Arts Archives - Page 26 of 31

Lockerbie: Lost Voices

Jul 052013

2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Scotland autumn tour for the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie tragedy. Contributed by Duncan Harley, and reproduced with permission.

The play gives voice to six hypothetical characters grappling with their conflict between accepting the unacceptable and having the courage to stand up for their personal truth.

Their conflicts unfold on board Pan Am Flight 103 on 21 December 1988: a mother and her stepdaughter engage in a power struggle and a retired couple disagree on priorities – family versus personal dreams.

The third couple, a USA intelligence agent and a Scottish investigative journalist, face their profound fear of the consequences in speaking truth to power. With humour, love and courage each couple discovers a surprising insight into their relationship.

In the last of three scenes, “A Chorus of Angels,” the six dead passengers join together in presiding over their own funeral. They speak from the neutrality of death in bearing witness to the investigation unfolding on the ground — the care and effort of not only those trying to uncover the truth, but also those deliberately trying to hide and manipulate it.

In poetic language and original choral music, they shed new light on the worst terrorist attack in the UK.

Directed by Corinne Harris

with James Bryce (pictured).

Source: http://www.the-elements.org.uk/productions/lockerbie-lost-voices/

Stoney Folk’s Silver Jubilee

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Gigs and Concerts No Responses »

Jul 012013

With thanks to Charlie West.

The Folk of Stonehaven will be celebrating the town’s 25^th annual Folk Festival this July. The weekend festival began in 1989 with a series of concerts in the Town Hall and a number of fringe activities including workshops, sessions and a Tradition Bearers singing concert.

The festival has grown over the years to include many more events such as the World Paper’n’Comb Championship – a fun ‘competition’ with a different theme each year and the unique Aqua Ceilidh held in the Open Air swimming pool.

Dancing is to a live ceilidh band and includes well known favourites such as the Splashing White Sergeant and Drip the Willow. Rain or shine this is one for all the family.

This year the organisers have placed an emphasis on highlighting some of the exciting new young talent alongside well-established artists such as Scotland’s Dougie MacLean and Paul Brady ( pictured above ) form Ireland. Dougie is well-known as a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and is famously the composer of Caledonia.

In the 70’s Paul started with the supergroup Planxty, going on to establish a very successful solo career in America before returning to his roots in Ireland.

Among the new breed of up-and-coming talent is Rura – a five-piece band featuring pipes, fiddle, bodhrán, guitar and vocals and including three BBC Young Tradition finalists, and Zoe Bestel, the girl with the ukulele, a singer-songwriter of amazing talent and depth of understanding whose repertoire of self-penned songs covers a range of subjects, often with an interesting twist.

There will also be the North East Folk Collective led by Sharon Hassan – a group of 13-18 year olds with some amazing tunes and tight arrangements all ensuring the good health and future of Scottish folk music.

In addition to the Town Hall concerts, there is also a full programme of activities on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday there is, weather permitting, a concert in the square, featuring festival artists and local singers and musicians.

In case of rain the concert will be held in the Town Hall. At 12 noon in the Belvedere Hotel, a tutor from Scottish Culture and Traditions (SCAT) will lead slow sessions giving less-experienced musicians a chance to learn some tunes and join in the fun.

There will be a big singaround during the afternoon with Danny Couper and Arthur Johnstone showcasing some of the best of traditional Scots song and singers and a series of hosted sessions and workshops throughout the afternoon.

At 1600 the World Paper’n’Comb Championship kicks off, with the theme Loud Shirts. Just about anything goes and fancy dress is optional.

Sunday starts with the unique Aqua Ceilidh in the Art Deco open air pool. The pool has heated seawater so it is always at a pleasant temperature for dancing to the NE Folk Collective Ceilidh Band. This is followed by the Cowie Fringe in the nearby recreation club. This is a mix of festival artists and guests with additional fun things for kids of all ages to do, rounded off with a fun Family Ceilidh.

Also around the town there is the Tradition Bearers concert featuring four of the best traditional singers in the UK followed by the Chorus Cup – a fun completion to see who can get the loudest chorus. There will also be workshops with members of the band Breabach and sessions around the town.

