Journal Live - Journal Culture Central

Derren Brown, Newcastle Theatre Royal, until Wednesday

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:06:59 +0000

Karen Wilson is baffled and mesmerised in equal measure by Derren Brown's latest live show.

HE'S courted controversy by playing Russian Roulette on live TV, coerced his hypnotees into robbing a security van and bundled a tethered but willing young lady into a sack before throwing her in a river.

All were mesmerising stunts, but it's Derren Brown's pared down live show - just him, a few simple props and an eager audience - that really showcase his formidable talent.
Sporting his trademark goatee and black suit (switching to Victorian garb in the second half), he could even have a career as a stand up comedian.

Thomas Hall reviews Northern Sinfonia at The Sage Gateshead

Thu, 28 May 2009 14:24:33 +0000

MARIO Venzago has been an occasional and always welcome guest conductor to the Northern Sinfonia for quite some years, his programmes always an interesting blend and his relationship with the orchestra clearly a happy one - he is scheduled to open the 2009-2010 season.

It takes a close rapport to make such a success of a piece like Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, the slow tranquil fugue of the opening unfolding and interweaving with great clarity and the later adagio a mysterious, ghostly sound-scape.

Beyonce, I Am...Tour, Metro Radio Arena

Sat, 23 May 2009 12:23:25 +0000

Beyonce, Sasha Fierce, Queen B - whatever name you choose to call her, one thing's for sure: that girl certainly knows how to put on a show. In fact from the moment she stepped out on stage at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena last night, she had the sell-out crowd enraptured.

Basement Jaxx, supported by Master Shortie, O2 Academy

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:40:30 +0000

Basement Jaxx and Master Shortie impress Ramsay Cudlipp

The dancing gorillas topped it off.

As Basement Jaxx launched into a storming version of Where's Your Head At? during the finale at their O2 Academy gig on Monday, dancers in monkey suits bounded onto the stage and sent the crowd into fever pitch.

It was a high-octane performance from the masters of house music and the packed arena hummed with the heavy basslines from well-known hits like Bingo Bango and Oh My Gosh.

Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather at Gala Theatre, Durham, until April 25

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:59:27 +0000

Owen Marriott reviews Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood's new comedy

MIRED IN the misery of the current season North East football fans could easily forget that they once boasted the best team in the world.

In this play, we are reminded how, almost 100 years ago to the day, one of the region's lesser known clubs - West Auckland FC - became the first team to win the World Cup.

Loosely based on the true story, it follows the team of ordinary mining men, in their journey from the pits of County Durham to glorious victory in an international competition in Italy.

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain at The Sage Gateshead

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:54:27 +0000

Thomas Hall's reviews of the first of many collaborative concerts between the National Youth Orchestra and The Sage Gateshead

The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain looked perfectly at home in its new venue as 161 young musicians, aged 13 to19, gave the first concert of a recently formed five-year partnership with The Sage Gateshead.

The orchestra prepared its dance-themed programme with two weeks of intensive rehearsals at Durham University - a luxury time-scale professional players can only dream of.

But given the demands of the music and the standard achieved, you can see where the time went.

Imogen Cooper, The Sage Gateshead

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:33:13 +0000

Thomas Hall takes in an evening with a pianist always welcome in the North East

A regular visitor to the North-East, Imogen Cooper was here to play one of the pianos she helped select for The Sage Gateshead in a generously long all-Schubert recital, prefaced by a spoken programme note.

She told of how Schubert was perpetually poor, unlucky in love, frequently moved house in search of the peace and quiet he needed to write his music and broke up the hours of solitary work in drinking sessions with friends.

Jolson and Co, The Musical, Newcastle Theatre Royal, until Saturday

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:51:21 +0000

Miranda Prynne takes in Al Jolson & Co to see if it lives up to its namesake.

Al Jolson was often heralded as the world's greatest performer.

At his funeral in 1950 George Jessel, a fellow entertainer, proclaimed: "The King is dead. Long live the King!"

And live on he does in Jolson and Co.

The Prodigy, Metro Radio Arena

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:16:36 +0000

Mark Smith enjoys the Arena's transformation into Prodigy Central

They're back - and back with an almighty bang.

It is so easy to forget that The Prodigy have remained at the top of their game for so long.

They have rampaged the rave scene, hammered the hardcore and battered the breakbeat in a career spanning two decades, and their latest stadium tour shows no sign of the three-piece letting up.

Stand 'n' Tan, The Customs House

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:34:51 +0000

Emily Taylor basks in another (but this time rather more glowing) all-women offering from Open Clasp Theatre Company.

No stranger to packed houses, Open Clasp Theatre Company entertained another full auditorium at The Customs House in South Shields with its latest offering - Stand 'n' Tan.

The North East's only professional women's theatre company is now well established in the region and delights with high energy, usually side-splitting performances.

And Stand 'n' Tan is no exception.

Fiddler on the Roof, Gala Theatre Durham

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:34:51 +0000

Paddy Wells goes back to Tsarist Russia with Durham Musical Theatre Company's production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Young and old descended on the Gala Theatre in Durham last night as Fiddler on the Roof opened spectacularly to a full house.

This long-awaited production is the latest effort by the highly acclaimed Durham Musical Theatre Company, an amateur group celebrating its centenary this year.

The thrilled audience was swept back to the world of Tsarist Russia in 1905, where Tevye, an impoverished milkman, is struggling to preserve the values of his traditional Jewish community.

Lionel Richie, Metro Radio Arena

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:22:25 +0000

Sam Wonfor reckons our Love for Lionel is Truly Endless. Still.

Writing a review of a Lionel Richie concert is akin to falling headfirst into a pun-filled saucepan. With no obvious way out.

Taking inspiration from the common sense way to remove an Elastoplast I've decided the best way to deal with the situation is to simply get them all over with as quickly and succinctly as possible.

Ah-hem.

Gavin Webster, Live Theatre, Newcastle

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:22:25 +0000

Sam Wonfor provides her take on night two of Gavin Webster's three-night stand at Live

When I spoke to Gavin Webster last week about his then upcoming three-night residency at Live Theatre, he was at pains to point out that he wanted all, sundry and sundry's best mate to feel welcome.

Comedy snobbery of any kind was not going to be order of the evening here.

And so it was that we had retired pensioners from Jesmond (big up to Harold and Anne) sitting alongside Viz founder Simon Donald, while a cluster of lager-swilling students were happily giggling away alongside some middle-aged ladies on a girls night out.

Single review: Emma Deigman's It Was You

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:38:49 +0000

Nicolle Thompson checks out Emma Deigman's short-playing debut

The first thing that stuck me hearing this track was Emma's voice.

She has a good voice.

Now this is not a flippant remark meaning her voice is acceptable, it really is good, and considering some of the pop acts around at the moment, this in itself makes her stand out.

The track is soulful yet still makes good pop.

It has depth but is still light enough so as not to feel incompatible with her relative youth.

It Was You is a great song to showcase her talent both as a singer and as a songwriter.

Gateshead International Jazz Festival: part one

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:51:28 +0000

Paul Loraine and Christos Worsley offer their take on some of the jazz-soaked proceedings so far at The Sage Gateshead.

Well if Lionel Loueke set the standard, this will be a festival to remember.

The guitarist and his trio graced Hall Two at The Sage on Friday with a performance worthy of a headline slot in the larger Hall One.

Not that I'm complaining. The more intimate venue was packed and there was a buzz of excitement about the presence of one of the brightest young talents in jazz.