For a long time, I’ve been an admirer of the comic genius that was/is Brian O’Nolan aka Flann O’Brien aka Myles na Gopaleen, Brian Ó Nualláin and whatever you’re having yourself. After reading the Catechism of Cliche, myself and other followers of the great man would take great pleasure in adding to the ammunition of …
Author Archives: Robert McMillen
Out to Lunch: Kevin McAleer
The Out to Lunch festival kicked off yesterday, not with a bang but with a giggle. You don’t expect a lot of belly laughs from a Kevin McAleer gig but a constant stream of psychadelic musings on the absurdity of the world and yesterday’s audience at the Black Box had their idea of reality stretched …
Lockerbie and Both Sides
THE Belfast Festival at Queen’s is up and running with postitive vibes coming from everyone I’ve spoken to about Dervish, Eliza Carthy and the Shattered Dreams exhibition at the RGB Gallery. I’ve been to two theatrical events comprising three plays which were totally different in style and pace but which all packed a powerful punch. …
The Painkiller
In his short story, Who Died and Left You in Charge, Alexi Sayle writes of the transvestite Clive who is on a mission to kill the first cyclist he encounters. Clive becomes Cicely in Transformations, a cross-dressing shop near Euston Station where provincial businessmen can be transformed into nervous women. “Being Cicely out for a …
Daniel Sloss
Some standup comedians you can take an instant dislike to, sorry Ricky, while others just click with you right away, laugh at first sight. Daniel Sloss is in the latter category. A 20-year old from Fife in Scotland, I’d heard he was doing the Out to Lunch festival in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter so I checked him …
Divided even in golf!
The First and Deputy First Ministers have congratulated the European Ryder Cup team and quite rightly so. However, the Irish border was much in evidence in the one press release. Little-Ulsterman Peter Robinson said the win was even more enjoyable “given the pivotal role played by local golfers, especially Graeme McDowell, whose heroic victory brought …
Frank Reidy
Ó Shligeach go Ruanda agus ón Liobáin go Conamara, tá saol thar a bheith suimiúil caite – agus tá go leor eile ar na bacáin – ag Frank Reidy, iar-oifigeach in Arm na hÉireann. Tá leabhar i ndiaidh a fhoilsithe ag Cló Iar-Chonachta. Ó Chosta go Cósta, ina bhfuil cur síos ag Frank ar an …
Story slamming in Galway
It’s lovely when one chance encounter leads to something that is laden with possibilities. Each year, I MC an event called Scribes at the West, a literary gathering that has seen the likes of Marian Keyes, Alexis Sayle, Pauline McLynn and Duke Special visit West Belfast to talk about their books or their song lyrics. …
Na healaíona Gaeilge
Seoladh Féile Bhéal Feirste ag Ollscoil na Ríona de chuid Bhanc Uladh (a leithéid d’ainm!) inné agus, mar is gnách, tá an iliomad ócáid gur fiú freastal uirthi, drámaí, ceol d’achan chineál, cainteanna, na físealaíona, scannáin, damhsa, imeachtaí teaghlaigh agus go leor eile. Ach níl oiread agus imeacht amháin i nGaeilge le sonrú i measc …
William Kennedy Piping Festival
The William Kennedy Piping Festival is looking very enticing this year. The dark nights of November are lightened by the musical fireworks of pipers and other musicians from all over the globe, and the cold dissipates in the warmth of the welcome in what is, almost literally, a family affair in the heart of Armagh. …