For full details, visit www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk.

Tickets are available online from the Town Hall Trust web site http://stonehaventownhall.org.uk/ from Celtic Chords in Barclay Street, Stonehaven or from the ticket line 07766 851596.

Thursday 11^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival weekend starts here :

Opening Concert in Stonehaven Town Hall – featuring Dougie MacLean, one of Scotland’s most successful, respected and popular musicians, Singer-songwriter, composer and ‘magical’ performer, he is also a fine guitarist and fiddle player. He will be supported by local singer and musician Ken Clark.

Friday 12^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival big Concert Ceilidh night in the Town Hall starts at 7:30 ‘till late (well 1 o’clock). Featuring Ray Moore, Rura, Mairearad Green and Anna Massie plus the Occasionals Ceilidh Band.

Saturday 13^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival Weekend : things gets going at 11 o’clock with workshops, sessions, afternoon Open Stage at the Plainstones (Town Square) featuring local artist and Festival guests. Evening concert in the town Hall, guests are the North East Folk Collective, Kristina Olsen and Braebach.

During the day there will be a singaround led by Danny Couper and Arthur Johnstone. There will also be the Steenhive Big Sing with Christine Kydd – a chance to join a group of people and sing together, no experience is necessary and Christine will ensure everyone has fun while learning some songs and harmonies. Don’t forget the World Paper’n’Comb championships – this year with a “Loud Shirt” theme.

Sunday 14^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival Weekend – the day gets going with Aqua Ceilidh in the town’s open air pool, a great way to clear the cobwebs. Dancing to the North East Folk Collective with dances such as Drip the Willow and the Splashing White Sergeant. The day continues with the Cowie Family Fun Day at the Recreation Club plus more sessions around the town.

During the afternoon there is a Tradition Bearers concert with four great traditional singers Henry Douglas, Bella Hardy, Jerry O’Reilly and Moira Stewart followed by the Chorus Cup competition.

The Festival closes with an evening concert in the Town Hall featuring Zoe Bestel, Bella Hardy and legendary singer songwriterPaul Brady.

Workshops with members of Breabach and day two of the Steenhive Big Sing with Christine Kydd.

MC For the weekend will be Martin Kasprowicz

Although tickets are usually available on the door, people are advised to buy tickets in advance as most concerts sell out.

Tickets are available from Celtic Chords, 8 Barclay Street in Stonehaven (01569 763193) or by calling the ticket ‘phone 07766 581596 or visiting the Stonehaven Town Hall web site http://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/7885/chk/0d5c

There will also be a Festival Office located in the Upper Town Hall over the weekend; it opens from 4 o’clock on the 11^th July for ticket sales and programme information.

Dog City?

Aberdeen City, Information, Satire and Humour 10 Responses »

Jun 282013

Lets talk about …..Dogging. Dave Watt writes.

Dogging is a predominantly British activity that involves outdoor exhibitionism in car-parks, wooded areas and the like.
The term dogging originated in the early Seventies to describe men who spied on couples having sex outdoors. These men would ‘dog’ the couples’ every move in an effort to watch them.

When uninhibited couples discovered that open-air sex has its own special thrill they began meeting in car-parks, and the doggers found a new and rich supply of voyeuristic fun.

Moreover, the doggers soon realised that couples were actively encouraging them to watch, even performing for them, and sometimes allowing them to join in.

Is Dogging legal?

Currently in the UK dogging is mentioned in the sexual offences act under Section 66 – Exposure and Section 67 – Voyeurism.

Section 66 of the law specifically states that if doggers intend to cause alarm or distress to members of the public then they are breaking the law and face consequences. In other words, it is not illegal to have sex outdoors but you can get in trouble if an innocent passerby spots you and is offended.

So, if you’ve got a spotty bum let’s get Mr Clearasil to work and give those cheeks a good airing.

Dogging Requirements – A car. No matter how well developed your calf muscles, turning up on a bike is a real ‘no-no’.

To attract the attention of fellow doggers: flash either headlights or interior car lights.

Participation etiquette :

Interior car light on – invitation for any nearby doggers to watch.

