DUDLEY - PageSuite

Page 18 DUDLEY CHRONICLE , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 2012 www.expressandstar.com/free-editions
REVIEWS
Phinn’s Christmas crackers
A Yuletide Evening With told the former Ofsted inspector, his own nativity disaster where he
Gervase Phinn
“When I am 21, you’ll probably be played a palm tree complete with
Town Hall, Birmingham dead.”
brown crepe paper bark which soon
The Rotherham raconteur was back This set the standard for further deteriorated due to a call of nature. he
in Brum for one of his seasonal specials nativity-themed treats such as the tale had to exit stage left in his electric blue
with what is a seemingly endless of the Messianic baby Tammy which underpants carrying his paper mache
stream of stories, poems and observations
spoke with an American accent at the coconuts.
of children, school life and the most inappropriate times and eventu-
The audience lapped up tales such as
world in general.
ally ending up as the headless Jesus. how the mayor of Rotherham’s visit to
his first offering was a poem Then there was the Yorkshire lad, a nativity play was thwarted by the
inspired by school children’s letters to complete with tea towel headdress who Virgin Mary having nits.
a teacher on sick leave, where their asked “Ave you any room int th’inn” Phinn also tipped in the odd bit of
attempts to comfort her through comparison
and the unfortunately named young-
proselytising about the importance of
with her temporary replacester
Tequila who simple explained teachers and the interference of gov-
ment, innocently ended up telling her “Our crib is crap.”
ernment in education but also got a
how much the children were enjoying Phinn brought in tales of his own little preachy especially in the second,
her absence.
idyllic childhood and sentimental and pretty short, half of his set about
Phinn regaled his audience with the poetry about his mom with When You the true meaning of Christmas.
Gervase Phinn innocent honesty of a young boy who Thought I Wasn’t Looking. he recalled
Danny Farragher
Heat or eat... we canhelp
Winter
warmth
Workhorse Dan has the
talent to build a future
Dan Whitehouse
Birmingham Conservatoire
WOLVeRhAMPTOn musician Dan Whitehouse's
latest outing at the Birmingham
Conservatoire somehow had more of a
feeling of a gathering of family and friends
rather than a legitimate gig but that said
Dan is a fine, maturing and determined
singer/songwriter and is always worth listening
to.
With a full complement of musicians at
his disposal Dan started the set with You
Can't Give Me Any More one of the soft
ballads he does so well which was bolstered
by Tom Bounford on violin and accentuated
nicely by June Mori on the grand piano.
Dan then gave his audience a flavour of
what's to come with Come Back, which will
feature on his new album due out next year.
This was a more up tempo offering with a
strong underbeat and was ably underpinned
by the guitar playing of his fellow musician
and co-producer Mike Clarke.
This was followed by perhaps one of Dan's
strongest tracks the Fire of Lust which he
admits is his ode to testosterone.
Three Bodies, with its almost sinister fairground-style
undertone was inspired by a
visit to Greece and is a great example of
Dan's clever lyrics such as “yes she could use
a little more upfront, but she’s still saving
up for that.” Dan is a workhorse, there is no
two ways about it, and he is both trying to
increase his musical profile and work on his
stage presence and act, and there is no doubt
he has the talent. Danny Farragher
Up to £1000 compensation in advance
>Leading accident specialist
>100% compensation paid directly to you
>Nowin no fee guaranteed
If you’ve had an accident in the last three years that wasn’t your
fault, make aclaim with Camps and get cash instantly. We pay up
to £1000 of your compensation when we accept your case and
everything that remains as soon as we settle your claim.
Winter
warmth
support
keep warm, keep well
Call 01384817086
As energy prices continue to rise,moreand
more people arestrugglingwiththe dilemmaof
whethertoeat or to heat theirhomes.Itreally
doesn’thave to be likethis.
Ourwinterwarmthsupport scheme will help keep youand
your home affordably warm this winter.
Winter warmth provides free practicalsupport andadvice
to keep your home warm andsnug. Things like help with
paying fuel bills, energy efficiencygrants, warm home
improvements,evenemergency heatersand blankets.
If youoranyone youknowmay be at riskof
gettingcoldthiswinter, please give us acall.
01384817086
Take the pain out of your claim
www.campsaccidentclaims.co.uk
FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Local Tradesmen
‘‘We have found that 60% of our business
comes from our advert in the Chronicle’’
LB plastering services
To find out how
you can advertise
from as little as
£10.50 aweek,
contact Ross
Taylor on 01384
353261