14 metrolife Wednesday, January 27, 2010 D About Town THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN We have two pairs of tickets to see The High Kings at Grand Canal Theatre, Apr 03, 7.30pm 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 the answer 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. Name the song The High Kings famously sing about a thoroughfare to an Irish city. A Rocky Road To Dublin B Cobbled Road To Cork The winner of yesterdays tickets to R.Kelly are: Edward Owen, Vincent Cahill & Sinad Darcy Faith Healer The Gates critically acclaimed production of Brian Friels (pictured) three-hander returns with Ingrid Craigie, Kim Durham and Owen Roe who each relate shattering, overlapping monologues Until Feb 20, Gate Theatre, 1 Cavendish Row D1, 8pm, 15 to 30. Tel: (01) 874 4045. www.gate-theatre.ie Finghin Collins Nick Kelly Book Now The High Kings metrometro lifeStaying In & Going Out The Big Interview Gabourey Sidibe Globetrotting from working as a telephone receptionist prior to signing on for the film, which was a festival favourite at last years Sundance before scooping three Golden Globe nominations (including one for Sidibe) and one win (for a startling turn by MoNique). Honestly, I had no intention of being an actress, says Sidibe. I wouldnt even dare to dream. When you consider the media and the kind of people theyre interested in, they dont generally look like me. She was born in Brooklyn, the daughter of gospel singer Alice Tan Ridley and taxi driver Ibnou Sidibe, and moved to Harlem with her mother after her parents separated. She is big, although her size proved a real boon when the casting director for Precious visited New York. I heard about the audition but I didnt even think it was worth considering it, continues Sidibe. But my mother helped persuade me and my friend, who is the assistant director in my local theatre, called me when they were casting. He said they were looking for a very specific girl, that I look like. I never thought Id get it, though, and after the audition I went straight back to work. And yet by the time shed come out of the subway, shed already had a phone call. T he following day, after a 45-minute meeting with the director, Lee Daniels, she got the part. Daniels didnt even ask her to audition, immediately recognising Sidibes innate intelligence. He even concedes his young charge expanded the character far beyond what he had imagined. I think Lee thought because Precious was big and dark skinned that she had to be a certain way. But in meeting me, though I am big and I have dark skin, I changed his idea of who Precious is, based on the way I am. The character of Precious suffers terribly in the movie and for all Sidibes light-hearted banter, this is a very serious role. When we meet Precious in Harlem, during the late 1980s, she is an obese teenager with extreme learning When you consider the media and the kind of people theyre interested in, they dont generally look like me abourey Sidibe is in Europe promoting her first film, Precious, based on the best- selling novel, Push, by New York poet Sapphire. In stark contrast to her abused character in the movie, the New York-born actress proves a real chatterbox. I really cant believe all this is happening, she smiles. In fact, it worries me a bit because even my manager says she hasnt seen things happen this quickly before. To describe Sidibes rise as meteoric almost does her a disservice. Sidibe was studying for a psychology degree while G The star of new film Precious, a student who never dared dream of fame, tells Lauren Williams about her sudden rise to stardom DOWN THE DUMPER This weeks fickle finger of fame pokes... Emma Forbes The Irish Times Celebrity Concert Series continues with a piano recital from renowned Irish pianist Finghin Collins who will perform pieces by Bach, Schumann and Brahms Tonight, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace D2, 8pm, 15 to 35. Tel: (01) 417 0000. www.nch.ie You can hardly argue with the admission price for this gig from Nick Kelly who, as part of his Gestation residency at Whelans, is joined by Sean Dr Miller. A January treat Tonight, Whelans, 25 Wexford Street D2, 8pm, 5. Tel: 1890 200 078. www.whelanslive.com May 1965: Emma Forbes is born. Her mum is Fairy Liquid legend Nanette Newman (ask your grandma) and her dad is film director Bryan Forbes, who brought the world The Stepford Wives and King Rat (and later scripted Richard Attenboroughs Chaplin). Shes practically showbiz royalty. 1992: Presents the cooking slot on Saturday morning BBC kids show Going Live! One of her blunders makes it onto Itll Be Alright On The Night! Stardom! 1993: Long-suffering Emma manages to present Saturday morning kids show Live And Kicking for three years alongside the permanently effervescent Andi Peters. Tragically, in many ways, this will be the peak of her small-screen career. Sob! 1994-1996: Co-presents late, unlamented, TV show Talking Telephone Numbers alongside Pip Schofield, again only to be replaced by Claudia Winkelman! The humanity! Apparently she also fronts a revival of Whats My Line, which no one can remember (though most people of a certain age will remember her mother on the 1970s BBC original). The wilderness is waiting for her with open arms... 2000: Opens a shop selling bespoke party bags for childrens parties in swish West London. Amazingly, this shop is still open. 2006: Makes a Trad super group The High Kings (comprising Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden) have been bringing audiences to their feet with their rousing take on the great Irish song book. Intricate, harmony- driven versions of songs ranging from the boisterous Rocky Road To Dublin to the haunting The Parting Glass have won the group comparisons to such trad stalwarts as The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem. Their new album Memory Lane will be launched in February and features classic Irish ballads like On The One Road and Step It Out Mary while a 25-date Irish tour includes a stint at the Grand Canal Theatre Apr 03, Grand Canal Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Docklands D2, 7.30pm, 33.60. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.thehighkings.com 12 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html