Music interview: Fyfe Dangerfield at the Thekla, Bristol

e3admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:05:55 +0100

Could Fyfe Dangerfield’s burgeoning solo career spark a Billy Joel revival? STEVE HARNELL talks to the creative force behind Guillemots ahead of his upcoming UK tour

There’s a lot to be said for keeping rock’n’roll spontaneous and fuss-free.

Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Miles Davis and The Beatles have all produced classic albums in blink and you’ll miss ’em recording sessions of a handful of days.

Theatre interview: Penelope Keith in The Rivals at Theatre Royal Bath

e3admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:04:54 +0100

Penelope Keith tells Crackerjack about her latest pairing with old sparring partner Peter Bowles in The Rivals

Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles starred together in one of the most watched British sitcoms of all time, To The Manor Born.

The love-hate relationship between the formidable Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton and the dashing Richard DeVere boasted viewing figures as high as 24 million and ran for three series from 1979-81.

More recently, they reunited for a one-off TV special at Christmas 2007.

Comedy interview: Richard Digance at the Playhouse Theatre, Weston

e3admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:56:58 +0100

Natalie Hale talks to Richard Digance about keeping an act fresh for 40 years and picking up tips by working with Steve Martin

Richard Digance returns to Weston this month with an evening of fun-filled self-penned comic songs introduced with panache, style and humour.

A truly unique entertainer, Richard, who now lives in Salisbury, is probably best known for his television shows A Dabble of Digance and Abracadigance and his buoyant comic rhymes on Channel Four’s Countdown.

Food feature: City of Bristol College’s South Bristol Skills Academy

e3admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:56:58 +0100

The City of Bristol College has a great success rate for turning out superb chefs. Mark Taylor pays a visit to its new state-of-the-art kitchens at the South Bristol Skills Academy

With its 14 professional ovens, seven solid-top stoves and row upon row of shiny new pots and pans, the new training kitchens at City of Bristol College’s South Bristol Skills Academy are an impressive sight.

Food interview: Marco Pierre White - Steakhouse, Bar & Grill opens at Cadbury House, Congresbury

e3admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:31:27 +0100

Marco Pierre White wants to drive the snobbery out of fine dining as he launches a new restaurant in North Somerset. Mark Taylor catches up with the legendary chef

Marco Pierre White is running late and giving me the run-around, but then I knew interviewing the greatest chef this country has ever produced wouldn’t be easy.

After months of requests, Marco – like Jamie, Delia and Nigella, surnames are not required – has agreed to do a hastily arranged telephone interview with two hours’ notice.

Theatre interview: Steve Lambert at the Alma Tavern

e3admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:28:03 +0100

Natalie Hale talks to Bristol writer Steve Lambert about his latest play Little Deaths

Bristol playwright Steve Lambert has quickly established himself as one to watch, with his eloquent and compelling plays receiving universal critical praise.

His latest effort, Little Deaths, will be performed at the Alma Tavern Theatre by London theatre company ScenePool from September 2-4, and it’s sure to be a triumph.

Comedy interview: Robin Ince at the Rondo, Bath

e3admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:23:46 +0100

Natalie Hale talks to Robin Ince about his hilarious take on some of the world’s most bizarre pulp fiction

Robin Ince talks fast and thinks even faster. He’ll veer off on tangents and halfway through a sentence he’ll leap two ahead. But he never loses you. It’s all highly funny and interesting stuff delivered by a comedian who’s a walking Wikipedia and who revels in enlightening and amusing his audience in equal measure.

Music interview: Klaxons

e3admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:23:46 +0100

Andy Welch catches up with a newly-reconfigured Klaxons to set the record straight over their second album

After Klaxons won the Mercury Prize 2007 with their debut Myths Of The Near Future, they decamped to France to begin work on their second album.

But when they presented their new album to their record label, it was rejected on the grounds of not being good enough.

Food feature: Organic Food Festival

e3admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:26:15 +0100

From TV chefs to educational cookery demos, this year’s 10th anniversary of the Organic Food Festival will transport you to foodie heaven. Mark Taylor finds out more.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Organic Food Festival at Bristol’s Harbourside offers families and food lovers more than ever before.

The festival on September 11 and 12 is Europe’s biggest celebration of all things organic and it provides an opportunity for visitors to taste the best food and meet leading producers from across the UK.

Music interview: Seth Lakeman

e3admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:26:15 +0100

Jackie Butler chats to Bristol Folk Festival patron Seth Lakeman about his new album, Hearts And Minds

It’s been a long time coming, but West Country folk hero Seth Lakeman’s new album, heralded by summery lead single Tiny World, has been well worth the wait.

Released on July 19, after a few false starts by label Relentless, Hearts and Minds debuted in the wake of his storming hoedown in the steaming hot Croissant Neuf tent at Glastonbury Festival.

