Friday 14 – Sunday 16 May 2010 The Passenger ShedTemple Meads, Bristol

Contemporary art under £3,000 55 galleries exhibitingTickets: 0870 777 2255 and affordableartfair.co.uk

Bristol

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SY On The Sly – Mayday! Mayday!Mayday! Man overboard! Chuck him a life raft! Screw it – jump in with him! Party! The sun’s out, it’s about time we all went dancing in the fountains! For an inexhaustible list of events to keep you busy in the great Bristolian outdoors (and indoors) just check out this month’s SY On The Sly. Particular highlight’s come from this year’s absolutely mouth-watering Mayfest programme – Bristol festival of contemporary theatre – and the Bristol Festival of Photography. What a city!

May sees the fifteenth 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/ Mayday! Mayday!7/ SY Meets… Cassell The Beatmaker13/ Auntie Harper46/ Horoscopes by Mystic Ginger

A Sly look back at April16/ The best of Gigs23/ The best of Art26/ The best of Stage35/ The best of Cinema

A Sly look forward at May38/ Recommended Gigs39/ Recommended Art40/ Recommended Clubs41/ Recommended Stage45/ Recommended CinemaFor those of you pretending to work, you can also read the magazine online at

www.suityourselfmagazine.co.ukwww.bristollistings.co.uk

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SY Meets…Cassell The BeatmakerOn Thursday last week, Suit Yourself Magazine was lucky enough to go and witness the opening night of Plan B’s UK tour in support of new album, The Defamation Of Strickland Banks. After the show we met up with Cassell, long time collaborator, producer and drummer with Plan B’s Ben Drew as well as other artists including The Streets.

Suit Yourself: This tour is Plan B’s biggest UK headlining tour to date, can you tell us what people can expect? Cassell The Beatmaker: Yes it is the whole tour is sold out. You can expect to hear most of the new album with a special surprise towards the end of the show. Fans will have to come to the show to experience it.

SY: You’ve toured plenty of times now with different projects. Does this tour feel different or do all tours now seem to blend in to the same kind of vibe?CTB: All of the tours I’ve been involved in have always had there own special experience, mainly because of the different characters that are around you. On this tour, most of the crew are the same as when I toured for 6 years with the European superstar, Keziah Jones. Being the MD of the band, I also brought in most of the musicians. The keyboard player, Chris Brown and I also play in Mike Skinner’s band, The Streets and the bass player, Jodi, is from Jay Sean’s band so being on the road with these guys is like touring with your extended family. This tour also feels different because I was the first musician to join Ben’s band (Plan B) and I have seen it evolve from drums and guitar to a full band. I have had the pleasure of being part of writing the music so the whole project feel’s very personal.

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SY: You’ve collaborated with a few people including Plan B and The Streets, is there anyone out there you’d still really like to work with?CTB: I wanna work with anybody that has a good vibe and writes good music. There is a lot of new talent coming up, holla at me! Ha! SY: Any dream collaborations?CTB: One of my dreams was to work with Michael Jackson, my childhood idle, but I always want to either play drums or produce for Chaka Khan.

SY: The UK music industry is in really good shape at the moment. Is there anyone up and coming you think we should be looking out for? CTB: Yeah, look out for Akala. A lot of people know his sister, Lady Dynamite. Akala has been girding hard for while but his new album, Double Think, is special. I just remixed his new single, XXL, and will be touring with him on festivals and his own UK tour. Check him out.

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SY: Bristol was recently voted the UK’s most musical city; do you know much about the scene in Bristol?CTB: All I can say is that I have performed on numerous occasions with different artists in Bristol and the reception has always been mega. People really have a wide knowledge of music there and know how to party hard.

SY: So what’s next for Cassell? Where do you see yourself going?CTB: Well, at the moment I’m working hard with Plan B and Akala. The Streets should be back on the cards after he releases the new album, Computers And Blues. Besides that, we will just have to see what the music business brings to the table next.

www.thebeatmakers.com

Adam HooperPhoto by Laura Palmer

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.

Auntie HarperSY’s Agony Aunt answers your questions…

1. Is it better to be single or in a relationship during the summer?Unfortunately, being a singleton myself at the moment I can only speak from example. I’m sure you will now be throwing yourself at me as soon as you read this. I’ll meet you for a quickie in the bushes in Victoria Park this Thursday if you are up for it!

2. What food is good to muck around in the bedroom with?Didn’t your mother always tell you not to play with your food? However, she told me she’s quite impartial to a marrow or 2 on Sunday nights.

