Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie at the UEA Drama Studio

On the evening of Friday 28th March 2014 I attended the Sacre Theatre performance of Eugene Labiche's Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio. Sacre Theatre is the UK’s longest-running permanent French language theatre company.

Written in 1851, Eugene Labiche's vaudeville, Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie, was immediately successful and has been revived many times, often adapted to a more modern era. Largely intended as entertainment, it also depicts the petite bourgeoisie of its day, and much of this (concerns over money and moral hypocrisy, for example) remains relevant. However, the plot consists of a string of misunderstandings and breathless chases verging on the absurd.

This is Fadinard's wedding day. He is to marry Helene, the pretty daughter of Nonancourt, a country nurseryman (pepinieriste), a class somewhat below his own. Early that morning, as Fadinard was riding through a wood, his horse ate a straw hat belonging to Anais (married to Beauperthuis) who was secretly meeting her lover, Emile. The consequences of the horse's greed are about to unfold.

I had a fantastic time at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio as the Sacre Theatre told us the story about the horse that ate an Italian straw hat with all the hilarious consequences. The Sacre Theatre perform every year at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio, often at the end of the spring semester.

As You Like It at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio

On the evening of Friday 6th December 2013 I was back at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio to attend the performance of William Shakespeare's As You Like It. The Arcadian Project was put together by the UEA's students and academics to uncover a major missing tapestry in theatre history.

Combining a unique adaptation of Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia with a production of Shakespeare's beloved comedy As You Like It, the project aimed to shed a brand new light on the works of Britain's most renowned playwright. I attended the performance of Arcadia on Tuesday 3rd December 2013.

In As You Like It, having been banished from the oppressive court, Rosalind and Orlando are forced to flee into the wild depths of the Forest of Arden. Within this strange and wild realm, the roles of gender, politics and nature are turned upside down as their love, wrapped in a game of mistaken identity, begins to blossom. One of Shakespeare's most cherished comedies, As You Like It journeys into a world of freedom and explores how beguilingly bewildering life can be.

As You Like It was directed by Tony Frost and was performed brilliantly by the UEA's Third Year Drama Students. And this our life exempt from public haunt finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything. I had a fantastic time at the UEA Drama Studio and very much enjoyed As You Like It.

Arcadia at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio

On the evening of Tuesday 3rd December 2013 I attended the performance of Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia at the Norwich UEA Drama Studio. The Arcadian Project was put together by the UEA's students and academics to uncover a major missing tapestry in theatre history.

Combining a unique adaptation of Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia with a production of Shakespeare's beloved comedy As You Like It, the project aimed to shed a brand new light on the works of Britain's most renowned playwright. I will be attending the performance of As You Like It on Friday 6th December 2013.

Arriving upon the utopian shores of Arcadia two young princes, Pyrocles and Musidorus, disguise themselves as an Amazon and a Shepherd to gain access to the Arcadian Princesses, who have been imprisoned by their father to avoid the dangers foretold by a mysterious Oracle. Together they venture into a world of beauty and deception, where every shepherd is a politician, where the court lies in the country and where comedy cascades into tragedy. Under a tree will I take my rest for, howsoever a man be exalted, the beginning and end of the body is earth.

This performance by the UEA's Third Year Drama Students directed by Anthony Gash took us on a journey through fields and forests in search of the lost golden world. I really enjoyed my evening at the UEA Drama Studio and was able to see how this play influenced Shakespeare's As You Like It. The sword fighting was great as well!

Macbett at the UEA Drama Studio

On the evening of Friday 15th March 2013 I attended the Sacre Theatre's performance of Eugene Ionesco's Macbett, a play in French at the UEA Drama Studio, Norwich. Written in 1972, Ionesco's satire on Shakespeare's play loosely follows the plot adding some characters and twists to the story.

Two generals, Macbett and Banco, put down a rebellion. In payment for their heroic service, Archduke Duncan promises to bestow on them land, titles and cash, but he reneges on the deal. Encouraged by the seductive Lady Duncan, Macbett plots to assassinate the Archduke and crown himself King. He tries to maintain his tenuous grip on the throne through a vicious cycle of murder and bloodshed. Meanwhile, he is haunted by the ghosts of his victims and discovers that his new wife is not all that she seems.

Written during the Cold War, Macbett remoulds Shakespeare's original play into a comic tale of ambition, corruption, cowardice and excess, creating a tragic farce which takes human folly to its wildest extremes. Innovations include a long conversation between the thanes of Glamiss and Candor and a lemonade seller and butterfly hunter, and the revelation that the rightful heir to the throne is a worse tyrant than Macbett ever was.

