Twelve months ago the combined project of literature and
country music known as The Other Half was premiered to the stylish twin towns
of Biddulph and Birmingham. A year on and the brainchild of top selling author
Mark Billingham and the UK’s finest purveyors of enriched traditional country
music My Darling Clementine has grown considerably in the guise of many theatre
showings and the release of the audio CD. This evening the circle was almost
completed as the production returned to the studio theatre of Birmingham Rep
and served up a real treat to many new fans mainly attracted by the show being part
of the city’s extensive literature festival.
The challenge for the show’s architects, Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish of My Darling Clementine alongside Mark, was to freshen it up to entice back those who attended the Birmingham event last year and have subsequently acquired the CD. While the core of The Other Half is Mark narrating the story and the band interspersing songs, there was scope for some juggling and it actually was not too difficult to discover a slight adjustment. Whereas last year’s show virtually panned out as a narration first half and mini gig second half, this time the production was more along the lines of the CD with the band adding an extra theme to the beginning and ending.
The challenge for the show’s architects, Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish of My Darling Clementine alongside Mark, was to freshen it up to entice back those who attended the Birmingham event last year and have subsequently acquired the CD. While the core of The Other Half is Mark narrating the story and the band interspersing songs, there was scope for some juggling and it actually was not too difficult to discover a slight adjustment. Whereas last year’s show virtually panned out as a narration first half and mini gig second half, this time the production was more along the lines of the CD with the band adding an extra theme to the beginning and ending.
Without hesitation getting hold of the CD is recommended
just to admire the story telling acumen of Mark and listen to the inspiration
provided by the wonderful prose laden songs of My Darling Clementine. However
attending the live show reveals an added dimension where enhanced focus
illuminates the story aided by Mark’s impassioned and theatrical narration. The
wit, chemistry, sincerity and artistry of My Darling Clementine are raised to
another level on stage, whether like tonight in a duo format or when their
accomplished band is assembled.
Lou and Michael at Cambridge in 2014 |
Without revealing too much about the ending of The Other
Half, Mark, Lou and Michael thought we needed more misery to end the evening
and this led to a four song finale of some of the finest examples of classic
country being hailed as the wallowing sad song genre. So two George Jones
numbers led the way and there were few excuses for not being aware of ‘Good Year for the Roses’ and ‘She Thinks I Still Care’, even if you
only have a minor interest in country music. The George Jones thread continued
with a version of a song he sang a duet with Gene Pitney on, ‘That’s All It Took’ before Mark joined
the guys to complete the evening with a crowd invited singalong to the popular
Ray Price classic ‘Heartache By The
Number’.
The hazy memory of last year’s show suggests that the
refining of The Other Half live production has improved the experience with the
blending of the songs into the script having a more profound effect. This
levered synchronicity paid dividend with the only final thought being what next
for The Other Half and the collaboration between Mark Billingham, Lou Dalgleish
and Michael Weston King. Whatever happens next, immense enjoyment has been
derived from engaging with the project.
Just one final thought, I was always curious about another
story crying to be told from the HOW DO YOU PLEAD? album; Over to you budding
authors.
Get The Other Half audio CD
www.mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk
Get The Other Half audio CD
www.mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk