August 2009 - new musical

 ‘Mercy Madonna of Malawi’ an African dance musical

The true story of the girl Madonna left behind goes beyond the tabloids.

A modern day African 'Annie'. The moral maze when celebrity and poverty collide.

'...an emotional rollercoaster. Unmissable' (Malawi Times)

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, St George West Church 3:00PM Aug 9 to Aug 22nd 2009

 Great fun… These boys have a great future ahead of them. The Martians have landed.’ Scotsman Review 5/8/2008

'What fantastic performers the Kielty Brothers are' ... '(Cameron Mackintosh).

Oct/ Nov 2009 - John played George in 'Confession of a Sinner' at the Lyceum theatre Edinburgh

August 2009 - new musical ‘Mercy Madonna of Malawi’ / African dance musical. The true story of the girl Madonna left behind goes beyond the tabloids. A modern day African 'Annie'. The moral maze when celebrity and poverty collide. '...an emotional rollercoaster. Unmissable' (Malawi Times).

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, St George West Church 3:00PM Aug 9 to Aug 22nd 2009

 

21st Feb 2009 John Kielty performing with the Reduced Shakespeare Company at the Theatre Royal Glasgow.

'THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD' (abridged) Touring the UK.

27th October 2008 at 9.30pm "GREYFRIARS TWISTED TALES" heads for LONDON!

Etcetera Theatre

265 Camden High Street

Camden

London, NW1 7BU

020 7482 4857 - Tickets £10

On The 27th October 2008 Greyfriars Twisted Tales transferred to London for one performance at the Etcetera Theatre. Produced by Cassie Wadsworth and Frazer Brown in association with The Rival Theatre Company.

24th August 2008 - The Martians are the 'Winners of 2008 "Spirit Of The Fringe" award!!'

A SCOTS comedy duo have picked up a coveted award for a musical about an Edinburgh cemetery. John and Gerry Kielty are to be presented with this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival Spirit of the Fringe Award tomorrow.

The Glaswegian brothers' show, Greyfriars Twisted Tales, was picked ahead of hundreds of other acts as the one show which embodies the energy and driving force of the Fringe. Previous winners of the award who then went on to far bigger things include comedy giants Ed Byrne, Ross Noble, Omid Djalili and The League of Gentlemen. The Spirit of the Fringe Award first began in 1992 as the Grand Final of comic Melvyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe show. It has now developed into one of the most respected prizes at the Festival. Edinburgh Evening Times

The musical show which tells the many stories of the famous Edinburgh cemetery has attracted five-star reviews and has been near to a sell out for most of its Fringe run.

John said: “We’ve had tentative meetings with the BBC, but it’s very early days so we’ll see what happens. We’ve got a bottomless pit of comedy material, and the future looks very promising for us.”  Deadline Press and Picture agency

::MARTIANS/ JOHN NEWS

John is doing a UK tour with the reduced Shakespeare company in ‘The complete Word of God’ He is writing a new musical about Jacobites called ‘Charlie’s Year’.

THE ’"MARTIANS CHRONICLE"’

The Martians have produced their own print press

- with write ups by David Sneddon (former Martian who wishes he was still a Martian!) and music theatre mogul Cameron MacKintosh (Cats, Les Miserables)  

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The Martians August 2008 -

- The Martians present their new musical ‘"Greyfriars Twisted Tales" ‘

2nd August - 25th August at MUSICAL THEATRE @ George Sq, Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh

Cadaverous look at some of Edinburgh's best stories. Totally true. Mostly. The Martians resurrect the history of Edinburgh with the sole intention of murdering it all over again. '

Venue: Musical Theatre

@ George Square group: Bridewell Theatre Company in Association With City of the Dead Walking Tours presents The Martians category: Musicals and Opera.

REVIEWS -

Martians show in Edinburgh – the show was sold out on Saturday! Has had 5 star reviews!

WOW great audience reactions!!. Such catchy tunes that I have stuck in my head, full of fast paced delicious dry humour and clever (twisted!) takes on human foibles and superstitions, love of dogs and Scotland! ( Invisible SkyGods, Reformation, Nessie, Not A Valley Anymore) Highlight was Gerry as Greyfriars Bobby (dog with black socks on his ears) And the totally out-of-context Mary Poppins meets Hitler sketch – a pure musical Monty Python! Mocking war is good – it is ridiculous!

The Martians mix humour and pathos; absurdity and tragedy; to create their bold strokes of out-of-this-world expressions.

Their tunes have a clever playful way with words - with memorable and fun melodies that are full of colour and energy. Brother James Kielty and third Martian Houston also write for their off-the-wall and upbeat musicals

'Consistently funny and with quality songwriting, this fast paced madness was pure entertainment' 5 stars Three Weeks

August 5th 2008 - ‘ Great fun… These boys have a great future ahead of them. The Martians have landed.’  

GreyFriars Twisted Tales REVIEW Scotsman Aug 5th 2008

This is the first year the terrifically talented combo behind this show, The Martians, have appeared at the Fringe (?) It won’t be the last. Their pedigree may seem dubious but their talents are blindingly obvious. John Kielty for instance, leads guided tours of Greyfriars Kirkyard. His brother Gerry ‘trained as an actor’ at Edinburgh Dungeon while their sidekick Houston is a 24-year-old gardener form Lanark. The show they’re performing in a Portakabin in George square should make some of the acts at bigger venues hang their heads in shame, while they eat their hearts out with envy.

This is a musical tour of the dark history of Greyfriars and its impact on world history. Actually, that concept just gives the group and excuse to go off on wild tangents like an inspired mini Second world War musical that’s a cross between ‘The producers and Oh What A lovely War. It doesn’t really sit too easily with the rest of the boys material but it’s still great fun – as is the rest of the show. Nessie, Greyfriars Bobby, crap Sean Connery impersonations – all the tartan tat we bombard tourists with is expertly lampooned and it’s frequently very funny. These boys have a great future ahead of them.. The Martians have landed. Rory Ford.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

May 2008 = THE MARTIANS will be performing at the Edinburgh Festival August 2008! A new musical adventure!

'All in all, we're very pleased with ourselves. Its been our dream for the longest time to have 'Sundowe' produced, and, when we complete our tour in Ulapool on February 2nd, we'll be ready to die happy... although I have a feeling that 'Sundowe' won't let us.' John ( Martians Blog)

SUNDOWE HIGHLAND TOUR! 2008

Jan 2008 - The Sundowe premiered at the New Eden Court Theatre in Inverness in November 2007 to sell-out audiences, and good reviews. It will embark on a tour as part of the Highland Year Of Culture:

Fort William (14-19 Jan)

Wick (24-26 Jan)

Skye (29-30 Jan)

Ullapool (31 Jan-2 Feb)

REVIEWS!

“The plot is imaginative and ludicrous in equal measure’ The Inverness Courier

“…a fast-paced extravaganza that never lets up’ The Herald

“…the quirky, fun and utterly scandalous story cooked up by Glasgow’s three Kielty brothers set just the right kind of irreverent tone to open the new theatre space.’ Highland News

Right from the impossibly catchy opening number, Our Home, which really does deserve to be the new national anthem, the template is set—wacky, sharp, one-liner lyrics allied to good tunes..’ Hi-Arts

*November 2007 -

Documentary on the Quest BBC2 - MacMusical - Thu 22 Nov, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

*SUNDOWE musical DATES ANNOUNCED! !!**

Evening Performances @ 8pm: 29 Nov 2007 to 15 Dec 2007

2 Afternoon performances @ 2.30 pm - 8th Dec & 15th Dec 2007

Ticket Prices £14.50

For online ticket reservations see -

Check out new Sundowe website for more info -

Eden Court Theatre and Cinema

Bishops Road

Inverness

Scotland

IV3 5SA - Box Office: 01463 234234

...…. The SUNDOWE is coming!!

Sept 2007 - The Martians, the most evil street-buskers and Doctor Who fans on this planet (or any other) are proud to announce the World Premiere of their horror/musical/small-dog/actical/greek-tragedy/comedy "The Sundowe".

The show will then run for several weeks, before embarking on a tour of the Highlands.

