Fictionmaker

EVERYMAN - NEW PERFORMANCES

2012-01-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

A little bit of self publicity here. My play about Patrick McGoohan is on at the wonderful Lass O'Gowrie in Manchester next Wed 25th and Thurs 26th Jan. I shall be performing a slightly re-written one man version running approx 50 minutes. Be seeing you!

EVERYMAN:

The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner

(Press Release 06.12.11)

The Lass O’Gowrie, Charles Street, Manchester.

8.30pm Wed/Thurs 25^th/26^th January 2012

http://www.lassfest.co.uk/

‘EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoner’ written by BRIAN GORMAN, details the life of the theatre, television, and film star (who sadly died in 2009).

The play begins a mini tour of the UK, beginning with two performances at the ‘MidWinter LassFest’ at The Lass O’Gowrie pub, Charles Street, Manchester on Wed and Thurs 25^th & 26^th January. The play will be seen later in the year, across the UK, as part of a double bill with ‘A Passion For Evil’ by writer/actor John Burns (detailing the life of the infamous Aleister Crowley).

Manchester-based writer Brian Gorman, has played McGoohan and his character 'Number Six' on stage in Manchester, Chester, and Portmeirion (as a guest of Six Of One, The Prisoner appreciation society). A reading of the play by Gorman garnered a glowing review from Brian Watson for The Unmutual website (a major 'Prisoner' fan group):

"Brian achieved what no Number Two managed, that was to deconstruct the personality of the man and propose a very credible "what it's all about" of McGoohan's life and work.

The script of EVERYMAN is a joy: at turns witty, informative, dramatic, and wonderfully paced throughout. The author knows his subject thoroughly, tells the tale well and, while he refers to influences that surface later in The Prisoner, he never descends to quote-dropping for gratuitous effect”

Gorman believes that a theatrical tribute to the star of such cult tv favourites as ‘DANGER MAN’ and ‘THE PRISONER’ is long overdue:

"McGoohan was a brilliant actor. In common with the great Orson Welles, who he cited as a major influence, he was also a fiercely uncompromising individual who took real artistic chances, and divided the critics."

PATRICK McGOOHAN was born in New York, but spent less than a year there before his family relocated to their native Ireland. Several years later, they moved to England, where McGoohan caught the acting bug in Sheffield, and worked his way up to leading roles at the local professional repertory theatre. He was the first choice to play James Bond in 1962, but turned down the role of a lifetime due to his distaste for the depiction of gratuitous violence and casual sex. While Bond was smashing cinema box office records, McGoohan became an international television star as secret agent John Drake in ‘Danger Man’; who rarely used a gun and politely declined the numerous advances of beautiful women. After several hugely successful years, McGoohan tired of playing Drake, and persuaded legendary producer Lew Grade to back his new project, ‘The Prisoner’, and allow him full creative control. The series made McGoohan the highest paid actor on British tv when he played an un-named secret agent who attempts to resign his job, only to be kidnapped and imprisoned in a mysterious village from which there seems no escape. Everybody in The Village is assigned a number, and McGoohan is referred to as Number Six, but refuses to conform; spending each of the series’ seventeen episodes attempting to outwit his captors. The show became a massive cult hit with its flamboyant action, imaginative stories, and surreal style, and was recently remade for ITV with Sir Ian McKellen starring as the enigmatic and menacing ‘Number Two’. McGoohan also starred in a variety of successful films including ‘Silver Streak’, ‘Ice Station Zebra’, and Mel Gibson’s oscar-winning ‘Braveheart’. He won two Emmy awards for acting in the ‘Columbo’ tv series, and was even immortalised in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.

BRIAN GORMAN is from Wigan, and is a writer, artist, and actor. He has designed posters and brochure illustrations for The Chester Gateway Theatre, and had work published in The Liverpool Daily Post, The Big Issue, and Green World (the magazine of The Green Party). His artwork has also been seen on television (ITV1’s ‘Martina Cole’s Lady Killers’), and he is currently working on a professional commission to produce a series of graphic novels on Manchester bands. As an actor he has played leading roles in corporate and educational dramas, music videos, and recently portrayed the notorious mass murderer Thomas Hamilton in television reconstruction of the 1996 Dunblane massacre. He has also played the main villain, Viktor Toxikoff, in award-winning director Chris Stone’s James Bond inspired music video ‘The Rebel’, for the band The Amateurs. Gorman also has an arts review blog at http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/
Gorman first studied acting at Wigan College of Technology in the 1980s, and was fascinated to later discover that Sir Ian McKellen had grown up just yards from the college theatre:

"I wrote to Sir Ian several years ago when he agreed to allow me to use his likeness in my comic book, ‘Borderliners’ (as did another hero of mine, The Saint himself - Sir Roger Moore). He sent me a wonderful three page hand-written letter telling me about how he’d enjoyed his childhood in Wigan, and had even played on the same stage as I had. It’s a fascinating coincidence that he has recently starred in the remake of ‘The Prisoner’, and now here I am playing Patrick McGoohan! "

Onboard as the production’s official adviser is ROBERT FAIRCLOUGH. Robert is a freelance writer, designer and producer. His work on ‘The Prisoner’ includes the book ‘The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series’, editing two volumes of ‘The Original Scripts’ for the classic series and graphic design work on the recent AMC remake. He is a broadcaster who has featured on BBC radio and ITV, written for the British Film Institute and 'SFX' magazine and produced documentaries for 2 Entertain's range of ‘Doctor Who’ DVDs.

There is a word of warning from Brian Gorman for anyone expecting a straight-forward story of McGoohan’s life:

"In keeping with McGoohan’s surreal work on ‘The Prisoner’, we will be playing around with time, as well as the character itself. ‘Patrick McGoohan’ will be a mix of the real man, and ‘Number Six’, and the whole piece will be presented in the style of an episode of ‘The Prisoner’."

Another Prisoner fan, STEPHEN FRY, has sent Brian his personal best wishes for the production.

Brian Gorman can be contacted at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk Tel. 07510 591444

MIDNIGHT

2012-01-03T04:01:00.000-08:00

By Russell T Davies
The Lass O'Gowrie, Charles St., Manchester

Until Sunday 8th January 2012

‘Midnight’ was one of the darkest episodes of ‘Doctor Who’, and a personal triumph for Russell T Davies. The Manchester-based writer and creator of the controversial ‘Queer As Folk’ and ‘The Second Coming’ had revived the BBC’s classic sci-fi series rather spectacularly, and with David Tennant taking on the title role had managed to propel the show to new heights of popularity and critical acclaim. ‘Midnight’ was unusual for a Tennant episode, as we saw his normally unflappable and almost superhuman Doctor brought quite literally to his knees at the hands of a terrifying invisible enemy. Previous Davies stories had been hugely entertaining and thought-provoking, but had sometimes been criticised for being too upbeat, sentimental and overly optimistic about ‘the human condition’. ‘Midnight’ proved that RTD could take us into much darker and unsettling territory with a tale that reminded me of Nigel Kneale’s ‘Quatermass’ at its very best.

The story sees our hero join a small group of tourists on a giant space truck crossing a lifeless planet made of diamond. In no time at all, they find themselves in dire straits as the engines fail, the pilots are killed, and one of the passengers becomes possessed. To produce this story on the stage, rather than television, is a hell of a task, requiring a tight-knit group of top notch actors, and a director with a grip of steel. This production triumphs on every level, and is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever seen in a theatre. Honestly, I am not exaggerating here. The tension was almost unbearable at times, and the whole experience was deeply unnerving. In fact, I had nightmares afterwards.

There is no mention of ‘The Doctor’ in this production, as the character remains the property of the BBC, and this is a not-for-profit presentation. Russell T Davies granted his permission for the project to go ahead, and so our title character is here named ‘Dr John Smith’. This works brilliantly, and proves that the story works perfectly well beyond the confines of a hugely familiar television series.

Staged in a small room with space for around 30 audience members, the atmosphere was truly claustrophobic, with the actors just inches away from us. A white floor, black walls and a silver entrance door created our space truck, and gave us nowhere to hide. At just 50 minutes (the length of the original tv episode), there was no padding of the story; simply a tight, tense, nerve-jangling experience.

Mike Woodhead had the unenviable task of playing John Smith, and proved to be an inspired bit of casting. This was no simple imitation of David Tennant, but a beautifully realised interpretation of an iconic character who we all think we know. Apart from brandishing the sonic screwdriver a couple of times, Woodhead never once fell into the trap of replicating the familiar tics and body language of Tennant’s Time Lord. Zoe Matthews as Sky Sylvestry was outstanding as the heartbroken woman possessed by the alien invader, and gave an utterly remarkable performance. I happened to be sitting right by her through the most terrifying scenes, and I can tell you I was astonished. This is a part that any actress would be hard pressed to pull off; requiring the performer to regularly repeat the other characters’ dialogue and speech patterns, then proceed to speak their lines a fraction of a second before they do. In simple terms this means the actress playing Sky must learn nearly every line in the play, and time her interactions with the other actors to the split second. As I said, astonishing.

Phil Dennison and Paida Noel made a terrific double act as the condescending Professor Hobbes and his mousey assistant Dee-Dee, while Natalie Husdan, Matt Aistrup, and Michael Loftus as the bickering and dysfunctional Cane family provided sterling support. The family’s strained relationships were evident from the start, and the fact that the characters only bonded when deciding to commit an act of stomach-churning violence was pretty damn chilling.

Jane Leadbetter as The Hostess provided the few comic moments, with a character whose brittle and artificial surface soon cracked when faced with any interruption to her work routine. Her finest moment will surprise anyone unfamiliar with the story from the television episode, but is still a fabulous emotional jolt for the audience.

Director Brainne Edge has done a fantastic job of marshalling her actors in a confined performance space, and should be congratulated on a wonderful adaptation of one of Dr Who’s best ever episodes. Produced by The Lass O’Gowrie’s Gareth Kavanagh and Lisa Connor, ‘Midnight’ is simply a breath-taking, audacious piece of theatre.

THE BALLAD OF HALO JONES

2012-01-03T03:55:00.000-08:00

The Lass O'Gowrie, Charles St., Manchester
Until Saturday 7th January

Theatre Review

I had no idea what to expect from this production. After all, Alan Moore and Ian Gibson’s comic book space opera has a multitude of incredible characters, and an epic sweep. Well, The Lass O’Gowrie in association with Scytheplays has pulled it off. Comics genius Alan Moore, he of ‘Watchmen’ and ‘V For Vendetta’ fame, created ‘The Ballad Of Halo Jones’ for the 2000AD weekly comic in the 1980s and it became an instant cult success. Moore and artist Ian Gibson wanted to create a fully-rounded female character, as they were getting fed up of the dispiritingly one-dimensional presentations of women in comic books. Halo Jones would break the mould.

Set in the 50^th century, mass unemployment has resulted in the creation of The Hoop, a massive ghetto for no-hopers. These abandoned people are fed a daily diet of soap operas and celebrity gossip, and encouraged to simply accept their lot in life. Halo Jones is an ordinary young woman growing increasingly irritated by her friends’ inability to see anything beyond The Hoop, and through a series of bizarre events manages to see a way out.

There is little in the way of set in this production, and so we have only the actors to bring to life what at first seems unstageable. I admit I was a little lost for the first 10 minutes, as I have not read the original series of stories, and was completely unfamiliar with the confusing slang many of the characters speak in. But, I was soon mesmerised by the performances, and my ears adjusted accordingly.

Louise Hamer was simply perfect as Halo, and gave a genuinely affecting performance as the disadvantaged ‘everywoman’, battling against prejudice and hopelessness. A sweet mixture of innocence and steely determination, that had the audience taking her to their collective hearts. Superbly supported by the hyper active Claire Dean as the hard as nails Rodice, the two had great chemistry, and the characters’ deep friendship shone through. Paida Noel broke our hearts as the tragic Ludy, providing the catalyst for Halo’s escape. Benjamin Patterson was hilarious and terrifying as the robot dog, Toby; in this adaptation looking like a Cylon warrior in a hoodie (part man, part animal, part machine), and with a gruff Northern Irish accent adding an aura of contained menace. The scene where he rips a character to pieces was performed to perfection. Zoe Iqbal shone as the flamboyant tv presenter ‘Swifty Frisco’, providing regular updates on the relentless celebrity gossip, soap opera previews, and fashion tips; every brief appearance had the audience in stitches. An outstanding contribution came from Danny Wallace as ‘The Glyph’, a truly unsettling yet hilarious character revealed to be an actual non-entity due to an endless series of sex change operations that left him/her without a personality. There were so many weird and offbeat characters on display, that if one failed to amuse and entertain, there was another one along at any given moment. The wonderfully-named Marlon Solomon made me chuckle as the slimeball President, and again as the ineffectual Mix Ninegold. Gerard Thompson excelled as a fabulously leery Scotsman desperately trying to chat up Laura Cope’s icy sex kitten Toy Molto, and again eliciting belly laughs as a fashion conscious tosser. Michelle Ashton gave us a hard-faced and ridiculously amusing customs officer, and Alastair Gillies was brilliantly funny as an unintelligible workman, and slow-witted security guard. Terry Naylor’s Proximen and bartender stole every scene he was in with the minimum of dialogue. Phil Dennison’s weasel-like terrorist was a great character, and Will Hutchby had a lovely little scene waltzing with Halo as the enigmatic Lux.

Faced with performing in a very awkward space (the main bar area), the actors were remarkable in bringing to life a hugely ambitious story, and I was amazed at the atmosphere they created. I loved every minute, and felt as though I’d been in the company of some rather special friends.

Top marks to directors Daniel Thackeray and Ross Kelly (who also adapted the original comic strips), and producer Gareth Kavanagh. The Lass O’Gowrie is getting quite a reputation for adapting cult tv drama and comedy, and this fantastic production of a much-loved comic strip is yet another triumph.

STRAWBERRY JACK

2011-12-15T22:23:00.000-08:00

The latest play by Joe O'Byrne

Seen at The Robert Powell Theatre, University Of Salford Campus saturday 10th December 2011

How does he keep doing it?

I ask myself this question every time I have the great pleasure to witness the birth of yet another classic piece of theatre from the mighty Joe O’Byrne. The Bolton-based writer/director/actor unleashed his latest creation, ‘Strawberry Jack’ this week, and delivered yet another 5 star effort.

We should be used to this by now. Consistency is this man’s middle name, and work of this quality will surely find a bigger audience soon. ‘Strawberry Jack’ is the latest instalment in O’Byrne’s series of plays located on the fictional northern England estate of Paradise Heights. You don’t have to have seen the previous works; ‘Rank’, ‘The Bench’, or ‘ I’m Frank Morgan’, but if you’re one of the lucky ones who have, then ‘Strawberry Jack’ will reward you on so many levels.

This is the story of disfigured doorman Jack Grundy (who sports a half face of angry red; the result of a horrific childhood accident that has scarred him inside and out). Jack, as played by the always superb Ian Curley, is a character that any actor worth his salt would kill to play. A brooding, guilt-wracked, cornered beast of a man who elicits our sympathy and fear in equal measures. Multi-faceted and Shakespearean in tone. Jack has a secret, which can only lead to tragedy, and O’Byrne’s build-up to Jack’s awful fate takes us through every emotion going. Gorgeously atmospheric music from Ruth Parfitt and the enigmatically-named ‘Tangled Man’ adds enormously to the play’s impact. There’s even a theme song, the haunting ‘Gemini Man’, co-written by O’Byrne and performed in a spine-tingling erotic fashion by the wonderful Stella Grundy.

Jack and fellow doorman ‘Deaf Freddie’ (the remarkable David Edward-Robertson) work at The Ace Of Spades, a notorious nightclub owned by legendary gangster Frank Morgan (unseen here, but check out his previous appearances in ‘I’m Frank Morgan’ and O’Byrne’s superb short film ‘The Watcher’). Curley and Robertson make a delicious double act, swapping razor sharp bitchy remarks that serve to mask a deep underlying respect that will be sorely tested. Junior doorman Dave (a dynamic Matthew Ganley)and his scummy little girlfriend (a delightful Jo Kirkham) represent the drug-fuelled, cold-hearted new generation willing to sacrifice anybody for a few quid. Alice Brockway as Mandy opens proceedings with a gut-wrenching monologue concerning her ordeal at the hands of a local psycho, and impresses throughout as the only woman to get under Jack’s skin. A touching and humorous scene inside a derelict church sees Jack encounter an angel (Jo Kirkham again), which contrasts nicely with a later scene involving a demonic crime boss (O’Byrne) who gets his just desserts. O’Byrne also plays Jack’s ailing Uncle Mel, who provides a good few lighter moments in the play, before writer O’Byrne pulls the rug out from under us.

‘Strawberry Jack’ has more twists and turns than Tarantino, a good deal more originality than any Guy Ritchie geezer-fest, and comes straight from the heart. O’Byrne’s aim is true, and if you’re fortunate to be in the line of fire, then whatever you do, don’t duck; stand rock steady and take everything he offers. Give him and his incredible cast and crew your undivided attention.

Next up from Paradise Heights is ‘Torch’. Kill for a ticket.

Review originally written for http://www.thepublicreviews.com/

James Bond is back in 'SKYFALL'

2011-11-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

EON Productions have just released the following information on the new Bond film. I'm excited!!

Official SKYFALL Announcement

3rd November 2011

Press Release
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23rd James Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007. The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th 2012 and in North America on November 9th 2012.

Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

In SKYFALL, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

"We're so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct SKYFALL and be working once again with Daniel Craig. We've a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure," said Wilson and Broccoli.

The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar® nominee who previously shot the films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road for Mendes. The Production Designer is Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner, who previously designed Quantum of Solace and collaborated with Mendes on the films Road to Perdition and Jarhead. The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include Casino Royale. Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, In Bruges, and Children of Men, is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2nd Unit Director. Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.

BriefingThe 23rd James Bond film, "Bond 23", will commence principal photography in November 2011 for a UK release on October 26th, 2012 and the USA on November 9, 2012. MGM will produce, finance and distribute 007's 23rd adventure in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Daniel Craig will be returning as the legendary British secret agent, alongside Judi Dench as "M", with Sam Mendes directing a screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. Five-time 007 composer David Arnold will score James Bond's 23rd official on-screen adventure.

It it will be the longest gap between Bond movies without a change in the lead role. In addition, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the EON Productions series of James Bond films.

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE: The Legend Of Liverpool FC

2011-10-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

Review

The Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool

If you're a Liverpool FC fan, then I cannot recommend this production highly enough. If you're a fan of entertaining, full-bloodied, passionate, engaging theatre in general; I STILL cannot recommend this production highly enough. I'm not a Liverpool FC supporter. In fact, it's probably best that I remain silent about where my football loyalties lie. But it matters not a jot; I was utterly blown away by Nicky Allt's musical comedy-drama (call it what you will). This is a show about passion, belief, family, and unswerving loyalty.

The Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool is the perfect venue for this kind of rollicking good old-fashioned entertainment, with it's cabaret style seating (and pie and mash for under a fiver!), and classic 30s Art Deco design. Add to all this the fact that several old LFC faces were in the audience (I sat right behind Phil Thompson, who graciously responded to my friend patting him on the back and asking for an autograph!). There was also Phil Neal, chuckling away, Roy Evans, David Fairclough, Allan Kennedy, and even a couple of young aspiring stars from the reserves. Who could fail to be moved in this company? The whole evening had an atmosphere of religious devotion, and I half expected King Kenny Dalglish to make an entrance in a red Pope Mobile.

The cast were uniformly excellent, with local legend Pauline Daniels holding it all together with wit, charm, and a few barbed one-liners (ad libs?). The story concerns a typical working class Liverpudlian family, who in the course of scattering Granddad Tommy's ashes at Anfield, take us on an emotional roller coaster ride through all 119 years of LFC history. And here is where the hard-working cast really earn their money, playing a bewildering variety of parts as we progress through a century of English history. Heartstrings are tugged at when we encounter teen-age Liverpudlians in the trenchs of WW1, and their descendents keeping the red flag flying through WW2 and beyond. I won’t go into detail about the historical events covered, but believe me you’ll feel like you’re reliving every moment of the Reds history alongside legends such as Keegan, Case, Fowler, Dalglish, Gerrard, and many more. Even poor old Michael Owen gets an honourable mention (even though the cast fall silent at the sight of his image, and we are treated to an elongated pause as the sound of blowing tumbleweed fills the auditorium). The stage set by Mark Walters comprises of a huge screen showing non-stop documentary footage of LFC matches, with a football terrace below, the bar of ‘The Twelth Man’ pub on one side (yes, I believe there‘s no ‘f‘ in Twelth; at least on this occasion!), and a live band on the other. Half the production’s job is done by the screening of match footage and images of players and managers past and present (Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, in particular, are revered as Gods), which cannot fail to rouse the passion of the hometown audience, but it is to the company’s immense credit that they do not rely on historical images alone. Mark Moraghan and Anthony Watson are a fine double act, whether playing drunken supporters or teenage, ‘car-minding’ scallies. Jamie Hampson as Tia belts out the title song with gusto, and more than holds her own against the more experienced cast members. Special mention must go to Lenny Wood as young Kenny. With a face as pliable as Jim Carrey, and some superb slapstick skills, this young actor is a real star. Of course, there are tears along the way, and the tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough loom large as we head towards the 1980s. There is a particularly moving scene regarding the deaths of 96 supporters in the 1989 F.A. Cup semi final, and Mark Moraghan delivers a superb tribute to those who lost their lives. The actor seemed genuinely overcome during this scene, and it is a testament to his skill that he was able to play his character whilst dealing with such an emotive and , I suspect, personally heartfelt topic.

Director Bob Eaton throws everything but the kitchen sink into this fabulous production, and I am certainly looking forward to his Xmas show, ‘Little Scouse On The Prairie’.

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ runs until Saturday 29^th October.

This review originally appeared at www.thepublicreviews.com
You can see it here: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/youll-never-walk-alone-royal-court-theatre-liverpool/

NORTHERN BROADSIDES meet CHEKHOV at THE LOWRY, SALFORD: Win 2 tickets!!

2011-09-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

WE ARE THREE SISTERS premieres at The Lowry Theatre, Salford on Tuesday 20th September. For more information check out: http://www.thelowry.com/event/we-are-three-sisters

I bloody love Northern Broadsides, and they're back with a play about those broody, brilliant Brontes. And two of you lucky people can go and see 'em for nowt. That's absolutely NOWT!! Read some publicity from The Lowry Theatre below:

We Are Three Sisters

Haworth 1840s; in a gloomy parsonage where there are neither curtains nor comforts, Charlotte, Anne and Emily Bronte light up their world with outspoken wit, aspirations, dreams and ideas. And throughout their confined lives intensely lived…. they write.

A pair of tickets is available for opening night – Tuesday 20^th September

All you have to do, folks, is answer this question:

What is the name of the Bronte sisters' brother?

Email me at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk with your answer, your full name, and telephone number. The winner shall be announced here (unless they wish to remain anonymous, of course) on Tuesday 13th September. Good luck!

DOCTOR WHO returns

2011-08-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Steven Moffat on the new series on BBC1 from Saturday 27th August...

The wait is almost over. The second part of the thrilling new series of Doctor Who begins on 27 August 2011.

The rules have changed, and the game is deadlier than ever. Out in the universe, where the earthly rules of time and space do not apply, Amy and Rory know only too well that their baby daughter needs them. For Melody Pond is destined to become River Song, mysterious archaeologist and convicted murderer – the woman who killed the best man she ever knew...

