Latest news with #MrsRobinson
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
The Simon and Garfunkel Story touring to His Majesty's Theatre and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre in August
Praise from an artist about their life story portrayal is no easy feat but it was bestowed on The Simon and Garfunkel Story cast when Art Garfunkel surprised them on stage in 2024 after attending a New York performance. UK musical theatre talent Luke Hogan depicts Garfunkel alongside US performer Israel Bloodgood as Paul Simon in this blend of theatre, concert and biography, presenting the tale of how two young boys from Queens, New York become one of the world's most successful music duos. The production follows the highs and lows, from humble beginnings to the songs and stories that shaped them, the dramatic split, solo careers and epic 1981 Central Park reunion concert. 'Art's voice is iconic,' Hogan says. 'His mannerisms are so unique; it's been a joy to embody them. 'The music they made is some of the best we've ever heard. Once we found that sound, we were so excited to share it. It's what makes this show feel so alive.' Narration and huge projected images of 1960s photographs and film footage help to set the scene as the audience is transported to a time of poetic lyrics, haunting harmonies and cultural revolution. Hogan and Bloodgood perform the catalogue of hits accompanied by a full band — comprising Nick Martin on bass, Harrison White on keyboards/guitar and Harry Denton on drums — including Mrs Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, The Boxer and The Sound Of Silence. 'It (the show) brings people back to their youth or reminds them of loved ones who adored this music,' Hogan says. 'The projections give the audience a clearer understanding of the story. They remind us of the era's significance.' Bloodgood adds: 'It's like being invited into the world behind the songs, what inspired them, what they meant.' The Simon and Garfunkel Story first toured Australia in 2016 and returns with Hogan and Bloodgood following their sell-out performance earlier this year at The London Palladium. It is all about audience connection for this pair, who are reminded how deeply this music resonates whenever seeing people mouth the lyrics, smile or even tear up. 'I want them to be moved, to reflect, maybe even be challenged, and hopefully, we make a few new Simon and Garfunkel fans along the way,' Bloodgood says. 'The lyrics, the melodies; they're timeless. Every time I perform a song like America or Old Friends, I discover something new. 'Singing Kathy's Song or Homeward Bound, I think of my wife and kids. Those songs are about longing. Paul Simon understood that.' The Simon and Garfunkel Story is at His Majesty's Theatre, August 15 and 16 and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, August 17. Tickets at (Perth) and (Mandurah).
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Music duo reunited in stage story
Praise from an artist about their life story portrayal is no easy feat but it was bestowed on The Simon and Garfunkel Story cast when Art Garfunkel surprised them on stage in 2024 after attending a New York performance. UK musical theatre talent Luke Hogan depicts Garfunkel alongside US performer Israel Bloodgood as Paul Simon in this blend of theatre, concert and biography, presenting the tale of how two young boys from Queens, New York become one of the world's most successful music duos. The production follows the highs and lows, from humble beginnings to the songs and stories that shaped them, the dramatic split, solo careers and epic 1981 Central Park reunion concert. 'Art's voice is iconic,' Hogan says. 'His mannerisms are so unique; it's been a joy to embody them. Luke Hogan as Art Garfunkel and Israel Bloodgood as Paul Simon in The Simon and Garfunkel Story. Credit: Carsten Windhorst 'The music they made is some of the best we've ever heard. Once we found that sound, we were so excited to share it. It's what makes this show feel so alive.' Narration and huge projected images of 1960s photographs and film footage help to set the scene as the audience is transported to a time of poetic lyrics, haunting harmonies and cultural revolution. Hogan and Bloodgood perform the catalogue of hits accompanied by a full band — comprising Nick Martin on bass, Harrison White on keyboards/guitar and Harry Denton on drums — including Mrs Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, The Boxer and The Sound Of Silence. The Simon and Garfunkel Story is returning to Australia. Credit: Carsten Windhorst 'It (the show) brings people back to their youth or reminds them of loved ones who adored this music,' Hogan says. 