#tim firth

Calendar Girls (2003)

A couple of niche radio memes for And Now In Colour Series 1 where The Wombles were mentioned in song in two episodes, and Radio Active's Backchat where Mike Flex claims to have a two-way mirror, and Mike Channel calls him out.

[Image ID:

First image. The "draw 25 or..." Uno meme, which consists of two pictures side by side. The left hand picture shows a hand holding an Uno card which says "Don't mention The Wombles in a song or draw 25". The right hand picture shows a figure sitting at a table holding 25 Uno cards, with a black and white image of Tim Firth's face superimposed over the original face.

Judy Bailey

I have been wanting to feature living legend Judy Bailey on Aussie Friday for a long time (Okay, technically she’s another one of those Kiwi born Aussies who’s been here since 1960, but that’s good enough for me). 

The reason she hasn’t made an appearance until now is that every time I’d think of some vintage Bailey that would fit perfectly with the theme of the posts from the week, I’d be stymied by the complete absence of Australian jazz back catalogue on Spotify. 

Last Saturday was Judy’s 85th birthday, so it was fitting that she was announced as number 47 in ABC Jazz’s Jazz 100 on her birthday. 

Even though I would love to share with you something from her early career, she has lost absolutely nothing with age. So I’ve grabbed a track from a 2016 album compiled by ABC jazz with the Judy Bailey Trio playing the Aussiest of Aussie songs, Waltzing Matilda.  [Judy Bailey piano; Craig Scott bass; Tim Firth – drums]

Judy Bailey’s long and distinguished career started in the 60’s performing at the legendary El Rocco Jazz Cellar with jazz legends such as Don Burrows. In the 70's, she was well known for her association with television orchestras and ABC Radio Programs, and that’s where my earliest memories of her are from. 

The first time I heard her play live was when my father was doing the club circuit in the early seventies with his vocal harmony group The New Tradition. Judy was in the resident house band at one of the clubs, and accompanied them on a number of occasions. I didn’t appreciate at the time just how great she was, but I know dad always spoke highly of her ability to play anything.

During that time Judy began teaching in the newly established “jazz studies” program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (now part of the University of Sydney). My wife recalls doing a lot of scat singing when Judy was her jazz lecturer at the Con in the eighties. 

Judy received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sydney in 2017. She is still teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium, and composes and arranges for various ensembles, most notably Judy Bailey's Jazz Connection which is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the provision of high quality music for youth, with Judy as its director.

Along with her Honorary Doctorate, Judy has gained several prestigious awards, including the inaugural APRA Award for jazz composition, an Australian Entertainment Industry 'MO' for jazz performance, and in 2004 an OAM for services to music and education. In July 2008, as part of the Annual Classical Music Awards (APRA and AMC), she received the Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music. Judy's nomination is unique in that it was the first ever granted to an outstanding jazz musician. In 2014 she was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame (Bell Awards). In 2018, Melbourne University  presented Judy with the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to Music.

The last time I saw Judy play was last year at an intimate gig at the Wollongong Con with the Judy Bailey Trio. At nearly 84 she was absolutely amazing! It was such a privilege to be in the front row with a full view of the grand piano keyboard and see her amazing fluidity. There’s no doubt about it, she’s still got it!

Happy birthday Judy.

