Roger Jacobs, Author at North West End UK

24Feb

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Head. Heart. Hand. – Traverse Theatre

Stef Smith is an uncompromising writer. Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University has some history. What might a collision between the two produce? Commissioned to mark ‘150 years of hope, action and education’ it’s performed by a cast of the university’s acting and performance students, bookended by crises; the poverty and hunger that inspired its founding in 1875 and the cuts to and erosion of the education sector that started in the 1970’s, persisting to the present day. It’s almost as if, following the 60’s, someone felt education might pose a threat. The story alighted upon two other milestones in the institution’s journey, the wartime contributions of the students (many spent time in London looking after bomb repair workers dealing with the effects of Hitler’s 1944 rocket offensiv...

The Cathode Ray & Electrical Melting Company – Edinburgh Traverse Bar

3Feb

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

The Cathode Ray & Electrical Melting Company – Edinburgh Traverse Bar

First up in the night’s intriguingly titled diversion were the aptly named Electrical Melting Company who proceeded to meld, with great affection, their many late-60’s influences. Being quite the event for Edinburgh musical alumni the trio consisted of ex-Spooks Ron Doo Ron, AKA Scott Fraser (bass & vox) and Peach McNulty, AKA Pod Kennedy (guitars & vox) supported on drums by longtime associate and ex-Ringo Graham Bodenham. Kicking off with a Neil Innes quote, ‘here’s a medley of hit’ their clutch of tunes landed upon almost every Austin Powers reference point; The Beatles Revolver-era ‘Suburban Bourbon Man’, the Traffic/Donovan/Barratt-inspired ‘Mile High Strawberry Pie’, a straight cover of The Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ (apologies, ‘straight’ is an insult in this context), some r...

Four Magicians – Edinburgh Storytelling Centre

30Dec

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Four Magicians – Edinburgh Storytelling Centre

Fit like, loons and quines? If floundering in the fog of ‘Betwixmas’ the answer will have been overwhelmingly positive after 80 minutes in the company of this engaging quartet from the north-east. Tricks, illusions and mirages lurked within a pleasant, easy-going evening of chat and mild comedy, the odd well-aimed barb (mostly at a recently de-frocked prince) adding a note or two of spice. Especially amusing in a self-effacing, Corbett-style manner was Jeff Burns, making the most of his diminutive stature. Clearly the audience volunteers are bigger these days, to boot. All are members of or connected with, the Aberdeen Magical Society. Smith & Burns (Jeff Burns & Ivor Smith) are sometimes known as Fifth Dimension and have a track record in dispelling the tedium of business confe...

8Dec

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Dancing Shoes – Traverse Theatre

Unbridled joy. A tonic. In an almost panto-style atmosphere this brilliantly written work of Edinburgh-based duo Stephen Christopher and Graeme Smith is brought to life in celebratory fashion, complete with audience participation, and the themes (NOT memes); addiction, isolation and depression. Still with us? The set is comprised of five chairs and an Eric’n’Ernie curtain through which, eventually, reluctantly, steps our Byrne-esque hirsute hero Donny (Stephen Docherty). ‘Dancin’ Donny’ encounters Craig (Lee Harris) and Jay (Craig McLean) in a local community centre where amongst the Craft Workshops, Yoga (and Baby Yoga) activities on offer are sessions for recovering addicts. With Maggie, who always takes the central chair and alternates the direction of conversation depending on the d...

2Dec

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Bee Asha – Traverse Theatre

As part of The Soundhouse Winter Festival we’re treated to a vibrant set from poet, spoken-word, rap, jazz, dance, multi-faceted artist Bee Asha, but more of that in a minute… Support is no less than erstwhile keys player for The Vaselines, Carla J Easton, playing a clutch of songs from a forthcoming album that started life in a small recording booth in Nashville. With Brett. Dignifying a Fender Mustang (ok, could’ve been a Jaguar or Jazzmaster), peppering the set with anecdotes ranging from buying said guitar from Glasgow’s salubrious West End, to adventures halfway up a Norwegian glacier with Mr Hefner himself, Darren Hayman, she’s accompanied by ‘the best-dressed man in music’, Paul Kelly on acoustic. He was well-attired but a touch of glitter wouldn’t have gone amiss. What reall...

