sy on the sly – marvellous march

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Marching on, here we go! As well as reviews of all the marvellous events Bristol gave us in February and previews of everything coming up in March, we’ve got a spanking interview with Radio 1 DJ and all round sound guy, Huw Stephens. March sees the thirteenth issue of SY On The Sly, the sister publication of Suit Yourself Magazine – Bristol’s number one independent, quarterly magazine which investigates, uncovers and promotes everything that makes Bristol such a fun, vibrant and altogether amazing place to live!

TRANSCRIPT

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SY On The Sly – Marvellous MarchMarching on, here we go! As well as reviews of all the marvellous events Bristol gave us in February and previews of everything coming up in March, we’ve got a spanking interview with Radio 1 DJ and all round sound guy, Huw Stephens. March sees the thirteenth issue of SY On The Sly, the sister publication of Suit Yourself Magazine – Bristol’s number one independent, quarterly magazine which investigates, uncovers and promotes everything that makes Bristol such a fun, vibrant and altogether amazing place to live!

Read away and don’t forget to check out the latest issue of Suit Yourself Magazine, our listings service and our constantly updated blog, all found at:www.suityourselfmagazine.co.ukwww.bristollistings.co.uk

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3/ Marvellous March 7/ SY Meets…Huw Stephens 13/ Auntie Harper 46/ Horoscopes by Mystic Ginger

A Sly look back at February16/ The best of Gig 26/ The best of Stage35/ The best of Cinema

A Sly look forward at March39/ Recommended Gigs 40/ Recommended Art 41/ Recommended Clubs 42/ Recommended Stage 45/ Recommended Cinema

For those of you pretending to work, you can also read the magazine online atwww.suityourselfmagazine.co.ukwww.bristollistings.co.uk

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SY Meets…Huw StephensFor those who wonder “Who is Huw?” could you please start by describing yourself and what you do? Hello. I’m Huw Stephens, I’m a DJ on BBC Radio 1 (Wednesdays from 9pm and Thursdays from midnight) and I’m a massive music fan. I play new music of all sorts from everywhere, and mix it all up into two big shows that bring it all together. You were the youngest ever Radio 1 presenter, a mighty accomplishment by anyone’s standards, but what would you say has been your proudest achievement? Working at Radio 1 is something I’m massively proud of, it’s the best station out there, in the world, and I get to play any music I want every week to a massive audience; that’s a total delight. Other things I’m proud of? Compering the main stage at Reading Festival! I love it!

I take it you knew what you wanted to do from an early age, but who or what was the inspiration behind your aspirations? Listening to John Peel on Radio 1; growing up listening to the Evening Session and late night radio opened my ears so much. It was that really, the whole process of listening to music on the radio and thinking it was the greatest job ever.

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It seems you have an insatiable hunger for finding and sharing new music. What’s so great about it all? Hearing music is a pleasure of course, and when you get sent loads of it, and I go searching for it too, it all makes it worthwhile when you hear the good stuff. There’s so many talented music makers out there, I just wish I could play more of them! But finding a demo from a pile of hundreds and it being BRILLIANT is a total joy - knowing I can share it with the listeners, on the podcast, see them live and all of that is very exciting.

What do you think of Bristol and its music scene? Through listening to Mary Anne Hobbs’ show on Radio 1, I know the electronic scene is booming in Bristol. I saw Joker live recently and it was just incredible. I like bands like Munch Munch and Wilder a lot. Chew Magna I liked too. I love Bristol and because it’s so close to Cardiff, I used to travel there all the time to see gigs at the uni and the Fleece.

Do you have any favourite Bristol venues or events? Venn Festival was great, I went to the last one and I loved what they did. I also like Thekla; and the Louisiana is great.

Do you have any Bristol music hot tips? Mr. Hopkinson’s Computer! He’s been around a while and is a one off.

Diolch, cariad!

www.myspace.com/huwstephens

Clare Joslin

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Donate Now!Help save our sausages and keep Bristol’s No.1 independent magazine! Just go to www.suityourselfmagazine.co.uk and follow the links.

