The Martians Edinburgh festival 2008, Photos by Pauline Keightley

"GREYFRIARS TWISTED TALES" 2008
Edinburgh 2008 the Martians premiered their new musical 'Greyfriars Twisted Tales,' for a 3 week run at the Edinburgh festival at Musical theatre George Sq, produced by Carol Metcalfe of the Bridewell Theatre Company and the City of the Deads tours. They won the 2008 " Spirit of the Festival " award.
The musical was written by The Martians, and had supporting roles from Derek Elsby and Marianne Sellars. It runs through a brief history of Greyfriars Kirkyard, a graveyard in central Edinburgh. It received positive reviews from The Scotsman, OnstageScotland and Three Weeks. Following an appearance on 'Mervyn Stutter's Pick Of The Fringe' they were presented the "Spirit Of The Fringe" award 2008!
'The Martians tunes have a playful way with words, and memorable and fun melodies – full of colour and energy. Brother James Kielty and third Martian Houston also write for their off-the-wall and upbeat musicals. Written by Gerry and John Kielty. ' P Keightley

  The Martians Edinburgh festival 2006 and 2007, high street busking.

2006
In July 2006 the Martians set up their site "the Martians Chronicles" which has A MARTIANS BLOG, NEWS items,more. They also set up on myspace. - www.the-martians.co.uk. In August 2006, they were again performing on Edinburgh's High Street during the festival. In January 2007 John moved to San Francisco, the hometown of his long time girlfriend Liana. John will continue writing over there. He has been shuttling between San Francisco and Edinbrugh in 2007.

The Martians write songs and MUSICALS, which began originally as radio scripts, and which they hope to have produced on stage and radio. Their Musical titles are: 'The Rise of the Martians' 'The Sundowe' (a medi-evil War of the Worlds!') & 'Beneath the Stars'

"THE SUNDOWE" - 2006/2007
The Martians musical ‘The Sundowe' got down to the final five stage of The Highland Quest for a new Scottish Musical competition from over 150 entrants. Written by brothers John, James and Gerry Kielty, the Sundowe is "set in present day Edinburgh with the city in terror. People begin vanishing and vampires stalk the streets."
Most of their inspiration for The Sundowe,… came from working on Edinburgh ghost tours. They also used the spooky atmosphere of Greyfriars Cemetery to help spin their musical tale. Set in Edinburgh the self-penned musical is a tale of vampires, street music and spirits of the lost and forgotten, and their subsequent battle to save the world. John is fascinated by the undead, and thin places, he’s one spooked guy! The former St Andrew's High students, spent four years and 12 drafts perfecting the masterpiece which originally started as a radio script.

In July 2006, highlights from these five finalists musicals were performed in Ullapool, Scotland and the Sundowe won the competition! The Sundowe went into rehearsals in October 2007 and was one of the opening events in the newly constructed theatre at Eden Court, Inverness in 2007, before embarking on a Scottish Highland tour. http://www.highland-quest.com/ Cameron Mackintosh, who has produced the musicals Cats and Les Miserables was producing. The Quest is run in partnership with Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, The Scottish Executive and The Mackintosh Foundation, in a quest to find a new musical to premiere in the Highlands of Scotland.

In 2007 John performed with David Sneddon at the sold out Jazz Bar gigs Edinburgh festival 2007. David's "White Noise" EP is No 1 Indiestore chart 2007 and 2008.