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Articles by Steve Timms
The Talented Mr Ripley: Review
It’s debatable whether the world needs another Tom Ripley adaptation. The part of the amoral, art loving con man and psychopath has been played by several respected actors including Alain Delon (Plein Soleil), Dennis Hopper (The American Friend), Matt Damon (The Talented Mr Ripley), and John Malkovich (Ripley’s Game). There was a BBC radio series with Ian Hart, and more recently Andrew Scott played Ripley in a Netflix series.
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein the Musical: Rewiew
In a cine literate world, critics happily acknowledge the combined effort that goes into film production, from the contributions of the director, writer, and set designer, right down to the grips, stunt men and dolly operator. Even caterer Madge, who hands out bacon butties at lunchtime, gets a mention somewhere. What of casting directors? They remain cinema’s unsung heroes. Casting directors usually see hundreds of performers before deciding upon who is right for which role.
Ideal: Starring Johnny Vegas - Review
The 90’s and noughties was a golden age for television comedy. Looking back, it’s hard to believe Father Ted, The Day Today, Knowing Me Knowing You, Big Train, The Fast Show, League of Gentlemen, Smack the Pony, The Mighty Boosh, Brass Eye, and The Office, all came one after another.
Boys from the Blackstuff: Review
Gizza Job. Welcome to the gig economy. The game may have changed but the rules of a capitalist society remain the same: for the powerful to thrive, the working class must be oppressed. Zero hours contracts usually involve working for companies who contribute no tax, give obscene bonuses to their mollycoddled CEO’s, and then pay their employees the bare miserable minimum. It’s all about survival.
Spend Spend Spend: Review
The Smiths remain one of Manchester’s most beloved bands. The musical alliance between Morrissey and Marr gifted the world a catalogue of melodic pop songs with lyrics which spoke to those on the margins of life: the lonely, depressed and heartbroken. The band’s iconic image was cemented by their innovative use of packaging: every record sleeve featured a carefully chosen ‘cover star’: people like Terence Stamp, Richard Bradford, Truman Capote, Shelagh Delaney and Pat Phoenix to name a few.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Review
Everybody loves an underdog success, and they don’t come much bigger than cross dressing musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Loosely inspired by the life of Jamie Campbell (subject of a BBC documentary, still on the I-Player), this fast paced musical struck an instant audience nerve when it premiered at the Sheffield Cucible in 2017. The show only ran for a few weeks, with West End producer Nica Burns catching it on the final matinee.
The RSC's Julius Caesar: Review
It was 11-years-ago when I last saw the RSC perform Julius Caesar at The Lowry. What changes the world has seen since then! In this new production, Atri Banerjee brings us a very different production for a very different time. Yet Shakespeareās play, that has captured imaginations with its universal themes of political tyranny, backstabbing, and bloodshed for more than 400 years, still holds the power to reflect those aspects of human nature that time doesnāt alter.
Vardy V Rooney, The Wagatha Christie Trial:
The football metaphor was just too good to pass over, I suppose. And so it goes with Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial. As we enter the plush auditorium of The Lowry the crowing chants of a Saturday afternoon crowd can be heard pulsing from the speakers. Curtain up (or should that be kick-off?) and onto the stage arrive two match commentators who, if this was a tragedy, would be the perfect stand-in for a Greek chorus.
The Way Old Friends Do: Review
When the tour of new comedy The Way Old Friends Do opened in February, no-one could have imagined the next month we’d be saying goodbye to Paul O’Grady. On hearing his distinctive Scouse voice open the show audiences would probably laugh before any cast take to the stage. But tonight, at The Lowry’s Quays Theatre, there is a collective sigh of sadness in the auditorium. Not the best start for a comedy you might think.
REVIEW: No Pay? No Way at the Royal Exchange Manchester
Alongside musicals and thrillers, farce remains one of the great mainstays of commercial British theatre. Why? The 1950âs Whitehall farces largely set the mould, wherein misunderstanding always trumped character and believability. And itâs a formula which continues to find favour today, in the massively popular Ray Cooney. Check out these titles: Chase Me Comrade! Bang Bang Beirut, Whereâs My Gimp Mask, Vicar? (okay, the last one is made up).
REVIEW: Of All The Beautiful Things in the World at Home, Manchester
Questions concerning who should be permitted to write about certain topics and, more pointedly, which actors should be allowed to play certain roles have become increasingly vexed in recent times. I donât wish to poke my finger into wounds that are already deep and tender, but it does strike me that, underneath these disputes, lie quite profound matters regarding the purpose of drama. Other than serving as a modern âopiate of the peopleâ, what might drama be for?
