Noel Gallagher revisits his Oasis B-sides for the latest from The High Flying Birds.
It’s a long-known wisdom that if you want to find the real gold in the Oasis canon, you need to dig around in their B-sides. That’s where you’ll find the likes of Talk Tonight, Round Are Way and Half The World Away. Since the band’s split, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have filled the void for many, but let’s be honest, even Noel’s most ardent fan must hanker for the days when he graced the stage with his younger brother.
Digging back into his old band’s back catalogue, the High Flying Birds have just ‘unveiled’ their versions of Going Nowhere and The Masterplan, both Oasis B-sides. It’s a move which perhaps suggests that even Noel Gallagher is starting to realise that the well has run dry and the songs he wrote as part of Oasis (a naturally fractious and explosive band) were better than anything he’s done since. Surely, it’s time that the brothers Gallagher sorted themselves out and just got Oasis back together?
Whilst it’s hard to deny the anthemic nature of these songs, it’s fair to say that these retreads lack the passion and excitement Gallagher used to infuse his songs with. Back then, it felt like he was one of us, but now, it feels as if he’s going through the motions; disconnected completely with his roots and his audience. He is of course, extremely rich, as he noted when winning the best video award for Wonderwall, and we aren’t.
The Masterplan was the flipside to what many consider the pinnacle of the band’s career (Wonderwall). The many are wrong. Oasis never topped the relentless glory of Columbia. All that aside, The Masterplan in its original guise did possess a sense of soaring emotion passion as did Going Nowhere which graced the Stand By Me single.
These new recordings do little to improve on the original versions. Sure, they were recorded at Abbey Road and have layers of orchestration, but there’s still something lacking. To borrow a line from Columbia, “what I heard is not what I hear”. But what do we know? The High Flying Birds have received glowing accolades for their latest album Council Skies and their end of year tour has several sold out dates. We still can’t help but think that everyone would rather Oasis put their differences behind them and got back together.
You can hear the new versions of these songs here. Have a listen and tell us what you think.
Or if you prefer you can watch The Masterplan here and Going Nowhere here.
Guildford Fringe’s adult panto is back
Round & About
Shows & Reviews
The sell-out professional adult panto Sleeping Beauty Felt A Little Prick is at The Back Room of the Star Inn, Guildford, from November 23rd to January 6th
Guildford Fringe Adult Panto returns for its 12th year, with Sleeping Beauty Felt A Little Prick the Adult Panto running from 23rd November – 6th January 2024 at the Back Room of the Star Inn.
The show is delivered by the creative team behind the company’s recent hit adult pantos Sinders, D!CK, Pinocchio, Aladdin One Rub Too Many and Throbbin’ Hood & his Little John. The production has a brand new script, written by Director James Chalmers with Assistant Director and Choreographer Charlotte Wyschna.
Charlotte Wyschna and Nick Wyschna of Guildford Fringe said: “Prepare for an uproarious spectacle as our yearly adult panto returns, promising laughter, mischief, and a stellar cast that will leave you in stitches. With a history of sold-out success, this year’s production is set to be a comedic masterpiece that’ll have audiences talking long after the final curtain falls.”
The professional cast (with character names kept clean here…) is:
Ciara-Alexandra Booker (Fairy): Ciara-Alexandra trained in Musical Theatre at Bird College of Performing Arts. Theatre includes: Aladdin (DK Productions), Shakespeare In Love (Altrincham Garrick Playhouse) and Aladdin (The Empty Space).
Rosy Carr (Baddy): Rosy recently graduated from Performance Preparation Academy in Guildford.Theatre includes: Throbbin Hood and His Little John (Guildford Fringe Theatre Company) and RENT (Performance Preparation Academy).
Molly King (Princess): Molly is training with Identity School of Acting, and is a 2022 Bird College graduate.Theatre includes: One Week in Magaluf (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), The Business of Love (The Hope Theatre, London), Pippin (Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre) and Aladdin (Theatre Royal, Bath).Molly is the Founder and Director of Reclaim Productions (.).
Finan McKinney (Prince): Finan trained at Arts Educational Schools London followed by the Performance Preparation Academy. Theatre includes: Viking Cruise Vocalist, Aladdin (Redhill), and In Pieces Workshop. Finan is delighted to be spending this Christmas making rude jokes in Guildford, a town in which he trained at drama school!
