Sundowe Review - Nov 2007

The SUNDOWE written by John, Gerry & James Kielty: A New Musical for Scotland

The sun is bright and low in the winter sky as the train gently weaves me up north, through Scotland’s beautiful and sparse yet expansive country, through Perth to Inverness. I am so hugely excited to be seeing John’s Sundowe at last, having heard about it the past two years. Heading north is the opposite of heading south – the scenery gets more dramatic and more isolated. Even the Perth train station looks like a World War Platform. As we softly head towards Inverness through the glens, the highlands appear with deep greens and quiet snow-capped mountains. Sheep dot the flat fields and we stop occasionally at small grey stoned villages such a Kingussie, and the Aviemore ski-resort. With the gentle light there are dramatic shades of light and dark – the very black mountains, the light blue skies. We pass logging forests - the bare gently rounded mountains that were once covered with dense natural forests, are now occasionally lines with tall pines trees. Inverness is a booming northern town with a newish bright red castle over looking the river Ness (the original castle was bombed by the Jacobeans). My hotel is beside the fast-flowing dark river, and walking along its banks I reach the shiny new Eden Court theatre. It has been closed for two years for the recent renovations and the locals seem to have forgotten about it’s existence when I ask them. At night coloured fairy lights line the river as if guiding our way.

Eden Court theatre is impressive, with shiny triangular glass panels and an open outlook. Inside it has a welcoming ambience and the One Touch Theatre where the Sundowe will premier is perfect. The red seating is well tiered for viewing and it feels exactly the right size for new shows. John said he was thrilled to have ‘won’ the theatre, as part of his prize for winning the Quest for a new musical, in his chat on the Macmusical Tv show! when we see the Kielty boys with helmets on inspecting the building work. They also had a fun-packed trip to New York to visit those working in musical theatre on Broadway.

So now is the time of reckoning with the Premier on Friday 30th.

THE PREVIEW 29th Nov 2007

Thursday night was the preview – a much quieter affair, while packed too. The Sundowe runs at a furious pace, it never sits still. On run the boys on stage – after seeing them busking on the high street the past few years it is very odd seeing them’ busking’ on stage!

It was obvious how much the cast enjoyed performing this fun musical. I sat next to a councillor on one side, and a young family and both were very impressed. Kids can be the hardest critics to please. I have very good vibes for this highly original and exciting new musical.

After Helen and I met the Martian guys in the theatre bar area, being the ever keen groupies, and they very kindly signed our programs and some photos, so thanks guys it means a lot to me.

Friday arrives. I went to the theatre in the afternoon to see about the photo of mine being used for the Kielty’s Bio in the Sundowe program – and to ask about taking photos.

 I met Carol Metcalfe, who has been closely involved with the production and she was so lovely. She said John had spoken about me, so I hope all good things! She said she would see about my getting some photos perhaps in January. It is quite surreal to be here after all this time.

THE PREMIER NIGHT! 30th Nov 2007

I met Ross, a good friend of the Kielty’s and we headed up the circular staircase to the champagne reception upstairs. There were speeches from Cameron MacIntosh, producer of Cats and Les Miserables, and from Colin Marr, manager of the Eden Court theatre. Then we all made our way to the One Touch theatre.

David Sneddon had travelled up from London to see his good mate and writing partner for many years John Kielty – and to see his dream of having the Sundowe performed on stage. John had very kindly gaven me an interview chat in October 2005 for the site. When I asked him about his biggest ambition, he said it was –

‘to see the Sundowe performed on stage’.

David is also a former Martian, and sang with the Martians in 2002. and John co-wrote with him for his chart topping album in 2003. David is sitting centre front row and he finds it great fun to see the guys on stage, and is in constant fits of laughter. There was chaos when we all descended on the theatre and seats were all mixed up!.... Anyway Ross and I got two seats in the front row. I was happy wanting to have a better position for this show.

*SUNDOWE Review

On Premier night the Sundowe receives a standing ovation!

The Sundowe spins a spooky tale of ghostly happenings and betrayals - and yet never takes itself too seriously. Set in the backdrop of the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, Greyfriars graveyard, and the Scottish parliament, it is wonderfully atmospheric and cleverly written. It captures the imagination of dreams, of our darkest fears, and our heartaches. There are moments that pull on the heart strings, moments of deep pathos, moments of absurd humour. It is also extremely funny.

A collaboration by the brothers Kielty, the Sundowe is a fast-paced comedy-horror musical, with friendly vampires, ghostly happenings, the dead rising… and more.

The Sundowe can be taken on many levels, it never stands still, challenges, makes us question, and is highly intelligent. This musical crosses time zones, when many musicals are the predictable boy meets girl story, this is a deeper love story.

 – is it about the past colliding with the present - will our souls live on…What is the Sundowe – when the past, the dead will rise up again? Will the truest music be found to save the day? - people are vanishing and a plague is upon the city, a deadly army is coming.

Crawford Logan as Roothby, is both engrossing and perfectly in character as the 1500 year old Highlander. He is a questioning spirit cursed with eternal life, drifting with the living (is he the doctor!) and a steward for the Sundowe.

Gerry K is a star in the making – and he sings with true passions. Houston is the deadpan straight guy and John the energy and drive.

One of the wonderful things about music is the way it can stop time. (jump time zones even!)

Some men live to 92.. We all will die. And our spirits live on…

The show includes several fun songs – Virgins in a Cage, the catchy opener ‘Our Home, Dead Men, Where do you Gods Live and How do we kill them.

Excellent cast, lyrical writing, clever storylines, powerful tunes – well the ‘truest music’.

THE AFTER PARTY

We are all invited to the after party. It was much fun to meet the cast and to congratulate them. I managed a few shots of the cast on the stairs although with drinks flowing it was all rather chaotic – but loads and loads of fun. I managed a few shots of the show on the preview night from not a great position at the back, and some party pics. Enjoy! .

Here’s hoping this very fun and exiting new show makes it to the Edinburgh festival 2008! I can’t wait. ( a Cd of the Sundowe be nice too!)

Paulinex

PS Very nice to meet Ross – hope you enjoyed the show, and after party – catch up soon. It was good to see John, Gerry and Houston.

THE CAST

The Kieltys are the most genuine, talented, creative and honest people I have met.

They inspire and bounce ideas off each other.

James Kielty - The Sundowe is whatever you choose to make of it.

John Kielty – We wanted to go into many boxes, cross time zones – John is the energy and drive behind the production. He would act every part if he could ! lol Outstanding writer, musician and artist.

Gerry Kielty – Prolific writer, ideas man, amazing singer and great new talent.

Crawford Logan - The show was held back as John had him in mind for Roothby. He sang and acted superbly.

David (Kielty) Sneddon – is becoming Kieltyfied and Martian’d!

Me - me too getting sucked into the Kielty web – it’s full of mystery, inspiration and Time travel.

PS

The younger audience these days expect a faster pace, the absurd, jumping boxes …. the old fashioned boy meets girl stage musicals of the past with bland songs bore them silly.

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