The Way Ahead
Last updated Sunday, 19-Jun-2005 12:01:58 BST

The independent release of Curly's Airships as a double CD marks the end of the first stage of the project only.

From its outset in 1993, when Judge began his detailed research on the subject, it has always been intended that Curly's Airships would have a second life as a live one-man show, a performance piece using costume, lights, stage set and projected images, to be presented in seated Theatre spaces (as opposed to music venues).

This staged performance, with the composer himself as Flight Lieutenant Curly McCloud, will use the musical backing tracks of the CDs to accompany Judge's live vocals, and a mix of the music without Curly's voice has been prepared as a soundtrack for the show.

In this way, a compact, cost-effective and practical production will be possible and Judge hopes to tour this live show as soon as possible in the numerous small and medium-sized theatres that make up the touring circuit, both at home and abroad.

We also believe that the work, whether in full or in extracts, would translate with great ease to TV or video. This type of 'sung-to-camera' vocal music lends itself to all manner of creative video production techniques, and there a wealth of period film and photographic material available.

This same combination of music, directly related visual images and fascinating documentary material also makes Curly's Airships a perfect project for a DVD release.

Our progress towards these goals are shown in the following news updates:

4th April 2004
Judge Smith & The Young Offenders to play Komedia, Brighton

See Judge live in Brighton.  

Where? When? How Much?

8th September 2003
Judge Smith & The Young Offenders to play Pirate Jenny's, London in October

On the road again, Judge and the band will be performing a couple of numbers from Curly's Airships.  

More...

29th November 2002
Judge Live in Lewes

Read about Judge's first live gig for 10 years, appearing on a bill with Arthur Brown and accompanied by Rikki Patten.  And haven't we seen that suit before?

More...

12th October 2000
Curly's Airship r.100 Found in France

One of the two model airships released at the launch of Curly's Airships has been found and the free copy of the album claimed.

See the Report

5th October 2000
Curly's Airships Released

Seven years after the project commenced, Curly's Airships is finally launched.

See the Launch Report

July 1997
Radio 4 - The Afternoon Shift

An item about Curly's Airships, featuring Judge Smith, appeared on the Afternoon Shift on BBC Radio 4 in early July 1997, twinned with an item about the new airship being built at the Zeppelin works in Germany.

See the Transcript.

July 1997
HTV - Frieze Frame

A quarter-of-an-hour documentary about the project was shown on H.T.V. (UK West Country TV region) on Thursday, July 10th 1997 at 11.30 PM in the arts series FRIEZE FRAME.

Directed by Morris Baker and made by Gwynhelek Productions Ltd. (of Rosudgeon, Penzance, Cornwall, TR2O 9DA, UK.), the film features both studio and dramatised performances from Judge Smith, Peter Hammill and Arthur Brown, with a special appearance by Lene Lovich. 

See the Transcript.