0:00:14 > 0:00:17- Welcome to Out Of The Blue with Graham Little.- And Joanne Salley.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Tonight we're live from Belfast.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22They're about to hit the road with Gary Barlow
0:00:22 > 0:00:25on his nationwide tour, so they must have the X Factor.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27It's the Alabama sisters, The Pierces.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30APPLAUSE
0:00:30 > 0:00:34His work has been exhibited all over the world from the States to China,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36but tonight sculptor Brendan Jamison
0:00:36 > 0:00:39makes a 60-minute masterpiece out of...
0:00:39 > 0:00:44Well, sugar, of course. He's not even a Cubist.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46We'll see what he does in his own sweet way later
0:00:46 > 0:00:49and tell you how you can own it.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51And waitress to actress isn't myth.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Our sofa guest went from PizzaExpress tables
0:00:54 > 0:00:57to the West End stage via the odd mountain top.
0:00:57 > 0:01:04# The hills are alive with the sound of music. #
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Yes, it's Connie Fisher.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08APPLAUSE
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- Hello, Connie.- Hello. How are you?
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Connie, we know you from your Welsh upbringing,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19but a lot of people watching might not be aware that
0:01:19 > 0:01:21you're a local girl born a few miles down the road.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I am. I was born in Lisburn.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I came back a couple of years ago with The Sound Of Music
0:01:25 > 0:01:27to the Grand Opera House.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32It was the first time I've been back in 26 years.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33We left when I was quite young.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37My dad was in the Army during the Troubles. 1983.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39It was kind of tough.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43We moved away quite quickly, but we have that Celtic connection I think,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45living in Wales, and coming back to Ireland.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- It is very similar.- It is quite. Very musical as well. Very musical.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51It's quite an exciting place.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55I brought my mum back on Mother's Day,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59and we had an amazing time here in Ireland.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00I think... It's nice.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- I'd like to bring my family back here one day and have a big reunion.- Lovely.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- Have a cottage in the countryside. - Yes!
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Unless you have been on Planet Zog, you'll know
0:02:10 > 0:02:15that one of the largest music events on this planet rocked Belfast last night.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It was, of course, the MTV European Music Awards
0:02:18 > 0:02:21which saw a whole host of celebrities descend on the town.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Did you get up close and personal with an A-lister?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28If so, we want your pictures. E-mail them to us at...
0:02:31 > 0:02:33We will aim to show the best later on.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35The more famous, of course, the better.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37The awards last night could be the start
0:02:37 > 0:02:39of a Northern Irish musical renaissance.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Our own musical expert Niamh Perry was there.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45# Don't stop, make it rock
0:02:45 > 0:02:48# DJ, blow my speakers up tonight... #
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Tonight, as many as 1.2 billion eyes could be on Belfast
0:02:52 > 0:02:57as the MTV European Music Awards rocked this city.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02For one night only it is a billing that pop and rock fans
0:03:02 > 0:03:04in Northern Ireland could usually only dream of.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Red Hot Chilli Peppers
0:03:07 > 0:03:11and for all you Beliebers out there, Justin's here too.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Performing across three stages,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15it's the biggest music event in our history.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19MTV said it was the vibrant nightlife,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24and compelling music scene of the city that attracted its attention.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27And who could forget the infamous Rihanna music video
0:03:27 > 0:03:28that she chose to film here.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31# We found love in a hopeless place
0:03:31 > 0:03:33# We found love in a hopeless place... #
0:03:33 > 0:03:36So, is our wee city that would fit near enough 30 times into London,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40on the verge of becoming a big-time musical Mecca?
