Louisa Mellor Dec 15, 2017
We chatted to actor and writer Sally Phillips about comedy, European accents, special cuddles, writing films and more...
“I’m quite keen to meet a Finnish shaman, have you seen them?” asks Sally Phillips three minutes into an interview that’s supposed to be about her role in new family animation Ferdinand. Scrolling through her phone, she presents me with a photograph of a fearsome looking woman with Pris from Blade Runner eye make-up, wearing an elaborate headdress and holding a tambourine.
See related Star Wars: The Last Jedi review
“Look at the expression! Very, very miserable, tambourine, excellent eye make-up” says Phillips, delighted. “I play a character who looks a bit like that in Zapped! and I did something else recently where they painted a black chicken on one eye. I thought, well, it’s slowly, slowly happening, I’m turning into a Finnish Shaman.”
Despite not having visited Finland,...
We chatted to actor and writer Sally Phillips about comedy, European accents, special cuddles, writing films and more...
“I’m quite keen to meet a Finnish shaman, have you seen them?” asks Sally Phillips three minutes into an interview that’s supposed to be about her role in new family animation Ferdinand. Scrolling through her phone, she presents me with a photograph of a fearsome looking woman with Pris from Blade Runner eye make-up, wearing an elaborate headdress and holding a tambourine.
See related Star Wars: The Last Jedi review
“Look at the expression! Very, very miserable, tambourine, excellent eye make-up” says Phillips, delighted. “I play a character who looks a bit like that in Zapped! and I did something else recently where they painted a black chicken on one eye. I thought, well, it’s slowly, slowly happening, I’m turning into a Finnish Shaman.”
Despite not having visited Finland,...
- 12/14/2017
- Den of Geek
She’s played Valerie Tatlock in Coronation Street and Daniel Craig’s lover in The Mother, and now stars in the thriller Kaleidoscope. Anne Reid talks to Rebecca Nicholson about awards, Victoria Wood and why it’s good to show older people falling in love on screen
‘What can I tell you without giving the whole plot away? That’s the problem,” smiles Anne Reid. We’re meeting to talk about Kaleidoscope, a knotty, taut and claustrophobic thriller starring Reid and Toby Jones, directed by his brother, Rupert Jones. It’s the kind of brilliantly insidious film that reveals its secrets slowly and cleverly. It’s far better to see it knowing absolutely nothing at all about it. Which, of course, makes it very difficult to talk about. “Well, let’s not tell people then,” Reid decides, firmly. “I play the mother of Toby Jones. It was a great part.
‘What can I tell you without giving the whole plot away? That’s the problem,” smiles Anne Reid. We’re meeting to talk about Kaleidoscope, a knotty, taut and claustrophobic thriller starring Reid and Toby Jones, directed by his brother, Rupert Jones. It’s the kind of brilliantly insidious film that reveals its secrets slowly and cleverly. It’s far better to see it knowing absolutely nothing at all about it. Which, of course, makes it very difficult to talk about. “Well, let’s not tell people then,” Reid decides, firmly. “I play the mother of Toby Jones. It was a great part.
- 11/9/2017
- by Rebecca Nicholson
- The Guardian - Film News
The star talks about her novels for neglected women, missing her ‘dear pal’ Victoria Wood – and how it was a miracle she survived the lorry attack in Nice
Celia Imrie breezes into the cafe, apologising for being late and making people at the next table nudge each other excitedly. She’s wearing a purple shawl, collared moleskin jacket, silk off-white collarless blouse, black trousers and sparkly trainers. “I got those from Monte Carlo,” she says of the trainers. Of course she did.
It’s quite possible that this ensemble was assembled by Le Huit Couture in Nice, the French Riviera city where Imrie has an apartment overlooking the Med, and where she set her two novels, Not Quite Nice and its sequel, Nice Work (If You Can Get It), which is out in paperback next week. “They choose all my outfits for me,” she explains.
Continue reading...
Celia Imrie breezes into the cafe, apologising for being late and making people at the next table nudge each other excitedly. She’s wearing a purple shawl, collared moleskin jacket, silk off-white collarless blouse, black trousers and sparkly trainers. “I got those from Monte Carlo,” she says of the trainers. Of course she did.
