‘Brief Encounter’ – the 1945 British film directed by David Lean is often cited as one of the most romantic films of all time. Based on the play ‘Still Life’ by Noel Coward, it tells the tale of an extra-marital affair between two middle-aged people, whose relationship is played out in stolen moments at a train station. Continue reading Brief encounter at Limerick Junction
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‘Cornucopia’ – under the sea with Bjork
The Bjork concert at the Point Depot last night was quite unlike any gig I have ever been to. On the way in to the vast arena (which currently styles itself as the 3Arena) I had no idea what to expect. My companion had warned me that there was no support act and that apparently the show (which is called ‘Cornucopia’) would start on time at 8pm. Glancing around I could guess that most of the audience was – like myself – of a mid-season vintage. We took our seats in block H which is located slightly to the left of the stage and waited. Continue reading ‘Cornucopia’ – under the sea with Bjork
Theatrical: ‘Class’ the play is a class play
The play ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden and David Horan was first performed in the Civic Theatre in Tallaght as part of the 2017 Dublin Theatre Festival. In early 2018 it transferred to the Peacock in Abbey for a further run. I had wanted to see it here but it was fully sold out. Later that year it wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Festival. Roll on to 2019, and the play toured to Cardiff and London, before touring Ireland for the month of November. In other words it’s a smash hit. Last night was the final night of this incarnation of the work, back where is all began at the Civic in Tallaght. I had a ticket. My anticipation was high. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Class’ the play is a class play
Theatrical: ‘Drama at Inish’
The Abbey Theatre can be a magical place. Ireland’s national theatre has been my theatre of choice this year. In part because of its close proximity to my house. In part because of its ingenious scheme of offering free of charge first preview performances, many of which I have availed myself. In part because I feel like it belongs to the people of Dublin – being state funded. As a result I see almost everything that is staged at this playhouse. Last night I went to see ‘Drama at Inish’ – the tenth show I have seen on the main stage this year (along with a further six productions on the smaller Peacock Stage’.) Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Drama at Inish’
Theatrical: ‘9 to 5’
The film ‘9 to 5’ from 1980 was about three working women in a 1980s American office as they struggle with the pressures of career, and a sleazy, sex-offender boss. Starring Jane Fonda; Lily Tomlin and the queen of everything Dolly Parton, it was a runaway hit. Being a multi-talented kind of gal, our Dolly turned the premise into a Broadway musical which transferred to the West End this year. It is currently on a tour of the UK and Ireland. This week it is playing in the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. Having been a deranged fan (I mean loyal appreciator) of Ms Parton for decades, I naturally bought a ticket. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘9 to 5’
Film: ‘Last Christmas’ – a Yuletide travesty
The most convenient option for my cinema trip this evening was the Odeon to see the festive film ‘Last Christmas’. Today is November 16th. I guess the film makers released the film so early as a cunning stunt – cash in on the holiday season in the run up to Christmas. Continue reading Film: ‘Last Christmas’ – a Yuletide travesty
Chernobyl
The flight to Kyiv from Dublin lasted 3.5 hours, and was a typical Ryanair experience. When you are trapped in the air for that length of time, they can try the hard sell at their leisure.
We were greeted at the airport by Vladimir – the representative of the letting agent, whose apartment in city centre Kyiv we were residing for the weekend. He drove us to our abode. It was 11pm. We needed a cocktail, and headed to N::B Cocktail Bar which has to be the loveliest bar I have ever visited. It is just off the Maidan Nezalezhjnosti (Independence Square) and is a cosy yet luxurious place with the best signature cocktails on the planet. Continue reading Chernobyl
‘In the end’ with Noel Hogan
The town of Dun Laoghaire was the host this weekend, to the Dun Laoghaire Vinyl Festival. While I remember my first ever vinyl record – the 7″ single of ‘The Riddle’ by Nik Kershaw as a child way back in the 1980s, I wouldn’t be a collector of vinyl. I was aware of the festival because I follow an old sociology lecturer of mine from my University of Limerick days – Eoin Devereux – on social media. He announced that he would be interviewing Noel Hogan from the Cranberries, about the recording and release of the Cranberries final album ‘In the end’, after Dolores’ untimely passing. Continue reading ‘In the end’ with Noel Hogan
Theatrical: ‘Pale sister’ by Colm Toibin
In the interest of full disclosure, before I begin this review I acknowledge that Colm Toibin is one of my favourite writers. I’ve read all his fiction – in novel and short story form; as well as most of his non-fiction and travel writing. His fiction tends to be sparse in style, but written in such a manner that there are orchestras playing between the lines. When I heard that he was writing a play for the Gate Theatre, I immediately booked a ticket. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Pale sister’ by Colm Toibin
Theatrical: ‘The Pitchfork Disney’
This evening I was at the theatre. Again. This time, I was in a new venue – upstairs in Chaplin’s Bar on Hawkins Street in Dublin. I was seeing a production of ‘The Pitchfork Disney’ by Philip Ridley – the latest production by Judder Theatre. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘The Pitchfork Disney’
midnightmurphy 