………..there are more people buried under the streets, parks and graveyards in our capital than are alive in the city - what would happen if they all stood up!!!

Characters - The Spirits - The wayward, lost and long-forgotten souls of Edinburgh’s departed,/ Roothby - Minister for Ancient Customs And Legalities,/ Erich & Claus - Two gentlemen of leisure who enjoy music, walks in the dark.

PRESS - NOV 2007

22/11/07 - Scots Brothers Write Horror Musical: Daily Record

Tonight, a three-part documentary entitled MacMusical begins on the BBC, charting the progress of these Highland hopefuls, including the Kielty brothers.John said: "When David won Fame Academy he offered me a job, so I went to London and co-wrote on his album. David chucked it quite early but we were still working with writers and flirting with record companies."The experience gave John, who played with David Sneddon in band The Martians pre-Fame Academy, the chance to see what David didn't want. "Having said that, I learned my trade during that time in London. I said to David when he quit in 2003 that I was going to write a musical - populated by zombies, vampires and Martians

"We're also really keen to do a musical about Bonnie Prince Charlie. His story needs to be told."

Visitors to the Edinburgh Festival may already be aware of the brothers' vocal and musical talents. For years, they've been busking on the streets with quirky versions of well-known songs from Oasis to the Littlest Hobo.

 

***18thNov 2007 Scotsman Review on Sunday. - ‘Raising the dead’

Amazing photos of John leaping HIGH in the air, with Gerry sitting below on the steps! Plus a 2 page spread – wonderful stuff.

Directed by Kenny Ireland, the star of ITV's Benidorm and former head of Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum, it features Cora Bissett and Mark McDonnell and is being described as the missing link between

"It started off as a radio script, like The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy with songs," says John who, as well as his work with 7:84, the Citizens', Tron, Royal Lyceum and National Theatre of Scotland, was once employed to scare tourists at the Edinburgh Dungeon. "No one at the BBC would look at it - or if they did, they wanted us to take out either the zombies or the vampires. It meant that when this competition came along, we had it prepared and a quick bit of converting made it into a musical. Where John has a love of West End musicals (he cites Pippin, Godspell, Les Miserables and West Side Story as favourites), Gerry is more of a Pink Floyd man.

Instinctively, they set out to write a show that bypassed Broadway clichés in favour of Edinburgh history, Glasgow humour and a rock sensibility. If an idea didn't impress them or make them laugh, it didn't go in. "There's a very uncool factor to musicals," says Gerry. "It's the school trip when you say you'd rather stay in class. But recently on television there's been a lot of attention to the different styles. Buffy The Vampire Slayer did a musical episode and so did Scrubs. People are beginning to look at it again and see that you can have fun as long as you don't try and dazzle everyone with your phenomenal musical talents. We both read a lot of history and old Scottish folklore, so it comes from real places that should strike a chord with people." FULL REVIEW IN PRESS

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

August 2007-09-04

John "Head Martian" Kielty has been nominated for the "What's On Stage" Edinburgh Festival 2007, in the "Best Lyricist" category. It was for some numbers he put together for "A History Of Scotland" by Katriona Wilson, including a track which simply lists the entire monarchial line in Scotland for several hundred years.

*11/07/07 THE MARTIANS are playing at the Belladrum Festival Inverness.

NEW CD - MARTIANS – ‘Geoff the Musical’: Part One!

Hey guys,

Your new ‘ridiculous’ CDs, just had a listen – great songs on there!

You have been busy writing - so dramatic and full of delicious humour. I thought a big step on from your previous CDs. There are few bands out there with your mix of quirky humour and fun energy! Love it.

My favourite new track has to be ‘Invisible Sky Gods’ had me in fits. Comedy is the new rock n’ roll – keeping rocking it to us! thanking you - PS Track titles would be useful.

*20th August 2007 EDINBURGH FESTIVAL BUSKING! Check out the amazing Martians guys on the high street Edinburgh. (Harry – guitar, Houston – guitar, Gerry – very high falsetto voice!) ALSO Joining them is the Ex- Martian David Sneddon They are guaranteed to put a Big smile on your face!

