Nothing to Fret About

       Last night was a first for me and (I suspect),for quite a lot of other people. For the first time ever, I was privileged to be invited to a Film Premiere. I'd hooked up with local Film Producer Lee Price, whilst he was still filming Frettin'-his second full length feature film. No spoilers, but it is shot entirely locally and features an exclusively local cast. One or two of whom I already knew to talk to or nod at and a good few more I recognised on my first preview screening.

      Still keeping it local, John Kearney and I were delighted to be invited by Lee to contribute a little music clip to the soundtrack. Which we did. Part of "Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy," recorded in my living room. No spoilers,but thanks to Catherine Nellany's sumptuous acting,not a dry eye in the house last night as that particular bit of film rolled by.

Lee had also asked me beforehand to rustle him up a Shanty Crew. So,on one hilarious December day the (landlocked) Hawkesbury Trawlermen recorded "Blow The Man Down,"live upstairs at The Lord Hop in Nuneaton. ( Told you I'd make you famous, Barry!).

     The Hawkesbury Trawlermen are exclusively drawn from The Nuneaton and District Elderly Gentlemens' Binge Drinking Society (Folk Club Section). Our monthly meetings are held in The Felix Holt which is now the town's only Wetherspoons. On that afternoon, we had held our annual "works do" previously in another hostelry,and we arrived for the recording at The Hop in (shall we say?) a relaxed state. Suffice to say that at least one Trawlerman fell asleep during part of the recording. 

    Quite how Lee then mixed this up to the very high standard full-blooded soundtrack version broadcast last night, God knows.

       Lee had also persuaded Nunc to provide a half hour of live music before the show. As they are  The Nuneaton Folk Club House Band and The Crown's gaffer had a part in the film,this seemed quite appropriate. Plus, John Kearney lives in Whitestone and Flossy and I being related,had parents, grandparents and other relatives born in the town. Entirely sensible then,with all the local involvement, that the Premiere was held in Nuneaton's Abbey Theatre.

      For me therefore,a little bit of a personal ambition was achieved last night. I'd played the Arts Centre before, long ago, and the Theatre Foyer last November. I'd also seen some of Simon Winterman's excellent productions there. Finally getting on that stage with a big audience in front of us was an ambition fulfilled and a real honour. Make no mistake,The Abbey is an absolute gem of a venue. The sound system is a dream. The lighting is fully professional. The front of House staff are always helpful and pleasant. The bar always has plentiful stocks of Church End Fallen Angel available-surely one of the best Real Ales produced in the area?Inside,The Abbey has a generous stage with a wide apron, and the seats are cleverly tiered. It has been properly designed,and the acoustics are ace.

Nunc at The Abbey Theatre

      Whilst in Black Parrot Seaside, I only ever played a few theatres. Theatre On The Steps in Bridgnorth springs to mind as a memorable gig and I think we once did another one in Lichfield. I've always found them iconic places. Possibly because I read Drama at College,and then taught it for many years. ( Nunc followers may have noticed that, judging me on my stage shirts alone, I always like to make my presence felt when performing. I wore two shirts last night:one under the other. Just to be safe).

      We put quite a bit of planning and rehearsal into this appearance beforehand, concentrating specifically on timing. You cannot muck theatricals about. I am delighted to say that,as planned, we opened on time as the audience began to filter into the auditorium, and we finished bang on time,right on cue, as it were. Leaving a slightly nervous Lee to introduce his Pride and Joy in person, just after we said "Adieu to Sweet Lovely Nancy." As the opening titles rolled I checked my watch. 7.01pm.

      The audience were more than up for it, bless 'em! Perhaps it was the Fallen Angel, but they sang the Choruses gamely,although I bet quite a few hadn't come across that much Folk and Country previously. For the record ( alas,not literally. Not yet anyway).. we did:"Twas On an April Morning", "Weather With You," "When I Get To The Border," "All Gotta Die Someday," "Down Where The Drunkards Roll," "Angel from Montgomery," and " Bring It On Home," before leaving things to Nancy. We had a great time: the Adrenalin was really pumping.

      The film was very clever. (Didn't Frettin'look good on the Big Screen!) I hope Lee won't mind me describing it as a kind of Comedie Noire set in Warwickshire. An unlikely couple are drawn together by tragedy and broken dreams and shadowed by a larger than life irascible rogue, the mysterious Nancy. They endure a sequence of scrapes,some comic,some not so.

      The film has some classic moments which only those born within the Sound of Camp Hill will fully appreciate. There is laughter,there is pain and pathos. There is a lightly optimistic ending which comes as bit of surprise after all the trauma, and leaves it wide open for a sequel. If you like the work of Sean Hughes you'll enjoy this.

      I bet there was a riotous backstage party afterwards, but being proper Rock and Roll,we had already decided to support The Sly Old Dogs in their nomadic quest for a new home. Having carelessly lost The Bell and The Denbigh Arms in Monks Kirby,and the Wood Farm Brewery Tap, their March 2017 session was to be held in the home of The Tump Folk Club at The Humber Hotel in Coventry. A venue,in many guises, we have played many times. I hope, given the SODs recent track record,The Humber is  insured against sudden closure.        

Max Wright takes to the floor

     We proved conclusively that, with a headwind, clear traffic, and entirely within the law, you can travel from Central Nuneaton to downtown Coventry in 15 minutes. So anyone from Cov who has not yet been to Nuneaton (or even Beduff) Folk Clubs just because it's "too far!" or it "takes too long ...well...just...meh!

      We arrived at The Humber just as the first of three halves were ending. Later, replenished with appropriate beverages we sang along with a classic SODs (and Friends) repertoire, endured a slightly above average joke from Tool, and contributed a few songs ourselves. John did "Do Wah Diddy Diddy"( a fine old Traditional Folk Song) and together we did "Di Di The Ice Cream Man," (one of mine) and "Dont Worry/The Wild Rover" (one of his). Paul Kenny led the assembled company in "Whiskey In The Jar" as a fitting finale. The SODs are now off to sample another new kennel, out Brandon way at the end of April. I hope the Club Committee have a back-up plan!