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Check out Suit Yourself Magazine, the sister publication of SY On The Sly. Suit Yourself Magazine is a free, quarterly printed magazine that has been going strong for over four years and can be found in every shop, cafe, pub, club, restaurant, hairdresser, gallery and venue all over Bristol!

Suit Yourself Magazine is an independent publication, a voice for all those young at heart, those interested in music, fashion, adventure, the arts, their environment and everything in between. A magazine which investigates, uncovers and promoters everything that makes Bristol such a fun, vibrant, and altogether amazing place to live.

Pick it up on the streets of Bristol or read back issues at:www.suityourselfmagazine.co.uk

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Auntie HarperSY’s Agony Aunt answers your questions…

1. How important is personal hygiene Harper?

My mother told me to always wash my hands before every meal, to

brush my teeth twice a day and to make sure I wash behind my ears

and in those hard to reach places if I wanted any chance of pulling

birds. However, your mother is quite different. All I need to tell

her is that her fanny smells great today and then I’m well in there.

2. How can I spice things up in the bedroom with my girlfriend?

Things must be pretty shit if you feel that you have to ask a

complete stranger and also humiliate yourself to the audience of SY.

Well, I can tell you one thing I know: You better shape up your act

mate, because your girlfriend is a real animal in the bedroom and

she told me she’d leave you if you didn’t step things up a peg or

two. In fact, she told me that this morning when we curled up in bed

together watching repeats of Supermarket Sweep.

3. Is it wrong I dream of being an Avatar? Big respect to that

film. It was truly awesome. However, I still think you are a fucking

weirdo and so will everyone else in Bristol after they read this.

To put your queries to Auntie Harper’s sympathetic ear just email:

[email protected]

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A SLY look back at FebruaryReviews of all the best gigs, art, clubs, stage and cinema over the last month in Bristol

A SLY look back at FebruaryReviews of all the best gigs, art, clubs, stage and cinema over the last month in Bristol

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NME Tour 2010Sunday 14th February 2010 @ Academy, BristolFeaturing Performances From: The Maccabees

In a way, The Maccabees are the perfect Valentine’s Day fluff. Orlando Weeks’ wistful, quivering croon matched with the band’s cutesy innocence is enough to set young hearts everywhere aflutter. But tonight the Brighton quintet prove they are bigger and bolder than the thumb-sucking juvenileness

of 2007’s album, Colour It In. Back then they sang in a vaguely romantic register about such sweet-nothings as swimming pools and Lego. Now, however, they are a stronger, more stirring outfit with justifiably credible songs to match.

They have grown mature at just the right time it seems. Recent record sales have plummeted for once hyped acts like Maximo Park, The Editors and even Arctic Monkeys. Handsome boys with guitars are no longer making waves at the Brit Awards and such like. Yet, The Maccabees have managed to retain their popularity by pacing themselves, by their fashionable non-conformity and by rocking shows like tonight.

Under purple lighting, the audience bobs and throbs

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to spunky old numbers like X-Ray and All In Your Rows. During the sickly, confection pop of Precious Time, the whole building clamours with the drawling refrain; “Let’s take our precious time about it.” It is the material from Wall Of Arms, however, that ascertains that this is a band which has come-of-age. The dainty shuffle of single Can You Give It is surprisingly explosive while the rolling thunder of Young Lions sounds markedly grungy, a huge step away from their previous cuddly aura.

They end their rousing set with a two song encore of No Kind Words and Love You Better, the latter ringing out with a potency that soars and sears in turns. “I will love you better, I will love you better, I will love you better,” the adorers scream right back at Weeks as the horn section heightens the palpable flurries of emotion bouncing from every wall. Love for The Maccabees will certainly grow and grow if they continue in this storming fashion.

www.themaccabees.co.uk

Jamie SkeyPhotos by Paul Smith

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Hot ChipWednesday 24th February 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

A gentle start, with a sea of crowds flooding the dance floor, so it’s almost impossible to get down, people hanging off the banisters to get a look at the five-piece yet to appear. As the tension builds in the dark room, everyone eagerly awaits. The electronic beat kicks in and takes its grip. The crowd start bobbing gently, almost like a valium induced rave, and the ever upbeat but chilled Hot Chip take to the stage. The lights turn to a moody blue and smoke envelopes them. As Ready For The Floor begins to play, it is a clear crowd pleaser and everyone wakes up; the atmosphere remains chilled, yet excitable.

