Monday, 13 January 2014

Away In A Sand Dune: free UNIVERSAL EAR ebook

"Hour for hour, I spend more time on the brink of death than I do on the toilet."

The script of the UNIVERSAL EAR Christmas special Away In A Sand Dune is now available to download as a free ebook.

In this stage adaptation of a classic chapter from Harley Byrne’s memoirs, our hero takes a holiday from work but crash-lands on a tropical island on Christmas Eve. The natives’ carols sound oddly familiar, but when Byrne interferes, the island’s corrupt king condemns him to be eaten to death.

Of interest, perhaps, to those looking for a 'comedy' play to produce next Christmas. Do get in touch.

Below, the trailer, and Elly Strigner's fine cover art.


Elly Strigner Away In A Sand Dune cover

Monday, 18 November 2013

untitled (Yma Sumac waiting) screening in Manchester

Mr Cole's video untitled (Yma Sumac waiting) will play at Blank Media Collective's Title Art Prize 2013 Awards and Video Jam Event this Friday.

EVENT: Video Jam
WHERE: BLANKSPACE, 43 Hulme Street, Manchester M15 6AW
WHEN: 22nd November 2013, 18.00
COST: Free
NOTES: Live musical accompaniment by an undisclosed act. A blind collaboration. Wine, mulled cider and art.



Wednesday, 12 June 2013

A Flea Orchestra In Your Ear in Moston



WHERE: A Small Cinema, Miners Community Arts and Music Centre, Teddington Road, Moston, M40 0DJ

WHEN: Thursday 13th June 2013, 18.30

COST: £10 (SOLD OUT)


NOTES: "Stuart Maconie invites you to a special one-off night of words, music, film and dancing, with musician Jesca Hoop and The Smiths' Mike Joyce also on the bill.

Stuart Maconie is a journalist, author, raconteur, and BBC Radio 6 Music presenter. He will be reading from his all of his books, including recent publications "The People's Songs" and "Hope & Glory", and generally being quite witty about music and modern Britain.

Jesca Hoop is a Californian, Manchester-based singer-songwriter who counts Elbow, Tom Waits and Peter Gabriel as her fans. She will be performing an acoustic set of tracks from her back catalogue.

Mike Joyce was the drummer in the Smiths. That's all you need to know. He will be DJ-ing through the evening, filling all the awkward silences with indie classics.

In the other room, the beautiful volunteer-built Small Cinema, enjoy a handpicked selection of art-house shorts and local films - perhaps with a beer or hot toddy.

This will be a very special night inside an amazing venue. The Old Moston Colliery Bath House became a social club for local ex-miners and families after the pit shut. Closed for several years, it was brought back to life by enthusiastic volunteers without grants or funding. It now is home to the Miners Community Arts and Music Centre and the Moston Small Cinema project with Gallery Room, Café, Function Room and a 90 seat cinema.

All proceeds from the night will go to a much needed heating system for the venue.

So come and join us for the evening, it promises to be a great evening and anything goes on the night!

Food and Licensed Bar available."

Saturday, 25 May 2013

IndieLisboa'13: The jury's long since returned

If you've been following the Institute's other social networking platforms closely, you'll already be aware that at the end of April I was honoured to be part of the international short film jury at IndieLisboa'13 International Festival of Independent Cinema. (Our short musical It's Nick's Birthday received a Special Mention from the Jury at IndieLisboa'09).

Along with my esteemed fellow jurors Inês Nadais and Tess Renaudo, we saw over 70 short films before talking, eating, drinking and dancing ourselves to a verdict. Thousands of € and millions of prestige were bestowed upon our chosen ones: a full run down on the winning films can be seen below, or here.

I elaborated on some of the recurring themes and stylistic tendencies of the program in a fascinating piece over on Neil Young's Jigsaw Lounge. So read that.