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Chit chat - Skeleton keys
While we’re on the subject of bizarre inanimate objects appearing on stage (and no, that’s not a reference to John Barrowman’s ‘penis game’), Tabard was amused to hear that the skull which features in the latest Royal Shakespeare Company staging of Hamlet is a real one.
Chit chat - Android paranoia
Finally, the news we all feared was going to come one day. Actors are obsolete.
Radio review - Drama
If a critic reaches for the term ‘propaganda’ - usually preceded by the word ‘mere’ for even more damning effect - it is rarely meant kindly. But isn’t all art propaganda, even if only for the view of its creator? And, conversely, propaganda can certainly be art, if executed with enough finesse. This makes a previously unknown script by Dylan Thomas, unearthed by his biographer Andrew Lycett, very exciting.
TV review
I may not know much about the laws of science, but I do know that the laws of science-based historical drama demand that at some point in proceedings, one or more of the protagonists must improvise with household objects, kitchen utensils or foodstuffs to explain a particularly challenging idea.
Chit Chat - There’s always a first time for rejection
Good old Tommy Sheppard - director of the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh. He’s never one to miss the opportunity for a bit of a ruckus between himself and an establishment figure.
Radio review - light programme
BBC Radio executives, especially those remaining at Radio 2, have had little to celebrate lately, the Brand/Ross saga has made sure of that. Still, at least listeners have had a laugh with Radio 4 offering three of the funniest comedy half hours to be aired in a long time.
TV review
Clone really isn’t very funny at all. That it is accompanied by the uncritical and inexplicable guffaws of a canned laughter track doesn’t disguise the fact that it is a veritable humour free zone, but merely draws more attention to it.
Chit chat - In the dark
The curse of the Scottish Play strikes again.
Chit chat - Cold feet
Meanwhile, Tabard was amused to read of similarly mysterious goings on at another playhouse.
Chit chat - Eurovision to behold
But, if those are a little strange, frankly they’re not a patch on Tabard’s final tit-bit for the week.
Radio review - drama
Oh, for comic timing. Not that blissful alchemical process by which some actors use intuition, rhythm and stardust to rib-tickling effect. I’m referring here to the good luck of all involved in a radio comedy drama to tap into a zeitgeist which hasn’t vanished down the plug hole by the time it goes to air.
TV review
Hats off to any drama that starts with the death of Mother Theresa of Calcutta and climaxes with a bloodbath in a gay sauna, even if everything that occurs in between is completely bonkers.
Chit chat - Naked ambition
Meanwhile, down at the Royal Opera House, there are truly sensational goings on. Staff and performers there have got together to pose for a nudie calendar in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Chit chat - A right stuff up
While we’re on the subject of Italians - Tabard was a little shocked this week to hear Silvio Berlusconi describe Barack Obama as “young, handsome and tanned”.
Chit chat - A word to the wise
Tabard was pleased to find out this week that reports of Sir Norman Wisdom’s death have been grossly exaggerated. Apparently, there was a call to The Stage’s news hounds last week asking if they had heard about the fact that the legendary comedian had died. They admitted that they hadn’t, but would look into it.
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Backstage
- Lancashire's light fantastic
- German searchlight and large lightsource specialist, A&O Technology, has…
- Change of scenery
- Environmental acoustics expert, David Trevor-Jones, has joined the management…
- Shedding light on training
- Lighting specialists, ETC, together with London’s Central School of Speech…
- Step into concerts
- Summit Steel is supplying a large trussing and motors package, together with…
- Scouting for sounds
- ADLIB Audio supplied a V-DOSC sound system for Scouting For Girls’ recent UK…
Obituaries
- Reg Varney
- His rise to fame had been a long and arduous one. Born in the East End of…
- Miriam Makeba
- Clive Barnes
- For Broadway to dim its lights in tribute to a newly deceased critic…
- Obituaries round-up
- Veteran actor Peter Bartlett was a stalwart of the BBC Radio Drama…
- David Lloyd Meredith
- David Lloyd Meredith had a distinguished stage career, notably as a key…
Letters
- Dear friend
- With reference to Patrick Newley’s obituary for Ann (Tracy) Rogers (page 53,…
- Voices for a Better World
- On June 24, 2009, Voices for a Better World is creating a huge concert at the…
- Constructing comedy
- One thing about the Brand/Ross incident which seems to have escaped the…
- American dream
- It didn’t take long for Topher Campbell to climb aboard the band wagon and…
- Wonderful memories
- I take exception to Patrick Newley’s article (page 52, November 20) regarding…
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