Music interview: Massive Attack on their new album Heligoland

e3admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:40:06 +0000

Steve Harnell catches up with Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja at the band’s Bristol studios to get the lowdown on their much-anticipated new album Heligoland

Massive Attack have never done things the easy way, and after 20 years together, they’re not about to start now.

The labyrinthine story behind the making of their fifth album Heligoland is one of reinvention, false starts and the reconnection of two founding members.

Food feature: Source Food Hall and Cafe

e3admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:31:10 +0000

After Taste in St Nicholas Market went into administration, a trio have relaunched the food hall and café as Source and vowed to breathe new life into the business. Mark Taylor meets the new owners.

Starting a new food business is hard work at the best of times, but even more so when you take over one that has gone into administration in the first year of trading.

Taste in St Nicholas Market opened with a bang in September 2008 with rave reviews and customers pouring through the door.

Theatre interview: Jonathan Ansell in Whistle Down The Wind

e3admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:31:10 +0000

Natalie Hale talks to Jonathan Ansell about his debut role in a musical as the fugitive in Whistle Down The Wind

He may have an angelic face and a voice to match, but Jonathan Ansell has turned to the dark side for his musical theatre debut.

Gone is the blonde quiff, the baby-faced charm and spotless attire. In its place is a beefed-up, filthy, blood-stained man with rough stubble and a mumbling drawl.

Comedy interview: Boycie and Marlene

e3admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:31:10 +0000

Natalie Hale talks to Only Fools and Horses’ favourites Sue Holderness and John Challis about their new stage show

They may have spent most of their marriage tearing strips out of each other, but Boycie and Marlene are still going strong after nearly 30 years.

“We’ve had a jolly good run, haven’t we?,” laughs Sue Holderness, who played tart-with-a-heart Marlene in the nation’s favourite sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

Music interview: Hot Chip at the O2 Academy Bristol

e3admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:04:57 +0000

Steve Harnell eases into his slippers and sparks up a pipe with Hot Chip frontman Alexis Taylor and Al Doyle to discuss the band’s new ‘mature’ direction ahead of their latest UK tour

Growing up in dance music isn’t really the done thing. In a world where celebrating hedonistic good times on the dancefloor will always remain its key component, Grammy-nominated Londoners Hot Chip were faced with something of a challenge on their fourth studio album – how to reflect on their combined new lives of cosy domesticity.

Food feature: Artisan baker Mark Newman

e3admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:39:30 +0000

Mark Taylor meets the man who has swapped his life in computers for running his own artisan bakery business

It may only be 10am on a wet and windy morning but Mark Newman is in a good mood because a customer has just paid him the ultimate compliment.

“Somebody just came in and asked me if I was a master baker,” he laughs, as he prepares the next batch of loaves – handmade baguettes that will be ready for lunchtime.

Theatre interview: Les Dennis in High School Musical 2 at the Bristol Hippodrome

e3admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:39:30 +0000

He’s been a gameshow host and appeared in Extras with Ricky Gervais. Now Les Dennis is the “token oldie” in High School Musical 2. Natalie Hale finds out more.

Les Dennis’ life has been one of mixed fortunes. The 80s comic-cum-gameshow host went from the heady heights of entertaining millions every Saturday night on The Laughter Show and Family Fortunes to hitting rock bottom, with a very public breakdown and earning a reputation of a has-been and figure of fun.

Comedy interview: Stephen K Amos at the Colston Hall

e3admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:39:30 +0000

Natalie Hale talks to Stephen K Amos - stand-up’s 10-year “overnight sensation”

Most of you will recognise his face. If you don’t, you soon will. Stephen K Amos is the hottest ticket in comedy today, with live audiences, comedy promoters and even the BBC all jostling for a piece of him.

The Edinburgh Festival favourite is currently on the road for his third, solo UK tour, proving just what all the fuss is about.

Music interview: Martin Carthy and The Imagined Village at the Colston Hall

e3admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:30:56 +0000

Steve Harnell speaks to folk legend Martin Carthy about his key role in acclaimed collective The Imagined Village, collaborating with Paul Weller and playing a vital part in Paul Simon’s success

Sometimes the best ideas are the most simple ones. The biggest surprise of all about folk collective The Imagined Village is that nobody thought of it 20 years ago.

Comedy interview: Pappy’s at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol

e3admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:56:45 +0000

Natalie Hale talks to Matthew Crosby of Pappy’s fame about their unique bid to break a comedy world record

Last year, Pappy’s Fun Club used comedy to head off the eco-apocalypse and save the world. Now, in a similarly ambitious attempt, they’re looking to break a world record.

The trio are aiming to smash the record for most sketches performed in an hour. The target is 200; fail to hit it, and the sketch troupe’s mysterious benefactor, Pappy, won’t be happy. The audience, however, will be happy regardless.

Theatre preview: The History Boys at Theatre Royal Bath

e3admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:56:45 +0000

As the curtain falls on its annual panto, the Theatre Royal Bath launches its new season with a classic of modern drama.

