrowned king of the contest was undoubtedly skilled, witty and insightful slam poet Spliff Richard. Verdict: a great showcase event - but it took more than talent to win it, it helped to have the commercially viable e(ntertainment)-factor.
The Brunswick, 20 May, 8.00pm (11.30pm), £8.00, fringe pp7.
tw rating 4/5
[ap]

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DANCE & PHYSICAL THEATRE

Grass
Leonard Performance Band
I came to this performance with excited apprehension; I'd seen 'John Moran And His Neighbour Saouri' a few days earlier and had been blown away, so I was ready to explore this area of avante garde performance art in more depth. Sadly, only four other audience members joined me in the Studio Bar, but things seemed to be looking up when the support act Robert Stillman aka 'Horses' took to the stage. His music was a blend of haunting melodies, merging with funk, soul and jazz, played on a keyboard, with a foot drum and tambourine, yet he was met with the nervous, scarcely audible single claps of a barely-present audience; the awkwardness was palpable, and it was only downhill from there. The show itself had the feeling of being trapped in a weird but poorly executed psychological experiment. We were presented with facts about grass, and then a song that was roared by one woman whilst the other danced. Unfortunately the show lacked direction and skill, and failed to provoke more than a feeling of vague discomfort.
Komedia, 19 May, 8.00pm, £8.50 (£5.00), fringe pp25.
tw rating 2/5
[mh]

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EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

Hammer And Tongue
Komedia
Spoken word gigs can be a mixed bag, varying wildly in quality from the miserably dry to the truly inspiring. The 12 poets in the Hammer and Tongue UK Slam final, however, are all winners of regional slams across the country and promise a consistently decent level of quality. Performance poetry has an emphasis on performance, naturally, and as a result the line-up features a plethora of irrepressible and distinctive personalities. The eclectic and, at times, explosive brew makes for marvellous entertainment, uplifting, absurd, humorous and thought provoking. If spoken word isn't your thing you probably wouldn't think to attend a Hammer And Tongue type event, but if you've an attention span longer than that of a gnat's, you cannot fail to enjoy.
Komedia, 18 May, 7.30pm (11.30pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fringe pp36.
tw rating 5/5
[ak]

The Demographic of a Pigeon Fancier
Victoria Melody
Hidden away in The Basement gallery in the North Laines is Victoria Melody's bizarre but wonderful pigeon-based installation. Being led down into the artist's space by a member of staff gave one the feeling of entering a secret world, and it seemed strangely appropriate that no one else was there to remind me of the world outside. Melody looks at class, tradition and stereotypes in Britain, investigating the opinions northerners hold of southerners and vice versa. In the centre of the room paper tags hang on strings from the ceiling, each with a hand-written message displaying these various opinions; a beautiful touch is added when we learn that these messages were delivered to Brighton by carrier pigeons. This is a surreal, funny and thoughtful exhibition.
The Basement, 18 - 25 May, 10.00am - 6.00pm, free, fringe pp69.
tw rating 4/5
[mh]

Without Limits
"Without Limits: A series of paintings" declared the fringe guide's simple description of this exhibition. Although unsure of what to expect, what I found was definitely more bizarre than I had anticipated. Barry Julian Willison, the creator of the exhibition, produces his work in periods of extended meditation in which he 'channels' spirits who guide him to paint organic and spontaneous pieces. His work represents the four elements of air, water, fire and earth. Although an intriguing method, the obscure titles of the paintings, like 'The Result Of An Experiment In Quantum Variance' left me somewhat bewildered and the disconcerting ferocity of the strange post-apocalyptic worlds depicted ensured that overall, this was a rather unsettling and obscure exhibition.
Brighton Media Centre Gallery, 20 May - 2 Jun, 9.00am - 5.00pm, free, fringe pp70.
tw rating 2/5
[eb]