Car windows open – invitation for any nearby doggers to touch, grope or feel.

Car door open – invitation for any nearby doggers to participate in sex act.

Bent naked over bonnet of your car – basically an open invite to all comers although a certain amount of decorum in the shape of an orderly queue should be maintained. Play nice, people.

Why dog at all?

Although obviously the protagonists main motivation is sex many doggers cite such other benefits as getting out in the fresh air and meeting lots of new people.

Dogging in Aberdeen

The Counteswells Car-Park opposite the EquestrianSchool has a thriving evening turnover with Friday and Saturday nights apparently best for the serious dogger. Daytime action tends to be most common at Parkhill Picnic Area at the Bridge of Don although there are other areas around the city – down beside the river near Baker Hughes in Stoneywood and the road at the end of Leggart Terrace towards Banchory Devenick being two other favoured locations.

Top Dogs in the UK

A survey recently showed that the top areas for dogging in the UK are Essex (where their desire to embrace Nigel Farage is surpassed only by their desire to embrace each other naked in secluded car parks) Kent and London with our own Strathclyde and Lothian, sadly, in the bottom ten. Hang your heads in shame, as they say, Strathclyde and Lothian.

A Window of Opportunity

However, with the failure of Southern Scotland in the dogging stakes is this not a golden opportunity for the Granite City to seize the moment by becoming Scotland’s Dog City? After the disappointment of Aberdeen not getting the UK’s City of Culture by apparently not sticking two million tons of concrete on top of a city park let us not be dismayed.

Let us instead look upward and onward and above all, innovatively. Since Union Terrace Gardens aren’t going to be home to a conglomeration of chain stores that will bring in more tourists every year than the Grand Canyon how can we best utilise it in its present format?

Simples. Let’s turn UTG into Britain’s first custom made Dogging Centre.

Commercially, this could be a goldmine for the city

Obviously a certain amount of work will need to be done, planting bowers and creating dogging bays around the perimeter of the Gardens and of course, some sort of one way system will have to be introduced for traffic control.

Other innovations could include the discreet lighting of trees lit from below as per the Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen which would add much to the nocturnal dogging scene and, for those inclement winter months, some outdoor heaters for the fair weather dogger.

Commercially, this could be a goldmine for the city with an entry dogging fee and fast food licences to be sold to prospective outlets. Obviously, after an evening of trouser antics out in the fresh air Mr & Ms Dogger (or Mr & Mr Dogger for that matter) are going to be dying for a fag and a good feed.

Perhaps Ann Summers might want to open a stall for those ‘last minute things’ that one of the protagonists has forgotten to pack. Attendants could also roam the Gardens selling KY Jelly, Viagra and ‘interesting’ condoms.

For those doggers who wish to ‘show what they’ve got’ there could be the establishment of an entry fee spectators gallery overlooking the main action spots and for those doggers who want a record of the event we could initiate the sale of discreetly packaged DVDs.

Another nice earner could be the sale of souvenir t-shirts. with such ‘witty’ messages as ‘My Mum and Dad spent four hours dogging in Union Terrace Gardens and all they brought me back was this lousy t-shirt and some penicillin.’

Enterprising garages could tender for a combined MOT and Service While You Dog offer. The commercial possibilities are endless. This is not the time for shilly-shallying – we must seize the moment to put Aberdeen on the Dogging Map.

Over to you, Comrade Barney.

Aberdeen Voice does not accept payments for advertising or publishing, we rely on our volunteers and donations from the public. Donations can be made via paypal to donations@aberdeenvoice.com
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New Partnership Boosts Torry’s Cultural Regeneration

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 282013

voluntary-service-aberdeen-ceo-kenneth-simpson

With thanks to Claire McBain.

Voluntary Services Aberdeen (VSA), the NE’s largest charity and the country’s biggest city social care charity, has donate £1000 to Old Torry Community Centre to mark a new partnership between the organisations.

This is in line with VSA’s strategy of empowering and investing in local communities and Old Torry’s quest to raise its cultural and social impact locally.

The donation will contribute to the Centre’s funding appeal to get children’s community workshops and murder mystery-themed plays off the ground.

