All that jazz: ‘Chicago’ brings grit and glamour to Paris • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Reggae Pioneer Jimmy Cliff: Celebrated reggae musician, known for his global impact through music and film.
• The Harder They Come: 1972 film that brought reggae to a worldwide audience, starring Jimmy Cliff.
• Vertical Dramas/Micro Dramas: Short, mobile-first episodic content, often romantic fantasies, gaining popularity and financial success.
• Christopher Lebron: British artist whose large-scale, colorful paintings draw inspiration from poetry, nature, and music.
• Chicago (Musical): A classic Broadway musical set in the jazz age, known for its grit, glamour, and Bob Fosse's choreography, currently staged in Paris.
• DA Soul: Hip-hop legends releasing a new album after a 10-year hiatus, featuring the final vocals of their late co-founder.

Tribute to Jimmy Cliff

The segment begins with a tribute to reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff, who passed away at the age of 81. Cliff is recognized as a significant musical icon both in Jamaica and internationally. His role in the 1972 film "The Harder They Come" was instrumental in introducing reggae music to a global audience.

Key Details:

• Birth Name: James Chamber
• Born: 1944, Jamaica
• Early Career: Began writing songs in primary school, moved to the capital at 14, adopted the stage name Jimmy Cliff.
• Breakthrough: First hit in 1962, signed with Island Records, and was part of a movement that included future stars like Bob Marley.
• "The Harder They Come":
  • Tells the story of an aspiring musician in 1970s Jamaica struggling to be heard.
  • Became the first major commercial release from Jamaica.
  • Soundtrack featured Cliff's songs "Many Rivers to Cross" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want," significantly expanding reggae's reach.
• Later Career: Collaborated with artists like White Cleft Gene, Sting, and Annie Lennox. Reached a new generation with his cover of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" for the film "Cool Runnings." Explored various genres including soul, ska, funk, punk, and folk.
• Philosophy on Music: Stated, "Music has always played an integral part in changing the world. Why? Because music is the universal language. So music does it better than religion or politics."
• Accolades: Nominated for seven Grammy Awards, winning two (1986 for "Cliffhanger" and 2012 for "Rebirth"). Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Tribute from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness: Described Cliff as a "true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world."

The Rise of Vertical Dramas (Micro Dramas)

The program then shifts to discuss "vertical dramas" or "micro dramas," short, episodic series designed for mobile phone screens. These low-budget romantic fantasies, often with clickbait-style titles like "billionaire disguised as jigalow" or "my secret agent husband," are proving to be highly lucrative, attracting Hollywood's attention.

Key Details:

• Format: Miniseries composed of one-minute long episodes, tailored for mobile viewing.
• Characteristics:
  • Often described as "soap operas for the digital age" or "soap in a nutshell."
  • Fast-paced with constant story progression.
  • Tend to have micro-budgets and feature inexperienced actors.
  • Dominated by Chinese studios, with examples like "Love Through All Seasons" being filmed in Los Angeles.
  • Episodes typically last 1-3 minutes, often ending in cliffhangers.
  • Designed to provide "quick dopamine hits of content."
• Audience Engagement Strategy:
  • Combine familiar genre elements with emotional hooks to engage viewers quickly without requiring significant mental effort, acknowledging audience exhaustion.
  • Many platforms offer a few free episodes, followed by a paywall or ad-supported viewing for the rest.
• Market Growth:
  • Currently, most viewership is in China, but it's rapidly expanding, particularly in the US.
  • The market is predicted to be worth $14 billion by 2027.
• Hollywood's Involvement: Major players like Fox Entertainment are investing in or launching their own vertical production companies.
• Production Speed Comparison: Vertical producers claim they can produce a show in 30 days, while Hollywood takes two years, allowing them to create significantly more content in the same timeframe.
• Future Expansion: Expected to move beyond romance and werewolf stories into comedy, horror, and true crime. Increased budgets may attract influencers and more experienced actors.

Art Exhibition: Christopher Lebron

The segment highlights British artist Christopher Lebron, whose work is characterized by large-scale compositions infused with color and light, drawing inspiration from poetry, nature, and music. His latest exhibition, "Moon Rising in Daylight," is on display at the Almin Gallery in Paris.

Key Details:

• Artistic Inspiration: Poetry, nature, and music.
• Style: Large-scale compositions, rich in color and light.
• Exhibition: "Moon Rising in Daylight" at the Almin Gallery in Paris.
• Artist's Philosophy: Views his work as drawing on a "rich and universal tradition in painting." When working in a field with a long history, the aim is to "get more into the heart of it."

"Chicago" Musical in Paris

The program then focuses on the musical "Chicago," currently being staged at the Casino de Paris. This production is noted for its French interpretation of the classic Broadway hit, which captures the grit and glamour of the jazz age with Bob Fosse's iconic choreography.

Key Details:

• Venue: Casino de Paris.
• Production: A French adaptation of the Broadway musical "Chicago."
• Key Cast Members:
  • Velma Kelly: Portrayed by French pop star Shy'm, marking her debut in musical theater. She describes the role as demanding a "whole new creative skin" and requiring precise timing and embodiment of the character.
  • Mama Morton: Reimagined by Waku Manda, who emphasizes the connection with the audience and the authenticity of performing in one's native language.
• Musical's Core Themes: The story of two women, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, imprisoned in the roaring 20s, charged with murder, and fighting to control their narratives. Roxie aspires to the spotlight held by Velma, and both rely on lawyer Billy Flynn.
• Production Style: Described as a "proper play" with a sharp plot and a stripped-back staging that places the audience at the heart of the story. The orchestra is centrally positioned on stage.
• Audience Reception: The French version has been well-received, with audience members praising its dynamism, gorgeous choreography, visual elements (feathers, wooden sets, lights), and the visibility of the musicians. The direction is described as "brilliant."
• Run: The show is running at the Casino de Paris until the end of January.

DA Soul's Return

The final segment announces the return of hip-hop legends DA Soul, who are releasing their new album "Cabin in the Sky" after a 10-year hiatus. This comeback is bittersweet as it features some of the final vocal performances of their late co-founder, Troy the Dove. The program concludes by playing the track "Run It Back."

Key Details:

• Group: DA Soul (hip-hop legends).
• New Album: "Cabin in the Sky."
• Hiatus: 10 years.
• Bittersweet Element: Features the last vocals of their late co-founder, Troy the Dove.
• Concluding Track: "Run It Back."

Synthesis/Conclusion

This broadcast covered a diverse range of arts and culture, beginning with a poignant tribute to reggae icon Jimmy Cliff and his indelible impact on global music. It then explored the burgeoning phenomenon of vertical dramas, highlighting their innovative mobile-first format, rapid growth, and increasing appeal to Hollywood. The segment also showcased the artistic vision of Christopher Lebron through his latest exhibition and provided an in-depth look at the French production of the classic musical "Chicago," emphasizing its unique staging and cast performances. Finally, it celebrated the return of hip-hop group DA Soul with a new album, tinged with the legacy of their late co-founder. The overarching theme is the continuous evolution and diverse expressions within the arts and entertainment landscape, from established legends to emerging digital formats and theatrical reinterpretations.