If you listen closely, every year around October 1st you’ll start to hear things go bump in the night… but don’t worry, instead of g-g-g-ghoooosts it’s mostly just the sound of props department interns who have been made to stay late and dig out boxes of bat bunting, dry ice machines and facepaint ready for another round of Halloween TV specials.
Halloween episodes are now a spooky season staple on both sides of the pond, but while the US has been producing Halloween hits like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and The Flintstones’ ‘A Haunted House is Not A Home’ since the early 1960s, the American tradition didn’t properly catch on in the UK until the 1970s.
Dig through the archives, and – while a couple of spooky stories were read out on Jackanory in the late 1960s, including Doctor Who’s own Jon Pertwee’s memorable reading of Ghoulies,...
Halloween episodes are now a spooky season staple on both sides of the pond, but while the US has been producing Halloween hits like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and The Flintstones’ ‘A Haunted House is Not A Home’ since the early 1960s, the American tradition didn’t properly catch on in the UK until the 1970s.
Dig through the archives, and – while a couple of spooky stories were read out on Jackanory in the late 1960s, including Doctor Who’s own Jon Pertwee’s memorable reading of Ghoulies,...
- 10/18/2022
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Jodie Comer, Martin Freeman, Tamsin Greig, Kristin Scott Thomas and Imelda Staunton are among the stars lined up for new BBC One adaptations of playwright Alan Bennett’s acclaimed “Talking Heads” monologues, which start filming Tuesday.
Ten of the original pieces are being remade, having first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998, winning two BAFTA awards. Two new monologues, written by Bennett last year, are also being filmed.
The contained nature of Bennett’s monologues means they are one of the very few dramas that can be produced while following guidelines on safe working practices during Covid-19. Filming is taking place at BBC Elstree Studios using existing sets.
They are produced by former National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner’s London Theatre Company and ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ producer Kevin Loader.
Lead director Hytner, whose film credits include “The Madness of King George” and “The History Boys,” said:...
Ten of the original pieces are being remade, having first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998, winning two BAFTA awards. Two new monologues, written by Bennett last year, are also being filmed.
The contained nature of Bennett’s monologues means they are one of the very few dramas that can be produced while following guidelines on safe working practices during Covid-19. Filming is taking place at BBC Elstree Studios using existing sets.
They are produced by former National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner’s London Theatre Company and ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ producer Kevin Loader.
Lead director Hytner, whose film credits include “The Madness of King George” and “The History Boys,” said:...
- 4/28/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has dusted off British playwright Alan Bennett’s famous series of Talking Heads monologues and is remaking them for the coronavirus age with a head-turning cast.
Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer, Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman and the soon-to-be star of The Crown Imelda Staunton are among those attached to the project, which will breathe new life into the BAFTA-winning show that ran for two seasons in 1988 and a decade later in 1998.
Talking Heads will be produced by London Theatre Company for BBC One, and overseen by Bennett’s long-time collaborator Sir Nicholas Hytner, who staged shows including The History Boys. The plan is to make 12 episodes, 10 of which will be monologues filmed for the original series and two new stories Bennett sent Hytner last year.
Auditions and rehearsals have taken place over Zoom but the series will be filmed on ready-made sets at Elstree Studios, with a slimline...
Killing Eve actress Jodie Comer, Sherlock‘s Martin Freeman and the soon-to-be star of The Crown Imelda Staunton are among those attached to the project, which will breathe new life into the BAFTA-winning show that ran for two seasons in 1988 and a decade later in 1998.
Talking Heads will be produced by London Theatre Company for BBC One, and overseen by Bennett’s long-time collaborator Sir Nicholas Hytner, who staged shows including The History Boys. The plan is to make 12 episodes, 10 of which will be monologues filmed for the original series and two new stories Bennett sent Hytner last year.
Auditions and rehearsals have taken place over Zoom but the series will be filmed on ready-made sets at Elstree Studios, with a slimline...
- 4/28/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Stephanie J. Block is the frontrunner to win Best Actress in a Musical at this Sunday’s Tonys for her dynamic embodiment of Cher in “The Cher Show.” However, Tony history is not on her side. You have to go back to 2000 to find a leading lady who won without her show at least being in contention for Best Musical or Best Musical Revival.
Heather Headley won for “Aida,” edging out Toni Collette (“The Wild Party”), Rebecca Luker (“The Music Man”), the late Marin Mazzie and future Tony record-setter Audra McDonald (“Marie Christine”). Collette, Luker, and Mazzie all headlined productions that competed for one of the top categories.
It was something of a shock when “Aida” was left out of the Best Musical category. Perhaps that snub built sentiment for “Aida” and its powerhouse star. Voters certainly disagreed with the nominating committee as the tuner took home an additional three Tony Awards.