The Doctor leads Amy and Rory across centuries and galaxies in a desperate search for baby Melody, but a terrible and inescapable date looms large. At 5.02pm on 22nd April 2011, the Doctor will die. These are his last days, and the quest for Melody his final mission.

The search will result in a crash landing in Thirties Berlin and will bring them face to face with the greatest war criminal of all time. And Hitler. Old friendships will be tested to their limits as the Doctor suffers the ultimate betrayal and learns a harsh lesson in the cruellest warfare of all.

A distress call from a terrified little boy will break through all barriers of time and space and lead the Doctor to visit the scariest place in the Universe. George's bedroom. George is terrorised by every fear you can possibly imagine. Fears that live in his bedroom cupboard. His parents are desperate – George needs a doctor. But allaying George's fears won't be easy. Because the monsters in George's cupboard are real.

An unscheduled visit to a quarantine facility for victims of an alien plague – a plague that will kill the Doctor in a day – leaves Amy trapped. Alone, Rory must find Amy and bring her back to the TARDIS before the faceless doctors kill her with kindness. But Rory is about to encounter a very different side to his wife.

In an impossible hotel, the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves checked-in but unable to check out. Walls move, corridors twist, rooms vanish and death lies in wait for every visitor. But the Doctor's time has yet to come. He has one last stop to make on his final journey. His old friend, Craig Owens, desperately needs his help – a new and unfamiliar presence is wreaking havoc in Colchester. And then come the Cybermen. But time catches up with us all and the Doctor can delay no more.

By the shores of Lake Silencio, in Utah, all of time and space hang in the balance. And a NASA astronaut is waiting..."

And MATT SMITH's views:

With viewers still reeling from the shocking news that River Song is actually Amy and Rory's baby, Bafta-nominated actor, Matt Smith, provides a sneak-peek at what is coming up in the new episodes of Doctor Who.

"I thought it was brilliant because it's such a great science fiction pay-off," explains Matt as he reveals how he felt when he learnt the truth about River Song. "Steven Moffat set it up so well and it now leaves the story open to go in so many different directions. She's Amy and Rory's daughter which is mad, but yet brilliant, and it's going to be really interesting to see how the dynamic between all of the characters shifts."

Despite Melody Pond being kidnapped at the end of A Good Man Goes To War, Matt says viewers can rest assured that Alex Kingston, who plays River Song, will be back and there are more shocks in store. "We get to learn a lot more about River in Let's Kill Hitler" he explains, "and she's on her best flirty form; the River I love! It's certainly Alex's episode and we had great fun filming the scenes, so hopefully we have some good on-screen chemistry."

New monsters are also set to make an appearance, sending children and adults alike scuttling behind the sofa in true Doctor Who style. "I think it's fantastic the way the show can tap into people's primal fears as children" says Matt, specifically referring to Mark Gatiss's episode Night Terrors. "Mark has come up with a really clever idea by featuring a dolls house with terrifying and creepy dolls – it's a brilliant adventure-packed episode and Danny Mays, who guest stars, is superb in it."

The Tin Tin actor isn't the only high-calibre guest artist to secure a role in Doctor Who. Upcoming episodes also feature funny men David Walliams and James Corden. "James reprises his role as Craig, who appeared in The Lodger last year," explains Matt. "He's back in an episode which also features the Doctor's arch enemies, the Cybermen. We had such fun on set; it was hard to keep a straight face when we were filming.

"David Walliams was also hilarious" continues Matt. "He plays a character called Gibbis and he had to wear a lot of prosthetics for the part. Once he was all made up he looked a lot like a giant Mole, so it was hard to take him seriously!"

However, Matt's tone does become more serious when talking about the fate awaiting the Doctor...

"The Doctor died at the start of the series" explains Matt. "He was shot in the future by someone in a space suit and, despite the adventures he goes on in these next few episodes, inevitably he's moving closer towards his own death. Amy, Rory and River are aware of his fate but they have no way of stopping it. I can't tell you what happens but Steven has set up an explosive finale."

But can he reveal if his Stetson makes an appearance? "Yes, I can tell you the Stetson is back; I do love a good hat!" chuckles Matt. "The Doctor also has a new coat; a long green moleskin one. We always wanted the Doctor's outfit to evolve and the coat certainly kept me warm when filming during the winter.

"I still haven't lost my clumsy streak though," sighs Matt. "We were filming the final scenes last month in a cornfield and, needless to say, I was the one who tripped over and twisted my ankle!" If only there had been a doctor around...

CAPTAIN AMERICA: The First Avenger

2011-08-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

FILM REVIEW

As a child in the early 1970s I read a lot of Marvel Comics' output, and I quite liked Captain America. Despite appearances, the character wasn't so much a flag-waving super patriot, but a decent old-fashioned guy (active during WW2, he is frozen in ice, and awakens in the modern day), who is made fun of by more hip and 'with it' types. Thankfully, director Joe Johnston and Marvel Studios have successfully transferred the good captain to the big screen, and given us a glorious retelling of his origin story, neatly setting up next summer's blockbuster, 'The Avengers', where Captain America will team up with Iron Man, Thor, and The Hulk.
Chris Evans gives a great performance as Steve Rogers, transformed from a 90lb weakling into a strapping 'super soldier' by kindly scientist Dr Abraham Erskine (a charming performance by Stanley Tucci) with the help of engineering whizz kid Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper). In his early scenes, Evans' head is grafted (by special effects) onto the body of a much smaller actor, and (to quote the late Eric Morecambe) you can't see the join. We warm to the sickly young man as he suffers one humiliation after another; whether it be at the hands of local bullies, rejection by the girls, or failure to be accepted in to the military. All he wants to do is fight for his country, and with his indomitable spirit he is the perfect candidate for Dr Erskine's experiment.
Tommy Lee Jones is his usual reliable self as the gruff but humane Colonel Chester Phillips, while upcoming British actress Hayley Atwell shines as Steve's love interest Peggy Carter. The romantic scenes are nicely underplayed by Evans and Atwell, with Peggy's growing admiration for Steve's courage blossoming into deep affection.
The main plot sees crazed Nazi scientist The Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) attempting to take over the whole planet with the help of an ancient religious artefact. Only one man can stop him, but the politicians have decided that our hero must be paraded around as part of a propaganda exercise rather than risk their expensive investment on the battlefield. Once again Steve Rogers faces endless humiliation as he is dressed in a series of ill-fitting costumes and forced to take part in corny Busby Berkley inspired stage shows and shoddy adventure movies. The film-makers cleverly address the sheer outlandishness of a red, white and blue costumed character called 'Captain America' existing in a realistic wartime environment. The character IS ridiculous, but it is Steve's integrity and moral strength that eventually elicits sympathy and admiration from his fellow soldiers and, more importantly, we the audience. With Peggy's support, Steve decides he must play the super hero for real, and engage the enemy in the field.
Director Johnston handles the action sequences effectively, and there is a lot of fun to be had watching Captain America taking on hordes of Nazis and despatching them with ease. But it is the quieter scenes that work best, and a top notch cast really breathe life into characters that began as truly two dimensional creations. Alan Silvestri's music is suitably heroic and bombastic, and there's a great cheesey song over the end credits you'll be humming in your head for hours after you leave the cinema.

Certificate 12A
Directed by Joe Johnston

THE WATCHER

2011-07-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

FILM REVIEW
Originally published by The Public Reviews at http://www.thepublicreviews.com/film-the-watcher-a-tale-from-paradise-heights/

Written & Directed by Joe O'Byrne

Produced by Chris Lane

Ken Loach style kitchen sink realism meets Martin Scorcese’s more elevated archetypal storytelling, in this latest tale from the fictional Paradise Heights estate. Writer and actor O’Byrne (who also plays the pivotal role of enigmatic loan shark, Frank Morgan) has created a chillingly believable world not a million miles away from the mean streets of Salford and his home town of Bolton. But forget any comparisons with the cosy old world view of Coronation Street, or even the plastic scallies of Shameless; here is a place where the dead impinge on the living, and surviving is something to be mightily proud of.

Joe O’Byrne has written several previous stage plays and films utilising characters from Paradise Heights, and now we have the latest installment, 'The Watcher'. On a shoestring budget, this is a supreme example of what can be acheived when one has a cracking script, a dedicated team of first rate actors, a dynamic director, and a will of iron.

It is Halloween, and Polish taxi driver Marek (Ian Curley) trawls the desolate streets of the Paradise Heights housing estate looking for fares. With the Police having issued warnings about marauding gangs of mask-wearing youths, local residents cower behind their front doors. Freak atmospheric conditions are affecting radio communications, further enhancing Marek's feelings of isolation and dread. With a stunningly hypnotic and unsettling music score by Barry Thompson, we are firmly in John Carpenter territory here, with more than a nod to the classic 'Halloween', and the flawed 'Escape From New York'. Colin Warhurst's photography gives a slick sheen to everything, and there's some beautifully lit scenes, with night-time aerial shots of the estate adding a dream-like quality to the story. Everyone is on edge, and everyone is watching. Marek looking out for business, and a small girl and her mother peering out at the dead streets and dreading the return of 'the man'. That man is Frank Morgan, the type of man you wish you'd never heard of. O'Byrne is a master at structure and pace, and keeps the viewer in suspense right up until the very end. Character information is drip fed, and the palpable sense of tension is expertly cranked up to disturbing levels. When, halfway through the film, O'Byrne himself appears from the shadows as the grim-faced Morgan, we are left in no doubt that here is a man with a past, and a very uncertain future. Indeed, he could well be a dead man walking; as could many of the characters in this film. Firmly anchored in everyday realism, 'The Watcher' has supernatural overtones, and a brilliant atmosphere oozes from the screen, threatening to shred one's nerves to pieces.

Colin Warhurst and Joe O'Byrne

The cast are uniformly excellent. Ian Curley is a class act, and gives an unselfish and understated performance as the hapless Marek. As with all O'Byrne's characters, we get the feeling that this man has a wealth of stories to tell, and this is merely one of them. There is a fabulous turn from David Edward-Robertson as Danny, an embittered ex fireman nursing an intense hatred of Frank Morgan, and O'Byrne himself plays Morgan with lashings of steely-eyed charm that the likes of Jason Statham would kill to have an ounce of.

'The Watcher' is a perfectly formed gem of a film, and deserves a much wider audience. This is where the real heart of British film-making beats loud and strong. Forget the mainstream trash clogging up screen after screen at the local multiplex, and do yourself a big favour. Who watches 'The Watcher'? Everybody should!

Available to view online in the next month.

For more information on 'The Watcher' and Joe O'Byrne's Paradise Heights, take a look at the blog here: http://lowtalesfromtheheights.blogspot.com/

THE WATCHER

2011-07-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Joe O'Byrne

O'Byrne on set

For some very very very irritating reason, I seem unable to copy and paste articles on this blog at the moment. Therefore, I shall refer you to The Public Reviews website, where my review of Joe O'Byrne's cracking new film appears: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/film-the-watcher-a-tale-from-paradise-heights/

THE WATCHER

2011-07-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

Many apologies. There seems to be a problem uploading the review. Watch this space, folks!

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.....

2011-07-21T17:12:00.000-07:00

... but I'm back.

Review of Joe O'Byrne's fabulous new film up very soon!!

'The Prisoner' play premieres in Manchester

2010-11-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

At last, my play about Patrick McGoohan gets its premiere this week. We had planned to open it in London recently, but those pesky 'circumstances beyond our control' have forced us to postpone the performances until the new year. Meaning, we shall now be opening this Friday 12th November at 8pm in The Salmon Theatre at The Lass O'Gowrie. Press release below.

'Be seeing you'!!

NEW PLAY ABOUT 'THE PRISONER' STAR PATRICK McGOOHAN PREMIERES IN MANCHESTER

(Press Release 08.11.10)

‘EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoner’ is a new play from TRANSMISSION UNLIMITED, detailing the life of the theatre, television, and film star (who sadly died last year), and is to be staged in Manchester this week at The Salmon Theatre, upstairs at The Lass O'Gowrie pub on Charles Street. Writer BRIAN GORMAN, who also plays McGoohan and his character 'Number Six', performed a special rehearsed reading of 'Everyman' earlier this year at The Lass O'Gowrie, and played to a full house. The reading garnered a glowing review from Brian Watson for The Unmutual website (a major 'Prisoner' fan group):

"Brian achieved what no Number Two managed, that was to deconstruct the personality of the man and propose a very credible "what it's all about" of McGoohan's life and work.

Gorman believes that a theatrical tribute to the star of such cult tv favourites as ‘DANGER MAN’ and ‘THE PRISONER’ is long overdue:

PATRICK McGOOHAN was born in New York, but spent less than a year there before his family relocated to their native Ireland. Several years later, they moved to England, where McGoohan caught the acting bug in Sheffield, and worked his way up to leading roles at the local professional repertory theatre. He was the first choice to play James Bond in 1962, but turned down the role of a lifetime due to his distaste for the depiction of gratuitous violence and casual sex. While Bond was smashing cinema box office records, McGoohan became an international television star as secret agent John Drake in ‘Danger Man’; who rarely used a gun and politely declined the numerous advances of beautiful women. After several hugely successful years, McGoohan tired of playing Drake, and persuaded legendary producer Lew Grade to back his new project, ‘The Prisoner’, and allow him full creative control. The series made McGoohan the highest paid actor on British tv when he played an un-named secret agent who attempts to resign his job, only to be kidnapped and imprisoned in a mysterious village from which there seems no escape. Everybody in The Village is assigned a number, and McGoohan is referred to as Number Six, but refuses to conform; spending each of the series’ seventeen episodes attempting to outwit his captors. The show became a massive cult hit with its flamboyant action, imaginative stories, and surreal style, and was recently remade for ITV with Sir Ian McKellen starring as the enigmatic and menacing ‘Number Two’. McGoohan also starred in a variety of successful films including ‘Silver Streak’, ‘Ice Station Zebra’, and Mel Gibson’s oscar-winning ‘Braveheart’. He won two Emmy awards for acting in the ‘Columbo’ tv series, and was even immortalised in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.

Manchester-based BRIAN GORMAN is from Wigan, and is a writer, artist, and actor. He has designed posters and brochure illustrations for The Chester Gateway Theatre, and had work published in The Liverpool Daily Post, The Big Issue, and Green World (the magazine of The Green Party). His artwork has also been seen on television (ITV1’s ‘Martina Cole’s Lady Killers’), and he is currently working on a professional commission to produce a series of graphic novels on Manchester bands. As an actor he has played leading roles in corporate and educational dramas, music videos, and has just played the notorious mass murderer Thomas Hamilton in an upcoming television reconstruction of the 1996 Dunblane massacre. He has also played the main villain, Viktor Toxikoff, in award-winning director Chris Stone’s James Bond inspired music video ‘The Rebel’, for the band The Amateurs. Gorman also has an arts review blog at http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/

Gorman first studied acting at Wigan College of Technology in the 1980s, and was fascinated to later discover that Sir Ian McKellen had grown up just yards from the college theatre:

"I wrote to Sir Ian several years ago when he agreed to allow me to use his likeness in my comic book, ‘Borderliners’ (as did another hero of mine, The Saint himself - Sir Roger Moore). He sent me a wonderful three page hand-written letter telling me about how he’d enjoyed his childhood in Wigan, and had even played on the same stage as I had. It’s a fascinating coincidence that he has recently starred in the remake of ‘The Prisoner’, and now here I am playing Patrick McGoohan! "

Onboard as the production’s official adviser is ROBERT FAIRCLOUGH. Robert is a freelance writer, designer and producer. His work on ‘The Prisoner’ includes the book ‘The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series’, editing two volumes of ‘The Original Scripts’ for the classic series and graphic design work on the recent AMC remake. He is a broadcaster who has featured on BBC radio and ITV, written for the British Film Institute and 'SFX' magazine and produced documentaries for 2 Entertain's range of ‘Doctor Who’ DVDs.

RICHARD HULSE directs for TRANSMISSION UNLIMITED, and also plays the part of McGoohan's/Number Six's nemesis 'Number Two'. Gorman and Hulse first met almost twenty years ago whilst studying for English degrees, and have collaborated on several theatrical and film projects.

There is a word of warning from Brian Gorman for anyone expecting a straight-forward story of McGoohan’s life:

"In keeping with McGoohan’s surreal work on ‘The Prisoner’, we will be playing around with time, as well as the character itself. ‘Patrick McGoohan’ will be a mix of the real man, and ‘Number Six’, and the whole piece will be presented in the style of an episode of ‘The Prisoner’."

Another Prisoner fan, STEPHEN FRY, has sent Brian his personal best wishes for the production.

Entry is just £4, and tickets will be on sale on the night at the venue. Reservations can be made by emailing theprisonermcgoohan@yahoo.co.uk.

More details can be seen on the production’s Facebook page ‘JOHN DRAKE’.

Brian Gorman can be contacted at http://uk.mc296.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk
or on 07510 591444.

'EVERYMAN' London & Chester dates

2010-10-15T05:20:00.001-07:00

NEW PLAY ABOUT 'THE PRISONER' STAR
PATRICK McGOOHAN PREMIERES IN LONDON

THE PHOENIX ARTIST CLUB, 1 Phoenix St., Charing Cross Rd., London WC2H 8BU
8pm Wednesday 3rd - Thurs 4th November 2010

(Press Release 15.10.10)

‘EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoner’ is a new play from Brian Gorman's theatre company, TRANSMISSION UNLIMITED, detailing the life of the theatre, television, and film star (who sadly died last year), and is to be staged in London next month at the famous Phoenix Artist Club on Charing Cross Road. The play will then be performed in Chester at The Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place on 13th January next year (the anniversary of McGoohan's death in 2009).

Gorman, who also plays McGoohan and his character 'Number Six', performed a special rehearsed reading of 'Everyman' earlier this year in Manchester, at The Lass O'Gowrie pub, and played to a full house. The reading garnered a glowing review from Brian Watson for The Unmutual website (a major 'Prisoner' fan group):

"Brian achieved what no Number Two managed, that was to deconstruct the personality of the man and propose a very credible "what it's all about" of McGoohan's life and work.
The script of EVERYMAN is a joy: at turns witty, informative, dramatic, and wonderfully paced throughout. The author knows his subject thoroughly, tells the tale well and, while he refers to influences that surface later in The Prisoner, he never descends to quote-dropping for gratuitous effect."

Gorman believes that a theatrical tribute to the star of such cult tv favourites as ‘DANGER MAN’ and ‘THE PRISONER’ is long overdue:

BRIAN GORMAN is from Wigan, and is a writer, artist, and actor. He has designed posters and brochure illustrations for The Chester Gateway Theatre, and had work published in The Liverpool Daily Post, The Big Issue, and Green World (the magazine of The Green Party). His artwork has also been seen on television (ITV1’s ‘Martina Cole’s Lady Killers’), and he is currently working on a professional commission to produce a series of graphic novels on Manchester bands. As an actor he has played leading roles in corporate and educational dramas, music videos, and has just played the notorious mass murderer Thomas Hamilton in an upcoming television reconstruction of the 1996 Dunblane massacre. He has also played the main villain, Viktor Toxikoff, in award-winning director Chris Stone’s James Bond inspired music video ‘The Rebel’, for the band The Amateurs. Gorman also has an arts review blog at http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/Gorman first studied acting at Wigan College of Technology in the 1980s, and was fascinated to later discover that Sir Ian McKellen had grown up just yards from the college theatre:

There is a word of warning from Brian Gorman for anyone expecting a straight-forward story of McGoohan’s life:

Another Prisoner fan, STEPHEN FRY, has sent Brian his personal best wishes for the production.

Entry is just £6, and tickets for the London production will be on sale very soon. Tickets at the same price for The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester are now on sale; telephone 01244 341296, or book online at http://www.tiptopproductions.co.uk/

Reservations can be made by emailing theprisonermcgoohan@yahoo.co.uk. More details can be seen on the production’s Facebook page ‘JOHN DRAKE’.

Brian Gorman can be contacted at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk
or on 07510 591444.

NEW DATE FOR BARRY EVANS/VINCE POWELL CHARITY LUNCH

2010-10-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

The very lovely Ms Francoise Pascal has been in touch to inform me of a rescheduling of the charity lunch in memory of comedy legends Barry Evans and Vince Powell. Here's what the lady had to say:

Barry Evans and Vince Powell Commemorative Lunch

We have been advised by many of you that you have prior Halloween commitments on the 31st October 2010. Because of this we have made arrangements to re-schedule the Lunch to: 6th February 2011

The lunch is in aid of Barnardos. (Barry Evans was a Barnardos child)

The Lunch will now be held at 1pm in the Marriot Hotel, Maida Vale. Address: Plaza Parade, Maida Vale, London, England. NW6 5RP.Phone: 44 20 7543 6000

LUNCH Champagne on arrival, Three Course meal, 2 bottles of wine (Red and White ) 2 bottles of water (Fizzy and Non) on the table, Desert, Petit Four and Coffee.

PLAQUE UNVEILING The Plaque unveiling will be at 12.00pm and if you can make your way over to the venue (Barry's Home) which is 8 Buckland Crescent, London NW3 5DX. by 11.30 that would be great. Distance from the Hotel to Barry's Home is approximately 7 minutes by car and 30 minutes on foot (a Google map will be provided to all)

Tickets are £70 per person and £700 for a table. (If you have already expressed an interest in the above we will be writing to you personally)We are in discussions with ITV and Channel 4 who have both expressed an interest in covering the event.

We hope you can all join us on the day and look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you

FRANCOISE PASCAL
Event Organiser

SILVER PEARL TV & FILM NETWORKING EVENT

2010-10-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

The second of GAIL CULLEN's Silver Pearl TV & Film Networking events took place in Manchester recently. Unfortunately, I couldn't get along, but my good friend RICHARD HULSE popped in on the proceedings, and here's what he thought:

On Thursday, 7th October, Manchester’s Fab Café in Portland Street staged the second Silver Pearl networking event, inviting any member of the television and film industry to come along and listen to guest speakers, chat, have a drink or two and generally meet like-minded fellows. The Fab Café, with its low ceilings, and specks of orange and yellow lights drifting over the television annuals and the Dalek in the corner, conveyed the ambience of a rather low-key sci-fi disco. The Café isn’t a huge place – no Tardis-style huge-on-the-inside effect here – and this lent an informal quality to the relationship between the three speakers and the audience. Different coloured wristbands were worn to denote whether people were directors, actors, producers and the like.

These evenings have been designed by producer, Gail Cullen and production designer Rhiannon Clifford. First up was award-winning DJ and musician, Chris Wiseman, who told us a little about how he broke into the music business back in the 1990s at the Hacienda and later worked at the Ministry of Sound. Chris also quite rightly paid tribute to that grand old Hollywood stalwart and very underrated actor, Tony Curtis, who passed away two weeks ago.

Peter Hunt, a working actor and drama teacher, gave some valuable tips for anyone aspiring to work in front of the cameras. Preparation, it seems, is everything. Get good photographs for your CV, and make sure they’re up to date; don’t use the flattering one you had twenty years ago when you were playing Romeo, not if your appearance and age now makes Capulet a more suitable role choice. Good training is important, either full or part-time, and making use of showreels on DVD or the internet to showcase your abilities.

Producer Rachel Richardson Jones also spoke about the trials and rewards of her job. Splintered, the horror film Rachel is behind, was made on a limited budget of £300,000. Ably directed by first-timer, Simeon Halligan, and with a script from Matt Archer that
nods acknowledgment to a number of classic archetypes such as the beast of Bodmin, The Blair Witch Project, and even abuse within religious institutions, Splintered has recently had a limited cinema distribution. Simeon later spoke to me about his background in art school in London and how that helped inform his sense of aesthetics when he became interested in film-making.