Other Worlds
Marek Dobias
Set in the very heart of Brighton, Marek Dobias's 'Other Worlds' exposes a world which is becoming increasingly unsociable, in a striking and delicate way. Examining the manner in which society pushes away creatures, such as the swan, in its mania for development, and using breathtaking black and white photography, the phrase "live and let live" is the theme running through Dobias's work. Only enhanced by the industrial gallery space of the Brighton Media Centre, the juxtaposition of art and nature induces a startling contemplation of the natural world. Although possibly lacking the variety of typical Brighton exhibitions, the photography exudes every bit of the radiance and energy. Worth taking the time to look at the majestic swan in its stunning detail.
Brighton Media Centre, 2 - 26 May, 9.30am - 5.00pm, free.
tw rating 4/5
[hrl]

Dirty Beach
Café Delice
This new café in Brighton's North Laines is currently hosting work by Lou McCurdy and Chloe Hanks aka 'Hanksy'. As its title suggests, the work deals with the pollution of the environment, and specifically, of beaches. McCurdy's art is made out of plastic that has been washed up on beaches along the Brighton coastline, whilst Hanks creates temporary scenes that she photographs as a reminder of their fleeting presence. One example is her photograph of the words: "Under this clean white exterior I'm a right dirty beach", carved into the snow on Brighton beach, right next to the sea. McCurdy and Hanks highlight a need to acknowledge the damage our lifestyles often have on the environment, in a thoughtful, striking and engaging way.
Café Delice, 2 - 30 May, 10.00am - 5.00pm, free, fringe pp68.
tw rating 4/5
[mh]

Spring Exhibition
Art At Five Gallery
Opposite Brighton Town Hall, this little gallery displays a wide range of art to suit many tastes. On show during this year's Fringe are works by local and international artists alike, covering a variety of subject matter including female nudes, landscapes, skyscapes and intricate floral studies. But there's more going on at this place that just the pictures. Art At Five offer a consultancy service whereby a collection of artworks are brought to clients' homes or businesses, and advice is offered by staff on how to choose work to suit the specific space. They also offer an interest-free loan scheme designed by the Arts Council Of England, a scheme set up with the intention of making art more accessible. All of which means, with its diverse collection of work, interesting projects and picturesque location, this gallery is worth a visit anytime you're in the South Laines.
Art at Five, 1 - 31 May, 10.00am - 06.00pm, (Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm), free, fringe pp69.
tw rating 3/5
[mh]

Artists Quarter Under the Arches
AQUA
Hidden away past the novelty of the pier arcades and the tacky gift shops lies a treasure chest of art, photography and sculpture, known as AQUA. Bursting with the variety and vibrancy that epitomises Brighton life and art, this small yet jam-packed space deserves a full afternoon of browsing. Highlights include Julie-Anne Gilbert, who reels in the celebrities for the 'Stars On Canvas' campaign, and offers a chance to observe her at work creating the immense seascapes and abstracts for which she is known. Paintings by Jan Irvine also stand out, capturing, as they do, the motion of the body in its most beautiful form; it is no wonder she is one of the 2012 Olympic artists. With many practitioners at work, this fresh and vivacious space is not one to miss.
280 To 283a Madeira Drive, 2 - 25 May, 10.00am - 6.00pm, free, fringe pp66.
tw rating 5/5
[hrl]

Becky Blair - Paintings & Prints
For an injection of summer, take a stroll down to this seafront gallery for a peek at Becky Blair's paintings. The vibrant turquoises and yellows of the beach scenes, which depict families and dogs frolicking in sand and sea, leave you almost feeling the hot sand between your toes. The paintings are characterised by swathes of block colours contrasted with intricately patterned silhouettes of figures, and many conjure up memories of sunny afternoons on Brighton beach. Other works, meanwhile, such as 'Shy Donkey', reflect a dustier Mediterranean feel. By shunning facial detail in her work for a more abstract approach, Blair has generated paintings with an appealingly timeless, placeless quality, which makes them all the more alluring.
Castor & Pollux Modern Artwork, 2 - 25 May, 10.00am (5.30pm), free, fringe pp68.
tw rating 4/5
[eb]