This was a brilliant night at the UEA Drama Studio with the Sacre Theatre who are a UEA staff-student theatre company which specialises in French language productions putting on a wonderful production of Macbett. It was a night of French culture which offered no ray of hope but was able to offer moments of humour throughout the play. I very much enjoyed Macbett which is a production that evokes a number of different emotions.

Rhinoceros at the UEA Drama Studio

On the evening of Friday 1st March 2013 I attended the Minotaur Theatre Company's performance of Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros translated by Martin Crimp at the UEA Drama Studio in Norwich. This translation of Rhinoceros was first produced by the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre in 2007.

The play belongs to the school of drama known as the Theatre of the Absurd. Over the course of three acts, the inhabitants of a small, provincial French town turn into rhinoceroses; ultimately the only human who does not succumb to this mass metamorphosis is the central character, Bérenger, a flustered everyman figure who is often criticised throughout the play for his drinking and tardiness.

The play questions issues of morality, philosophy, love and what it means to be a human being. This was a though provoking play which I very much enjoyed. Rhinoceros is comical in parts and there were lots of moments to make you laugh. Listen out for the sound of Ahhh Ahhh Brrrrr! I'm a Rhinoceros!

The Allegri Quartet perform Beethoven and Shostakovich

On Tuesday 29th January 2013 I attended the Allegri Quartet's concert of Beethoven’s String Quartet Op.95, Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 11 and Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 131 in the Strode Concert Room at the UEA School of Music. This was a wonderful opportunity to experience this excellent Quartet live performing the music of two of my favourite composers.

Founded in 1953 by Eli Goren, William Pleeth, Patrick Ireland and James Barton, the Allegri Quartet is Britain's longest-running chamber music ensemble, sustained over six decades by successive generations of the finest international performers. The current members of Ofer Falk, Rafael Todes, Dorothea Vogel and Vanessa Lucas-Smith are committed to maintaining the group’s exceptional reputation and dedicate a great deal of time to teaching young performers and composers through various residency schemes which are supported by the Radcliffe Trust. They are the UEA's professional Ensemble in Residence.

Beethoven's F minor String Quartet dates from 1810 and is his last before his exalted late string quartets. It is commonly referred to as the Serioso, stemming from his title Quartetto Serioso at the beginning and the tempo designation for the third movement. It is one of the shortest and most compact of all the Beethoven quartets. This is music full of restless urgency which ends with a racing allegro full of lightness and delicacy.

Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 11 was written in 1966 and was dedicated to the memory of Vasily Petrovich Shirinsky, the second violinist of the Beethoven Quartet who had died the year before. In the latter half of Shostakovich's career his music grew more private and introspective for which the string quartet offered an ideal medium.

Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 131 was completed in July 1826 as part of a group of five string quartets which he wrote in the last years of his life. This work, which is dedicated to Baron Joseph von Stutterheim, was Beethoven's favourite from the late quartets. He is quoted as remarking to a friend that he would find a new manner of part-writing and, thank God, less lack of imagination than before. The piece is in seven movements played without without a break.

The Allegri Quartet put on a wonderful performance at the UEA School of Music which thrilled a packed Strode Concert Room. I particularly enjoyed Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 11 which is an astonishing piece of music. It has been created by someone who has seen and suffered much and is concerned only with essentials.

Jane Eyre Volume II at the UEA Drama Studio

On Friday 7th December 2012 I was back at the UEA Drama Studio for Jane Eyre Volume II. After attending Volume I on Tuesday evening I was eagerly looking forward to the second part of the UEA third year drama students unique adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel.

Volume II is the story of a traumatised Jane found homeless and vagrant, wandering across the moors and trying to run away from her troubled past. Heartbroken and alone, she stumbles across the Rivers’ house where she attempts to forget the love she has lost and the pain she has suffered. But what is it that happened at Thornfield? Who is this character, St John, who appears to have such an interest in Jane? And will she ever find a way to be reunited with her true love?

This was another wonderful evening to be in attendance at the UEA Drama Studio as yet again the audience were taken to the harsh world that Jane Eyre would have had to face. Dark and funny with added original music, the play incorporated dreams, flashbacks and delusions which made for a very interesting performance. "I am not an angel," I asserted; "and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself."

Jane Eyre Volume I at the UEA Drama Studio

On Tuesday 4th December 2012 I attended the UEA's third year Drama students adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre Volume I at the UEA Drama Studio in Norwich. This was the first part of a two part adaptation which reinvented the traditional period drama with a large ensemble cast bringing together original music, dance and a brand new script.