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Stranger things HAVE happened.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47It started with Liverpool in the '60s,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51then it was the turn of Sheffield in the '80s, and Manchester in the '90s.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Beatle-mania, electro pop,
0:03:54 > 0:04:00and mad Madchester all saw music change those places for good.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I worked for New Musical Express
0:04:03 > 0:04:06when the whole Manchester era was kicking off in the late-'80s.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09You'd go to Afflecks Palace and people would buy the T-shirts.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13You would go to The Hacienda to see bands.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Manchester, like Belfast has a village mentality.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19It's quite small. It has got its Victorian architecture.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23It makes a cool issue out of that old industry.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26We've had our shipyards, we've had our Ropeworks,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29and all the rest of it.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32There's a kind of a "grrrr" in the sound of Belfast which comes from that.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36This is why are punk rock era was so exciting.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I think that translates into the music of David Holmes,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42translates into the music of Therapy? and Ash,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and obviously bands like Snow Patrol now
0:04:45 > 0:04:47can put their hands on their heart and sing, I love this city tonight.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51They call it a love song to Belfast.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57# I love this city tonight I love this city always... #
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Has it been a conscious effort to change the music scene in Belfast,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03or do you think it's happened by chance?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05It probably began around 1994
0:05:05 > 0:05:08when Van Morrison played in front of City Hall
0:05:08 > 0:05:12to President Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14That was a big feel-good moment.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19That was the first time, I think, it became almost
0:05:19 > 0:05:24an issue of policy to use music to make Belfast look like a great place.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Cultural tourism is something like 22%
0:05:27 > 0:05:29of the tourist market now.
0:05:29 > 0:05:30People want to come to a city
0:05:30 > 0:05:33to see what it's unique musical story is.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Belfast's got an amazing musical story.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38The council have thrown their weight behind
0:05:38 > 0:05:43the Belfast music scene with the newly established annual Belfast Music Week.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Last week, over 170 gigs happened with bright young things
0:05:47 > 0:05:50like Wonder Villains, Eatenbybears and Axis Of.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55All hoping to capture the eyes and ears of record label's A&R.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59# Only now I'm sick of it all... #
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Cashier No.9 are one band tipped to be the next big thing from these shores.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08They have just been confirmed as the only act from here so far
0:06:08 > 0:06:11to perform on the official line-up at SXSW -
0:06:11 > 0:06:15the world's biggest music industry get together
0:06:15 > 0:06:17held this March in Texas.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19When was your first gig as Cashier No.9?
0:06:19 > 0:06:23I think it was at the Menagerie maybe, in University Street.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25It was a club night David Holmes did,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29so we played in there for him which was great.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32It's a dirty, old sweaty bar, you know?
0:06:32 > 0:06:35We played at the Northern Irish Music Awards in Belfast
0:06:35 > 0:06:36last Wednesday.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40It was really apparent the calibre and the standard of,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43not just bands within Belfast and Northern Ireland,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46but bands from here that are doing well around the world.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Bands like Two Door Cinema Club who are doing so well.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53So I Watch You From Afar are doing great things,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56then there's the bigger guys like Snow Patrol.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I think Belfast is as good as anywhere in the UK.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02There's loads of great venues, loads of rehearsal rooms
0:07:02 > 0:07:04so there's tons of resources
0:07:04 > 0:07:06in the city that weren't here 15-20 years ago.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Evidence does seem to be pointing
0:07:11 > 0:07:13to a music-led mini cultural revolution.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16New bars, new venues and new bands.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18The owners of an Ibiza super-club
0:07:18 > 0:07:23have even chosen Belfast as home to their first venue outside the party island.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26There's never been a better time to be made in Belfast.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34Connie, are your musical tastes strictly from the musicals?
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Well, not really.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38If you seen my record collection it's pretty eclectic.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I like anything from Lady Gaga, to Elaine Paige. Anything.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45I kind of agree that anything made in Belfast is pretty good.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Well, that will get you full marks on this show.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49You are qualified.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51You have a degree in musical theatre,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54but you didn't jump straight into playing Maria.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56You had to go via PizzaExpress and telesales.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01Was there ever a stage when you thought, "I am not going to make it?"
0:08:01 > 0:08:02Yes. There was a lot of doubt.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I think that was good because you suffer a lot rejection.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I went for loads of auditions. Came second a lot of the time.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14So when the opportunity to play a Julie Andrews' role, which is everything I wanted...
