‘When you go a street fair, a carnival, or even a wedding, there’s a good chance you’ll run into a caricature artist. These expert cartoonists can sketch a funny version of you in under 15 minutes, but they don’t always get it right. Sometimes you come out looking like a horse or a disgruntled, overweight woman (when you’re really a 10-year-old girl). Check out the bizarre caricature drawings we found, ranging from the good, the bad, and the ugly (mostly ugly) and vote for the one with the most “WTF?!”‘

With the exception of two the caricatures are actually very good, and it seems to have confused the readers too judging by some of the comments! Still, it’s all publicity!

The Emergency puts it quite well. Happy Fitzpatrick Day!

Gardaí have arrested five people in Waterford and two others in Cork in connection with an investigation into a conspiracy to murder a Swedish cartoonist.

The cartoonist, Lars Vilks, has been threatened over his drawing depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog.

The cartoonist is Swedish man Lars Vilks.

via RTÉ News: Arrests in Cork and Waterford over murder plot.

Cian at Irish Election has made my caricature into this year’s sartorial musthave. I’ve asked for proceeds to go to the Rape Crisis Network Ireland.
UPDATE: Spreadshirt won’t print the tees any more so we’re going to find another printer had some legal issues and it’s all hunky dorey again.

A Galway publican opened The Dáil Bar in Cross Street in the city last November and despite the association of the name with Leinster House, authorities there have decided not to take any legal action.

A Leinster House commission sought legal advice over the issue and a spokesperson said they have now concluded that no action will be taken, as the title ‘The Dáil Bar’ is not registered, and the ‘Dáil bar’ in Leinster House technically does not exist, as it actually refers to two bars in the building.

via RTÉ News: Dáíl bar goes to Galway.

It’s been a week of iconic gentlemen passing away. Tony Hart has died aged 83. Patrick McGoohan and Ricardo Montalbán, The Prisoner and Khan respectively, also left us earlier this week.

I can identify Tony Hart as the single biggest influence on my becoming an artist. Family members were simply not allowed to talk when Hart Beat was on, and I would studiously take in every carefully explained technique. I never met him, but a former colleague did and she said he would paint a canvas without a spot appearing on his immaculate clothes. Morph was also instrumental in my fascination with stop motion animation.

Rest in peace Tony and thank you.

A friend of mine, Aine Rynne, is a founder member of Bluepatch Productions, and they’re doing Portia Coughlan by the mighty Marina Carr next month. They’re having a table quiz in the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn on the 26th January at 7.30pm to raise funds:

“Come along and support our fundraiser for Bluepatch’s production of Portia Coughlin, which will run from the 3rd-7th of February at The New Theatre on East Essex Street, Temple Bar.

The night will be fun filled with loads of fabulous spot prizes. There will be teams of 4/5 each competing to be crowned The Bluepatch Stars !! Live Music is by very popular and talented group; The Sick and Indigent Song Club!! James Fanning will entertain with his stand up style of cheeky wit and humorous storytelling. Altogether a nite not to be missed!!

Please tell all your friends and help us raise money for Bluepatch’s debut production in The New Theatre! We value your support and look forward to a night of fun and games.

Charge is Ten Euro a head!”

Should be a good night, so if you’re a table quiz fiend, grab your fiendish mates and head over to the Ha’penny. Theatre is a good cause.

Disclosure: this is a gratuitous plug for Sarah O’Toole who is a friend of mine, and a bloody brilliant actor:

“Galway Actor’s Workshop has been set up to open
the experience of drama and acting to the people of
Galway in a variety of self-contained workshops and
short term courses.
We believe that for all of you have ever just wanted to
“give it a try”, it is never too late! While providing you
with solid training at whatever level you choose, we
also hope to enable you to experience the sense of
fun and personal creativity that comes from engaging
with drama.

Introduction to Acting
Tutor is an experience teacher and theatre
practitioner with a Masters Directing. This course is
aimed at adults from 16 upwards covers all the
basics in approaching acting and theatre whilst
sharing with the students all the fun to be had in the
rehearsal room!
When: 6 week course running from 12th February,
with a break on 5th March.
6.30 to 9.30 p.m.
Where: Anno Santo Hotel, Threadneedle Road,
Salthill
Price:
€120/€100 (Students & Unemployed)
Book: For any enquiries or to book a place call
087 237 3531. For further info about
upcoming courses with Galway Actor’s
Workshop, visit the below web address. As
there are only 12 places available to ensure
quality tuition, it is advised to book as soon
as possible! A €40 deposit is payable in
advance.

Acting for Fun Weekend
A weekend introduction to acting for those who have never tried it before. Through fun games and exercises
and ensemble work, it shares the magic of the rehearsal room and of performance.
When: Saturday/Sunday 24/25 January from 12 to 6pm (with break)
Where: Anno Santo Hotel, Threadneedle Road, Salthill, Galway
Price:
€65/€50 (Students/Unemployed)
Book:
For any enquiries or to book a place call 087 237 3531. For further info about upcoming courses
with Galway Actor’s Workshop, visit the below web address. As there are only 12 places available to
ensure quality tuition, it is advised to book as soon as possible! A €25 deposit is payable in advance.

Comedy Improv Weekend
A fun-filled and challenging weekend workshop
dealing with the basics of improvisation in order to
create spontaneous comedic performance. Perfect
for developing confidence in being able to think on
your feet, work in an ensemble and explore your
funny side!
This workshop is geared towards students with some
experience of theatre, however, beginners are
welcome if they are willing to leave their inhibitions at
home and throw themselves in the deep end!!!
When: Saturday/Sunday 21/22 February from 12 to
6pm (with break)
Where: Anno Santo Hotel, Threadneedle Road,
Salthill, Galway
Price:
€65/€50 (Students/Unemployed)
Book: For any enquiries or to book a place call
087 237 3531. As there are only 12 places
available to ensure quality tuition, it is
advised to book as soon as possible!

Audition Speech Weekend
This weekend deals with a monologue which each
student will have chosen in advance. The aim of this
workshop is to help the students learn both by
observation and participation, to give them the
experience of detailed direction, to share different
methods of unlocking a text and a starting point for
preparing an audition speech.
This workshop is geared towards students with
acting experience, who are starting to audition or for
the more experienced who want to refresh and
expand their methods of approaching a text or
monologue.
When: Saturday/Sunday 21/22 March from 12 to
6pm (with break)
Where: Anno Santo Hotel, Threadneedle Road,
Salthill, Galway
Price:
€65/€50 (Students/Unemployed)
Book: For any enquiries or to book a place call
087 237 3531. As there are only 10 places
available to ensure quality tuition, it is
advised to book as soon as possible! A €25
deposit is payable in advance.”

www.myspace.com/galwayactorsworkshop