David Scotland (Dame): David trained at Bird College. David is delighted to be working with Guildford Fringe again after appearing in Dick! – The Adult Panto previously. In 2022, David was selected for the Traverse Theatre’s Breakthrough Writers: Launchpad programme. His first play, I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023, receiving fantastic reviews and a nomination for an OffFest Award.
To book for Sleeping Beauty Felt A Little Prick the Adult Panto, strictly for over 18s only, visit www.GuildfordFringe.com or telephone the Box Office on 01483 361101. The show runs at approx. 1 hour (no interval). Strictly for 18+ audiences.
Tickets: £20-£21.50. www.GuildfordFringe.com / 01483 361101
Age Guidance: strictly 18+ only
Access: There is no step-free access to the venue. There are no disabled toilets at the venue.
The most English Scotsman?
Round & About
Shows & Reviews
Robbie James shares his love of his ‘homeland’ in his new TV show and invites you to join the journey up north
I’ve lived all but two years of my life in the south of England. I grew up near Winchester. Winchester! It doesn’t get much more English than middle class, oat milk flat white, Schoffel wearing Winchester. I’ve since moved to Farnham. Farnham! Middle class, oat milk flat white, Schoffel wearing Farnham.
Ok so maybe I’ve had a fairly English life so far, but at heart, I feel very, very Scottish. I know, you’re rolling your eyes as you await me to tell you about my great aunt’s, cousin’s, labrador’s, dressing table’s Scottish heritage, but let me explain.
My grandparents on my mum’s side came down to Aldershot from Glasgow when my grandad (Papi as we call him) was in the parachute regiment. Ever since, my family has been settled down south, but they’ve never lost their love and impassionment for Scotland, and that’s rubbed off on me.
Watching Scotland play in the Six Nations from their south coast home has formed the nucleus of all major family events. Hearing stories of Jack & Betty’s less than glamorous upbringings in the Glaswegian tenements has humbled us through the years, and near enough everything I have in my life is thanks to their relentless hard graft. But anyway, we’ve always been brought up to be aware of our Scottish roots, and to feel them.
So when Travelxp asked me if I’d like to host a TV show taking you around Scotland for 10 days, I immediately said yes. We filmed it at the back end of the summer and it was the most fun. It felt like a form of homecoming, which even I struggle to comprehend given I’ve only ever lived in Scotland to study at Heriot Watt University for two years, but I feel at my most content in Scotland.
Every country has a mixed bag of people; but the self-deprecating, warm, charming and often downright mischievous sense of humour from Scottish people is something I can really get on board with. The landscape is also just beautiful to the point where I feel drained from the emotion it somehow brings out in me. So romantic, curiously personable, and yes really cold, but that’s fine.
I think the show covers all bases when it comes to exploring the country. We of course take you through some of the most emotive landscape the UK (and in my opinion, the world) has to offer, but we also head into cities, touch on Scotland’s often traumatic history, and you bet we learn the bagpipes (which by the way is one of the hardest things to do, lots of blowing, to the extent I nearly passed out).
I think it’s important not to force any kind of #content down anyone’s throat. No one trusts a sales rep, so we wanted to give you some ideas of things to do if you’re visiting Scotland, but they’re only ideas. You’re grown up and can plan your own trip, you don’t need me to tell you how brilliant every single cafe or walk in Scotland is, because it’s not. That’s not the case anywhere, except maybe Farnham…or Winchester. Uh oh.
Watch Robbie James in 10 Days Scotland, which airs from 25th November exclusively on Travelxp.
Rick Wakeman hosts charity dog concert
Karen Neville
Shows & Reviews
Actor Peter Egan stars at concert in aid of Saving Strays at Guildford Cathedral on November 24th
Christmas will come to Guildford early this year when keyboard maestro, composer and renowned raconteur Rick Wakeman CBE headlines a very special pre-Christmas concert.
The event at Guildford cathedral on Friday 24th November will raise funds for Saving Strays, the all-volunteer UK charity which rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes abandoned and abused dogs.