0:08:14 > 0:08:19I heard years before they were workshoping The Sound Of Music
0:08:19 > 0:08:22and I couldn't leave drama school to go and have an audition
0:08:22 > 0:08:24because they wouldn't allow you to do that.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28After I left, I was stuck in telesales thinking, I'm going to give up soon.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31When the opportunity came along, I had to go for it.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I had nothing to lose.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35I was getting constant rejection on the phones,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38I was sick of asking, "Would you like olives, or nuts?"
0:08:38 > 0:08:42To be honest, I had nothing to lose
0:08:42 > 0:08:45and I still can't believe that I won. I have to pinch myself.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46We'll have a look at it now.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The moment that made the big break.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54For one of you, life is about to change forever.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00The girl the public have cast
0:09:00 > 0:09:04to be Maria Von Trapp is...
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Connie!
0:09:13 > 0:09:15CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Oh, my goodness! It's one of those moments, isn't it?
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- Have you ever seen a face like it? - It's fantastic. That was 2006.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Does that still make your heart jump out of your chest?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29I'm still nervous that I won't win.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32It is the kind of thing that Elaine Paige says,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35"They're going to find me out," I think it's Judi Dench says it.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38"They'll find me out when I go on stage."
0:09:38 > 0:09:41You're constantly worried that it's all a dream.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43It must have been terrifying for you.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Yes, and the fact that Andrew Lloyd Webber was one of the judges.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49I never thought that I'd get to meet him.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I thought I'd only see his name on a piece of music.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55To perform for him, and sing some of his own songs
0:09:55 > 0:09:57was really nerve-racking.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01And working with him, and working with a big sort of a family in a major big show like that.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Everybody thinks it's one big happy family,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06but there have been films like the Black Swan
0:10:06 > 0:10:08which portray a different side to it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Was your experience all positive? - Yes, yes, well, no.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16I mean, every day is like groundhog day.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18So you compare it to the last.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22Of course, there are moments where you don't get on with everyone.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26I remember at the Palladium, there was one lady who didn't like me much,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28or perhaps didn't like the way I was doing something.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32I remember singing thinking, "She hates me, she hates me.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33"We're smiling at each other."
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Playing Maria, I'm all very nice and, "She hates me."
0:10:36 > 0:10:39There's that look in her eye, and you think, "Gosh..."
0:10:39 > 0:10:41I used to think we were getting on quite well,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44but those were just our characters getting on well.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49There are moments of just joy and a family on tour.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The UK tour I did for 18 months, I did Palladium for 18 months
0:10:52 > 0:10:54and on tour for 18 months.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56The UK tour was like one big family.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00I have got friends for life from that tour.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03There has been some healthy debate in the last week about
0:11:03 > 0:11:06whether murals in Belfast depicting the Troubles
0:11:06 > 0:11:09should be painted over with fresh images of life in the city.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11You seldom have to look far in any part of the country
0:11:11 > 0:11:14to find public works of art that divide opinion.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17We've been down Downpatrick way to see if the locals think
0:11:17 > 0:11:22the large metal sculpture on the edge of the town is a saint or sinner.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24# I did my best to notice
0:11:24 > 0:11:27# When the call came down the line... #
0:11:27 > 0:11:32My name is Coleman McGuinness, I'm a local businessman in Downpatrick.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Our new monument, I think, says a lot about Downpatrick.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38I think the St Patrick's sculpture, it marks,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40the interest of the town.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44It marks the returning of St Patrick to Ireland
0:11:44 > 0:11:46to spread his Christian message.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51It was designed by a lady called Melanie Jackson from Cheshire.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55I think sometimes if you get somebody from the outside looking in,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58they give us a different interpretation of what we have.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02It sits high on the stone base and the landscaping.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07It looks as though it's St Patrick looking out over his flock.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12It marks the regeneration of Downpatrick and the way forward.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Hello, my name is Martin Carter I am a local artisan
0:12:19 > 0:12:22based in a local arts collective in Belfast.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25The more I think about this piece of sculpture,
0:12:25 > 0:12:30the more it becomes decoration, it becomes artistically very little.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33It becomes something you might see on a Christmas tree.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I don't really see it as being something that has the merits
0:12:36 > 0:12:39to be the on the outside of a town.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It is not very pleasing to the eye.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It doesn't really represent Downpatrick in my eyes.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It represents something Christian with the crow's ear
