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skip navigationHit musical Reasons To Be Cheerful announces UK Tour for Spring 2012
Following a hugely successful run in Ipswich and London in 2010, Graeae and the New Wolsey Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Reasons To Be Cheerful will hit the road in Spring 2012. Kicking off a 1633 mile national tour on 9 February at the New Wolsey Theatre, the show will go on to play Cornwall, Hull, Watford, Dundee, Hackney and Nottingham.Importantly this show is officially endorsed by The Blockheads themselves. Chaz Jankel states 'Surely, what defined Ian Dury was his spirit, courage and wit... this is exactly at the heart of Graeae's production of REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL. When I saw the show, I was amazed by the pace, vigour and attention to detail of these brilliant actors and musicians. Having worked and hung out with Ian for so many creative years, I knew exactly what uplifted him and what irritated him - big time! He applauded strength of spirit and sincerity. I think I could truthfully say on Ian's behalf that had he been here to see these guys he would be proud, gob smacked and may even have shed a tear for the sheer bravura of this musical. A masterpiece!'
Written by Paul Sirett and directed by Graeae’s Artistic Director Jenny Sealey, this high-energy coming of age tale set in 1979 celebrates the infectious music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Many classic Blockhead songs including Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick; Plaistow Patricia; Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll; Sweet Gene Vincent; Spasticus Autisticus and Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3 are brought to life by an exceptional cast of 13 actors and musicans.
Part gig, part play, this gritty production is set in 1979 when Labour lost to the Tories, strikes rocked the nation, and Ian Dury and the Blockheads' Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3) climbed the charts. Die-hard fans Vinnie and his mates are desperate to see Ian Dury and the Blockheads at the Hammersmith Odeon, except the gig sold out weeks ago. However life has a habit of throwing strange things at you, and one night of frustration becomes something else entirely...
Graeae is a force for change in world-class theatre - breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions and boldly placing Deaf and disabled artists centre stage. Artistically led by Jenny Sealey(who has recently been appointed Co-Artistic Director of the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony 2012), Graeae's signature characteristic is the compelling creative integration of sign language and audio description, which engages brilliantly with both disabled and non-disabled audiences. Championing accessibility and providing a platform for new generations of artists, Graeae leads the way in pioneering, trail-blazing theatre.
Reasons to be Cheerful will offer workshop programmes to groups that visit the show. Suitable for: Participants aged 14 and above. Workshops can be adapted to suit students at BTEC, Diploma, A Level, and Higher Education degree level. For more information, or to book a workshop please contact Nadine Renton on 020 7613 6900.
All performances include captioned dialogue, BSL-interpreted songs and audio description. Please visit the www.reasonstobecheerfulthemusical.co.uk for theatre and ticket purchasing details.
You know it makes sense!
Jazz Cafe, London on February 24!
The band will play their first London date of 2012 at the Jazz Cafe.
Tickets can be puchased via Ticketweb
OUT 3 May 2011 - Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll: The Life Of Ian Dury - fully updated edition!
This is the first complete no-holds-barred biography of the late, great self-made Essex lad himself!The abrasive Dury always met life head on, in his relationships and in his music, and this acclaimed biography does not shrink from chronicling some of his darker moments, as well as his triumphs. Author Richard Balls talked to more than 50 of his friends, as well as to Dury himself shortly before his death.
This fully updated edition charts the continuing success of The Blockheads and tells the inside story of the biopic 'sex&drugs&rock&roll'. Actors Andy Serkis, who played Dury, and Martin Freeman, are among the contributors, along with Dury's former minder and confidant Derek Hussey.
There are vivid insights into harsh post-war schools for disabled children, the Fifties art school scene and the ramshackle pub rock circuit, plus a mixed bag of celebrities from Peter Blake to Omar Sharif. Dury's extraordinary life was always a battle. As rocker, lyricist, artist and actor he was unsentimental and uncompromising. As a man he was harder to fathom - until now. In this classic rock biography, the self-styled ?diamond geezer stands revealed as a real diamond after all.
Illustrated with many photographs from private collections.