Theatre interview: Michael Ball in Hairspray at the Bristol Hippodrome

e3admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:26:15 +0100

Natalie Hale talks exclusively to Michael Ball about returning to his outrageous lead role in the musical Hairspray

If you were to ask what it takes to re-ignite your career and inflate your bank balance, only ladies with a certain reputation would say it involves stilettos, a pair of 46EEE bosoms and a wardrobe of frocks that would put a drag queen to shame. Oh, and so would Michael Ball.

“For the first time in my career I’m wearing enormous false boobs, a very substantial fat suit and high-heeled shoes!” exclaims the dimpled one.

Comedy interview: Armstrong and Miller at the Bristol Hippodrome

e3admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:26:15 +0100

Crackerjack catches up with double act Armstrong and Miller ahead of their hotly-anticipated show at the Bristol Hippodrome

It’s been a long wait – they’ve spent the last few years in the studio making an inordinate number of outstanding, Bafta Award-winning TV programmes – but it’s been well worth it: Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller are finally hitting the road again with a brilliant new live show.

Theatre interview: Roxanne Pallett

e3admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:33:52 +0100

It’s a long way from her role as abused wife Jo Stiles-Sugden in rural soap Emmerdale, but Roxanne Pallett is having a ball singing and swinging in the new American jukebox musical Rock Around The Clock.

The feel-good show has already wowed audiences around tht world, and next week it will be shake, rattle and rolling its way to the Bristol Hippodrome.

I caught up with the bubbly soap star, nominated as Best Actress and Sexiest Female during her three years in ITV’s Emmerdale, on a rare day off from the popular musical.

Music interview: The Magic Numbers

e3admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:31:04 +0100

The Magic Numbers are renowned for their lush guitar and piano pop, sweet harmonies and close familial vibe.

A four-piece featuring two brother and sister combos – Romeo and Michelle Stoddart, and Angela and Sean Gannon – they rose to acclaim out of the London suburb of Ealing after meeting at school.

Their universally acclaimed eponymous debut album was nominated for the 2005 Mercury Prize, and the 2006 follow-up was also well received.

Comedy interview: Patrick Monahan

e3admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:31:04 +0100

When I put the phone down, my ears are ringing and my head’s spinning.

I’ve just been talking to stand-up Patrick Monahan and throughout our 40-minute conversation, the comic barely stops for breath. Excitable and enthused, Patrick is an unstoppable force of nature who speaks in a rapid-fire staccato, as if he has to tell me everything he’s doing and thinking before an alarm goes off and he’s lead away.

Food interview: Tom Green

e3admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:31:04 +0100

The thought of cooking a dinner for 70 people would be off-putting for most of us, but not for Tom Green, who relishes the idea.

Until earlier this year, Tom, 28, was head chef at celebrated Bristol restaurant the riverstation, but he left in March to set up his own private catering business, The Flavour Smith.

With The Flavour Smith, Tom hopes to bring his 13 years of experience in the catering business to people’s homes.

Theatre Interview: Michael Praed

e3admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:30:42 +0100

Backstage of the Birmingham Hippodrome is buzzing as cast and crew prepare for a matinee performance of the record-breaking musical The Sound of Music.

But in his small but comfortable dressing room, scattered with stage make-up and personal effects, Michael Praed (Robin of Sherwood/Dynasty) is calm personified.

Striking in appearance, intense and rakish, it’s easy to see why Michael was approached for the role of Captain Von Trapp.

Coffee, cakes and clothes

e3admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:28:49 +0100

The comments in the guestbook at Fanny Adams Vintage say it all.

“The best coffee I have ever had in England,” penned one satisfied French woman last week.

After a latte at the shop, an Irish man visiting the South West with his Italian wife scribbled “outstanding coffee – the best I’ve had and so much better than those overpriced chains”.

“It’s mindblowing,” smiles Wesley Massam, who runs this vintage clothes shop and coffee bar in Blagdon with his wife, Jane.

Comedy Interview: Cooking up a storm

e3admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:28:49 +0100

Who exactly is Hardeep Singh Kohli? He’s a London-born, Scottish, turban-toting, kilt-wearing Sikh presenter, scriptwriter and amateur celeb-chef who is lauded by the establishment but got into hot water with The One Show.

In spice terms, that’s quite some vindaloo mix.

Rebel with a cause

e3admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:28:49 +0100

As we speak Steve Harley is checking images of Glastonbury Abbey on his computer screen.

He knows about the town, obviously, as would anybody who has played for Michael Eavis’s world-famous festival just down the road apiece.

He’s done that particular gig four times now, counting the one this summer.

Now, though, on the back of that gig, he’s been invited by Michael to play one of those very special Extravaganza nights in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey.

It will be his first time.