Changes
NKSwallow Is Dead, Longlive The NewBreed
Its last show before moving on, this exhibition by the North Laine Photography Gallery brings together the best of Brighton photography past and present. Colour photos sit alongside their monochrome counterparts, brash graffiti-inspired images shout over quieter shots; yet this jumble of styles and subjects successfully reflects the variety of the city. Whilst it is the realism of some photos which makes them appealing, particularly interesting are the shots that transcend the everyday; look out for Petrusco's spooky shot of a nymph-like lady and child emerging from the sea onto the West Pier and flickr star Big Bambooly's other-worldly image of the carousel being packed up for the night. A successful final swan song to conclude NLP's time at this location.
North Laine Photography Gallery, 2 - 30 May, 10.15am - 5.45pm (Sundays 11.15am - 5.45pm), free, fringe pp68.
tw rating 3/5
[eb]

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MUSIC

SATURDAY AT THE GREAT ESCAPE
The final night and, citywide, this year's Great Escape was set to finish in style. With headliners including hype-mongers Bombay Bicycle Club and Little Boots, artsy favourite Patrick Wolf, eco-warriors British Sea Power and the mighty Kasabian, the selection was mouth-watering. My Great Escape had already taken in the musical delicacies of Spain, the Netherlands and Australia, but Japanese DJ De De Mouse was an essential dash of the orient. His electronic quirk transported the cluster of onlookers to downtown Tokyo. So much so, heading for some English rock'n'roll courtesy of Leeds finest Sky Larkin straight afterwards was a real culture shock, suddenly plunged, as I was, into thrashy Grates-esque pop with cutesy vocals. Hindered by technical problems, the band's perseverance was admirable and they gave a good show. As the hype began to build on and off stage for Honey headliners, Idlewild, Johnny Foreigner began an energetic set, only to storm off like eight year olds sent to their bedrooms when instructed to make a slightly earlier than expected exit. Time for a more mature injection of class into proceedings. For the sake of European's biggest new music festival, Idlewild showcased brand new material, which complimented a selection from their punky past; proving that exciting new sounds don't have to come courtesy of brand new bands. They were a fitting end to another glorious Great Escape. [cs]

Idlewild
Drowned In Sound
Idlewild are simultaneously the musical definition for 'under-rated' and 'misunderstood'. Both these things were suggested in conversations between crowd members, expressing concern that the sentimental Scots would make for an anti-climax after the adrenaline pumped support acts; little did they know, they were to be blown away. The band have achieved a rare thing in that they've never lost comprehension of what it means to be young, and their profound anthems still strike a chord after 14 long years. Their show was skewed towards reviving the storming punk songs that broke them onto the 90's rock scene; but for fans this didn't detract from a stunning showcase of what's still to come from the band. All doubt banished, Saturday's crowd left enlightened.
The Honey Club, 16 May, 9.45pm (10.30pm).
tw rating 5
[cs]

Sky Larkin
Drowned In Sound
According to Sky Larkin, their namesake is a bird which "boisterously frolics", and this seems to be the connection between bird and band. Gigging on the only night of the festival with a decent sunset, Leeds-based trio make music with attitude for hot summer days. The nearest thing to birdsong about the show is singer Katie's vocal that dances prettily over energetic guitar driven clamour. On the night they had technical problems, which was shame because it seemed to hinder their confidence a little, but they strove on regardless, and exultingly celebrated the end of their set by delegating the very last strum to a perplexed member of the audience. Watch out for Sky Larkin, because they look set to soar.
The Honey Club, 16 May, 8.00pm (8.30pm).
tw rating 4/5,
[cs]