Very thoroughly researched and indispensable. - Time Out
Grips right from the start. - The Times
For all its unflinching honesty, this splendid bawdy account seems like a fitting tribute. - Q
A perfect tribute and an essential read for fans.- Classic Rock
One of the best biographies I've ever read. John Inverdale, Daily Express
Staring Down The Barrel released on EMI Records
Staring Down The Barrel was released worldwide in April 2009 through EMI records.Comprised of new music written by Chaz Jankel, the lyrics are penned by The Blockheads vocalist Derek Hussey (aka Derek The Draw).
Please check out the EPK below for all the info on the album and some rare footage!
In other news an unconventional biopic about Ian Dury entitled 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll', has started filming starring Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings) in the title role and featuring
Mackenzie Crook, Ray Winstone, Toby Jones and others. The Blockheads have already recorded
music for the film.
"Given the times those ancient Blockheads sound more here-and-now than anyone..." Uncut
"Dury would be proud." Mojo
"This is a record which will thrill Blockheads fans of all ages and demonstrates this ensemble have lost none of their passion and spirit." Subba-Cultcha
"The trademark funk/rock/music hall/ska fusion of old mucker Derek The Draw has...got the great man [Ian Dury]'s knack for vivid social commentary nailed too." Big Cheese
"...unexpectedly thoughtful and engaging." Daily Telegraph Review
"It sounds like a vintage Blockheads album..." Record Collector
"Ian Dury owed his brilliance to no one. But he owed his stardom to The Blockheads. Musically Jankel and his men keep it as tight and funky as before." The Word
"Staring Down The Barrel is a great, adult album full of good tunes, witty lyrics and steaming great grooves." bbc.co.uk
Buy through Amazon
or
Pop over to iTunes to download the album.
Greed - New Video exclusive
Here is the video for 'Greed' - a song that Derek 'The Draw' Hussey wrote (somewhat prophetically) two years ago with Chaz Jankel "Staring Down The Barrel".
The promo features cameos from actor and well-known music fan Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, The Good Night); Toby Jones (Truman Capote in "Infamous", agent Irving 'Swifty' Lazar in"Frost/Nixon" and Karl Rove in OIiver Stone's "W"); and musician, comedian, actor and TV presenter Rowland Rivron.
Stuart Harris, who has worked as a cinematographer with directors as diverse as Ridley Scott, Julien Temple, Tim Pope and Storm Thorgerson, directed and photographed the video.
New Ian Dury & The Blockheads Box Set
Edsel is proud to present a box set of Ian Dury's seven Stiff Records singles, in CD-sized replicas of their original classic 7" sleeves, as well as a four song disc featuring Ian & The Blockheads one and only session for John Peel (or for any BBC Radio show), which is released for the first time in any format! The box also includes a bonus DVD of Ian and the band?s six promo videos for the singles, which have never been commercially released in any format, and have remained unseen since they were broadcast on a handful of occasions in the late 70s / early 80s. The illustrated booklet is extensively annotated by Chaz Jankel and Mick Gallagher. 1. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Razzle In My Pocket / Two Steep Hills / England's Glory 2. Sweet Gene Vincent / You're More Than Fair 3. What A Waste / Wake Up And Make Love With Me 4. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards 5. Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / Common As Muck / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 [12" version] 6. I Want To Be Straight / That's Not All 7. Sueperman's Big Sister / You'll See Glimpses 8. THE PEEL SESSION: Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Clevor Trever / Sweet Gene Vincent / Blockheads BONUS DVD: THE PROMO VIDEOS Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / What A Waste / Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick / Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 / I Want To Be Straight / Sueperman's Big Sister Release date: 20th October 2008 Catalogue no: EDSB 4003The Stiff years re-released!!
Surprisingly, for three such treasured albums, New Boots And Panties!! (1977); Do It Yourself (1979) and Laughter (1980) have never been given the full Deluxe 2 CD Edition re-issue treatment.
Demon Music Group has finally put this right at long last! With the full co-operation of both the Dury estate and The Blockheads, 2 CD sets include bonus discs with all the non-album singles sides, as well as previously unreleased demo versions, outtakes, and live versions, all retrieved from the untouched Dury tape archive.
The booklets feature full annotation, all the lyrics, and Dury ephemera. We would like to thank Val Jennings at Demon for putting together what we consider to be the ultimate versions of these albums.
To purchase from Amazon please click on an album cover below.