It’s quite possible that this ensemble was assembled by Le Huit Couture in Nice, the French Riviera city where Imrie has an apartment overlooking the Med, and where she set her two novels, Not Quite Nice and its sequel, Nice Work (If You Can Get It), which is out in paperback next week. “They choose all my outfits for me,” she explains.
Continue reading...
- 2/15/2017
- by Stuart Jeffries
- The Guardian - Film News
Playwright Stoppard wins outstanding contribution award.
Tom Stoppard was presented with the outstanding contribution to writing award at the 2017 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards.
Stoppard accepted the honour from fellow playwright David Edgar at the ceremony on Monday (January 23), held at the Royal College of Physicians.
He said: “For a writer, no award can compare to an award from other writers. The Writers’ Guild is a bright spot in a dark world and I feel very grateful to it.”
Stoppard has written extensively for the stage, TV and film. His plays Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Travesties, and The Real Thing all won Tony Awards.
He also co-wrote Shakespeare In Love (which won him an Oscar) and Brazil.
Presenting him the award, Edgar said: “Like the BBC, he [Stoppard] has educated and entertained. Like no one else, he has challenged, dazzled, and amazed.”
The event’s best first screenplay award went to Rachel Tunnard for Adult Life Skills while...
Tom Stoppard was presented with the outstanding contribution to writing award at the 2017 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards.
Stoppard accepted the honour from fellow playwright David Edgar at the ceremony on Monday (January 23), held at the Royal College of Physicians.
He said: “For a writer, no award can compare to an award from other writers. The Writers’ Guild is a bright spot in a dark world and I feel very grateful to it.”
Stoppard has written extensively for the stage, TV and film. His plays Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Travesties, and The Real Thing all won Tony Awards.
He also co-wrote Shakespeare In Love (which won him an Oscar) and Brazil.
Presenting him the award, Edgar said: “Like the BBC, he [Stoppard] has educated and entertained. Like no one else, he has challenged, dazzled, and amazed.”
The event’s best first screenplay award went to Rachel Tunnard for Adult Life Skills while...
- 1/25/2017
- ScreenDaily
The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm: BBC One, 8.30pm
Harry Hill stars in this festive-flavoured comedy drama, based on the popular children's books by Norman Hunter.
Professor Branestawm is oblivious to the chaos caused by his ridiculous creations, which often go wrong. When a local councillor tries to run the professor out of the village for being a dangerous nuisance, it's up to little Connie to come to his aid.
Julie Walters: a Life on Screen: BBC Two, 9.30pm
In this candid on-screen chat, screen legend Julie Walters looks back on her 40-year career .
From humble beginnings in theatre through to her BAFTA and Oscar nominations, the British actress discusses her career highlights, with contributions by Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie, Rupert Grint and Hugh Bonneville.
Cuckoo: BBC Three, 10.25pm
Greg Davies is back in another Christmas special, this time opposite Twilight hunk Taylor Lautner in Cuckoo.
It's Christmas...
Harry Hill stars in this festive-flavoured comedy drama, based on the popular children's books by Norman Hunter.
Professor Branestawm is oblivious to the chaos caused by his ridiculous creations, which often go wrong. When a local councillor tries to run the professor out of the village for being a dangerous nuisance, it's up to little Connie to come to his aid.
Julie Walters: a Life on Screen: BBC Two, 9.30pm
In this candid on-screen chat, screen legend Julie Walters looks back on her 40-year career .
From humble beginnings in theatre through to her BAFTA and Oscar nominations, the British actress discusses her career highlights, with contributions by Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie, Rupert Grint and Hugh Bonneville.
Cuckoo: BBC Three, 10.25pm
Greg Davies is back in another Christmas special, this time opposite Twilight hunk Taylor Lautner in Cuckoo.
It's Christmas...
- 12/24/2014
- Digital Spy
Julie Walters with Michael Caine in Educating Rita. Julie Walters has been announced as the recipient of this year's Richard Harris Award at teh British Independent Film Awards
Walters will receive the honour - introduced in 2002 to recognise outstanding contribution to British film by an actor - at the ceremony on December 8 at Old Billingsgate, London.
