“ALL THAT JAZZ!” Inside this months April Magazine Edition... Exclusive with musical producer Lewis Barn as he talks Black Velvet!
An exciting look ahead to Zac Snyder’s Batman Vs. Superman
Film & Entertainment
“ALL THAT JAZZ!”
30th April 2014
The Dark knight Vs. The Las
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Superman free falling from the sky after taking a
hit from Gotham city’s caped crusader! This year comic book fans were given hope of finally getting to see their two favourite DC comics heroes not only meet, but go head to head on the big screen in Batman vs. Superman.
By Scott Crossan.
Zack Snyder is taking up the
hot seat again as director of the much anticipated sequel to last year’s blockbuster Man of Steel. We know so far that Henry Cavill will be reprising his role as Superman while somewhat surprisingly Ben Affleck will play a seasoned, older Batman/ Bruce Wayne. We will also get to see Gal Gadot’s take on Wonder Woman, a young Lex Luthor in the shape of Jesse Eisenberg and recently announced Broadway performer Ray Fisher half man half machine Victor Stone, aka Cyborg. How all these huge names will fit into one film and be given enough face time without ruining the fact it is a Superman film has been met with a great deal of debate by fans. As a result the sequel has caused headlines around the world resulting in fan forums going crazy over the slightest of rumours and campaigns such as to prevent Ben Affleck playing Batman. Lifelong Superman and Batman fan, comic book and graphic novel collector Ross Hillhouse provides insight to Page 2
what the fans really want to see: “The story line that I think they will stick to will be where superman is beginning to be seen as a threat and that when Lex Luthor will be introduced to track him down and stop him, as well as Batman keeping tabs on Superman and his weaknesses to keep him under control or take out, where they will end up helping each other to take out a bigger threat. Possibly following the storyline of Batman Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller.” It Is hard to tell what route Snyder will choose to go down, but there are a number of suggestions such as this Batman being older that do point to the Frank Millar and comic book fan favourite lineage mentioned by Hillhouse. The tone in Man of Steel was absolutely spot on from every point of view. It took potential another cheesy Superman film and made it believable for a more mature audience to view. This was undoubtedly why the first film was so successful, the dark twist at the end set up Superman’s future as a hero haunt-
ed by the fact he was forced to kill and set the tone for the following film. Hillhouse explains this tone could be the reason for connecting the two heavy weight heroes: “I think this film will be much much darker simply because of Batman and Superman’s pasts and what happened in the previous movie. I think in the film, and if they have just finished rebuilding Metropolis after the Man of Steel destruction, people could be feeling unsafe; they know now the power he [Superman] poses unlike the style of Batman - who uses the darkness and tactics to get the upper hand in all situations.” Other than the casting, Snyder has kept extremely tight lipped on any major details and prevented any information getting out about the film, leaving fans wondering what will be the reason for bringing Batman and Superman together and especially why they will be enemies at first. One thing is for sure though, we will definitely see all our heroes come together and make a special Justice League cameo in some shape or form, with Sny-
Film & Entertainment: The Dark Knight Vs. The Last Son of Krypton.
Film & Entertainment
“ALL THAT JAZZ!”
30th April 2014
st Son of Krypton. der using this sequel as a set up for a Justice League movie. This news was welcomed with open arms by DC Comic fans some feeling they have waited too long already to finally see the famous team up in cinemas. Many believing it would be exciting to see the heroes fight each other in major struggle of power and dominance, but then unite as one stronger power for the greater good of mankind. Hillhouse goes on: “From being a fan of the comics I would like them to introduce more characters from the DC Universe to get them to a level with Marvel Comics. What I would be looking for from this movie would be for a solid story for it to follow, see two of the biggest superheroes trying to take each other out and then ultimately have to come to an agreement and join up in order to face tougher evil and then eventually begin to create the justice league.”
times and even failed to stop in number of comic book issues. One storyline even has him as Superman’s killer! Johnson’s animalistic acting whilst keeping a strong tall composure Is rare in an actor and would make him the perfect villain to star alongside Eisenberg as Luthor. If he was to play the alien Doomsday it would provide a good balance of brawn to Luthor’s cunning brain and Hillhouse feels it would be a good way of expanding the storyline by introducing more characters from other universes such as the Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter:
“So far they have announced that they are going to be introducing Wonder Woman and Cyborg into the movie, and possibly sneaking Martian Manhunter into it at some point. If they are able to set up all of these characters it would be great to see spin off movies for each of them and would help establish the grounds of progressThe threat that brings the team ing to a Justice League movie in finally together is going to have the near future. Due to the fact to be life threatening and on there has been no announcea global scale. Now, we also ment of an overall villain, and know that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ the fact Dwayne Johnson’s charJohnson has been cast in an acter has still to be announce, unknown role that is yet to be there are many rumours that announced. However, due to his either Doomsday or Brainiac size and physique it has spawned will be leading the attack against a popular rumour that he will the group of heroes.” be playing the unstoppable alien wrecking ball that is Doomsday No matter what/ who the other - a villain that the Justice League villain will be, it is going to be has gone toe to toe with many overwhelming to see SuperPage 3
man meet his ultimate foe - Lex Luthor and it will be rather unusual to see such a young actor (at the age of 30) taking on the role of a character who is supposed to be older and more mature than Superman. However, Hillhouse and many other fans believe that youth could be a good a good aspect for this Luthor to have as it could provide the character with more energy in his endeavours’ to stop his Kryptonian enemy. Hillhouse explains how Luthor will fit into the sequel and pose a major dangerous threat to our hero: “I think it will be tense with the introduction of Lex Luthor into the movie, I think we will see him secretly plotting on how to stop superman, at the same time also getting batman involved with superman in order to learn more about him such as strengths and weaknesses that he has so he can try to exploit them.” The sequel has fans on the edge of their seats already and with a release date of May 6th 2016 it is going to be a painfully long wait. However, if the Man of Steel and long list of heroes and villains already cast is anything to go by it will most definitely be worth the wait.
