John Shand Posts

May 13, 2014 / Concert Reviews - Archive

State Theatre, May 5 It can go either way with these actors becoming musicians and vice versa: revelation or fiasco. Actor/comedian Hugh Laurie is not exactly a Johnny-come-lately to music. A pianist for 48 years, he also sings, plays guitar and has steeped himself in the blues. But the move…

The Basement, May 3  Precious few artists who are youthful firebrands remain so in their maturity (Picasso being a notable example). Some extinguish themselves altogether (like Jimi Hendrix), while the majority burn down to glowing embers, making art of supreme assurance. Greg Osby ostensibly falls into the latter category, although…

May 8, 2014 / Off The Cuff

John Lennon’s line that “life is what happen to you while you’re busy making other plans” resonates all too strongly for most of us most of the time. Scena Theatre’s reading of my play Guilt gave me a brief and thrilling taste of the real  thing. This was  one of…