Volume I follows Jane Eyre, a young girl who comes from nothing but wants to seize all that life can offer. Surviving her bleak childhood through strength, determination and a keen spirit, Jane begins working as a Governess at the mysterious Thornfield Hall. Here she finds the love and comfort she has always longed for in the shape of her master, Mr Rochester. But Thornfield hides a dark secret and Jane is forced to choose between her beliefs and her chance of happiness.

I found the play very enjoyable and experimental. This is a dark adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel. We were taken to the world of Jane Eyre and were able to sense the harsh reality that she would have had to face. I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.

Hot Chip at Norwich UEA

On Monday 8th October 2012 I attended the Hot Chip gig at Norwich UEA with support from Disclosure the garage-house duo consisting of brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence. After Disclosure got us in the mood for dancing we were all ready for the main event of the evening.

Hot Chip took to the stage with loud applause ringing around the UEA LCR. They put on a brilliant performance which included And I was a Boy From School, Over and Over and One Life Stand with an impressive strobe lighting display helping create an amazing atmosphere as we all put on our dancing shoes. It was time for one big Electro party as Hot Chip once again proved their greatness.

The UEA Symphony Orchestra bring us Christmas Joy

On Friday 9th December 2011 I made my way to St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich for the UEA Symphony Orchestra and Choir Christmas Concert. This was their first concert since it was announced that the UEA School of Music would close. During the evening Sharon Andrea Choa reassured us that these concerts would continue in the future with support from the UEA.

The programme consisted of Violin Concerto in F minor, Winter - Vivaldi, Gloria RV 589 - Vivaldi, God is With Us - Tavener, What Sweeter Music - Rutter, Sir Christemas from 'Ave Rex' - Mathias and Fantasia on Christmas Carols - Williams.

The conductors for this festive celebration were Sharon Andrea Choa and Tom Primrose. Soloists were Simon Smith - violin, Dhilan Gnadadurai - baritone, Billie Robson and Verity Ransom - soprano, Matthew O'Keeffe - countertenor and Kris Tomsett - organist.

Vivaldi's Winter evokes the cold icy wind while sitting next to the fireside before venturing outside to walk on the ice. After some slips and falls the ice cracks and breaks up and back indoors we hear all the winds battling it out. Simon Smith brought us all the joys of Winter with his fine violin playing.

Oh the glory of Vivaldi's glory, yes Antonio Vivaldi again this time bringing us Gloria in excelsis. This was a glorious performance from the Orchestra and Choir that lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance at St. Andrew's Hall. Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace to men of goodwill.

After the interval we were treated with Sir John Tavener's God is With Us which is a work commissioned in 1987 for the Choir of Winchester Cathedral. This was followed by John Rutter's What Sweeter Music which sets words adapted from a poem by Robert Herrick.

Next to be performed was Sir Christemas from Ave Rex composed by William Mathias. Ave Rex is a setting of four medieval carol texts composed in 1969. In this piece the choir shout a final Nowell. The concert finished with Ralph Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols written in 1912. This was a wonderful way to finish this splendid and heart warming concert. I'm sure everyone in attendance were put into the Christmas spirit and left St. Andrew's Hall with smile on their faces.

Macbeth tragedy at UEA

I was back at the UEA Drama Studio on Thursday 8th December 2011 for William Shakespeare's Macbeth another production from the University's final year Drama students. This is Shakespeare's tragedy of power, corruption and bloodshed.

The play is set in the bleak landscape of medieval Scotland. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth with the prophecy of the three witches are tempted into a ruthless hunt for glory. Dark and full of horror, Macbeth is not for the faint hearted.

The setting created on the night was spot on as we were taken back to the 11th Century. This was another triumph from the UEA Third Year Production Team. I enjoyed both my visits to the UEA Drama Studio where I experienced a warm and friendly atmosphere.

All-Female Twelfth Night at UEA

I made my way to the UEA Drama Studio on Wednesday 7th December 2011 for an all-female production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night by the University's final year Drama students. It was a night that put a new perspective on this funny and moving comedy as it is normally performed by an all-male cast.

Shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, Viola disguises herself as a boy in order to serve the Duke of Illyria. While wooing a countess on his behalf she finds herself the object of his beloved's affections.

Viola's brother Sebastian arrives and a trick is played upon the countess' steward Malvolio. Confusion reigns in this romantic comedy of mistaken identity.