Johnny Foreigner
Drowned In Sound
It's unfair to three-pieces with girls on bass and vocals to throw about Subways comparisons but, unfortunately for Johnny Foreigner, it was difficult to see past the similarity which seemed even to dictate the bassist choice in shorts. This said, aggressive indie music and screaming girl/boy vocals seem to go down well, and though the performance was not in the slightest original, the set pleased the capacity crowd. With more grit than the Subways, they lacked the atmosphere of the more established band, and embarrassingly made a bit of a scene when told they needed to finish up. This was music for a pubescent generation; it's just a shame for them that the Subways got there first.
The Honey Club, 16 May, 8.45pm (9.15pm).
tw rating 3/5,
[cs]

De De Mouse
Watching De De Mouse climb to the decks in Komedia's tiny studio bar at 7.15pm, you got the impression that the Japanese DJ was in unfamiliar territory. This was De De Mouse's first show in Britain, and though it was probably an odd one for a man accustomed to heaving Japanese nightclubs, it was a memorable premiere. "I make fucking sexy MUUSIC!!!" he screamed into the microphone to conservative British chortling. Refreshingly, the DJ was obviously besotted with his sexy Japanese pop songs and his sparkling electronica was like a musical version of the glitter ball shining from the ceiling. It didn't matter that De De Mouse's English was a little obscure because in this culture clash the music spoke for itself.
Komedia Studio Bar, 16 May, 7.15pm (7.45pm).
tw rating 4/5
[cs]

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Rainbow Chorus Presents Choral Propaganda
Rainbow Chorus
Rainbow Chorus promised an evening of Berlin cabaret, songs on gay rights, women's rights and from the world of 1930s socialism; a promise they kept and then some. Playing to an almost packed Old Market, they filled the beams with beautiful harmonies and historically charged words, whilst the conductor offered welcome historical insights into each propaganda song performed, giving us a deeper understanding of what we were hearing. The choir concluded the evening with a rousing rendition of Benjamin Britten's 'Advance Democracy' which left everyone in the audience moved to applause. The perfectly pitched performance was amazing and I enjoyed the history lesson, though I'm not sure it would have held everybody's interest.
The Old Market, 21 May, 7.45pm, £10.00 (£8.00), fringe pp42.
tw rating 3/5
[ojjp]

Holmbush Records Launch
Holmbush Records
Holmbush created the warm friendly atmosphere of a village fete at their launch night; whack-a-rat, maypoles, and cup-cakes, with the acts having that appearance of light-heartedness that comes when it's all a little bit home made. Poppy Perezz was like a slightly kookier, less broad ranging Kate Bush, and was followed by the lo-fi sounds of Bogumila, who had some nice hooks but were a bit too ramshackle to bring it together. Fortunately, Glen Belt, up next, created some nice folksy tunes, and were the highlight of the night. Elmo Calkins headlined, and again, they had some interesting ideas but were a bit let down by a lack of strength in the vocals. Holmbush managed to create a fun atmosphere that only a warm community of friends could, but the music failed to really excite as much as the whack-a-rat did.
The Brunswick, 21, 26 May, 7.30pm (11.00pm), £4.00, fringe pp40.
tw rating 3/5
[sm]

From Dowland To Rammstein
Cannibale Vocale
Hey Gang! How about I race you to the church? I hear there's an a capella group on who do renditions of songs by Billy Joel! Oh...you've all moved onto the next review. I must admit, beholding a sixteen piece vocal group's soaring articulated tapestry is initially stunning but then a realisation started to creep up on me; though, technically, they handle their traditional numbers with admirable precision, though not a fractured or strangled note's detected, though they putter on placidly in utter perfection ... it's no substitute for emoting. I was left unmoved. As for their repertoire of Billy Joel covers... a capella versions of pop songs have the same effect, on those who sing them, as crack. They're addicted, it's unhealthy and we should not fund their habits.
Fletch@St Andrews, 21 - 22 May, 5.30pm (6.30pm), £7.00 (£6.00), fringe pp40.
tw rating 2/5
[jk]

