Ingenuity and generosity

Willy Russell after his talk with
Shannon Webb
Courtesy of Jack Wilkins
 

Willy Russell knows.There's a stereotype that  those who grow up in lower socio-economic circumstances don't do well in life. But this young council estate lad grew up to be a renowned playwright and composer. of past and present? Stereotypically, those who grow up on lower socially economic backgrounds do not tend to do as well in life. But Willy's working-class Lancashire background aided his exploration and creation of his award-winning plays and novels.

Willy discussed the way his love for reading and writing at school made him look like an alien to the rest of his peers. He spoke about his mother's story telling and his father's dislike of the upper classes. Willy's life experiences impacted showed us that he is a real person, and someone a person like me (from a working class background) can relate to. The audience was in awe.

Through his varied career path - as  factory worker, hairdresser, teacher, songwriter, actor, playwright, composer - Willy always thought about writing. He described how 'shit' he was at cutting hair, yet he was a perfect listener for his customers- something many of us need when having a fresh new trim. Through his varied career paths he said he had always thought about writing.

Obviously I could go on all day about how wonderful Willy was during his talk and interview, but unfortunately I have a word limit. So I will just end by summing up the man I met in these words: Willy Russell, a man of ingenuity and generosity.


Shannon Webb

From turntabling at uni to the Ministry of Sound

Nick Correlli's work has not been unnoticed. He was one of the great minds and creatives behind the remarkable remix of Wonka's fabulous Pure Imagination. Renamed Impure Imagination, it had the Oompa Loompas (and the people) of the modern world shaking and breaking to its beats and loops.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/807077-Nick-Correlli

His talk at Cultural eXchanges displayed his love for his job and gave us an insight into what being an EDM, Dance DJ and producer is like in this era.

From turn-tabling at a uni house party, to performing at The Ministry of Sound (London), Pacha (Ibiza) and Space (Miami). Nick has had the DJ's career of a lifetime in just a few short years. He recalled his love for music from a young age, learning how to play on the guitar, being, ironically, oblivious to rave culture and not having a clue with what he wanted to do with his life.

Being a part of the MYNC project allows him to travel the world, exploring the nightlife of the world. It also enables him to blast out the tunes at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Nick's inspirations range from Nine Inch Nails to Daft Punk, and a mix of genres allowed him to experiment with sounds and lyrics to create some pretty darn good rhythms and beats.

My impression from his talk was of a level-headed young DJ, with huge aspirations and a promising future ahead of him within the MYNC project.

Shannon Webb

Welcome to Willy

Our Day Out, Blood brothers, Educating Rita, a few titles you may have come across in your life, whether that be during your high school years or in your spare time. These works are masterpieces of the renowned English playwright and composer, Willy Russell.

Willy Russell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_Russell

Willy Russell is one of the special guests making his way centre stage to discuss his successful career, and we will also get the opportunity to hear Willy read some of his fantastic work later on in the session.

So if I still haven't managed to entice you into the event, then let me add that you will get the chance to hear about Our Day Out, the musical play happening at the Curve in April! Our very own De Montfort University students (including me) will be putting on the show! It entails a bunch of disadvantaged kids who take a lengthy journey to Lincoln Castle, stopping at various places along the way, causing chaos! It's been described as 'a poignant celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up, and of being footloose, fourteen and free from school!' This brilliant collaboration of our very own students and the Curve Leicester is definitely not to be missed!

If you are a writer or dramatist, you may regret not going to this one. Willy knows his stuff; if any of you have read any of his work, you'll understand how great his writing is. His writing gets a reaction out of you, makes you think, makes you feel something; something most aspiring writers aim to do.

An Audience with Willy Russell

7-8pm, Wednesday 2nd March @ Hugh Aston 0.10

SOLD OUT - but check HERE for returns and tickets to other events.

Get your Our Day Out tickets now at: http://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/our-day-out/

Shannon Webb