I also had the opportunity to chat to Alison Rothwell who plays a leading role in a new stage play, The Interview, which takes as its subject the grim events of the Holocaust. An elderly survivor of the death camps is interviewed by a young reporter, and soon past and present merge, as supporting characters reappear ghost-like from the survivor’s memory. Written by Jayson Bartlett, after several years of careful research, The Interview sounds to be an emotive and disturbingly fascinating work, and goes on tour in November.

All in all, the event struck me as an enjoyable and useful mechanism for meeting other keen and able people within Manchester’s energetic performance arts community. It would certainly be worth keeping an eye open for the next one.

Richard Hulse

COMEDY LEGENDS - TICKETS NOW ON SALE

2010-08-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

TICKETS NOW ON SALE:

BARRY EVANS & VINCE POWELL

Comedy legends to be honoured
31st October, Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage, London

(Press Release by Brian Gorman)

TV comedy legends BARRY EVANS and VINCE POWELL are to be posthumously honoured with a commemoration lunch at the Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage, London at 1pm on the 31st October. There will also be the unveiling of a plaque at Barry Evans’s house earlier in the day in Swiss Cottage where he lived for many years before he moved to Leicester.

The event is being organized by FRANCOISE PASCAL, (Evans’ co-star in the phenomenally successful 1970s and 1980s ITV comedy series ‘Mind Your Language’ which can still boast close to three million fans in Britain and around the world.). Other members of the cast are expected to attend as well as actors who played alongside Evans in the equally popular ‘Doctor in The House’ series.

Barry Evans was born in Guildford, Surrey in 1943, and is best remembered for the popular and controversial 1970s ITV sit-com ‘Mind Your Language’ written by Vince Powell. The show, set in an evening class for mature foreign students, was a huge ratings success, bringing in up to 18 million viewers a week. Evans had previously starred in such iconic films as ‘The White Bus’ (1966) and ‘Here We Go ‘Round The Mulberry Bush’ (1968), and television series’ ‘The Baron’ and ‘Doctor In The House’. He died in 1997 at age 52.

Born in 1928, in Miles Platting, Manchester, Vince Powell wrote some of the most popular and successful television comedy series of all-time. In the 1960s he helped to turn comedian Harry Worth into a household name with ‘Here’s Harry’ (1960-65), and contributed to early episodes of ‘Coronation Street’ (1961-64), and ‘Adam Adamant Lives!’ (1966-67). Other successful series he helped to create and write included ‘George and The Dragon’ (1966-68) with Sid James and Peggy Mount, ‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width’ (1967-71), ‘Nearest and Dearest’ (1968-72) with Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker, and ‘Bless This House’ (1971-76), another vehicle for Sid James. With regular writing partner Harry Driver, Powell’s best-known creation was ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ (1972-76); a hugely controversial comedy that was also the most watched show on British Television at the time. In later years he also wrote 130 episodes of ‘Surprise Surprise’ starring Cilla Black, worked on 224 episodes of ‘Blind Date’, and supplied comedy routines for ‘Play Your Cards Right’ with Bruce Forsyth.
Vince Powell died in 2009, aged 80.

There are a limited number of tickets on sale, which can be obtained via Barry Evans & Vince Powell Commemoration Lunch Ticket Line

Tickets are £70 per person (Table of 10: £700). Please provide your telephone number, address, and any dietary requirements. All cheques made payable to: MYL Lunch.

All proceeds will go to BARNARDO’S CHARITY, as Barry Evans was a Barnardo’s child.

For more information, please see the MYL FaceBook page:http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Barry-Evans-Vince-Powell-Memorial-Lunch/115813895123872

THE PRISONER THEME NIGHT

2010-08-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Transmission Unlimited

Presents

THE PRISONER THEME NIGHT

Featuring a rehearsed reading of

‘EVERYMAN

THE STORY OF PATRICK McGOOHAN – THE PRISONER’ by Brian Gorman

Plus Quiz, Prize Raffle, Prisoner Music, etc.

Entry £1 (on the door)

8pm Fri 13^th August, 2010

The Salmon Theatre, The Lass O’Gowrie, Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB

Press Release 07.08.10

‘EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoner’ is a new play detailing the life of the theatre, television, and film star (who sadly died last year), and is to be staged in Manchester this later this year at the famous Lass O’Gowrie pub on Charles Street. On Friday 13^th August, however, fans can get a sneak preview with a special rehearsed reading by writer Brian Gorman. Gorman believes that a theatrical tribute to the star of such cult tv favourites as ‘DANGER MAN’ and ‘THE PRISONER’ is long overdue:

McGoohan was a brilliant actor. In common with the great Orson Welles, who he cited as a major influence, he was also a fiercely uncompromising individual who took real artistic chances, and divided the critics.

PATRICK McGOOHAN was born in New York, but spent less than a year there before his family relocated to their native Ireland. Several years later, they moved to England, where McGoohan caught the acting bug in Sheffield, and worked his way up to leading roles at the local professional repertory theatre. He was the first choice to play James Bond in 1962, but turned down the role of a lifetime due to his distaste for the depiction of gratuitous violence and casual sex. While Bond was smashing cinema box office records, McGoohan became an international television star as secret agent John Drake in ‘Danger Man’; who rarely used a gun and politely declined the numerous advances of beautiful women. After several hugely successful years, McGoohan tired of playing Drake, and persuaded legendary producer Lew Grade to back his new project, ‘The Prisoner’, and allow him full creative control. The series made McGoohan the highest paid actor on British tv when he played an un-named secret agent who attempts to resign his job, only to be kidnapped and imprisoned in a mysterious village from which there seems no escape. Everybody in The Village is assigned a number, and McGoohan is referred to as Number Six, but refuses to conform; spending each of the series’ seventeen episodes attempting to outwit his captors. The show became a massive cult hit with its flamboyant action, imaginative stories, and surreal style, and was recently remade for ITV with Sir Ian McKellen starring as the enigmatic and menacing ‘Number Two’. McGoohan also starred in a variety of successful films including ‘Silver Streak’, ‘Ice Station Zebra’, and Mel Gibson’s oscar-winning ‘Braveheart’. He won two Emmy awards for acting in the ‘Columbo’ tv series, and was even immortalised in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.

Onboard as the production’s official adviser is ROBERT FAIRCLOUGH. Robert is a freelance writer, designer and producer. His work on ‘The Prisoner’ includes the book ‘The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series’, editing two volumes of ‘The Original Scripts’ for the classic series and graphic design work on the recent AMC remake. He is a broadcaster who has featured on BBC radio and ITV, written for the British Film Institute and 'SFX' magazine and produced documentaries for 2 Entertain's range of ‘Doctor Who’ DVDs.

There is also a word of warning for anyone expecting a straight-forward story of McGoohan’s life:

In keeping with McGoohan’s surreal work on ‘The Prisoner’, we will be playing around with time, as well as the character itself. ‘Patrick McGoohan’ will be a mix of the real man, and ‘Number Six’, and the whole piece will be directed in the style of an episode of ‘The Prisoner’.

Manchester-based BRIAN GORMAN is from Wigan, and is a writer, artist, and actor. He has designed posters and brochure illustrations for The Chester Gateway Theatre, and had work published in The Liverpool Daily Post, The Big Issue, and Green World (the magazine of The Green Party). His artwork has also been seen on television (ITV1’s ‘Martina Cole’s Lady Killers’), and he is currently working on a professional commission to produce a series of graphic novels on Manchester bands. As an actor he has played leading roles in corporate and educational dramas, music videos, and has just played the notorious mass murderer Thomas Hamilton in a television reconstruction of the 1996 Dunblane massacre. His next role is one he is relishing; he plays the main villain in award-winning director Chris Stone’s James Bond inspired music video ‘The Rebel’. Gorman also has an arts review blog at http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/
Gorman first studied acting at Wigan College of Technology in the 1980s, and was fascinated to later discover that Sir Ian McKellen had grown up just yards from the college theatre:

I wrote to Sir Ian several years ago when he agreed to allow me to use his likeness in my comic book, ‘Borderliners’ (as did another hero of mine, The Saint himself - Sir Roger Moore). He sent me a wonderful three page hand-written letter telling me about how he’d enjoyed his childhood in Wigan, and had even played on the same stage as I had.

Entry is just £1, payable on the door. Reservations can be made by emailing theprisonermcgoohan@yahoo.co.uk. More details can be seen on the production’s Facebook page ‘JOHN DRAKE’.

Brian Gorman can be contacted at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk

or on 07510 591444.

NEW DATE FOR COMEDY LEGENDS CHARITY LUNCH

2010-08-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

There has been a change of date for the forthcoming charity lunch in honour of Barry Evans & Vince Powell

The new date is 31st October 2010

Here's my original press release with amended date:

BARRY EVANS & VINCE POWELL

Comedy legends to be honoured
31st October, Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage, London

(Press Release by Brian Gorman)

TV comedy legends BARRY EVANS and VINCE POWELL are to be posthumously honoured with a commemoration lunch at the Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage, London at 1pm on the 31st October. There will also be the unveiling of a plaque at Barry Evans’s house earlier in the day in Swiss Cottage where he lived for many years before he moved to Leicester.

The event is being organized by FRANCOISE PASCAL, (Evans’ co-star in the phenomenally successful 1970s and 1980s ITV comedy series ‘Mind Your Language’ which can still boast close to three million fans in Britain and around the world.). Other members of the cast are expected to attend as well as actors who played alongside Evans in the equally popular ‘Doctor in The House’ series.

Barry Evans was born in Guildford, Surrey in 1943, and is best remembered for the popular and controversial 1970s ITV sit-com ‘Mind Your Language’ written by Vince Powell. The show, set in an evening class for mature foreign students, was a huge ratings success, bringing in up to 18 million viewers a week. Evans had previously starred in such iconic films as ‘The White Bus’ (1966) and ‘Here We Go ‘Round The Mulberry Bush’ (1968), and television series’ ‘The Baron’ and ‘Doctor In The House’. He died in 1997 at age 52.

Born in 1928, in Miles Platting, Manchester, Vince Powell wrote some of the most popular and successful television comedy series of all-time. In the 1960s he helped to turn comedian Harry Worth into a household name with ‘Here’s Harry’ (1960-65), and contributed to early episodes of ‘Coronation Street’ (1961-64), and ‘Adam Adamant Lives!’ (1966-67). Other successful series he helped to create and write included ‘George and The Dragon’ (1966-68) with Sid James and Peggy Mount, ‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width’ (1967-71), ‘Nearest and Dearest’ (1968-72) with Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker, and ‘Bless This House’ (1971-76), another vehicle for Sid James. With regular writing partner Harry Driver, Powell’s best-known creation was ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ (1972-76); a hugely controversial comedy that was also the most watched show on British Television at the time. In later years he also wrote 130 episodes of ‘Surprise Surprise’ starring Cilla Black, worked on 224 episodes of ‘Blind Date’, and supplied comedy routines for ‘Play Your Cards Right’ with Bruce Forsyth.
Vince Powell died in 2009, aged 80.

There are a limited number of tickets on sale, which can be obtained via Francoise Pascal at francoisepascal2@gmail.com.
Tickets are £70 per person (Table of 10: £700). Please provide your telephone number, address, and any dietary requirements. All cheques made payable to: MYL Lunch.

All proceeds will go to BARNARDO’S CHARITY, as Barry Evans was a Barnardo’s child.

For more information, please see the MYL FaceBook page:http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Barry-Evans-Vince-Powell-Memorial-Lunch/115813895123872

VWORP 3 Dr Who Day @ The Lass

2010-07-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow sees the return of the regular Vworp! Dr Who Day at Manchester's Lass O'Gowrie pub. All day in a pub with guests from the world of Doctor Who! What more can one ask for?! Here's the info from Mein Host, Gareth Kavanagh:

Yes, it's that time of year again and I'm thrilled to announce we're back for our third annual pubcon at the Lass O'Gowrie.Taking place on Sunday, July 18th as part of our inaugural fringe festival in the Lass (Lassfest), our theme this year is 'six of the best'. Essentially a take on Desert Island Discs, our assembled guests will take us on a journey through their six favourite things about their time of Doctor Who - beit a person, a character, a scene - whatever they fancy really. As it's us, you can bet we'll be using all the technology at our disposal and with our good pals at Kasterborous will be streaming and harvesting questions via twitter to boot.

Guests include the following (subject to professional commitments, *natch);

MC John Cooper

Terrance Dicks (writer, legend novelist who taught most of us to read)*

Andrew Cartmel (script editor and mastermind behind the McCoy revival)*

Graeme Harper (only the greatest Director of Who ever)*

Dez Skinn (Founding editor of our beloved Doctor Who Magazine)*

Rob Shearman (Genius behind Dalek, Chimes of Midnight and fan scholar)*

Chris Achilleos (Master of the early target novel covers, this man IS art)*

Ade Salmon (Artist's artist, illustrator of the Time Team and Cybermen)

And more in the pipeline, so keep 'em peeled!

Other treats include the debut of John Cooper's One Man Doctor Who and after show entertainment with the superb WART Show - award winning character comedy!Naturally, our fine pies and ale will be available throughout the day and with only 50 tickets being made available, the relaxed atmosphere you've all come to know and love will be retained, no fear.

Tickets cost a bargainous £19.50 a head and are available ONLY from www.wegottickets.com/event/83302 .

More info on us, as ever can be found at www.thelass.co.uk or in our cosy little thread on Gallifrey Base - http://gallifreybase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53670

'EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner'

2010-07-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

New Press release

Hey, it's my arts blog, and I'll plug my own show if I want to! Seriously though, here's an up to date press release detailing a change of cast and director, and a little bit more information on the production. Tickets WILL be available very very soon.

Press Release 15.07.10

‘EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoner’ is a new play detailing the life of the theatre, television, and film star (who sadly died last year), and is to be staged in Manchester this summer at the famous Lass O’Gowrie pub on Charles Street. Writer Brian Gorman believes that a theatrical tribute to the star of such cult tv favourites as ‘DANGER MAN’ and ‘THE PRISONER’ is long overdue:

McGoohan was a brilliant actor. In common with the great Orson Welles, who he cited as a major influence, he was also a fiercely uncompromising individual who took real artistic chances, and divided the critics.

PATRICK McGOOHAN was born in New York, but spent less than a year there before his family relocated to their native Ireland. Several years later, they moved to England, where McGoohan caught the acting bug in Sheffield, and worked his way up to leading roles at the local professional repertory theatre. He was the first choice to play James Bond in 1962, but turned down the role of a lifetime due to his distaste for the depiction of gratuitous violence and casual sex. While Bond was smashing cinema box office records, McGoohan became an international television star as secret agent John Drake in ‘Danger Man’; who rarely used a gun and politely declined the numerous advances of beautiful women. After several hugely successful years, McGoohan tired of playing Drake, and persuaded legendary producer Lew Grade to back his new project, ‘The Prisoner’, and allow him full creative control. The series made McGoohan the highest paid actor on British tv when he played an un-named secret agent who attempts to resign his job, only to be kidnapped and imprisoned in a mysterious village from which there seems no escape. Everybody in The Village is assigned a number, and McGoohan is referred to as Number Six, but refuses to conform; spending each of the series’ seventeen episodes attempting to outwit his captors. The show became a massive cult hit with its flamboyant action, imaginative stories, and surreal style, and was recently remade for ITV with Sir Ian McKellen starring as the enigmatic and menacing ‘Number Two’.
McGoohan also starred in a variety of successful films including ‘Silver Streak’, ‘Ice Station Zebra’, and Mel Gibson’s oscar-winning ‘Braveheart’.
He won two Emmy awards for acting in the ‘Columbo’ tv series, and was even immortalised in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.

The play is produced by Gorman’s company TRANSMISSION UNLIMITED.

Onboard as the production’s official adviser is ROBERT FAIRCLOUGH. Robert is a freelance writer, designer and producer. His work on ‘The Prisoner’ includes the book ‘The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series’, editing two volumes of ‘The Original Scripts’ for the classic series and graphic design work on the recent AMC remake. He is a broadcaster who has featured on BBC radio and ITV, written for the British Film Institute and 'SFX' magazine and produced documentaries for 2 Entertain's range of ‘Doctor Who’ DVDs.

Bolton-based JOE O’BYRNE, who has recently been receiving glowing reviews for his starring role in the gritty crime drama ‘Diary Of A Bad Lad’ (recently successfully released on dvd), was originally in line to play McGoohan. The acclaimed playwright and actor had even started rehearsals, but unexpectedly had to drop out due to previous professional commitments. Brian Gorman will now be playing the McGoohan role:

I hadn’t planned on this, as I really wanted to see Joe play McGoohan first, but fortunately we will have him back for another run later this year. However, I am relishing the chance to play a great hero of mine, and hope I can do the man justice. I won’t be attempting a simple caricature, but I will try and play him in the style his fans are accustomed to.

There is also a word of warning for anyone expecting a straight-forward story of McGoohan’s life:

In keeping with McGoohan’s surreal work on ‘The Prisoner’, we will be playing around with time, as well as the character itself. ‘Patrick McGoohan’ will be a mix of the real man, and ‘Number Six’, and the whole piece will be directed in the style of an episode of ‘The Prisoner’.

Manchester-based BRIAN GORMAN is from Wigan, and is a writer, artist, and actor. He has designed posters and brochure illustrations for The Chester Gateway Theatre, and had work published in The Liverpool Daily Post, The Big Issue, and Green World (the magazine of The Green Party). His artwork has also been seen on television (ITV1’s ‘Martina Cole’s Lady Killers’), and he is currently working on a professional commission to produce a series of graphic novels on Manchester bands. As an actor he has played leading roles in corporate and educational dramas, music videos, and has just played the notorious mass murderer Thomas Hamilton in a television reconstruction of the 1996 Dunblane massacre. He also has an arts review blog at http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/
Gorman first studied acting at Wigan College of Technology in the 1980s, and was fascinated to later discover that Sir Ian McKellen had grown up just yards from the college theatre:

I wrote to Sir Ian several years ago when he agreed to allow me to use his likeness in my comic book, ‘Borderliners’ (as did another hero of mine, The Saint himself - Sir Roger Moore). He sent me a wonderful three page hand-written letter telling me about how he’d enjoyed his childhood in Wigan, and had even played on the same stage as I had.

It’s a fascinating coincidence that he has recently starred in the remake of ‘The Prisoner’, and now here I am playing Patrick McGoohan! I would love to act opposite the great man one day, and who knows? Dreams CAN come true!

In Gorman’s production, the part of ‘Number Two’, will be played on stage by DAVID BICKERSTAFF. This Paisley born actor is now living in London, and trained at Queen Margaret, Edinburgh. He has just finished a successful run of Joe Orton's 'The Erpingham Camp' for TW4, and is a regular in the cult sci-fi comedy radio series 'The Scarifyers'.

Director RICHARD HULSE is a long-time friend and collaborator of Gorman’s, and the two have worked on several short films and theatrical pieces for over 15 years since studying English degrees at Chester College. Born in Australia, Hulse is a writer and film-maker, and has recently completed an M.A. in Fiction Film Production at The University of Salford. During the course he co-wrote & co-directed two short films, ‘Full Of Grace’ and ‘The Travelling Artist’ which have been screened at Manchester’s Cornerhouse cinema, attracting enthusiastic audience responses.

Tickets will be available soon. More details can be seen on the production’s Facebook page ‘JOHN DRAKE’. Production information is available from theprisonermcgoohan@yahoo.co.uk

Brian Gorman can be contacted at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk or on 07510 591444.

THE SOCKS ARE BACK IN TOWN!!!

2010-07-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre

Date: Fri 23rd & Sat 24th July

Time: 9:30pm - Fri 23rd, 3:00pm - Sat 24th (Matinee) & 8:00pm - Sat 24th
Venue: Salmon Rooms, Lass O'Gowrie
Tickets: £5
Links:http://www.myspace.com/scottishfalsetto

Lass Favourite the Socks return with a preview of their new Edinburgh Show – on the Telly! Earth's funniest socks return for a fourth sell-out year with more new songs, sketches, socks and violence.

'For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz - denier miss it.' (Scotsman);

'How on earth does the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet theatre turn out to be so bloody good?' (Chortle.co.uk).

BEST SHOW Nominee, Leicester Comedy Festival 2009. WINNER Edinburgh Festival Insider Comedy Award 2009

'THE BENCH' Review

2010-07-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Photo: Ste Myott (as Kev) and Stella Grundy (as 'Little Rabbit')

‘THE BENCH’

Salford Arts Theatre until 3rd July

Review by Brian Gorman
(Originally written for www.thepublicreviews.com)

I’ve been hearing about Joe O’Byrne’s play for quite a while now, and finally I got to see it at the Salford Arts Theatre this weekend. If only I hadn’t chosen the last performance! This was so good I am kicking myself that I can’t see it again. Part of the on-going series of plays (and films) concerning the residents of the fictional Paradise Heights, ‘The Bench’ takes place over the course of a single year, as we witness the lives of a selection of weird and wonderful characters brought vividly to life by a versatile and hugely talented cast. Things start with a bang as actress Stella Grundy sends temperatures soaring higher than a hot summer’s evening, dressed in leather overcoat, skin-tight bodice, stockings and suspenders. Taking a seat on the eponymous bench, which, apart from the graffiti-strewn War Memorial, constitutes the entire set, she indulges in an erotically-charged comic exchange with Ian Curley as her sexually frustrated partner. The two actors give wonderfully nuanced performances in a scene that delivers a fabulous cocktail of drama, suspense, comedy and pathos. From this warmly humorous and surprising beginning, we move on to a fantastical scene concerning an angel (Phoebe Marie Jones) and the recently-deceased Corny (Aaron Rochford), which I initially found a little confusing, but which laid the ground beautifully for the multi-layered, interconnected scenes to come. What we have in ‘The Bench’ is a series of cleverly observed vignettes which dovetail perfectly as the play progresses, and which demonstrate O’Byrne’s skill at creating believable, fully realized characters we can recognize. Imagine watching an episode of Coronation Street as directed by Martin Scorsese, with a stellar cast of the best actors around. The stand out scene has to be the one between local hard man Frank Morgan (played by the hugely versatile Ian Curley) and the slimeball Kev (Ste Myott, ably making one’s skin crawl). Beginning calmly enough, the scene twists and turns revealing more and more about each man, until I found myself thinking that this was probably the best set piece I’d seen on the stage for years. I am not exaggerating when I say that Ian Curley would give DeNiro a run for his money should the great method actor ever try and play this scene. Real edge of the seat stuff, and a truly frightening and unnerving scenario that shows what can be achieved when the performances perfectly match the writing. Curley appears again as a cantankerous pensioner in a couple of excellently comic, and ultimately tragic scenes with a fellow war veteran (Ste Myott). Clyve Bonelle delivers an incredibly understated and affecting performance as a simple-minded local criminal who falls in love with a badly-scarred (both physically and emotionally) street urchin (Phoebe Marie Jones tugging at the heart strings magnificently). O’Byrne makes us care about these characters as people, and his direction is faultless. There are no histrionics, no patronizing of his audience, and no overt moralizing in this snapshot of 21st century life on the streets of ‘broken Britain’. ‘The Bench’ is giving it to us like it is; no frills theatre with balls and undiluted attitude. The great shame of the evening was the low turn out, and the fact that so many people have missed something quite wonderful; work like this needs the oxygen of publicity, and the support of the local print media. I am confident that we haven’t seen the last of ‘The Bench’, O’Byrne, or his massively talented cast and crew. These people are going places. Fast. Do yourselves a huge favour, and beg, borrow or steal a ticket for the next theatrical installment of Paradise Heights, because once the word truly gets out, you’ll be begging to be in the audience. Joe O’Byrne is currently working on two more chapters, ‘Strawberry Jack’ and ‘Torch’. Remember those titles. See you in the queue for returns!

