metro Arts & Entertainment Scandalous: Russell Brand In Town Tonight Bouncing back after Sachsgate thanks to Scandalous, his hugely successful stand-up tour which retires in Belfast tomorrow, the prince of perv analyses the Ross- Manuel media furore in typical Carry On fashion Tonight, The O2, North Wall Quay D1, 6.30pm, 38. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.russellbrand.tv Philippe Parreno A showcase of 15 mixed media works from the Algerian/French artist best known for his ground- breaking film Zidane following the footballer through the course of a single game Until Jan 24, IMMA, Royal Hospital, Military Road D8, Tue to Sat 10am to 5.15pm (Wed 10.30am to 5.15pm), Sun noon to 5.15pm, free. Tel: (01) 612 9900. www.imma.ie Sam Shepard Talk Professor Luke Gibbons, chair in Irish Literary and Cultural Studies at NUI Maynooth, discusses myths of the West in the work of Sam Shepard, whose play Ages Of The Moon (with Stephen Rea, pictured) returns to the Peacock this week Tonight, Abbey Theatre, 26 Abbey Street Lower D1, 6pm, free. Tel: (01) 878 7222. www.abbeytheatre.ie life Book Now X-Factor Live Tour Resistance is futile: X-Factor fever has taken hold for its annual pandemic. As contagious as flu and just as irritating, the talent show is only half-way through its sixth series but has already made stars of Lucan twins Jedward, jibbering Essex girl Stacey and Danniis new and improved bobbed hair-do. Pantomime villain Simon Cowell is revelling in this years Mr Not-Nice Guy routine, his double- handed decision to give viewers the deciding vote ripped straight from the pages of the No Such Thing As Bad Publicity manual. His wrath is unlikely to affect X-Factor Live ticket sales, though due to demand, another date has been added to the sold- out March 16 show. Tickets on sale Fri Mar 30, The O2, North Wall Quay D1, 6.30pm, 40.20 to 49.20. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.xfactor.tv Table Talk Ochos Going Out Food & Drink Out of the frying ts a tapas bar, and its called Ochos, I said to the taxi driver impotently, adding variations of ockos, och-os and ock-ohs for added humiliation not even private Spanish tuition could prepare my tongue for wrapping itself around the name of Ranelaghs latest eatery. He hadnt heard of the place either so all we could do was keep our ojos peeled and looked for number 53. I was none the wiser of its namesake on arrival either ocho meaning eight in Spanish, I searched the exposed brickwork and reconstituted school chairs for evidence of all things octagonal, octopussy... octo-mum? But nothing. Fortunately, I was too hungry to dwell on this conundrum any longer (though answers on a postcard please) and instead pondered the tapas menu and specials board. The selection on both is pretty minimal but reasonably priced, not least the wine list, which has house bottles at 19.50. Service was knowledgable, interested and friendly from the get-go, our waiter quick to sort me out with a glass of vino and a bottle of tap water while I waited for my tardy amigo. Then it was all systems go, securing seven tapas dishes between us. Eyes bigger than our bellies, we ordered two lots of calamari and regretted it, the squid hoops not quite as supple as they ought to be nor the batter as firm and crisp. They were also pretty greasy, which unfortunately seemed to be a running theme. Although Spanish cuisine never shies of omega-3 and olive oil, I wasnt expecting the judia verde (green beans with a garlic crumb and a boiled egg) to be quite so unctuous. That said it was jolly tasty the pulpy legumes taking on new levels of sprightliness with the flavoursome breadcrumbs. Perhaps it was the gambas la plancha that tipped me over the oil-slicked edge, the king I prawns piping hot, heads and legs attached a fried dish too far. And an underwhelming one at that, its fresh flavours strangely muted. The patatas bravas, though, were muy bien, mostly because the crispy-baked potato wedges werent soggily smothered in aioli and tangy tomato sauce. His meatballs looked dry, I thought, but were anything but; their succulent texture a welcome addition to the palate, and the sauce had a nice kick. O ur table wasnt cleared for a long time, which is not really what you want when fronted with crustacean carcasses. But thats what you get in a full house, ditto having to get up to ask for the bill. We were so sluggish after the veritable fry-up that we dodged desserts altogether so Ill never know what a ricotta fritter tastes like. The judia verde was jolly tasty the pulpy legumes taking on new levels of sprightliness with the flavoursome breadcrumbs Staying In... What are you listening to? The Beatles White Album, an album I always come back to, this time in remastered form. Im currently listening to the music of The Tarantella its a tune that features in A Dolls House and my character has to dance along to it. For a nice start to the day: Ryksopps Melody AM. What are you reading? Ibsens Ghosts, it was written directly after A Dolls House. And Ive just finished John McGaherns Amongst Women its a beautiful piece of writing about a father and his five children set in the west of Ireland. I did a radio version of McGaherns adaptation of the Power Of Darkness for RT, and that sparked my interest in his beautiful writing. What are you watching? I always watch Family Guy. I love Peter and Stewie Griffin. Going Out... Where are you eating? Im eating at home a lot as Im in rehearsals for Second Ages A Dolls House, but for a treat I love to go to Rasam in Sandycove. Where do you go out? Whelans for a gig, Grogans for a glass of Guinness and I love OBriens on Leeson Street. Lisa Lambe stars as Nora in Second Age Theatres latest production A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen, tonight until Nov 27, The Helix, DCU, Collins Avenue, Glasnevin D9, times and prices vary. Tel: (01) 700 7000. www.secondage.com STAYING IN/GOING OUT Actress, Lisa Lambe 12 metrolife Tuesday, November 10, 2009 We have a pair of tickets to see RUSSELL BRAND tonight at The O2, 6.30pm 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 or over. Q. What is the name of Aldous Snows hit song in Forgetting Sarah Marshall? A. Inside Of You B. Inside A View The winner of yesterdays tickets to see Rodrigo Y Gabriela is: Nigel Doolin The hoTTesT TickeTs in Town index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html