Ginger DJ Rob

I must have seen Ghostbusters a dozen times with two and a bit of them at my old hometown cinema when it was first released in 1984. I say 'and a bit' as the third time I tried to see it I had arranged with a school friend to meet outside the cinema. As I was so keen to meet him and get good seats I was at the start of the queue. As the doors opened and everyone crammed in my 11 year old mind told me I would meet my friend inside. Being dropped off by his mother they probably thought I hadn't turned up so called my own mum. Whilst I started to watch the film oblivious to the worry caused, I noticed my mum was talking to the cinema's manager looking very worried but decided to duck my head and try to ignore her. Somehow it worked as my mum and manager went back down the stairs to the foyer. Thinking I'd gotten away I continued to watch the film up to the film's library scene. Unfortunately, instead of hearing Bill Murray's voice it was blanked out by t...

Sunday was a packed day of London sightseeing with almost a minute by minute travel schedule. Rolled up to Holborn at around 12pm to see the Mr Brainwash exhibition expecting the door to open at 11am only to find a sign saying opening at 1pm. Bah! Instead I had a back-up plan to watch the Men's Marathon down on bankside. With it being such a nice warm day, Londoners were packing in to see the long-distance runners. Managed to see the race just opposite the drinks pick up point. Funny to see all the pro-photographers in the lorry in front. Menier Chocolate Factory Restaurant Next on the list was lunch at the Menier Chocolate Factory Restaurant for 1:30pm. It was almost deserted when we got there but this soon filled up to capacity. Next to us was an US actor who kept us trying to guess which film or TV show we'd seen him before. Starters was the sharing platter but for two people it was a little greedy. The ham hock with chutney was a highlight. My main was t...

Last night I saw possibly one of the most imaginitive and original puppetry in ages. No wonder their Edinburgh show sold out. Titled 'The Table', it was described as: "Moses the puppet invites you to his home, the Table, where he experiences real and surreal visions in Blind Summit Theatre 's imaginative show combining puppetry and dark humour." The first act involved their main character animated by three puppeteers who bascially introduced himself, his imaginery landscape on the table and his failing persistance to reinact Moses' last 12 hours according to the Bible. The humour was subtle but mature and dark in places but at times had everyone in stitches especially as it seemed there was an improvisation moment when the puppets hand fell off. Here's a YouTube clip showing the Moses puppet: The second act was a clever use of a wall with portrait frames which the puppeteers animated with masks. Again, a very clever scene and chan...

Lucha Future had been advertised at the Brighton Dome for a while but we had resisted buying tickets partly because of price. It wasn't until a mate gave us a 2-4-1 code via the Dome website we bought some quality tickets. What is Lucha Future? Basically Mexican wrestling for the Pepsi generation., young, bold and masked! The Dome put on some Mexican food behind the bar plus a few special margarita cocktails. The bar started filling up with some true fans donned in wrestling masks with one guy dressed up as Hulk Hogan adding to a great atmosphere. Inside the Dome, you quickly realised how many seats were unsold. The event started with the announcer dressed in some sort of space-suit escorted by a couple of space hostesses. He really knew how to big up the wrestlers and the forthcoming action. Before we got to see any wrestling the electronic band came on the stage behind the smaller than expected ring. It was a four-piece band officially titled, Nortec Collective Presents Bos...

I only discovered that the story was based on real events instead of the Michael Caine version that made it a British icon. With last year's excellent Breakfast Club still in my mind, I was expecting this show to use another Brighton and Hove public building. Instead there was a multi-level stage with pub bar, a single bed and a lounge. It started off with a telephone conversation with Carter saying he was going up North to bury his brother and investigate who killed him. Carter arrives at what I assumed to be a relatives house but only work out later that its his dead brother's spirit replaying old memories and giving the audience some background to keep the story on track. As well as the main scenes, instead of playing out the complicated action sequences, the actors would narrate to explain what they were doing or feeling - sometimes this over-simplified the situation. At other times, you glad of it as some of the actors didn't project their voice enough to be heard p...

Atters is a Brighton Chap legend who models himself on English scoundrel, Terry Thomas . His show is almost a PowerPoint presentation on his paranormal investigations then has special, sexy guests filling in with saucy acts. A kind of Carry on X-Files . Catchphrases involved 'swabs' and 'probes' etc. I loved his persona and caddish approach but you couldn't quite help thinking it was a bit unreheresed. The cabaret element was a little borderline at times especially the pant-wearing pervy female strippers giving the audience an eye-full more than expected. Perhaps the show would have been better on a Friday night at about 10pm. Since writing the above I've since discovered this video which is dated three years ago and is the same material. No wonder some of the audience were a little quiet, perhaps expecting some new jokes?