Looking around at the mix of people, from regular ravers to those on their monthly outing, young to old and cool to nerdy, there is clearly something about this group that appeals to the masses, which makes me wonder why at the point of their third album they are still relatively unknown.

Maybe it’s their notorious nerd status that pulls in the crowds, maybe it’s the dark and intriguing atmosphere that surrounds them, or maybe it’s their totally unique ability to combine chill with

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dance, dark yet melodic, and modern with a kick of the eighties. Whatever it is, there’s no doubt it works.

As the evening draws, on the crowd sink well into the atmosphere, sounds and beats, the what was at one time gentle bobbing has been taken over by more enthusiastic and fun-themed dance floor debauchery. The set progresses and it feels all too soon. The crowd could easily continue for another stretch of funky, melodic delight. It’s been a good mix of new and old but to be expected, Over And Over is the perfect finale; I just wish that the night was going over and over and over…

www.hotchip.co.uk

Gemma SlatePhotos by Sam Berry

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A Proper Prom Party Friday 12th Feb 2010 @ The Prom, Bristol

A seventeen piece brass band and no stage…sounds like a recipe for disaster but the Prom’s reopening party was a great night. The staff were clearly knackered after a week of late nights and early mornings getting the venue sorted out but they were in high spirits in their impressive 20’s fancy dress and were in the mood to party! Apart from the missing stage, and slightly patchy paintwork, the place looked good and after my free shot and a couple of (what turned out to be very ) strong fruit punches, I’d forgotten about the not entirely “complete re-furb”.

GBH Big Band were amazing, really entertaining to watch, and the whole evening had an air of an old school party. There was none of the usual Bristol urban cool, just a lot of glitter, feathers, red lippy and a gala element of confetti, balloons and a raffle, announced with a drum roll from the massive band. The vibe was lively and cheerful with all the punters getting in on the swing dancing action - alongside the Ziggy Stardust-esque face painting, the whole night was pretty surreal.

The bar staff had obviously put a lot of time and love into the event and genuinely wanted everyone to have a good night. I really got a sense that the aim was to bring around a change at the venue and inject some life into the place. The refurbishment was obviously rushed in places but let’s hope the new staff can keep up the momentum and enthusiasm to make the Prom live up to its potential. It’s nice to find a bar that is independent from the usual cheap soulless student chain boozers, where there’s a bit of character and the staff clearly want to stage a good party, even if there’s no stage on which to perform it!

www.theprom.co.uk

Natalie Burns

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Hot Club De ParisMonday 22nd February 2010 @ The Louisiana, BristolWith Support From: Daylight Fireworks

If last night at the Louisiana proved anything, it was that it will take a lot more than a chilly Monday night to put Bristol’s gig goers off. Punters packed inside to enjoy the evening’s triple billing and things got started by local outfit, Daylight Fireworks. The young 4-piece opened with a dark and broody instrumental number that built and built, gathering momentum until finally erupting in a pop-rock explosion of razor-sharp guitar and pounding drums. They are an energetic band, just as adapt at playing these atmospheric slowies as much as the adrenaline thumping pogo-provokers and their short but sweet set was thoroughly enjoyable. I only wish they’d stop apologising after every song; we didn’t notice you doing anything wrong guys, just enjoy it!

When we get to Hot Club De Paris, these three cheeky chaps for Liverpool waste no time in treating us to the kind of quirky indie-pop-Pop-POP! that’s given them such a loyal fan base through thick and thin. ‘Formulaic’ doesn’t seem to be in HCDP’s vocabulary, their songs ditching any sort of “Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus” formula and instead riffs, beats, harmonies and some spoken word vocals swirl around each other before falling into place with addictive and thrilling results. They end the night on the outstanding former single, Shipwreck, provoking one last enthusiastic boogey from all present.

www.daylightfireworks.comwww.hotclubdeparis.com

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Marina and The DiamondsMonday 22nd February 2010 @ The Cooler, Bristol

On the same day that her debut album, The Family Jewels, entered the charts at a very healthy number 2, we go to see Marina and The Diamonds live at The Cooler on Park Street. On

arriving, we’re handed postcards and stickers and photographed by a pretty girl who says; “Marina like’s to have pictures of her diamonds”. That’s nice.