The very famous, very lovely and talented Mr john kielty (head Martian, musician, singer, songwriter, actor, playwright) met David while acting in a play in 2001 and they started a band the Martians together after doing some acoustic sets in Glasgow. They have written and played together ever since then. John is backing on guitar and vocals with David Sneddon at the Edinburgh festival gigs at the Jazz Bar (23/24/25 August). where David will perform new songs from his new EP 'White Noise'.

 

JULY 2007 - NEW MARTIANS SONG - 'Our Home' fun, catchy and upbeat!

27th May 2007 – The Martians recording the ‘Sundowe’ in Glasgow Studio – (Blog Extract)

Mars HQ is a hectic place ETC....

John keeps harping on about something called Sundowe too. He's writing a musical apparently.

"I've got to write more!" "I need to cut bits out!" "I've had a girly strop and shredded everything, now I have to rewrite the lot!"

One particular track is, however, almost satisfactory. It's a number called "Our Home", and The Martians spent last Friday (International Towel Day) in a top secret recording bunker in Glasgow, beating each other in to musical submission. That's quite a sight to behold - four Kielty brothers, a Houston, and a Harry Ward, trapped in an enclosed space for several hours…It felt more like days…..

The recording bunker was a curious place, hidden away in caverns under the city, with fish and stalactites and secret tunnels and a gollum called Larry. Larry has lots of magical machines that can pick out the smallest flaw with a voice, guitar or drum and amplify that mistake to excruciating levels. Larry is our Friend now. Nobody else has ever managed to make our music so....so....well.....EVIL.

When it is released you'll hear about it here first. We've got some radio coverage lined up, there will be lots of press, and the nice people at Eden Court Theatre have promised some kind of Campaign. We hope there will be cannons.   We are The Martians...where do your gods live, and how do we kill them?

PS John continues his stay in the Americas – and is not wanting to hear about any Doctor Who episodes!

27/04/07 - He's back. John's back. In Scotland. In Edinburgh. In Mars HQ.

‘In mid-air, over Geoff's sleeping form, wielding a duty-free knife set with embossed handles, and screaming his new death-anthem at the top of his lungs.’

Back from America - with absolutely no evidence. Yes, he did bring lots of chocolate back, for which the rest of Mars HQ are very grateful, but it wasn't especially weird.

16/04/07 – ‘ SUNDOWE’ ....... the martian’s scary 'Actical' oR 'Musical' with no 'Dancing', will be performed in late November, (and not October) as Crawford Logan who is playing Roothby, is not available until Mid October. 

“The musical... the musical that the Martians won the Highland Quest for a New Musical competition - set up by Cameron Mackintosh... the man famous for musicals about Cat's and Frenchmen?

"We never wrote a musical... musicals are dreadful!"

"It's not a musical... musicals have dancing in..." snarls John... "And it's not a dancical... it's an Actical. It's the first of its kind... It's an actical... do you hear me? Cause if you don't..."

"Sundowe's coming along nicely... We've recorded an entire soundtrack in America with me doing all the voices...

SUNDOWE -  Sundowe gains pace - the dead grow restless, the vampires grow hungry and the website develops.... It's just a placeholder at the moment, but work is in progress....it's going to be cool, trust me, and there will be music...as soon as The Brothers Kielty stop hitting me on the knuckles..... * * * * www.thesundowe.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

15/12/06 *John is playing ALADDIN -

John is playing Aladdin in panto at the KINGS theatre in Glasgow - Tel 0870 060 6648

9/11/06 ** THE MARTIANS INVADE THE US!

John is moving to San Francisco on January 25th.

At the Troubadour gig on the 8th, David announced. ‘After tonight my good friend John Kielty is off to America.’ After the gig David said, ‘Thanks John.’   I hope they spent a great few days together in London.

'Kielty the writing has been great, I always knew there was a reason we were mates.’  

*David & John I have several pages – Lyrics, Photos. John has entertained & inspired us - I wish him every success, It’s rare to find a musical connection like this, and I know they will keep writing together.

