WITH wind and rain, Trump and Brexit, as the song says 'life gets tedious, don’t it?’ Summertime ends next week and the dark nights will be here for a while. It always surprises me how short the winter is, with the clock giving us back an hour of daylight on March 25 2018. Once we get over Halloween, then Christmas, New Year and preparing for Easter a couple of days later, time passes and suddenly things begin to brighten up.
But don’t wait till then. On Thursday night three young women known as The Swingtime Starlets take to the stage in The Empire on Botanic Avenue at 8pm and, in my experience, they whoop up a storm as they sing in close harmony the songs from the 40s and 50s in the style of the famous Andrews Sisters.
The same costumes, the same rolled-back hairstyles and of course the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B.
Hollywood Heyday celebrates the 50s and the stars of the silver screen. Three actresses: Rosie Barry, who plays Pablo’s mum in the CBBies TV series of that name about the five-and-a-half-year-old little boy on the autism spectrum, and – as are the other two – rehearsing for panto.
Naomi Rocke is also working on Radio Ulster programmes, as well as regular theatre, and Orla Mullan is just ending a hectic tour with Adrian Mole and is rehearsing her one-woman show on Bette Midler plus pantomime in Derry.
Who says actors only work in the evenings!
Their show is pure vintage in every way. Tickets are available to buy on the Empire's website for £10 or you can pay £12 at the door on the night.
Necessity is the mother of invention
I’VE HAD some good ideas sent to me – you might like to know about these. If your scissors are blunt, you can sharpen them by cutting through cooking tinfoil a few times. I tried and it works.
Another reader suggests that when making stuffing, use a garlic loaf toasted in the oven and then made into crumbs. I tried this too and the stuffing was a great success. I usually put the stuffing in foil and wrap it up, punch holes in it and put it in the roasting pan to absorb the juices. I then open the package for a little while to crisp up the breadcrumbs. Works well.
With party time coming up, don’t forget the French ladies' tip of putting talcum powder on your face wrinkles. I’ve even used cornflour when stuck!
After foundation, a little powder on your finger and pat it over the frown lines. Brush off the surplice and the lines are filled in, ready for blusher if necessary.
And a reminder – if you are trying to give up cigarettes, a handful of frozen peas when you get the urge will get you through those few minutes of craving.
Thank you to readers for these tips.
Be afraid – be very afraid
FROM now until the unholy night of October 31 the most spooky place you can be is Crumlin Road Goal, not for being a bad person but for being brave enough to take part in a Halloween Spectacular.
A ‘Paranormal Experience’ and, if you’re up to it, followed by a trip through the ‘Jail of Horror’. I’ve done both and believe me it’s fascinating.
Through the big front door into the Circle, with four wings leading off, each three storeys high I think – the light was very spookily dim. Here we held divining rods and asked our own question. If the rods reacted there was a spiritual presence. They did move for two people in the group but nothing transpired.
We moved on to C Wing, past the padded cell and on to the Hangman’s Cell. This was a sad place rather than scary and obviously not suitable for young children. Into the condemned man’s cell with a crucifix on the wall, from there to the pinion room where he was prepared and on to the personal rest room, empty except for a toilet.
From there, with great theatricality our guide Conor flung open another heavy door with a great bang against the wall and there before us was the hangman’s noose hanging from the original beam and the ‘drop’ below. His weight and height determined the length of the rope and he remained hanging for 45 minutes before being lowered, the noose taken off, and prepared for burial in an unmarked grave.
The only sound was a faraway ice-cream van chiming out it’s happy song. Somehow made the cell even more chilling. It was a good tour despite nothing happening. Even looking in our individual black mirrors framed with candles didn’t throw up a spectre as hoped.
Before going into the Jail of Horror some of the previous tour came out, one young man in tears another in a real panic – turned out he had a fear of clowns. This is why there is advice of 16 and over. It is scary: long dark corridors fashioned in black plastic, blood-curdling screams, poor souls huddled in dark corners pleading to be taken away from the horror of incarceration. There are quite a few surprises, which make this a worthwhile visit but it is not for the faint hearted.
My tour of the Goal was 30 minutes, the real thing is twice as long and delves further into the paranormal in what is claimed to be one of Belfast’s most haunted buildings. The Jail experience was another 30 minutes and I was glad when it was over.
Details and tickets here; telephone 028 9074 1500