Lesley-Anne Mulholland, secretary at the Centre, said:

“‘Our dedicated committee will continue regenerating the Old Torry Community Centre, making it a local cultural hotspot focused on education and entertainment. We would like this to be the start of a plethora of cultural events at Old Torry.

“We recently attracted a Scottish National Theatre production but this project is vital to continue raising our profile and to help encourage other theatre companies, musicians and comedians to follow suit’.”

Fiona-Jane Brown, director of Hidden Aberdeen Tours, is leading the project.

“Our first goal for this project is to have a national theatre company perform in October, supplemented by a drama workshop for young adults and a horror make-up class for children. But we need £1000 to bring the theatre company to Old Torry and £1000 for the workshops, which will be led by local experts.

“We’re delighted for any contributions and we’re incredibly grateful to have an organisation as large and influential as VSA on board. Their support and belief in the project means a huge amount.”

Kenneth Simpson, VSA’s chief executive, agreed:

“We’re passionate about supporting community projects. We want to work with communities and ask ‘if you want to do something, how can we help you succeed?’ This particular project is an ideal fit with VSA’s remit of supporting vulnerable communities and promoting education for young people.

“It’s a great opportunity for us too. VSA service users will be able to get involved by attending the workshops and seeing the play. It’s a brilliant, mutually-beneficial partnership.”

Theatre company Don’t Go Into The Cellar’s one-man shows, Holmes Alone and Warnings to the Curious are provisionally scheduled for performance on 11 and 12 October at the Old Torry Community Centre. The initiative is a joint project between Hidden Aberdeen Tours, The Cellar Theatre Company and Old Torry Community Centre.

Letter From Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Satire and Humour 2 Responses »

Jun 172013

The Aberdeen Voice has received a letter from a Mr I. Aymin, a retired ostrich baron from the small town of Aberdeen in the Cambedoo Mountains in South Africa. As it is our stated policy to represent the people of Aberdeen regardless of race, creed, colour, religion or apparently, geography, we have decided (albeit with some misgivings) to publish his message as requested.

Hello, My fellow Aberdeensians!
Since retiring from the large poultry business following a severe head-kicking from a rogue bird, I have been taking a keen interest in the many ‘Aberdeens’ around the world (32 at last count).
As a form of remedial neurological therapy, I can heartily recommend it.

Thanks to our wonderful new internet service (admittedly intermittent), coupled with it’s (let us be truthful) unreliable translation software, I have become aware of your city’s gallant attempt to be named ‘City of Couture 2017’ and feel I should show my whole-hearted support for our sister city.

I have to admire this brave move on the part of your tribal elders since, having looked at street scenes of your Aberdeen, the majority of citizens seem to be dressed by Primark or JLM Sports. This, however, only serves to reinforce the respect I have for the people of Scotland.

Before my family moved here from Uganda my great-uncle President Idi often spoke of the time he spent in your beautiful land while receiving the military training he later put to such good use.

Indeed he so admired the pluck of a small country seeking independence that he offered himself to be crowned King of Scotland. (You missed a trick there, you Scotties, instead of resenting the English for all these years; you could have been eating them!).

I must apologise for that digression – my mind wanders, my head aches and I often find that I have been ‘napping’ unknowingly. That damned bird!

On refreshing my internet link I find that your fair city is hoping to be named ‘City of Cutlery 2017’.

I fear you will face stiff opposition from Sheffield! (I see the ostrich hoof coming at me in my dreams!)

Looking again at pictures of all the new and planned architecture of your city – the office buildings, hotels and shopping malls – I have little doubt that you will be successful and you shall indeed be named ‘City of Clutter 2017’.

– Best Wishes, I Aymin (rtd.)

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Going For A Song: Granite City Chorus In Concert

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 142013

The Granite City Chorus are holding a concert at the Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee, Bieldside, on Saturday 22^nd June. Brian Welch writes.

The Granite City Chorus has been in existence since 1990, from an initial idea by Bob Stevens, our current Honorary President, a name is synonymous with its home city, although it began life as the Royal Mailers which reflected its Post Office origins.

And, just to confuse things further, its ‘Sunday name’ is The Aberdeen Barbershop Harmony Club.