Just after 9 o’clock there is a loud and friendly applause as Marina and her band fill the tiny stage. With loads of presence and power she’s promptly into the first song, Girls, confessing in her lyrics that she’s “not ladylike” and has a “filthy mind”. It’s a great, upbeat track and it’s already almost impossible not to dance! Straight into the next song which is just as dancy and then she stops to say hello. Lots of thankyous,

a warm little shout out to mum who is proudly in the audience somewhere and then to announce her delight at the album’s early success. Next some better known hits

like Hollywood and I Am Not A Robot. These get a great response form the crowd. A beautiful performance of her track Numb and then the band leaves the stage and

she performs a piano solo for the song Obsessions; a beautiful vocal, full of feeling confidence and truth. Right now our position in the Cooler is not so cool as due to the

height of the stage (or lack of) we can only hear Marina.

On stage for a short but sweet and well-arranged 35 minutes, Marina seems comfortable singing to a crowd and I have a feeling they won’t be this small in the future. Can’t help but find it lazy to compare Marina to Kate Bush, she certainly has a powerful voice but she herself has a rare and unique sound. All in all a first-class musical experience, and yes I am now officially a diamond!

www.marinaandthediamonds.com

Gemma Randall

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Imogen HeapThursday 11th February 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

An eerie, low humming fills the main room of the Academy. Electronic noises float through the space at random. The anticipation of the awaiting crowd grows by the minute and there’s a magic in the air. To a great roar, Imogen Heap twirls onto the stage. A charming performer from Romford, Imogen Heap’s

career has accelerated in a matter of months from a large cult following to fringes of the mainstream.

It has seen her progress from gigs at Bristol’s Fleece, to headlining the Bristol Academy, to playing

London’s Royal Albert Hall this November. It looks like

things are only going to get bigger and better for Imogen

Heap.

Taking a seat beneath the white branches of a flat-pack wooden tree festooned in blue fairy lights at a clear Perspex grand piano, this

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musical ingénue is striking in every way. Her dark hair is adorned with a red flower and with her black dress and sparkly black leggings, she puts me in mind of a Vaudevillian maiden. Starting off with First Train Home from latest album Ellipse, a subtle electronic pulse throbs whilst her delicate voice winds, ranging from deeply earthy to fairy-ethereal but always soft, and made richer by her deft finger magic at the ivories.

Imogen Heap’s performances are one of the most personal experiences you can have with an artist, taking personal interest in both her audience and her support acts and even taking a brief question and answer session from the audience. Imagine a friendly primary school teacher meets Elton John and you’ve got Imogen Heap. Tonight’s gig feels like the best school assembly you never had.

Imogen and her assembled performers use a mixture of old instruments with more modern sampling technologies and computerised sounds to create a real experience for all those in attendance. She’s kind of like a more accessible version of Bjork but there’s also a darker side on show in some of her heartfelt lyrics which keeps things from getting too sweet.

After the audience are encouraged to become the backing choir for the inevitable encore of Hide And Seek, the assembly comes to a close. You’re left feeling the same way you did about that crazy favourite art teacher at school; inspiring, eccentric and totally unforgettable.

www.imogenheap.com

Heather McKay and Adam HooperPhotos by Laura Palmer

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A Midsummer Night’s DreamThursday 11th February until Saturday 20th March 2010 @ Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

These are momentous times for Bristol’s renowned theatre company, Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory: Two years ago they had their first guest director in the form of Jonathan Miller’s Hamlet, last year was their tenth anniversary season, six months ago saw their first ever co-production as they put on Uncle Vanya at the Bristol Old Vic and this year they are revisiting one of the bard’s plays for the very first time with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

2010 finds the company in rude health and as they have already put this production on once (it was part of their first ever season), this time round they have been more willing to creep outside their comfort zone and have been more daring with it. The fresh approach is immediately obviously in the show’s design; no leafy or mossy beds, no pointed ears, twisting branches or overgrown vegetation here, the enchanted forest our characters get lost in is a dark, urban one: Trees are reborn as proud metallic ladders and the fairy monarchs sport leathers, steel toe-capped boots and decorative metal plates. It effectively conjures the sinister potential of the forest but is also used well to harness the show’s playful charm.