Heather Headley won for “Aida,” edging out Toni Collette (“The Wild Party”), Rebecca Luker (“The Music Man”), the late Marin Mazzie and future Tony record-setter Audra McDonald (“Marie Christine”). Collette, Luker, and Mazzie all headlined productions that competed for one of the top categories.
It was something of a shock when “Aida” was left out of the Best Musical category. Perhaps that snub built sentiment for “Aida” and its powerhouse star. Voters certainly disagreed with the nominating committee as the tuner took home an additional three Tony Awards.
- 6/6/2019
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
'Henry V' Movie Actress Renée Asherson dead at 99: Laurence Olivier leading lady in acclaimed 1944 film (image: Renée Asherson and Laurence Olivier in 'Henry V') Renée Asherson, a British stage actress featured in London productions of A Streetcar Named Desire and Three Sisters, but best known internationally as Laurence Olivier's leading lady in the 1944 film version of Henry V, died on October 30, 2014. Asherson was 99 years old. The exact cause of death hasn't been specified. She was born Dorothy Renée Ascherson (she would drop the "c" some time after becoming an actress) on May 19, 1915, in Kensington, London, to Jewish parents: businessman Charles Ascherson and his second wife, Dorothy Wiseman -- both of whom narrowly escaped spending their honeymoon aboard the Titanic. (Ascherson cancelled the voyage after suffering an attack of appendicitis.) According to Michael Coveney's The Guardian obit for the actress, Renée Asherson was "scantly...
- 11/5/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
Within the crowded genre of British TV detective shows, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates offers us something fresh and a little bit different. It originally aired in the UK in the late 90s before making its way across the U.S. for a series of airings on PBS affiliates around the nation. Unlike some of her gloomier and grittier counterparts, Wainthropp deliberately steers clear of mysteries involving unpleasantness such as drugs and divorce although she does love a good murder mystery. She’s essentially a neighborhood busy-body with a sharp mind and an insatiable desire to uncover the truth. She follows up on the cases that the police can’t be bothered with: phony mediums, poison pen letters, buried treasure, paternity cases and unexplained deaths. She’s a working class Miss Marple and a formidable character both in her home and at work.
Wainthropp is assisted during her investigations but her excitable assistant Geoffrey.
Within the crowded genre of British TV detective shows, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates offers us something fresh and a little bit different. It originally aired in the UK in the late 90s before making its way across the U.S. for a series of airings on PBS affiliates around the nation. Unlike some of her gloomier and grittier counterparts, Wainthropp deliberately steers clear of mysteries involving unpleasantness such as drugs and divorce although she does love a good murder mystery. She’s essentially a neighborhood busy-body with a sharp mind and an insatiable desire to uncover the truth. She follows up on the cases that the police can’t be bothered with: phony mediums, poison pen letters, buried treasure, paternity cases and unexplained deaths. She’s a working class Miss Marple and a formidable character both in her home and at work.
Wainthropp is assisted during her investigations but her excitable assistant Geoffrey.
- 2/9/2014
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Powerful stage and screen actor often cast as an aristocrat, king or moustachioed villain
When the whisky flowed, according to the writer John Heilpern, the actor Nigel Davenport looked "as if he might knock you through the wall for sport". However, words such as "imposing" and "heavyweight", both often applied to his performances on stage and screen across more than 40 years, do not do sufficient justice to his lightness of touch and comic energy.
Davenport, who has died aged 85, was a founder member of the English Stage Company (Esc) at the Royal Court – in the first season, he was in every production except Look Back in Anger – and a distinguished president of Equity, the actors' union; he played leads in Restoration comedy and absurdist drama as well as King Lear.
In a recent rerun of the BBC's Keeping Up Appearances, he loomed as a lubricious old navy commodore coming on...
When the whisky flowed, according to the writer John Heilpern, the actor Nigel Davenport looked "as if he might knock you through the wall for sport". However, words such as "imposing" and "heavyweight", both often applied to his performances on stage and screen across more than 40 years, do not do sufficient justice to his lightness of touch and comic energy.
Davenport, who has died aged 85, was a founder member of the English Stage Company (Esc) at the Royal Court – in the first season, he was in every production except Look Back in Anger – and a distinguished president of Equity, the actors' union; he played leads in Restoration comedy and absurdist drama as well as King Lear.
In a recent rerun of the BBC's Keeping Up Appearances, he loomed as a lubricious old navy commodore coming on...