Review: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Royal Exchange Manchester
Structurally, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof has more than its fair share of problems. As Gore Vidal perceptively noted, the first act should not work: it is long and drawn out and relies heavily on exposition. And at more than three hours long, the play requires a show of stamina from the audience. But in this production at the Royal Exchange by Roy Alexander Weise, time is not an issue.
REVIEW: New musical retells a story that sparked a revolution.
Move over Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour and the rest of Henry‚Äôs wives ‚Äď there‚Äôs a new queen in town. Cake: the Marie Antoinette Playlist gives the notorious French queen the Six treatment in this gig musical that fuses pop, rap, contemporary ballet, rave and hip-hop.
REVIEW: Beginning with Erin Shanagher and Gerard Kearns
At first glance, David Eldridgeās Beginning seems like it would be more suited to an intimate studio theatre than the expansive, in-the-round main stage at the Royal Exchange ā a space that has previously played host to revolving catwalks (Persuasion), torrential rain (The Crucible) and mineable layers of coal (Husbands and Sons). Eldridgeās two-hander may seem simple and unassuming by comparison, but thereās much more to this production than first meets the eye.
Spring and Port Wine with Les Dennis: Review
Of the two generations represented in Bill Naughtonâs Spring and Port Wine, the older one (the parents) have departed this world and even their children will now be in their eighties. So, much as Boltonians love their adopted son (Naughton moved to the town aged 4, from County Mayo in Ireland), any revival of his work begs the question – does this tale of a domineering father, his devoted wife, and their four adult children, have anything to say to a contemporary audience?
Review - Quays Life
Crowded Room’s Edith reconstructs the 1922 trial of Edith Thompson, one of the last women to be executed in the UK. Directed by Madelaine Moore, written by Harriet Madeley and developed with women at HMP Styal, this production uses court transcripts from the trial to expose the bias that condemned Edith for the murder of her husband.
Wasteland - Gary Clarke Company: Review
I often find it difficult to take dramas about miners seriously; mostly because of the famed Monty Python parody featuring the son who comes home from Barnsley to visit his London family: an inspired juxtaposition, given the former is now a coal miner, whilst his resentful father is a famous playwright. āCoal mining is a wonderful thing father, but its something youāll never understand!’ Perhaps thatās true of many of us not born into a coal mining culture.
REVIEW: Friendsical with Louise Redknapp - parody musical about Friends
When you stop and think about it, itâs incredible that a musical parody based on a US television series which finished airing over 18 years ago is touring the UK, and that people are paying to go and see it. Such is the cultural phenomenon of Friends, which lives on not just on Netflix, but in the hearts and minds of all those who followed the gang devotedly through the 90s and 00s.
Freedom to Roam: The Rhythms of Migration - Review – Quays Life
On the day Putin’s Russian troops invade Ukraine it feels more important than ever to contemplate both the joy and the fragility of our freedom to roam. Freedom to Roam: The Rhythms of Migration, an evening of music and film, arrives at Manchester’s Stoller Hall as part of a tour, providing a space that sparks both an appreciation of our planet and a motivation to protect it. Freedom To Roam: The Rhythms of Migration at The Stoller Hall.
Green and Gold Rugby
After a thumping from the Tahs last week, and the fact they were in front of their home crowd for the first time this season, the Reds were keen to put on a show. The Reds came out firing, after a lovely clearance kick from Mike Harris the Reds pulled a cracking set piece move from the line out the Reds were in with Chris Feauai-Sautia putting it down on the end. In the Process Ryno Benjamin used his foot in an attempt to stop the try and earned a yellow for his efforts.
Reds Award night and QRU Hall of Fame
Let me set the scene a little… There was plenty of glitz and glamour (and that was just me) as Queensland rugby came together to celebrate the season, farewell Ewen McKenzie and announce the inaugural QRU Hall of Fame inductees.
REVIEW: Reds v Cheetahs - Reds lose their luggage
The Reds came into this match knowing it was all for them to do after their brothers from below the Tweed, the Waratahs, had given them the leg up they needed by putting away conference leaders, the Brumbies. The Match The Reds came out on full attack and it appeared to pay dividends, with Rod Davies winning a foot race to put the ball down for the opening try. Craig Joubert was not sure and sent it upstairs.
