Did the RSC’s high-tech The Tempest work with or against Shakespeare’s dark, enigmatic comedy? The Tempest apparently premiered with a performance at Whitehall Palace in 1611, performed by the King’s Men before King James I and his court. Whilst we do not know much about this occasion, we can assume that His Majesty was pleased…
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At the end of a conference it is refreshing for delegates to look forward to the evening dinner and entertainment. At this event, a German company, with a subsidiary in Britain, organised a French comedian to entertain its 90% male UK workforce containing an abundance of Scotsmen, Irish and a some English, all in relaxed…
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Liz Smith was one of those actresses you immediately recognise, then struggle to think what she has been in. ‘Oh she was in .. that .. er? It is because she appeared in so many parts in TV & Film in the last forty years we don’t always necessarily identify her with just one or…
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‘Doing the actual job of being a stand up comedian isn’t the problem,’ experienced comic Ian Moore once told me. ‘It’s all the bloody travelling which gets in the way’ he said. Well, have a look at this travel itinerary: Started from Loire Valley (France) at 6:30am, forty-minute drive from Vierzon, an hour half train…
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Arnold Palmer was one of the game of golf’s most colourful and charismatic figures. It was Palmer’s magnificent ability and the way he played the game in the late fifties and sixties that drew the crowds and eventually the TV cameras to the sport. In his career Palmer won 91 professional tour titles including 62…
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[slideshow_deploy id=’2306′] The news of ‘The Great British Bake off’, one of BBC’s flagship programmes, leaving its comfortable TV home to attempt untried terrestrial territory, has raised questions and underlined the broadcasting world we now live in. The negotiations between The BBC and the owners of ‘Bake off’ reached stalemate, enter Channel 4 who outbid…
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Anyone who wants to perform comedy would dream of having facial features like Gene Wilder, wonderfully expressive with eyes that communicated great emotion often combined with a classical acting technique approach to his in work. Comedian Jim Carrey described Wilder as ‘one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form’. Indeed,…
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Caroline Aherne was a character actress and comedian who made some wonderful original TV shows in the nineties. ‘Royal Family’ and ‘Mrs Merton’ were probably her most noted but she also starred in the cast of ‘The Fast show’ from 1994-1997, becoming known for the catchphrase ‘Scorchio’ delivered by her foreign weather girl character. Comedian…
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Muhammad Ali is the only person in my adulthood, who I queued, three hours in the rain, outside a London bookshop, to briefly meet to get his signature on his latest autobiography. Such was his immense respect, impact and likeability to millions. By then he was suffering from Parkinson’s, his hand with pen was gently…
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Carla Lane, the award-winning writer of television comedy dramas including the ‘Liver Birds’ (co-creator, 1969–78), ‘Butterflies’ (1978–82) and ‘Bread’ (1986–91), has died at the age of 87. Chris Sussman Head of BBC Comedy Production said of her ‘ A different voice in comedy, like all the best writers. Much loved by so many.’ She was…
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Having watched football for nearly fifty years I can safely say Leicester City FC winning the Premiership title is the most extra ordinary upset I have ever observed. Until it actually happened nobody could really believe it. But it has. For once the Foxes have out run the hounds of Spurs, Arsenal, Man City, Man…
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Victoria Wood was an excellent comedy performer and an even better writer. She showed in a man’s comedy world, true talent can rise to the top and entertain us all. Sarah Millican describing her as ‘A true comic icon’. Her death at the age of 62, says the Times, stunned her family and a “nation…
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It’s good to see that Michael McIntyre’s getting back to what he does best – stand up. In his new prime Saturday night BBC TV show, his opening monologue showed what a master he is at taking a comic idea and running with it, building through comparisons and observations from one very small idea. This…
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The sit-com ‘Blackadder’ was one of the most loved and respected comedy series in the UK. But not by the former BBC’s chief medical officer whose life was made a complete misery – thanks to Blackadder. Same name What was not known at the time by creators Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis but their ‘I…
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Andy Cade (Art Director, Musician & Lecturer) reminisces on working with Ringo, Barbara Bach, Dame Edna. When Andy Met A Beatle, A Bond Girl & Dame Edna In 1990 my wife Lizzie came home from the Gym in Barnes saying she’d befriended some girls at the aqua class who she’d thought ‘may have something to…
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Ronnie Corbett dies just weeks before he was to be knighted in the Queens’s 90th Birthday Honours list. He was given a CBE in 2012, Sir Bruce Forsyth said “It’s a very sad day, we’re all going to miss him” The Two Ronnies The much loved Actor, Comedian and broadcaster was best known for his…
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Garry Shandling was a comedy pioneer pushing sit-com a little further in a golden period in the early nineties. He was best remembered for ‘It’s Garry Shandling’s Show’ and ‘The Larry Sanders Show’ – both of which innovated the tone and direction that sitcoms might take. Ricky Gervais said of Shandling ‘one of the most…
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Johan Cruyff was regarded as one the greatest players of all time, he won three consecutive European Cups (1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73) with Ajax and went on to play and manage Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph in 1992. Johan Cruyff: Player Manager He was unique as not only as a great footballer winning three…
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John Cleese says he may sue an Australian theatre company for its “shameless rip-off” of Fawlty Towers. The Australian company has been running their unofficial show at the Edinburgh Fringe for the last nine years, and currently has a residency at a London hotel, where tickets cost up to £59. Another version is to open…
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Paul Daniels was without doubt one of the most accomplished magicians in the world, and certainly one of the most exciting. Add to that a unique comedy patter and you had the complete entertainment performer. Paul Daniels: TV Magician He was a controversial person but deeply respected and admired by fellow magicians. Daniels had worked…
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Paul Zerdin comic ventriloquist, winner of America’s got talent 2015, has signed for a long season at the Planet Hollywood casino on the Las Vegas strip from April 30. His success after winning America’s Got Talent last year, has opened up so many wonderful opportunities for him. Apology From Las Vegas Headliner However, that has meant…
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Asphalt Engineering Company Case Study The client was a highly successful Asphalt Engineering company supplying a unique web base flooring to support and make highways, pavements and airfields last longer. The busy executives were completing 45 minute sales presentations up and down the country to interested groups and parties ranging from local councils to large…
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Drinks Manufacturer Case Study Background The client was a major soft drinks manufacturer which was holding its annual conference. The Problem During the conference the drinks manufacturer company wanted to provide their employees with help & support in areas that most concerned them. One such issue was public speaking. Those that had to do this,…
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