'The projections give the audience a clearer understanding of the story. They remind us of the era's significance.' Bloodgood adds: 'It's like being invited into the world behind the songs, what inspired them, what they meant.' The Simon and Garfunkel Story first toured Australia in 2016 and returns with Hogan and Bloodgood following their sell-out performance earlier this year at The London Palladium. It is all about audience connection for this pair, who are reminded how deeply this music resonates whenever seeing people mouth the lyrics, smile or even tear up. 'I want them to be moved, to reflect, maybe even be challenged, and hopefully, we make a few new Simon and Garfunkel fans along the way,' Bloodgood says. Luke Hogan performs as Art Garfunkel and Israel Bloodgood as Paul Simon. Credit: Carsten Windhorst 'The lyrics, the melodies; they're timeless. Every time I perform a song like America or Old Friends, I discover something new. 'Singing Kathy's Song or Homeward Bound, I think of my wife and kids. Those songs are about longing. Paul Simon understood that.' The Simon and Garfunkel Story is at His Majesty's Theatre, August 15 and 16 and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, August 17. Tickets at (Perth) and (Mandurah).
Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Retired RTE star Bryan Dobson set to return to national broadcaster for new show
Retired RTE radio star Bryan Dobson is set to return to our screens to host a new documentary. The former News at One host announced his retirement from RTE after 37 years in January 2024. The veteran journalist has announced he will return to our screens this summer to co-host a new documentary about the last Irish missionaries. The Last Irish Missionaries will see Dobson and his co-host Dearbhail McDonald chart the unique evolution of the Irish missionary movement, from religious colonialism to heroic acts of self-sacrifice and philanthropy; from a flourishing of Irish "soft power", to tawdry scandals of abuse and cover-up. Today, the Irish missionary chapter is drawing to a close and Dearbhail and Bryan explore why so many Irish priests, nuns, lay people and other religious people felt called to spread the Gospel to the farthest reaches of the world. They also hear first-hand about their experiences and the impact of those individuals worldwide. The documentary is among a slate of new shows RTE is set to air this summer across RTE One and RTE Player. Among those include The Phone Box Babies, which will reveal new insights into the lives and identities of three newborn babies abandoned in the 1960s in different parts of Ireland. The babies were discovered by random passersby in phone boxes, and in a car, without any identifying information or clue to their origins. David McBride, born in 1962, was left in a car in a Belfast driveway. John Dowling, born in 1965, was found in a Drogheda phone box. Helen Ward, born in 1968, was discovered in a Dundalk phone box. Each was adopted and raised in different parts of Ireland. This new documentary uncovers details about the babies' parents, where they came from, and why they were given up. 50 years later, as adults, they discover their connection to each other and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities. Mary Robinson also presents her own documentary, Mrs Robinson. In her own words, for the very first time she will open up on battles for justice and equality over half a century; on the streets, in the courts, at the ballot box, and in backroom corridors of power. Pray for our Sinners documents Sinéad O'Shea's return to her hometown, Navan, Co Meath to explore the impact of the Catholic Church on the community in decades past. Through first-hand testimonies, the film reveals the plight of unmarried mothers; the horrors of mother and baby homes and the prevalence of violence against children in Catholic schools. Listen to the Land Speak sees Manchán Magan reveal the profound knowledge and wisdom contained in our landscape and myths and explore how they have shaped the way we look at the world. Filmed over four seasons, the film unfolds from Winter Solstice to Bealtaine through Reek Sunday to Samhain. Along his journey, he meets respected archaeologists, mythologists, writers and shamans that offer different perspectives on how our ancestors related to the land and landscape around them. It also becomes an unexpectedly personal story - as he seeks to help heal society's relationship with nature - Manchán also realises that there is a serious illness within himself that makes him see these ancient sites and beliefs in a whole new light.