Julie Walters Cbe began her career in TV alongside comic Victoria Wood before going on to find film fame in a career that has spanned more than four decades. She found fame in a BAFTA and Golden Globe winning performance in a supporting role in the 1984 hit Educating Rita, which also earned her an Academy Award nomination.
She has since been nominated for an Oscaar for her work on Stephen Daldry's Billy Elliot. Her work has also include family favourites such as Brave and the Harry Potter series. She will next be seen...
Walters will receive the honour - introduced in 2002 to recognise outstanding contribution to British film by an actor - at the ceremony on December 8 at Old Billingsgate, London.
Julie Walters Cbe began her career in TV alongside comic Victoria Wood before going on to find film fame in a career that has spanned more than four decades. She found fame in a BAFTA and Golden Globe winning performance in a supporting role in the 1984 hit Educating Rita, which also earned her an Academy Award nomination.
She has since been nominated for an Oscaar for her work on Stephen Daldry's Billy Elliot. Her work has also include family favourites such as Brave and the Harry Potter series. She will next be seen...
- 12/3/2013
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Actress to receive the Richard Harris Award at this weekend’s British Independent Film Awards.
Julie Walters is to receive The Richard Harris Award at the 16th Moet British Independent Film Awards this Sunday (Dec 8) at Old Billingsgate in London.
The Richard Harris Award was introduced in 2002 in honour of the late actor and recognises outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.
Previous winners have included John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, and Michael Gambon in 2012.
Walters started out in television working with comedian Victoria Wood and has built a career spanning four decades across both film in TV.
She broke in to film with 1984 international hitEducating Rita,where she starred alongside Sir Michael Caine and won a BAFTA and Golden Globe. The role also earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Walters was once again nominated for an Oscar in 2001 for Stephen Daldry’s Billy Elliot and that...
Julie Walters is to receive The Richard Harris Award at the 16th Moet British Independent Film Awards this Sunday (Dec 8) at Old Billingsgate in London.
The Richard Harris Award was introduced in 2002 in honour of the late actor and recognises outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.
Previous winners have included John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, and Michael Gambon in 2012.
Walters started out in television working with comedian Victoria Wood and has built a career spanning four decades across both film in TV.
She broke in to film with 1984 international hitEducating Rita,where she starred alongside Sir Michael Caine and won a BAFTA and Golden Globe. The role also earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Walters was once again nominated for an Oscar in 2001 for Stephen Daldry’s Billy Elliot and that...
- 12/3/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
More than 100 prominent people from literature, the arts, science, academia, human rights and the law have signed a declaration urging newspaper and magazine publishers to embrace the royal charter system of press regulation.
They join people who have been victims of press misbehaviour in arguing that charter will give "vital protection to the vulnerable" from abuse of power by the press.
The signatories include broadcasters Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Rory Bremner. Actor Emma Thompson has signed, as have Professor Richard Dawkins and Sir Jonathan Miller.
Several film directors are on the list, such as Stephen Frears, Alan Parker, Mike Leigh, Beeban Kidron, Guy Ritchie, Stephen Daldry, Bill Forsyth, Peter Kosminsky, Terry Gilliam and Michael Apted.
Among the writers and playwrights are Alan Bennett, William Boyd, Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Stoppard, Monica Ali, Helen Fielding, Michael Frayn, Ian McEwan, A C Grayling, David Hare, Alan Hollinghurst, Jk Rowling, Salman Rushdie,...
They join people who have been victims of press misbehaviour in arguing that charter will give "vital protection to the vulnerable" from abuse of power by the press.
The signatories include broadcasters Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Rory Bremner. Actor Emma Thompson has signed, as have Professor Richard Dawkins and Sir Jonathan Miller.
Several film directors are on the list, such as Stephen Frears, Alan Parker, Mike Leigh, Beeban Kidron, Guy Ritchie, Stephen Daldry, Bill Forsyth, Peter Kosminsky, Terry Gilliam and Michael Apted.
Among the writers and playwrights are Alan Bennett, William Boyd, Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Stoppard, Monica Ali, Helen Fielding, Michael Frayn, Ian McEwan, A C Grayling, David Hare, Alan Hollinghurst, Jk Rowling, Salman Rushdie,...