Throughout May's Festival and Fringe, we heard so many good things about this but for something to be based on a Russian playwright's characters and play it didn't exactly inspire me to buy tickets. Before this event, the thought of seeing a Chekhov play sounded like it would be a bleak, complicated and boring affair. The old, abandoned Co-op department store (slightly Scooby Doo style) on London Road, Brighton had been converted into a multi-floor experience. The entrance was at the back at the delivery depot and we were grouped into fours. Our first interactive experience was a creepy door opening and a sleepy-headed Russian beckoning us in to his room lit only by candlelight. He kept babbling in Russian and led us through the dark, It was confusing but exciting at the same time. Then...another event which I'm not going to give away but just introduced you to the bizarre world created in a basement of an shop. Described as a promenade theatre experience we walked...

Like the Bright Club's choice of venue for their 'sea' special, this was another inspired choice. The classic ' brat-pack ' film of the 1980's, The Breakfast Club was brought to life in Brighton's own Jubilee Library . A sell-out crowd waited in front of the main stage (well, ground floor) which consisted of a number of desks and a view of the suspended walkway with theatre prop: a vandalised locker. Strangely no one outside really noticed that there was a play going on inside. The actors entrance was ordered from the first floor all taking their place as if sitting in for detention and immediately sulked into their own character. The 'Brain' reads out the introduction letter to set the scene: Five high school student stereotypes and their punishment on a Saturday. Just like film, the actors were no teenagers but all had pinned down their look, attitude and accents very well. To complete the cast were the teacher and janitor characters. The mari...

Last year's Brighton Fringe highlight was Max and Iván's Televisionaries so their return to the Malborough Little Theatre was an instant purchase for us. Their classic Mario and Luigi sketch from the Televisionaries show started off the night and will probably go down as their own ' dead parrot ' in future. Although it was still very funny I was worried we'd see their material only remixed and relabelled for 2010. My worries soon went away as new sketches and characters appeared with the quality ranging from warm giggles to some red-hot hilarity. Although the whole show was excellent there were three highlights that really stretched the laughing muscles. The 'truth-jock' (bit like a shock-jock but went on about conspiracy theories ) who picked on Kerry or who should now be called 'Peace Gazelle' and says  neigh; the really bad comedian which we could hear his inner monologue (another question for Kerry or renamed as Julie to be embarrassed ...

Our Brighton Fringe marathon continues and so far its going well but nothing to really to shout to world about until now. It was no surprise that with an act name to include the word 'gimp' it would attract a lot of attention and it was a sell-out crowd of mainly excitable students at our favourite upstairs small theatre above a pub venue, the Three and Ten on Steine Street . Late Night Gimp Fight 's entrance was so original (not giving that away) and their opening song introduced all the performers' characters and mischievous humour so very well especially the wheel-chaired guy. All their sketches were well-paced, timed to perfection and almost always surprised the audience either with their originality or their close to the knuckle subjects. It just goes to show that you don't need over-the-top costumes and expensive props to guarantee a shed load of laughs. I really hope these guys get picked up for a TV show as their talent deserves bigger recognition. For...

Freerange is the domed arena at the back of St. Peter's church that provided some of the more quality Fringe netertainment. It doesn't quite match the heady days of the Udderbelly (the Fringe isn't really the same without it) but does capture a little of the alternative festival magic the Fringe so desperately lacks. Outside is a cosy forecourt with double-decker cafe, some organic food and drink stalls and a decent sized bar. Inside the Freerange dome was a table and seating arrangment for a large carbaret in front of the stage where the bingo machine and prize table (see photo) was waiting for the main act, Ida Barr . She's described as an ex- music hall star turned OAP rapper that is known for her unique brand of Artificial Hip Hop as well as her skill in bingo calling. Chatting to those sat next to us, we discover that Ida Barr is in fact played by the entertainer, Chris Green who also plays Tina C , the leggy Southern belle country singer. Ida Barr he...

With last night's zombie related improv a disappointment, I wasn't expecting too much from Off the Cuff's Cuff TV . The self-proclaimed 'Brighton's Best Improv Comedy' performed Upstairs at the Three and Ten pub and certainly had its good moments. A good format of different scenarios and there were two or three key performers that had the imagination and humour to entertain. At best I'd summarise it as your funniest mates having a laugh on stage. The video below shows them off quite well. Related articles by Zemanta How to survive a zombie apocalypse at Komedia, Brighton (gingerdjrob.com)

Ok, so the show title is a winner. It got us to buy the tickets and Brighton Fringe events can uncover some hidden gems every now and then. Unfortunately, ' How to survive a zombie apocalypse ' at Komedia wasn't one of them. It was a low budget affair (not like their website) with not much thought or expense into their costumes. The four person cast didn't really achieve that much stage presence. The general concept was a seminar with a professor leading his 3 colleagues to explain how to survive and improvising suggestion made by the audience. To be honest we were expecting a lecture format with some funny PowerPoint slides but the improv style had become a bit stale for us as there's a lot more funnier performances out there. The funniest bit for me was how to recognise the sounds made between a zombie and live human climaxing in a, well funny climax if you know what I mean. Otherwise, it achieved only a few giggles. If you're a fan of zombie related fil...

