Random Play by Graham Reid

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Random Play: “Thank you, you’ve been a lovely audience”

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  • Malcolm Ibell,

    And there are gold lions with flashing eyes!

    I'm going to be a total pendant here Danielle – and I'm allowed, 'cos I work in the Civic daily – those gold felines are actually Panthers. The eyes pulse between blue/green and green... they're fantastic!

    Marcel Marceau, when he played the Civic a few years back, was so disturbed by those eyes that he had me cover them in gaffer tape.

    The Civic is an amazing place that seems to be able to 'suck time'... every job, no matter how small, takes an indeterminately longer time to complete. I head off to do something trivial in the Wintergarden – a 10 minute re-focus of a light – and emerge, blinking, on Queen St an hour and a half later. And all I've done is the original task!

    Deepest Sandringham • Since Nov 2008 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • Brent Jackson,

    Loudest concert I've been to, seems to have been Cheap Trick in the town hall, 1979 (clocked at 124dB IIRC). They banned Rock'n'roll acts from the Town Hall after that one (for awhile at least) because it was too loud (not helped by those silly concert goers who wouldn't stay in their seats, they got up and danced ... on their seats !).

    Oh, and Citizen Band were absolutely brilliant as the support act. I think I enjoyed them even more than the main act ...

    Cheers,
    Brent.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report Reply

  • linger,

    Russell - The previous discussion of earplugs on PA you're thinking of might be
    around about here through to this comment (on the following page) in the "Another nail in the coffin of music DRM" thread.

    Tokyo • Since Apr 2007 • 1944 posts Report Reply

  • tim kong,

    @ Jack Elder

    Re: Lemon Jelly @ the Junction

    Was that in early 2003?

    If so, I was the bingo caller.

    Was actually responsible for the video projections - but LJ didn't have a support act, so they set up the bingo routine at the start of the tour. Did seem odd loading a small cardboard box with bingo kit into the truck with the PA, lighting rig, video boxes and merch.

    Out of the 5 man crew - I got the short straw and was given the bingo caller gig. Which I performed, with bingo cheat sheet hidden next to me up on stage. I'd draw the numbers - pretend I knew the calls : "Two Fat Ladies" etc... then Nick would hand out prizes as various punters came forward with winning tickets.

    In London - Kentish Town Forum I think - Fred was generous enough to get me a gold lame jacket, while Nick wore a death costume, with scythe included.

    Good times.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Marcel Marceau, when he played the Civic a few years back, was so disturbed by those eyes that he had me cover them in gaffer tape.

    I feel there's a joke struggling to be born there ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • JackElder,

    @ Jack Elder

    Re: Lemon Jelly @ the Junction

    Was that in early 2003?

    If so, I was the bingo caller.

    Fuck me, yes it was. Small world, eh? I'm afraid I missed your star turn, as we turned up a bit late for it. Good gig, though; we were the ones up the front of the stage waving rubber ducks. Actually, that means there's a chance you were the bloke who I couldn't talk into letting us backstage to get the ducks signed (to be fair, I was rather drunk at the time).

    Wellington • Since Mar 2008 • 709 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    slouching towards Bethlehem, ahem...

    I feel there's a joke struggling to be born there ...

    Mime eyes have seen the gory...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Marcel Marceau, when he played the Civic a few years back, was so disturbed by those eyes that he had me cover them in gaffer tape.

    I wonder how he asked, did he put one hand over his eyes whilst clawing the air with the other and a growly expression on his face? but how you would do Gaffer tape in mime I don't know.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    I have a question about the panthers-that-I-always-thought-were-lady-lions (huh!), and perhaps you can answer this, Malcolm: before the refurbishment, were their eyes red?

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Malcolm Ibell,

    My recollection is that yes, they were red, Danielle. However, I shall find out for sure for you tomorrow, when, injured cats willing, I'll be back at work.

    Deepest Sandringham • Since Nov 2008 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • Dave Patrick,

    I could swear they were always red when we went to the pictures there - one of the highlights of yearly trips to Auckland from Kaitaia to visit the grandparents when I was a wee lad. Closely followed by afternoon tea on the top floor of the old Farmers building

    Rangiora, Te Wai Pounamu • Since Nov 2006 • 261 posts Report Reply

  • Malcolm Ibell,

    I do have another, rather ironic anecdote re. M. Marceau at the Civic:

    After the 12 or curtain calls and a quick change, I escorted him and his support crew down to the after show reception, being held in the Wintergarden.