Review at The Public Reviews: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/the-bench-salford-arts-theatre/

'DIARY OF A BAD LAD' The Premiere

2010-07-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

Joe O'Byrne (who plays the hard-as-nails Tommy Morghen) strikes a suitably menacing pose outside The Plaza.

The magnificent Stockport Plaza was the place to be this Tuesday, when the gritty, no-holds-barred crime drama 'Diary Of A Bad Lad' had its big screen premiere. Several years in the making, the low budget movie, written by Jonathan Williams, and directed by Michael Booth, is gathering fabulous reviews from across the world. Deliberately setting out to 'tell it like it is', this is no Guy Ritchie gangster romp, but rather a disturbing, under your skin, 'mockumentary' that gets about as near to the real dirty, scummy underbelly of life on the street as I ever want to experience. There was certainly an element of black comedy about this film being screened in the opulent 1930s atmosphere of The Plaza, with its compliment of neatly-attired genteel elderly volunteer staff (who were all lovely, by the way!). A real clash of cultures, and a frightening reminder of the contrast between constructed fantasy and grim reality. As Jonanathan Williams said on stage during the inspiring Q & A session that followed the screening; this event can be seen as the beginning of the new wave of northern film-making. Showing that not everything happens in London, and that sheer will power plus talent CAN result in a fantastic movie. Ken Loach and Martin Scorsese need to see this film NOW. Somebody get a copy under their noses ASAP!

My review of the film can be seen here: http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/2010/06/diary-of-bad-lad-dvd-review.html

The dvd has just been released, and you can pick up a copy in the high street shops or on Amazon. Do yourself a big favour, and buy it.

R.I.P. FRANK SIDEBOTTOM (CHRIS SIEVEY)

2010-06-23T04:43:00.000-07:00

A Manchester legend has died. There was nobody else like him. Surreal, daft, side-splittingly funny, and only 54 years old. He launched his World Cup song recently - 'Three Shirts On My Line'. Very very sad.

The Guardian obituary: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/jun/21/frank-sidebottom-creator-chris-sievey-dies

'THE ROAD TO NAB END'

2010-06-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Photo: L-R Lisa Howard, Adam Barlow, Kenneth Alan Taylor and Jo Mousley

THE ROAD TO NAB END

Oldham Coliseum Theatre until 10th July 2010

Review by Brian Gorman

William Woodruff’s bestselling memoir of a poverty-stricken childhood in post WW1 Blackburn finds an ideal home on the stage of Oldham Coliseum, and is a perfect piece to herald the much anticipated return of actor Kenneth Alan Taylor; this is his first theatrical role since recovering from a heart attack a year ago. The real life drama added much poignancy to the depiction of an elderly Woodruff narrating the story of his childhood years, and Mr Taylor gave a masterly performance full of restless, even youthful, energy demonstrating a genuine love of the subject matter. Young ‘Billy’ Woodruff was born during World War One when his mother gave birth on a woolsack whilst working in one of the many cotton mills in Blackburn. The story follows the first twenty or so years of our young hero’s life as the family struggle to make ends meet, and the cast play a bewildering variety of characters. Kenneth Alan Taylor holds everything together as the mature Woodruff visiting his old hometown in, what appeared to be, the late 1970s, and finding that most of the places he remembers have now been demolished, but the memories of the people and events remain strong. This is a very colourful production, rich in character, charm, and showcasing a very talented cast in a variety of challenging roles. Adam Barlow is superb as Billy, aging from a small child to a young man very effectively indeed. Robin Simpson was delightful as Billy’s best pal, Harold, using skillful body language to conjure up a believable young rogue, constantly adjusting his ‘bits and pieces’. Simpson also gave us a wonderfully comic Salvation Army bigamist, and almost stole the show as an upper-class character who reminded me of the late, great Leonard Rossiter. John Elkington played Billy’s father as a solid northern patriarch, determined to provide for his family, and loathe to accept any form of charity when losing his job at the mill. A contrasting role for Elkington was as Mr Grimshaw, Billy’s pedantic and charm free employer; a fabulously comical character one could imagine popping up in tv’s ‘Little Britain’. Lisa Howard as Billy’s mother also played Grandmother Bridget, and had many heartbreaking scenes to play, carrying them off beautifully. Unfortunately, with so many characters on display, it’s hard for me to recognize who was playing who at times (and yes, I did read the programme; but no, it doesn’t list every character). Whoever played The Salvation Army lady was outstanding at berating the audience on the evils of liquor, and I apologise for not being able to name her here (write to me, ma’am!). Christopher Chilton was yet another actor able to showcase his dramatic and comic talents in a variety of roles including the amiable Gordon Weall, a staggering drunk singing ‘Nelly Dean’, and a firebrand communist who comes to a sticky end beneath the hooves of a Police horse. Director Kevin Shaw has a strong hand on the rudder, and, as he showed us in last month’s fantastic production of ‘The Memory Of Water’, can handle tears and laughter with the surest of touches. There is always the danger of a story like this lapsing into parody, but at no time did Kevin Shaw and his company seek to patronize their audience. There is a real atmosphere at Oldham Coliseum, and it was clear from Kenneth Alan Taylor’s curtain call speech that respect is paramount here. Kudos too to Philip Goulding for adapting Woodruff’s book for the stage in this, its premiere production. Goulding successfully weaves a fascinating tale of a young boy’s life, his aims and ambitions, and the tough times of local mill workers’ lives, and presents us with a vibrant, life-enhancing story filled with every human emotion. There are also musical moments with John Elkington on ukulele, and the cast singing old favourites such as ‘Danny Boy’; what more could you ask for?!

'DINNERLADIES'

2010-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Photo: Sue Devaney and Andrew Dunn

DINNERLADIES

Manchester Palace Theatre until 26th June

Review by Brian Gorman (Originally written for http://www.thepublicreviews.com/)

I really wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this at all. I love Victoria Wood, but never fancied watching her tv sit-com (’Dinnerladies’). It all looked far too cosy for me. Well, I missed out, didn’t I? She’s a clever one, our Victoria (I can call her ours, as she’s a local lass; born in Prestwich), and there are quite a few dark moments among the primary colours in this stage version adapted from the tv scripts by David Graham, who also directs, for The Comedy Theatre Company. Set in the kitchen of a Manchester factory canteen, this is the bittersweet love story of Bren (Laura Sheppard uncannily channeling Ms Wood herself) and Tony (Andrew Dunn successfully recreating the role he played on tv). Encouraged to ‘get it on’ by their work colleagues, their road to happiness seems to be eternally blocked by various misunderstandings (both comic and tragic), the misadventures of Bren’s deluded mother Petula (Tamsin Heatley; absolutely hilarious in the Julie Walters part), and Bren’s despairingly low self esteem. The characters are largely female, middle-aged, and working class, and the laughs vary from simple one-liners to borderline slapstick. Sue Devaney, who also starred in the television version, again plays the common-as-muck Jane in what can only be described as ‘broad terms’. But such is the good humoured warmth of Wood’s writing, that we can forgive some of the eye-rolling, pantomime performances and simply enjoy a superbly crafted production that has something for everybody. Barrie Palmer’s Stan, the grumpy old handyman, delivers a very touching poem about his father, that is both poignant and appalling in equal measures. Sarah Head takes on the part of Human Resources manager Philippa, and creates a suitably silly little madam with a heart of gold. Gay Lambert as Dolly, and Stella Ross as Jean are a beautiful double act with their constant bickering, while Carrie Whitton as the slovenly Twinkle, and Roya Amiri as the dim-witted Anita, round out a first rate ensemble. Laura Sheppard holds everything together, and has perfected Victoria Wood’s voice, body language and delivery to a tee, and her scenes with the outrageous Petula are utterly fabulous. I must also mention Peter Brad-Leigh as Bob, who pops up briefly and milks every single line for all it’s worth; give this man his own show, somebody!
David Graham’s direction is spot on, and this is a lovely, feelgood piece of unashamedly old-fashioned, and unfashionable theatre. The cast seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves throughout, and every character has life. Wood is a very generous writer, and everybody gets their chance to shine. Some, in the case of Peter Brad-Leigh, simply dazzle!

Link: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/dinnerladies-%e2%80%93-palace-theatre-manchester/

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

2010-06-13T18:57:00.000-07:00

Photo: Simon Harrison (as John Worthing), Russell Dixon (Lady Bracknell), and Natalie Grady (Gwendolen).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
By Oscar Wilde

Manchester Library Theatre Company until 3rd July 2010

Review by Brian Gorman

The Library Theatre is one of Manchester’s most cherished institutions. Nestling comfortably beneath the Central Library, it offers a genteel refuge from the cares of the outside world. This week sees the last production take to the stage before the company packs its bags and prepares for life above ground. There will be several shows staged at The Lowry in Salford Quays, with other work in non-theatre sites around Manchester, before the company take up residence in their new home, at The Theatre Royal, in Peter Street in four years time. The Library Theatre Company’s first production, back in 1952, was Oscar Wilde’s celebrated play ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’, in which this most charming man mercilessly satirized the decadent ruling classes of the day. Age has not withered this vibrant, sparkling and hilarious piece of candy floss, which is as enjoyable a theatrical experience as it ever was; and a suitably fitting choice for the closing production. Artistic Director Chris Honer has delivered a gorgeous piece of work, leaving his faithful audience with a smile on their faces and a spring in their step as they clamber back up those endless stairs from a world less ordinary to a bustling St Peter’s Square. If it’s witty one-liners you’re looking for, they’re all here; a veritable Greatest Hits of Mr Oscar Wilde, with Judith Croft’s impeccably traditional set design anchoring the action in 19th century opulence. It’s a simple enough tale of the well-heeled and fashionable elite trading barbed witticisms whilst munching tea cakes and flouncing around thinking up new and amusing ways in which to pass the time. There’s no great message, no psychological analysis of any of the characters; just a big frothy concoction with the monstrously intimidating character of Lady Bracknell providing a gift of a part to, on this occasion, the actor Russell Dixon. Wisely underplaying, Dixon provides maximum entertainment when enunciating particular segments of dialogue and manages to milk virtually every line dry. Investing the names ‘Bunbury’ and ‘Prism’ with indecently huge significance, he had the audience in stitches. Played in a deadpan fashion, this was no camp pantomime dame either; and Dixon pitched his performance perfectly. One of the funniest creations I’ve seen on stage in a very long time, and no wonder one particular actor found it difficult not to corpse at one point. Alex Felton as the feckless Algernon was full of puppy dog energy and posher than our new PM. He provided a great double act with the upright and manly Simon Harrison as John Worthing, the unfortunate chap found abandoned as a baby in a rather large handbag. He lost both his parents, you know, which was very careless of him according to Lady Bracknell. Natalie Grady as Worthing’s hardnosed fiancé, Gwendolen Fairfax, provided a frightful younger version of Lady Bracknell; while Florence Hall as Cicely was her perfect opposite number; indescribably pretty, and sweeter than sweet. Olwen May, who really could double for Kristin Scott Thomas played the dithering Miss Prism, terrified as a rabbit when caught in the headlights of Lady Bracknell. A charming near-cameo from Malcolm James as the dotty old Canon Chasuble, and a solid, ramrod straight Leigh Symonds as the hired help, barely concealing his contempt for the wastrel fop who pays his wages, completed a fine ensemble. I loved it.

'EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner'

2010-06-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

I am writing, producing & directing a new short play later this year. Here's some latest news:

Albino Injun Productions & Transmission Unlimited
Present

EVERYMAN
The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner

Performed by Joe O’Byrne
Written & Directed by Brian Gorman

8pm Wed 11th to Fri 13th August, 2010
The Salmon Theatre, The Lass O’Gowrie, Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB

Press Release 10.06.10

‘EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner’ is a new play detailing the life of the theatre, television, and film star (who sadly died last year), and is to be staged in Manchester this summer at the famous Lass O’Gowrie pub on Charles Street. Writer/Director Brian Gorman believes that a theatrical tribute to the star of such cult tv favourites as ‘DANGER MAN’ and ‘THE PRISONER’ is long overdue:

“McGoohan was a brilliant actor. In common with the great Orson Welles,
who he cited as a major influence, he was also a fiercely uncompromising
individual who took real artistic chances, and divided the critics.”

The play is produced by Gorman's company TRANSMISSION UNLIMITED and O'Byrne's ALBINO INJUN PRODUCTIONS.

Onboard as the production’s official adviser is ROBERT FAIRCLOUGH. Robert is a freelance writer, designer and producer. His work on ‘The Prisoner’ includes the book ‘The Prisoner: The Official Companion to the Classic TV Series’, editing two volumes of ‘The Original Scripts’ for the classic series and graphic design work on the recent AMC remake.He is a broadcaster who has featured on BBC radio and ITV, written for the British Film Institute and 'SFX' magazine and produced documentaries for 2 Entertain's range of ‘Doctor Who’ DVDs.

JOE O’BYRNE is the man with the unenviable task of stepping into McGoohan’s shoes, but he is more than ready for it. As Joe himself says:

"'It's not often you get the chance to play one of your idols. Patrick McGoohan is one of the reasons I took such a strong interest in acting from an early age. I loved Danger Man and The Prisoner as a kid and I always try to catch The Prisoner each time it comes around, it's timeless and still works today. It had such a surreal influence, echoed through the years in series like Twin Peaks and Lost, and on the larger screen in The Truman Show. The man was a genius, and years ahead of his time.Playing him will be a huge challenge but how many times do you get an opportunity like this? I won't let him or Brian Gorman down."

A writer, actor, and film-maker, Joe can be seen in the upcoming dvd release of the low budget crime movie ‘Diary Of A Bad Lad’, which has seen him garner rave reviews for his performance. His plays include ‘The Bench’, ‘I’m Frank Morgan’, and ‘Rank’ which have all been produced in Manchester and Salford at The Lowry, Studio Salford, and Salford Arts Theatre.

For the opening Manchester production, ‘Number Two’ will be played on stage by DAVID BICKERSTAFF. This Paisley born actor is now living in London, and trained at Queen Margaret, Edinburgh. He has just finished a successful run of Joe Orton's 'The Erpingham Camp' for TW4, and is a regular in the cult sci-fi comedy radio series 'The Scarifyers'.

Patrick McGoohan was born in New York, but spent less than a year there before his family relocated to their native Ireland. Several years later, they moved to England, where McGoohan caught the acting bug in Sheffield, and worked his way up to leading roles at the local professional repertory theatre. He was the first choice to play James Bond in 1962, but turned down the role of a lifetime due to his distaste for the depiction of gratuitous violence and casual sex. While Bond was smashing cinema box office records, McGoohan became an international television star as secret agent John Drake in ‘Danger Man’; who rarely used a gun and politely declined the numerous advances of beautiful women. After several hugely successful years, McGoohan tired of playing Drake, and persuaded legendary producer Lew Grade to back his new project, ‘The Prisoner’, and allow him full creative control. The series made McGoohan the highest paid actor on British tv, and became a massive cult hit with its flamboyant action, imaginative stories, and surreal style.
McGoohan also starred in a variety of successful films including ‘Silver Streak’, ‘Ice Station Zebra’, and Mel Gibson’s oscar-winning ‘Braveheart’.
He won two Emmy awards for acting in the ‘Columbo’ tv series, and was even immortalised in an episode of ‘The Simpsons’.

Manchester-based Brian Gorman is a writer, artist, and actor. He has designed posters and brochure illustrations for The Chester Gateway Theatre, and had work published in The Liverpool Daily Post, The Big Issue, and Green World (the magazine of The Green Party). His artwork has also been seen on television (ITV1’s ‘Martina Cole’s Lady Killers’), and he is currently working on a professional commission to produce a series of graphic novels on Manchester bands. As an actor he has played leading roles in corporate and educational dramas, music videos, and has just been cast as the notorious mass murderer Thomas Hamilton in a television reconstruction of the 1996 Dunblane massacre. He also has an arts review blog at http://fictionmaker.blogspot.com/
Gorman doesn’t rule himself out of playing McGoohan sometime in the future:

“I would love to play the man, but I’d like Joe to do it first!
It’s a dream of a role, as McGoohan was a dynamic, fiery character
with a distinct acting style. I think it’s best I see the play from the
audience point of view first, and examine what works.”

There is also a word of warning for anyone expecting a straight-forward story of McGoohan’s life:

“In keeping with McGoohan’s surreal work on ‘The Prisoner’, I
shall be playing around with time, as well as the character itself. ‘Patrick
McGoohan’ will be a mix of the real man, and ‘No.6’ (from ‘The
Prisoner’).”

Tickets will be available soon. More details can be seen on the production’s Facebook page 'JOHN DRAKE'. Production information is available from theprisonermcgoohan@yahoo.co.uk

Brian Gorman can be contacted at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk

TORCHWOOD RETURNS

2010-06-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

I had mixed feelings about the first two series, but last year's 'Children Of Earth' was fantastic. Here's what the BBC has said:

Torchwood returns with international flavour

Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood will return for a fourth series with a more international flavour, the BBC said.
The 10-part series will be funded by BBC Wales, as well as the corporation's commercial arm - BBC Worldwide - and US cable network Starz Entertainment.
John Barrowman will return as Captain Jack alongside Eve Myles, as Gwen.
While previous series have been recorded in Cardiff, new storylines will include locations in the US and around the world.
The first series of the sci-fi drama was shown on BBC Three in 2006 with the second broadcast two years later on BBC Two.
Creator Russell T Davies: "It's going to be lively, it's going to a good laugh"
The five-part third series, Children of Earth, was shown on consecutive nights on BBC One last July.
Torchwood creator and former Doctor Who head writer Russell T Davies will lead a team of writers to create the new series.

'DIARY OF A BAD LAD' DVD review

2010-06-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

Here's the cover image for the forthcoming dvd release. This film is getting rave reviews, and here's mine:

DIARY OF A BAD LAD

Review by Brian Gorman

Made on a shoestring ‘without compromise, about people without principles, by people without money’ (as it states proudly on the poster), ‘Diary Of A Bad Lad’ is a prime example of sheer raw talent triumphing over lack of resources. Astonishingly, this 90 minute film cost under £4000 to make, which really throws down the gauntlet to aspiring movie-makers everywhere. Forget Hollywood, make your own movie on your own doorstep, and talent will carry the day. Taking the classic Belgian black comedy ‘Man Bites Dog’ as its roadmap, this is the tale of Blackburn-based frustrated film-maker Barry Lick (played by the film’s writer & producer, Jonathan Williams) attempting to make a documentary about local gangsters, and soon finding himself getting deeper and deeper into hot water. Using the format of such recent movies as ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and ‘Paranormal Activity’, the film unfolds through a series of video tapes edited together by the 'bad lad' himself (and the fictional movie’s ‘executive producer’) Tommy Morghen, played by Joe O’Byrne. Performances are uniformly excellent, with Williams’ hapless chancer Barry Lick eliciting sympathy and loathing in equal measure. The real ‘bad lad’ of the story is the amoral hardman Tommy, and O’Byrne’s steely-eyed take on what could have been a one-dimensional gangster part echoed the screen charisma of Steve McQueen (yes, he’s THAT good!). Michael Booth’s direction is confident and assured, allowing the action to unfold without the use of gimmicky camerawork or tricksy editing. A Jon Ronson style voice-over by Williams (in character as Barry) works superbly in conveying the simple-minded and naive approach Barry takes to his work, and manages to make every scene that little bit more disturbing. A tip of the hat to actor James Foster as a desperate man forced to film himself and his wife having sex in order to avoid Tommy calling in a debt. His straight-faced performance whilst attempting to get an erection during a full-frontal to camera is a truly brave one. ‘Diary Of A Bad Lad’ should be required viewing for anyone who wants to make movies, and a shot across the bows of the struggling British film industry.

'Diary Of A Bad Lad' gets a much deserved release on dvd at the end of June. Certificate 18.

Check out http://www.pleasedsheep.com/

LIEUTENANT COLUMBO in PRESCRIPTION MURDER

2010-06-09T04:48:00.000-07:00

Photo: Fleming (Patrick Ryecart) and Columbo (Dirk Benedict)

I managed to interview Mr Dirk Benedict at The Fab Cafe last Sunday, but unfortunately I couldn't make it to The Lowry to see him in this production. Fortunately, Mr Richard Howell-Jones could. Here's his review:

FACING COLUMBO

Review by Richard Howell-Jones

Sir! Oh, sir! Sorry to interrupt, I know you’re very busy, but there’s just this one little thing that’s been botherin’ me . . . .
[sigh] Yes, lieutenant?
Is it true I’m in a play, sir?
Yes, lieutenant, it’s true. It’s called Prescription: Murder, produced by Middle Ground Theatre Company at the Lowry theatre, Salford Quays, and runs from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th June at 8pm.
How about that! My wife’ll be thrilled.
We-ell, it’s not actually you, lieutenant.
Huh?
It’s Dirk Benedict.
Well, whaddya know . . . wasn’t he in Battlebus Galactistud - ?
Battlestar Galactica.
- and . . . what was it . . . the B-list?
The A-Team. Yes, he’s quite famous.
Sure, sure, I never watch those things, too cerebral, but my cousin, he just loves ‘em, talks about ‘em all the time.
[sigh] Was there something you wanted, lieutenant?
I’m sorry, sir. Tell me, is he anything like me?
Hard to say, lieutenant. The cigar’s in the script, of course, but I’m not sure the raincoat is; I believe that was Peter Falk’s idea –
So is he like this Falk guy?
Practically identical, right down to the mannerisms, the stance, the voice . . . it’s fun if you’re a fan of the TV shows –
You think Mr Benedict studied this Falk character?
He says not.
Uh-huh. That’s very interesting. Is there anyone else in the show?
Well, the villain is played by Patrick Ryecart, who seemed somehow detached from events –
Maybe he wanted me to think he was innocent?
[sigh] I’d’ve been happy if I’d thought he was interested. A pity, as it lessened considerably the onstage tension between himself and Benedict. What could have been gripping became just amusing. He had some nice comedy moments, mind you.
[writing in notebook] Comedy . . . moments . . . . [looks up] Anything else, sir?
The victim, Karen Drury, did her best with an unsympathetic character who, though a nuisance to her husband, ultimately loved him enough not to struggle while he strangled her.
Well, sir, I can sympathise with that. After all, it’s a week’s run and they can’t have new actresses every night.
True, lieutenant, but even so, I’m sure there’s more to being strangled than gurning & waving one arm about a bit. On the other hand, the lover, Elizabeth Lowe, was very convincing in all her scenes, as were Karren Winchester (the secretary) and Michael Shane (delivery man & detective). I felt a little sorry for George Telfer (District Attorney) who gave the impression that he wasn’t quite sure why he was there but would do his best anyway; more to do with the script than his performance, perhaps, as he had only the one appearance. As for the staging, the music was far too Humphrey Bogart for the period, though the set changes were very impressive.
I get the picture, sir – a theatrical crime scene. You didn’t like it?
I wouldn’t say that, lieutenant. If you like your theatre more light entertainment than deep meaningful drama, or if you’re a Columbo fan, you’ll have an enjoyable evening.
Well, my wife, she loves the theatre sir, maybe I’ll take her along.
Do that, lieutenant. Just leave your cousin at home.
Thank you sir, thank you very much, you’ve been very helpful . . . oh, sir? Sir? Just one more thing.
[sigh] Yes, lieutenant?
Who directed?
Michael Lunney. Can I go now?