0:12:47 > 0:12:48being held in the hand.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50But in even the description of Scott Wilson,
0:12:50 > 0:12:55they say it has a Celtic-like swirl somewhere in the sculpture.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58We could do better.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Well, who do you agree with? Vote with your feet.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06# Are we human Or are we dancers... #
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I feel it's a fine addition to the town.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15For the strangers coming in on the main road to Downpatrick,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18it raises a question mark, causes them to look a bit further.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20We have the St Patrick's Centre to back up
0:13:20 > 0:13:22all the questions they have.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25I think it's a three-dimensional doodle.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29It's ill-thought out and doesn't reflect anything of the area.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31I think it takes away from the St Patrick's monument
0:13:31 > 0:13:33out on St Patrick's mountain in Saul.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36When tourists come, they have no idea where it is
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and there is no proper tourist information
0:13:39 > 0:13:41and it takes away from the town, personally.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46To bring this new statue of new materials to be erected
0:13:46 > 0:13:50is a great idea and a good aspect to the town.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53I don't think it's a good piece of art to be quite honest.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Everybody's a critic.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03It must be difficult being a performer
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and putting up with people who like you or don't like you?
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Especially in a demanding role. You played Maria nearly 100 times...
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- More than that.- ..it took its toll on your health, first of all.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I probably played it 1,000, a couple of 1,000 times.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Quite a long time.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Three years stage time playing her, so it was quite demanding.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24It is difficult. You can't please everyone all the time.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29You have to remember that every night you have got a new audience,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32so try not to get too complacent about going on stage.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35You were told at one stage you could never sing again?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Yes, that was for different reasons.
0:14:38 > 0:14:44I... Obviously, vocally I found it difficult and demanding anyway.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47After I left the Palladium, I developed a croak in my voice
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and I was finding it difficult doing another show
0:14:50 > 0:14:52I was doing with Alistair McGowan.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56I was performing at the Menier Chocolate Factory with him in a different show.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58It was quite a funny show and really high energy.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02I found it quite difficult. So, I went to get looked at.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05It turns out I was diagnosed with something I was born with.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Which meant I should never have been a singer.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10But I think I learned to sing around it.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Now was that the same as Julie Andrews?
0:15:13 > 0:15:17No, I think Julie Andrews had nodules
0:15:17 > 0:15:21through just over exertion and vocally perhaps pushing herself
0:15:21 > 0:15:25cos she was in demand, she was hot stuff really in musical theatre.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I think she did Victor Victoria and created nodules
0:15:28 > 0:15:32and went to have them lopped off and perhaps had difficulties afterwards.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- But we actually both now have the same vocal surgeon.- That's right!
0:15:36 > 0:15:40That's my claim to fame! We had the same fate but for different reasons.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43As they say, one door closes, another opens.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46You're pursuing a new career actually in Wales.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48That's a line from the Sound Of Music, actually.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51When God shuts a door, he opens a window.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56I am, actually. I'm doing a cartoon at the moment, voicing over for S4C which is our Welsh channel.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59I'm doing Poppy Cat which is quite fun.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04We're doing 52 episodes of that. But my new kind of venture really is presenting
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and I've had a programme called Connie's Musical Map Of Wales.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11So watch out, Ireland. Maybe there'll be a Musical Map Of Ireland one day.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16It would be a detailed map! Does that mean you're going to turn your back on stage altogether?
0:16:16 > 0:16:21No, I don't think I could. Having gained, not that it means much with a piece of paper,
0:16:21 > 0:16:23but a first class honours in musical theatre,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27you think, you've trained to be on the stage in any capacity, really.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I like presenting, I like meeting new people,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33but I don't think I could ever fully leave the stage.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35My heart's always really on stage.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37I'm glad to hear it, Connie.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39You have some massive fans here in Belfast.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Earlier we asked you to send in photos of celebrities you'd met over the weekend.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48I don't think this was taken at the weekend but this was sent in by Christopher Patterson
0:16:48 > 0:16:50who met his idol, somebody called Connie Fisher.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52No, that's such an old photograph!
