I'M BACK!

Been offline for a while, and have now moved to a new flat in Prenton (on the wirral). Finished my Joy Division graphic novel script and about to start on the artwork after taking a few reference photos in Manchester this week. I'm also writing a synopsis for a proposed graphic novel on King Arthur, and I'm eager to get stuck into some new Dr Who illustrations (particularly keen to have a crack at Matt Smith).

I finally saw an episode of the new Battlestar Galactica series this week, and it was pretty damn good. I never liked the old series, and the bland acting of Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict, but the gritty realism of the new show really appeals. I think the episode I saw was called 'You're A Long Way From Home' (I think!).

And I've just finished shooting my short horror film 'True Love'!

The Prisoner - I saw the 9 minute trailer for the new series with Ian McKellen. It looks fantastic. Just enough of the old show mixed with whole new elements. I just cannot believe how many of the old show's 'fans' are blasting the new version without having seen an episode yet.

Above: My illustration of the great Sir Ian McKellen as Number Two.

'The Newspaper Boy' @ The Deaf Institute

(Suranne Jones with writer Chris Hoyle on the set of the new play The Newspaper Boy. Pic by Steve Allen)

Writer/director Chris Hoyle's debut play has enjoyed full houses for it's 3 day run at The Deaf Institute on Grosvenor Street (just off Oxford Road, near MMU). I'd never been to this venue before, and I thought it was absolutely fantastic; a beautifully decorated gothic splendour of a place. The story of a 15 year old tv actor whose career is ruined after he has a love affair with an older man, played like a (much) superior version of a John Godber comedy. William Rush played the title role with astonishing skill. I had thought he must have been a much older actor chosen for his youthful looks, and was amazed when told (by his father, who had been sitting next to me) that he was actually only 14. Crikey!! And what a challenging part to play, with several scenes depicting him in bed with an older man, and dialogue containing some choice sexual themes. Coronation Street star Suranne Jones (most recently seen in the ITV thriller 'Unforgiven') was a delight as the hyperactive mother, and perfectly complimented by a wonderful Joan Kempson as the dotty grandma. Scenes between these two were played with expert comic timing, and had much of the audience in stitches. This was a fine piece of writing that never put a foot wrong. On this evidence, Chris Hoyle has a great future, and William Rush could be a major talent. An absolute triumph of a production.

Great McGoohan pic

Manchester Nights

Now and again, I like a night out. Usually, I find myself walking home just before dawn, and I find it's a great time to take a few snaps. here are a few - some with a 'proper' digital camera, and some with my mobile phone. Can you guess the locations?

R.I.P. PATRICK McGOOHAN

My favourite actor, Patrick McGoohan died last week at the age of 80. A massive star of 1960s UK television with 'Danger Man', then the cult classic (and my fave tv show) 'The Prisoner'. This was a guy who was always his own man. Strongly principled, he turned down the role of 007 several times because he didn't like the use of guns, and the use of women as mere playthings. After huge success as secret agent John Drake in 'Danger Man', he packed the job in, and presented legendary tv producer Lew Grade with his idea for a new show. 'The Prisoner', he explained, was about a secret agent who resigns, is kidnapped and imprisoned in a mysterious village until he explains WHY he resigned. Grade gave him full control to do whatever he wanted, and McGoohan created a ground-breaking, often surreal television series that paved the way for the likes of 'Lost'. The final episode created a huge backlash from viewers who failed to understand that the series was an allegory, and would not end by answering questions, but by posing more, deeply unsettling ones.

McGoohan's words on the theme of 'The Prisoner'-

"The greatest evil that one has to fight constantly, every minute of the day until one dies, is the worser part of oneself. And that is what I did. And I would do the same again."

The series has now been remade by ITV and AMC (a US tv producer) with the American actor Jim Caviezel in the McGoohan role (Number 6), and our very own Sir Ian McKellen as his nemesis (Number 2).

Man Utd - Normal service resumed?

Well, after thrashing lowly West Brom 5 -0, and my hometown team Wigan breaking Liverpool's hearts with an 87 minute penalty to level the match, it looks like it's business as usual.

