March 18, 2009

  • Dinner with Hitler

    I was teasing friends on Facebook yesterday with the comments on how I was cooking dinner for Hitler and how much he seemed to enjoy it. I thought it best to explain what I was on about.

    The Ulster Hall

    Ulster%20Hall%20exterior%20night

    The Ulster Hall has reopened - it's been closed for longer than I have known Patrick so of course I've not been inside but I know it is has an important place in the memories of many Belfast people as it was  one of only two venues during the bad old days that you could go to and mix with whomever and see local bands and more importantly bands from outside Northern Ireland that would deign to visit and perform. 

    So... as part of the reopening festivities there have been various events including the music festival that featured, amongst others, the bands with youtube videos below this post. As part of a free fringe festival currently running Patrick was approached to get involved and select speeches, actors and direct them for a project called 'Sunday Service' click here to read more about it - you'll see links on the right that will take you to each Sunday Service.

    Two sundays ago we had an actress over for Sunday lunch and pre-performance rehearsal upstairs; she was delivering the Martin Luther King speech, last Sunday I went to the Hall to see another actor and a friend of ours perform an amazing speech originally presented to an American audience by Emmeline Pankhurst. This Sunday it is the turn of Hitler! The key thing here to remember is that all the speeches have one thing in common; that in their time they were all anti-establishment. The actor presenting the Hitler speech on Sunday came round last night and again had dinner and a rehearsal. Judging by the noise upstairs last night it should be of suitable volume to fill the hall if nothing else!!  

    There has actually been some controversy over the selection and airing of a speech by Hitler but it seems silly when one considers that the words of the man are available to purchase from any bookshop and to loan from all public libraries. There is a chance that there may be some protests on the day but surely the attempts by a few people to silence the voice of others is exactly why we need to hear Hitler's words to be reminded of the danger of listening to those who shout the loudest.

Comments (6)

  • The " antis " always seem to get all the attention esp. from the media- that really annoys me. Three events I've taken part in, the Pope's visit, anti-abortion rally and the " Make Poverty History " march were hardly shown on TV BUT the few dissenters got maximum coverage. Night life in Belfast seems lively - better than here Marie

  • This is so interesting. How fantastic that you get to mingle with the cast of characters. Totally cool!

  • Now I understand. Yes I bet that that particular speech by 'H' will make some newspaper coverage.

  • Yes, I agree, it would be important to keep enemies in sight and their words fresh at hand. If you got to cook dinner for Hitler actually though, what a great opportunity to poison him!

  • Interesting building. How's Mr. Fintan doing?

  • Seig Heil, It has been a long time since I have passed through your site. Saw that you had passed through my site and thought that I should, seeing how you have recently took the time to view mine. How are things going for you over there in the UK?  We are in the beginning of Spring here, however we are expecting 7- 10 inches of snow tommorow...... I really do not care much for snow, but I did just get done fertilizing the flower beds, and grooming the trees, so I am sure that the Gods are merely trying to smile down upon my efforts...

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