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Chris Patterson. I shall never forgive him.- Yes.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- Never forgive, Chris! - Do you remember that?
0:16:58 > 0:17:00I do, actually. That wasn't far from here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- It's opposite my favourite cafe. - Excellent.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07I remember meeting him, but he caught me on the hop there.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- More make-up needed next time. - Big star, Connie Fisher.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Fantastic. And we've got Roy Porter here with Brian May,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16looking very cool with his big hair.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- I've got one, actually. - Who've you got?
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- I've got Justin Bieber. - Hold it up so we can see.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26Justin Bieber with Elizabeth McDade in Hillsborough.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29She saw Justin Bieber at the LMFA0 at the M Club.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31It sounds like a code of some sort!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Is it really Justin Bieber? I'm not sure.- Yeah!
0:17:34 > 0:17:37This apparently is Bruno Mars. Niall Smith has sent this
0:17:37 > 0:17:40of Bruno Mars in Belfast, through the window, I might add.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- He looks exactly the same as in his videos.- Doesn't he just?!
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Thank you so much for sending those in. And thanks to Connie.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Connie's in a long line of stars born here before hitting the big time elsewhere.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Colin Bateman now has the story of a slip of a lass from Belfast
0:17:55 > 0:17:58who ended up 5,000 miles away under the bright lights of Hollywood.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02But unlike Connie, this girl's voice wasn't her fortune.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15In Hollywood, long before the brand names of Branagh and Neeson,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19an earlier band of Irish legends lit up the silver screen.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22One of the brightest of the silent movie era
0:18:22 > 0:18:24was the Blanchett or Knightley of her day,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28but unlike Cate or Keira, many would struggle to remember her name.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34Welcome to the South Belfast world of Eileen Percy.
0:18:34 > 0:18:40By 1927, our Eileen was making five films a year,
0:18:40 > 0:18:42from westerns to romances,
0:18:42 > 0:18:47but the story of her and other Irish movie stars begins not in LA
0:18:47 > 0:18:50but 3,000 miles east in New York.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54This is where America's movie industry really began.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You had a lot of famous Irish entertainers on the American stage,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Vaudeville, slides,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02and they would have gone into films.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Sometimes they played Irish characters.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09Sometimes, interestingly, they didn't. They played every ethnicity but Irish.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14And this is How Molly Made Good which is typical of the sort of movie they were making at the time.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Very much so.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19This is kind of a feature film version of a storyline that had existed for decades
0:19:19 > 0:19:23so you have kind of what the title suggests.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27You have an Irish immigrant who comes to America, Molly, and she makes good.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31She achieves the American dream as it was seen at the time.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34'A young Eileen Percy in Belfast may well have seen
0:19:34 > 0:19:39'early American flicks as export markets opened up overseas.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41'By the beginning of the 20th century,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44'picture houses were springing up all over the city.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48'But life on the streets outside was anything but a Hollywood fantasy.'
0:19:48 > 0:19:53They lived here in Vernon Street for about nine years.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57And Eileen and her two elder brothers, James and John,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00went to a local Protestant primary school here.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Her father was a Presbyterian
0:20:02 > 0:20:06and her mother was a baptised Roman Catholic.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Eileen's father was a law clerk in Belfast.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15In 1907, I believe, he went to New York, New Jersey,
0:20:15 > 0:20:21to work towards...to pave the way for the family to join him,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23basically, to escape what would probably have been
0:20:23 > 0:20:27a really poverty-stricken lifestyle.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Soon, in 1909, Eileen and her 12-year-old brother
0:20:31 > 0:20:34set sail from Londonderry to New York.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Eileen got her first break as a 15-year-old chorus girl
0:20:41 > 0:20:44in the Broadway hit, Siegfried Follies.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Next, she landed a film and was signed up by the movie mogul
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and heartthrob, Douglas Fairbanks.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54This was the greatest thing that could have happened to her
0:20:54 > 0:20:57because Fairbanks was not only one of the biggest stars
0:20:57 > 0:21:00but he went on to found United Artists,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03his feature films were among the greatest box office successes.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06He was really the best break Eileen could have got.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Eileen was cast as leading lady alongside Fairbanks
0:21:09 > 0:21:15in hit westerns such as The Man from Painted Post in 1917.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Soon the movie industry had decamped to Hollywood. Why?