3. Harper, how many guys do I have to have slept with to be considered a slut? Well, I expect by your question that you are already worried that people have this opinion of you. I have haven’t heard anything, but if you are up for it? The boys and I can come round and we’ll tell you what we think after we’ve had a good go.

To put your queries to Auntie Harper’s sympathetic ear just email: info@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk

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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

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

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

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Laura MarlingWednesday 21st April 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

She’s been the hot new musician to watch for several years now and with her second album out and a national tour that’s selling fast, it seems Laura Marling has now truly arrived and, on the strength of tonight’s performance, she is hear to stay. Marling and band marched out confidently to dimmed lights and wasted no time in bursting into Devil’s Spoke, the fast and gutsy opening track off her new album, I Speak Because I Can. Backed by drums, cello, bass and a certain Pete “true Bristolian” Roe on keyboard, Marling had a real presence on stage, her set up and undeniable talent easily justifying the size of venue she had sold out.

The audience weren’t denied the chance to hear Marling perform her work solo either and were treated to a truly mesmeric 6 or so songs in the middle of the set where her charm and quality really shone through. Some old fan favourites and a couple of new tunes were beautifully performed but particularly stunning tonight was her rendition of Goodbye England (Covered In Snow). Marling shared with the crowd a touching story from her childhood that had inspired the song about missing home and it was also given additional resonance considering how much she’s been touring abroad recently.

During the evening, another of Marling’s anecdotes led her to reveal that her first ever gig was actually in this very venue – Ryan Adams nearly 10 years previously! – and it gave yet another added edge to one of, if not the, best gig I’ve been to in several years. The show was an assured, flawless and truly inspiring performance from a truly magical talent who we will no doubt be seeing more and more of in the future.

www.lauramarling.com

Matt WhittlePhotos by Sophie Collard

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EfterklangTuesday 27th April 2010 @ Metropolis, Bristol

On the evidence of Efterklang’s disappointing new album, Magic Chairs – a swerve toward commerciality which carries more than a whiff of Coldplay – one could be forgiven for not expecting too much from tonight’s gig. Thankfully, live, these Danish oddballs prove to be less flaccid than their record suggests. Though still sounding slightly wet-eared, they neatly side-step too much Chris Martin-esque limp sensitivity and instead find an interesting place for themselves somewhere between Belle And Sebastian and The Penguin Café Orchestra, and so manage to remain uplifting without being twee.

Not without charm, the moustachioed lead singer’s pie-eyed, slightly awkward stare darts about the audience – a few times he tries to lead the crowd, who at first are about as responsive as a paraplegic in a foot-tickling contest (a trait peculiar to Bristol audiences?), into handclapping. Eventually everyone warms up enough to lend a hand with some finger-clicking and sing-along parts – most notably during the encore.

Efterklang are a multi-instrumented seven-piece ensemble complete with horns, hand-claps and intricate harmonies, so naturally it’s all very communal, ala Arcade Fire – albeit replacing the Fire’s twitching paranoia with a sense of unashamed joy. Nice. Occasionally the audience are lifted off their feet by the luscious arrangements, but they never really soar. The group come with a reputation – not unfounded – for the kind of skewed eclecticism that Scandinavian post-rock groups do so well (re: The Knife, Sigur Rós et al) but tonight it all seems a little phoned in.

All music, live and on record, in some sense relies on context. Efterklang’s joyful music would provide the perfect soundtrack to star watching under the Northern Lights; currently, the overwhelming atmosphere amongst young people in Bristol is one of cynicism. Tonight, music and context don’t fit. Shame.

www.myspace.com/efterklang

James Davey

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ReefWednesday 21st April 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

It’s been nearly six years since our very own Reef have toured together. Some of the band formed the group Them Is Me and some went onto other projects entirely but it seems that with a slew of 90s bands reforming for a much needed comeback, Reef were no exception…and it seems long overdue. Soon after the support left the stage, the Reef banner was revealed and all of a sudden it seemed the whole of Bristol was cramming into the pit in front of the stage! This gig was packed with the happiest and nicest fans I have come across in a long time. When the band took to the stage to the gloriously anthemic Come Back Brighter, the crowd erupted! Suddenly it seemed like Reef had never been away and that they were still as important to the UK’s music scene as they ever were. This band has a unique sound that has never been recreated. Gary Stringer’s unmistakable vocals soared over addictive riffs and drum breaks.

