A Lost City

 

Review - Our Lady of Blundellsands

There haven’t been many, if any, theatre productions I’ve walked out from and wanted to watch again straight away but this was certainly one of those moments. When the writing is superb, the direction is superb and the acting is superb, then there is only one result – Yes, SUPERB!

From the moment Josie Lawrence as Sylvie walked on stage, I was mesmerised. She has a quality that you can’t learn in any drama or stage school – you are just born with it and Josie Lawrence had it in abundance. Her physicalness changes the personality of the character and her use of voice gives her the range that not many people can do.

Josie needs someone who can match her ability and there aren’t too many around but they certainly found a gem in Joanne Howarth as Garnet. If there was a picture in the dictionary next to the word ‘wow’, then there would be a picture of Joanne. There is something beautiful in her eyes when she acts – a realism that makes you believe what she is saying. Some people when they act say the lines but Joanne believes in the lines. I could watch Joanne and Josie perform every day and never get bored – a remarkable duo.

The two ladies are supported by excellent actors who are perfectly cast. Gemma Brodrick playing Alyssa punctures the drama with beautifully delivered one liners that gives the audience their release in tension. Her partner Lee Lee played by Nathan McMullen gives us comedy, mystery and drama all in one. His calmness on stage can easily be overlooked but he gives such a believable performance especially his Peter Pan!

Mickey Jones playing Mickey-Joe never misses a beat in his delivery and shows a great range of emotion particularly when he is having one of his rants! His partner Frankie played by Nana Amoo-Gottfried is the ideal partner. He has the ability to bite back when needed but doesn’t over play it which is easily done.

The writing by Jonathon Harvey is some of the best I’ve seen. His ability to make you laugh and make you cry within a short space of time reminds me of another brilliant writer John Sullivan. These writers don’t come long often but when they do it is magical!

Nick Bagnall directs this brilliant piece of theatre and I honestly don’t think it could be directed any better. The perfect mix of highs and lows and the use of the stage throughout was wonderful. One word sums up the ending – Beautiful!

A piece of theatre that everyone should see. The Everyman theatre is a perfect venue for this, as getting close up to the actors is what makes the show work. If you can get a ticket then get one as you won’t be disappointed!

Control

It's 6:30 in the morning and another groundhog day

Staring in to nothing, hypnotised, not having a say

Wanting all this fame to disappear straight away

Management controlled me, moulded me to think this way

Chorus

How do I escape?

How do I break free?

Why are they doing this?

Why can't they see me?

When will this all end?

When will they hear my plea?

Will you come and rescue me?

Another day alone surrounded by people I don't know

Forever in the spotlight but I have nothing at all to show

People passing judgement, they don't want to let me grow

Management don't ask just in case that I say no

Bridge

Always losing never can I win

Can't escape this place I'm in

Head hurting, always in a spin

Stay strong, never will I ever give in

Strange things happen when suddenly I want a voice

No longer taking orders, all I want is to have a choice

Standing all alone, laughing as I begin to rejoice

Decisions are made and at last I happily have a choice

Dance in the rain

 When you've been broke

And there is nowhere to turn

Life has been cruel

Just you alone in the world

Shadows become your enemy

Walls become colder

Demons take over your mind

And there is no way out

Chorus

Come dance in the rain

Let your spirit take flight

Your heart releases the pain

Come dance in the rain

Feel the freedom

Let the negativity drain

Come dance in the rain

Let your soul shine bright

Relive the moment again and again

The morning sun no longer rises

Light you no longer see

Blinkered with a closed mind

Bad choices continue to happen

Friends no longer call

Isolation becomes the norm

Skies falling closing in too quick

Escaping the only option

Bridge

Recharge the batteries and let yourself become alive

Live for the moment and don't let life pass you by

Feel your inner self and let your passion drive

No longer in the shadows, no longer asking why

Corona Virus and the change in the curriculum.

 

The Corona Virus should be seen as an opportunity for change in education.

For the past 12 months or so, we have been in uncharted waters with many schools making decisions on the fly on how to best run their schools and the best way to provide an education for their children.  There is already talk of how the children will 'catch up' and the proposed 'summer school', 'extra tuition, and dare I say it - 'longer school days'.

Firstly, I wanted to point out that the children don't need to catch up.  Who are they catching up?  All children across the UK are in the same position so there is no-one I can see they have to catch up.  Of course, what people are referring to us the curriculum in schools.  The curriculum, which has been a bug bearer of mine for years, is already over flowing with objectives in every subject and had become something of a 'tick box' for many educators to prove how much they can 'teach', but have the children really understood it?

As far as I can see, speaking to colleagues and my own professional judgment, children don't retain as much knowledge as they need to in order to move on to the next small step.  Children have cognitive overload when too much information is thrown at them bu an over-hyped adult rushing to get to the next objective to prove how good a teacher they are.  Surely we have got this wrong and will continue to get it wrong unless we change, and now is as good a time as any.

