John Travolta
isn’t exactly the kind of angel who would grace the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, but in the romantic comedy Michael, he's heaven-sent and has the wings to prove it. Smokin’, drinkin’ and womanisin’ his way across America, this is one divine messenger who’s determined to live it up as flesh-and-blood. ’John has that amazing ability to be both completely innocent and deliciously bad and sexy at the same time,’ says Michael's director Nora Ephron. Travolta’s take on his celestial role is more, ehm, down-to- earth: ‘While he’s here, he is also planning to enjoy himself. And he likes to get into fights, like any good archangel would.’
Michael goes on general release from Fri 27 Feb. See review, page 25.
Hunter S. Thompson's
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas is the most convrncmg testimony there is that in the 705 you could be there and remember it. A vivid account of insane driving, deranged j0urnalism and — above all — extravagant drug abuse, the book is a classic narcotic satire. To mark its 25th anniversary, a dramatised audio version has been released, starring cult actor Harry Dean Stanton, cult director Jim Jarmusch and cult dude Maury Chaykin. The Great Gonzo Thompson provides an intro and outro; the dialogue is spiked with songs including the Stones’ ’Sympathy For The Devrl’ and ’One Toke Over The Line' by Brewer and Shipley; and Thompson’s long- term collaborator Ralph Steadman - who designed the original book- jacket — has produced new artwork and sleeve notes. All in all, it’s going to be one helluva trip . . .
Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas is out now on Island in CD and cassette formats.
RALPH STEADMAN
José Navas
is one of around 60 wee ravers putting their hands in the air for the tenth birthday of Glasgow’s avant-garde dance festival, New Moves Across Europe. The Venezuelan/Canadian dancer may hide his light under a see-through shirt, but his charismatic style and able limbs have made him a favourite on the international scene. In 1995 Navas walked off with a Bessie (the dance equivalent of an Oscar) for his interpretation of While Waiting, one of the solos he brings to Glasgow this year. Over the next four weeks, performers from as far afield as Slovenia, Canada and America will be bringing their dance thing to Glasgow. Don’t expect ballet slippers or chorus lines. Do expect all things wild, weird and unexpected. Jose Navas is at Tramway, Glasgow, Tue 4/Wed 5 Mar. New Moves runs until Fri 27 Mar at Tramway and Cottier Theatre. For performances this fortnight, see Glasgow Dance listings, page 68.
All the best
What’s hot this fortnight.
Film: The Crucible All the intensity of Arthur Miller's classic play is translated to the big screen as Daniel Day Lewrs and Winona Ryder get caught up in the Salem Witch trials. Powerful acting with modern relevancy despite the period setting. See feature and review.
Selected release from Fri 28 Feb.
Theatre: Death Of A Salesman Arthur Miller’s classic tragedy of a man broken by the American Dream comes to Edinburgh in a Royal National Theatre production directed by David Thacker, credited with having directed more Miller than anyone else in the world. The excellent Alun Armstrong stars as Willy Lomond. See feature and preview.
Edinburgh: King’s Theatre, Tue 2—Sat 8 Mar.
Dance: Riverdance The ever more popular Irish dance extravaganza, which started life as a five minute filler on the Eurovision Song Contest, is all set to take Scotland by storm. Dazzling dance routines and some of the most innovative folk-inspired rhythms around will make this an incredible show.
Edinburgh; Playhouse, until Sun 17 May.
Music: Reef 'Place your haaaands on my hoooope', whoop, holler, growl. Yup, Reef are going to rock the house again with an ear-catching blend of lubricious riffs and big- balled vocals. 'Have a good time, all of the time’ would be their motto. The best news is that they desperately want to share their good time vibes wrth y'all. See feature. Glasgow: Barrow/and, Wed 26 Feb.
Film: His Girl Friday Re-release of what’s probably the best screwball comedy ever made with Cary Grant as a self-obsessed newspaper man being given the runaround by Rosalind Russell. A sparkling script and snappy dialogue puts Hollywood’s current output in the shade.
Edinburgh: Fi/mhouse, Fri 21 Feb,‘ Glasgow: GFT, from Fri 28 Feb.
Music: EMI 100 It took a huge team of experts two years to bring this ambitious project to fruition. A walk through exhibition, it covers the last century in recorded sound from some of the earliest artists ever to be recorded for posterity through to today’s chart warriors. Memorabilia, tableaux and inter-active sites will keep any music fan happy for hours . Edinburgh: City Arts Centre, until Sun 31 May.
21 Feb—6 Mar 1997 TIEIJS'I’B