metro Arts & Entertainment Dying City In Town Tonight Christopher Shinns intimate family portrait of two brothers dealing with internal conflicts in post-911 New York. A Rough Magic AIB Seeds Showcase of young theatre talent Tonight & Fri to Nov 14, Project Arts Centre, 39 East Essex Street D2, 6pm, 12 to 15. Tel: (01) 881 9613/4. www.project.ie Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill Trad with a twist, the multi-award winning violinist Hayes plays with Chicago-born guitarist Cahill, the latters spare style in contrast with the formers flurried fiddling Tonight, Whelans, 25 Wexford Street D2, 7.30pm, 20. Tel: 1890 200 078. www.whelanslive.com Talk: Gerry Mullins Author Gerry Mullins gives a talk on his fascinating book Adolf Mahr: Dublin Nazi Number 1, about the German archaeologist who became head of the National Museum in the 1930s - and was also head of the Nazi Party in Dublin Tonight, RDS, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge D4, 6pm, free (booking essential). Tel: (01) 668 0866 life Book Now Terminus Gripping and grotesque in equal measure, Mark ORowes audacious 2007 play returns to the Peacock after wowing audiences in London and New York. In theory, it really shouldnt work not only is Terminus a dizzying, disturbing Dublin-set drama about angels, demons and serial killers, its presented as interlocking monologues relayed in colloquial rhyme thats at once ancient, rap and Gonzo. Furthermore, each of the three characters stay rooted to the same spot throughout. Fortunately, thanks to mighty fine performances under ORowes taut direction, Terminus is as wonderful as it is weird, making this re-run a must see Nov 9 (preview) until 21, Peacock Theatre, 26 Lower Abbey Street D1, 8pm, 18 to 25. Tel: (01) 878 7222. www.abbeytheatre.ie Arts & Entertainment The Big Interview Steve Martin Plucking with a Bow hose who know Steve Martins stand-up from the 1970s will recognise him wielding a banjo. He used it to accompany such comic songs as Ramblin Man (Im ramblin, ramblin round, Im a ramblin guy, hed sing merrily, before getting audiences to whistle and then sing along in Chinese), and hes even played the banjo with Kermit and co on The Muppet Show. But now, its all got a bit serious. The banjo certainly has been important for me personally and socially, and now its becoming important professionally, enthuses the 64-year-old Hollywood funnyman, who has just released a new album, The Crow, to showcase his skills. Its a dextrous, slick and accomplished blast of traditional bluegrass featuring self- penned compositions. Put simply, its a long way from his hit 1978 Egyptian spoof single, King Tut. When youre used to playing alone for 40 years and suddenly youre playing with bands, you have to keep the tempo right and come in at the right time. Its been a learning curve. Hes talking about the Grammy he earned for his contribution to bluegrass legend Earl Scruggss 2001 album, Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Bluegrass has always had a limited audience, he confesses, in a manner admirably devoid of any rock star pretensions. Its not about becoming mainstream, its not on the big music charts. But its appeal is very serious to a group of people. Its love is very deep in America. He does get excited, however, when the genre pokes its head above the parapet which it has done in recent years via populist artists such as Grammy-award winning Alison Krauss, T and with films such as Joel and Ethan Coens smash hit O Brother, Where Art Thou? He recognises a resurgence. I think there are really strong acts at the moment and some of them are keeping it very traditional while also making the music very exciting. For him, the banjo has something of a mythology. In the liner notes for The Crow, he declares the banjos high lonesome sound... generated nostalgia for experiences I never had, joy I was yet to experience, and melancholy that was yet to come. And hes not alone: Martin is pals with Billy Connolly, another comedy legend who can rarely be prised away from his banjo. Have the pair ever jammed? Ive only played socially with him. He plays a style called clawhammer. I play that a little bit too but hes very good... B ut his main job, he says, is still film-making, which given that his oeuvre ranges from brilliant offerings such as The Man With Two Brains and The Jerk, to the less brilliant Pink Panther and Cheaper By The Dozen, is sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse. At the moment, however, hes in the music zone, and not given to going all misty-eyed about his older hits. I love Bowfinger, The Jerk, Roxanne, LA Story, Planes, Trains And Automobiles, he says, when asked to list his own personal highlights. But they were all so long ago... he trails off, before briefly mentioning Its Complicated, his forthcoming rom- com starring Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep. Whatever hes responsible for on the big screen, he has no regrets. You have to take the good with the bad, he laughs. If I do something that fails, it inspires me to do something thats If I do something that fails, it inspires me to do something successful. Not only commercially but artistically The Hollywood funnyman and musician talks to Sharon Lougher about his love of bluegrass and his new album The Crow STAYING IN/GOING OUT Actor Bosco Hogan 12 metrolife Wednesday, November 4, 2009 Staying In... What are you listening to? Im re-visiting the legendary Leonard Cohen. His lyrics are pure poetry. Not surprisingly, he is a big Yeats fan. The extraordinary Madeleine Peyroux, jazz singer, songwriter and guitarist. And the young Dublin band Travega. Swim While You Can is my favourite, and good advice too. What are you reading? I have always harboured an as yet unfulfilled wish to spend some time at sea. The next best thing is immersing myself in the Aubrey/Maturin novels of Patrick OBrien. I just recently got around to reading Sebastian Barrys The Secret Scripture; a simple and moving story told in a compelling style. To keep the little grey cells ticking over I delve into Bronowskis The Ascent Of Man. What are you watching? The West Wing on DVD is regularly taken off the shelf in the hope that by a process of osmosis the intelligence of both script and performances might transfer to this awed viewer. Going Out... Where are you eating? Apart from the marvellous Trocadero, Town Bar & Grill on Kildare Street is a favourite spot. Check out the tiramisu heavenly. For a quick lunch-on-the-go, Le Phare on Abbey Street is super. Coffee and buns every so often in the Market Bar off Georges Street too. Where do you go out? Naturally enough I attend the theatre on a regular basis, keeping up with the work of friends and colleagues, and I have the occasional pint at The Dropping Well. Bosco Hogan will be performing his critically-acclaimed one-man show I Am Of Ireland: An Entertainment Of WB Yeats by Edward Callan at The Mill Theatre, Dundrum. Sat, Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre D14, 8pm, 15 to 18. Tel: (01) 296 9340. www.milltheatre.com The hoTTesT TickeTs in Town We have five pairs of tickets to see TERMINUS Nov 12 at the Peacock Theatre, 8pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@metroireland.ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. Who played the character Noeleen in Mark ORowes 2003 film Intermission? A Kelly MacDonald B Deirdre OKane The winner of yesterdays tickets to Ted Fest 4 is: Evelina Jukneviciute index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html