Alan Bennett’s The History Boys made a phenomenal impact upon its National Theatre debut in 2004, opening to rave reviews and securing a sell-out run.

It went on to become one of the venue’s biggest ever hits, winning no less than 30 major awards.

Food feature: The Folk House launches its own recipe book

e3admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:56:45 +0000

The Folk House Café has just launched its own recipe book. Mark Taylor leafs through the pages and meets owner Liz Haughton

Ahastily scrawled postcard from Liz Haughton accompanied my copy of The Folk House Café Recipe Book.

It read: ‘Hi Mark, here is our tome! Hope you like it – it’s very us I think, in that it’s a bit chaotic and rough and ready, but with a good heart!’

In a world of glossy cookbooks from over-hyped celebrity chefs, such honesty and lack of ego is refreshing.

Comedy: What’s on at this year’s Bristol Slapstick Festival

e3admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:39:18 +0000

Thursday, January 21
Slapstick Gala with Michael Palin
Something ALMOST Completely Different
Colston Hall
7.30pm
Bristol’s Slapstick Silent Comedy Festival invites you to a star-studded evening of classic comedy and live entertainment for its sixth Slapstick Gala.
This unique event presents comedy legend and national treasure Michael Palin onstage to discuss his illustrious career in comedy with fellow writer/performer Graeme Garden.

Comedy: Barry Cryer at the Bristol Slapstick Festival

e3admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:39:18 +0000

Natalie Hale talks to Barry Cryer who is singing the praises of maverick funnyman Kenny Everett at this year’s Bristol Slapstick Festival

Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper, Richard Pryor and Les Dawson – legendary comedy writer Barry Cryer has not only worked with these comedy greats, but has given them some of their best lines.

So perhaps it’s surprising that a man known for his dexterous use of the written and spoken word is involved in Bristol ’s annual Slapstick Festival, celebrating visual, physical comedy.

Comedy: Exclusive Michael Palin interview on Bristol Slapstick Festival

e3admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:39:18 +0000

Natalie Hale talks exclusively to comedian, author and globe-trotter, Michael Palin CBE

To misquote Monty Python’s The Life of Brian, ‘He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very nice boy’.

Who doesn’t love Michael Palin? The 66-year-old has been many things to many people in a career that has spanned five decades. As the baby of the Monty Python team, he’s played a singing lumberjack, the vendor of a dead parrot and the straight man to John Cleese’s eye-bulging fury.

Food feature: Cookery masterclasses at Rockfish Grill and Seafood Market

e3admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:28:09 +0000

Rockfish Grill on Whiteladies Road is hosting masterclasses on how to cook fresh fish at home. Mark Taylor finds out more.

If there is one kitchen skill that most home cooks lack it’s preparing fresh fish.

But help is available thanks to Bristol restaurant Rockfish Grill, where there is now a free weekly introduction to fresh fish and seafood.

This short, informative masterclass takes place every Wednesday at 11am in the restaurant’s fishmongers.

Theatre preview: MR James ghost stories

e3admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:28:09 +0000

The ghost stories of M R James are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.

Now, six of the eeriest and most entertaining of his ghostly tales are brought back to life in a gripping one-man show.

Nunkie Theatre has enjoyed sell-out success on previous visits to the Tobacco Factory and this month, performer Robert Lloyd Parry delivers his spine-tingling tales in the intimate setting of the Tobacco Factory’s new space, The Brewery.

Music feature: The best gigs coming up in 2010

e3admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:28:08 +0000

Steve Harnell looks ahead to what's on the horizon for Bristol's gig-goers in 2010

Live music fans in this neck of the woods had it pretty good in 2009 with an embarrassment of riches to enjoy from the mesmerising Grace Jones through to a triumphant show from Roni Size backed by a 30-piece orchestra and a hits-packed performance from Elton John.

At this early stage, we’ve got a long wait before the first genuine copper-bottomed rock legend rides into town. That’ll be guitarist Jeff Beck who plays Colston Hall on October 24.

Theatre preview: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Bristol Hippodrome

e3admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:07:35 +0000

As the Bristol Hippodrome’s pantomime season draws to a close, there’s no need to feel glum. Instead, audiences are invited to fasten their seatbelts as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang makes a pitstop at the venue later this month.

After four magical years at the London Palladium and three sensational years touring large-scale venues all over the UK, Chitty is back with a Bang from Wednesday, January 13, to Saturday, January 30.

Music feature: Bristol Acoustic Music Festival

e3admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:50:46 +0000

Need something to calm your New Year hangover? How about kicking off 2010 in style with the three-day Bristol Acoustic Music Festival. STEVE HARNELL meets organiser Steve Parkhouse and singer-songwriter Bashema to find out more.

Talk about flying out of the starting blocks in 2010. We’ve only just got over the turkey-eating exertions of Christmas and there’s a three-day festival at St George’s Bristol featuring the cream of our city’s acoustic talent to get our teeth into.