27th August 2000
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Victoria's 'out of her mind'?
For one week Victoria Beckham a.k.a. 'Posh Spice' made every effort to see her single 'Out Of Your Mind' become the No: 1 song in the UK.She appeared at various shops where the single was on sale with her famous husband David Beckham. She did interviews and what have you. While all this was going on another song was also in the market making listeners pick their ears. The track called 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' was pushing itself on its own steam. 'Groovejet ...', by the act Spiller with its oozy easy video was crossing over from Ibiza, the summer crazy dance island to the club scene and radio in the UK.
At the same time an- other Spice Girl - Melanie C was already at the helm of the UK chart with her Single 'I Turn To You'. This single like Spiller's 'Groovejet...' was very much centred on the Ibiza scene. The song was or is a very dance oriented track with the video clip being shot on the beach in Ibiza and inside a club which had Melanie C, dancing and singing surrounded by a set.
Chart watchers were anxiously observing the scenario as it unfolded. Was Mel C going to hold on to the No:1 with 'I Turn To You' or were the True Steppers and Dane Bowers featuring Victoria Beckham with their song 'Out of Your Mind' or 'Groovejet...' by Spiller taking over as champions? By Saturday morning last weekend it was clear as to who the new chart champion was going to be. When the singles chart was released Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' came out the winner with Victoria Beckham and crowd having to settle for the runner-up position.
As Melanie C's 'I Turn To You' lost its No: 1 status and dropped to No: 3, it did also give the Spice Girl her second chart topping song in the UK. On the previous No: 1 ' Never Be The Same Again' in March, she was supported by Lisa ' Left Eye' Lopes of TLC. 'I Turn To You' was essentially a solo affair and was the 4th single to be lifted off her ' Northern Star' album.
Mel C delayed the release of the current single because 'Never Be The Same Again' is still selling very well although it has been in the market since April.
Touching on Victoria Beckham's song 'Out of Your Mind' which entered the chart at No: 2, she is actually the featured vocalist on the song for the True Steppers and Dane Bowers. The song is slightly garage-ish with all the space age trappings. Take a look at the video and you will know what that means. Victoria along with the True Steppers and Dane Bowers are all dressed in these space - age kits. Dane Bowers by the way was once a member of the group Another Level. He wrote ' Out Of Your Mind'. Meanwhile as the Spice Girls step up the solo projects 'Posh' or Victoria has rejected claims about rivalry between the girls over their solo careers. The next Spice Girls single is due in October while the new album is due for release in November.
Britney Spears' new single 'Lucky' en- tered the UK Top 20 this week at No: 5. The single was overshadowed by the Victoria Beckham/Spillers / Melanie C fight for the top position. 'Lucky' on the other hand is an extension of 'Oops I did it Again', two beats slower. If she does not watch out Britney Spears' career is going to take a tumble. Meanwhile the 18-year-old singer was at the centre of two interesting bits of news. It was reported over the weekend (last) that she was nearly involved in a topless scare while in another story she was held up for 10 minutes on tour in Utah over a gun scare.
Faye of the group Steps has denied recent reports that she is about to leave the group.
The heavy metal rocker Marilyn Manson is to write a tribute to the glam rock star Gary Glitter. Glitter was jailed for a short time late last year for sexually abusing a young girl.
With just two solo No: 1 hits to his credit, the most recent being 'Life
Is A Rollercoaster', Ronan Keating revealed that he received the inspiration
and strength for his music from his wife Yvonne.
CLOTHES LINE
It only takes a spark.......
I would like to present my thoughts on a topic that has been much discussed recently. The way we treat the soldiers who are fighting to save our lives leaves much to be desired on our part. As children of mother Lanka, I believe that we should be more considerate and conscious of the hardships endured by these courageous soldiers and their families. Most of us spend our nights at night clubs and parties, waste our money on unnecessary luxuries, go out and have a good time with our friends and families, but the people who make this possible for us are forgotten by some of us. The soldiers who die, who are crippled and maimed the children who lose their fathers families without a provider are non-existent to most of us. We act blind and deaf to their plight and go on living as if they do not matter. When I talk to people around me I see the manner in which they approach the topic of the soldiers fighting in the North. Some feel guilty, some feel sorry, some treat it as if it was taboo and others just don't care. I too am guilty of not doing my part and I am not asking anybody to go to the warfront or to stop enjoying themselves. What I'm saying is that we should spare a thought for these brave and valiant soldiers and their families. There are many organisations working with these soldiers, talk to them and find out how you can help.If you see a soldier on a wheel chair or crutches, help him. Skip going out one day and gift the money to a soldier's family. These people give their lives and limbs. Their families suffer, so that we can lead a normal life without fear and terror. We cannot repay them for what they have done for us, but we can show our appreciation; a few kind words, a few rupees, a few minutes, is all that it takes to ease their pain. Sahan T. M. DissanayakeItching to say something but no one wants to listen to you? Something which annoyed the life out of you or which restored your faith in humanity? Comment, criticism, praise or food for thought - here's an invitation to hang the laundry of your thoughts on 'The Clothes Line'. Write in and tell the world what's on your mind in not more than 300 words.