Vworp 3 - the Lass' annual Doctor Who PubCon is BACK!

2010-06-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

Update on the upcoming big Dr Who event in Manchester from your host, Gareth Kavanagh:

Guests include the following (subject to professional commitments, *natch);*

MC John Cooper*

Terrance Dicks (writer, legend novelist who taught most of us to read)*

Andrew Cartmel (script editor and mastermind behind the McCoy revival)*

Graeme Harper (only the greatest Director of Who ever)*

Dez Skinn (Founding editor of our beloved Doctor Who Magazine)*

Rob Shearman (Genius behind Dalek, Chimes of Midnight and fan scholar)*

Chris Achilleos (Master of the early target novel covers, this man IS art)*

Ade Salmon (Artist's artist, illustrator of the Time Team and Cybermen)

And more in the pipeline, so keep 'em peeled!

Other treats include the debut of John Cooper's One Man Doctor Who and after show entertainment with the superb WART Show - award winning character comedy!

Naturally, our fine pies and ale will be available throughout the day and with only 50 tickets being made available, the relaxed atmosphere you've all come to know and love will be retained, no fear.

Tickets cost a bargainous £19.50 a head and are available ONLY from www.wegottickets.com/event/83302 .

More info on us, as ever can be found at www.thelass.co.uk or in our cosy little thread on Gallifrey Base - http://gallifreybase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53670

JOE COFFEY - 21st CENTURY SALFORD ARTIST

2010-06-05T18:07:00.001-07:00

He only began painting two years ago as a way of coping with his brother’s death, and is self-taught, but Eccles based Joe Coffey is attracting attention. His colourful depictions of everyday Salford life, with a particular focus on the much maligned ‘hoodies’, have brought comparisons to the great L S Lowry himself, but Joe is very much his own man:

“I’d never done any art before. I just did bits of drawings and stuff of Salford life. Everyone compares it to Lowry, I don’t know why. I try to paint life in general on the streets. I don’t know why I started doing hoodies. I’ve had a lot of positive comments about my painting. Salford is at the heart of my work - the community spirit - people always helping each other out. I suppose my paintings have turned to documenting life in Salford.”

Based in Winton, Eccles, 37 year-old Joe has recently completed a painting of Lowry opening the gate of his Station Road house in Swinton; the place he lived in for over 40 years (see photo). Joe has a passion about preserving the great man’s home, where he painted many of his masterpieces:

“It would be a shame not to keep it as part of Salford’s heritage. Doing something with it in honour of one of our Salford legends and turning it into somewhere for artists would be good - or even a visitors centre.”

Following his first two exhibitions at Eccles Precinct, Joe is now preparing for a new one at Langworthy Cornerstone from 13th September.

SILVER PEARL TV & NETWORKING EVENT

2010-06-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

Above: Joe O'Byrne tells it like it is. (Photo: Richard J Bradbury)

A fabulous turnout (Photo: Richard J Bradbury)

Wednesday 2nd June 2010

Report by Brian Gorman

The AXM nightclub on Bloom Street, Manchester was the venue this week for the inaugural Silver Pearl TV & Networking Event, organized by Gail Cullen of Pink Diamond Productions and Rhiannon Clifford, aspiring Production Designer . I wasn’t at all sure what to expect, as I’d always viewed such things with a certain degree of apprehension, if not outright fear. ‘Networking’. The word always sent a shiver down my spine. What would I encounter? Queues of aspiring celebrities desperately prostrating themselves to producers, casting agents, etc.? I’d always hated that kind of thing. Guess what? Nothing could have been further from the truth. This was a fabulous evening, in an atmospheric venue, with several fascinating guest speakers who gave a real, honest, and clear insight into working in the film and television industry. Ms Cullen, delightfully attired, one has to remark, in a splendidly spangly silver dress, was an ideal hostess; warm, approachable, and keen to get people talking to each other. Several times she introduced me to people I might never have had the nerve to approach, and I came away a hell of a lot more knowledgeable, keen, and inspired. I met producers, casting agents, stuntmen, actors, writers, and made some invaluable contacts and, one hopes, future friends. For anybody even contemplating working in television, events like this are a must. It’s no good being the best, if nobody knows about you. Gail Cullen is doing everybody in the business a huge favour by organizing these evenings, and if the vibe is anything to go by, I’d book early for the next one.
Local writer, actor, and film-maker Joe O’Byrne gave an entertaining and inspiring talk on how to succeed in the business (or at least how to get on the ladder). His story of how he left a successful career in retail to pursue his dream of working in tv and film was both amusing and uplifting. His basic message was don’t wait for opportunities to fall in your lap; get out there and make things happen. Illustrating his various points with anecdotes about his impressively long list of accomplishments in theatre, tv, and independent film-making, here was a guy you couldn’t help admire. The film ‘Diary Of A Bad Lad’, in which he plays the title character was made on an incredible budget of under £4000, and is released on dvd later this month, as well as receiving a limited cinema release. O’Byrne believes in talent, and has little patience with those seeking fame for fame’s sake; a punk style attitude of getting up and just doing it is what’s needed in his book.
After a short break we had a chance to mingle and chat with fellow creatives; made easy by everybody wearing wristbands that identified them as producers, writers, actors, etc (a great idea, and a real icebreaker). Next on stage were Lee Mountjoy and Darren R L Gordon, casting director and actor trainer/artistic director respectively. Once again we were treated to a friendly, unpretentious, informative and entertaining talk on the industry. Lee Mountjoy had some invaluable advice for actors attending auditions, such as not directing one’s monologue directly at the poor casting person who’s trying to make notes. Darren R L Gordon (http://www.actingclass.co.uk/) gave us some insights into getting a movie off the ground, and the various avenues that are open to local film-makers. Chatting to each of the speakers later in the bar, each one of them was approachable, keen to talk, and a delight to listen to. Yes, there are some horror stories, and any wannabe actor or film-maker should be prepared for a hard slog, but there is a great deal of help around, and some genuinely nice people to work with. Get yourself along to one of Gail’s events and you’re already ahead in the game.

Her website can be found at http://www.myspace.com/momachick100

Richard J Bradbury (event photography) http://www.rjbradbury.com

DR WHO 'PUBCON' at The Lass O'Gowrie

2010-06-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

Photo: Legendary Dr Who Weekly creator DEZ SKINN with Gareth Kavanagh at a previous Lass Pubcon.

Dr Who fans alert!!!! The glorious Lass is holding it's next 'Pubcon' very soon. Here's the latest from Mein Host, Gareth Kavanagh:

Hello,Yes, it's that time of year again and I'm thrilled to announce we're back for our third annual pubcon at the Lass O'Gowrie.Taking place on Sunday, July 18th as part of our inaugural fringe festival in the Lass (Lassfest), our theme this year is 'six of the best'. Essentially, our assembled guests will take us on a journey through their six favourite things about their time of Doctor Who - beit a person, a character, a scene - whatever they fancy really. As it's us, you can bet we'll be using all the technology at our disposal and with our good pals at Kasterborous will be streaming and harvesting questions via twitter to boot.Ticketing and guests will be announced very soon, and we've got some fabulous treats in store to boot.
Naturally, our fine pies and ale will be available throughout the day and with only 50 tickets being made available, the relaxed atmosphere you've all come to know and love will be retained, no fear.Keep 'em peeled!

A little more info to tickle you with....
Ticketing is now set up and will be imminently available from www.wegottickets.com (it's just in admin hell for a short time, relax).
Tickets are priced at £19.50 a head
MC is once again, the great John Cooper. Guests confirmed to date (subject to availability, fingers crossed, don't shout if someone doesn't make it) include Terrance Dicks, Andrew Cartmel, Dez Skinn and Rob Shearman.
We hope to confirm at least a further three guests in the next few weeks
John Cooper will be performing his One Man Doctor Who for the first time ever, radio stylee which promises to be immense
Coin Brockhurst is working on some lovely new artwork for the con poster, an amalgum of Ena Sharples and Who (what else?) Exciting!

Why not pop over for a gander at Vworp Vworp? Probably the best Who comics fanzine you'll read all year? www.vworpvworp.co.uk

More info on the Lass can be found at http://www.thelass.co.uk/.

VVWORP!!! DR WHO FAN MEET-UP

2010-05-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the month again!

VVWORP!!! - Who @ The Lass

With a big screen presentation of this week's Dr Who adventure: 'COLD BLOOD'. Come and see The Silurians v The Apes!!!!!

Last Saturday of the month from 3.00pm in the grooviest pub in Manchester - the mighty Lass O'Gowrie. Primarily for fans of old and new Doctor Who, but all are welcome for discussion, debate and drinking.

Come one, come all and sample the unique excellence of The Lass O'Gowrie - winner of Pub of The Year 2009/10

TRANSMISSION: THE ULTIMATE JOY DIVISION TRIBUTE BAND

2010-05-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

The Ian Curtis celebration continues this week with a special tribute night on Thursday 27th May from 7pm at Moho Live, Tib Street, Manchester.

Details from the Facebook site:

On the 18th May 1980 the country lost a legend, to mark his life and music.. Boon Army Army bring you a very special night...TRANSMISSION THE ULTIMATE JOY DIVISION TRIBUTE BAND...Devoted to recreating the atmosphere of a live Joy Division gig, Transmission emulate the sound of one of the most inventive, evocative and influential groups of their era. Joy Division were formed in the late 1970s and dissolved in May 1980 after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis. The remaining members went on to form New Order and have achieved much critical and commercial success. The influence of Joy Division, however, was far reaching. They were considered the pioneering band of the post-punk movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s. More than 30 years on you can still relive the dark cavernous sound of Joy Division through Transmission one of the leading UK tribute bands.Tickets are an absolute bargain at just £7 as we want this night rammed and everyone dancing along Mr Curtis style... So come down, reminisce and let the music live on..MAIN SUPPORT ON THE NIGHT COMES FROM THE QUANGOS, ALSO ON THE BILL ARE DIRTY AVENUES, THE SO AND SOS AND A HOST MORE
http://www.ticketline.co.uk/tickets/13244106/transmission/manchester-moho-live/2010-05-27

'THE MEMORY OF WATER' (Oldham Coliseum) Review

2010-05-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

THE MEMORY OF WATER
By
Shelagh Stephenson

Oldham Coliseum Theatre until 5th June

Review by Brian Gorman

A sweltering summer’s evening in a theatre can be absolute torture, but if it’s a fabulous production then one doesn’t mind the suffocating temperature so much. Well, luckily for the audience, what we got was an absolutely fantastic staging of Shelagh Stephenson’s Olivier award-winning play, ‘The Memory Of Water’. This is the story of three sisters attending their mother’s funeral and struggling to make sense of their relationships with her, their partners, lovers, and each other. There shouldn’t really be much room for laughs here, but such is the skill of director Kevin Shaw, that we got to experience the whole gamut of human emotion from a superb ensemble cast. The setting is a ramshackle old house in the Yorkshire countryside, with a snowstorm raging outside. Sophie Khan’s set is dustily realistic, except for the subtle, artificial placing of stacks of books at all manner of odd angles which perfectly compliments the themes of the play; time being out of joint, memories being unreliable and highly subjective, and general entropy.
Eva Pope (a familiar face from tv’s ‘Waterloo Road’) plays the elder sister, Teresa; the dependable one who stayed home to nurse the dying mother. Resentful of her siblings, and jealous of middle sister Mary (Maeve Larkin) who was the favoured daughter and is now a high flying doctor. Catherine Kinsella completes the bereaved trio as the moody, mixed-up tearaway (also called Catherine) desperate for love but going about trying to find it in all the wrong places. All three actresses give full-bloodied, gutsy and brave performances, with each getting some superbly directed moments in which to shine. Eva Pope threatens to devour everyone on stage in one highly charged scene, when she explodes with an outpouring of anger and bitterness after downing half a bottle of whiskey. Maeve Larkin plays Mary with a detached superiority before emotionally dissolving when a long-hidden family secret is shockingly revealed. And Catherine Kinsella, playing the extravagant, highly strung child-woman, goes into mental breakdown with a shattering hundred mile an hour monologue about how unfair she feels life has been to her (to the resigned amusement of her sisters). This was probably the best moment of the night; a beautiful performance eliciting laughter and tears in equal measure.
Playing the ghostly figure of Vi (the mother), Emma Gregory put in a tremendous performance as a brassy and voluptuous Amazonian in a dress so tight it’s a wonder she could breathe. At complete ease with herself and displaying a ferocious man-eating attitude that, if it could be bottled, would surely be outlawed immediately. With so much female talent on show, the male members of the cast truly had their work cut out, but rose to the occasion. If there is one weakness in the script, it has to be the slightly underwritten male parts. Paul Barnhill played Mike, the married lover of fellow doctor Mary, with stoical solidness, but had little to do except spend half the evening dressed only in a towel. Defending his decision not to leave his ailing wife, Barnhill communicated a range of mixed emotions and motives in a well-judged, understated and subtle performance. Full marks to director Shaw again for balancing the characters so well, and for handling the mix of gut-wrenching drama and side-splitting belly laughs. Completing the cast was Tim Treslove as Frank, the amiable and somewhat downtrodden husband of Teresa. Again, a somewhat underwritten part, but handled with great skill, pathos, and excellent comic timing. The music track opening and closing the show was Nat ‘King’ Cole’s classic ‘Unforgettable’; a perfect choice if ever there was one; this was a memorable evening indeed.

This review can also be seen at www.thepublicreviews.com

PETER HOOK CELEBRATES IAN CURTIS (Review)

2010-05-19T16:05:00.001-07:00

UNKNOWN PLEASURES 18.05.10

I went to only my third ever gig last night, to FAC251 The Factory Club to see Peter Hook’s band, The Light, play a tribute to Ian Curtis on the 30th anniversary of the Joy Division singer’s death. Blimey it was hot! Packed to capacity in the ground floor performance space, I was amongst mainly middle-aged folk, but there was also a healthy smattering of cool young dudes too. I know now why I don’t do gigs like this. It’s hard to enjoy the music when your eardrums are being blasted and sweat is streaming down your face. Plus you can’t get to the bar because there’s a wall of flesh surrounding you.
Before I saw the show, I took the opportunity to visit the Curtis exhibition that was being held on the top floor of the club. Appropriately, in the old boardroom of Tony Wilson’s legendary Factory Records. Here was everything the Joy Division devotee could wish for; Producer Martin Hannett’s various recording gadgets, some of the band’s old guitars, song sheets, and, hauntingly, the sound booth that Curtis recorded several tracks in. In the darkened room, with its bare brick walls, the empty booth stood like a wood and glass coffin, with the abandoned headphones and microphone exhibited like holy relics; the tools of a departed genius’ trade.
The gig’s support act was a big, bald, middle-aged guy called Kevin (I didn’t catch his surname) who played a few folkie type songs on his guitar. He told us he’d been with Factory records, and had supported Joy Division and New Order. He was pretty good, but terribly modest and virtually apologizing for being on stage. Have more faith in your talents, Kevin!
Peter Hook has been criticized by some people for putting on this event. There have been accusations of cashing in on his ex bandmate’s memory in order to promote the Factory Club (which he co-owns) and his new band, Freebass. What utter tosh! Hook was IN Joy Division. The Factory Club was the HQ of their record label, and what do you expect the man to do? Nothing? It was plain from the emotion in his voice and on his face throughout the set, that this evening meant a lot to him. I expected a bit of an opening speech, but no; not from ‘Hooky’. Actions spoke louder than words, as the band went straight into several early, punk era JD songs with Hook thrashing away like the old days. ‘At A Later Date’, ‘Digital’, and ‘Glass’ were played with fury, and the audience were in heaven. Before launching into the entire ‘Unknown Pleasures’ (Joy Division's 1979 debut album) , Hook told us he wasn’t going to say much, and that we knew why we were here. Then, with a trembling voice, said ‘I’m just trying to remember my friend’s beautiful words’. The NME interviewed him later where he admitted it was a bit of an effort memorizing Curtis’ lyrics, and that it gave him renewed insight into just how much the young man had worked on crafting them (Curtis was only 23 when he hanged himself in 1980). The band was joined on stage for two songs, ‘Insight’ and ‘New Dawn Fades’ by Happy Mondays singer, Rowetta, and for the encore, ‘Transmission’ by A Certain Ratios’s Simon Topping. A second encore saw the band ending the night with Joy Division’s only commercial hit single, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’. A tremendous night, and a fabulous decision by Hooky to go ahead and stick two proverbial fingers up at his critics.

By the way, whilst having a drink in a local pub before the gig, I saw Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins in Canal Street. A living legend, and another fine example of a true individual and tortured genius. Hats off to the uniqueness of the human spirit, in all its forms!

Matt Smith is Christopher Isherwood

2010-05-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Photo: Toby Jones as 'The Dream Lord' in a recent Dr Who adventure

New Dr Who Matt Smith is starring in a new BBC film, directed by the man responsible for the 1996 Paul McGann adventure, Geoffrey Sax. He is joined by fellow Dr who stars Lindsay Duncan ('The waters Of Mars') and Toby Jones ('Amy's Choice')

Here's the latest from the beeb:

New BBC Two drama, Christopher And His Kind
Date: 19.05.2010
Category: BBC Two; Drama
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Lindsay Duncan, Imogen Poots, Toby Jones and Douglas Booth join Matt Smith in a new BBC Two drama. Written by acclaimed playwright Kevin Elyot (My Night With Reg) and produced by Mammoth Screen through BBC Wales, Christopher And His Kind chronicles the formative years of Christopher Isherwood.
Isherwood, played by Matt Smith (Doctor Who), escapes repressive English society and his suffocating relationship with his mother, Kathleen played by Lindsay Duncan (Criminal Justice, Thatcher, Under The Tuscan Sun) for the decadent – and politically unstable – world of Thirties Berlin.
Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later, Solitary Man) stars as Jean Ross, an aspiring actress and singer who provided Christopher with the inspiration for the Sally Bowles character of Cabaret fame.
Toby Jones (Frost/Nixon, W) plays Gerald Hamilton, a peculiar man who provided the inspiration for the title character in the celebrated Isherwood novel Mr Norris Changes Trains.
Pip Carter (Party Animals) plays Wystan Auden, the famous poet with a droll sense of humour who persuaded Christopher to join him in Berlin.
Douglas Booth (Worried About The Boy) plays Heinz, an unassuming street cleaner who Christopher meets and falls in love with during his time in Berlin.
The hedonistic Berlin cabaret scene is in full swing when a young and wide-eyed Christopher Isherwood arrives in the city, unable to speak a word of German, to stay with his close friend, Auden.
To Isherwood's reserved English sensibility, the city's thriving gay subculture is thrilling and intoxicating. But Christopher soon finds himself heartbroken after the failure of a hopeless love affair, and so sets out on a process of self-discovery.
This 90-minute film is directed by Geoffrey Sax (Tipping The Velvet) and produced by Celia Duval (Margot) for Mammoth Screen, with Michele Buck, Kevin Elyot and Damien Timmer as executive producers.
The drama was commissioned for BBC Two by Janice Hadlow, Controller BBC Two and Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama commissioning with Eleanor Moran as BBC executive producer and Piers Wenger, Head of Drama, BBC Wales.
Christopher And His Kind is currently filming on location in Belfast and is being made with the assistance of Northern Ireland Screen.
SJP

COLIN BAKER IS INSPECTOR MORSE

2010-05-17T04:53:00.000-07:00

Colin Baker faces a rather daunting task later this year when he takes on the role made famous by the late great John Thaw. Oxford's finest, Inspector Morse, is to return courtesy of Calibre Productions, in a brand new stage play, 'House Of Ghosts'. Written by Alma Cullen, who was also responsible for four of the televison series' episodes, this new case for Morse has been fully endorsed by his creator, Colin Dexter. It is the first time the great detective has appeared on stage, and he will be facing an old enemy and a former lover.

Eagerly looking forward to bringing the Jaguar-driving, real ale-swilling, crossword -solving Inspector back to life, Colin Baker comments:

“More Morse! This in itself is exciting enough but for me to have the opportunity to follow in John Thaw's footsteps and bring this sullen, intuitive intellectual to life on-stage, is both daunting and very exciting. Whilst revisiting the character in Dexter's novels, I am both appalled, and greatly encouraged to discover just how many characteristics I share with the great Inspector. It's a great and fiendishly clever script - I simply can't wait”.

Casting is still taking place for Morse's sidekick, the ever loyal Lewis.

For more information check out the company website here: http://www.calibreproductions.co.uk/

WANTED: ACTOR TO PLAY PATRICK McGOOHAN

2010-05-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

I am writing a new short play called 'EVERYMAN', about the life of Patrick McGoohan the star of cult 60s tv series 'Danger Man' and 'The Prisoner'. The idea is to produce a preview for the upcoming 'Lass Fest' at the Lass O'Gowrie pub in Manchester at the end of July. I'm looking for someone to play McGoohan in what I'm planning as a one man show. It's all for fun at the moment, but we should make a few pennies on the night to split between us, and if it all works out I shall be looking to produce it professionally later in the year. The actor must bear a passing resemblance to McGoohan (i.e. tall, athletic), but acting ability is the first priority. The story begins in 1968 when McGoohan was 40, but we shall be covering his early years in Hollywood, and later years up to working on the Columbo tv series in the 70s and 80s. Minimal use of costume and props, so the actor will have to suggest McGoohan's age in various scenes.

Contact me at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk

PETER HOOK'S NEW BAND DEBUT

2010-05-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

Latest Press Release from The Factory:

FREEBASSFeaturing: PETER HOOK (NewOrder)GARY 'MANI' MOUNFIELD (The Stone Roses)ANDY ROURKE (The Smiths)GARY BRIGGS (Haven)The long awaited debut full live show from the Manc-union of rock star Bassists playing their first hometown gig in their own city...THE FACTORYWEDNESDAY 02 JUNE 2010 8pm-10:30pmADV £12.50. Inc Aftershow Party until 4am with DJ Set from BEZ http//:www.factorymanchester.comhttp//:www.freebassuk.com

ECCLESTON & CROOK IN NEW JIMMY McGOVERN SERIES

2010-05-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

Christopher Eccleston and Mackenzie Crook take lead roles in opening episodes of Accused, compelling new drama series from Jimmy McGovern for BBC One
Date: 11.05.2010
Category: BBC One; Drama
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BBC PRESS RELEASE:
Christopher Eccleston (Lennon Naked, Doctor Who) and Mackenzie Crook (Pirates Of The Caribbean) are to star in new BBC One six-part drama Accused, by Jimmy McGovern.
Christopher Eccleston and Mackenzie Crook play the leading characters in the first two episodes of Accused; separate stories which open as an ordinary individual is led to the dock to hear his fate.
As each hour-long episode unravels we learn how each man came to be there. But on reflection should they be the accused? Are they innocent or guilty or somewhere in between? And will the jury make the right judgement?
RSJ Films, the independent television and film drama production company founded in August 2009 by Jimmy McGovern, Sita Williams and Roxy Spencer, the creative team responsible for the multi-award winning BBC One hit The Street, begins filming Accused, an unflinching contemporary six-part drama, this month.
Jimmy McGovern says: "In the time it takes to climb the steps to the court we tell the story of how the accused came to be here. We see the crime and we see the punishment. Nothing else. No police procedure, thanks very much, no coppers striding along corridors with coats flapping. Just crime and punishment – the two things that matter most in any crime drama.
"It's great to work with Chris again and I've often tried in the past to get Mackenzie into something of mine. And needless to say, it's wonderful to reunite the team that made The Street."
Polly Hill, BBC Commissioning Editor, says: "After three wonderful, award-winning series of The Street, we are thrilled the same team are making Accused for BBC One. The first commission for RSJ Films, Jimmy McGovern, Sita Williams and Roxy Spencer, together with David Blair, continue to make drama that is relevent, challenging and above all moving. I'm sure this will prove to be a real treat for the BBC One audience."
Accused was commissioned by BBC One Controller Jay Hunt, and Ben Stephenson, Controller of Drama Commissioning, and is executive produced for the BBC by Polly Hill, Commissioning Editor, Independent Drama. Sita Williams is the producer and executive producer for RSJ Films.
Christopher Eccleston stars as a man in turmoil in Willy's Story by Jimmy McGovern, which starts filming on 30 May. Lapsed Catholic Willy does his best; he's a good plumber and a loving father, but he fails to be a faithful husband.
Just when Willy is about to confess to his wife Carmel, played by Pooky Quesnel, his daughter announces she's getting married. Willy's guilty secret must wait while pressure from all sides keeps growing. He is about to implode when he finds something in the back of a cab and it's either the answer to his prayers or the beginning of his downfall...
Mackenzie Crook stars as Buckley, a soldier's soldier – a man you need on your side if you are to survive. The Soldier Story is written by Jimmy McGovern and begins filming on 10 May.
Newcomers Benjamin Smith and Ben Batt play Frankie Nash and Peter McShane respectively, two friends who join the British army. Soon they are on the frontline in Afghanistan where they learn that not obeying orders has deadly consequences, and that the enemy are not necessarily who you think they are. Robert Pugh plays Peter McShane Senior, an army veteran who is proud to have a son in the military keeping the family tradition alive.
A further four episodes of Accused film in and around Manchester until the end of August this year and further casting will be announced shortly.
The directors are David Blair (The Street), (eps 1, 2, 5 & 6) and Richard Laxton (An Englishman In New York), (eps 3 & 4).