– Bozzie 🎷

This Is My Family is a heart-warming insight into the mayhem that is family life. This comical musical, written by Tim Firth and directed by Daniel Evans, follows 13-year-old Nicky and her family as she wins a holiday of her choosing after entering a competition describing her (not so) perfect family. However, as the play unfolds, we learn the truth about Nicky’s family. From humorous squabbles to ­troubling plights, there is much, much more to this family.  From the outset, the wonderfully distinctive characters reveal themselves, such as Matt, the grumpy, gothic teenage son, and Steve, the young-at-heart (and reluctantly over middle-aged) father. Not to mention Sian, the expressive, wildly fun-loving, motor-bike riding Aunt played by Rachel Lumberg, who is a treat to watch. We also see the strained relationships between characters, such as Yvonne, the hard-working mother, and May, the strong-willed grandmother. All this together creates an interesting family dynamic, one we are eager to watch like flies on the living room wall.  Not only is the action entertaining, but the set, lighting and design work seamlessly together. From the moment you walk through the Minerva doors you are welcomed by a large, intricate household set. Elegant touches, such as the organised mess of 100’s of knick-knacks, to the different coloured sections signifying different rooms, bring their world to life. This is not a house but a home, a home that is as comforting and chaotic as the family that lives in it.  The familial quarrels and hilarious songs are what make This Is My Family an excellent choice for a pleasurable time, but there are deeper and darker details within the play. Moments such as May’s deteriorating health and the stresses within Yvonne and Steve’s marriage are tense and touching. However, this is what we connect over the most. Through all its funny and playful songs and speech, its reflective and relatable nature is what brings us closer to it. We come away thinking ‘that is also my family’. Lastly, if there can only be one undeniable element, it must be the utterly excellent cast. Collectively, the cast convinces us that they are a real family. That even when the curtains close, they will be returning home together. Specifically, special recognition goes to Kirsty MacLaren, whose voice truly shone in her role as energetic teen Nicky. The production is a real representation that there is no such thing as a perfect family, just one that is filled with affection and effort. If only hugging your teenage sibling in private, or sharing your bedroom with your grandparent, or building a bath tub in to a (cold) hot tub for your wife, doesn’t show true familial love, I’m not sure what does.   Prologue tickets for This Is My Family from now until the Saturday 15th June are still available! 

To get your tickets go to cft.org.uk and login to your Prologue account. 

To sign up to Prologue go to cft.org.uk/prologue-sign-up for those aged 16-25 to get £5 tickets.

We asked our team of ambassadors what they were most looking forward to from the Festival 2019 season. Video Content Ambassador Sammy Lacey chose This Is My Family, a musical by Tim Firth that opens the season.

“My Prologue Pick is This is My Family as it’s a nice family musical and I feel it’s relatable to lots of people being on a family holiday. Also because it’s in the Minerva and it will be interesting how they make it fit the smaller theatre.”

By Gary Barlow and Tim Firth

Annie's husband John dies from leukaemia at an early age. Her close friend Chris, wants to purchase a comfortable sofa for the visitors' lounge in the hospital where John was treated. She hits upon the idea of printing a calendar featuring some of the members of the Knapely branch of the Women's Institute, discreetly posing nude while engaged in traditional WI activities, such as baking and knitting, in order to raise funds. Her proposal is initially met with great scepticism, but she eventually convinces ten women to participate in the project with her. They enlist one of the hospital workers, an amateur photographer named Lawrence, to help them with the calendar.

Songs:

* Yorkshire

* Girls

* Scarborough

* Who Wants a Silent Night?

* Very, Slightly, Almost

* Mrs Conventional

* The Flowers of Yorkshire

* Time Passing

* Sunflower

* Dare

* Protect Me Less

* Girls Reprise

* So I've had a Little Work Done

* What Age Expects

* Killimanjaro

* Crazy Paving

* Dare Reprise

* My Russian Friend and I

* For One Night Only

* Sunflower of Yorkshire

Every Barlow musical I’ve listened to so far as surprised me. The songs sound like him, but they are still distinct enough to carry their own story. He is put to good use in the world of musical theatre and I can’t wait to listen to/see more of his future musical contributions.

Favourite Songs: Yorkshire (one of my faves), Girls, Scarborough, Who Wants A Silent Night?, Very Slightly Almost, Spring Fete, The Flowers Of Yorkshire, Time Passing, Sunflower, Dare, Protect Me Less (a fave), Girls Reprise, What Age Expects, Crazy Paving (another fave), Dare Reprise, For One Night Only and Sunflower of Yorkshire (another fave).

Favourite Character: Lawrence Sertain

He makes it all possible and fuels both John’s hospital care and the funding for the new hospital sofa. He’s so kind hearted and willing to help to make a difference.