Bringing the sound of The Corrs to Adelaide via tribute band Talk on Corners

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Liston) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:30:00 +0000

I’ve been so lucky to be part of the Talk on Corners project, an exciting musical tribute in Adelaide, SA, to Irish traditional/pop superstars The Corrs.

The brainchild of keyboard player/singer Sara Sizer and former drummer Dave Owen, this band of seriously talented Adelaide musicians brings together their extensive experience to deliver the unmistakeable rich harmonies, soulful guitars, melodic keys, and distinctive violin and tin whistle trademarks of the original hugely popular group.

Talk on Corners' first gig at Littlewood Agapanthus Farm, November 2021.

The line-up is Jennifer Liston (me!) (lead vocals and tin whistle), Sara Sizer (keyboards and vocals), Christine Morphett (violin), Robbie Lennox (guitars and vocals), Peter Franche (bass guitar) and Nick Carroll (drums). Alan Sizer provides fantastic audio engineering support.

We've had fantastic feedback from wonderful audience members who sang along and grooved to many of the gorgeous tunes. And of course we rocked it ourselves too!

Rockin' it at Marion Cultural Centre, July 2022.

When Chris and Pete relocated to the UK mid-2023, Casey Franchi took over violin duties and Chris Hart joined as bass player.

INC Cafe, October 2023.

As well as private functions, some of the venues we have played are:

The Adelaide Irish Club
The Gov
The Brit
Inc Cafe
Marion Cultural Centre
The Norwood Hotel
Littlewood Agapanthus Farm

With many thanks to Philip van Pamelen for some great photos!

Clock for No Time: asking what endures when we are gone, and revealing my inner actor

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Liston) — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 13:39:00 +0000

I was privileged to have had the opportunity to be cast in the amazing play 'Clock for No Time', written and directed by all-round-talent Michèle Saint-Yves.

The play asks the question ‘What endures when we are gone?’ It juxtaposes the brain neuropathologies of Simone (who has an acquired brain injury) and her father Ian (who has advanced Alzheimer’s disease), and how facing the realities of their conditions in the context of a father-daughter relationship may help Simone find the answer.

The play’s season ran from 19–31 October 2021 at the Rumpus Theatre in Bowden, Adelaide. I was a last-minute recruit: the Sydney-based actor Gina Zoia who was originally to perform was unable to make it because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Cast of Clock for No Time (l-r): Paul Reichstein (Ian), Jennifer Liston (performer, MRI technician, Margaret), Jo Stone (Simone), Michèle St Yves (writer, director)

I was cast as a performer, the MRI technician, and as Margaret (Ian’s wife/Simone’s mother). I had to learn six poems, four songs (although I ended up singing only two), a monologue, and some tracts of dialogue within a few weeks.

Working alongside two stellar actors, from whom I learned so much, gave me such a buzz. Jo Stone (who played Simone), Paul Reichstein (who played Ian) and I shared many moments of laughter, tears, exhaustion, awe, and pure wonder. And we shared many gigglesome times with Michèle Saint-Yves too.

We certainly needed humour to manage our way through the serious intensity and emotional demands of the play (although it does have some wonderful comedic moments).

The play embedded access in performance and audience-inhabited spaces and was neurodivergent- and dementia-friendly. It had financial and in-kind support from many sources including Arts South Australia, the Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disabled Artist Fund, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, SA COVID Arts recovery fund, and the State Theatre Company of South Australia.

We had two solid weeks to rehearse, a third week called ‘tech week’ which meant we didn’t always get many ‘run-throughs’, then the season itself – a run of 13 shows over two weeks.

The level of preparation and input on the tech side was amazing to witness, so capably envisioned and handled by Mark Oakley (AV/Digital & Technical Design). Production coordinator and stage manager extraordinaire Abbie Heuer kept us all safe, organised, on time and on our toes.

The reviews were thoughtful, considered, and very complimentary. I was so happy for Michèle because this play is courageous, brave and confronting.

Many thanks, Michèle, for that amazing, unforgettable opportunity.

All photos courtesy Saige Prime.

Jennifer Liston - Music

Bringing the sound of The Corrs to Adelaide via tribute band Talk on Corners

Clock for No Time: asking what endures when we are gone, and revealing my inner actor