The Bear - Angela Clerkin & Improbable Theatre, Brighton Studio, Brighton Festival

This review was first published on the public reviews.

One of the most common themes in the novels of American writer John Irving is the constant appearance of a bear. He claims no great meaning behind the use of bears, for him growing up in America, they are commonplace.

Brighton Festival - Version 1.0 The Disappearances Project, Brighton Dome

This review was originally published on 'The Public Reviews".

‘To share a horrible story is important’. These words, delivered with a question mark by an actor, were originally made by one of the several family and friends of missing persons who shared their experiences with Sydney based version 1.0’s The Disappearances Project.

Tynan on Theatre

Tynan - He's so bloody good there is no point in doing anything but letting him speak for himself. A few select quotes from Tynan on Theatre.

Finding your passion.

I just spent a week away, intending to do not much more than walk until my buttocks started screaming, then drink some Malbec whilst slow cooking some local meat on an AGA . I did that and whilst doing that I also managed to find some time (I know - How does she do it?) to read two books I loaned from the library and in the battle of the Kens -  Sir Ken Robinson vs Non Sequitur Ken Tynan there was a clear winner.

To Beyonce or not to Beyonce

There were many beautiful moments shared in Beyonce's directorial debut, about her favourite subject; Beyonce. My least favourite of these being her make up free confessional, in which she told us the only way to free herself from her low mood was to go fire herself up by listening to one of her songs about making love to her husband whilst performing said act.

Journalist Ethics

Type journalism into Google and the fifth search suggestion is journalism ethics. Ethics and law are a key part of a journalists training. I discovered this on my taster day of the NLVQ run by Brighton's Journalist Works at the Argus offices in Hollingbury.

Bottleneck, Soho Theatre, London.

It wasn't until Greg, the thirteen year old football devotee at the centre of  'Bottleneck' ecstatically entered the turnstiles of the Liverpool stadium, that I finally realised which tragic direction Luke Barnes one man show was heading.

The Animals & Children took to the streets - 1927, The Old Market, Brighton.

In response to 'The Animals & Children took to the street' by 1927, currently on a revival tour around Europe, I really don't want to mention multi media. Although now, admittedly, I have.  In much the same manner that if I went to see 'Abigail's Party' at the Theatre Royal and wouldn't moan 'Oh Gawd, not another proscenium arch, scripted show, hasn't that trend died yet.'

The fine line between the outside and the inside.

Last week I went to Paris and fully intended to come back full to the brim of classical French existential pondering. However, the direction of my thoughts went elsewhere. I went to Paris and stood on the corner of the St Germain, waiting for a flummoxed Parisien to take me to the finest French Restaurant he knew, he knew none but suggested  'I do know a really great Japanese place nearby?' I discovered the hot new cafes in Paris were English run, I ended up going to the talking point gig in town which was Icelandic and the most popular exhibition which was American.

Gruesome Playground Injuries, The Gate Theatre, London.

Love Hurts, love scars, love wounds; Gram Parson once warbled at many a High School last dance. Perhaps he was also playing at the prom of self destructive lovers Kayleen and Doug before they found themselves in the sick room picking at the one of many love wounds found in Rajiv Joseph's heartbreaking tale of the bloody leading the bloody, 'Gruesome Playground Injuries'.