A fun time was had by all with lots of laughter filling the UEA Drama Studio. There were splendid performances from all the cast who brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to this play that is full of shifts and surprises.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor at Norwich UEA

Godspeed You! Black Emperor appeared at Norwich UEA on Saturday 23rd July 2011 like some cool Post Rock hallucination beamed in from Montreal or maybe an alternative Universe. Norwich was represented on the night by Transept who gently got us in the mood for the main event.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor is the greatest band name in history without a doubt and to see them at Norwich UEA as part of their warm up for All Tomorrows Parties was an amazing opportunity not to be missed.

They took us to an dark industrial landscape and left us there. Soundscapes they begin quiet and built up to a brutal noise that shudders throughout your body. When you attend one their gigs you know you really have been at one and have the scars to prove it. When they do loud it's very loud.

With an atmospheric dark video backdrop the UEA LCR was transformed into some kind of secret venue from another dimension where everything was in black and white and the noise from the band become a noise that went around and around in your head.

This is a gig that will be talked about in Norwich for year's to come. Lift your skinny fists like antennas to Heaven because tonight you have been in the presence of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Scottish Musical Treats!

KT Tunstall rocking Norwich UEA

It was a case of Oh Flower of Scotland this week in Norwich with KT Tunstall headlining Norwich UEA on Monday night with support from Pictish Trail. While on Tuesday night it was the turn of The Phantom Band to headline at Norwich Arts Centre with support from Found.

The UEA LCR was packed on Monday night for the visit of songstress KT Tunstall. In fact Pictish Trail was so keen to be there that he walked from the bus station! With a combination of acoustic guitars and electronic wizardry he suitably entertained us as we waited for the star of the night.

KT Tunstall played a great selection from her new album Tiger Suit released last year, as well as some songs from her previous two studio albums. She's got such great enthusiasm on stage that lifted the whole venue. Other Side of the World was performed with such brilliance proving her star quality. She told us that she loved Norwich and we all loved her back.

It was more experimental on Tuesday night at Norwich Arts Centre. Edinburgh band Found opened the night and were very well received by everyone in the auditorium. Headliners The Phantom Band from Glasgow brought us mix of The Beta Band and Bonnie Prince Billy taking us to a dark cold place. Those who were brave enough to accept their invitation were well rewarded with many sonic delights. Tonight Edinburgh and Glasgow were united as we all celebrated Scottish Indie Music.

NME Awards Tour makes it to Norwich!

Alice Glass making crutches Rock n Roll!

I arrived at Norwich UEA on Friday night with the queue of excited fans stretching back to Congregation Hall all looking forward to seeing Crystal Castles, Magnetic Man, Everything Everything and The Vaccines on the NME Awards Tour.

The Vaccines opened the night putting smiles on a lot of faces with their short sharp indie sound. They put a lot of power and energy into their set which will get all Indie fans buzzing with excitement.

There's something in the air it must be Everything Everything. Move those dancing feet as you float across the floor. I love Everything Everything, they are a great band who take you to a good place in your head with brilliant tunes.

Magnetic Man filled the UEA stage with all their hardware and soon they had stolen everyone's soul. There set was full of energy that had us all hitting the dance floor hard. They reached a high when they turned all the girls into Katy B's! In the end the UEA LCR was like a field on the M25. Dubstep has arrived and we're all hooked.

It was a complete wall of noise when Crystal Castles made their entrance with Alice Glass on crutches. Only Alice could make crutches Rock n Roll. Crystal Castles are Digi-Punk Gods. Believe whatever you want to believe but it seems that they are like a Modern Art statement in the name of Rock n Roll. It was another awesome performance from Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, they always seem to deliver live leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

Once again we have to thank NME for putting on another brilliant tour. No doubt we will do it all again next year.

Imelda May takes us back to the Fifties!

Imelda May was at Norwich UEA on Wednesday night supported by Big Boy Bloater as we were transported back to the Fifties.

Big Boy Bloater was giving it all he's got. In no time he will turn into a wolf. It was brilliant when he got his mojo working. Oh yeah it's all gone Music Hall at the UEA!

Imelda May caused total mayhem when she took to the stage. Looking stunning in her red and black polka dot dress she took us on a Rock n Roll journey mixed with rockabilly, country and blues.

Johnny got a boom boom yes indeed. Imelda May shows that she is Dublin's finest as well as a true star with a ninety minute set that completely enchanted the whole audience.

She is so enthusiastic about her music with an amazing knowledge of it's history and influence. She put her own style all over Tainted Love. It's lots of fun with Imelda May, definitely a night to remember.