- 11/29/2013
- by Roy Greenslade
- The Guardian - Film News
Bond movie wins film prize and BBC2's Twenty Twelve scoops comedy, while London 2012 cauldron takes visual arts gong
James Bond movie Skyfall, London Games comedy Twenty Twelve and the Olympic cauldron were among the winners at the 2013 South Bank Sky Arts awards.
The 23rd James Bond outing won the film prize at the awards ceremony, hosted by Lord Bragg in London at Tuesday lunchtime.
Continuing the Olympic theme, the visual arts award went to Thomas Heatherwick's London 2012 cauldron, while Twenty Twelve helped the BBC to a clean sweep in the TV categories, picking up the comedy prize.
Tom Stoppard's BBC2 adaptation of Ford Maddox Ford's Parade's End won the drama award, in an all-bbc shortlist also featuring Shakespeare adaptations The Hollow Crown and police thriller Line of Duty.
Tom Hiddleston picked up the Times breakthrough award for his acting in The Hollow Crown and films including War Horse and Avengers Assemble.
James Bond movie Skyfall, London Games comedy Twenty Twelve and the Olympic cauldron were among the winners at the 2013 South Bank Sky Arts awards.
The 23rd James Bond outing won the film prize at the awards ceremony, hosted by Lord Bragg in London at Tuesday lunchtime.
Continuing the Olympic theme, the visual arts award went to Thomas Heatherwick's London 2012 cauldron, while Twenty Twelve helped the BBC to a clean sweep in the TV categories, picking up the comedy prize.
Tom Stoppard's BBC2 adaptation of Ford Maddox Ford's Parade's End won the drama award, in an all-bbc shortlist also featuring Shakespeare adaptations The Hollow Crown and police thriller Line of Duty.
Tom Hiddleston picked up the Times breakthrough award for his acting in The Hollow Crown and films including War Horse and Avengers Assemble.
- 3/12/2013
- by Jason Deans
- The Guardian - Film News
Skyfall, the Olympic Cauldron and Benedict Cumberbatch's Parade's End were among the winners at the 2013 South Bank Show Sky Arts Awards this afternoon (March 12).
The latest James Bond movie took home the 'Film' gong, while Cumberbatch's BBC Two drama won the 'TV' title. The Olympic Cauldron earned the 'Visual Art' award at the ceremony, which was hosted by Melvyn Bragg at the Dorchester hotel.
Julie Walters was awarded the 'Outstanding Achievement Award' and was presented with the title by her close friend Victoria Wood.
Olympics mockumentary Twenty Twelve won another gong for the BBC for best 'Comedy' and Tom Hiddleston was celebrated with the 'Times Breakthrough Award'.
Jessie Ware performed at the ceremony and took home the 'Pop Music' title.
The awards will air on Sky Arts 1 at 9.30pm on Thursday (March 14).
South Bank Sky Arts Award Winners 2013
Comedy:
Twenty Twelve
Film
Skyfall
Theatre
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,...
The latest James Bond movie took home the 'Film' gong, while Cumberbatch's BBC Two drama won the 'TV' title. The Olympic Cauldron earned the 'Visual Art' award at the ceremony, which was hosted by Melvyn Bragg at the Dorchester hotel.
Julie Walters was awarded the 'Outstanding Achievement Award' and was presented with the title by her close friend Victoria Wood.
Olympics mockumentary Twenty Twelve won another gong for the BBC for best 'Comedy' and Tom Hiddleston was celebrated with the 'Times Breakthrough Award'.
Jessie Ware performed at the ceremony and took home the 'Pop Music' title.
The awards will air on Sky Arts 1 at 9.30pm on Thursday (March 14).
South Bank Sky Arts Award Winners 2013
Comedy:
Twenty Twelve
Film
Skyfall
Theatre
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,...
- 3/12/2013
- Digital Spy
She's Anna, she's Katy, and together they are Anna and Katy!
A couple of years after their well-received Comedy Lab, Anna Crilly and Katy Wix have finally got their own full-length sketch show, which starts this Wednesday on Channel 4.
As big fans of sketch, Digital Spy were very excited to sit down with the duo to quiz them about comedy, controversy, and sharing an award nomination with Rylan Clark. Here's what they had to say.
