Roundup: August 2024
Aaaaand the end of the summer is upon us
Friday 6th September
The vast majority of this roundup was written throughout August with plenty of time before the usual post on the last Friday of the month. Unsurprisingly, life has got in the way. I am dubious as to how many people actually read these roundup’s but since my dad text me asking when it would be up, it can be for him if anyone! Enjoy…
Where has the summer gone? I feel like I start all of these roundups talking about how quick time is passing but the fact autumn is almost upon us seems particularly mad.
August has been a great month. Possibly one of my favourites of 2024 so far. With that being said, this roundup is probably going to be on the longer side. Shall we get started?
I Am Steven Gerrard @ Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio
It seems only right to stray away from the usual structure of my roundups and start with - arguably - my most important and - definitely - proudest moment of this month, maybe even this year.
Between Thursday 1st August and Saturday 3rd August, I Am Steven Gerrard completed its second short run, this time at Liverpool’s Royal Court. I am so immensely proud and perplexed at what this show, and everyone behind it, has managed to achieve.
When I started writing the script in October 2019, I did not imagine nor envision the success it has gone on to have. Originally, I intended to write it and just give it to my friends to read. Then covid hit so I tried to film myself reading it out loud without the script but that didn’t go very well. And then once covid passed, I hit the ground running as part of the YEP cohort at the Everyman Theatre in 2021 but was still unsure of where the script would go or where it would take me.
Thank God for Tip Tray Theatre (Maisy & Evan) and Amy and Joe. In retrospect, I believe that me trying to video myself saying the script out loud was unsuccessful because the script simply wasn’t ready and it wasn’t meant to come from me. Everything has really fell into place thanks to the team we have become and it feels boss.
During our time at the Royal Court, I laughed so much, my nerves were as brutal as ever and I genuinely had the best time, both behind the scenes and as part of the audience. Every single audience was absolutely brilliant and I am so thankful that they came and were so engaged. Our feedback was truly more than I could ever expect and it seems as though everyone who watched it the first time around preferred their second experience which I hope indicates that the show still has a life to live.
It also feels right to acknowledge the riots that caused the theatre to go into lockdown two and a half hours before the show was due to start on the Saturday night. I would like to make it clear that the context and consequences of these riots are so much bigger than any show or material thing. It was truly disgusting to see Liverpool experience such terrorism and I am horrified and embarrassed for the people who view their actions as acceptable and justified. I hope the government continue to cram down on appropriate repercussions to prevent such vile occurrences from happening again.
I love what I Am Steven Gerrard has become and I hope and pray that it continues to grow in any way possible. For now though Stevie, I’ll see you soon…
Television
Peep Show
Written by Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain, David Mitchell and Robert Webb
This month has saw me complete all of Peep Show from start to finish and I genuinely loved it. I can’t believe I was so late to the Peep Show party but I’m glad I finally got around to it.
Funny, lighthearted and - in a very subtle and nuanced way - important, I would recommend giving it a watch if you’re into easy viewing.
Big Boys
Written by Jack Rooke
I don’t want to write too much about this programme because I won’t shut up. Big Boys is the best thing I’ve watched in ages and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished all six episodes in one sitting.
I’ve also recommended it to everyone who will listen to me and, thankfully, two of my mates have actually watched it (thank you Hannah and Faye).
In a nutshell, it is about a young lad moving to uni who’s dad has recently passed away before he had the courage to tell him he was gay. Fast forward to uni and he meets the classic type of lad you meet in uni and they become good friends. The main story then focuses on how their friendship develops and it’s just so good, so funny and so heartbreaking. Please watch this on Netflix.
To my joy, there’s a second series on Channel 4 which I will absolutely be watching as soon as I have time.
Changing Ends, Season 2
Written by Alan Carr
I love Alan Carr and I love Changing Ends but I think I wanted more from the second series. It’s still very good and I enjoyed it but there were more things that could have been explored in my opinion. That being said, the writing, direction and acting are all beyond respectable and there was a certain, very short, scene that really got me despite it being so subtle. I’m hoping the crucial ending means their is a third season coming because I have a feeling that will give me the further depth that I was looking for this time around.
The Merseyside Detectives
Channel 4
The most harrowing documentary I have ever watched along with any documentary there is about James Bulger. The stories on all of these documentaries are absolutely horrendous but I don’t know if a part of me is so emotionally involved because of them happening so close to where I live.
The Merseyside Detectives has been produced and directed so brilliantly and contains all the content you could possibly want in a crime documentary from real CCTV footage, real interviews and thorough perspectives of the families and police force alike.
However, a well-made programme doesn’t diminish how appalling the experiences for the young girls and their families must have been and continue to be. I’m glad that the police done their job properly and got such horrible people off the streets.
Daddy Issues
Written by Danielle Ward
Aimee Lou Wood + David Morrissey = a guaranteed good watch, and that it was. Although it didn’t change my life (probably because Big Boys has been the threshold this month), it was great. Boss, nuanced characters, a well-rounded story and a good laugh here and there. Similar to Changing Ends, I feel there has to be another season, given the ending. I suppose it could also be interpreted as coming full circle though. Who knows?