MEET 'THE A TEAM' & 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA' STAR IN MANCHESTER

2010-05-11T07:39:00.001-07:00

AN EVENING WITH
THE A TEAM & BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’s
DIRK BENEDICT
Sunday 6th June 8pm
The Fab Café, Portland St., Manchester

(Press release 10.05.10)

Manchester’s premiere sci-fi themed bar and night club, The Fab Café, is proud to welcome their latest guest, DIRK BENEDICT, for another of their regular celebrity evenings. The international star of 1980s tv classics ‘The A Team’ (as Templeton ‘Face Man’ Peck) and the original ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (as the dashing Viper pilot Lieutenant Starbuck), Benedict is currently touring the UK in a stage version of ‘Prescription Murder’, the original pilot for the tv series ‘Columbo’, in which he plays the title role. He was also on our television screens in 2007’s ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ alongside Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and the late Jade Goody, where he came third.
Local fans of Benedict are in for a treat, as his appearance at The Fab Café is followed by a week-long run of ‘Prescription Murder’ at Salford’s Lowry Theatre. There is also a cameo to look forward to in the upcoming, big budget film version of ‘The A Team’ starring Liam Neeson, which hits cinemas in the very same week.

Dirk Benedict will be interviewed on stage, followed by a Q & A session, and an opportunity for autographs and photos.
Fans are warned to be on the look out for any Cylons who may be in the vicinity on the night!

Tickets at just £4 are expected to sell quickly, and can be obtained from the venue itself - The Fab Café, Portland Street, Manchester (Tel. 0161 2122997).

For more information contact: Brian Gorman
email: brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk
tel. 07510 591444

TV COMEDY LEGENDS TO BE HONOURED

2010-05-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

(Photo: The cast of 'Mind Your Language' with Barry Evans and Francoise Pascal)

BARRY EVANS & VINCE POWELL

Comedy legends to be honoured
31st October, Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage, London

(Press Release by Brian Gorman)

TV comedy legends BARRY EVANS and VINCE POWELL are to be posthumously honoured with a commemoration lunch at the Marriott Hotel, Swiss Cottage, London at 1pm on the 31st October. There will also be the unveiling of a plaque at Barry Evans’s house earlier in the day in Swiss Cottage where he lived for many years before he moved to Leicester.

The event is being organized by FRANCOISE PASCAL, (Evans’ co-star in the phenomenally successful 1970s and 1980s ITV comedy series ‘Mind Your Language’ which can still boast close to three million fans in Britain and around the world.). Other members of the cast are expected to attend as well as actors who played alongside Evans in the equally popular ‘Doctor in The House’ series.

Barry Evans was born in Guildford, Surrey in 1943, and is best remembered for the popular and controversial 1970s ITV sit-com ‘Mind Your Language’ written by Vince Powell. The show, set in an evening class for mature foreign students, was a huge ratings success, bringing in up to 18 million viewers a week. Evans had previously starred in such iconic films as ‘The White Bus’ (1966) and ‘Here We Go ‘Round The Mulberry Bush’ (1968), and television series’ ‘The Baron’ and ‘Doctor In The House’. He died in 1997 at age 52.

Born in 1928, in Miles Platting, Manchester, Vince Powell wrote some of the most popular and successful television comedy series of all-time. In the 1960s he helped to turn comedian Harry Worth into a household name with ‘Here’s Harry’ (1960-65), and contributed to early episodes of ‘Coronation Street’ (1961-64), and ‘Adam Adamant Lives!’ (1966-67). Other successful series he helped to create and write included ‘George and The Dragon’ (1966-68) with Sid James and Peggy Mount, ‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width’ (1967-71), ‘Nearest and Dearest’ (1968-72) with Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker, and ‘Bless This House’ (1971-76), another vehicle for Sid James. With regular writing partner Harry Driver, Powell’s best-known creation was ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ (1972-76); a hugely controversial comedy that was also the most watched show on British Television at the time. In later years he also wrote 130 episodes of ‘Surprise Surprise’ starring Cilla Black, worked on 224 episodes of ‘Blind Date’, and supplied comedy routines for ‘Play Your Cards Right’ with Bruce Forsyth.
Vince Powell died in 2009, aged 80.

There are a limited number of tickets on sale, which can be obtained via Francoise Pascal at francoisepascal2@gmail.com.
Tickets are £70 per person (Table of 10: £700). Please provide your telephone number, address, and any dietary requirements. All cheques made payable to: MYL Lunch.

All proceeds will go to BARNARDO’S CHARITY, as Barry Evans was a Barnardo’s child.

For more information, please see the MYL FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Barry-Evans-Vince-Powell-Memorial-Lunch/115813895123872

'DOCTOR WHO AT THE FAB CAFE 3'

2010-05-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

DOCTOR WHO AT THE FAB CAFÉ 3

The Fab Café, Portland Street, Manchester
Sunday 2nd May

Review by Brian Gorman

FANS LIKE US, the Wirral-based Dr Who fan group, presented their latest day of sci-fi themed festivities at Manchester’s Fab Café with ex Dr Who COLIN BAKER headlining.
Producer Erica Egerton prides herself on providing relatively low-key affairs aimed at putting the ordinary fans first, and succeeded once more with an all-day event featuring actors, writers, and directors from the hit BBC TV show. Kicking off at 10am, a near capacity crowd were welcomed by popular Scots comedian CHARLIE ROSS, no stranger to the world of Dr Who, as he has acted in several of the audio adventures produced by Big Finish. A natural performer with bags of charisma, Ross had the audience in the palm of his hand in no time. First guest up was actor ALAN RUSCOE, who first appeared as an Auton in the very first episode of the newly rebooted show back in 2005. Ruscoe is a laid-back, unpretentious man with a winning smile and an easy manner. As well as the customary anecdotes about how uncomfortable the costumes were (he also played a gas belching Slitheen and an alien ‘tree person’), there were entertaining tales of acting alongside the intense Christopher Eccleston and the more amiable David Tennant. In last year’s ‘Waters Of Mars’ tv special, he finally got to play the part of a human, only for his character to evolve into a water-gushing alien hybrid. Next up was the immensely charming onstage double act of veteran director GRAEME HARPER and his long-time friend, actor COLIN SPAULL. Harper has the distinction of directing the all-time fan favourite story ‘The Caves of Androzani’ (1984) which saw Peter Davison’s Doctor regenerate into Colin Baker, and he has recently returned to helm episodes of the new series including David Tennant’s swan song ‘The End Of Time’. The two men were childhood friends, and actually acted together in the classic children’s tv series ‘Noddy’ back in the 1950s, with Spaull in the title role, and Harper as his mischievous pal ‘Moonface’. Spaull appeared in ‘Revelation Of The Daleks’ (1985), under Harper’s direction, and was cast again in ‘Rise Of The Cybermen’ (2006) as the sinister Mr Crane. With a wealth of anecdotes covering half a century of working in tv and film, the time flew by. Both men are old-school charmers with a genuine fondness for Dr Who, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy mixing with the fans throughout the day.
Writer ROB SHEARMAN was the first man to bring back the Daleks in the new series, and was a fabulously entertaining speaker, particularly when chronicling the process of writing for his favourite show. Actress SARAH SUTTON, who accompanied The Doctor in the 1980s, chatted about working with a difficult Tom Baker nearing the end of his run, and NICOLA BRYANT, who partnered Colin Baker’s Doctor, dazzled the largely male audience by looking hardly a day older than when she made her debut nearly 30 years ago, in an awfully skimpy bikini.
The announcement of a late cancellation by veteran actor NICHOLAS COURTNEY, (who played ‘The Brigadier’ alongside five different Doctors) due to ill health, brought an expected chorus of groans. Courtney played a hugely popular character, and is a much-loved and respected member of the Dr Who ‘family’, so the disappointment caused by his absence was fully understandable. Nevertheless, the show went on, and Colin Baker’s arrival ensured the excitement levels shot up, as the Time Lord himself was in the house. Guest interviewer Alan Lear, making his Fab Café debut, introduced Baker to the stage in a curiously exuberant and flamboyant manner, and I anticipated another thoroughly entertaining turn from the man who played the sixth incarnation of the time-travelling hero. Unfortunately, a few technical hitches meant the interview had to be scrapped and restarted after just 10 minutes in. The quick-thinking Charlie Ross came to the rescue with the announcement of an impromptu five minute break. One or two boos rang out as an understandably puzzled Mr Baker left the scene, but order was re-established very quickly when Ross introduced local comedian John Cooper to the stage, who immediately broke the ice by quoting Baker’s famous line “Change, my dear. And it seems not a moment too soon”. With a new man asking the questions, Baker effortlessly won over his attentive audience in no time, with his customary charm and rapier wit; evidently much at ease with Cooper’s relaxed, informed and respectful style. There followed a ringing endorsement for new Doctor, Matt Smith, and a variety of humorous exchanges with audience members. A round of the tongue-in-cheek quiz ‘Have I Got Who For You?’ (based on the BBC panel show of a similar name) had compere Phil Ellis testing Baker’s knowledge of the sci-fi series (providing plenty of opportunity for ad-libbing and off the cuff witticisms), and there were charity auctions of books, original artwork, cds and dvds. Merchandise stalls supplied vintage annuals, vinyl recordings, and art prints, while publisher Tim Hirst was on hand with a selection of hot-off-the-press items including Colin Baker’s recent collection of newspaper articles ‘Look Who’s Talking’. Proceedings wrapped up around 6pm, but there was more to come, with an evening of free stand-up comedy from professional performers John Cooper, Dom Woodward and Phil Ellis which rounded the day off perfectly. Here’s to the next one.

'JUMBLE' by Sally Lawton

2010-05-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

Maggie (Jennifer Edwards), Sandra (Sally Lawton), and Nigel (Daniel Holden) in rehearsal.

‘JUMBLE’

by Sally Lawton

TSL Productions at Studio Salford till Sat 1st May

Review by Brian Gorman

As I walked from Manchester’s Victoria Rail Station towards The King’s Arms pub on Bloom Street (home of Studio Salford), I passed a great many people on their way to see local megastar Peter Kay at the M.E.N. Arena. I honestly don’t think they could have had a better time than I did this evening. Multi-talented local writer/actor Sally Lawton (who, if there’s any justice in the world, should one day make it as big as Kay) has written a cracking piece of full-on, make ‘em ‘ave it, old-fashioned entertainment; and by ‘old-fashioned’ I mean the kind that tickles you silly without having to smuggle in any messages about ‘Broken Britain’ or ‘The Human Condition’ (take note please, John Godber!).
Baker Dale Primary School is preparing for their annual P.T.A. jumble sale, but headmaster Nigel (Daniel Holden sweating and twitching for England as a frankly terrifying hybrid of Hugh Grant and Lee Evans) has a dark secret; he’s forged the SATs results in order to beat a rival school whose headmistress just happens to be his workaholic, iron maiden of a wife, Rachel (Katherine Godfrey). Enter blonde bombshell Maggie (statuesque Jennifer Edwards, recently graduated from Salford University, and on this evidence, a real star in the making) who quickly steals Nigel’s heart to the horror of his obsessive, drama queen of a p.a. Jason (Christopher Taylor). But is Maggie all she seems?
Sally Lawton herself completes the Baker Dale team as the mentally unhinged, hyperactive busybody Sandra with a turbo-charged performance that threatened to suck all the oxygen from the room. Sandra is a fabulous creation that the bard of Salford, Mike Leigh, himself would be proud of. Every character in this gem of play is sharply defined, and performed to perfection by actors having a whale of a time. Christopher Taylor threatened to steal every scene he was in, with an absolutely exquisite performance that never once fell into self-indulgence; his spot-on comic timing, and extensive range of subtle and not-so-subtle expressions helping to create a character you miss every second he’s off stage. In perfect contrast, Katherine Godfrey as Rachel, brought a great deal of subtlety and understatement to her role that really paid dividends in her scenes with Sally Lawton; truly a case of immoveable object meeting irresistible force. How Ms Godfrey managed to keep a straight face while being manhandled and screamed at by a beserk munchkin in an ill-fitting blue cagoule, lop-sided NHS specs, and a knitted wooly hat, I’ll never know.
A simple set consisted of a large wall of children’s drawings, and a couple of desks and chairs, with a tiny child’s seat providing regular belly laughs when squeezed into by various characters. Director Mike Heath kept everything zipping along at a brisk pace, and orchestrated his team beautifully. I thoroughly enjoyed this ‘Jumble’, so much in fact that I didn’t want it to end; and it really isn’t often I can say that about a piece of theatre.

For more information: http://www.jumbletheplay.co.uk/

'UNKNOWN PLEASURES' at The Factory Club (FAC251) 18th May

2010-04-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

I love Joy Division. 18th May 2010 sees the 30th anniversary of the death of lead singer IAN CURTIS, and Manchester's Factory Club (FAC251) on Charles Street has a very special event lined up, which I shall be attending. Here's the information courtesy of Factory:

UNKNOWN PLEASURES LIVE

PETER HOOK & FRIENDS PERFORM THE ENTIRE UNKNOWN PLEASURES ALBUM LIVE TRACK BY TRACK IN MEMORY OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF JOY DIVISIONS - IAN CURTIS

Tuesday 18th May 2010 – Date Sold Out

Wednesday 19th May 2010 – New Date added on sale nowhttp:/www.factorymanchester.com

IAN CURTIS THE EXHIBITION

A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF RARE JOY DIVISION MEMORABILIA, MUSIC, FILM & PHOTOGRAPHYINC SOME OF THE BANDS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT USED TO RECORD THE ALBUM & THE ORIGINAL STUDIO EQUIPMENT USED BY MARTIN HANNETTALL PRESENTED IN THE FACTORY BOARDROOM

Sat 15th May - Tue 18th MayDaily. Noon - 6pm. Free EntryFAC251: THE FACTORY MCR

Peter Hook’s The LightPerform Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures”Sequentially & In Its EntiretyTo Commemorate The Life Of Ian Kevin Curtis Tuesday May 18th & Wednesday May 19th / The Factory Manchester / 8pmIn Association With Mind & Keith Bennett AppealTickets : £19.99 (Includes Charity Donation)The Factory, 112 – 118 Princess Street Manchester, M1 7EN Three decades after it was first released and on the 30th anniversary of the untimely passing of Ian Kevin Curtis, Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook has decided to commemorate Ian’s life and contribution to modern music with a special concert where Hooky and The Light will perform Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures in entirety for the first time. Joined by a few guests for certain album tracks during the performance, The Light will run through the entire album in track order, beginning with “Disorder”, following through with “Insight”, “New Dawn Fades”, “She’s Lost Control” and finishing on “I Remember Nothing. It is also anticipated that other Joy Division classics may be aired at the concert following the performance of the album. Hooky decided personally on the concert as an apposite way to celebrate Ian’s life and sensitive to the history and drama surrounding the anniversary concert, has chosen two charities to support from the event, Mind, the leading mental health charity for England and Wales, and the Keith Bennett Appeal, a charity set up by Norie Miles to help her close friend Winnie Johnson, mother of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett, to recover his remains, as the police called off the search in July 2009. Both charities are to receive sizeable donations from the concert The Factory is also planning an exhibition to coincide with the concert which will showcase images, artefacts and other memorabilia from the Joy Division days in the boardroom of the club. This will run concurrently with the concert and will also be open to the public for certain days surrounding May 18th. In what is bound to be an emotive and very special Manchester occasion, the Unknown Pleasures concert on May 18th will allow a fitting tribute to an iconic and much missed, tragic lead singer, and one whose influence on the city and its music scene has never abated.

'CRYING IN THE CHAPEL'

2010-04-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

CRYING IN THE CHAPEL
STRANGEWAYS: An Inside Account
By Stafford, Coghill and Clarke

Contact Theatre, Manchester till 8th May 2010

Review by Brian Gorman

Fink On Theatre first performed this hard-as-nails production of ‘Crying In The Chapel’ ten years ago, and made a triumphant return this week to the Contact Theatre to remind us of just how momentous this moment of Mancunian history was, and continues to be. Highlighting the often appalling treatment of the 1660 men packed three to a cell into a Victorian hellhole built to hold just 972, this is a vital, immensely relevant piece of theatre with much of the dialogue based on the testimony of the inmates who spent 25 days protesting on the rooftop. ‘Crying In The Chapel’, written by Pauline Stafford, Chris Coghill, and Nick Clarke (who also directs) is a sobering piece of social commentary; distressing and uplifting in equal measure. Built in 1868, Her Majesty’s Prison, Manchester (better known as the ominous-sounding Strangeways) gradually deteriorated over the decades, until reaching rock bottom in the 1980s. A lethal concoction of fear, hate, misery and depravity that was like a huge poisonous boil, the lancing of which helped to heal the entire UK penal system. Prisons like Strangeways were not concerned with reforming or rehabilitating people; they were simply meant to punish and contain. Repeated claims of casual brutality and humiliation were routinely ignored, all of which led to a group of desperate prisoners first seizing control of the prison chapel, and eventually causing damage of up to £55 million, leaving one man dead and nearly 200 injured.
This was a noisy, angry, testosterone-fueled, and gut-wrenching drama. Before the action on stage began, there were grim-faced warders trudging noisily in hob-nailed boots across the iron walkways above the audience’s heads. Jagged-angled shadows stretched across Sarah Oxley’s expansive, dour, and sparsely decorated set, the centerpiece of which being the prison rooftop with the infamous Strangeways tower projected on to the back wall. Looming phallically above the rioting men, a mocking symbol of immense fertility, and sadistically commenting on the violent orgasmic eruption of the body beneath. Kevin Carroll and Billy Morley’s sound design was integral to the atmosphere, with the sounds of heavy iron doors slamming, prisoners quietly sobbing to themselves in their echoing cells, and jolts of nerve-shattering electric buzzers assaulting our eardrums at irregular intervals. The surreal everyday sounds of Strangeways were nicely balanced against the strains of late 80s/early 90s ‘Madchester’ with the hypnotic and infectious dance beats of the Happy Mondays.
Mancunian everyman Eric (played with convincing street-wise charm by well-known local actor Neil Bell) led us effectively through the story. Popping up at regular intervals contributing relevant facts and figures, and some oft-times shocking real-life anecdotes. A main bone of contention at the time was the irresponsible and wholly inaccurate press coverage. Idle pub gossip and gruesome speculation led to headlines screaming of over a dozen dead and hundreds tortured and mutilated. The impressive Derek Barr (as Paul Taylor) held everything together as the acknowledged and principled leader of the rooftop protesters, and was the lynchpin in a fine ensemble. Vince Atta (as the twinkly-eyed muscleman Alan Lord) shone as the gentle man attempting to negotiate reasonably with the prison governor (a suitably mealy-mouthed Tony Hirst), and getting seven shades kicked out of him for his troubles. Some welcome light relief came from the bystanders observing the action from street level; the formidable Lily Taylor (a delightfully energetic Ruth Evans) and fire-breathing hard case Mrs Murray (Julie Glover).
If there was one weak point, it had to be the script. There was some nice, but brief, build-up to the actual start of the riot, but once we were on the roof it was one long waiting game with little in the way of subplot. The fine acting and sheer physical presence of the performers carried things along smoothly, but I would have liked to have seen a few scenes of the individual characters in their cells before the riot. Perhaps a few snapshots of them in their previous lives, contrasting their life as free men to the embittered and desperate rebels they became.
Nick Clarke’s direction was clear, sharp and admirably unfussy. With most of the action involving several men perched on a rapidly disintegrating rooftop, choreography was everything, and Clarke mobilised his troops like a machine that had been oiled rather well.
Crying In The Chapel is hard-hitting, brutal, and shocking, but ultimately inspiring theatre. The desperate actions of these wretched men resulted in reformation of the entire UK prison system, and taught the authorities a vital lesson; treat people like animals, and they will bite you.

'JUMBLE' by Sally Lawton

2010-04-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Opening tonight at the fabulous Studio Salford. Here's the official info from the venue:

JUMBLE
By Sally Lawton. Presented by TSL Productions.

Nigel has been head teacher at Baker Dale Primary School for seven years. His PA’s obsessed with him, his wife (a head teacher at a better Primary School) hates him and he’s feeling the pressure – so he does what any other self-respecting head teacher would do, he forges this year’s SATs results.All he wants to do is forget he ever did it and bury his head under a rock, but the PTA are trying to plan their annual jumble sale and the arrival of Maggie – the blonde bombshell from the city stirs up feelings he never thought he had.But who is Maggie? And what does she want at Baker Dale?Further info: www.tslproductions.co.uk

DIRECTOR: Mike Heath. PERFORMED BY: Christopher Taylor, Daniel Holden, Jennifer Edwards, Katherine Godfrey & Sally Lawton

Dates: Wed 28th Apr - Sat 1st May Starts: 8.00pm Ends: 9.40pm* Tickets: £7 / £5

'THE BENCH' postponed

2010-04-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, 'The Bench' has had to be postponed this week. Writer Joe O'Byrne has just posted this message. Here's wishing all the very best to everyone concerned, and we look forward to seeing the show in June at The Salford Arts Theatre.

"In the last 24 hours a member of our cast has received some distressing family news so unfortunately this run of The Bench is postponed, the play will now take place at the same venue on 9th to 12th June 2010. We are a close company and all our love and best wishes are with our friend. We of course apologise to everyone for any inconvenience caused, any tickets purchased will receive a full refund or you can rebook using these tickets for the run in June. Once again our sincere apologies but I am sure you will all appreciate that these are circumstances beyond anybody’s control."

Joe and The Cast & Crew of THE BENCH.

"MY NAME'S BOND, YA KNOW, F JAMES F BOND, AWIGHT, YOU MUPPET?"