Schubert Song Recital
Brighton Festival/Ian Bostridge/Andrew Kennedy
Whenever a last minute cancellation occurs, one can't help but feeling apprehensive about the substitute act. However Andrew Kennedy managed to fill the role of a strong, expressive tenor with great ease and aptitude. With his permeating, Germanic lyrics combined with the eloquent and fluent melodies of piano, Kennedy and Roger Vignoles' interpretation of Schubert seemed to demonstrate beautifully what the great master intended. Despite one being a novice in the history of Schubert, and the obvious language barrier, Kennedy portrayed the lover's story through emotive facial expressions, appropriate to the movement. From the pianoforte, to the rich bass of both piano and tenor, this duo successfully permeated the vast venue with elements of operatic force.
Corn Exchange, 21 May, 8.00pm, £15.00 - £20.00, festival pp43.
tw rating 4/5
[ag]

June Tabor
Brighton Festival
June Tabor is a storyteller as well as a very talented singer. Before every song, she gives a bit of its history and character before filling its contours with her full-bodied voice - as worn and rich as mahogany. Her mesmerising performance reveals her passion for music and delves deep into the roots of folk dance and mediaeval song. Accompanied by the double bass, violin, piano and accordion she explores how, as far back as 1651, music is something no one can take away from you; it is a form of rebellion and something you can pass on through generations. Achingly beautiful tunes can survive for a thousand years. In today's disposable world, it is important to remember why this matters.
Corn Exchange, 20 May, 8.00pm, £16.50, festival pp41
tw rating 3/5
[st]

The Astraeus Ensemble
Music at St Michael's
A fine evening of an assortment of pieces on piano and wind instruments that beautifully resonated around the spectacular interior of St. Michael's Church. Stephen Carroll Turner introduced the proceedings with the promise of "something old, new, borrowed and blue", and he delivered on all but the blue. The Ensemble began with something borrowed, an arrangement of Mozart's 'Quintet In G Minor K478' for piano, and wind, bringing out new interesting elements in the well-known piece. Next was 'New', Folio IV, eight short movements on Piano and Horn, written by Nicholas Sackman, the father of the horn player Matthew Sackman. An interesting study in the relationship between soloist and accompaniment. A good evening of musicianship with a well selected programme.
St Michael & All Angels Church, 20 May, 7.30pm (9.30pm), £8.00 (£6.00).
tw rating 3/5
[sm]

Jacquemo 'Live'
Jacquemo
They just didn't think this one through. Beginning his set approximately an hour and a half late, despite playing half his set as a sound check whilst the doors were closed, ex-Los Albertos member Nic Tribe tromped onstage Saturday night at the Brunswick to greet what seemed to be an audience of only close friends and relatives under the guise of 'Jacquemo'. Still, the sound check didn't help the poor sound quality, as Jacquemo struggled with the naked sound; neither did the juvenile lyrics help the sound of the purported ska/surf band, mismatched with an unlikely string section. Superfluous backing singers clearly making mistakes, video-game quality synthesizer accompanying the music, even repeating a song as an encore, the only reason this performance is a two out of five is to award the talented violinist a star of her own.
Brunswick, 16 May, 8.00pm (11.00pm), £6.00, fringe pp40.
tw rating 2/5
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We-Bop's A-Capella Celebration
We Bop Choir
Regardless of last Monday evening's degree of success, certain merit must go to the We-Bop choir for accomplishing an unlikely feat: fitting a forty-strong choir into the small music lounge at the Brunswick. A degree of extra credit must be extended to the all-female ensemble for playing a diverse, powerful set in the rather dim atmosphere of the aforementioned lounge. Finally, even a little more credit must be awarded to the We-Bop choir for maintaining the energy in the room whilst playing somewhat antiquated jazz standards. But no further credit can be given, because this over-long set in a too-small venue ultimately created a rather claustrophobic atmosphere. Despite an energetic opening, the set tended to die off toward the last moments, leaving the audience members slightly bored. Still, a lovely evening for choristers.
The Brunswick, 18 May, 8.00pm (11.00pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fringe pp45.
tw rating 3/5
[cp]