We'd bought tickets way back in September last year on probably the very day it was announced yet we were still the second row. Are people psychic or something? Still we had an excellent view and if Charles Ross had eaten garlic we would have smelt it. The support comedian did a good job diverting the audience's attention for 30 minutes and had some very bizarre views on life. The main attraction didn't disappoint either with all three books/films played out. The first film was perfectly executed with accents and mannerisms picked up. Between the first and un at second, Chrales Ross whilst drinking water to recover asked the audience how many had seen the movies or had read the books. Amazingly, some had seen neither! The 'gay' comradeship between the two Hobbits was picked up in the performance as well as some gentle poking of fun at Legolas . Probably the best moment for me was the Pippin singing whilst Denethor ate tomatoes scene re-enacted so well - a hila...

With the Brighton Festival being launched this week I've tried picking out some Fringe events that might be worth their ticket price. Their printed brochure won't be published and on the streets until 17th March so we'll have to put up with their clunky website. Since I know a little about CMS run websites I couldn't help myself to email the Fringe people and moan about it as its so slow and takes forever to go through ever event. Here's some interesting comedy events I've found so far: How To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse 1, 2, 4 and 5 May at Komedia, £8 In 2010 the Sell-Out Cult Hit of the 2009 Edfringe is destroying brains across the UK! Join Dr. Dale and his team as they teach you inventively insane ways to survive the inevitable rise of the undead in this 'Brilliantly Bizarre' (Broadway Baby) & 'Wonderfully Weird' (ThreeWeeks) life saving seminar. Four stars from British Theatre Guide, Broadway Baby and Zombiecommand.com Phi...

Finally, a glimpse of Spring and Summer entertainment that's coming to Brighton. Can't wait to see the back of Winter. Both the Brighton Festival and Fringe websites have gone live with this year's events. Brian Eno is the big name for the festival but I'm struggling to find anything accessible that's not up its own arse. The Brighton Festival Fringe website is completely useless as you have to search by date or category with no real idea of the highlights. Getting the printed brochure this weekend will be one of my priorities. Here are some Festival events that appeal to me at the moment: Electric Hotel - 14 and 15 May Described as: Electric Hotel is a bizarre and beautiful outdoor spectacle; a uniquely designed, fly-by-night residence brought to life through dance and sound. Sitting on the outside looking in, you snatch glimpses of the do-not-disturb lives unfolding behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wearing headphones to eavesdrop on the intern...

Before battling the wind and rain for the cross-dressing comedian that is Eddie Izzard , we had a quick tapas meal at La Bodega on Church Street. I didn't enjoy it too much personally as we've been spoilt by Hove 's Latino through the range of choice but everyone else liked it. If you've been to Pompoko you'll understand the minimum décor to expect as well which made shuffling around tapas plates and multiple bottles around the table challenging for four people. The evening's tickets were bought way back in February for Kerry's birthday (April). The seats themselves were the last row in the highest balcony next to the disabled section. At least we had the row to ourselves and had a great view of the stalls and impressive stage. Its possibly the biggest comedy event we've been to with a set looking like an ancient pyramid and an animated cell window showing the sun passing then an eye peering in changing into what felt like travelling through space. ...

Our Friday night cocktail evening based on Spaced went well, I think. Thanks to Kerry, we had a late inspiration to base it on Simon Pegg and co. and designed the cocktail menu accordingly with every character receiving their own drink. Thankfully the ice-crusher bought on ebay arrived just in time though typically only got used twice. There was a frantic 3 hours of shaking, mixing and washing then it seemed everyone realised how drunk they were and calmed down taking it easier preferring to extend their stay. Personal favourites were the Bubblegum shooter made of Creme de Banana, Blue Curacao and Baileys Irish Cream which actually tasted like Hubba Bubba. Saturday teatime/evening was another comedy festival event. I'd never heard of the theatre group Spymonkey but they were presenting their version of Moby Dick at the Brighton Corn Exchange. With our front row tickets we got slightly more than we expected from the performance. The stage props and scenery looked quite basic ...

After our complete bender of a 1920's night out, dragging ourselves out again was a huge challenge (I really wish my mind could switch off and let me rest). We'd promised ourselves a Wagamamas for an evening treat and invited Paul and Sarah along for the nosh. The spicy katsu chicken went down just but its destination didn't quite appreciate or expect it. With our stomachs full we headed over to the Brighton Dome for the Simon Amstell show without any expectations. The settling-in music was like a repeat of the night before with 1920's swing music pumping from the speakers literally next to our seats so no snoozing for us. The warm-up act was slightly forgettable but didn't draw away from the main show, titled 'Do Nothing'. Instead of the fast paced, witiness of Never Mind the Buzzcocks (of which I can say he's sorely missed from the current series), it was a slow-burn of a performance like the feeling of our day. He dealt with an over-friendly heck...

I've been searching and waiting for this news and just by luck I found it today! Charles Ross did his One Man Star Wars show last year ( see my previous blog entry ) and now he's back for his One Man Lord of the Rings show. The Hawth in Crawley seem to be first in the queue for his local appearance in February 2010 but I've just bought 4 front row tickets for the Brighton venue, Theatre Royal on 24th March 2010.   One Man Lord of the Rings Tickets - tickets for One Man Lord of the Rings at Theatre Royal Brighton, Brighton Shared via AddThis