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The first half of this production is absorbing but it is the second that really shines. You get completely swept away as the quarrelling lovers reach their climax and the Fairy Queen falls for the donkey but it is the twenty minutes when the hapless players perform to the newlyweds that completely steals the show; it’s an absolute roar. I don’t think they could have possibly squeezed one more ounce of humour out of the script here. From Alan Coveney’s coy moon to the reinvention of the lover’s wall with Felix Hayes managing to provoke gales of laughter with just the

shudder of a lip, I was exhausted from laughing so hard. And theirs are by no means the only standout performances: Byron Mondhal is a scream as Francis Flute, Ffion Jolly is superb as the lost-in-love Hermia but possibly the brightest jewel in this sparkling cast is Rebecca Pownall. She reigns in the swinging tempers and fates of Helena and perfectly balances the audience’s sympathies with the laughs. The King of the Fairies’ portrayal is a little intense and though Puck’s playfulness feels a little forced, these are just minor criticisms of

what is a truly fabulous production.

www.sattf.org.uk

Matt Whittle

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The Department of Smelling PistakesWednesday 10th until Sunday 28th February 2010 @ The Brewery, Bristol

Ivan is a pencil pusher for the Russian government in the most boring and nondescript office in the world. For years he has turned up for work every morning, gone through the obligatory vocal and physical exercises and then sat down to work at his desk, having no idea what his job actually is. That is, however, until an ambiguous inspector is sent down from Head Office. Ivan must blag and improvise his way through this report, being sure not to stray from the party line (even as it changes hourly), or he’ll loose everything.

Watching The Department of Smelling Pistakes is reminiscent of a very good, extended Monty Python sketch (The Ministry of Silly Walks, anyone?): A very simple set up and some very simple characters providing the basis for a torrent of absurd, colourful comedy. After the well received 20,000 Leagues Under The Office, Publick Transport’s latest show is a sensational, good humoured parody of 1984, exposing the lunacy of a society so regimented and scrutinised that you have to straighten your tie to answer the phone and can’t even pull your trousers up without filling in a report and application.

The show’s two actors, Angus Barr and Toby W. Davies, are a joy to watch. It’s hard to portray characters as non-existent as these but they bounce off each other wonderfully in rich, unshakeable Russian accents that are used to full advantage to manipulate language again and again: “Flatulence will get you nowhere!”; “How could they be listening? What, you think we’re been buggered?” The entire show is a brilliant exercise in repetitive humour, office-based slapstick and non-stop silly wordplay. It is undoubtedly funny but could be said to be guilty of going a little too over the top at points; it would have been nice just to have a little more clarity earlier on but I suppose misunderstanding and uncertainty are the nature of the beast.

www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

Matt Whittle

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The Country WifeThursday 11th until Saturday 20th February 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Pun’s have always been a favorable way of referring to situations; ‘I love you’ being the ever merry pun. In William Wycherly’s rompy restoration drama, The Country Wife, the pun and its playful uses account for the play’s erection. As we enter the romantic season of St Valentine, with love hearts spraying the window displays of shops across Bristol, The Country Wife is an accurate seasonal selection, with love, sex, lust and impotence as the main themes; the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School have the perfect material to entertain their horny mid-Feb audience.

When a cigarette hits water it sizzles and sinks, outnumbered by the blistering cold which swims around it. The fire cannot continue to burn; it is out of its league. When the Bristol Old Vic Theater School performs this lengthy comedy of manners, it is no feeble attempt. From the simple yet insightful set design, right the way through to character casting and script adjustments, the team’s firm understanding of the play reflects back into the audience, as each scene flows smooth and necessarily.