The Genius Of Johnny Mercer
Todd Gordon & His Musicians
Despite an unjustly poor turnout, tonight's interpretation of the songs of Mercer was a blissful and moving experience. Beautifully accompanied by the bare bones of a jazz band, a simple piano and double bass, kindly-faced Gordon purred his way through the composer's catalogue, including his most obvious hit, 'Moon River'. I was, however, surprised by the number of other songs I recognised, despite not being too familiar with Mercer's name, many having been made famous by other artists such as Scott Walker or the great Frank Sinatra. Gordon's performance itself was respectful and restrained, his reverence for his subject plain to see, resulting in an honest, touching and faintly melancholic tribute to one of America's oft-forgotten songsmiths.
Komedia Studio, 21 - 23 May, 8.20pm (9.35pm), £12.00 (£10.00), fringe pp43.
tw rating 4/5
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A Night Of Folk & Blues
Lyrically Speaking
Descending down the tiny staircase to the basement of The Bee's Mouth was like climbing down to a dungeon, and although the venue at the bottom was not so sinister it definitely felt like something from a fairytale; with tiny lights, little benches, and confetti sprinkled like magic dust, Donna Fullman had created a grotto for her enchanting fairy-folk. Before her headlining set, came the finest pickings from her musical acquaintances; Lee Westwood's cascading acoustic guitar tunes, Nick Barrel's refreshingly upbeat blues and tracks from humble Swedish pop outfit, Happy Street. The gig proved more popular than the pokey room could allow for, which meant competition for seats got a bit fraught in-between sets. But when the performers took to the stage, their magical melodies were hypnotising.
The Bee's Mouth Bar and Gallery, 3 May, 8.15pm (11.40pm), free, fringe pp37.
tw rating 4/5
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Marcina and The Love Rats
The Brunswick
After a windswept, brisk walk to the Brunswick, it was going to take more than an alcoholic beverage to warm the cockles; thankfully Marcina and her band The Love Rats managed to do exactly that. With support from Bunty, who layered her smooth-like-honey voice and occasional beatboxing, it all came together in an evening of vocal and instrumental delights. Marcina's rich voice drifted over the accompaniment of bass, piano, drums and bongo's, combining to create an unusual samba/folk/blues sound, and, as friends danced and drank, this was an evening that epitomised bohemian Brighton.
The Brunswick, 17 May, 8-11pm, £10, fringe pp 41.
tw 4/5
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THEATRE

John Moran... And His Neighbour Saouri
Aurora Nova Productions
An intimate performance by an avante garde duo. I was stunned by Saouri's precision as she mimed to a recording of her own speech, sometimes accompanied by Bach, played by Moran on a pretend record-player, sometimes by Moran's own musical accompaniment, and sometimes simply by his familial commentary. The act was personal, energetic and thought-provoking, yet at times seemed to pour scorn over all these interpretations and even on the notion of interpretation itself. Boundaries were blurred, recordings morphed into nonsense, and anecdotes that seconds ago had been captivating the audience were suddenly revealed to be entirely arbitrary. But this was precisely the genius of the piece, this constant inversion of expectation.
The Nightingale Theatre, 18 - 19 May, 7.00pm, £8.50 (£6.50), fringe pp54.
tw rating 4/5
[mh]