Klaxons taking us to another dimension!

The Klaxons taking us from Atlantis to Interzone!

It was another brilliant gig at Norwich UEA last night with The Klaxons once again magnificently ruling the night and the Universe it seemed!

First on stage were Fiction who entertained us happily with their Art Punk complete with keyboards. Mixing Talking Heads and Vampire Weekend with Eighties Pop they are definitely welcome to the jungle, especially on the track Zebra Crossing!

The last time The Klaxons played at Norwich UEA they said that it was the best gig of the tour. This time they knew they had all the audience on their side and milked it to give us another memorable night. With the full in your face complete with strobe lighting of Altlantis To Interzone, Golden Skans and Gravity's Rainbow it was always going to be a big full on show. With tracks from Surfing The Void like Echoes and Flashover The Klaxons are turning into a band to sit up and take notice of in a big way.

As Jamie Reynolds said: "We believe in the collective consciousness and the world shift, and the dissolving of boundaries and the bringing together of humanity, and everybody having the same objective and living together in harmony," This band has a lot to say. Believe in The Klaxons!

Roscoe born in 1891 and all that!

Midlake born in 1891!

It was a brilliant gig at Norwich UEA last night with Midlake, John Grant and Jason Lytle. Once a Grandaddy always a Grandaddy! Jason Lytle entertained us on his acoustic guitar in his red beanie hat. With Grandaddy tracks 2000 Man and Crystal Lake in his set we were all suitably entertained.

Next on stage was John Grant singer from the Czars. he sang about Sigourney Weaver and I Wanna Go To Marz. His voice is very expressive as evident on his album Queen of Denmark. He proved that he is a wizard on the keyboards.

Finally it was time for the headliners Midlake. With seven members on stage it was an amazing site as they took us to to the forest where they make their house from cedars. Where they make their house from stone. This is the world where you change your name to something more productive like Roscoe. Been born in 1891. I love that song!

The beardy Texans ruled Norwich UEA last night with their dense beautiful folk sound. They can seem serious but you know that their is a fun side to them. At the end of the night they were joined on stage by Jason Lytle and John Grant to cap a truly memorable night.

Crystal Castles Digipunk Art Statement!

Crystal Castles Digipunk Art Statement! 

I was in a good mood arriving at Norwich UEA on Sunday evening for the Crystal Castles gig having watched Manchester United beat Stoke City 2-1 in the UEA Student Bar with two goals from Chicharito. His first goal scored with an backwards header is what I would call an Art Statement. I would say that Crystal Castles are one big Digipunk Art Statement!

After seeing HEALTH at Norwich Arts Centre last year I was really looking forward to seeing them again and I was not disappointed.  That means they have blown my mind twice! The sound and the intensity of their live shows is out of this world.

After having our minds blown once we all had to get prepared for it all happening again with Crystal Castles. Every second they were on stage it was like I was taken to another dimension. Ethan Kath let's loose the noise and our eyes are stunned by a mass of strobe lighting! Then Alice Glass makes her entrance on stage screaming and shouting causing mass hysteria in the audience. For the next hour it was like all our senses were ripped apart by the greatest Digipunk band in the world! Alice was crowd surfing without a care in the world and I was jumping up and down in awe of one of my favourite bands.

Crystal Castles have been accused of being style over substance. I would say that is completely missing the point. This is Ethan and Alice's Art on full view to the world. They may shock but that is the case with lots of Art. I love both their albums and their live show is a stunning though provoking spectacle. This has to be one of the best gigs of my life!

Mr Scruff spins up a great brew!

Mr Scruff keeping it unreal!

Going to a Mr Scruff gig is the equivalent of running a Marathon considering the length of his gigs but they are definitely worth it! Five hours of magic complete with tea stall. I got to try his legendary mint and chilli herbal tea. I highly recommend you give it a try. It's available at Norwich Playhouse if you want an afternoon brew.

Norwich UEA was buzzing last night from the beats being delivered by Mr Scruff. Soul, reggae, funk, hip hop you name it Mr Scruff will spin it. With two screens complete with his quirky visuals giving shout outs to the Norwich Massive and incoming bass line alerts  last night was a great visual experience. Twenty years of Ninja Tune Records and Mr Scruff must be one of the best examples of what the label has given to the world. Fish alert! Mr Scruff if following the trawler to find the Ninja Tuna!

Lots of freaky dancing on display last night as everyone got into the spirit of the night. Mr Scruff nights are legendary. I think you should all get into training for the next one!