Having come first in the Light Entertainment and Barbershop Chorus sections of the Aberdeen and North East Festival this month, the group can legitimately claim to be ‘the best male barbershop chorus in the North of Scotland’ and currently boasts a membership of just under fifty.

The singing style of the chorus is the four-part, unaccompanied, close harmony of tenor, lead (melody), baritone and bass voices combining to create the unique Barbershop Sound and, as a variety of song types can be arranged in the Barbershop style, its present repertoire covers a range of songs from traditional barbershop to Scottish and vintage pop standards.

The Club is one of over 50 which are members of the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) and is affiliated to the parent society, the Barbershop Harmony Society of America and to the UK choral organisation Making Music, previously known as the National Federation of Music Societies.

As the group is both a Social and Competitive chorus, the members sing for fun and the entertainment of others, but they also like to compete in annual barbershop conventions against many other choruses from around the UK and Europe.

The Chorus is also available for in the City and Shire corporate events, club functions, private parties and it regularly performs for local residential homes and sheltered accommodation and has a range and depth of material that can be adapted to deliver that 4^th dimension to any event

Anyone who wishes to join the Chorus – which practises every Tuesday night from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Woodside Church Hall, off King Street – wants to engage it for a function, or is just interested in getting further information about it, is invited to contact the Chorus Manager via the Contacts Page at www.granitecitychorus.co.uk

About the Barbershop Style

The notion of men singing together as a group is thought to have originated in the coffee shops of 17^th century England. But it was much later, towards the end of the 19th century that actual barbershop singing, where an individual would sing the melody which others would harmonise around as men waited to get their hair cut singing, was started in America.

This form continued, even in competition, until the 1930’s when written music in parts was introduced, although informal harmonising, otherwise known as ‘woodshedding’ is still practised today and has its own association.

About The Granite City Chorus’s concert on 22^nd June.

There will be four acts on the evening, including the Aberdeen debut of iQ, the 2012 gold medal quartet, it is iQ’s debut in Aberdeen which is not to be missed.

Tickets for the concert, which is being held at the Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee, Bieldside, at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday 22^nd June, are available from the Aberdeen Box Office.

The Granite City Chorus is directed by Colin Reid.

Further information can be obtained at:

Web site:                   www.granitecitychorus.co.uk
Mobile phone:         07909 108 633
Email Address         granitecitychorus@hotmail.co.uk
Facebook :               Granite City Chorus
Twitter:                      @granitecitychor

Band Of Friends – Lemon Tree May 4th

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 022013

By Suzanne Kelly.

This promises to be a proper celebration of the music of Rory Gallagher without being a tribute band, as some long-serving musicians band together as friends to create the Band of Friends.

Original band members and friends include,

GERRY McAVOY (Bass Guitar):

Played with Rory for 20 years; from 1971 to 1991 and because of this has a great insight into the man and his music. Gerry played on every album Rory ever made.

TED McKENNA (Drums):

Best known for his work with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, drumming legend Ted McKenna started his career aged 16. After recording 9 albums, the band split in late ’77 and Ted continued his drumming career with a series of outstanding musicians; Rory Gallagher, Greg Lake (ELP), Gary Moore, German guitar hero Michael Schenker and Ian Gillan (Deep Purple).

Although primarily known as a rock musician, Ted has also worked with jazz maestro John Etheridge, Juno Award-winning American Canadian blues guitarist Amos Garrett and Womack and Womack!

MARCEL SCHERPENZEEL (Guitar/Vocals) :

Grew up with Rory’s music and Gerry is quoted as saying, “This is the closest guitarist to Rory you will ever hear”.

Cahalen Morrison And Eli West: A Review

Aberdeenshire, Information 2 Responses »

Apr 182013

With news that this duo were playing The Salmon Bothy, Portsoy, on 12^th April, David Innes willingly raced to his native Banffshire to report for Voice.

On the back of scintillating live shows in the UK in late 2011, including a spellbinding night at Aberdeen’s Blue Lamp, and the unanimous industry approval of the duo’s latest album Our Lady Of the Tall Trees, this twosome have returned to our shores to play a considerable number of dates.