Professionalism dear sir
The frame of mind in which I write is probably not the most ideal psyche for clear and rational thought. Therefore it is requested that whoever reads this, bear with me in case my words reflect the anger and frustration I feel. Only but a few hours ago, I was at my workplace fighting for what I thought to be right and in the best interests of the 'product'. I was locked in argument with a superior, who in my opinion had the finesse and professionalism of a domestic quadruped that eats grass. My repeated attempts to correct glaring mistakes and improve upon rough edges were all in vain. They fell upon deaf ears with a head between them that would have given a diamond drill a hard time. You'd expect a professional to be professional. To be receptive to new ideas, to make no compromises on the quality of his work and above all to be humble enough to take another's advice, even if from a subordinate. Instead I got small minded stubborness, inflexibility and arrogance all rolled into one. Perhaps it's just me overreacting and blowing the whole thing out of proportion. But then again, it really bugs me when I work so hard on something only for it to be ruined by someone else's shortcomings. The worst is that there is nothing I can do about it. Common sense dictates that I put it behind me and move on. But that doesn't make it seem any less unfair. This whole issue made me realise - though not for the first time - that the world is full of all types and that sometimes you have no choice but to swallow your pride, bear the brunt and tolerate.However, I have promised myself that someday when I am a boss and find myself in the same situation, I will never be any of those things which troubled me today. I hope I am able to keep my promise, for the sake of my professionalism, finesse and most of all...for me. K.Wilde's wild world
By Meg Williams
"Children begin by loving their parents. After a time they judge them. Rarely, if ever, do they forgive them."
This
is one of many famous quotations found in Oscar Wilde's comedy "A Woman
of No Importance" which goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt Theatre
on September 2nd and 3rd. Anyone who enjoys satirical comedy, as well as
those studying English literature, should definitely catch one of the two
performances.
"A Woman of No Importance", written two years before "An Ideal Husband" and "The Importance of Being Earnest", was the work that, in the words of the leading London critic William Archer, proved Wilde's plays to be "on the very highest plane of modern English drama.
Not previously featured in a public performance in Sri Lanka, the play is being staged this year under the auspices of the English Association of Sri Lanka (EASL) to mark the hundredth year since Wilde's death. It is being sponsored by Lanka Orix Company Limited (LOLC) as part of its ongoing policy of supporting the arts.
The stylish and lively production will use a specially adapted script designed to heighten both the comedy and the drama by eliminating inessential characters and updating the setting from the 1890s to the 1930s.
The play is directed by Ruana Rajepakse, no stranger to the local drama scene. Ruana wrote and directed her own historical drama "War Story" in 1990 and has subsequently staged three productions for the British Council: "Colombo School for Scandal" (adapted from R.B. Sheridan's classic comedy "School for Scandal") in 1993; Bernard Shaw's "Candida" in 1994; and her own prize-winning play "All in a Day's Work" in 1998.
The cast, most of whom are familiar names to Colombo theatre-goers, comprises Neluka Silva as Mrs Rachel Arbuthnot, Mohamed Adamaly as Lord Illingworth, and Krishan Jayaratnam as Gerald. The play also stars Neidra Williams, Avanti Perera, Ruhanie Perera, Catriona Nicholas, Dayan Candappa and Anuruddha Fernando. At a rehearsal last week the confidence and skill of these actors combined effectively with the vibrance of the script.
While being at one level an extremely witty comedy, "A Woman of No Importance" also examines the social and economic difficulties faced by an unmarried mother bringing up her son alone. This is contrasted with the popularity and life of ease led by the well-to-do man who had refused to marry her. Accompanying a superb dramatisation of Anglo -American differences is a severe critique of Victorian narrow-minded values in decline. As ever Wilde valorizes the American Dream and resolves events in a typically unconventional manner.
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