The Best (and the Rest) of 2007

Posted by Jamie on December 31, 2007 1:49 PM

If Mickey Mouse's arms are in the right place, my watch tells me there is just eight hours and 11 minutes left of 2007.

That means, unless a major cultural bombshell strikes between now and midnight, I'm fairly safe in acknowledging what ticked my boxes - and what didn't - in the past 12 months.

Are you ready? It's this way...

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Cultural Countdown

Posted by Jamie on December 28, 2007 12:27 PM

Well, hasn't four-and-a-half years passed by in a flash?

That's how long Liverpool has had to prepare for its year-long mantle as the European Capital of Culture since the big news was announced back in June 2003.

London is getting two-and-a-half years longer to get its Olympics organised, but I genuinely hope 2008 becomes an initiative Liverpool looks back on with pride in years to come, and not an embarrassed shiver.

It's not about how many building sites there still are in the city, it's about the art and soul of a city which has given a lot to the world's culture over the years, and what it's going to give over the next 12 months and beyond.

On a personal nore, I'm chuffed the city finally has a major arena, to entice big name acts from across the globe, and Liverpool One looks more and more intriguing every time I drive past it.

It's three days and counting. I'll be there. Will you?

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To the Manor Bored

Posted by Jamie on December 27, 2007 8:46 AM

What did you think of the Christmas telly?

Other than the rather daft head-in-a-box bad guy who killed the disaster movie-style tension in the Doctor Who festive special, it was still by far the most entertaining show on the box on December 25 - although Kylie wasn't the ever-present guest star the hype suggested.

However, the other programme I was intrigued to see was the revival of upper class '70s sitcom To the Manor Born, with Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles looking remarkably spritely after a quarter-of-a-century away from their great big house.

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And the Show Goes On

Posted by Jamie on December 21, 2007 1:49 PM

After seeing Who Can Save Christmas on its opening day, I'd just like to take the opportunity to wish Jonny Sheldon (who played Macho Man) a speedy recovery after his recent accident.

Thankfully, the injuries weren't as bad as they could have been, and here's hoping Jonny, his girlfriend Gina, and Junior (when he or she arrives) have a safe and merry Christmas.

Good luck too, to Joey Bryans, Jonny's understudy, who I'm sure would rather be taking on one of the show's lead role in different circumstances.

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Review: Who Can Save Christmas?
Crosby Civic Hall

Posted by Jamie on December 14, 2007 10:14 AM

IN A CHRISTMAS where Aladdin is the panto of choice for so many venues, it was interesting to see a show based on a completely original idea.

When ABD Productions staged Peter Pan last year, chances for audience participation were limited, but Anne Dalton and Co have clearly been taking notes for this new production.

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Review: Aladdin
Southport Theatre

Posted by Jamie on December 14, 2007 9:51 AM

WITH references to parking on Lord Street and a quick jibe about a dishonest Mayor, the scriptwriters behind Southport Theatre’s big festive production have certainly done their last minute homework

While scaffolding surrounds the seafront theatre in readiness for May’s reopening as a major conference venue, inside it remains business as usual, despite the eccentric routes some had to take into the building.

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