The First Domino
Brighton Theatre
Jonathan Cash has written an absorbing play, charged with emotional intensity, inspired by his own experience in the Soho pub bombing which happened in London ten years ago. The intimate venue brings extra edge to a story revolving around the interviews between a convicted bomber Cartland and his prison doctor, which increase in tension as the play progresses. The Dr Johnson character sometimes feels a little underdeveloped, reflecting Cash's mistake in sacrificing the depth of one character to heighten the disturbingly likeable nature of Cartland, who gets most of the best lines. However, any weak characterisation is overshadowed by Cash's plotting and the powerfully haunting denouement, confirming Cash's ability to write truly gripping and perceptive drama.
Latest Music Bar, 19 - 23 May, 7.00pm (8.20pm), £10.00 (£8.00).
tw rating 4/5
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Othello
SUDS Theatre Company
If you are looking for a wonderfully exciting slice of Shakespeare with an imaginative twist, look no further. SUDS Theatre Company offer a contemporary take on one of Shakespeare's most presently relevant plays with this fast paced production of the popular classic, Othello. The subjects of racism, love, jealousy and betrayal are delicately approached and with the airy church as its venue, the piece contrasts innocence and villainy in a clever and creative way. A tremendously talented cast includes a flawless depiction of the ill-famed Iago and a heart warming portrayal of Desdemona, making the performance a tasty treat for any thespian. A winning and exciting production.
Brighton Unitarian Church, 18 - 22 May, 6.00pm (8.00pm), £6.00 (£5.00), fringe pp59.
tw rating 4/5
[jtp]

Jewish Chronicles
Daniel Cainer
'Jewish Chronicles' is a literal title: this is Daniel Cainer's personal journey back to Jewishness, in comic songs about his family and the Jewish community. Frank without controversy, personal without confrontation, Cainer has impressive vocal, musical and emotional range. He's warm, open, intimate, funny, as well as timely, exploring Jewishness in a turbulent 21st century. The songs are light but each is deeply felt; it's not on-stage therapy or cheap laughs at religion and culture, just sharing without judgement what he has found while exploring his roots. The rousing finale during which Cainer seems to finally reach his full confidence and richest voice is a gentle reminder that comedy need not be cruel, and cultural exploration can have good tunes.
Ralli Hall Community Centre, 17 May, 7.30pm (8.45pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fringe pp51.
tw rating 3/5
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Heroes
Littlest Pirate Productions
'Heroes' is a spirited tale of courage and strength, about standing up and fighting for what you really believe in, benefiting from an astute and interesting plot that gradually weaves in subtle touches of humour. The show channels the spirit of the Ealing comedies, and the film montage on the back wall works beautifully as it plays relevant clips throughout the piece. The two starring actors, meanwhile, pull off a charming performance, playing a variety of roles confidently, and employing smooth and natural changes. Overall, this was a likeable piece, and an ironic play that leaves you thinking that there's a hero in every one of us.
Hive@ The Brunswick, 18 - 23 May, 7.45pm, £8.00 (£6.00), fringe pp51.
tw rating 3/5
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An Evening With Gerry McCrudden
Gerry McCrudden and Friends
Camp and eloquent, Belfast-born Gerry McCrudden has certainly had a life worthy of a musical. From the Vietnam War to a night out with Liza Minelli, Gerry's show is powered by his skill as a raconteur, as he tells anecdotes drawn from his life as a British diplomat, juxtaposed with a bizarre selection of songs; one minute it's 'Danny Boy', the next a medley from the 'Phantom Of The Opera' - grandiloquently performed by some of his friends. It is very easy for a show like this to fall into Alan Partridge territory (and thanks to a microphone incident it almost does), but Gerry's natural charisma makes what could be considered to be very intimate stories appealing to anyone willing to listen.
Fletch's @ St Andrews, 18 May, 6.00pm (7.00am), £5.00, fringe pp48.
tw rating 3/5
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Washed
MetalMouth Theatre
One young actress performing an hour long monologue on stage demonstrates an impressive feat of memory, if nothing else. However, there is much more to be impressed by in 'Washed'; Alex Critoph plays George, a Brighton teenager, deftly switching between personae to represent all the people in her life. These characters very occasionally become confused, but when it works (as it mostly does) they are funny and effective, their foibles and idiosyncrasies highlighted by lightning shifts in tone and body language by the lone performer. Topical and naturalistic, playing out like a real window on one girl's life, this contains some real laughs and real heart-break. There are a few
embarrassing and overly sentimental notes, but I guess that's only natural in a play narrated by a teenager.
Upstairs at Three and Ten, 19 - 20 May, 6.30pm (7.30pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fringe pp59.
tw rating 3/5
[xm]