 (PHOTOS AND FULL REVIEW)

30/10/06 - MARTIAN’S MuSIC 2006 – new cd and more

‘The Martians have a double album planned: one Cd full of nonsense and pastiche and another full of excellence.

Gerry has hundreds of songs to choose from and we can't wait to put them down... but we'll have to, because we have a Sundowe deadline.’ Contact on

‘Days like These’ on the Martians mySpace page is from the Sundowe musical. The guys plan to record the Sundowe music next summer prior to the festival down in Jay and Jake’s Sticky Studios in London.

27/09/06 MARTIANS TAKE OVER – beware!!

Wed 27 Sept 2006, 7:15 - 8:00

 Location: That towering shambles that is the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh.

 We shall be announcing our takeover of the Scottish political system through the medium of song.

03/09/06 - THREE Bankie brothers are heading for critical acclaim after winning a coveted theatre competition.... With the help of RSAMD actors the brothers put on a dazzling display of their musical.....

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.

The former St Andrew's High students spent four years and 12 drafts perfecting the masterpiece which originally started as a radio script.  (Clydebank Post. 13/07/06) ARTICLE

30/07/06 - The Martians at the Edinburgh Festival

The Martians play the Royal Mile, near St Giles Cathedral:

 7th-13th August at 2.35pm and

19th-28th at 2.55pm./

 August 7-13th John is appearing in a children's musical called "The Dream Dealer" at Augustine's,

41 George IV Bridge at 4.15pm

BoxOfficeTel:08452262721 : www.thedreamdealer.com

15/07/07 MARTIANS new MYSPACE page -

Thanks to Geoff for his very funny post on the Forum!! John has him chained to the computer these days!

PLEASE visit their new site!

09/07/06 - THE SUNDOWE WINS HIGHLAND QUEST for a new Scottish Musical!!  

And will play new Eden Court theatre in Inverness next year! before touring.

My BIGGEST congratulations to John, Gerry and James for this well deserved success!!!

10/07/06 - BBC News - Musical 'Quest' announces winner - 'A musical described as a cross between singer Michael Jackson's Thriller and zombie horror spoof Shaun of the Dead has won a Highland competition. '

12/06/06 - The Martians musical The SUNDOWE, is one of the finalists in the Quest for a new musical, and will be performed in Ullapool on the 7th July 2006. Tickets are available online.

‘This musical has been described as a cross between Thriller and Shaun of the Dead.’

05/05/06 – GIGS!! John will be doing acoustic gigs with DAVID SNEDDON:  at Dunstaffnage Music festival, Oban (29th July) with SAHB, the Alex Harvey band, And the Bedford, and Oran Mor Glasgow.

01/05/06 -  John is touring with the National Theatre of Scotland, with the play 'Elizabeth Gordon Quinn’ which will tour to theatres all over Scotland. This week at the Citizens Theatre Glasgow. More info on John's Page & Forum.

02/04/06 - BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN, GERRY & JAMES !!!

Their Musical THE SUNDOWE is in the FINAL FIVE of The Highland Quest for a NEW Musical competition,

from over 150 entrants!! 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 July, highlights from these five musicals will be performed in Ullapool. A winner will be selected from these finalists and be one of the opening events in the newly constructed theatre at Eden Court before embarking on a Highland-wide tour. This will also be on TV.

More info in Forum and on the Highland Quest site. http://www.highland-quest.com/

12/03/06 - MARTIANS GO INTO THE STUDIO! - The guys have plans to go into the Studio in Glasgow to rehearse and record a new Martians CD, with Gibby back on bass and Martin on drums.

01/03/06 - NEW MARTIAN SITE!  The guys are busy working on a NEW site with downloadable song animations and it will feel like it is attacking you! They are interested in receiving any amusing Martian photo's, so please get in contact if you have any. The 2 sites will be linked and work together, so Mad Martian fans can post reports & pics etc. More in Forum.

02/02/06 - LIST MAG INTERVIEW with producer of OLS Owen Thomas.

 One Life Stand screens at the Glasgow Film House on Thursday 9th Feb and can be purchased on DVD from www.elementalfilms.co.uk. More in MARTIANS PRESS

19/01/06 - ‘ONE LIFE STAND' DVDS’

The site is offering the DVDs at a 15% discount.