Every word of every song was sung back to them by every member of the audience. Beaming smiles were on every face on stage and off and for most at the Academy, the two hour set was not nearly enough. They ploughed through all of their hits and slammed Place Your Hands right in the middle of the set which naturally sent everyone wild. The band seemed so happy to be back and so appreciative of the support they were getting. This tour was pretty much a greatest hits show but was greeted as more like a welcome back tour from the reaction. With no news of new material from the band as yet, it is just good to have such a solid and fun British rock band back and hopefully here to stay!

www.thereefweb.co.uk

Stu Freeman

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All Day Welsh Music FestivalSaturday 24th April 2010 @ The Prom, BristolFeaturing Performances From: Henry’s Funeral Shoe, Broken Vinyl Club

I love festival season! The sun is officially out, drinking in the day is officially acceptable (sort of) – and the all day mini-festivals have hit Gloucester Road once again. I started this year with the Prom Bar’s first offering, Gwyll Y Ddraig Goch – an all day Welsh Festival featuring 8 bands playing till midnight, which finished off with the hotly tipped and brilliantly named Henry’s Funeral Shoe, promoting their new album, Everything’s For Sale. There was a massive buffet, oodles of cheap festival offer booze, as well plenty of drunk and indecipherable Welsh rock and metal-heads. What more could you want to kick off the summer?

The line up-included a very catchy performance from Cardiff R&B songsters, Broken Vinyl Club (who had everyone in the mood to party by only half an hour into the event), as well as six more up-and-coming eclectic and energetic performances from various Welsh talents. The sun was out all day and the atmosphere was buzzing. Beer fuelled? Yes. Rowdy and unpleasant? No.

Unlike many of the bars in town, The Prom provided a fun, chilled out, anything goes, friendly brand of fun. Gloucester Road is, in my humble opinion, the perfect location for a summer line-up of music and hippy/rocker type rambunctious-ness. And if the pub scene gets a bit much, you’ve got the new psy-hippie shop, Sticky Neon (recently re-located from Park Street) right next door, as well as St. Andrews park if you need a bit of a lie down in the sun.

Nice work Prom. With a new, younger and more vibrant line-up of bands planned for Wednesday and Friday nights from July, it looks like Prom is set on getting the best new local talent in – and hopefully putting on a few more of these events to keep us all entertained this summer.

www.theprom.co.uk

Natalie Burns

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Plan BThursday 8th April 2010 @ Anson Rooms, BristolWith Support From: Faith SMX

Tonight the Anson Rooms is full of the general hustle and bustle and anticipation you find at most gigs with one slight hitch; it’s building to boiling point in here tonight. Having been made to wait nearly 45 minutes between support and our main event tonight, the crowd is becoming restless to say the least. Whether or not this is a ploy by the Plan B crew to build the tension of a riot so they can finally incite one themselves, we’ll never really know.

However, when it’s time for the bell to ring and the exhibition everyone is hear to see finally does get underway, it starts not with the ringing of a bell but rather with the vocal-styling of beat-box extraordinaire Faith SMX who puts on a short pre-show using nothing but his vocal chords to layer sounds that are unbelievable to some of us. He’s so good you’d be forgiven for calling him a complete show-off.

At the end of this, it leaves him only to introduce our leading man; Ben Drew aka Plan B. Widely referred to now as the rapper-cum-crooner, Plan B’s new material has both attracted a host of new followers and alienated some of his old faithful. However, it has to be said it’s the new Plan B that has allowed him endless radio play and given him his biggest UK headline tour to date. Fans of old Plan B will be disappointed tonight this is very much the new Plan B. The UK rapper, now laced with RatPack smoothness, kicks into his set providing both attitude and grace as

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he works his way through a host of new material taken from latest album, The Defamation Of Strickland Banks.

His band providing the solid backing for his performance are on top form, never intruding upon the star and leaving him largely as the general to dictate tonight’s proceedings. Clearly Plan B is a star on the rise although the set wasn’t without its flaws; some forgotten lyrics and having to re-start a song because of an interrupting, unwelcome noise, but you have to admire the arrogance and perfectionism to get it right.

