Theatre - The Machine - Manchester International Festival

Star rating - 8/10

A chess match does not perhaps make the most obvious subject matter for a play - but then The Machine by writer Matt Charman, is really about a power struggle; a battle of wills; two brilliant people pitted against each other. And it's also about the role technology and machines increasingly play in our lives, and in that respect it is very though provoking.

Chess Grand Master Gary Kasparov and his battle against a computer in 1997 New York is the setting, although it feels more like an American football game with all its surrounding razzamatazz that gets the audience involved from the off. The cleverly designed set is both a giant television set for the contest, and also the setting for the flashbacks through the lives of both Kasparov, and the team who built the machine, Deep Blue. Everyone, including Kasparov himself thought he would beat the machine hands down, but the moment he realised that there were actually brilliant minds who had created Deep Blue, he was in for a battle royal.

Hadley Fraser is Kasparov, and Kenneth Lee plays Feng-Hsiung Hsu, the brains behind the giant computer. Their chess moves are at times more of a ballet, at times a gladiatorial contest, which is ingeniously staged by Director Josie Rourke from the Donmar Warehouse. Francesca Annis shows what a quality actor she is with her performance as Clara, Gary's mother, the driving force behind his success. There is a large cast with incredibly technical lines, not to mention chess moves, to memorise, but they pull it off with panache.

The setting, the wonderful Campfield Market Hall, is a real hidden gem, and although on another sultry summer evening it's lack of air conditioning and temporary seating do not make for  the most comfortable of environments, the drama more than makes up for any passing inconvenience. The play goes on to New York after the Manchester International Festival, and I hope they find it just as engrossing and thrilling as the Manchester audiences clearly have. 

Gigs - Chic/Nile Rodgers - Mostly Jazz Funk Soul Festival, Birmingham

Star rating - 9/10

Sunday was just magical. Andy Murray had just won Wimbledon (yeah!!), and there we were in a beautiful little park with its own lake in the middle of Birmingham, with fairy lights and strings of vinyl records hanging from the trees. And Chic played two hours of nonstop hit after hit of theirs and other Nile Rodgers produced gems to a delighted crowd.

Yes it's reminiscing, yes it's recreating fabulous youthful memories, but boy did it feel good. Rodgers is something of a musical genius, having a long career with his own band Chic, and also creating magic for other including Sister Sledge, Madonna, David Bowie, and Duran Duran. And he seemed just so happy to be playing to the relaxed and appreciative crowd, it was lovely to see. Rodgers is a very experienced front man, with pots of charm and charisma. His current band are highly talented and recreated each hit wonderfully.

The long set passed by in a flash. It's perfect music for happy summer days, and brought right up to date with is Daft Punk smash Get Lucky. We didn't want the dancing to end. What a lovely treat of a night. Rodgers has confirmed his status as musical genius and international grooving treasure. 

Theatre - Macbeth - secret location, Manchester International Festival

 

Star rating - 10/10

Hurray - it's Manchester International Festival time - when for over two weeks every two years, we prove to the world what us locals already know - when it comes to world class cultural diversity and sheer brilliance, we are leading the way. Sir Kenneth Branagh in Macbeth is certainly the hot ticket of the festival - and hot was the word in the sweltering summer heat in a small deconsecrated church (location strictly secret).

Branagh and his co-director Rob Ashford wanted to create an electrifying,  visceral experience for their small audience - and they have absolutely succeeded. From the off you are immersed in a riot of sound  - a battle is staged frighteningly close to the audience; sparks fly and there's a real sense of danger. This battle is not usually staged in the play - just mentioned. But this way the pouring rain and fierce fighting give a taste of what is to come. 

I know it's predictable and lovey and gushy but I just have to say that seeing Sir Ken do Shakespeare live, you are absolutely aware that you are in the presence of greatness. He is called our modern Olivier and that is no flattery. He is an amazing actor, just mesmerising to watch. Almost on another planet to other actors, he reaches such heights. But Alex Kingston as Lady Macbeth also puts in a stellar performance. And the ever brilliant Ray Fearon is imposing and passionate as Macduff.

The church setting captures the paranormal elements of the play perfectly, and the usual witches are portrayed here as weird sisters. All the action takes place in a small space - right up close to the audience seated on either side of the church's small nave.

It is a large cast, who seem to be lifted to even greater heights by their fellow actors, and who were genuinely thrilled by their many 'curtain calls'. This is absolutely Shakespeare as it should be performed - thrilling, dramatic, passionate, and alive. Don't miss the live screening on 20th July if you weren't lucky enough to get a ticket. If you are going to the real thing - take a fan and a bottle of water - you will need it!

Holiday Adventures - Belfast

Star rating - 10/10

Like many other people, I had never been to Belfast before, and was not sure what to expect from a city which in the past had made the headlines so much for all the wrong reasons. I was there for the annual Belfast Blues festival (http://www.belfastcityblues.com/index.htm) but also to just to have a weekend break as a tourist. And I am very happy to say that it is an amazing place where the people couldn't be more welcoming and the craic is as good, if not better than, fabled. 

In many ways the city has been transformed from the battlefield it was before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and there has been lots of regeneration in the last decade, like the Titanic centre (the ill-fated ship was built here); the shiny new shopping centre in the middle of town, and the Cathedral Quarter with its trendy bars and eateries. 

With limited time, a bus tour is the best way to get a whistle stop, potted history of the city and also to look at its main attractions without having to spend hours walking around. It is fascinating, taking in the Titanic docks are; Stormont - the parliament building set in beautiful grounds with impressive avenues; and the palatial university building with its many mullioned windows. Susan, the tour guide, even gave some unsolicited  advice on the male population of Belfast - 'useless every one of them  - and I should know I've been looking for 30 years.' What a legend. 

The tour also takes you on a 'political' section - to the Shankhill and Falls Roads - for so long the heartland of the two warring factions in the bitter and violent three decades' long conflict. It's quite chilling to see the sights first hand that were on so many news bulletins for so long. And the tensions between the republican and unionist communities are still very much in evidence, especially as this is marching season for the unionists. The 'peace wall', higher than the Berlin Wall, remains as a constant reminder that the two communities are still divided, and there is no prospect of it coming down any time soon.

But to dwell too much on this tension is to do a great disservice to Belfast. It is buzzing with life and friendly people having a good time. The Blues Festival was grand, as they say over there, with great music, including from Belfast legend Rab McCullogh, going on in bars, barges, and pubs all over the city, much of it free to get into. The locals are genuinely shocked and delighted when they learn that you are actually there as a tourist from Manchester - and let me tell you - many drinks are bought for you on the back of that piece of information. Singing, dancing, banter, craic - it's all going on 'til late - despite the official 1pm closing time in the pubs. 

There is the Good Vibrations record shop/cafe owned by the legendary Terri Hooley who discovered The Undertones, and was the subject of the excellent recent Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa directed film of the same name. I didn't get to meet Terri himself but maybe that would have ruined the mystique. 

And if you thought all this was enticing enough, well let me tell you that in 

February there is a Belfast Nashville festival 

( http://www.belfastnashville.com) - 

now that may be just too exciting for words. But I certainly hope to be there...