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening – Traverse Theatre

29Oct

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening – Traverse Theatre

Kathryn Tickell is one of Folk’s superstars, though it’s a title she’d probably toss over her shoulder in embarrassment. Prolific and eclectic from an early age she’s delivered albums of her own too numerous to mention since 1985 while collaborating with artists ranging from The Penguin Café Orchestra to Sting to Andy Sheppard. And most points in between, staying resolutely modest and self-effacing. Tonight, she performs with a slightly altered line-up of The Darkening, a creation inspired by twilight, or, as the French put it, ‘Entre Chien et Loup’, that time of day when a certain magic – both exhilarating and malevolent - is in the air. Together they perform what’s been dubbed ‘Ancient Northumbrian Futurism’ and while it’s an accurate description it’s also worth learning from one of Kath...

17Sep

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Our Brother – Traverse Theatre

The horrific events that took place in Democratic Kampuchea (Cambodia) under the Khmer Rouge between 1975 – 79 are well documented, but writer Jack MacGregor has - to good effect -dramatised a true, less well-known incident from 1978. An idealistic Scots professor, simply referred to as ‘Stranger’ (played by Bobby Bradley) managed to grab 15 minutes with Pol Pot, or ‘Brother No 1’ (David Lee-Jones). With him was ‘American’ (Nicole Cooper), armed with enough knowledge of the atrocities to remain somewhat less effusive. This piece explored the (chiefly Marxist) motivation and ambition shared, initially, by Stranger and Brother, the notion that there was a way to create an egalitarian, agrarian utopia. Upon a simple platform covered in white sheets the three actors performed this inten...

The Real Australia – theSpace @ Niddry St

10Aug

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

The Real Australia – theSpace @ Niddry St

Reality TV, as we know - as we all SHOULD know - is scripted, planned and edited with precision a brain surgeon would be proud of, supposedly representative of ‘real’. With tongue firmly in cheek, the talented performers of Playon.productions aim to take it down – or rather, down-under - with this fast-paced, chaotic, too-short show featuring ‘eight ordinary Australians’ as they commune on Rottnest Island for the season finale of, guess what… The Real Australia. Every tragedy ends with a death (or similar), every comedy with a wedding, so… James is betrothed to Kylie, who has a sister, Danni, who’s a bit grumpy about it all. Sam, iPad permanently in hand, runs the wedding destination and is trying to keep everything on track but has committed a romantic error involving Brendan, who ...

When Billy Met Alasdair – Scottish Storytelling Centre

9Aug

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

When Billy Met Alasdair – Scottish Storytelling Centre

Enthralling. Feel free to locate your battered copy of ‘Lanark’ but under no circumstances attempt to speed-re-read two days before the show. Breathe… turns out it’s not necessary. Author & playwright Alan Bissett is the proud owner of a photo showing the two Scots cultural icons at the launch of said tome at Glasgow’s Third Eye Centre in 1981 and wondered how the conversation between the two might have gone. But there’s stuff before we get there… It's a simple set, just Bissett in front of us alternating between Connolly and (attaches glasses, cues the lighting) Gray, telling their own stories in lively monologues, insights into how and why they ended up doing what they do/did. There’s an armchair to Bissett’s left and a table on which sits a bottle of Glenfiddich (a rather spec...

100% Scouse Comedy – Laughing Horse@West Nic Records

8Aug

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

100% Scouse Comedy – Laughing Horse@West Nic Records

For something so foul-mouthed and filthy, this has to be described as a breath of fresh air. Not for the faint-hearted, it’s unhinged, off the hook, unmanaged and uncensored. Never the same two nights running. And just the right side of offensive. Depending on one’s perspective, obvs. Probably the only show to survive a wrong - Hitler-related - turn. It’s a bit like stumbling into the Late & Live of yesteryear, except it’s only 8.30pm. Kyle Legacy and Dean Coughlin are our hosts and anyone who’s followed the goings-on at Liverpool’s Hot Water Club these last few years will be familiar with these two already. From the get-in to some jumping hip-hop, feelgood reigns supreme and these lads don’t allow things to flag. The language is industrial but with a scouse accent it’s almos...