A stunning encore including a jamming medley featuring both Kiss From A Rose and Forgot

About Dre (where else are you ever going to see that?) bring the room right back up to a jumping pace. Plan B could be the 1940s showman for the 21st century.

www.time4planb.co.uk

Adam HooperPhotos by Laura Palmer

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Adam Closs: Black And WhiteFriday 9th until Thursday 29th April 2010 @ The Grant Bradley Art Gallery, Bristol

The raw shock ink blot test goes dotty spotty and potty: Adam Closs returns with an exhibition by Rorschach’s ink blot tests, done entirely in black and white whilst experimenting with taking the pressure out of the canvas, creating deep 3D reliefs. Most artists paint or sculpt in order to get a particular message or meaning across, but not so for Adam Closs. He’s dedicated his life to creating conceptual works that aim to do the exact opposite to this, leaving it up to the viewer to decide for themselves what they’re looking at. It’s a big claim but one he’s made an impressive stab at with his latest exhibition, Black And White. Set against the vast white walls of The Grant Bradley Gallery, the pieces draw inspiration from the famous inkblot tests developed by Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach. Attendees to the preview stood before the paintings as though they were trying to read maps, each seeing something different in the squashed butterfly/barking dog/puddle of spilt jam (just a few interpretations…) before them.

The pieces that made the most impact were large sheets of plain cream linen, twisted and crumpled into different shapes. These works of art seemed to draw their characteristics from whoever was looking at them, so that to one person they resembled weather-worn rock formations, while to another they drew to mind a wave-lapped shore.

There’s something uniquely relaxing about gazing at a work of art without any preconceived right or wrong interpretation. Adam says: “When I create a work of art, I’m creating a space for people to give themselves permission to actually see whatever they want to see, rather than what they think they should.”

www.adamcloss.co.ukwww.grantbradleygallery.co.uk

Judy Darley www.essentialwriters.com

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Abigail McDougall: Adventures In LightFriday 9th April until Friday 21st May 2010 @ The Nails Gallery, Bristol

Artist Abigail McDougall has reinvented her trademark watercolour paintings of Bristol with an exhibition that’s all about leaving the city behind and soaking up the vibrancy of the countryside. Adventures In Light will be on show at the Nails Gallery, beneath St Nick’s Market in central Bristol, until May 21st. The white-washed underground gallery showcases forty of Abigail’s recent watercolours and acrylic paintings produced along the beautiful Bristol-Bath and Bradford-On-Avon cycle paths, as well as views from recent visits to Italy and Morocco.

It’s an enticing display: the paintings glow like sweets against the white walls with colours so luscious you can almost taste them on your tongue. Abigail has a knack for seeing the beauty in everyday scenes, capturing misty mornings and sun-drenched afternoons with equal skill.

It’s exciting to see Abigail take her talent to the next level, too, with several experiments with oils among the watercolours, while the settings themselves posed their own challenges. “Painting rural scenes is very different to painting architecture,” she admits. “You have to look a lot more carefully for focal points and be far more expressive with your brushstrokes.”

The exhibition is also a nod to Abigail’s passion for sustainable living. “I used to cycle extensively throughout the city but I found the constant fumes and risk of getting knocked down too stressful.

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By contrast, the cycle paths are an amazing escape. It’s so valuable and inspiring to have that direct route into the countryside.”

The exhibition also includes some of Abigail’s luminescent scenes of Bristol, keeping her long-term fans happy. “Going searching for scenery that’s bathed in beautiful light is always an adventure, whether that means going somewhere exotic like Morocco or Italy, or simply getting out of Bristol on my bike exploring and discovering new places,” she says. “I’m hoping the new show will give people a push to go and see what’s out there.”

www.abigailmcdougall.comwww.nailsaffordableart.com

Judy Darley www.essentialwriters.com

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

Theatre, Bristol

Twelve years ago Prospero, a sorcerer and the rightful Duke of Milan (Millun!),

was betrayed by his brother and exiled. Shipwrecked on a strange island,

he became its master and now his chance for revenge has finally come as

he conjures a storm and scuppers the ship his betrayers are sailing past

in. The Tempest has been interpreted in many ways over the years, namely

the morality of colonialism and as Shakespeare’s farewell to the stage, but

this production focuses simply and sensibly on the inner mind of Prospero;

should he seek to punish or forgive those that have wronged him?

Mirroring the success of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was always going to be an uphill battle for Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory but the first half of this production is a masterful, brooding and mysterious experience. I don’t know whether it was the constant sound of waves lapping gently in my ears, the subtle lighting or the slight direction, but you could really sense an air of magic and controlled mystery and I really shared the fascination of the characters as they explored this strange island.

I could have watched that first half forever but unfortunately it is not built upon in the second. By halfway the audience have a tangible picture in their heads of the island and its magical and theatrical boundaries but after the interval, things get a bit boggy and confused and we have to keep re-evaluating these rules. Too

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often we were introduced to new characters, new design concepts and new performance styles that don’t marry and each time I felt progressively more alienated. You could argue that that is the boundless magic and mystery of the island but by the final scene, I was finding it difficult to care about the characters.