Podslam 97: Capitulation
On this episode of the Podslam, Scott Allen and I get the pleasure of chatting with Laurie Fisher. We look at the Brumbies’ season so far and take a peek at this week’s mouthwatering clash with the Reds. After saying goodbye to Laurie, we are joined by Hugh Cavill to review the games from last weekend and I put my tips in live.
Podslam 94: Chronological with Ed O'Donoghue
Steve Timms and Scott Allen explore the craic with Ed O’Donoghue. They discuss his part-time gig as Mr Whippy as well as how he’s enjoying his second stint at the Reds (plus some other stuff). Then they take a look at the Australian conference Super matches and go over this week’s issues in Australian rugby. nb. There were some technical issues with the sound; hopefully the problem doesn’t distract too much.
REVIEW: Reds v. Force
Brisbane turned on a scorcher for the Reds’ match against grudge team the Force. These games are interesting because though the Reds have won more, the Force have a better overall for and against. It seems if the Force get going, they get the job done. That said, the Force have never before managed a win here. The Match The match ebbed and flowed for the first quarter as the teams traded penalties and the ref worked on getting the breakdown to the standard required.
Reds v Hurricanes
The Queensland Reds gave us our first opportunity to see an Aussie side take on a Kiwi one, when they faced their NZ Bogey team the Hurricanes at fortress Suncorp. The Match The teams traded penalty shots as they felt each other and the ref out, Quade Cooper proving he was accurate enough to cover the boot of Mike Harris who was riding the pine. The Reds were obviously working to avoid giving the Hurricanes any ball at all, so much so that the stats had the Reds at 100% possession 9 minutes in.
CHARLEMAGNE with Laurie Fisher
After only one pre-season hit-out we hit week 1 with a brutal power game that belies our usual lack of prep. Matt and Scott join me for a chat with Laurie Fisher after the Brumbies’ great start to the season, before we get down to a preview of the coming weekend’s matches. We even get to learn a little about the patented Scott Allen Tipping System™. Great chat with the lads at Green and Gold Rugby tonight. Top website for candid and current rugby information and opinion.
REVIEW: England v. Australia - Wallabies Pump Poms to Put Parisian Pasting in Past
All the heat was on the Wallabies leading into this Test, with most assuming the English team just had to show up to beat them. Apparently the English team thought the same. Would the Australians’ butter-out-on-the-bench-all-day-strength pack hold out against England’s traditional forte? Would their less-than-impressive try-scoring record hold out? If the English strip wasn’t bad enough, the anthems sealed the deal: this wasn’t looking rosy, or cerise as it may be, for the Poms.
VIDEO & PREVIEW: Code Red Part 4 - The People
Code Red draws to a close for this season. And I’m glad they cut the series to four episodes. After the in-depth week with the Reds last week, this episode takes a slightly different tack. It’s focussed on the players — who they are and what makes them tick. We get to see a glimpse of them off-field as well as a brief look at the thinking behind the Ballymore upgrade.
Code Red Episode 2
I hope everyone enjoyed last week’s episode. The look back at what has been achieved at Ballymore was good. Some of the growth figures really put it into perspective how far the QRU has come as an organisation. Opening with a great scene in which a young boy prepares for a kick in the park, he gets his boots on, picks up a marker and draws some tattoos on his arm, chucks a well-oversize Reds jersey on and heads to the park to take matador-style kicks at goal.
Bledisloe 3
You know those occasions where there is something unfolding before your eyes, and though common sense tells you you are about to see something you wont be able to un-see, you CANT look away? Yeah, well that was the feeling as I walked into Suncorp for the third and final Bledisloe cup for 2012. Sure, there was no silverware on offer, but as we were reminded by the speakers at the Reds Bledisloe lunch yesterday, there is no such thing as a nothing test against the All Blacks.
Podslam 81 - Game for Thick Players
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PODSLAM 80 - rofl. With SANZAR CEO Greg Peters
Matt presents us with the next instalment of “CEOs of World Rugby” with his Interview of SANZAR boss Greg Peters (who could be next?). Jack and I then join him for a wang on all things Australian Rugby. Download this episode (right click and save)
#3rdtier Comp: Platinum Tickets to Wallabies v. Springboks
Keen listeners of our Podslam this week (it’s a cracking show with Laurie Fisher, if you haven’t had a chance to listen) would have heard of our giveaway. One of our great members has donated a couple of Platinum tickets for the Australia versus South Africa Test at Patersons Stadium in Perth on 8 September. As discussed on the show, we want to give this comp a local vibe and also give the #3rdtier a bit of time under the spotlight.
