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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Evening Standard rating
Reader rating
It was proof of the power of radio. A desperate Roger Daltrey, spokesperson for the Teenage Cancer Trust, announced on Radio 5 Live that the mid-week slot of the charity gig‑fest was empty. So sandwiched between Antony and the Johnsons and Stereophonics the Albert Hall would be dark.
DJ Simon Mayo challenged his listeners to come up with a band who might be free. And faster than you could say real ale, Fairport Convention were contenders. The archetypal folk-rock band headlined the show, which was a night of folk with strong supporting musicians, all of whom played for free.
Eliza Carthy, taking the stage after feeding her baby in her first gig as a mother, played a fabulous comeback set fizzing with energy and high spirits. With a husky black velvet voice she cast a vocal spell and mixed it with her fiddle and cranky Tom Waits-style band. Her last song, a witty satire on car-crazy Britain, had the energy of an encore.
Kate Rusby reworked some songs from her first album Hourglass with sweet effect, backed by a 10-piece string ensemble. And Seth Lakeman delivered his punchy tight acoustic rocking folk with usual verve.
Fairport themselves revelled in being in the Albert Hall and two glories of their past, Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson, were celebrated in a stirring rendition of Who Knows Where the Time Goes? with guest vocalist Kellie While and a fine encore of the Thompson-penned Meet on the Ledge, Lakeman joining them in a liberated chorus of song. It was emotional, free and committed folk.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
What a fantastic night! What I don't understand though is why there is no mention in the article about the great Reg Meuross! I, for one, was moved to tears by his performance of his song 'Jesus Wept' and I wasn't the only one! What a truly great singer/songwriter! I was expecting a ton of reviews purely about Reg Meuross but he hasn't even been mentioned??! Hope we hear a lot more of him in the future!
- Samantha Harris, Sidmouth