2010-04-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

Has our favourite geezer found a soulution to the Bond producers' woes? He's actually talking a bit of sense here. I'd love to see a down-and-dirty Bond film, so who knows? Full marks for cheek, Danny...

Danny Dyer: I'd be cheap James Bond

Danny Dyer is offering to save the James Bond film franchise.
The Football Factory star is offering to play 007 himself, for a cheap fee, after news the Bond films are on hold because the studios are so deeply in debt.
Danny wrote in his Zoo magazine column: "It's a shame, because I really love the Bond films - but getting me in would help them right out - I'd do it for £200 a week."
He added: "There's a Facebook campaign for me to be the next 007 and I'm f***ing thrilled about it. That's a mad idea, but I think I could pull it out of the bag.
"You don't need £60m to make a film; most of mine are made for under one million. As long as you've got your star man and the right people around him, that's all that matters. F*** the CGI b******s - go back to the old school. Keep campaigning, lads - I won't let the side down."

And if you want to support our boy, sign up here... http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Official-petition-for-Danny-Dyer-to-be-the-next-James-Bond/255546526991

'DOCTOR WHO AT THE FAB CAFE 3'

2010-04-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

There's a great all-day Dr Who event this bank holiday weekend at Manchester's Fab Cafe. 'Fans Like Us' are the Wirral-based Dr Who Local Group (part of the nationwide Dr Who Appreciation Society network), and are producing their third event in the city under the leadership of DWAS Social Secretary Erica Egerton. Here's all the information:

DOCTOR WHO AT THE FAB CAFÉ 3

10AM TO 6PM SUNDAY 2nd MAY
THE FAB CAFÉ, PORTLAND ST., MANCHESTER

‘FANS LIKE US’, THE PEOPLE THAT PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT YOU THREE SELL-OUT EVENTS AT THE CAVERN CLUB IN LIVERPOOL, AND TWO MORE AT THE FAB CAFE, MANCHESTER, PROUDLY PRESENT A DAY WITH:

COLIN BAKER (The Sixth Doctor)

NICHOLAS COURTNEY (The Brigadier)

NICOLA BRYANT (Peri)
SARAH SUTTON (Nyssa)
COLIN SPAULL (Mr Crane/Lilt)
ALAN RUSCOE (Andy Stone/Slitheen/Auton)
GRAEME HARPER (Director extraordinaire!)

Tickets still on sale at £29 adults or £15 (under 16s). This all-day event also features: Dr Who themed food & cocktail menu, live comedians, vintage toy stall & free admission to the after-event party. There will also be a lunchtime raffle with some great prizes (everybody buying lunch at the venue will be eligible).
Tel. 0161 2122997or visitwww.fanslikeus.org.uk/fabcafe3booking.html

'PORTRAIT OF AN ACTOR'

2010-04-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the US tv show 'Inside The Actors Studio', I have a new on-going project. I am looking for actors/actresses willing to take part in the following. Please contact me at brianinchester@yahoo.co.uk.

'PORTRAIT OF AN ACTOR'

I would like to draw/paint a small portrait to accompany a short biography and questionaire. Please answer the following questions as briefly, or in as much detail, as you like.

1. Who is your favourite actor/actress?

2. What is your favourite role that you have played?

3. What is the role that you’d like to play?

4. What is your favourite play?

5. What is your favourite film?

6. What is your favourite line of dialogue (play or film)?

7. What turns you on?

8. What turns you off?

9. What would you be if you weren’t an actor?

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive?

Thank you

'THE BENCH' by Joe O'Byrne

2010-04-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

A little more information, and some reviews for previous productions of 'The Bench', courtesy of Salford Arts Theatre's press office:

PRESS RELEASE

PRODUCTION: THE BENCH

SALFORD ARTS THEATRE,
Kemsing Walk, off Liverpool St., Salford M5 4BS

28th, 29th 30th April & 1st May, 2010 @ 7.30pm
Tickets £7/£6 cons
Bookings: 0161 925 0111
Email: info@salfordartstheatre.co.uk

After successful runs at Studio Salford,
The Lowry, and The Library Theatre,
Joe O’Byrne’s hit play The Bench comes to SALFORD ARTS THEATRE.

The Bench A comedy of love, life and loss.
Over a period of 12 months, the lives of an eclectic group of Paradise Heights residents intersect around a bench in the local park. Many of the characters find themselves at transitional points in their lives, and whilst some are desperately holding on to the past, others are even more desperate to escape it and the unbearable pain that has made them who they are. It’s just a bench in the park, the one by the war memorial…A thief, a fake medium, a homeless man, an artist, a widow, a dealer, a loan shark, an angel and a ghost. They’ve all sat on this bench at least once this year.

Before the end of the year, someone will die on it…

Paradise Heights is a fictional North West council estate created by writer/director/actor Joe O’Byrne’s and is the backdrop for most of his writing/directing, The Bench is one of the tales to come from the community. Other stories in the series include the plays I’m Frank Morgan and Rank, and the feature film Lookin’ For Lucky. All the plays have received rave reviews and Lookin’ For Lucky has recently signed its first international film distribution deal.

‘Although The Bench is billed as a comedy, we do tackle some serious topical issues’ says Joe. ‘Homelessness, abuse, addiction and enormous personal grief are some of the problems the characters are wrestling with. However the play is shot through with a rich vein of humour played out by a very talented cast.’ A cast that features Stella Grundy (who featured heavily in Madchester’s music scene with her band Intastella, a talented writer and director, her latest play Nico Icon returned to The Lowry last year), Clyve Bonelle (Lookin’ For Lucky, Rank, Bubbysaurus, Shameless), Phoebe Marie Jones (Rank, Twelfth Night, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, The Duchess of Malfii), Ian Curley (Rank, Lookin’ For Lucky, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, A Game Of Two Halves) Ste Myott (Lookin’ For Lucky, Rank, Life On Mars, The Laramie Project) and Aaron Rochford, (Rank, Moody Money, Broken Britain, Perfect To Begin). Between them the cast play 18 characters in the play. Strong adult content.
.
REVIEWS:

Highly recommended and a play, and writer, which will surely go on to great things.
Kevin Bourke, Manchester Evening News

The Bench is not for the squeamish. It has strong language, and touches on addiction, grief, homelessness and abuse; but it is absolutely an authentic play of today, and has a distinctive voice that speaks with great humanity.
Chris Honer, Artistic Director, The Library Theatre, Manchester.

Loved it! Wonderful gags out of left field, intrigue, suspense, heart-rending scenes and heart-warming moments. A great night of theatre! Do more!
David Slack, Director, 24/7 Theatre Arts Network

Surely you couldn't have missed it? Well, if you did, you missed out big time. Joe O'Byrne's The Bench was a brilliant piece that will hopefully go on to bigger things. Mike Heath, Director, Studio Salford

The Bench is yet another excellent example of high quality fringe theatre and it thoroughly deserves its excellent reputation. Dave Cunningham, whatsonstage.com

'THE BENCH' by Joe O'Byrne

2010-04-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

(Original art by Jo Carlon)

The imaginary Salford housing estate known as ‘Paradise Heights’ has a war memorial in the park, and there’s a bench by it. All human (and not so human) life is here: scallies, homeless people, a street sweeper, angels and ghosts even. It’s just an ordinary bench, but before the year is out, someone will die on it.

Joe O’Byrne’s critically-acclaimed play, ‘The Bench’ is back for a run at Salford Arts Theatre from Wednesday 28th April to Sat 1st May. Tickets are just £7 or £6 (Concessions) from 0161 9250111. Or check out www.salfordartstheatre.co.uk

I’m going to see it……..

DAVID TENNANT IS A 'SINGLE FATHER'

2010-04-25T17:12:00.000-07:00

David Tennant is surely the busiest man in television. Here he is again!

From the BBC Press Office (pity they can't spell Quatermass correctly though):

Suranne Jones joins David Tennant in BBC One drama Single Father
Date: 25.03.2010
Category: TV Drama; BBC One; Scotland
Suranne Jones (Five Days, Unforgiven) will star alongside David Tennant (Doctor Who) in Single Father, a new four-part drama for BBC One made by Red Production Company through BBC Scotland, which started filming in Glasgow this week.
Written by Mick Ford (Ashes To Ashes, William And Mary), Single Father is a touching yet humorous drama which tells the story of Dave (David Tennant), a photographer facing the seemingly impossible job of bringing up four kids alone after the sudden death of his wife, Rita.
Things get even more complicated when he begins to fall in love with his wife's best friend, Sarah (played by Suranne Jones). Single Father asks how soon is too soon to fall in love again?
Is Dave betraying Rita by falling in love again so quickly, or will he be walking away from happiness if he ignores his feelings? With his children at the centre of his world, Dave worries what will happen when they find out.
Suranne Jones says: "I just think David's great. I've always admired him so I'm really looking forward to working alongside him on Single Father, as he's such a diverse and talented actor. With Single Father, Mick Ford created a beautiful drama about unexpectedly finding love again and I'm thrilled to be working with Red again.
"This will be my first time filming in Glasgow. I've heard lots of great things about it and I'm looking forward to getting settled in and exploring the city."
Other Single Father cast include Laura Fraser (Lip Service, Florence Nightingale), Rupert Graves (Garrow's Law, God On Trial), Warren Brown (Occupation, Luther), Neve McIntosh (Doctor Who, Inspector George Gently), Mark Heap (Lark Rise To Candleford, Skins), Jenni Keenan Green (River City, Doctors), Sophie Kennedy Clark (Fight, I Want To Be Adored) and Natasha Watson (New Town, Fiona's Story), among others.
Made by Red Production Company (The Mark Of Cain, Casanova, Queer As Folk), filming on Single Father continues on location in Glasgow until the end of May.
Produced by Peter Gallagher (Stone Of Destiny, The Flying Scotsman, My Name Is Joe) and directed by Sam Miller (This Life, The Quartermass Experiment, Spooks), Single Father is executive produced by Nicola Shindler for Red Production Company and Anne Mensah for BBC Scotland.
Single Father was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One.
Single Father continues in the footsteps of distinctive drama recently made through BBC Scotland, including The Deep (BBC One), Lip Service (BBC Three), One Night In Emergency (BBC One Scotland), River City (BBC One Scotland), Waterloo Road (BBC One) and Wallander (BBC One).

Alan Sillitoe has died

2010-04-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

From the beeb's website:

Author Alan Sillitoe dies in London aged 82

Alan Sillitoe was still working up until his death
The author Alan Sillitoe has died aged 82 at Charing Cross Hospital in London, his family has said.
The Nottingham-born novelist emerged in the 1950s as one of the "Angry Young Men" of British fiction.
His son David said he hoped his father would be remembered for his contribution to literature.
His novels included Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, both of which were made into films.
The two books are regarded as classic examples of kitchen sink dramas reflecting life in the mid 20th century Britain.
He was born on 4 March 1928 - the second son of an illiterate tannery labourer who was often out of work.
Rejected celebrity
Later, he described life growing up in a poor household.
"We lived in a room in Talbot Street whose four walls smelled of leaking gas, stale fat and layers of mouldering wallpaper," he said.
He said his mother burned his first semi-fictional work when he was a 12-year-old. It was about the behaviour of his cousins but she felt it to be too "revealing".
SELECTED SILLITOE TITLES
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner
Key to the Door
The City Adventures of Marmalade Jim
Without Beer or Bread
Men, Women and Children
Alan Sillitoe's Nottinghamshire
The Open Door
Alligator Playground
He then left school at 14 to work in the Raleigh bicycle factory in his hometown before joining the Royal Air Force (RAF) four years later.
He worked as a wireless operator in Malaya but, while in the RAF, he contracted tuberculosis and spent 16 months in hospital where he began to write novels.
After travelling to France, Spain and Majorca - where he met the poet Robert Graves - he wrote the pioneering novel Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
Published in 1958, the tale about the life of hard-working factory employee Arthur Seaton won the Authors' Club First Novel Award and received instant critical acclaim.
It was adapted as a film in 1960, starring Albert Finney.
His story The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, focusing on a rebellious boy with a talent for running, won the Hawthornden Prize in 1959. It was also turned into a film, starring Tom Courtenay, in 1962.
One of the most underrated authors of the last century
Kevin McClymont
Alan Sillitoe: Your memories
The award-winning writer was married to the American poet Ruth Fainlight, with whom he had David, and adopted daughter Susan.
Although he tended to spend most of his time in London, they also lived in France, Spain, Tangier and Israel.
Poet Ian McMillan paid tribute to the author, describing him as a "marvellous prose stylist" whose work had a "kind of Midlands sonority to it".
"He was a man who attempted to capture the majesty and drama of ordinary life," he said.
"He wrote this great line which said 'the art of writing is to explain the complications of the human soul with the simplicity that can be universally understood' and I think that's what he achieved."
Sillitoe rejected the celebrity life and all he wanted to do "was sit in his house in London and write and write and write", he added.

Alan Sillitoe shunned the celebrity lifestyle
As well as numerous novels he published several volumes of poetry, children's books and was the author of several stage and screen plays.
In 1995, his autobiography Life Without Armour was well received. In 2007, he published Gadfly - an account of his travels in Russia.
In 2008, he was recognised for his Nottingham roots and given freedom of the city.
Earlier this month, along with others with the same honour he was due to herd sheep across Trent Bridge, as was his right. However he had to pull out because of illness.
Last year, he appeared on the BBC's Desert Island Discs, where he said if he were cast away his ideal companions would be a record of Le Ca Ira sung by Edith Piaf, a copy of the RAF navigation manual, The Air Publication 1234, and a communications receiver - but for receiving only.
Although he once said he preferred to be thought of as a poet rather than a novelist, it was his prose that attracted the more critical success.

THOUSANDS OF DR WHO FANS COMPLAIN TO BBC

2010-04-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Incredible! Excellent Dr Who episode last night had it's fantastic cliffhanger of an ending utterly ruined by someone at the BBC thinking it would be a great idea to slap a cartoon of Graham Norton on screen before the episode had actually ended. Insane. here's the news from the beeb's own news site:

Doctor Who fans angered by trailer for Over the Rainbow

The BBC has apologised for the trail
Thousands of Doctor Who fans have contacted the BBC to complain that the ending of Saturday night's episode was ruined by a trailer for the next show.
The on-screen caption featured an animated cartoon of presenter Graham Norton, host of Over the Rainbow.
It appeared as The Doctor, played by Matt Smith, was making an emotional speech during the story's cliffhanger ending for The Time of Angels.
The trailer was seen by millions of viewers watching on BBC One in England.
Fans have also been complaining on social networking site Twitter. One wrote: "Why is the BBC treating its audience like idiots?"
Another said: "Don't blink or Graham Norton will catch you."
The BBC often promotes programmes in this way but the corporation has acknowledged that in this case the scheduling was inappropriate.
A BBC spokesman said: "We apologise for the timing of Saturday night's trail."
It is not the first time an unexpected appearance by Norton has angered Doctor Who fans.
When the series returned in 2005 after a 16-year break, a technical error caused Norton's voice to be briefly heard over the episodes opening scenes.

'THE COMEDY OF ERRORS' by William Shakespeare (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester till 8th May)

2010-04-25T07:30:00.001-07:00

(Michael Jibson as Dromio of Syracuse, and Owain Arthur as Dromio of Ephesus) Photo by Jonathan Keenan.

Review

Shakespeare’s madcap tale of two sets of separated identical twins, and the various misunderstandings and bewildering situations they find themselves in, is given a tremendously energetic and colourful outing at The Royal Exchange by director Roxana Silbert.
Anthony MacIlwaine’s set comprises a large white revolving dais that is subtly used to gently propel the actors around in carousel fashion, adding a giddy, dreamlike quality to the action. The play opens with the grand entrance of Solinus, the Duke of Ephesus (Munir Khairdin successfully channeling the spirit of Yul Brynner’s King), who is lowered from the ceiling in David Blaine fashion, sitting on a chair in an ornate glass case. There is then a rather ponderous scene where the Duke hears the imprisoned Egeon (Fred Ridgeway) plead (at great length) for his life after accidentally trespassing where he ought not to be, and in so doing give us all the detailed back story of an ill-fated sea voyage and the apparent loss of his newly-born twin sons, both named Antipholus, and their personal servants, baby twins again and both named Dromio. You can see where the confusion comes in.
As ever in Shakespeare’s early comedies, the emphasis is on action and dialogue rather than a coherent story and a reasonably plausible plot, and so it is up to the actors to carry us through the play at breakneck speed and so negate the need to ponder on any inconsistencies of character or story. And here they certainly do that. The dashing Samuel Collings as Antipholus (of Syracuse) kicks off the action when he arrives in Ephesus with loyal but long suffering servant Dromio (equally of Syracuse, and played with impish relish by Michael Jibson). Unbeknownst to them, their siblings have lived here all their lives, and confusingly have adopted a similar dress sense (see where we’re going here?). Encountering a variety of family members and friends of their opposite numbers, a series of crazy misunderstandings based on mistaken identity take place. Forget trying to follow the story, and just sit back and enjoy the actors going through every emotion known to man. I can just imagine Shakespeare chuckling away to himself as he wrote this, and adding ever more hoops for the characters to leap through. This is a young play by a young man, and demands an equally youthful and energetic cast to make it work. Director Silbert has chosen well, and her ensemble worked hard to ensure a grand concoction of delightful and supremely entertaining froth.
Jack Farthing is a star in the making; his Antipholus of Ephesus being an absolute triumph with wonderful body language and an ability to convey confusion, delight, embarrassment, lust and bewilderment with just a slight twitch of the eyebrows or a subtle tilt of the head. A young Gryff Rhys Jones comes to mind here. Farthing’s gay fop contrasts beautifully with Collings’ more gung-ho approach. The stand out though was Owain Arthur as Dromio of Ephesus; this barrel-chested young Welsh actor giving a glorious, barnstorming performance of perpetual exasperation; he and Farthing made a fantastic team.
Orla Fitzgerald as Adriana oozed sexual energy and delighted as the lustful wife of Antipholus of Ephesus; her husky Irish tones being the icing on a rather delicious looking cake.
All’s well that ends well though, when Jan Chappell as The Abbess (who, conveniently turns out to be Egeon’s long-lost wife, and mother of the Antipholus twins) comes floating down from the heavens like a fairy godmother in an all-white habit decorated with what looked like xmas tree lights. The world is put to rights, and the audience cheer an exhausted cast.
Phew!

'INDEPENDENT MEANS' by Stanley Houghton (Birkenhead Little Theatre til Saturday 24th May)

2010-04-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

Back row: Steve Williams, Martin Ward, and Linda O'Brien.

Front: Alan Lear, Louise Wright, and Vivian Sebastian

Review

From the author of the classic ‘Hindle Wakes’, this is a play heavily influenced by the Godfather of modern drama, Henrik Ibsen (and, in particular, Ibsen’s timeless classic ‘A Doll’s House’) with its tale of a strong young woman struggling to exercise her individual rights regarding power over her own life. Like Ibsen, Stanley Houghton (who wrote the play at age 28; just 4 years before he died) examined Victorian family values and the contrasting realities that lay behind the often elaborate facades of everyday life. Written in 1909, much of the characters’ behaviour and views on life seem pretty ridiculous and small-minded to a more enlightened and liberated modern audience, and there is much humour to be derived from their conduct. But to a contemporary audience it would have been shocking and scandalous to promote the ideas of votes for women and equal pay for all, and here is the challenge for a director. Should they go for the easy laughs and send the characters up, or play it straight down the line and allow the story to stand on its own feet? Happily, The Carlton Players’ production, directed by Brian Dickson, takes the latter route. Treating the play with respect, Mr Dickson does not seek to patronize the audience, and quite rightly lets his actors play their roles with honesty.
The affluent Forsyth family has their world turned upside down when their fortune is all but wiped out overnight following Mr Forsyth’s irresponsible speculating on the stock market (some things never change!). Feckless and immature Edgar Forsyth has married the feisty and iron-willed Sidney, a young woman whose education and politically-aware sensibilities enable her to exert her natural business skills and thus save her and Edgar from certain ruin. Business rival Mr Richie offers to help the family out, but his kindness is rejected by the proud and arrogant Forsyth. Unknown to her husband or in-laws, the practical Sidney takes a job as Richie’s secretary, and is later joined by a reluctant Edgar in the same office.
When tragedy hits the family, it is up to Sidney and a gradually maturing Edgar to lead everyone towards a brighter future.
Louise Wright as Sidney lights up the stage with an energetic, finely-tuned performance, and is complimented superbly by the charismatic Alan Lear who succeeds in making the exasperating Edgar both contemptible and loveable in equal measure. The two young actors make a fine team, and a most believable married couple. Steve Williams makes a superbly uptight and most unsympathetic Mr Forsyth, while Vivian Sebastian as his long-suffering wife simply bristles with repressed emotion. The brash and highly likeable Mr Richie is played by Martin Ward, who gives us a gem of a performance full of joy and life-enhancing vitality. Linda O’Brien as Jane, the faithful maid who continues to prop up the family even after coming into sudden wealth herself, completes a fine ensemble with the kind of part every actress would kill for, but few could play with as much humanity and natural warmth.
Performed with relish on a superbly, and solidly, realistic set, ‘Independent Means’ is good old-fashioned entertainment, and a great example of just how good theatre can be. The Carlton Players are an amateur company, but you could have fooled me.

'BEAUTIFUL HOUSE' by Cathy Crabb (Library Theatre, Manchester til 8th May)

2010-04-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

James Foster (Otis), Janice Connolly (Bridgette), John Henshaw (Ronnie), and Sally Carman (Paula). Photo by Gerry Murray

Review

Laughter and tears; how often does a piece of writing provoke both at the same time? In Cathy Crabb's tale of two working class Salford couples (neighbours in a run-down block of flats) and their contrasting fortunes, we have something guaranteed to please almost everybody. John Henshaw (from tv's 'Early Doors', 'The Cops', and most recently the Post Office ads) and Janice Connolly (better known on the Manchester comedy scene as her alter-ego ' Mrs Barbara Nice') are Ronnie and Bridgette, who have given their house over to their dying daughter and are now forced to live out her remaining days in somewhere far less salubrious than they're used to. While laid back Ronnie seemingly accepts whatever fate throws at him, Bridgette seethes and rages with unbridled passion. Janice Connolly is the heart of this production, and is perfectly complimented by Henshaw's downtrodden everyman, with both managing to create characters you can love, pity, hate, and completely empathise with. Add to the mix the highly-strung Paula (a wide-eyed, Jane Horrocks style whirlwind of a performance from Sally Carman) and puppy dog-like Otis (James Foster a beguiling mix of wide-eyed innocence and mind-boggling naivety) as the 'chavs' from downstairs, and it's a perfect ensemble. All human emotion is here, and it's a hell of a rollercoaster ride for the audience. Crabb has written some cracking parts, and each actor gets several stand out scenes, with Sally Carman delivering what must be one of the longest pieces of dialogue I've heard in a very long time. An entire scene has her rabbiting on breathlessly about decorating her gaudy, glittery, Santa's Grotto of a flat (complete with cheap-looking 'Egyptian' artifacts she has collected from her job at the Manchester Museum) while Janice Connolly can only sit in silent anguish. There are some fabulous one-liners, and the four characters interact seamlessly. Dawn Allsopp's revolving set almost becomes an extra character, as several scene changes are enhanced by the addition of the famous musical theme from the classic tv series 'Sunday Night At The London Palladium'. Director Noreen Kershaw performs a fine balancing act handling the abundance of laughter and tears, and has created what I can only describe as an instant classic.