Film & Entertainment: The Dark Knight Vs. The Last Son of Krypton.
FIlm & Entertainment
“ALL THAT JAZZ!”
30th April 2014
Creating Black Velvet! thing in between.”
By Scott Crossan
With the odds against
them, many young actors and performers dream of one day seeing their name in flashing lights and unfortunately in a cut throat business, little make it much further than dreaming. However, at the extremely young age of 18, local star Lewis Barn has trounced the odds, portrayed real talent and shone brighter than the stage light he performs under by producing his first ever musical – Black Velvet. Starting high up in the world of musical theatre, barn began his career at the age of 12 in an amateur production of “We Will Rock You”. From here on it was evident Barn had caught the theatre bug and had a knack for performing, moving strength to strength and going on to star in different roles with an independent company. It wasn’t until he was 18 that he found his true calling in the theatre world when he began professionally script writing. With the idea of Black Velvet scattering around his head, he one day ran the idea passed a director who just loved his ideas so much that he just had to be part of Page 4
Black Velvet producer Lewis Barn
creating it with him. Barn reflects on the surreal moment and looks forward to the job at hand: “The story behind this is actually pretty funny and a little by chance. When working on last year’s production of SPAGGOI: The Musical, I told the musical director Gregor Reid about an idea I had for my own musical. Then around mid-January I received a text from him and he asked about my idea. It took off from there and he’s been a wonder in getting this whole project off the ground. I will be both the writer and producer of Black Velvet, while Gregor is reprising his regular role as musical director. I will be writing the script and producing the show - which involves sorting out a venue, lighting, sound, casting and every-
It is quite unusual, and frankly quite impressive, that someone so young age such as Barn would be able to perform on stage in front of thousands let alone write a funded musical production. All while finding the time to study Law at the University of Glasgow. You would be mistaken to believe that his young age will negatively affect his production, as many feel that the fact he is so young is in his favour and will play to his advantage by provide him with a dynamic that older producers simply do not have. Scottish musical connoisseur and theatre performer Allan Cochrane explains: “People need to take the plunge at a young age. Too many musicals nowadays are written by the same people and therefore the same style/ genre is found too often. With a younger generation new themes are introduced and musical theatre develops with modern society.” The theme of Black Velvet is a little darker than the usual everyday musical which is exciting and new – something that is very impor-
Film & Entertainment: Creating Black Velvet!
FIlm & Entertainment
“ALL THAT JAZZ!”
30th April 2014
tant as previously sated by Cochrane. The storyline behind Black Velvet will keep audiences enthralled from start to finish as Barn provides an exclusive sneak peak of the storyline:
big investors looking to be part of the musical production. That could potentially be a small gold mine and a sling shot for Barn’s career and future prospects as Barn looks ahead:
ing. It needs to be modern, keeping up with the times. But at the same time the music has to be intricate, but not too over complicated, with vocal harmonies which send shivers down your spine.”
“Black Velvet centres around an illegal speakeasy which is run by a small-time mafia family. When a team of reporters catch wind of what they are up to, they have to stop their way of life being threatened, and by any means necessary.”
“We have several investors lined up for initial payments, and the rest of the money will come from ticket sales when we have confirmed dates for the show. I really hope to simply put on a show that people will enjoy and remember and then maybe move up the ladder to bigger venues and projects if this goes well.”
This perfect blend of a good but “simple plot” and “catchy music” is something that Barn and is working tirelessly to create and by the sound of things is well on the way to achieving. It takes a lot to impress Cochrane as he has been in the business for many years but even he is raising an eyebrow to the young musical talents of Barn stating he is “looking forward to seeing a musical which is more about the story and music rather than the “jazz hands””.
Juggling university work is something that has more than prepared Barn for the heavy work load he faces in order to make this musical a success. Barn even hopes to have a finished draft as earliest as the middle of summer this year: “Production is going very well at the moment! Myself and the musical director are working alongside one another in an attempt to co-ordinate the script and soundtrack as seamlessly as possible. I hope to have the completed draft of the script by the end of June.”
It will take a lot of hard work and talent to make this musical a success, something that Barn has already shown more than capable of already. A musical can’t simply just be all sing and dance; it has to have a good balance of other qualities in order to make it interesting to a wider audience as Cochrane expresses:
With ideas flowing, production almost complete and everything going to plan Barn explains he will be holding “auditions around July/August this year, but this is will only be provisional “I believe that a musical for the moment.” Although which incorporates humour, Barn one day hopes to fill the without being crass, is very largest of theatres and showimportant. One which has a case his talents to the world, He expresses to me that simple plot with catchy music something he will undoubtproduction “is all go at the is much better than an over edly achieve, his feet are moment” and cannot wait complicated plot. Too many planted firmly on the ground to get properly started. Almusicals have an over comas his first musical producthough there are no release plicated story and the audition of Black Velvet takes to dates in place so far, there are ence are too overwhelmed the stage in Glasgow. understandably a number of thinking; rather than enjoyPage 4
Film & Entertainment: Creating Black Velvet!