Mothers Uncovered - The Naked Truth
Livestock
This is a show which expresses the paradoxes and dichotomies of being a mother, and is a further stage in Livestock's ongoing creative project on motherhood. It's a staging of four interlocking monologues inspired by real interviews, and they certainly achieve a high degree of naturalism and believability, managing to be both touching and funny, with the character of Lisa - played by the show's creator Maggie Gordon-Walker - as the stand out performance. Encompassing breast feeding and frustration, love and fear, mothers and men, dreams and A&E visits, 'Mothers Uncovered' is perhaps somewhat irrelevant to the childless but is perfectly pitched at its target audience, as attested by the laughter of recognition and various whispers of "I know exactly what she means" floating around the venue.
Brighton Media Centre Studio, 21, 23 May, times vary, £8.00 (£5.00), fringe pp52.
tw rating 4/5
[xm]

Terry Arkwright, The Man Behind The Mask - An Evening With A Masked Avenger
Les Hull with Vanguard Productions
Terry Arkwright aka 'Dark Helmet', a redundant builder's labourer and failed superhero tells the amusing tale of his life. Endearing, if a little bizarre, this short one man show tells the story of a down-trodden fifty-something who has missed out on life's potential: he sees talentless youths winning fame and fortune, and wants in, so he comes up with a hair-brained scheme to front himself as a mystery masked avenger, keeping the streets of Brighton safe. The actor's charm as a story teller shone through, and the audience certainly warmed to him as he acted out the characters in Terry's life in a simple and plain-spoken way, whilst a sense of fun was maintained with the entertaining gap between Terry's great aspirations and his dull domestic reality. However, the performance was also often stilted and awkward, grasping at laughs that didn't materialise. All in all, it seems as though Terry could have one more failure to add to his list.
The Nightingale Theatre, 21 May, 7.00pm (8.00pm), £8.50 (£6.50), fringe pp56.
tw rating 2/5
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Leatherface
Verano Theatre Company
What would you do, if you'd come home and found your boyfriend dressed up like Leatherface from the film 'Chainsaw Massacre', admitting he blew your savings on a chainsaw, which evidently means more to him than a gardening tool should? You'd probably run. 'She' stays, without giving us any convincing reason why. Audience empathy is lost from the get-go and never regained as the two characters and their relationship remain unbelievable throughout. Strange, because Sarah Brand and Jim Townsend are clearly talented actors and the play, based on an interesting 'true-story' premise, has some great lines. But - whether it was due to lack of chemistry and character-depth or, going the other way, surreality not heightened enough - something was definitely amiss here.
Hive@ The Brunswick, 21 - 23 May, 6.00pm (7.00pm), £8.00 (£6.00), fringe pp51.
tw rating 2/5
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ThreeWeeks in Brighton Review team 2009: Clare Salisbury, Elaine Bennett, Fran Wrigley, Geoffrey Garner, Georgie Cooke, Hayley Leaver, Jadie Troy-Pryde, Joseph Kenny, Kalim Graham-Patel, Laurence Owen, Maura Hamer, Oliver Pothecary, Rebecca Loxton, Sean McWeeney, Adam Kammerling, Adam Strandt, Alicia Grimes, Cam Chiappe, Chris Davis, Clearhos Papanicolaou, Hannah Guinness, Hannah Laycock, Niamh de Valera, Nicola MacEvilly, Oliver Nieburg, Rose Dykins, Ruth Hargreaves, Sophie Tanner, Yemisi Cookey, Clare Younger, Jasmine Phillips, Karl Berridge, Antje Papenburg, Georgie Lindsay-Watson, Hazel Tsoi-Wiles, John Morrison, Sandra Townsend, Natalie Laurence, Rebecca Turton, Xenia Macaulay.