Performance wise however, there are some wonderful showings. Chris Donnelly (Stephano) and Felix Hayes (Trinculo) reprise their comedy double-act to great effect but it is Christopher Staines’ Caliban that really shines. From his chilling entrance through to his unsettling dancing and foul wine chugging, he is all spitting rage and tortured naivety; a wonderfully grotesque monster that you don’t know whether to pity or despise.

It’s not the strongest of this company’s work but no matter how good The Tempest is, 2010 was always going to be remembered

for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. One more leftfield reason to check out this show though is to familiarise yourself with the play for when Hollywood get their chops round it for a film version due out at the end of the year; have you seen who’s playing Trinculo? Classic!

www.sattf.org.uk

Matt WhittlePhotos by Graham Burke

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The Shape Of ThingsTuesday 27th April until Saturday 1st May 2010 @ Alma Tavern, Bristol

The Shape Of Things takes a cynical look at modern day relationships and examines the control we exert over each other and our willingness to become malleable in order to fit in and please others. Set on the tiny stage above the Alma Tavern, Neil LaBute’s play uses only four actors and one set, making imaginative and clever use of the space and sparse props.

The story begins when shy museum security guard, Adam (Matthew Romain), meets the feisty academic Evelyn (Tala Gouveia) as she is about to deface a sculpture in the name of art. She asserts that art needs to reveal truth as Adam tries to persuade her not to spray-paint a penis over the fig leaves hiding the sculptures dignity. A passionate affair between the two unlikely lovers begins and we see Adam slowly being changed from a once kind and shy geek into something society sees as more attractive. Evelyn slowly suggests he change his appearance and consequently his character, much to the horror and confusion of his two oldest friends, Jenny (Sara Lambie) and Philip (Jack Bannell). The story is set in conservative, small-town America and Evelyn plays the passionate but slightly patronising girl from out of town brilliantly.

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The tale follows the four characters through their jealousy, anger, passion and betrayal – and like a slap in the face, coldly shows just how much we are willing to change ourselves in the pursuit of love. We also see the two-faced nature and manipulative element of the darker side of romance. Slowly, our trust and faith in love are eroded.

The play manages to fit a lot into its hour and a half duration and deals with the superficial elements in modern society and relationships extraordinarily well. The performances by all four actors were excellent – they were very well cast, played off each other well and were convincing in their stereotypes. While in some ways, the characters were typical, they were all believable, and the audience could easily recognise familiar relationship traits in each.

Often very funny, dark and sad, the performance was well worth watching and successfully led you to question just how much you yourself are willing to put up with for love.

www.oldvic.ac.uk

Natalie Burns

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Enjoy Sailor Jerry Rum responsibly. Offer ends 31/1/2010.Offer only open to over 18s. One voucher per person per night.

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Twelfth NightTuesday 27th April until Saturday 1st May 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Twelfth Night in 70 minutes? Surely it cannot be done? Well this is exactly what The National Theatre’s latest touring production for younger audiences have managed. As you might imagine, the play fires along at a giddy pace with costumes and lines flying about at dizzying speeds and yet they still manage to (largely) stay true to the text and, most importantly, the storytelling is paramount throughout.

The Bristol Old Vic Studio is focused around a colourful and simple Elizabethan stage with characterful bunting stretching across the audience. Our troupe of 7 actors masterfully multi-role, each player really pulling out the stops for a great show, while the director balanced the humour and the sincere moments very well. Our fool, Feste, was charming and coy, Malvolio perfectly aloof but the real show-stealer was both characters played by the talented Nicholas Clayton. He was simply fantastic as both the fat, foul, barfing brute of Sir Toby Belch and as the camp and over-confident Orsino, ludicrously strutting across the small stage. I was chuckling loudly as soon as he stepped out onstage with a loud burp or a flick of his mullet as he really indulged in both comic roles and cranked the jokes up to the max.

The whole production was refreshingly honest and genuine, without a hint of smugness or pretentiousness which can so often follow Shakespeare around. The only negative was two tiny moments where the classical design concept was broken for a couple of jokes involving a basketball and a Rough Guide that although funny, were completely unnecessary.