The theme of appearances, which is ever present in Wycherly’s text, is emphasised further by the set design which consists of the use of doors suspended on flies. The door is like a metaphor for the mask each of these

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characters are hiding behind with the Lady’s struggling to uphold their honor, Horner pretending he is a eunuch so he can lay with other men’s wives ‘honestly’ and Pinch wife literally locking up his wife, Margery, so she will not fall in love with another man. However, the doors each of these characters wish to hide behind comes head to head in the final scene as appearances are revealed in a hilarious interchange which could have been quite a complicated thing to understand as an audience member, had the ensemble not delivered it so clearly, with the appropriate emphasis on comic moments.

Sparkish’s signature skip and Jaspers smiling naivety are brilliant examples of how the actors used their own professionalism to make the characters their own. It is hard to find the star among all the playful chaos but the Brimmer scene, led by Lady Fidget and her ladies

of honour, was when my belly was most ticklish - but then that makes me think about the china scene and its dramatic energy. The director uses the play’s obviousness cleverly and the tongue in cheek way it is delivered brings the theatre back to its roots in entertainment.

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Kayleigh Cassidy

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PedestrianWednesday 24th until Saturday 27th February 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Tom Wainwright is a Bristol-based writer/performer with a taste for the sinister and the absurd. Pedestrian is his latest project; a dark and brooding one-man fairytale of epic proportions. Our journey begins with Wainwright reliving a dream of his, walking down a generic, pedestrianised highstreet - walking but going nowhere – and all the time pursued by a giant goldfish. Onstage it is just him, a real goldfish swimming beside him in a bowl and a screen that’s decorated at various interludes with tempo and mood setting images full of subtle metaphor. Wainwright is talking to us fast and frankly, describing everything and everyone he sees (chuggers, pretty girls, empty Woolworths), but he’s always on edge, paranoid and unsettled. What slowly emerges is a dark, nightmarish fairytale where the rules change every minute and you have no idea who we are going to meet or where we will turn next.

The show begins with a strong message about the ugly, impersonal reality of consumerist society but it quickly evolves and grows. Wainwright’s stories grow darker, more abstract, more insightful, and his delivery more frantic and intense as the subjects and themes he’s exploring are probed and pursued deeper and deeper and as a result, the play’s scope grows and grows. It grows and grows and grows and it grows until you realise he’s no longer describing his dream, but an all encompassing nightmare scenario we all share, of our individual part in society’s shortcomings. It’s an incredible ambitious subject but Wainwright goes at it full-throttle, balls-out, and manages to pull it off spectacularly whilst bringing real humour and personality to the piece.

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During our journey, there’s a smorgasbord of episodes, characters and influences all combined on a truly epic scale and, as with the best of these type of shows, the themes and references are subtle enough that you can read into them and interpret it all however you feel most appropriate to you. Importantly too, it definitely does not slip into the pretentious, artsy bullshit territory that it so easily could have done. There were some very strong messages that Wainwright was adamant to put across but also importantly, they were never rammed down your throat, and when it did feel

more forceful, it was done with a pinch of salt and enough humour to keep you on your toes. There’s a cauldron of references and metaphors on show here for you to interpret how you wish but for me, the strongest line of the play was the unfulfilled potential of the individual.

It’s a spectacular one-man performance and although it’s completely engrossing, it does leave you with a bit of a doomed outlook on life. Just be content that Pedestrian is thrilling, absorbing and phenomenally epic and will no doubt prove to be one of the very best new shows you will see this year.

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Matt Whittle

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Up In The AirShowing February 2010 @ Showcase Cinema De Lux, Bristol

The never ageing and always super smooth George Clooney is back, joined by director Jason Reitman (Juno) in this modern take on ones comfort zone being their job. Joining the flight is Anna Kendrick from the teen super success, Twilight, and in this motion picture we really get to experience her for the actor she is - should I add she won a Golden Globe for best supporting role? This film really can’t go off the rails in my eyes.