    The maestro was pretty shattered – as you'd expect after the performance he'd just done, at his age – so, after a few gallic pleasantries, I took him back up to his dressing room and left him to pack his miming things away.

    Half an hour later we returned to collect him, only to find that the stage door security guard had decided that his shift was over, switched all the backstage lights off via the master panel, and gone home. The dressing room was in total darkness – I mean total and utter blackout – and there was the greatest mime that has ever lived, feeling his way around the periphery looking for the door!

    The instant recollection of that staple of god-awful steet mimes: Mime In A Box , caused total loss of control amongst me and his crew. Needless to say the maestro failed to see the humour.

    Deepest Sandringham • Since Nov 2008 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Malcolm, when are you going to write a history of the Civic? I recall the Peter Well's doco but a book is also needed.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    I second that, Malcolm. I have always loved the Civic. One of the best concerts I ever went to was there - Dobbyn, Finn and Runga - and I've seen countless films and performances there, over the years. It has such an interesting history. What a great place it must be to work.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Another vote for the Ramones at Auckland's Powerstation - only time I've seen bleeding ears from patrons who presumably stayed too long in front of the swaying stacks.

    Rock's analogue distortion makes ears hurt at high volumes. Digital dance, not so much. Loved the full-on slabs of sound from (among others) Grooverider at the Box and Derrick May on K'Rd at Studio/Staircase/whatever it's called now. Mind you, Mad Professor in Nelson was so loud that the floorboards were curling and out on the street was certainly the most comfortable listening spot.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Malcolm Ibell,

    Geoff & Jackie, I agree, there so does need to be a book... but probably not by me. I'm not really a writer.

    I do, however have the germ of an idea; Would some of you lovely people be interested in an long-form tour of the Mighty Civic?

    I'd have to sort it with the powers-that-be, but I'm sure that if there's not too many of youse – it's a rabbit warren & I'd hate to lose anyone – we can organise something. A weekend would probably be the go for us working peoples.

    Deepest Sandringham • Since Nov 2008 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Heck yes. Name your price.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Malcolm Ibell,

    No price Sacha... well, maybe a single malt at Starks at the conclusion of festivities :)

    Deepest Sandringham • Since Nov 2008 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • tim kong,

    @ Jack Elder

    Fuck me, yes it was. Small world, eh? I'm afraid I missed your star turn, as we turned up a bit late for it. Good gig, though; we were the ones up the front of the stage waving rubber ducks. Actually, that means there's a chance you were the bloke who I couldn't talk into letting us backstage to get the ducks signed (to be fair, I was rather drunk at the time).

    Were you the one with a mallard on a broom handle?

    That was the one that kept annoying me - as the owner of the broom kept waving it in the middle of my projections. I seem to recall he turned up to every gig on the tour as well! Brighton was a tiny venue and his flipping mallard was seemingly everywhere. :-)

    Can't say I remember stopping anyone from getting backstage - but I would have been out front, so I doubt you'd have been harrassing me.. Nick and Fred were lovely blokes, probably would have signed your ducks if they'd been there - but band/gig protocols do have to be followed.

    I do have some lovely photos from that tour - it was a really enjoyable one. The bingo routine sort of summed it all up really. Just silly fun, but a good night out - very British in that gently quirky way.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    maybe a single malt

    Preferred currency. Be my pleasure.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Would some of you lovely people be interested in an long-form tour of the Mighty Civic?

    We want to come too. that's 2 of us.Weekend sounds perfect. :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Malcolm Ibell,

    Yay!!

    It can't be this weekend 'cos I have a gig on Waiheke –I 'll try to tee it up for the weekend 4th/5th.

    Deepest Sandringham • Since Nov 2008 • 49 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I'd have to sort it with the powers-that-be, but I'm sure that if there's not too many of youse – it's a rabbit warren & I'd hate to lose anyone – we can organise something. A weekend would probably be the go for us working peoples.

    How many is "not too many"? I wouldn't mind ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Seems only fair

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    OMG, as the youngsters say, Malcolm. That would be awesome! Count me in!

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

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