Get in the festive mood while raising money for a worthwhile cause with an evening of music and fun, as Rick plays old favourites from his own repertoire and those of other artists, plus seasonal tunes, all adapted for piano and keyboards and interspersed with hilarious anecdotes and stories that tickle his sense of humour.
Rick, who along with his wife Rachel has adopted Saving Strays’ rescue dogs, says: “Dogs have so much love to give and it upsets me that humans are not always reciprocal. If you let a dog into your life, then from first hand experience, I can guarantee that you will have a very special life.”
The bill for this exclusive evening will be completed by:
Musical comedy trio Triple Cream
Singer-songwriter Mim Grey
New vocal talent Nicola Olsen
Choir from Godalming-based music school, A Touch of Musicality
Peter Egan, screen star of Downton Abbey and Unforgotten, and co-chair of Saving Strays.
Join this wonderful evening while raising money to help lost and abused dogs around the world!
Co-chair Maria Slough says: “To be able to host this concert with Rick and Peter and everyone who is taking part is such an incredible way to close out the year. We will raise the roof for the dogs in need and it will be an experience to remember for everyone.”
Ticket prices: Standard £30-50. Meet & Greet and Premium Ticket £80. All tickets include souvenir programme.
Doors open: 6.15pm (for Meet & Greet Ticket holders), 6.50pm (for Standard Ticket holders), Showtime: 7.30pm
Box Office: https://www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/boxoffice/695
New Art Surrey fair at Epsom
Karen Neville
Shows & Reviews
Your creative senses will be tingling from the moment you arrive at Art Surrey, a new contemporary art fair coming to The Duchess Stand, Epsom Downs Racecourse, October 6th to 8th
Art Surrey opens on Friday 6th October with a Preview Evening with a complimentary glass of fizz from 6pm-9pm and opens over the weekend on Saturday 7th, 10am-6pm and Sunday 8th, 10am-5pm.
This exciting inaugural art fair curated by Art Surrey and Ewell based Art Adviser and Gallery, Caiger Art, offers art lovers and collectors the chance to browse and purchase artworks from over 80 of the most exciting contemporary and traditional artists selling today, many of whom are Surrey based artists.
As final preparations get under way, Carol Caiger, Director of Art Surrey, is excited about this new Epsom venture: “Being one of the largest art fairs within the south east of England, this new contemporary art fair will be the perfect place to find artwork to start your art collection, or add to your collection if you are already an art enthusiast!”
There will be over 3,000 works of art to see, paintings, drawings, prints, digital art, mixed media art, photography, sculpture, glassworks and ceramics. With all artwork ranging from £50 to over £3,000, there will be something for everyone.
This year the invited showcase is Surrey Sculpture Society, who will be showing a selection of their artists’ sculptures for sale.
Carol adds: “The bonus is, as well as awesome artwork, the Caiger Art and Art Surrey Team are on hand to give expert advice on the best artwork to buy for your home, too”
Weekend facilities include a bar and café / restaurant serving teas, coffee and food throughout Saturday and Sunday, so you can easily spend a whole day there. The venue is also wheelchair accessible.
Tickets are available to buy for the Friday Preview Evening, Saturday and Sunday from Buy Tickets – Art Surrey.
Cube comedy and quiz nights
Karen Neville
Shows & Reviews
Kate Lucas, Louise Atkinson and Howard Read are on the bill for comedy at the Cube at The Shed in Bordon in October
The Shed has a truly top selection lined up throughout October with the return of the Cube Comedy Club as well as quiz nights and markets.
The venue offers the perfect backdrop for evenings of belly laughs and fantastic community events.
The Cube Comedy 5th October at 8:00pm
This month’s comedy delights include Kate Lucas, Louise Atkinson and Howard Read.
Kate Lucas is an award-winning musical comedian and is known for her razor sharp and deliciously dark songs.
Louise Atkinson has quickly established herself on the comedy scene as one of the ones to watch for the future, and is said to have a strong flavour of Victoria Wood!
Howard Read is a comic, writer, animator and actor, in that order. He is best known for being one half (and the other half), of the Big Howard, Little Howard, the world’s first human cartoon double-act.
Tickets are £13.50 and can be bought on The Shed website.