Around me sat 40 children with 40 parents and not a bum shuffled throughout, a mighty feat for any children’s show I can tell you. Songs, jokes, slapstick, love, sword fights and all at a giddying pace – this is the perfect way to introduce kids to Shakespeare.

www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Matt Whittle

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Short Fuses: The State We’re In…Tuesday 20th until Saturday 24th April 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Short Fuses is a simple but brilliant idea from the Bristol Old Vic: 5 local writers, 20 minutes each, 2

characters each, and 1 shared starting point. In the case of this week’s shows, each writer was given

the simple statement “The State We’re In…” and now for 5 nights in the Bristol Old Vic Studio you

can see what they came up with. Each writer interpreted the provocation in a different way and the

result is a very interesting and very varied night out at the theatre. Three plays make up the first half tonight’s showings: Wild Doves is an abstract, passionate and

dark story of a soldier dealing with the tragedies he’s witnessed in Afghanistan; Enemy explores

the relationship between a hoody and an old man who live side by side on a council estate; and 15

Minutes Of Wonder follows a washed-up one-hit-wonder diva who can’t let go of her dream. They are

undoubtedly interesting plays and individually had some great moments but they all seem to have the

shared problem of trying to explore issues a 2 hour show would have difficulty doing, let alone a 20

minute short, and they therefore end up feeling a little rushed and ineffective.

However, the two plays which make up the second half of tonight’s line-up really make this evening

worth while. Writer/performer Tim X Atack returns to the Bristol Old Vic with his addictive, dark and

mysterious style and he doesn’t disappoint with Freelance Magdalene, a beautifully abstract tale of

how a couple of friends went exploring around the world together but only one returned home. The

play holds our attention throughout, the intriguing design and abstract direction complementing the

beautiful, slowly unfolding story perfectly.

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Chocolate Money is the final play tonight and, as with Bristol Ferment last month, local writer Adam Peck provides another show-stealing script. His latest play explores how people manipulate bad news items to their own ends, taking the recent local Cadbury redundancies as inspiration, whilst also being a successful and achingly witty parody of “on-the-button issue” theatre.

Short Fuses is a fantastic evening at the theatre with lots of local talent and potential on show and I hope it’s the sort of stuff Bristol Old Vic will be embracing more and more of in the future.

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Matt Whittle

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The GhostFriday 16th until Thursday 29th April 2010 @ Watershed, Bristol

After being offered £250,000 by his agent to ghost write the memoirs of mysterious UK former-Prime Minister, Adam Lang (Pierce Bronson), our protagonist, known just as The Ghost (Ewan McGregor), is straight on the next plane to a secret hideout on a remote and unnamed island. As this is happening, we also see that Lang is on trial for war crimes and so a positive memoir to make him look good is a top priority. Whilst working for Lang, The Ghost uncovers that the person who was writing the memoirs before him committed suicide. After things start turning slightly suspicious in the Lang residence, The Ghost is keen to find out what really happened to his predecessor and goes looking for clues, leading to a chaotic turn of events that put his own life in danger.

First of all, I loved the film and I think it’s safe to say that this is one of Roman Polanski’s finest projects, if not quite as great as the 2002 hit, The Pianist. Pierce Bronson has again found his place in cinema; after clearly being lost in Mamma Mia and Percy Jackson, here he is a perfect fit. This film is a chance to see Ewan McGregor’s evolving talent and I won’t be watching Sex In The City 2, but I hope to see Kim Cattrell continue down this road as she makes up part of the impressive supporting cast and adds something different to the plot.

In a world where our cinemas are flooded with 3D films and vampire flicks, it’s great to see there’s still a place for straight, intelligent political thrillers, a feat The Ghost achieves that with class.

www.watershed.co.uk

Andrew Dex

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

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

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Recommended Gigs For May in Bristol

LCD SoundsystemSunday 2nd May 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

Biffy ClyroWednesday 5th May 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

NME Radar TourWednesday 5th May 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

FoalsSaturday 8th May 2010 @ Anson Rooms, Bristol

CommunionSunday 9th May 2010 @ Mr Wolfs, Bristol

Scouting For GirlsWednesday 12th May 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

Gotan ProjectThursday 13th May 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

Holy FuckSunday 23rd May 2010 @ The Cooler, Bristol

Alkaline TrioWednesday 26th May 2010 @ Academy, Bristol

Dot To Dot FestivalSaturday 29th and Sunday 30th May 2010 @ Various Venunes

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Recommended Art for May in BristolOtto Zitko and Louise Bourgeois: Me Myself and ISaturday 24th April until Sunday 11th July 2010 @ Arnolfini, BristolAustrian artist, Otto Zitko’s expansive, abstract drawings, improvised across the walls of cultural institutions around the world, seem to emerge from an unbounded desire to cover every surface; a primal urge to contain the whole of reality within a subjective cocoon of unbroken lines. In response, Louise Bourgeois presents an intensely personal suite of sixty drawings called JE T’AIME, made in 2005, which, by contrast, seem to emphasize the centrality of relationships in what it is to be human. www.arnolfini.org.uk