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Because Californian sunshine gave longer filming days.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Before she knew it, Eileen was starring with the great Rudolph Valentino.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31She partied hard with tycoons Jack Warner and Howard Hughes.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36She signed with Fox and made an amazing 64 films in a decade.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40But almost overnight, the movies became the talkies.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Eileen may have looked the part,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46but like so many other silent movie stars, she just didn't sound it.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Eileen Percy was now relegated to bit parts.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53In the next five years, she made just five films.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Others fared even worse.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00Many people lost their careers. You take an example like Karl Dane
0:22:00 > 0:22:02who was an actor who had a very thick accent.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05His career ended abruptly. He was despondent.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08He opened a hotdog stand outside the studio where he had worked
0:22:08 > 0:22:10and it didn't even make a success.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13And he goes on to commit suicide.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18So this was what was happening to a lot of people's careers, and it had an effect on Eileen's.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Eileen Percy was last on screen in the '30s
0:22:22 > 0:22:27but she more than kept her head above water as a newspaper columnist
0:22:27 > 0:22:30till she died in 1973.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Not exactly a Hollywood ending, but there's no getting away from it,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36the girl from Vernon Street had come a long way.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41That's an extraordinary story.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46For the last 60 minutes, sculptor Brendan Jamison has been hard at work on his knees
0:22:46 > 0:22:50doing his sugar cubist masterpiece. Let's see what he's doing.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Now, you've finished, haven't you?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Yes, I've just completed. This is a sculpture relief
0:22:55 > 0:22:57of Belfast City Hall, of the front facade.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01That's absolutely gorgeous. It's incredible. I'm afraid to touch it.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06Now, you've done about a thousand sugar cubes here, as you said.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09But you've done the Tate Modern and that was about 80 stone
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and 100,000 sugar cubes.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14So you're used to working on a much grander scale.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Yes, absolutely. It suits something like the Tate Modern
0:23:17 > 0:23:20which is such an iconic building and so colossal.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23So to make something like that on a grand scale is a strong statement.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28For me, I was thinking, you know, big piece of work, why are you using tiny sugar cubes?
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Tiny sugar cubes, they're so beautiful to cut and carve
0:23:31 > 0:23:35and I love the glistening surface on the finished sculpture.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36And very impressively,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39you've actually been summoned now by Downing Street?
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Yes, I've been invited to create a sugar cube sculpture
0:23:43 > 0:23:48of Number 10 Downing Street for an exhibition inside Downing Street in February 2012.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51That's February. How long will that take?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- That will probably take about two months to complete.- Wow.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58What inspires you? Obviously, it's architecture for this piece. Is it always architecture?
0:23:58 > 0:24:03No, I'm also very inspired by the organic and natural worlds as well as the architectural.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05For that, you use wool and wax and other materials.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08I'm always drawn to very unusual materials
0:24:08 > 0:24:11to try to push the boundaries of contemporary sculpture.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14And you sure have and it's so impressive.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18- Now you just have to sign your coffee table.- Sure.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23This is going to be nicely covered up as well.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Beautiful. If you would like Brendan's work as a centrepiece
0:24:27 > 0:24:31in your living room, here's how you can get your hands on it.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35All the works made by artists on Out of the Blue will be auctioned off
0:24:35 > 0:24:38with the proceeds going to BBC Children In Need.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Log onto bbc.co.uk/pudsey
0:24:40 > 0:24:43and go to the Northern Ireland section for more information.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Graham. - Thanks, Joanne. Well done, Brendan.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Time for some music now and we're honoured to have
0:24:48 > 0:24:51sisters Allison and Catherine with us tonight,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54otherwise known of course as The Pierces. Welcome, girls.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- Hi.- Welcome to Belfast.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59You should have been here yesterday, of course.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00We missed Bieber fever.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I know you're gutted by that, Catherine.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07It's been an amazing year for you girls as well, we have to say, since moving to the UK.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11The album's going gold all over the place, constantly playing on Radio 2.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13You must be delighted.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Yeah, how could we not be, really?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18It was just such a nice surprise to come over here.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20We've been doing this for a really long time
0:25:20 > 0:25:26so to have it finally begin to work was really, really a good feeling.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Taking you back, you grew up in Alabama and didn't go to school. - We were home schooled, yes.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Was there much academic work taught at all? Or was it all music and dancing?