Quiz nights at The Shed
On October 5th and 17th The Shed’s popular bar will be running quiz nights to test your brains every other Tuesday.
The Tap at The Shed’s quiz nights are only £1 entry per person with teams up to six. Winner takes the pot and there’s a chance to win a £25 bar voucher! Always a fun night out, just message Tap @ The Shed via their social media to book – Facebook.
Throughout October there are also the popular Saturday Markets on 14th and 28th, as well as a Halloween themed craft session with Daisy’s Craft room to try with the little ones, and of course top films at the Ticket Cinema.
You can find the full line-up of all upcoming Saturday Night at The Shed acts on the events page – Upcoming Events at The Shed.
Windsor Designs Live a success!
Round & About
Shows & Reviews
After a successful first event, all eyes are now on the next Windsor Designs Live on Saturday 7th October. There’s still time to book your place.
Thinking of building a new home? Or extending, remodelling or refurbishing your home or garden?
Then Windsor Designs Live is for you! The goal of the event is to help take some of the stress out of the process of creating or transforming your home, to alleviate any worries or concerns you may have, and for you to be inspired.
You can book a meeting with up to eight consultants and suppliers completely free of charge, without any obligation. You’ll be able to ask questions, get free advice and become more knowledgeable.
Experts including an architect, interior designer and a landscape designer. There will be a furniture designer and manufacturer, a builder and decorator plus consultants in planning, energy and smart homes. Pre-booking is recommended by following this link.
The venue for Windsor Designs Live 2023 is The Education Centre at the architecturally inspiring Thames Hospice, overlooking Bray Lake. Complimentary refreshments are available throughout the day. The address is, Thames Hospice, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2DN. For more information on how to find the venue please follow this link.
The Garden Show at Broadlands
Karen Neville
Shows & Reviews
The Garden Show is set to bloom again this weekend, September 29th to October 1st, with the chance to admire the trees in all their autumn glory
The Garden Show is set to bloom again this autumn and we are delighted to be back at Broadlands and admire the wondrous trees in the park as they start to acquire their autumn glory.
Although there will be fewer plants than in the spring and summer shows, it is the perfect time for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs, winter flowering plants, giving them a chance to develop good root structure, as well as an array of indoor plants to enhance the winter home.
It’s a great opportunity to source new talent, designers and artisans and browse over 160 stands showcasing the latest specialist plants, garden and home accessories, art, design, sculpture, fashion, toys and a multitude of lovely goodies with tempting foods and wines in the Country Food marquee. There is something at the show that will appeal to everyone! It’s a good opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping and support the smaller businesses with a unique range of wares not found on the high street.
Apart from the extensive selection of retail companies at the show there are many other attractions. Expert garden advice from Paul Slater, the new Gardening Doctor and also from the knowledge growers at the show, helping gardens thrive.
On Friday Dr Ian Bedford, entomologist, will be running the ‘Pest Clinic’ and can identify any bug samples, brought along and how to rid your garden of them in as friendly a way as possible and he will be ready to discuss ‘Britain’s Nature Recovery Plan’.
Also on Friday we are delighted that Tayshan Hayden-Smith will be running a Gardening Q&A session ‘Empowering young people into horticulture’ and on Saturday Paul Slater will be also holding Q&A session ‘Plant Selection’ helping gardens thrive. Then the show welcomes back Ben Cross from Crosslands Nursery, who on Sunday will be extolling the ‘British Cut Flower Industry’ … ‘British Flowers Rock’!
It’s not all about gardening: there are plenty of activities on site to keep all the family occupied including The Giant Tombola, a chance to win amazing prizes donated by The Garden Show exhibitors in support of the show’s chosen charity Jane Scarth House Cancer Support Charity. Fun times to be had for the children with entertainer Crazee Hazee, learning circus skills and watching his hilarious Punch and Judy shows! Plus, Carousel amusements with toddler fun fair rides and bouncy castles.
There will be ongoing artisan demonstrations and a chance to have a go at a blacksmithing workshop plus musical entertainment from The Jazz Trio, who will be wandering around delighting all with their evocative music of times past… all this and so much more to enjoy including Huxley Birds of Prey who will thrill spectators as they soar to the skies.