NEW BOND MOVIE ON HOLD "INDEFINITELY"

2010-04-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

(Daniel Craig as Bond. Acrylic on canvas by yours truly)

Bad news for Bond fans (I'm a massive one!). The new movie, which is already a year behind when a new Bond is usually brought out, has been suspended. This is tremendously disappointing, as Peter Morgan ('The Queen', 'Frost/Nixon') had been working on the screenplay, and Sam Mendes had signed to direct. Here's the news as reported on Yahoo earlier today:

"The follow-up to the James Bond adventure ‘Quantum of Solace’ has been put on hold because of the uncertainty surrounding MGM studios.
Work on the 23rd Bond movie, which would have seen Daniel Craig once again playing the suave superspy, has been postponed, with the franchise’s producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, releasing the following statement:

"Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on Bond 23 indefinitely. We do not know when development will resume and do not have a date for the release of Bond 23.”

Craig added, “I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible."
The movie, which has Sam Mendes listed as a director, was set to be released next year."

'COMEDIANS' (Bolton Octagon) Production photos

2010-04-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

(Mark Letheren as Phil Murray)

(Mark Letheren as Phil Murray, and Huw Higginson as Ged Murray)

(Keiran Hill as Gethin Price)

Just received a few production photos (by Ian Tilton) from The Octagon.

'COMEDIANS' (Bolton Octagon til 8th May)

2010-04-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

(Jonathan Pryce in the first production in 1975)

(Richard Moore rehearsing the new Bolton Octagon production)

This fab, Manchester set play by Trevor Griffiths stars Burnley born Richard Moore (whom I saw in a wonderful production of 'Twelfth Night' several years ago at Clwyd Theatr Cymru). I shall be off to see it next week, but in the meantime here's some info from The Octagon's Press Office:

Thursday 15 April – Saturday 8 May 2010
ComediansBy Trevor Griffiths
Director: David Thacker
The Octagon Theatre welcomes Trevor Griffiths’ landmark play Comedians to Bolton. Set in Manchester in the mid-1970s, the play broke exciting new ground and is considered by many to have signalled a revolution in stand-up. It asks the question: is comedy just about the laughs?
A group of ordinary men gather in a school for a night course in stand-up comedy. It’s run by ‘The Lancashire Lad’ Eddie Waters: once known as the hardest-hitting comedian on the circuit. He is determined to promote comedy as an art form and believes that comedians deliver more than just gags. On the night of his apprentices’ big performance, an agent arrives from London to open the door to fame and fortune for the lucky few. But at what price?

The role of Eddie Waters will be played by Burnley born and bred Richard Moore, who is celebrating his fiftieth year in the entertainment industry. He is best known for playing the popular Jarvis Skelton in Emmerdale and Curly in the hit drama Band of Gold. He said:

“The North West, and Bolton in particular, is rightly viewed as a spiritual home of comedy. It’s not a coincidence that while Comedians is on at the Octagon, Peter Kay is playing some o the biggest comedy gigs in stand-up history just up the road in Manchester. He’s very much a comedian in the mould of my character, Eddie Waters – a man of the people, in love with the craft of making people laugh.

“But the play is not just a comedy; it looks at what is an acceptable source for jokes. Has the time of the mother-in-law joke or the Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman joke passed? What is it okay to laugh at? In light of the national debate around Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, this is clearly an issue that will run and run!”

He is joined by Huw Higginson and Mark Letheren who are also appearing in the Octagon’s production of And Did Those Feet, and Kieran Hill and Russell Richardson who recently appeared at the Theatre in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cast also includes Colin Connor, Howard Crossley, Brendan Foster, Simon Nagra, John Bramwell and Sevan Stephan.

Comedians is at the Octagon from Thursday 15 April – Saturday 8 May 2010. Tickets are from £9 on 01204 520661, or at http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/

THE PRISONER

2010-04-18T06:53:00.000-07:00

At last we have the remake of The Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan's classic 1960s tv series is given the make-over by ITV1 and America's AMC. And it's not half bad. Forget the original, and treat this on its own merit, and you have an intriguing, unsettling, disturbing, and rather good looking drama. National Treasure Sir Ian McKellen makes a creepy, slightly sadistic, yet utterly charming Number Two (the man who seemingly runs The Village), while Jim Caviezel (who played the title role in 'The Passion Of The Christ') steps into McGoohan's shoes as the rebellious Number Six. The plot is simple; an un-named man (Caviezel) wakes up to find he has been taken to a surreal place called The Village where everyone has a number, and the inhabitants are clearly there against their will. Rather like Jim Carrey's 'The Truman Show', this is the story of one man who decides there is much more to life than the surroundings in which he finds himself. It's a classic fable which asks the questions "Why are we here?" and "Who is in control?" In the original, McGoohan's character was a British intelligence agent who resigns his job (for reasons unknown) and is subsequently incarcerated in a fairy tale style village (filmed on location at the Italianesque resort of Portmeirion in North Wales) where he is subjected to every conceiveable kind of interrogation in order to discover the reasons for his quitting the job. Each of its 17 episodes depicted Number Six in a battle of wills against a new Number Two (each previous Number Two being replaced for failing to break their man). In this new version things are a little bit more ambiguous. In a nice little reference to the original's opening credits, we see Caviezel march into a smart office block and spray paint 'RESIGN' onto a window. What he does for a living isn't explained, but we can guess he doesn't work in an HBOS call centre. Waking up in desertland surrounding the new village (this time shot on location in Namibia, and swapping the Italian atmosphere for a more bleached-out, African holiday resort look) he finds a dying old man (bearing a passing resemblance to an aged McGoohan) being chased by men with dogs. The man dies, Caviezel buries him in the sand, and makes his way to The Village. By way of almost subliminal flashbacks we learn Caviezel is a New Yorker, and that he has met a mysterious woman one evening while out drinking alone. It's all much more subtle than McGoohan's version, and suitably 21st century. I liked it. Fanatical fans of the original will moan and groan endlessly. Great! Let 'em!!

The Prisoner

2010-04-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

Not bad at all!! More later.....

"KEEP BUGGERING ON!"

2010-04-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

DOCTOR WHO: VICTORY OF THE DALEKS

Tonight on BBC1

Blimey, Mark Gatiss, you ARE a naughty chap!!! 'Victory Of The Daleks' was, as usual for new Who, way too turbo-charged and with music threatening to deafen everyone far more seriously than any air raid sirens, BUT... it just makes me look forward to watching it all again. Matt Smith continues to be an inspired choice for The Doctor, and his performance is very reminiscent of the under-rated (in the public eye, methinks) Peter Davison. Much more nuanced and low key than David Tennant, and therefore much more intriguing (and very Troughtonesque). Tennant's hearts were on his sleeve(s), whereas Mr Smith holds much more back.

Ian McNeice made a splendid, twinkly Churchill, and Karen Gillan had the best line with "Oy! Churchill!" The new super-duper, oooh look at ME! Daleks were just the shot in the arm the old squidy ones needed, and the kids will love 'em. And Spitfires in space!!

"Broadsword to Danny Boy!" (Nice one, Mark. Like it, like it!)

THE PRISONER (remake)

2010-04-17T08:20:00.000-07:00

(Artwork of Sir Ian as Number Two, and myself as 'a prisoner' by yours truly)

It's here at long last! ITV1 and AMC's remake of the 60s classic tv series, 'The Prisoner', starts tonight. One of the most imaginative and fearless series ever made, the original series was the brainchild of Patrick McGoohan made possible by the courageous backing of Sir Lew Grade and ITC. Probably one of the most difficult series to remake (with a massive cult following), this has been a long time coming, and I'm so pleased to see they haven't slavishly tried to copy the original. The fact that we have the wonderful Sir Ian McKellen starring says volumes for the show's potential. Mixed reviews from the US have only whetted my appetite further. Stay tuned!! Be seeing you!

Beautiful House (Library Theatre from next Thursday)

2010-04-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Just a mention about the new production at Manchester's Library Theatre next week. 'Beautiful House' by Cathy Crabb starts on Thursday 22nd April til 8th May, and stars the local legend that is John Henshaw (from the Post Office ads, BBC's The Cops, etc.). Directed by equally legendary director Noreeen Kershaw (Phylis, the desk sergeant from Life On Mars, Albion Market, etc.).

Some blurb from The Library:

"So that their seriously ill daughter can spend what might be her last months in her childhood home, Ronnie and Bridgette have vacated their dream house in Delph for a Salford tower block. And at first they think Otis and Paula, in the flat below, are the neighbours from hell.First seen at Studio Salford, and subsequently in the 2009 Re:Play Festival, and now being given a new production by Noreen Kershaw, this wry tale of love and belongings, relics and regrets, and trinkets and tombs, is both heartbreaking and achingly funny.

“Cathy Crabb is clearly a major writing talent” - Manchester Evening News

“Entertaining… And at times very funny” - British Theatre Guide"

'UP ON THE ROOF' (Oldham Coliseum) review:

2010-04-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got there! I wasn't sure whether I'd like this production, as I'm not a big musical fan. There's something about the 'big' performances, and the often schmaltzy song deliveries that just grates on my nerves. Saying that, I cast my mind back to the fabulous production I saw 10 years ago at The Chester Gateway Theatre, 'Three Steps To Heaven', and I remember that it did take a good half hour for the actors to weave their magic and make me care about them (and care about why, and what, they are singing). So it was with 'Up On The Roof', written by Simon Moore and Jane Prowse. I sat grimacing to myself as the ensemble cast played a group of self-obsessed (are there any other kind?) students revelling in their exclusive little clique atop a Hull rooftop in 1975. Here was the handsome lead guy, the fat joker, the amiable slacker, the ugly duckling, and the dumb clotheshorse. Tick off all the boxes. Yes, the a capella music was fantastic but it was all a bit twee and predictable. I trotted off to the first of two intervals for my pint of Carlsberg Export (I needed it!) and wondered about why people do this stuff (produce musicals, not drink strong lager!). Then part two. The pace slowed, the musical bits were fewer, and the characters grew. All of a sudden I began to like it. The handsome lead was a bitter failure, the clotheshorse was a neurotic mess, the slacker was a hard-working nice guy, the ugly duckling was a fox, and the fat joker was. Er....
Anyway, everything perked up, and thanks to some fine thesping I was hooked. Particular kudos to Christopher Pizzey as Tim (the slacker) who reminded me of a looser-limbed Daniel Craig (imagine Bond crossed with Shaggy from Scooby Doo trying to chase that bad guy across the crumbling Sienna rooftops in Quantum Of Solace!). And so this tale of five friends growing up, parting, coming back together, with only their love of music to bind them really got to me. So well done Stephen Fletcher (Scott, the handsome lead) for evoking the spirit of a young Paul McCartney, Gavin Spokes (Keith, the joker) for being scary AND funny, Gemma Wardle (Angela, the ugly duckling come sex kitten) for eliciting our pity then raising our temperatures in that figure-hugging, bottom-enhancing cat suit - Miaow!!! and Georgina White (Bryony the neurotic clotheshorse) for hating you at the start, pitying you in your glorious wedding dress, and loving you at the end. Hurrah to Peter Rowe for spot-on direction and for avoiding the sentimental mush that was always threatening to rear it's curly-haired head. And for including the naughty words (f**k, s**t, etc) that made the young kids sat in front of me giggle with delight! Oh, and for adding 'Love Will Keep Us Together' by Captain and Tenille at the end of Act One, then Joy Division's glorious 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' at the end of Act Two.

Running til 1st May, and thoroughly recommended!!!

By the way, The Stage website review refers to this production as 'UPON THE ROOF'. Sheesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After the show I congratulated the actors in the bar, whilst downing my third Carlsberg Export, then proceeded to seek another drinking establishment. I found the Buck Union - a rather atmospheric old place full of 'characters'. Then I wandered into the 24 hour ASDA for a few items, and ate a whole pack of chicken slices on my way home. I waited til I got in before I devoured half the pack of Brie I'd bought. Ooooh, I'm SO decadent, folks!! I am. really.

See this show!!

2010-04-14T17:11:00.001-07:00

Well, Fictionmaker fans, I have just got in after walking from Oldham, via the 24 hour Asda, and munching the whole of a packet of chicken slices en route. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed Up On The Roof, even though I feared I wouldn't. I am much too tired and emotional to write a full review now, but will attempt one in the morning. Suffice to say - GO AND SEE IT.................NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Up On The Roof tonight!

2010-04-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

(Photo shows: Georgina White, Gavin Spokes, Stephen Fletcher, Christopher Pizzey, and Gemma Wardle)

From Oldham Coliseum:

"Up On The Roof is a poignant and affectionate musical comedy which celebrates the enduring power of friendship.It is 1975 and five students at Hull University are up on the roof of their student digs for the last meeting of The Roof Club’ – their a capella singing group who perform doo-wop covers of Motown and soul classics.In between the songs they reveal their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the lives they are about to embark upon. The next ten years sees how their individual journeys, successes and failures, are reflected in the changing relationships within this tight knit group of friends.Whatever the tensions within the group, they disappear whenever they sing – and they always sing, any time, any place, anywhere, from Band of Gold to What Becomes of the Brokenhearted and Never Can Say Goodbye to Lean On Me and of course their signature tune Up On the Roof."

I am off to review this later - right after I have me tea!!

Bath and Oxford

2010-04-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

I had a surprise last minute invitation to a weekend in Bath and Oxford this weekend. I met this little fella in the cage outside of an Oxford University.

Well, I managed to miss both The Royal Exchange's The Comedy Of Errors last week, AND Oldham Coliseum's 'Up On The Roof'!! Both rescheduled now, so reviews up soon.

I'm back! AGAIN!!!

2010-04-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, I relocated from The Wirral recently and am now back in Manchester. Doing a bit of acting work, continuing the graphic novel stuff, and reviewing a few things. Tonight it's The Royal Exchange's press night for 'The Comedy Of Errors' (featuring Blake's 7's Jan Chappell, no less!), and this Friday it's Oldham Coliseum's 'Up On The Roof'. Oh, and next week I play 'death' on Crosby Beach at 7.30am!!!!! Salford University Fiction Film Unit production. I'll take me thermals!!

The Comedy Of Errors

2010-04-06T07:19:00.001-07:00

Off to see this later - review tomorrow!

BORDERLINERS are go!!!

2009-12-15T19:54:00.000-08:00

Because I'm such a generous guy, I've decided to offer 'BORDERLINERS: Ceremony Of Innocence' as a free download here: http://doomwatch.org/borderliners.html

This is the 'Pilot Issue' of my first independent comic book (and available as a hard copy from Unico Comics).

I'M BACK!

2009-09-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-10T07:37:00.000-08:00

(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

2009-01-29T18:40:00.001-08:00

Manchester Nights

2009-01-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-29T15:46:00.001-08:00

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?

2009-01-29T15:16:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-13T03:34:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-12-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-08T17:26:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

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!!

2008-12-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

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

My illustrations on ITV3

2008-11-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

I was recently commissioned to supply 3 illustrations for the ITV3 TV series 'Martina Cole's Lady Killers', depicting the 16th century murderer, Countess Elizabeth Bathory (immortalised in the Hammer Horror film, 'Countess Dracula', by actress Ingrid Pitt). The episode was screened last monday, and repeated last Saturday. My first artwork for television!!

2008-11-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

Latest comics art I'm working on.

Some of my artwork

2008-11-18T20:18:00.000-08:00

A few samples of recent artwork.

1.Connery as Bond (Acrylic on canvas), 2. Craig as Bond (Acrylic on canvas paper), 3. The

cover of my comic book, 'BORDERLINERS: Ceremony Of Innocence' (May 2008), 4. 'Donna & The Doctor' (Acrylic on canvas paper), and 5. 'The Doctor & The Sontarans' (Acrylic on paper).

'A Taste Of Honey' (Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre)

2008-11-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

Despite dying of a cold, I managed to struggle along in the Manchester rain to see a 50th anniversary production of Shelagh Delaney's classic kitchen sink drama 'A Taste Of Honey'. Thanks to the 60s film starring the irrepressible Dora Bryan, and the young Rita Tushingham, this was a must-see play for Salfordians and Mancunians. Starring Coronation Street's Sally Lindsay as Helen (the mother-from-hell), and Jodie McNee as her much-troubled teen-age daughter Jo, this was a mixed bag of a production. The regular use of hit songs from the likes of Joy Division, The Smiths, and The Stone Roses was certainly enjoyable but added little to the atmosphere of a drama set in the late 1950s. The whole evening seemed more like a Manchester/Salford theme night, and jollied up what is actually a poignant and depressing piece of theatre. Many of Helen's bitter put-downs elicited a variety of chuckles and belly laughs rather than the twinges of disgust they were surely meant to invoke. WHY do audiences feel the need to laugh at ANYTHING even remotely 'amusing'???? Is it just me? Do people NEED to laugh all the bloody time? Yes, there ARE some nice one-liners, but nothing that would trouble Armando Iannucci for God's sake! Sheesh!!!!

Thoughts on 'Thought Bubble', Leeds

2008-11-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I managed to stagger on to a late train in order to get to Leeds for the evening booze-up following this year's 'Thought Bubble' event. Nice posh casino, and a great bunch of people. Special mention to Adam Cadwell, the new 'Austin Powers', whom I think I verbally battered all night. I seem to remember saying goodbye by accosting him with a teaspoon in a Basil Fawlty/Manuel inspired moment of lunacy. That was down to my having eaten only two slices of toast that entire day! Boy, am I dumb!! I do remember a rather fetching young lady in a Japanese style dress which left little to the imagination. Down, boy! And thanks go to the ever fragrant Ella Wredenfors for her generous hospitality and drinking-pal-ness (!).

'Vworp! Vworp!' Dr Who comics event

2008-11-08T21:07:00.000-08:00

Just a word about the event I helped out with last month at The Lass O'Gowrie pub. We had a fantastic time with the likes of artists LEE SULLIVAN, ADE SALMON, and D'ISRAELI. Plus writers IAN EDGINGTON, TONY LEE, GARY RUSSELL, PAUL CORNELL, etc., etc. And the legendary DEZ SKINN (founding editor of Dr Who Weekly, Starburst, Warrior, etc). A few pix....

Quantum Of Solace

2008-10-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

Just watching The South Bank Show. I waited decades for a real, bone-crunching, Flemingesque Bond to appear. I remember watching all the Roger Moores, and even though he was great as The Saint and Brett Sinclair, he wasn't Bond - and that's why they became farces. Entertaining, but farces. Daniel Craig has turned it all around, and is a safe bet to be remembered as the best on-screen interpretation of Fleming's character. Maybe not quite the mid 20th century old-school snob, but a 21st century equivalent steely-eyed assassin.

Debut Blog

2008-10-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hmmm. Just noticed I've had this blog for over 3 years, and ain't posted owt. Ok, here I am. Now then, what have I been up to? Well, this has been a BUSY year. Acted as 'lecherous businessman' in a music video for Scottish rock band To Catch A Thief. This involved me lying on my back on hard gravel with my arm in a puddle, on an old industrial estate in Radcliffe (near Bury) at one in the morning!! Lovely!
Saw my first, independently published, comic book in print in May. 'BORDERLINERS: Ceremony Of Innocence', written & drawn by me, with lettering (and original co-creating) by Chris Harvey. Got some great reviews from the likes of Bryan Talbot, Tim Perkins, Mike Collins, Liam Sharp, Gary Spencer Millidge, John Freeman, and the legendary Dez Skinn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drew 3 illustrations for a TV documentary on serial killers, and now awaiting news on a possible commission for a major graphic novel.

Fictionmaker

EVERYMAN - NEW PERFORMANCES

MIDNIGHT

THE BALLAD OF HALO JONES

STRAWBERRY JACK

James Bond is back in 'SKYFALL'

Official SKYFALL Announcement

3rd November 2011

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE: The Legend Of Liverpool FC

NORTHERN BROADSIDES meet CHEKHOV at THE LOWRY, SALFORD: Win 2 tickets!!

DOCTOR WHO returns

CAPTAIN AMERICA: The First Avenger

THE WATCHER

THE WATCHER

THE WATCHER

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.....

'The Prisoner' play premieres in Manchester

'EVERYMAN' London & Chester dates

NEW DATE FOR BARRY EVANS/VINCE POWELL CHARITY LUNCH

SILVER PEARL TV & FILM NETWORKING EVENT

COMEDY LEGENDS - TICKETS NOW ON SALE

THE PRISONER THEME NIGHT

NEW DATE FOR COMEDY LEGENDS CHARITY LUNCH

VWORP 3 Dr Who Day @ The Lass

'EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner'

THE SOCKS ARE BACK IN TOWN!!!

'THE BENCH' Review

'DIARY OF A BAD LAD' The Premiere

R.I.P. FRANK SIDEBOTTOM (CHRIS SIEVEY)

'THE ROAD TO NAB END'

'DINNERLADIES'

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

'EVERYMAN: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan - The Prisoner'

TORCHWOOD RETURNS

'DIARY OF A BAD LAD' DVD review

LIEUTENANT COLUMBO in PRESCRIPTION MURDER

Vworp 3 - the Lass' annual Doctor Who PubCon is BACK!

JOE COFFEY - 21st CENTURY SALFORD ARTIST

SILVER PEARL TV & NETWORKING EVENT

DR WHO 'PUBCON' at The Lass O'Gowrie

VVWORP!!! DR WHO FAN MEET-UP

TRANSMISSION: THE ULTIMATE JOY DIVISION TRIBUTE BAND

'THE MEMORY OF WATER' (Oldham Coliseum) Review

PETER HOOK CELEBRATES IAN CURTIS (Review)

Matt Smith is Christopher Isherwood

COLIN BAKER IS INSPECTOR MORSE

WANTED: ACTOR TO PLAY PATRICK McGOOHAN

PETER HOOK'S NEW BAND DEBUT

ECCLESTON & CROOK IN NEW JIMMY McGOVERN SERIES

MEET 'THE A TEAM' & 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA' STAR IN MANCHESTER

TV COMEDY LEGENDS TO BE HONOURED

'DOCTOR WHO AT THE FAB CAFE 3'

'JUMBLE' by Sally Lawton

'UNKNOWN PLEASURES' at The Factory Club (FAC251) 18th May

'CRYING IN THE CHAPEL'

'JUMBLE' by Sally Lawton

'THE BENCH' postponed

"MY NAME'S BOND, YA KNOW, F****** JAMES F****** BOND, AWIGHT, YOU MUPPET?"

'DOCTOR WHO AT THE FAB CAFE 3'

'PORTRAIT OF AN ACTOR'

'THE BENCH' by Joe O'Byrne

'THE BENCH' by Joe O'Byrne

DAVID TENNANT IS A 'SINGLE FATHER'

Alan Sillitoe has died

THOUSANDS OF DR WHO FANS COMPLAIN TO BBC

'THE COMEDY OF ERRORS' by William Shakespeare (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester till 8th May)

'INDEPENDENT MEANS' by Stanley Houghton (Birkenhead Little Theatre til Saturday 24th May)

'BEAUTIFUL HOUSE' by Cathy Crabb (Library Theatre, Manchester til 8th May)

NEW BOND MOVIE ON HOLD "INDEFINITELY"

'COMEDIANS' (Bolton Octagon) Production photos

'COMEDIANS' (Bolton Octagon til 8th May)

THE PRISONER

The Prisoner

"KEEP BUGGERING ON!"

THE PRISONER (remake)

Beautiful House (Library Theatre from next Thursday)

'UP ON THE ROOF' (Oldham Coliseum) review:

See this show!!

Up On The Roof tonight!

Bath and Oxford

"MY NAME'S BOND, YA KNOW, F JAMES F BOND, AWIGHT, YOU MUPPET?"