Theatre (or in the case of August, Edinburgh Fringe)
Rather than give you a full breakdown of every show I was lucky enough to see, here is a list of everything with some insight into my favourites. Please don’t interpret anything not listed as a favourite as something I thought was bad - it’s all relative!
Boardroom
Barbies and Drillas
Layers
PALS
Shotgunned
Christopher Hall: Girl For All Seasons
It’s OK, I Still Think You’re Great
Bucket List
William Kite Has Memory Issues
Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England
Driver’s Seat: Obsessive Compulsive Disaster
The Funny Thing About a Panic Attack
Pillock
As Good As It Gets
Reflections Upon An Ugly Little Soul
Mother
Stuffed
This year, I managed to cram 17 shows into 2.5 days. It was supposed to be 20 to beat last year’s record - of 17 also - but due to unexpected overlaps, bad timing (apologies) and cancellations, three had to be scrapped.
A special mention has to go to my overall favourite which is Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England. Despite its comedic title, this one-man show which explores the toxic masculinity that stems from football culture is one of the funniest and moving shows I have ever seen in my life. I was lucky enough to see it at last year’s Fringe but seeing it programmed again for 2024 meant I had to go again. And I could go over and over and over. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Until next year…
Concerts
CMAT @ Deer Shed Festival, Thirsk
My review of CMAT @ Deer Shed Festival can be found here. I should reiterate how amazing she was and is. If you’re new to the CMAT train, I recommend starting your journey by listening to Nashville, I Don’t Really Care About You, No More Virgos, Communion, 2 Wrecked 2 Care, California, Phone Me, Such a Miranda, Rent, Where Are Your Kids Tonight and Stay For Something. And then the rest.
This was in fact a July concert but took place after last month’s round up. Apologies.
Leeds Festival (Sunday)
I should have written a review about the day I spent at Leeds Festival but here I am writing this part in September (along with most of the television section I’ve just bashed out).
Instead of giving a full review of each, here is some ratings and a comment:
Bleachers 3.5/5
Bleachers were on as we arrived at the main stage and were mainly background music while we all had a chat and our first pint. I really liked what I heard though and, while I haven’t as of yet, I do intend to listen to them more.
Fontaines DC
Judging from their Leeds performance, Fontaines DC aren’t really my thing but I also don’t know enough of their material to give a justified opinion. Their first album has been recommended to me though so maybe that would be a good place to start with them.
Raye 5/5
I’ve been a fan of Raye for a while but her performance at Leeds completely sold me. Amazing show, boss band, brilliant stage presence, some absolute bangers on her setlist and great to see an independent artist get the esteemed recognition they deserve.
Lana Del Rey 4.5/5
I’ve seen Lana Del Rey a few times now and this most recent show might have been the best. I would’ve given Lana Del Rey 5/5 but I just wish her set could have been longer so she could have played more songs. Still a fan though.
Fred again..
Always wanted like Fred, never really gotten into Fred, Leeds proved to me why I couldn’t get into Fred. However, I know how popular he is and how some of my friends love him so I’m not going to bash. Simply not for me though.
Books
Let That Be a Lesson by Ryan Wilson
4/5
I’ve been meaning to read Let That Be a Lesson since the days of being a teacher and even though my teaching days are long gone, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s so accurate, insightful and realistic while also evoking anger and rage at the Tory government and how they have totally sabotaged the system over the years.
This is pretty much a teacher’s answer to This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. Although I prefer Kay’s book and general humour, Let That Be a Lesson is 100% worth a read. I highly recommend.
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
5/5
If you remember my blog on how to get into reading plays, you’ll remember how highly I spoke of Prima Facie by Suzie Miller. I’ve read this play numerous times now but returned to it this time around for research purposes.
It possibly gets better with every read and it takes me back to Jodie Comer’s unbelievably poignant performance of it. (I wasn’t lucky enough to see it in the flesh but thank God for cinemas).
Even if you don’t enjoy reading plays, please read this. It is so important. Miller has also released the story in novel form now if you’d prefer that. I haven’t read it just yet but will get round to it eventually.
Honest by Scott Tyrell
4/5
I bought this poetry book in Waterstones months - maybe a year - ago for reasons I can’t remember other than that I enjoy reading poetry. I very much enjoyed Tyrell’s work and the depth he conveys. Yet, it also taught me how to appreciate non-rhyming poetry which has been a goal of mine for years.
I often find non-rhyming poetry to be too obscure and often pretentious. However, Honest really helped me to wrap my head around it and I’m happy to have a go-to reference point for the future when new poems I stumble across feel too difficult. I would happily read this again.
And the rest
Play Number 2…
The writing process of ‘Play Number 2’ has slowed down, however my trip to the Fringe reignited my creativity and I spent some of the final afternoon sat writing a brand new part and character who wasn’t included in the initial storyboard, which I find exciting.
We’re on a break now from the weekly Tuesday sessions of my current writing group so I’m going to aim to use the time productively and write during that window of time every week until we are back.
Yes, I have redacted the title from the screenshot above because I’m currently keeping everything under wraps. I will say that the colour of the ‘scribbles’ is a decent clue… (No, it’s not called Yellow - I have no intention of stealing Chris Martin’s thunder).
And with the end of the August round up comes the end of summer! I hope everyone has had one of their best summers yet. Bring on the cold, the dark nights and the festivities…
As always, thank you for reading.
Sean