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Reviews and Press Coverage |
| Manchester Evening News |
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****- Rating: 4/5 MANY years ago, I found myself in a South Manchester flat, not far from the Southern Cemetery as it happens, attempting to interview the singer Nico. It was a strange afternoon, not least for the sheer incongruity of finding the former top European model, Warhol ‘superstar’, chanteuse for The Velvet Underground, and all-round legendary figure living what seemed to be a fairly hand-to-mouth existence here in Manchester in the dark days of the mid-Eighties. Former Intastella singer and local actress Stella Grundy has now been inspired by that intriguing footnote to pop culture history to come up with this tremendously inventive and entertaining new play, currently staged at the adventurous Studio Salford but surely soon to be seen elsewhere too. |
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Although it’s endorsed by Nico’s son Ari, this is very far from being a bland hagiography, with the drug-addicted squalor of Nico’s later years and the rueful reporting of disastrous tours and off-message petulance playing as much of a part in the story as the superficial glamour of the Warhol years. Grundy, who plays the former Crista Paffgen herself, has crafted an ingenious narrative that strikingly blends theatre with live music and film – including an improbable appearance from Arthur Brown (as in ‘The Crazy World Of…’!) and other local luminaries. It’s a compelling story, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Lou Reed, Andy Warhol, and Allen Ginsberg along with some Manchester music scene figures, such as the irrepressible Alan Wise. Although there are some grotesque goings-on and the music can be worryingly convincing as a realistic representation of shambolic live performances, this is a play that also boasts great compassion as well as searing honesty, despite its non-naturalistic approach. Sporting a variety of wigs and making a pretty decent stab at Nico’s Teutonic tones, Grundy is utterly engaging and convincing as the iconic singer and the rest of the cast are also excellent. You might need a decent working knowledge of Nico’s career to fully appreciate it but, that aside, Nico Icon Play is highly recommended. |
| BBC Manchester |
| Manchester Girl Stella Grundy is no stranger to being a musical femme fatale. As part of Intastella, she cut a fine figure herself, but now she’s turned to acting and in her new play, she’s taking the role of one of music’s original seducers, the enigmatic Nico. Nico in Manchester
The celebrated yet troubled singer gained an iconic status in the late 60s through her solo work and association with The Velvet Underground, but for Stella, the more interesting part of the singer’s life was during the early 80s. |
| Stella on Nico's time in Salford "I first saw Nico when I was at 16. She was playing with a band and I was blown away. At the time, Nico had legendary status but no money. She lived off other people’s kindness. There was a big difference in what people thought she was and the reality - she was living in complete squalor. "She was a character; she used to wee behind parked cars and in sinks! On an artistic level though, she had people coming to see her from all over. David Bowie even got a taxi up (from London) to see her perform. People loved her." It’s that individuality that struck Stella and what she wants Nico Icon to deliver. For her, Nico’s presence in Manchester is a shining example of the cultural diversity that she thinks Manchester desperately needs to celebrate to stay vibrant. |
| Stella on stage as Nico "It’s important that Manchester recognises that we had people like that here. This city can become very insular. We become boring when Manchester bands emulate each other; we should embrace a full range of musical influences. It’s wasn’t all Madchester." Despite the period of Nico’s life that Stella has chosen to concentrate on, she insists that she’s "not written a play about heroin addiction. It’s about the humour of her life in Manchester." She must have got the blend of emotion right as Nico Icon has been given the stamp of approval by Nico’s son, Ari, something she saw as being imperative to the project. Nico Icon "I wanted him to see I’ve done this for the best possible reasons. I went to see him and talked about the play. He’s glad that there’s this buzz because he’s very proud of his mother." Chiefly though, Stella’s main purpose is simply to redress the balance of opinion on Nico and allow a reappraisal of her life. "She was more notorious than famous so it’s nice to bring her to the public’s attention." Nico Icon runs Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 September at Studio Salford at The Kings Arms. |
| BBC Radio 4: Woman's Hour |
Stella Grundy, Alan Wise and Nico's son Ari talk about her life on Woman's Hour in September 2007. |
| BBC 6 Music:- Guy Garvey's Finest Hour |
Stella Grundy talks to Guy Garvey about Nico's life in Manchester and the Nico Icon Play. |