Tickets on the gate: adults £10, concs £8, child £4, family (2+2) £26.
Prebook online for 15% discount BUY TICKETS – The Garden Show at Broadlands.
Q&A with Fiona Allen on tour
Liz Nicholls
Shows & Reviews
We chat to comedian & Smack The Pony star Fiona Allen who is on tour with her debut stand-up show On The Run, including stops at Guildford’s Electric Theatre on 28th September, plus Swindon, London & Maidenhead
Q. Hi Fiona. Seeing as your show is called On The Run, can you tell us about your impulse to get away from your hometown?
“I think I get my wanderlust from my mum and dad. My mum grew up in the time of Franco and left Spain as a young woman. She couldn’t speak English and was an au pair, then she became a nurse in the north of England where she met my dad (a psychiatric nurse). He then went on to work in Saudi Arabia when I was eight (interesting school holidays in Saudi…). Then the family home moved back to Spain, then back to the UK, so basically itchy feet are hardwired into me. I think I’m genetically predisposed to look at the horizon and think I wonder what’s over the hill. I was like that as a chid, and I simply haven’t changed.”
Q. How did you meet your husband & how has the whirlwind of family life affected ‘romance’?
“He was a location manager on the first series of Smack The Pony. We kept glancing at each other but trying to look like we weren’t. Then the director, who was getting slightly irritated, said ‘for God’s sake, talk to each other and go on a date’. One day I slipped filming a scene and missed the crash mat as it was the wrong way round. I banged my head, and he took me back to the base. It was then, when I was dazed, confused and slightly concussed that he asked me out for a drink! I could be flippant about the romance question, but I won’t be as one thing I really believe is that marriage is sometimes how you navigate the tough times together. Flowers, kind thoughts and actions are lovely, but nothing is more romantic than knowing that every day, no matter what, someone has always got your back. However he doesn’t tidy up and drives me bonkers.”
Q. What about meeting your father-in-law, Michael Parkingson?
“He was just a normal (very) Northern bloke who happened to be famous. Good to chat to as a journo and cut through stuff. He can ask a question. I can so answer it.”
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Dirty Dancing takes to Oxford stage
Round & About
Shows & Reviews
Get swept up in the holiday romance vibes of Baby and Johnny thanks to this smash hit West End tour at Oxford’s New Theatre 25th-29th July.
With standing ovations at every performance this spring at the Dominion Theatre, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage finished its record-breaking run at the end of April to sashay on to a 24-week UK & Ireland tour.
Michael O’Reilly (West Side Story, Leicester Curve; Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies, Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Kira Malou (Fame, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre; Penny on Mars, Disney Plus) are winning hearts with their roles as Johnny and Baby.
Producer Karl Sydow says: “I’m thrilled about the success of the second Dominion Theatre season and to be out on tour for the fifth time since 2011. We have an amazing cast for this new tour.”
“We have an amazing cast for this new tour”
Exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing, this triumphant stage production, inspired by the wildly popular film, features the hit songs Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? And, of course, (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.
Completing the cast are: Georgia Aspinall (Penny Johnson), Jack Loy (Dr Jake Houseman), Taryn Sudding (Marjorie Houseman), Daisy Steere (Lisa Houseman), Danny Colligan (Billy Kostecki), Colin Charles (Tito Suarez), Christian James (Neil Kellerman), Mark McKerracher (Max Kellerman), Lydia Sterling (Elizabeth) with Mark Faith, Lowri Hamilton, Tyler Lotzof, Jody Zimmerman, Eva Philips, Callum Fitzgerald, Michael Nelson, Joel Benjamin, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Jenna Warne, Taylor Bridges, Daisy West, Aaron J Smith, Ayden Morgan and Thomas Inge.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, written by Eleanor Bergstein, is directed by Federico Bellone (West Side Story, Milan; Sunset Boulevard, Milan) and choreographed by Austin Wilks. The creative team are completed by costume designer Jennifer Irwin, lighting Designer Valerio Tiberi, Sound Designer Chris Whybrow, Music Supervisor Conrad Helfrich and supervising musical director Richard John.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage is produced by Karl Sydow is association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions. Book your tickets at Dirty Dancing.