March 2009 Archives

He appeared to be about 10 years old sitting there on stage trying to look serious in his robes, and when they put the his academic cap on his head he looked for all the world like one of the Princes in the Tower!
But Vasily Petrenko is now DOCTOR Vasily Petrenko after being given his honorary Doctor of Letters accolade at Liverpool Hope last night.
In typical award ceremony fashion, he modestly said the gong was not really for him but for the Phil without whom he would not have done anything.
Generous and partly true at least. But of course without Petrenko, the Phil and Liverpool would not have been galvanised into such a splendid cultural rebirth either.

An interesting, if diverse, evening yesterday.
First I dropped into the RLPO's new rehearsal and recording space at the former St Mary and the Angels church in West Everton which was being officially opened.
Youngsters from the neighbouring Faith Primary School performed songs, one with musicians from the Phil accompanying them, and one with the audience urged to join in with actions - some with more gusto than others I have to say!
It's taken two years and some tears to bring the disused church back into action, albeit as a place of music rather than a place of worship.
Since my article was cut to three paragraphs in today's paper, I thought I would repeat it here.

The Floral Pavilion opened with a fanfare three months ago after a multi-million pound makeover and still smells shiny new.
With the revamp has come fresh confidence and ambition, and the ability to attract artistes of the calibre of the Henri Oguike Dance Company - this performance part of the Leap 09 dance festival.
The Welsh/Nigerian's acclaimed company, one of the foremost contemporary dance outfits in the UK and a Leap favourite, reaches its 10th birthday this year and is celebrating with an anniversary tour showcasing some of the best of the last decade.

CRUISE fans will know the measure of a good ship is found in its on-board facilities, fine dining and the standard of its entertainment.
Tell that to the occupants of the barky bound for Botany Bay and boasting rather less than the spa, wave pool and piano bar of your average pleasure palace on the seas.
Which just leaves the entertainment, in this case, a production of John Gay's 18th century smash hit The Beggar's Opera - presented by a rag tag of coin clippers, arsonists, political prisoners, poachers and prostitutes.

It's always great to get feedback from readers, but not always easy to get back in contact with them as a result.
And it is thus with Bryan Howley who sent me a message via the blog. Thank you for your communication and can you send me a secod message with your contact details please so we can talk about your arachnid issue?

IT was a case of exit stage left and watch out for Klingons on the starboard bow during Othello last week I hear.
The tragic Shakespearen tale of what happens when the green-eyed monster jealousy strikes also featured green-eyed monsters (well, pretend aliens) in the theatre.
Apparently a group of audience members on the front row were dressed in Star Trek-style attire which promoted some out-of-this-world ad libbing.
My spy tells me: "Othello's lieutenant Cassio is seriously injured as a result of Iago's scheming, and as he was being stretchered away, a member of the cast exclaimed ''Cling on, Cassio!''
Iago was then later heard to exclaim: 'Go boldly to the citadel' - a line definitely not penned by the Bard."

It may be that it will appal some people, but I for one can't wait to hear Liverpool Cathedral ringing out the tune to John Lennon's Imagine.
If only because the bells weren't made to perform songs, and the finished article - if it works - will be a marvellous feat by the cathedral's talented campanologists.
And of course, I'm not alone in looking forward to the May 16 performance.
Lennon's widow Yoko Ono made a point of publishing my story on her Imagine Peace website, and commented on it on her personal Facebook page saying the idea was "so beautiful, it made me choke up."
She told me: "I just said what came to me - my true immediate thoughts. Some moments are felt with deep appreciation, quietly."
Mind you, there will be nothing quiet about ringing out the song on the highest and heaviest peal of bells in the world.
Imagine that.

THE Royal Liverpool Philharmonic looks comfortably at home in the Echo Arena.
They were the heroes of its Capital of Culture opening ceremony, perched seven storeys high on stage in Jailhouse Rock fashion.
Months later they appeared again, this time in an sold out, explosive arena extravaganza.
And on Saturday the Phil proved yet again they were the equal of the lights, lasers and explosive razzmatazz as they reprised the dramatic classical waterfront show.