- 10/30/2013
- by Michael Coveney
- The Guardian - Film News
House of Cards
Kieran Kinsella
David Croft
If you write a list of your 10 favorite British TV sitcom characters, probably half of them were created by comic genius David Croft. His creations include Mr Humphries (Are You Being Served?), Sergeant Major ‘Shut up’ Williams (It Ain’t Half Hot Mum) Herr Flick (Allo, Allo) and Corporal Jones (Dad’s Army). Like many great comedy writers, Croft collaborated with others including Jimmy Perry and David Floyd. Few writers though could match his creativity or career longevity. Such was Croft’s popularity that he was a regular guest on the British TV convention circuit right up until his death at the age of 89.
Paul Abbott
BAFTA and Emmy winning writer Paul Abbott, rose from humble origins to become one of the most successful writers in British TV history. His hard-hitting dramas are far removed from the idyllic world of Marple and Midsomer Murders.
Kieran Kinsella
David Croft
If you write a list of your 10 favorite British TV sitcom characters, probably half of them were created by comic genius David Croft. His creations include Mr Humphries (Are You Being Served?), Sergeant Major ‘Shut up’ Williams (It Ain’t Half Hot Mum) Herr Flick (Allo, Allo) and Corporal Jones (Dad’s Army). Like many great comedy writers, Croft collaborated with others including Jimmy Perry and David Floyd. Few writers though could match his creativity or career longevity. Such was Croft’s popularity that he was a regular guest on the British TV convention circuit right up until his death at the age of 89.
Paul Abbott
BAFTA and Emmy winning writer Paul Abbott, rose from humble origins to become one of the most successful writers in British TV history. His hard-hitting dramas are far removed from the idyllic world of Marple and Midsomer Murders.
- 7/31/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Britain's Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla hosted a champagne reception for celebrity ambassadors of a volunteer campaign yesterday (18.09.12). The royal couple welcomed TV presenter Phillip Schofield, agony aunt Denise Robertson, journalist Kate Adie, Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, actress Patricia Routledge, TV star Gloria Hunniford and broadcaster Roy Noble to Clarence House to thank them for supporting the Diamond Champion scheme, which celebrated the contribution of volunteers aged over 60. The award scheme has been launched by the older people's charity the Wrvs, with Charles and Camilla as its patrons, and the organisation are encouraging people to nominate those who make a difference to the lives of others in their community through voluntary work. The royal couple will...
- 9/19/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Patricia Routledge is ''very, very sad'' about the death of Geoffrey Hughes last week. The 83-year-old actress played stuffy Hyacinth Bucket in TV series 'Keeping Up Appearances' alongside Geoffrey - who died of prostate cancer on Friday (27.07.12) - and she has proclaimed him a ''true professional'' actor who always did his job well. She said: ''I felt very, very sad. He was a most lovable man, just delightful and great fun to work with. ''He had a tremendous battle with the dreaded disease and I spoke to him a couple of times and he was positive and courageous. He did try...
- 7/30/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
This November, a series of events are planned to celebrate its 100 year history
The Liverpool Playhouse Theatre, home to one of the oldest repertory companies, will celebrate its centenary later this year with a special gala performance of The Ladykillers.
A new book on the Williamson Square landmark and a series of events will also mark the 100th anniversary on November 11.
The gala evening will include a pre-show champagne reception and a chance to join the cast – which includes Peter Capaldi, James Fleet and Ben Miller – after the show to toast the theatre as a special birthday cake is cut.
The Ladykillers adapted for stage by Graham Linehan is on from November 3-19, but is sold out already.
Meanwhile, the cast of Roger McGough's adaptation of Moliere's play, Tartuffe, have been entertaining audiences at the Playhouse. Tartuffe runs until Saturday.
The Playhouse is also launching a book to...
The Liverpool Playhouse Theatre, home to one of the oldest repertory companies, will celebrate its centenary later this year with a special gala performance of The Ladykillers.
A new book on the Williamson Square landmark and a series of events will also mark the 100th anniversary on November 11.
The gala evening will include a pre-show champagne reception and a chance to join the cast – which includes Peter Capaldi, James Fleet and Ben Miller – after the show to toast the theatre as a special birthday cake is cut.
The Ladykillers adapted for stage by Graham Linehan is on from November 3-19, but is sold out already.
Meanwhile, the cast of Roger McGough's adaptation of Moliere's play, Tartuffe, have been entertaining audiences at the Playhouse. Tartuffe runs until Saturday.
The Playhouse is also launching a book to...
- 9/13/2011
- by Helen Carter
- The Guardian - Film News
Patricia Routledge has accused the BBC of being "run by ten-year-old children". The actress said she is furious that the broadcaster did not inform her of the fate of her show Hetty Wainthrop Investigates. She told Teletext: "We were betrayed by the BBC! We finished series four of Hetty Wainthrop, we were told that there was going to be a series five. "But no word (more)...
- 6/26/2008
- by By Beth Hilton
- Digital Spy
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