David Porter » Archive
Black Shuck: Devil Dog Inspires the Arts
A Local Folk Tale Gives Rise to All Sorts of Fiction Black Shuck shows how a myth appears in different art forms today. It all began in the wilder parts of the UK’s Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, probably in Viking times. Sightings of a ghostly, huge black dog were frequently reported over the centuries as it roamed freely, terrorising the minds of people eking out lives that were often brutal, short and vulnerable to powers beyond their control. Black Shuck was also known as Devil or Black Dog. Dog Bogeyman Story Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was prone to moods of depression that he called his ‘black dog’. But the phantom dog that featured in many creative pieces was a bogeyman story to keep children in order. It spread evil with its flaming … Read entire article »
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Physical Theatre: Commedia dell’Arte
Four Centuries-Old Mother of Many Art and Theatre Forms A visual performance art form from late 16th century Italy still resonates today, as it gave birth to separate but linked genres that speak universally to audiences. Since Greek/Roman times two traditions of theatre in Europe developed – the written and memorised, and the spontaneously improvised. Sometimes one would dominate, then the other. Occasionally they would converge. Plays are still written and performed by actors who have learned their lines. Spontaneous improvisation of the travelling troubadour lives on in circus clowning, English pantomime and Punch & Judy. Stock Characters On Stage The Commedia dell’Arte (which means art, skill or craft of comedy or the masked comedy) used stock (stereotypical) characters to tell well-honed tales. It relied on physical theatre, mime with some words, presented often … Read entire article »
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Fixed Term Parliament: Panacea or Straitjacket?
UK Prime Ministers Call General Elections at Best-Chance Times At any time, the Prime Minister of the day can ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament for an election, unless a government’s five years are up. Then there’s no choice left. All Parliaments end on the fifth year, unless a Prime Minister decides he/she wants to go to the country earlier, because the chances of winning are higher. This might be because of some perceived success (eg. war or conflict, massive reduction in taxes and cost of living), or some bad news is coming (eg, economic wipe-out and fiscal collapse). Vote of Confidence in the House of Commons An election would come ahead of time and very speedily if a Government lost a vote of confidence in … Read entire article »
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Time Is a Political Issue
Changing Time in Our Lives is a Trap for Any Government Whether it’s abolishing British Summer Time, fixing Easter Sunday or changing school terms and day timings, governments undertake such controversy at their peril. Christmas Day is fixed, Remembrance Sunday is always the nearest one to 11th November. So how hard is to agree on Easter? Well, an Act of Parliament of 1928 allows it to be the nearest Sunday to 12 April, but it requires agreement of the churches. In the meantime, our Easter floats variously between 22 March and 25 April each year. Scrapping British Summer Time As governments run out of time, they sometimes focus on issues they hope will distract public and media. The old idea of abolishing British Summer Time … Read entire article »
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Old Film and Musical Ideas Never Die
Films and Musicals That Inspire More Films and Musicals In the showbiz world the best new ideas for movies and musicals are often born from old ideas, recycled and reshaped for today’s hungry entertainment media. While the arts are the personification of freedom of expression and the joys of creativity, often they are also about self-promotion and are totally inward looking. But if works of art about works of art and artists succeed in show business, and clearly they do, why would their creators need to look anywhere else for ideas, inspiration and income? Films about Films Films from novels we’re used to; films of plays often work. Even films of cartoon/comic book characters also work: Superman (1978), Batman (1989), Spiderman (2002), Watchmen (2009). From the beginning of … Read entire article »
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Visual and Performing Arts Reuse the Old
Films, Plays and Songs That Inspire Films, Plays and Songs In today’s cost-conscious world of entertainment media, it’s often apparent that old ideas revisited and reinterpreted are valid inspirations. That one art form can, and does, inspire many sons and daughters in other art forms may be clear from films about films, films about musicals, films of books you have seen, or songs from shows that go on to be used elsewhere. Cabaret Illustrates the Phenomenon. Liza Minelli’s film masterpiece of 1972 is often cited as a great work of that decade. Cabaret, the film, came out of the 1966 Broadway musical that derived from John van Druten’s 1951 play I Am A Camera, which in turn was inspired by Christopher Isherwood’s novel, Goodbye to Berlin. The play Sleuth had a life on stage, and … Read entire article »
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Mind Your (Parliamentary) Language
Everyday Expressions in English that Originated in Parliament Not many people know that some commonplace expressions we use frequently began in the House of Commons and their origins make fascinating pub-quiz answers material. The United Kingdom’s Parliament is the oldest in the world, and over the years it has given the English language many expressions and phrases that often take on other meanings. The result of the forthcoming General Election will focus attention on the building, the traditions and customs. Here are some phrases that have become part of the fabric of the institution. It’s in the Bag Behind the Speaker’s Chair – and out of sight of the cameras – hangs a large bag, into which Members of Parliament place petitions from constituents that are required to be considered by the House of … Read entire article »
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Good as New Covers of Hit Songs
Pop Music Industry Recycles Top Tunes from the Past There’s little that’s new in the pop music industry – just like most performing arts – and covering other people’s songs has always been a route to success or derision. If a song has done well and sold a million a few years ago, most pop moguls think it will sell again. Or a movie might suddenly need that very song, and it’s rehashed, re-recorded and released to a wide-eyed generation of youngsters or nostalgic oldies. Dolly Parton’s rendition of old-time rockers Led Zeppelin’s 1970s classic, Stairway to Heaven, is a far cry from the original. Sacrilege in the eyes of many diehard fans. Equally, Britney Spears’ recycling The Arrows old hit I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll … Read entire article »
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Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical at Norwich Playhouse Review published in Eastern Daily Press, 22 February 2011 There are performer-improvisers, creating sketches from random audience suggestions in bizarre styles and settings. There are quality musical companies. And then there is Showstopper! the Improvised Musical. Every night, the team of eight talented artists create a musical from scratch, based on ideas called out. A Director steers, sifting ideas (and unafraid to take risks, like male stripper), allowing the cast’s talents act, dance and sing the ad-hoc tale. A packed Playhouse rocked with laughter as a Retirement Home in the future was chosen as setting. Styles from Les Miserables, Wicked, Annie and the Lion King were demanded with a tribute to Tim Burton tagged on, all under the title, How I Met Your Grandmother. To improvise successfully, performers must … Read entire article »
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Ideas and Thoughts
This will be the place for ideas and thoughts, recent events and decisions, random links and contacts, a bit of a personal blog, but not to be confused with the Blogs category on here which is mainly pure opinion pieces and an invitation to write blogs for companies. This section will be like a diary, a clearing house of materials for things as they come up, before being allocated elsewhere. This will be ideas for articles or connections with existing ones. Drama materials. Appearances and jobs done. It will be the first call for LATEST info. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ideas and Thoughts