Ryan (Clooney) Bingham’s job involves him travelling around the world to fire people as companies are too nervous to do it themselves and as this happens, he finds himself almost never at home. This soon becomes history as a new girl Natalie (Kendrick) joins the company and changes the way in which Ryan fires people, just by using the internet and a web cam she discovers that you don’t have to travel anywhere to do the job, you can just do it all from the comfort of your office. This has drastic effects on Ryan’s life as he is used to being isolated in hotels, partying until dawn, having the occasional affair and certainly never being at home. So once this occurs, he ends up at his sister’s wedding speaking to a family he has pretty much never kept in contact with, but saying this, Ryan is still needed to save the day.

This film really has nailed the idea of escapism, it’s modern yet timeless and a brilliant start to this decade for Clooney. The soundtrack is bizarre yet engrossing, the acting is outstanding and the film has already won an award for Best Screenplay. Reitman brings the atmosphere and humour parallel to Juno and you can’t go wrong with such a perfect formula. So to put it simply, all these positives can only bring a positive result, and it sure did.

www.theupintheairmovie.com

Andrew Dex

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A SLY look forward at MarchPreviews of all the best gigs, art, clubs, stage and cinema coming up next month in Bristol

A SLY look forward at MarchPreviews of all the best gigs, art, clubs, stage and cinema coming up next month in Bristol

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Lisa MitchellWednesday 3rd March 2010 @ The Louisiana, Bristol

Passion PitWednesday 3rd March 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

Blood Red ShoesThursday 4th March 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

The NoisettesFriday 5th March 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

Hadouken!Sunday 7th March 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

Frightened RabbitMonday 8th March 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

Other Recommended Gigs for March in BristolTwo Door Cinema ClubTuesday 9th March 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

Roxy’s WardrobeTuesday 9th March 2010 @ The Lanes, Bristol

A Day To RememberSaturday 13th March 2010 @ Anson Rooms, Bristol

Andy McKeeWednesday 17th March 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

Frank TurnerFriday 19th March 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

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Recommended Art for March in BristolThe Shape of ThingsSaturday 6th February until Sunday 19th April 2010 @ Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, BristolThe shape of things explores the distinctive contribution artists make to influence or reflect national identity, the intercultural nature of British society and its connection with global cultures.www.theshapeofthings.org.uk

Dirty LaundryFriday 19th February until Sunday 21st March 2010 @ Weapon of Choice Gallery, BristolWeapon of Choice Gallery presents Dirty Laundry, an exhibition of recent artwork by Mick Hockney. His work is a response to a year of rolling news, from politics to climate change, from corporate stupidity to prejudice. Instead of hurling a brick at the TV, he aims his brush at a range of targets, attacking hubris with humour. He has developed a direct graphic style that makes use of hand cut stencils, flat colour and freehand painting. www.weaponofchoicegallery.co.uk

Imogen StidworthySaturday 27th February until Sunday 25th April 2010 @ Arnolfini, BristolArnolfini presents this first major solo exhibition in the UK of work by Imogen Stidworthy. The artist has developed a strong international reputation for her film and audio-video installation-based work, in which she examines the various dimensions of language such as the voice, dysfunctions of speech or processes of translation, and their use in public space.www.arnolfini.org.uk

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Recommended clubbing for March in BristolPressureEvery Thursday @ Thekla, Bristol

Super Ultra Mega 04: BowskiThursday 4th march 2010 @ Lab, Bristol

Micro_Rave Level 9: Commander KeenSaturday 6th March 2010 @ Bridewell Island, Bristol

Monkey! Knife! Fight!Friday 19th March 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

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Juliet and Her RomeoWednesday 10th March until Saturday 24th April 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Romeo & Juliet, the story of a flourishing love affair in one generation, crushed by the financial and political concerns of another. The production uses Shakespeare’s text but casts our lovers in their 80s with their anxious children, not their parents, seeking to prevent an imprudent and costly match. With Sian Phillips as Juliet and Michael Byrne as Romeo, this production invites a generation of actors of global stature to play great Shakespearean roles which they never thought they’d play again.