G&GR Podslam 74: Show Bags
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G&GR Podslam 73: Feng Shui
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G&GR Podslam 72 – Glass Of Lemonade - Green and Gold Rugby
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InstaReview: Reds v. Sharks – The Dynasty is Over - Green & Gold Rugby
On the walk to the stadium I stopped in one of the pubs down Caxton Street to catch the end of the Crusaders versus Bulls game. The Crusaders had done the job and they were through. Now it was the Reds’ turn. I spoke in my preview about what could have been last time the Reds met the Sharks; now it was time to see for sure.
Preview: Reds v. Sharks – It's Finals Time - Green and Gold Rugby
[youtube id=”Je5tgbGK_0M” width=”600″ height=”350″] Another do-or-die match, another Reds video. They are making quite a habit of both, and this habit should serve them well. After the disastrous African tour and the hard welcome back the Force gave them, there has been very little room for anything less than a +1 in the W column for the Reds. They have shown they are indomitable enough to do the job.
PODSLAM 71: Great Competitors with Stephen Moore
As discussed on the podcast. C/O Drew Mitchell Gagger is joined by Timmsy and Hugh for a look at the big issues in the game this week. Hugh then has to go and eat (athletes…) so we get another forward who can also score the odd try in Stephen Moore. Download this episode (right click and save)
Reds v. Waratahs – They came here to win - Green and Gold Rugby
As the Reds were arriving at Suncorp they heard the news: the Auckland Blues had done them a massive favour, beating the Brumbies and denying them a crucial bonus point. The ramifications for the Reds were that with a bonus point win, they would qualify top of the Aussie conference and earn a home final. Would the Waratahs let this happen? Could they stop it? From the kick-off the Reds went all-out on attack, with Higgers scoring a try in the third minute.
Preview: Reds v. Waratahs — The Finals Countdown - Green & Gold Rugby
During the Reds’ resurgence year in 2010, they fell just short of appearing in the finals for the first time in years. This year’s outcome looks to be pretty similar. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly think the Reds of 2012 have the game to make a real fist of finals should they get that far, but it is never a good situation to be in to need other things to happen to make it. It’s much better having your destiny in your own hands. So, what are these scenarios?
Reds v. Highlanders – The Reds march on... - Green and Gold Rugby
This was one of the games this round that will have plenty of bearing on the shape of the finals series in 2012. The simple fact: the loser could start thinking about their end-of-season activities, the winner was still in with a chance. The Reds were back at Lang Park for the first time in seven weeks, and they were playing in a commemorative jersey to boot. After a traditional Aboriginal welcoming to the teams, the game was ready to go.
The 3rdTier – Weekly Wrap and Preview 7 - Green and Gold Rugby
If we come, they will build it. We are launching our new 3rd tier competition tomorrow in a separate post, but just to give you some tips, it will be fun and there are a couple of great prizes that have been donated by St.George Bank and Gilbert. I will continue to trawl the forum threads for each competition when putting this post together for match reviews, so if you are at a game, jot a couple of lines down, post them in the relevant thread and I will include it in next week’s edition.
G&GR Podslam 67 – Rugby Will Be The Winner with James Horwill - Green and Gold Rugby
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The 3rdTier - Weekly Wrap and Preview 6
If we come, they will build it. A couple of comps have bye rounds this weekend, so before heading down to your local, make sure it isn’t yours. If you listen to the podcast, you would have heard we have a big competition coming up with some great prizes. I will continue to trawl the forum threads for each competition when putting this post together for match reviews, so if you are at a game, jot a couple of lines down, post them in relevant thread and I will include it in next weeks edition.
G&GR Podslam 66: Dialling In The Rifle
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Instant Review – Reds v. Lions - Green and Gold Rugby
This was a game many of the Reds faithful had marked out as one the team could probably do without them, but with the news that the prodigal son Quade,was back, they turned out. The Lions were staying true to form at the start of the match, running everything. The Reds had to do plenty of tackling. Eventually the gave a penalty away in a kickable position, and Elton Jantjies slotted it to take the Lions into the lead.
WINNER: #3rdTier – Sanga, Drink and Rugby Competition - Green and Gold Rugby
Last week we announced a competition around our #3rdtier drive to get people out to watch some real rugby. Today I get to announce the winner. Congratulations to Gillian Maddigan (@gmaddigan) on Twitter. Not only did she get a great day out with sunshine, good food & drink and a good game of club rugby, she also gets the Beau Robinson signed apron to use as she sees fit.
G&GR PODSLAM 63 - In From The Side with Liam Gill
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