Galway Advertiser 2003/2003_01_02/GA_02012003_E1_027.pdf 

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AS ANOTHER year bites the dust, what memorable dramatic highlights did 2002 deliver for Galway audiences? Charlie McBride gives his verdict. There were outstanding productions from Druid, Galway Youth Theatre, and An Taibhdhearc for starters, as well as rewarding visits from notable companies like Out of Joint, Steppenwolf, Keegan Theatre, and Island. Max Stafford's Out of Joint came in February with a gritty double-bill of plays about life in Bradford's grimmer estates; Rita, Sue & Bob Too and State Affairs. In the latter half of the year we had Island's fine revival of Brian Friel's Faith Healer with a commanding central performance from Barry McGovern; Keegan's solid Glass Menagerie and Skehana's production of Vincent Woods' On The Way Out, a major re-working of his debut play, John Hughdy & Tom John. The best visiting productions however were to be seen at the Galway Arts Festival; Heather Woodbury's remarkable solo show Whatever (presented by Steppenwolf) in which she vividly created and inhabited a teeming multitude of characters and Madame et Monsieur, a warm and very funny mime show from French company Leandre-Claire. Among home-grown shows, Druid's riveting productions of Sive and Christian O'Reilly's new play The Good Father revealed Garry Hynes at the top of her form and also featured two great performances from Deirbhle Crotty, who must surely be one of the very best Irish actors now working. Sive also featured a terrific dramatic performance from Eamonn Morrisey, far removed from his usual comic roles. There were also three fine performances in the Artsfest/Abbey co-production of Drawer Boy from John Mahoney, Conor Delaney and, especially, David Calder. One of the highpoints of the arts festival came from Galway Youth Theatre with their vibrant staging of Animal Farm, superbly directed by Rod Goodall. Less successful unfortunately was Macnas's largescale indoor presentation of Grainne Mhaol, an ambitious show that had some striking set-pieces but much that failed to come off. The Taibhdhearc hit the bullseye with Macdara O'Fatharta's excellent adaptation of Cre na Cille. The Town Hall's staging of Sebastian Barry's Our Lady of Sligo, though it featured a strong central performance from Fedelma Cullen, suggested that Barry's ornate language is inherently undramatic. Among smaller-scale shows, most memorable were Rod Goodall's delightful one-man show on Samuel Johnson and LittleJohn's Country and Irish. Companies like Electric Bridget. Catastrophe, Churchmouse. Morwax, and Lazerballet kept up the good fight for local theatre throughout the year but we sadly lost Trident. It can be a tough business this theatre malarkey.

[ents j T ete Ten of the best har hg lg t 20 i hi hs 02 movies of 2002
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

Peter Jackson continues with his cinematic masterpiece and maintains his ability to blend the epic with intimate detail. And now we have to wait until next Christmas for thefinalinstalment. Insomnia: Young director Christopher Nolan not only persuaded Al Pacino to let go of the bug-eyed look and act, but got a performance out of Robin Williams so good it was scary. Monsoon Wedding: Extravagant, exuberant, feel good movie that has just enough bite. Mira Nair has nothing to fear from Nia Vardalos' Big Fat Greek Wedding. Hable Con Ella: Pedro Almodovar's moving story got me so entangled in the characters and what was happening to them,

I forgot I was listening to Spanish. Monsters Inc: This was Disney's answer to Shrek in the "Look what I can do with my computer" stakes. Very clever, but the pairing of John Goodman and Billy Crystal is what makes this magic.
Harry Secrets: Potter and the Chamber of

As the ads have been telling us "Darker and scarier". It's my least favourite book but definitely my favourite Harry Potterfilm- so far.
Minority Report: The pairing of

Spielberg and Cruise was only a matter of time. So getting clever, adult, intelligent, science fiction as well was a bonus, not to mention Colin Farrell. Monster's Ball: Halle Berry might have got the Oscar for her performance, but it

was Billy Bob Thornton changing from an abusive bully to a sensitive soul that got my vote. Gosford Park: Great ensemble cast, great acting, and a brilliant script, giving us an insight above and below stairs in a Great House. The Royal Tenenbaums: A quirky film not really given the attention it deserved. Watch it just for the flash back sequences. 1 would have liked to included 8 Femmes (8 Women), the funniest and most extravagant looking thriller I've ever seen. I saw it during the Galway Film Fleadh, and it did go into the Dublin cinemas in late November but Film House in Dublin didn't release it in Galway. Michele Viney

Kv Mno ey to pa Te Q ei ot mr n g ly h u
NASHVILLE COUNTRY and roots legend Kevin Montgomery will play in the Quays Bar next week as part of his Irish and UK tour with his band the Road Trippers. Montgomery, one of America's most respected singer songwriters, has an impressive musical pedigree. His father Bob Montgomery was the songwriting partner and best friend of Buddy Holly, and is credited with writing such classics as Heartbeat, Love's Made a Fool of You, and Patsy Cline's memorable Misty Blue. Carol Montgomery, Kevin's mother, sang backing vocals for Elvis Presley, most famously providing the female vocals on Suspicious Minds and In the Ghetto. Kevin Montgomery is renowned throughout the US and Europe for his eclectic blend of country and rock, and a thoughtful style which has led to comparisons with Jackson Browne and Neil Young. Montgomery has two critically acclaimed albums to his name, along with a four-track CD which includes the popular Tennessee Girl which features harmony vocals by country superstar Trisha Yearwood. His band, the Road Trippers, are all accomplished musicians who have worked with the best in the business. Al Perkins, Paul Deakin. and Robert Reynolds -- all of The Mavericks fame -- are joined by Rune Kjeldsen to make up the Road Trippers. Legendary steel guitar player Perkins has played for some 30 years, most notably with Dolly Parton. and with Emmylou Harris as the Nash Ramblers. Perkins has worked with Bob Dylan, the Eagles. The Rolling Stones. Tori Amos. Garth Brooks. Cher. Crosby. Stills. Nash, and Young. John Denver, and Donna Summer during his career. Kevin Montgomery and the Road Trippers will perform in The Quays on Wednesday January 8. Doors open at 9pm and the show will begin at 10pm. Tickets are 12, and are available from The Quays and Zhivago.