When did you decide to start doing sketch together?
Anna: "We met doing stand-up in 2003 and we weren't very good at it! Either of us. We both thought each other were funny."
Katy: "Dreadful... I hadn't really seen any comedy, that was my problem."
Anna: "I certainly wasn't ready to do an hour of stand-up at Edinburgh the following year. So I said to old Wixy, 'Let's get together and do some sketches'. And the rest is herstory.
A couple of years after their well-received Comedy Lab, Anna Crilly and Katy Wix have finally got their own full-length sketch show, which starts this Wednesday on Channel 4.
As big fans of sketch, Digital Spy were very excited to sit down with the duo to quiz them about comedy, controversy, and sharing an award nomination with Rylan Clark. Here's what they had to say.
When did you decide to start doing sketch together?
Anna: "We met doing stand-up in 2003 and we weren't very good at it! Either of us. We both thought each other were funny."
Katy: "Dreadful... I hadn't really seen any comedy, that was my problem."
Anna: "I certainly wasn't ready to do an hour of stand-up at Edinburgh the following year. So I said to old Wixy, 'Let's get together and do some sketches'. And the rest is herstory.
- 3/4/2013
- Digital Spy
My Mad Fat Diary has been a joyous, surprising and heartwarming success on E4.
A drama about a recovering 16-year-old who has mental health, self-harm and body image issues doesn't necessarily sound like a recipe for a hit, but thanks to a brilliantly balanced performance from newcomer Sharon Rooney, an awesome Britpop-tastic soundtrack and a super sharp sense of humour, the show has triumphed and has already bagged a second series.
Digital Spy caught up with Rooney to chat about the show's success, her unwavering passion for Spice World and her secret sporting talent.
The show has generated a brilliant response. You must be chuffed.
"It's been overwhelming. My hope was that audiences would like Rae and understand Rae and they totally have. It's not just been young girls and boys, it's been adults saying 'thank you' and that really is quite humbling. I just hope that the show helps...
A drama about a recovering 16-year-old who has mental health, self-harm and body image issues doesn't necessarily sound like a recipe for a hit, but thanks to a brilliantly balanced performance from newcomer Sharon Rooney, an awesome Britpop-tastic soundtrack and a super sharp sense of humour, the show has triumphed and has already bagged a second series.
Digital Spy caught up with Rooney to chat about the show's success, her unwavering passion for Spice World and her secret sporting talent.
The show has generated a brilliant response. You must be chuffed.
"It's been overwhelming. My hope was that audiences would like Rae and understand Rae and they totally have. It's not just been young girls and boys, it's been adults saying 'thank you' and that really is quite humbling. I just hope that the show helps...
- 2/20/2013
- Digital Spy
Ben Wheatley's third movie is an at-times uneasy combination of British naturalism, comedy and total gore on a caravan holiday
Ben Wheatley is the outstanding young British film-maker who got himself talked about with his smart debut Down Terrace; then he scared the daylights out of everyone, as well as amusing and baffling them, with his inspired and ambiguous chiller Kill List. His talent and signature are vividly present in every frame of this new movie, Sightseers, a grisly and Ortonesque black comedy about a lonely couple who go on a caravanning holiday in Yorkshire: Chris and Tina, played by co-writers Steve Oram and Alice Lowe.
Sightseers is funny and well made, but Wheatley could be suffering from difficult third album syndrome: this is not as mysterious and interesting as Kill List; its effects are more obvious and the encounters between the naturalistically conceived antiheroes and the incidental, sketch-comedy...
Ben Wheatley is the outstanding young British film-maker who got himself talked about with his smart debut Down Terrace; then he scared the daylights out of everyone, as well as amusing and baffling them, with his inspired and ambiguous chiller Kill List. His talent and signature are vividly present in every frame of this new movie, Sightseers, a grisly and Ortonesque black comedy about a lonely couple who go on a caravanning holiday in Yorkshire: Chris and Tina, played by co-writers Steve Oram and Alice Lowe.
Sightseers is funny and well made, but Wheatley could be suffering from difficult third album syndrome: this is not as mysterious and interesting as Kill List; its effects are more obvious and the encounters between the naturalistically conceived antiheroes and the incidental, sketch-comedy...