All We Do We Do For YouSaturday 15th until Wednesday 19th May 2010 @ Centrespace Gallery, BristolAn exhibition of contemporary painting, drawing and site – specific work by two artists Alison Armitage and Tania Robertson for whom the written word is integral to the realisation of their visual art. The artists hope you, the viewer, are intrigued , puzzled, stimulated even perhaps confused by the work but above all enjoy the experience, after all ‘all we do we do for you’.www.centrespacegallery.com

Bristol Festival of Photography 2010Thursday 20th May until Wednesday 9th June 2010 @ Photographique, BristolOver 80 photography exhibitions across Bristol in 3 weeks as well as plenty of exciting activities and events to get involved in, the best being the unmissable Bristol PhotoMarathon on Saturday 29th May – a creative challenge that’s a guaranteed day of fun!www.bfop.org

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Recommended Clubbing for May in Bristol

PressureEvery Thursday @ Thekla, Bristol

I Don’t Want To Grow UpSunday 2nd May 2010 @ The Croft, Bristol

Heartbreaker Presents…Underground HerosThursday 6th May 2010 @ Start The Bus, Bristol

Rave-On-Avon FundraiserFriday 7th May 2010 @ Lakota, Bristol

The Last Ever Penguin DanceFriday 21st May 2010 @ Lab, Bristol

Monkey! Knife! Fight!Friday 21st May 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol

Mayfest 2010Various showings between Friday 7th and Saturday 22nd May 2010 @ Various Venues, Bristol

Bristol’s showpiece festival of contemporary theatre is back, bigger, bolder, brighter, braver and more beautiful than ever. Mayfest 2010 promises to be another unforgettable fortnight of new, physical, visual, experimental and, all importantly, brilliant theatre from an eclectic mix of over 40 local, national and international artists. This is Mayfest’s seventh year and things are really pointing towards this one to be an absolute classic. There is a wealth of fantastic shows available but here are a handful of our absolute top picks:

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Mayfest 2010 Launch PartyFri 7th May @ Bristol Old VicA huge party full of theatre and music to welcome in the festivities with the excellent Pepino playing live.

InternalSun 9th until Tue 11th MayAnyone who saw The Smile Off Your Face, the utterly mesmerising and life changing show by Ontroerend Goed at last year’s festival, will know this one is not to be missed.

6:0 How Heap And Pebble Took On The World And WonMon 10th until Thu 13th May @ The BreweryDancing Brick are back! 2009’s 21:13 was the best piece of theatre SY Magazine saw anywhere all last year and we hear this one is just as charming, funny, poignant, beautiful and memorable.

SporadicalWed 12th May @ Bristol Old Vic PaintshopDescribed as an “Epic Cardboard Folk Opera”, Little Bulb Theatre’s new show will no doubt make you laugh more than anything at this year’s Mayfest.

Electric HotelWed 19th until Sat 22nd May @ Bristol HarboursideThey are building a 3-storey hotel with a glass wall for us to look inside on the side of the harbour for this. Think about that. Insane. Insane and unmissable.

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SS ArcadiaTue 18th until Sat 22nd May @ Secret City Centre LocationStand and Stare Collective invite you to enter their immersive world of bizarre, wonderful and sometimes dark truths about love, light entertainment and humanity.

KeepersTue 18th and Wed 19th May @ Tobacco Factory TheatreTwo man live in a lighthouse 200 years ago in a stunningly tale of companionship. I defy anyone not to fall in love with this beautiful play.

The Human ComputerWed 19th and Thu 20th May @ Bristol Old Vic StudioWill Adamsdale is building a reputation as a consistently poetic, poignant and very funny performer who doesn’t shy away from asking big questions.

WondermartFri 7th until Sat 22nd May @ Any SupermarketRotozaza are back with another of their trademark, intimate and playful audio performance experiences. Wondermart takes a mischievous swipe at the dominance of supermarket culture and consumerism.