‘Shores’ is apt, for Portsoy’s cosy Salmon Bothy sits almost on the Moray Firth above the town’s rocky east beach and is a wonderfully-intimate, well-run and much-used community venue which we’ll feature in a future Voice piece.

The setting also coincided with the realisation that the sea is a considerable influence on Cahalen’s writing, evidenced by the opening ‘Stone To Sand’ and continuing through ‘A Lady Does Not Often Falter’, ‘Jealous Seas’ and ‘Fleeting Like The Days’.

The roots music which the pair deliver so splendidly is country and mountain-based, but their recordings and performances illustrate how traditional music, given the Cahalen and Eli treatment, can sound as old as the Appalachian Mountains, yet be as salty and fresh as the breeze that buffeted Portsoy.

“Cahalen and Eli’s music evokes a brotherhood of the road,” says the sleevenote of their 2010 album The Holy Coming of the Storm and their closeness as friends is as obvious as their instinctive and intuitive musical interplay and vocal harmonies.

Between songs, there is gentle teasing – about Cahalen’s small stature and his impressive moustache and about Eli’s attempts to learn the banjo and its negative effect on his IQ. The setlist is in their heads, but they consult good-naturedly between songs, decide what feels right to play next and offer introductions laced with spontaneous wit and self-effacement.

When an audience member requests ‘Jealous Sea’, they shrug “OK, we love crowd participation in the setlist,” meet it head on and make a feature of Cahalen momentarily forgetting the words. “It’s been a while”.

They also pay special mention to two visitors from Munich who made the trip specially to listen to the pair, last seen being herded post-gig towards The Shore Inn by Comrade Dunn in an effort to prove that between Bavaria and Banffshire there are no barriers when it comes to appreciation of wonderful music.

And beer, no doubt.

But it’s the performance that defines them and endears them to Banffshire hearts.

The songs are strong and the musicianship faultless and superbly honed. The human voice, however, is the most spirit-affirming instrument available to us. Both men are blessed with voices that are made to deliver emotion.

Cahalen’s is soulful, earthy and timeless – as rugged as the Portsoy cliffs yet, when needed, as gentle as the waves which kissed the rocky shore.

Eli’s softer tones and less intense delivery are a welcome foil. Their enmeshment in harmony is the defining ancient sound of modern American roots music.

The surprise support for the tour is the duo The Kilcawley Family, whose short but entertaining warm-up and friendliness throughout the evening, as both performers and audience members, endeared them to the packed Bothy.

Fine singers both, Louiza’s autoharp and Damon’s guitar and harmonica provide ideal accompaniment to their own narratives and to a breathtaking arrangement of ‘Twelve Gates to the City’. Now based in Morecambe and about to begin recording, they are worth keeping an eye on.

With thanks to Loudon Temple of Brookfield Knights for arranging Voice’s attendance.

Further information can be found at:

Cahalen and Eli                          – www.cahalenandeli.com
The Kilcawley Family                 – www.kilcawleyfamily.com
The Salmon Bothy, Portsoy      – www.salmonbothy.org.uk
Brookfield Knights                      – http://www.brookfield-knights.com

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Modern Apprenticeships In Media Offered

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Mar 282013

With thanks to Kirsty Young.

Creative Scotland, in partnership with Young Scot, Creative & Cultural Skills Scotland and Creative Skillset, is offering an exciting new package of Modern Apprenticeships within the arts and culture sector.

Aimed at 16-20 year olds, the young people taking part in the Modern Apprenticeships will study for vocational qualifications while gaining professional experience working for an arts organisation. (Apprenticeship Qualification offered: Diploma in Creative and Digital Media Competence.)

This position is shared between Peacock Visual Arts and Station House Media Unit.

At Peacock he or she would be encouraged to progress their learning by using the available equipment to gain hands-on experience by shooting, editing and producing films for both web and DVD. The experience would cover all aspects of digital media and, working with PVA’s Communications Manager, of web-based promotion.