- 5/24/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Ken Loach's latest brings tartan to Cannes while Victoria Wood may soon take her place in the director's chair
Whisky a Go Go
Evening was drawing in when I called Charlie MacLean at home near Edinburgh. "I was just contemplating if it was too early for a dram," he says. "I think six o'clock is about the right time for one's first nip, so we can talk until then." MacLean is a world expert on whisky, a Master of the Quaich, no less, and features prominently in Ken Loach's new film The Angels' Share, a warming socio-comic caper about a bunch of Glasgow ne'er-do-wells who plot to steal a rare malt whisky. The film has been selected for Cannes (which starts on Wednesday) – making it Loach's record-breaking 11th appearance in competition – and now Charlie is preparing to tread the red carpet and organise a whisky tasting party afterwards.
Whisky a Go Go
Evening was drawing in when I called Charlie MacLean at home near Edinburgh. "I was just contemplating if it was too early for a dram," he says. "I think six o'clock is about the right time for one's first nip, so we can talk until then." MacLean is a world expert on whisky, a Master of the Quaich, no less, and features prominently in Ken Loach's new film The Angels' Share, a warming socio-comic caper about a bunch of Glasgow ne'er-do-wells who plot to steal a rare malt whisky. The film has been selected for Cannes (which starts on Wednesday) – making it Loach's record-breaking 11th appearance in competition – and now Charlie is preparing to tread the red carpet and organise a whisky tasting party afterwards.
- 5/12/2012
- by Jason Solomons
- The Guardian - Film News
'The worst thing anyone ever wrote? "Julie Walters obviously thinks she's got good legs." That was painful'
What got you started?
I just had a desire to entertain from a very early age. When I was really teeny, I used to pull the curtains across the bay window and come out, play my plastic ukulele, and pretend to be Elvis Presley or Lonnie Donegan.
Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?
My health. I didn't realise how stressful acting is until I did [the BBC film] A Short Stay in Switzerland. There was a collage of my character having all these health tests. A real nurse was doing them, and she said: "Ooh, your blood pressure's really high." It was because she had taken it during filming.
Has fame been difficult to cope with?
It would be churlish to say it has, but it has its problems. It's odd for kids.
What got you started?
I just had a desire to entertain from a very early age. When I was really teeny, I used to pull the curtains across the bay window and come out, play my plastic ukulele, and pretend to be Elvis Presley or Lonnie Donegan.
Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?
My health. I didn't realise how stressful acting is until I did [the BBC film] A Short Stay in Switzerland. There was a collage of my character having all these health tests. A real nurse was doing them, and she said: "Ooh, your blood pressure's really high." It was because she had taken it during filming.
Has fame been difficult to cope with?
It would be churlish to say it has, but it has its problems. It's odd for kids.
- 11/1/2011
- by Laura Barnett
- The Guardian - Film News
Little Crackers will return for a second series this Christmas, Sky1 has announced. The first series of the show featured autobiographical tales from stars such as Stephen Fry, Victoria Wood and Chris O'Dowd. Catherine Tate's episode in the series ended up being nominated for a BAFTA for 'Best Comedy Programme'. Sky1 has now revealed that a number of comedians will take part in the second series, which will have the theme, 'The First Time I...' Alan Davies, Shappi Khorsandi and John Bishop have already signed up to work on the show alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar and Jane Horrocks. Further names are expected to be announced. Sky's head of comedy Lucy (more)...
- 7/28/2011
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
Dame Helen Mirren, Kenneth Branagh and Jeremy Irons among actors voicing dismay at potential impact of cuts
Read the letter in full
Read more about cuts to arts funding on our Culture Cuts blog
A cast of stars from the first rank of British acting talent has sounded the alarm about the future of theatres in which many of them made their names.
Funding cuts to regional and subsidised venues will halt the flow of skilled performers and damage one of the most admired, commercially successful sides of cultural life, says a distinguished cast of household names at the forefront of a campaign being launched this weekend by Equity, the actors' union.
"The cuts are a kind of idiocy," said television and stage star Tim Pigott-Smith. "These people are buffoons and philistines. We cannot rely on an endless supply of good actors and directors with no investment. Funding is already...