In the mid 70s, when I was a shy schoolkid, we all had to have a football team to support, and as I was FAR too poor to ever afford to go and see 4th division Wigan (or ever see them much on the tv), I had to choose a top flight team I could watch on Sunday's 'Kick Off' programme with the evergreen Gerald Sinstadt. As Wigan is precisely halfway 'twixt Manchester and Liverpool, it was down to one of these great rivals. Liverpool were riding high, and would continue to dominate the 1980s, while Utd were a mid table team. What made me choose Utd then? The colour of their shirts. But, 'Hang On!!', I hear you cry, "Don't they both wear red?" Well, yes. But, back then, United's were a shade deeper red, AND as I don't like strawberries, but DO like raspberries, then THAT was the deciding factor.

Yes, I KNOW I should get out more!

Anyroad, I DO have sympathy for the scousers. Gerrard is a great player, and I think he, Carragher, Hypia, and the fans deserve the title soon. IF they won it this year, I would GENUINELY be happy for them, as I simply cannot abide the petty, narrow-mindedness of the fan who 'hates' his team's rivals. Utd play attractive, dynamic football, and USUALLY deserve to win. Let's see!

'SEE HOW THEY RUN' Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Went to last night's press night. Saw how they ran. Lots of energy, some good performances from the beguiling Laura Rogers as Penelope Toop (who filled out a lovely pair of trousers ), Kate O'Flynn as the gobby maid Ida, Arthur Bostrum as the gormless Bishop Of Lax, and cuddly little Hugh Sachs as the permanently bewildered Humphrey. AND there was only Sir Ian McKellen sitting a few seats away from me!!!! MAGNETO from X-Men!!! He was even wearing a Magneto style long beige coat and black panama hat.

'APPARITIONS' BBC1

Fab series. Scary and thrilling, with a smart script and premise (thanks to the talented Joe Aherne of 'Dr Who', 'Ultraviolet', and 'This Life' fame). I am SHOCKED that the ratings have been awful though!!! falling from a respectable 4 million plus, down to around 2!! Probably due to it being scheduled against ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity...'. It is SO depressing that quality drama has to suffer against utter dross like that. Have we sunk so low, that we prefer to watch Z list 'celebs' eating maggots and cockroaches (in order to give a flagging career a temporary boost, and sell their souls to the bottom-of-the-moral-barrell mags like 'OK!' and 'Hello!') than thought-provoking and entertaining drama???!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and I'm in it next week, playing an Italian V.I.P. witnessing an assassination attempt on The Pope. No maggots on show though!

Bye Bye, Spooks!

Wow! Another fab season of Spooks comes to an end, and we're left with another cliffhanger. This really is the best action/espionage series (UK) for many a year.

Following

I THINK I've added the 'Following Widget' in the right-hand sidebar. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE click on it, and add me.
I'll try and be entertaining & informative in my posts. Honest!

SOMBRE SWEDES

Been watching 'Wallander', the new BBC detective series starring Kenneth Branagh. Excellent, moody stuff. I just watched an episode of the original Swedish language version on BBC4 - very similar cinematography, style, direction. I first saw Branagh on stage at The Palace Theatre, Manchester around 1988, in 'Hamlet'. Superb. Then I saw him play The Dane again in the early 90s at Stratford, and he was even better. Unfortunately, on film, he's often too O.T.T., but in the hands of a decent director, and when he reigns in the emotions, he's fantastic. Kurt Wallander, a scruffy, overweight, unshaven, depressed, cynical, morose 'everyman', seems the perfect vehicle for his talents. Even A.A. Gill at The Sunday Times agrees.

Watch it!!!!

Oh, and the actor who plays the pathologist (Richard McCabe) actually sat on my knee when he played Touchstone in a production of 'As You Like It' in Wigan (around 1987). I was sitting in an aisle seat, and was bloody mortified!!

'BORDERLINERS' is Pick Of The Month on top indie comics website!!

My comic book, 'BORDERLINERS: Ceremony Of Innocence' has been chosen as Pick Of The Month on the Smallzone website at www.smallzone.co.uk