And there is still much, much, much, much more on offer. Get down and get involved in a fantastic festival that Bristol is so lucky to have.

www.mayfestbristol.co.uk

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Other Recommended Stage for May in Bristol

Signs Of A Star Shaped DivaWednesday 5th until Sunday 9th May 2010 @ The Brewery, Bristol

Director’s Cuts: DebrisTuesday 11th until Saturday 15th May 2010 @ Alma Tavern, Bristol

Paul Merton’s Impro ChumsTuesday 18th May 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

Director’s Cuts: Someone Who’ll Watch Over MeTuesday 18th until Saturday 22nd May 2010 @ Alma Tavern, Bristol

Far AwayMonday 24th May until Wednesday 9th June 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

Ricky GervaisSunday 30th and Monday 31st May 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol

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Recommended Cinema for May in Bristol

Four LionsFriday 7th until Thursday 27th May 2010 @ Watershed, BristolThe satirical genius behind Brass Eye takes on religious extremism with this hilarious comedy of terrors that may or may not provoke a little controversy. Forget about all the inevitable fuss, however - this is daring filmmaking that brilliantly lampoons fanaticism. A superb riotous comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously.www.watershed.co.uk

The Bad Lieutenant – Port Of Call: New OrleansFriday 21st May until Thursday 3rd June 2010 @ Watershed, BristolWerner Herzog brings us possibly one of the most deliciously loopy films of the year with this darkly comic noir set in the ravages of post-Katrina New Orleans. Nicholas Cage is Terence, a detective trying to bring down a drug lord who slaughtered a family of immigrants while on a personal downward spiral of addiction (cocaine, painkillers, gambling and sex) and madness. www.watershed.co.uk

Kick-AssSaturday 22nd until Tuesday 25th May 2010 @ Cube, BristolKick-Ass tells the story of a teenage comic-book fan who decides to take his obsession as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. He chooses the super hero name Kick-Ass, gets a green gimp-type suit and mask and starts fighting crime even though he has absolutely no superpowers or abilities. www.cubecinema.com

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Taurus: A tricky situation, Taurus! Do you let the others go on ahead, while you hold them off with a sword? You aren’t the best with a sword, but if the others go ahead you can use their bodies as a bridge. You’ll see.

Gemini: Ooh, Gemini, you are dancing round the maypole this month, you filthy beast! You will find out what I mean and you will love it, even if you do get bits in your teeth.

Cancer: Good lord, Cancer, but you can run fast! Not that it will help you much. Mystic advises that you roll into ball and let them get tired out eating your bum fat.

Leo: This month shows its silver lining, Leo. When I say silver, I mean an orange and chunky lining and when I say month I mean your stomach, into the lap of the only person left who still respects you.

Virgo: This month has a surprise ending and I don’t want to spoil it but I will just say that you won’t believe who the killer turns out to be! But then you have to believe it, because of all the killing.

Libra: This month, romance has blue eyes, an amazing body and a laugh as warm as a summer’ day. Not your romance, someone else’s, but you hear them laugh as they get off the bus. It’s probably about you.

Scorpio: With Mars, planet of vengeance, rising in your chart, remember it is better to give than to receive. You can’t make them love you, but by god you can make them sorry.

Sagittarius: Chest hair is especially lucky for you this month, your own and other people’s. Get close to as much of it as you can. Rub your face in it. Sweaty? That’s even luckier, that is.

Capricorn: This month is basically a trance remix of last month; repetitive, endless, makes you feel like you are going mad and it won’t stop, it won’t stop, it won’t stop. Throw your hands in the air, I would.

Aquarius: You’re all over the place this month Aquarius! It’s not really anything for you to worry about though, that’s the police’s job. And they will find your head – that’s the main thing.

Pisces: Your father finally says the words you have always wanted to hear, Pisces! ‘I am proud,’ he says, ‘you aren’t a screw up like someone I could mention.’ He’s talking to your brother, but still, he nearly mentioned you.

Aries: Oh, Aries. You are having a sluggish month aren’t you? They are everywhere! Especially nasty is when you find them in your slippers. Ew. And the one in your mug that you nearly swallow.

SY On The Sly – May IssueEditor: Matt Whittle / matt@suityourselfmagazine.co.ukCEO: Faye Westrop / faye@suityourselfmagazine.co.ukDesign and Illustration: James Penfold & Louisa Christadoulou / penfold@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk

Front Cover: Lone Twin Theatre & Mayfest 2010

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

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Contributors for Issue:Graham Burke, Natalie Burns, Sophie Collard, Judy Darley, James Davey, Andrew Dex, James Harper, Adam Hooper, Anna Freeman, Stu Freeman, Laura Palmer, Matt Whittle