We've already seen organisations such as NCETM provide a recovery curriculum, or as they call is 'Ready-To Progress' documentation.  This document outlines the key objectives for each year group so that the children can build on their prior knowledge thus deepening their understanding.  My argument is, if this works, and I believe it does, then why isn't this something we do anyway.  i believe that by teaching key objectives and cutting down objectives lower down the schools, for example in KS1, gives the children time to digest the objectives and really understand the,.  This, I believe, will have a greater impact as the children progress through the school, thus covering more deeper.

Now of course, this isn't just in Maths, but I believe that we have over complicated the English curriculum so much that children are now unable to grasp the basics and 'mess' around with language in writing to engage the reader.  We are so consumed in getting in the latest 'trick' to make the writing fir the writing examples given to us by the government.  Again, having a tick-box curriculum takes away the writers creative ability, to make sure the children 'achieve' the standard grade.  If we are not careful, we will lose the next generation of writers.

In conclusion, the way forward seems quite simple to me.  Reduce the number of objectives in each subject thus giving greatest gift to educators - time.  Time to teach, time to reflect, time to discover and time to deepen the understanding.

Royal Court - Selection Box Review

Firstly, a huge thank you must go to everyone involved at The Royal Court for making it possible for the show to go ahead with an audience.  It was great to be back in a theatre!

The title of the show 'Selection Box' is perfect, as it is a mix and match of different 'spots' and showcases the amazing talent we have here in Liverpool and in particularly at The Royal Court.

The first half of the show gives each cast member a 'turn' like an old variety show and pays homage to some great people of the old music hall and variety shows.  There were some classic jokes that everyone knew but they gave you a sense of warmth, knowing you were back hearing them were they should belong.  The cast managed to get around the awkward audience participation that they would normally welcome, with some 'dig' towards Big Bad Boris.

Michael Fletcher was our 'Compere' for the first half and he delivered with all the confidence of a seasoned professional, introducing the next 'turn' with ease and grace. It was rare seeing Andrew Schofield in a smart suit and his talent shone through as always, especially when he played his instrument (no, not that one!!!) 

Catherine Rice has an excellent singing voice and shows it off in a couple of great numbers.  Jake Abraham does a great rendition of a legend but I won't tell you as you have to see it for yourself.  Keddy Sutton is such a good physical performer and can change her mannerisms so quick it is like having two performers fo the price of one!  Her impression of another legend is the best I have heard and would certainly make me go over the rainbow!!!  Liam Tobin does a couple of very good impressions in the first half but saves his best teaming up with Andrew Schofield for the best 12 days of Christmas I've seen!

The best I've saved until last.  They gave Jamie Clarke the build-up in the first half that made me worry that she wouldn't be able to live up to the standing.  I had nothing to worry about.  She closed the first half with a belter of a song that, in my opinion, was better that the original singer.  The control she has in her voice and range is phenomenal.  This girls has one of the best singing voices I've heard, not just in the theatre but anywhere.  She belts out some very difficult songs with ease and I could have listened to her all night.  She stole the show in my opinion.  To have that voice and perform on stage multiple times a week is a testament to her natural ability.

Tonight's show gave me hope that we can all get back to full houses in the theatres and maybe, just maybe, we will be back watching some of Liverpool's finest performers sooner rather than later.

At times tonight, i just found myself smiling at being back where I love.  Thank you  

I'm hungry, sir

 It's 9:30am and you are late son

What is your excuse this time?

Wipe that smirk from your face

Go and stand there, at the back of the line.

He's always late him and he never listens

I'll ask him a question; he mumbles replies

I've never known a boy who daydreams so much

And in the afternoon, he is quite and mostly cries

Didn't he used to be a happy little boy

With a laugh that was quite contagious

I can't seem to get to the bottom of his problems

And when I try, he bursts out with rages

Late again but this time he looked so different

He looked at me with a look I hadn't seen before

I took a deep breath, looked lovingly in to his eyes

'Sir, my dad can't afford to feed us all'

My heart sank and I went to me knees

My eyes welled with guilt at this 8 year old boy

He only had one meal every single day

My job, to find the child's lost joy

I told him I would help and speak to people I know

This stops now and support with be found

That night I cried as I struggled to understand

Another family that has nearly drowned

It's 8:30am and you are early again son

He laughed as he ate a breakfast bar

'Sir, I like getting in early.  I like our chats'

Son, you've now turned in to a superstar!

Stay Strong

 It's 3 o'clock in the morning and another sleepless night

Thoughts of insecurity and the demons start to fight

The clock keeps ticking but the time remains so still

Alone in the darken room and I no longer have the will

A bright beam of sunlight comes searching through the room

Unable to face the day as the smallest demons still loom

Each step met with a lethargic pause and a helpless small tear

Since when did I hate myself and live in a world I fear

Not knowing who I am and where to find a helping hand

People don't see the hurt; they will never understand

An unknown truth still hides behind the weak misguided smile

For years I've known this torture; for years I've been in denial

Each day gets harder and harder to operate my usual self

Occupying body and mind is difficult when fighting mental health

The proverbial four walls close in and the space quickly disappears

My mind begins to race as the demons go through their gears

A message from a friend came arrowing out of the blue

It broke my silence when they simply asked, 'Mate, how are you?"

The flood gates burst open and a call shortly ensued

I couldn't believe the support; I was overwhelmingly moved

My door is always open but I will never understand

But I will listen to your thoughts and I'll even hold your hand

In these times of difficulty, I'm only a phone call away

It is important we all believe and say that it's ok not to be ok.

Broken

The morning light wakes me from my sleep
I’m all alone
I’m without you

 

Another dream dreaming  just of you

Your golden hair

Hollywood eyes

 

But you gave me

 

Chorus

Broken dreams

Broken lies

Broken hopes

And Broken cries

 

Broken days

Broken parts

Broken nights

And broken hearts

 

I didn’t know I was broken until I met you

You gave me hope

My life fulfilled

 

I keep telling myself it was all my fault

Don’t really know

Unanswered truths

 

And you gave me

 

Chorus

Broken dreams

Broken lies

Broken hopes

And Broken cries

 

Broken days

Broken parts

Broken nights

And broken hearts

 

 

Bridge

I’ll never regret what you gave me

I’d do it all again in a heart beat

 

I’m still telling myself it will all work out

Back together

Out of my dreams

 

I sit here silently from the side lines

It could have been

But you’ve moved on

 

And I’m still broken

Just Stay In (Tune: Let it go)

Just Stay In (Tune: Let it Go)

The sun comes down on a crowded beach

Not a towel left alone

A kingdom of stupidity

But they all should be at home

The anger is rushing like a swirling storm inside

Couldn’t keep it in, heaven knows I’ve tried

Pick up your towels, Get in your car

Don’t care if you have travelled near or far

Behave, grow up, just go on home

Well, go on home

Just stay in, just stay in

Go on home and close your doors

Just stay in, just stay in

Get used to being bores

We all care, NHS to stay

Let our health carry on

The queues never bothered us anyway

It’s funny how social distance makes everything seem small

And the fools that once controlled us can’t get to us at all

It’s time to rise and now be strong

To test us all can’t be so wrong

No time, no lies , no playing out

I’m out

Just stay in, just stay in

We can see the clouds and the sky

Just stay in, just stay in

Don’t make us mad and cry

Here we are, a pandemic

Hope the fools stay in

Our hopes fading, the NHS is overworked

Our volunteers on hand, NHS is now reworked

And one by one the human race starts to survive

We’re never going back, we’re all glad to be alive

Just stay in, just stay in

The world together as one

Just stay in, just stay in

The virus now has gone

Here we stand, a United Earth

Let the fun begin

The sun will be shining another day

Goodbye

I knew you would be leaving

But I didn’t know so soon

It was hard to say goodbye

But none of us are immune

The world is a different place

It’s different from before

I want you to be safe

So please all stay indoor

I hope I’ve taught you well

Made a small difference

With memories in your mind

You’ll remember a fond experience

At times I had to feed you

But that was just the start

I’m not sure what will happen

I hope I played an important part

When you left I cried

I’m not ashamed to say

You always smiled at me

Even though you struggled each day

As a teacher I just don’t teach

I love, care and guide

I’m the law in your hectic life

But you knew I have a soft side

I’m there when you are broke

Putting you back together

I’m there to catch your tears

You are in my thoughts forever

Now as the uncertainty begins

And I won’t see you again

Be sure I’ll have your back

And I’ll never forget your name

Be My Reason

Sometimes in life we take things for granted

Like a smile on our face and love in our heart

The tears we shed are our inner thoughts

Reminding us of the demons inside each day

Protected by our mundane daily routine

A wave and a nod to the passing stranger

Thinking there is no way it can happen to me

Life becomes difficult

Chorus:

Be my reason to walk

Be my reason to dance

Be my reason to smile

Be my reason I get up in the morning

Be my reason to love

Be my reason to breathe

Be my reason to live

Trapped in a cage that no-one can see

The face in the mirror is an unknown image

People only see me from the outside

They don’t see me from the inside

I try to brave, I try to smile

Each passing day becomes harder to live

Where do I turn?  Who can I talk too

A struggle only some will ever see

Bridge:

It’s time we opened up to let the world outside see

None of us our perfect, not you and not me

It’s time to talk we all agree