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

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Other Recommended Stage for March in BristolDara O’BriainTuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd March 2010 @ Hippodrome, Bristol

Derren BrownThursday 4th until Monday 15th March 2010 @ Hippodrome, Bristol

The TempestThursday 4th until Saturday 6th March 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Germaine GreerTuesday 16th March 2010 @ St Georges, Bristol

Chris AddisonSunday 28th March 2010 @ Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

The TempestThursday 25th March until Saturday 1st May 2010 @ Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

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Recommended Cinema for March in BristolCapitalism: A Love StoryFriday 26th February until Thursday 11th March 2010 @ Watershed, BristolMichael Moore’s latest documentary is a provocative attack on corporate America and the system that brought the US economy to its knees. His trademark style of archive footage, interviews, humour and audacious personal interventions is impassioned, infuriating and invigorating entertainment.www.watershed.co.uk

Exit Through The Gift ShopFriday 5th until Thursday 25th March 2010 @ Watershed, BristolBristol’s favourite renegade son brings his wry humour to this hugely entertaining documentary on the history, making and appraisal of urban art. This is so much more than a simple c http://www.banksyfilm.com/images/exit_title_white.gif hronicle of a counter culture, however: Banksy watches one man become an overnight sensation on little talent as he pokes fun at the documentary tradition and raises hard questions about authorship, authenticity, consumerism and celebrity.www.watershed.co.uk

The RoadMonday 15th until Friday 19th March 2010 @ The Cube, BristolJohn Hillcoat’s adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s stunning novel, The Road, realises a colourless, unfamiliar world found several years after an unnamed apocalyptic event. Here, where the land is barren, and animals are long gone, food is at a premium, and company is cannibalistic. Through this almost unremittingly bleak landscape, father and son travel south in search of a future.www.cubecinema.com

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Aries: Do’s this month – double denim, washing your genitals, grapes. Don’ts - grape stalks, beanstalks, asking if that wig is a wig. Your lucky test-sample: faecal.

Taurus: Climate change is unlucky for you this month so stay in areas where it’s not happening. Try putting the bedcovers over your head.

Gemini: Strengths this month – knowing what people’s name is just by looking, evasion of security personnel, being able to work as part of a team. Weaknesses – upper arms. You could fly away on those bingo wings.

Cancer: At the start of the month the most important decision you will make is what flavour pasty to have for lunch. By the end of the month you will know: not the cheese and onion.

Leo: This month you finally hear ‘I love you’ from that special someone. They aren’t talking to you, but late at night, while you watch the light go out in their window, you can replay it in your head.

Virgo: High point this month – finally getting well-deserved recognition for all your hard work. Low point – waking up, still in the skip outside your old office. You can hear them laughing in there.

Libra: You may have trouble with chafing this month but it is worth it to look that sexy. And if you can’t get it off, try baby oil. Or mayonnaise. Remember, if your head gets trapped, panic is not your friend.

Scorpio: Ups this month – you find a conker, macaroni cheese for tea and you don’t even have to eat your peas. Downs – your sister gives you a dead leg and you weren’t even doing hardly anything.

Sagittarius: Disaster is extremely unlucky for you this month, so stay well away from that if you can. It could be disastrous. Your lucky bus: 57A. Your lucky seat: next to the twitching man.

Capricorn: A silly old stray dog may follow you home this month. Dumb dog, you will sing, why are you following me? You do a little dance together. Then it eats you.

Aquarius: Jupiter, planet of excess skin, is ruling your chart this month, so it’s time to pay it some attention. Give it a little flick and watch it quiver. Show your friends. Especially lucky: jowls.

Pisces: Do’s this month – green with orange, trying new things, going to casualty to get the new things removed. Don’ts – playing with fire, playing with the boy from up the road, playing anything by Taylor Swift.

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SY On The Sly – March Issue

Editor: Matt Whittle / [email protected]: Faye Westrop / [email protected] and Illustration: James Penfold / [email protected]

Front Cover: Ian Bradley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of Suit Yourself Magazine.

Suit Yourself Magazine and SY On The Sly are independent publications distributed throughout Bristol.

Advertising Enquiries: [email protected]

Contributors for Issue:Sam Berry, Ian Bradley, Natalie Burns, Kayleigh Cassidy, Andrew Dex, Anna Freeman, James Harper, Adam Hooper, Clare Joslinc, Heather McKay, Laura Palmer, Gemma Randall, Jamie Skey, Gemma Slate, Paul Smith, Matt Whittle