At shmu there will be a programme of involvement in shmuTV (live youth TV project producing a weekly live show) shmuSOUND – recording studio, shmuFM and shmuDESIGN with the opportunity to get involved in the design of the community magazines (Creative Suite) and the development of new websites using Drupal.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday 12 April 2013

Full information and application details are available on this link :
http://www.peacockvisualarts.com/archive/389/modern-apprentice-vacancy

Jack Reacher: A Review

Information, Opinion No Responses »

Jan 242013

This was my first visit to Cineworld at the Beach in a long time, and it was to sit beside my sleeping father, an avid Lee Child reader, and watch Jack Reacher. Andrew Watson writes.

To be fair, my dad didn’t even need to be rudely awakened by special effects to maintain a steady gaze upon this Tom Cruise adaption of Child’s novel, One Shot.
I’m used to his sleeping antics by now, but felt inclined to lie about this particular outing because of how aggrieved I’ve been by his past behaviour!

Anyway, though he claims he wasn’t too impressed, Dad’s wakefulness is testament to the quality of the film, no matter his misgivings.

Foremost of these is the selection of the pint-sized Cruise for the leading role: Dad tells me that Reacher’s at least 6’6” in the books.

Having said that, there were also some gripes that I had early on in this blockbuster. What’s with the conspiratorial whispering between Reacher and Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike)?

I know that there are scandals at play here, as Helen and Reacher tussle with her powerful father (Richard Jenkins) to prove the innocence of supposed murderer, James Barr. Despite this, it all seemed overtly theatrical and, frankly, irritating.

Barr stands accused of randomly laying waste to passers-by for sick kicks, and his track record as a sniper in the army screams his guilt. However, being based on the thrilling storytelling deployed by Child, it’s safe to say that it’s not necessarily a simple open and shut case.

Not for Reacher, anyhow, who, I’ve read, can be readily compared to Sherlock Holmes in his powers of deduction. I’d agree with that.

Initially dismissed as paranoid and unaccustomed to the largely non-ulterior motives of civilian life, being an ex-military policeman, Reacher nevertheless convinces Helen to look at potential corruption within her father’s department.

Even the viewer, impressed as they may be by Reacher’s unbeatable fighting chops, doesn’t know what’s going in his head, given the man’s mysterious and recalcitrant nature throughout.

What he keeps to himself, he keeps from his enemies, as he tries to stay two steps ahead of the game.

He then overcomes a third man holding a gun to his head, as his back is turned.

Not until he’s ganged up on by a horde of young men who insist that Reacher disrespected their sister, and the suspiciously quick police response, did my Dad and I really think there was a deeper conspiracy at play.

All very serious stuff. Though there are lighter moments, too.

Take for instance the fight scene in the bathroom. Reacher’s proven to be beatable, with an unsuspected blow to the head with a baseball bat. He falls into the bath, disorientated. Cue comical rush by the two henchman to beat the crap out of him, only to foil themselves squeezing through the doorway at the same time.

It doesn’t stop there, either. They then unsuccessfully play ball with him, hitting the rim of the bath as Reacher somehow remains out of reach. This buys a now seemingly human Jack time to recover and prevail.

He then overcomes a third man holding a gun to his head, as his back is turned.

Wait a minute!

So Reacher can triumph over certain death, despite a pistol at point blank range, but he can’t handle or anticipate an unwieldy lump of wood?

Never mind, Robert Duvall’s at hand to help the viewer quickly forget inconsistencies within seemingly faultless characters like Reacher. After all, the latter’s youth, set against the aged, grizzled toughness of former army man Cash (Duvall) shows many things.

First and foremost, the obvious. Would it not be incorrect to assume the invincibility of relative youth is consistent, alternately, with elderly endeavour proving an altogether different kind of survival instinct?

I digress, I suppose. Any such debate can be illustrated with this: by the final fight scene, Reacher is hurting badly, while Cash has only a grazed eye.

Is this because he’s tougher, or because he knows his limits? He’s doing his ‘damage’ to the enemy on the perimeter of the fight scene. All the while, Reacher’s the fool taking the hits, in the centre of all the action.

Old are canny, young are reckless!

My enjoyment of this film was largely unqualified, yet my Dad had reservations.

Go figure, I enjoyed it!

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