ONE LIFE STAND’ - In 2000 JOHN had a lead role in the critically acclaimed independent & award winning film 'One Life Stand' . There will be screenings & promo upcoming.

John played the son of a single mother. The film was acclaimed for its ground-breaking production, subtle direction and powerful acting. 'One Life Stand 'is an Elemental Films production starring Maureen Carr, John Kielty, Archie Lal & Gary Lewis and scored by Bobby James Henry, produced by Karen M. Smyth & Owen Thomas.

‘A peal of hope for Scottish cinema’ ‘Worldclass’ More info in jOHNS nEWS

21/12/05 -  MARTIANS CHRISTMAS songs.............

'THE PUMPKIN GRAVE' - mARTIAN audio clips NEW December 2005 -  Specially recorded by The Martians for a bit of christmas fun! thanks guys - what a lovely present! 'Spread the songs far and wide! Merry Xmas.' Johnx................... YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE SONGS HERE -

'The Martians acknowledge that this is that strange time of year when puny humans put lights on trees and pray that, while they sleep, old men wearing tights will creep down their chimneys and leave things in their socks. We do not know how or why this custom ever came about, but we would like to offer to you our own festive style song: the Pumpkin Grave. We will record it in the next few days and send you a copy with text.' Johnx

‘ONE LIFE STAND’ - In 2000 JOHN had a lead role in the critically acclaimed independent & award winning film 'One Life Stand' . The film will be released on DVD next year, when there will be screenings & promo.

John played the son of a single mother. The film was acclaimed for its ground-breaking production, subtle direction and powerful acting. 'One Life Stand 'is an Elemental Films production starring Maureen Carr, John Kielty, Archie Lal & Gary Lewis and scored by Bobby James Henry, produced by Karen M. Smyth & Owen Thomas.

‘A peal of hope for Scottish cinema’ ‘Worldclass’ More in jOHNS nEWS

03/12/05 - 'The musicals have all been sent off with complete scripts and 30 minutes music complete. I was able to use songs like Up-beat Beat & Stopped me in my Tracks, to save some of the production time. I am really proud of the Sundowe music: it's like a dark mass!' JOHN

01/12/05 - 'MISSION FROM MARS ' Ideas Factory - 'The Martians are a self-styled, sci-fi version of the Monkees; they write and perform songs, musicals and TV shows.' More in

30/11/05 - JOHN'S Talent Spotter 'TWENTY QUESTIONS' NOW UP ! on -

They are short and a bit tongue-in cheek, what else do you expect from John?

10/11/05 - 'Man with a Mission' - Exclusive interview with the amazing John Kielty and some really interesting answers! 

John answered Questions for the Martian fansite on the Martians, his music, meeting David Sneddon, brother Gerry, song-writing and plans for the future, when he was over in Glasgow recently. I was very interested in how the Martians started and what inspires John with his music. He’s one very interesting guy and is incredibly busy right now.

07/11/05 - KATE E.'s JOURNAL. While googling recently I discovered Kate's journal about meeting John in 2002 and singing with the Martians! Kate E was an Amercian student at Glasgow Art college. Fascinating!

She describes their music as…’funky pop sound!’ mORE IN uPDATES!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25/10/05 - Latest from John - ‘The Festival was manic, doing three shows a day, so we just kind of chill out after it. We may do a big gig in January. I have to write Musical scripts by December, so I’m going to be busy doing that the next few months.’ He just had a holiday and may go down to do more writing with David too. John has three Musicals entered in the Quest for a new musical. (More info on The Martians soon!)

09/09/05 - The Martians will be performing 'Evil Face' at the Bedlam, Edinburgh as part of freshers week on Tuesday 13th @ 7.30pm - Let's pack it out guys!! (tickets £2 possibly, sounds fab!!) more in updates

28/08/05 -  New MARTIAN CDS!!!!!   The very talented, sexy and charismatic John has found time amid his performing and writing Musicals to record a new MARTIAN CD.  DETAILS on Music page

28/08/05 - Another 3 weeks of Martian madness at the Festival draws to a close, yet leaving us even more excited about more music and seeing 'the Sundowe'!!! John has had the best time –

‘Festival has been great! Love it Love it LOVE IT!’