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- A little.- It was probably 20% academic and 80% creative arts.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Including ballet. You're both accomplished ballerinas, I hear.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48Yeah. Our mom's a painter, our dad plays guitar, our sister's a dancer,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52our brother's a photographer, so we were immersed in the creative world.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57The next big thing here in the UK is supporting Gary Barlow. How did that come about?
0:25:57 > 0:26:01We met him at a festival we did together
0:26:01 > 0:26:06and he heard our stuff and really liked it so asked us to come and open for him.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09You're pretty different musical tastes, I would think.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- How do you think his fans will react?- I don't know.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14We'll see. I think they'll like it.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Gary's an amazing songwriter
0:26:16 > 0:26:19so we were honoured that he asked us to do it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I'm sure we'd like to hear you tonight so I'll let you go and get ready.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- Thanks for joining us.- Thank you.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27And we're back Out Of The Blue next week.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30See how a Victorian form of art is making a comeback.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Yes and you might know him best as evil Archie from EastEnders
0:26:33 > 0:26:37or lovable dad in Gavin And Stacey. Larry Lamb will be with us.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Join us Monday, 7.30pm on BBC One.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Right now though with Kissing You Goodbye,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- we'll say goodbye with The Pierces.- Goodbye.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58# Your love waits at the window
0:26:58 > 0:27:02# I said go home
0:27:02 > 0:27:04# Cos he don't know
0:27:04 > 0:27:06# It's not his problem
0:27:06 > 0:27:08# And he don't know
0:27:08 > 0:27:10# I'm not alone
0:27:11 > 0:27:15# Clock strikes three in the morning
0:27:15 > 0:27:18# And I lie sleepless
0:27:18 > 0:27:20# Cos he don't know
0:27:20 > 0:27:22# I broke my promise
0:27:22 > 0:27:24# And he don't know
0:27:24 > 0:27:29# I've done this
0:27:29 > 0:27:33# In the early light
0:27:33 > 0:27:34# I find you
0:27:34 > 0:27:38# With a bottle by your side
0:27:38 > 0:27:39# I can see by your eyes
0:27:39 > 0:27:43# You know that I
0:27:43 > 0:27:47# I'm kissing you goodbye
0:27:47 > 0:27:51# I'm kissing you goodbye
0:27:53 > 0:27:55# Well now
0:27:55 > 0:27:56# That is a question
0:27:56 > 0:28:00# But it's not up to you
0:28:00 > 0:28:02# So I think I will
0:28:02 > 0:28:04# Leave you guessing
0:28:04 > 0:28:11# After all you put me through
0:28:11 > 0:28:14# In the early light
0:28:14 > 0:28:16# I found you
0:28:16 > 0:28:19# With a bottle by your side
0:28:19 > 0:28:21# I can see by your eyes
0:28:21 > 0:28:24# You know that I'm
0:28:24 > 0:28:29# I'm kissing you goodbye
0:28:29 > 0:28:33# I'm kissing you goodbye
0:28:33 > 0:28:41# I'm kissing you goodbye
0:28:45 > 0:28:49# In the early light
0:28:49 > 0:28:51# I found you
0:28:51 > 0:28:54# With a bottle by your side
0:28:54 > 0:28:56# I can see by your eyes
0:28:56 > 0:28:59# You know that I'm
0:28:59 > 0:29:02# I'm kissing you goodbye
0:29:02 > 0:29:06# I'm kissing you goodbye. #