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

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"

(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

(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)

(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

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

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

"KEEP BUGGERING ON!"

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)

(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)

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:

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!!

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!

(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

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!!!

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

Off to see this later - review tomorrow!

BORDERLINERS are go!!!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

'The Newspaper Boy' @ The Deaf Institute

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

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

Great McGoohan pic

Manchester Nights

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

R.I.P. PATRICK McGOOHAN

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

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

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

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

Man Utd - Normal service resumed?

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

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

Yes, I KNOW I should get out more!

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

'SEE HOW THEY RUN' Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

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

'APPARITIONS' BBC1

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

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

Bye Bye, Spooks!

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

Following

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

SOMBRE SWEDES

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

Watch it!!!!

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

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

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

My illustrations on ITV3

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!!

Latest comics art I'm working on.

Some of my artwork

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)

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

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

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....