He may go down to write some more songs with David in London and is continuing to write more Musicals - the guy never stops!! Check out all the fab new Martian pics on the site.

27/08/05 - JOHN has 3 MUSICALS entered in ‘The Quest’ for a new Musical competition.

John's musical titles are: 'The Rise of the Martians!' 'The Sundowe' and 'Beneath the Stars!'

Endimol will be filming a documentary about this competition, and John is worried this is Fame Academy for Musicals?!

His favourite musical is ‘The Sundowe’ - ' it's like a medi-evil War of the Worlds!'

The Quest is a Highland competition for a new Scottish musical, sponsored by The Mackintosh Foundation is contributing £75,000 to the cost, with the Scottish Executive making up the balance of £188,000.

Cameron Mackintosh, who has produced hit shows, has challenged writers to pen a new Scottish musical. To mark the Highland Year of Culture in 2007. 'The contest is to be a musical that "addresses themes and ideas which are important and relevant to the people of Scotland today. It would be great to think that we will find writers with Scottish roots.’

The chosen work will be professionally produced by Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, to open their new 250 seat venue in April 2007 to be followed by a four week Highland Tour.

More info in ‘Martian Updates’

15/08/05 - Madness has descended!

THE DUNGEON GIGS start today at 7.30pm. (for 2 weeks)

 LATEST !‘The Sundowe’ is to be postponed though!

They may adapt/ extend ‘Scotland is a Great Big Evil Face’

Apologies from John (Full report in Martian Updates) ******

John has entered 3 musicals in 'the Quest' for a new musical competition -

 'the Sundowe' 'the Rise of the Martians' & 'Beneath the Stars'

ALL three are through to the next round! which is great news -

but means they are now unable to perform ‘The Sundowe’ next week.

08/08/05 - THE MARTIANS at The Bedlam Theatre 10am (for 3 weeks)

 & playing The Royal Mile around 2pm.

----------------------

13/07/05 - MARTIAN GIGS!!

The Martians playing the full 3 weeks of the Edinburgh Festival at the Bedlam Theatre, from the 8th August and the Dungeons from the 15th August.

Plus playing the Royal mile everyday!  Can't wait..........can you!

Edinburgh Festival!

Bedlam Theatre, 10am: 8th - 27th

11b Bristo Place. Tel 0131 225 9893

The Martians present: 'Scotland is a Great Big Evil Face!'

Street music all day Royal Mile. Be afraid!

At the Edinburgh Dungeon, 7.30 : 15th – 27th

'The Sundowe' (near Waverly Station)

--------------------------

21/06/05 - John Kielty has penned a madcap TV show. He's been working on the project for a year and is about to pitch it to TV companies. Based on his band The Martians, it is a Monkees-style show which sees the band fighting aliens. John has already been writing on a script for BBC radio and has started a TV pilot with friends, including Still Game's Gavin Mitchell, who will play a vampire.

14/5/05 - Latest John update. His new songs are more serious, with deeper meanings. And info on his Doctor Who Obsession……, which John is very proud of! The Sham are on hold for right now with the guys working on various projects.

3/05/05 - Dramatic news on the Martian front!! Martians Radio Comedy

Series for BBC Radio 4, and a Martians TV Pilot. First zombie radio musical drama EVER!!!! More to follow....

15/04/05 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN! John is song writing with brother Gerry.

5/11/04 - JOHN'S MARTIAN GIG, Bongo Club Edinburgh. They came at 10.20, sang 8 songs, they were great!

The Sham are hoping to do Glasgow gigs in the new year. They want some solid rehearsals in the studio before they make another CD. But are going to try and have another one out in the new year. They are looking forward to Thursday’s gig, the Children’s Trust,and are enjoying the gigs in London. Report in John's News.

7/8/04 - John spotted at the Edinburgh Festival

20/05/04 - JOHN Kielty talked about their new band and the new songs.