Read the letter in full
Read more about cuts to arts funding on our Culture Cuts blog
A cast of stars from the first rank of British acting talent has sounded the alarm about the future of theatres in which many of them made their names.
Funding cuts to regional and subsidised venues will halt the flow of skilled performers and damage one of the most admired, commercially successful sides of cultural life, says a distinguished cast of household names at the forefront of a campaign being launched this weekend by Equity, the actors' union.
"The cuts are a kind of idiocy," said television and stage star Tim Pigott-Smith. "These people are buffoons and philistines. We cannot rely on an endless supply of good actors and directors with no investment. Funding is already...
- 3/13/2011
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
Julie Walters on ageism, sexism in television and mistaking her dog for a wig
For one of our most recognisable actors, it is surprising how little Julie Walters actually gets recognised. When we meet, in the foyer of the Southbank Centre, London, she is pottering around in the lunchtime rush without anyone tapping her on the shoulder to ask her whether she is, in fact, Ron Weasley's mother in the Harry Potter films.
"I'm quite good at not meeting anyone's eye," Walters says, sipping a cup of peppermint tea. "Generally, it's fine when people come up to you. Obviously, it depends what you're doing at the time. You don't particularly want to be recognised when you're having a cap fitted."
Presumably, it is this ability to merge chameleon-like into the crowd that makes Walters, 60, one of our most talented and versatile actresses. Over the last 30 years, Walters has clocked up...
For one of our most recognisable actors, it is surprising how little Julie Walters actually gets recognised. When we meet, in the foyer of the Southbank Centre, London, she is pottering around in the lunchtime rush without anyone tapping her on the shoulder to ask her whether she is, in fact, Ron Weasley's mother in the Harry Potter films.
"I'm quite good at not meeting anyone's eye," Walters says, sipping a cup of peppermint tea. "Generally, it's fine when people come up to you. Obviously, it depends what you're doing at the time. You don't particularly want to be recognised when you're having a cap fitted."
Presumably, it is this ability to merge chameleon-like into the crowd that makes Walters, 60, one of our most talented and versatile actresses. Over the last 30 years, Walters has clocked up...
- 11/28/2010
- by Elizabeth Day
- The Guardian - Film News
London -- Simon Cowell is in the running for this year's British Press Guild award for best non-acting performer.
The producer and judge for "The X-Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent" is nominated for the award to be dished out at an invitation-only ceremony March 26.
The Bpg nods are selected by journalists who write about TV and radio.
Peter Capaldi, David Morrissey, James Nesbitt and David Tennant will vie for the best actor nod at the 36th annual BPGAs.
Tennant is named for two roles, as Hamlet and the Doctor in "Doctor Who." Nesbitt is also nominated for two productions, "Occupation," in which he plays a soldier in the Iraq War, and "Five Minutes of Heaven," about the conflict in Northern Ireland. Peter Capaldi is named for his turn as Malcolm Tucker in "The Thick of It," while Morrissey picks up a nomination for his role in the trilogy "Red Riding,...
The producer and judge for "The X-Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent" is nominated for the award to be dished out at an invitation-only ceremony March 26.
The Bpg nods are selected by journalists who write about TV and radio.
Peter Capaldi, David Morrissey, James Nesbitt and David Tennant will vie for the best actor nod at the 36th annual BPGAs.
Tennant is named for two roles, as Hamlet and the Doctor in "Doctor Who." Nesbitt is also nominated for two productions, "Occupation," in which he plays a soldier in the Iraq War, and "Five Minutes of Heaven," about the conflict in Northern Ireland. Peter Capaldi is named for his turn as Malcolm Tucker in "The Thick of It," while Morrissey picks up a nomination for his role in the trilogy "Red Riding,...
- 2/17/2010
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From singing in Mamma Mia! to shaving her head to play Mo Mowlam in a new TV drama, Julie Walters is anything but vain
Julie Walters said yes! when asked to play Mo Mowlam in a Channel 4 biopic, and then, after watching archive footage of the late secretary of state, rang her agent and said get me out of it. They were too physically different, she thought, Mowlam with her "big, broad shoulders" and general swagger, Walters, as she describes herself, so unfailingly "weedy". And then there was the voice. "It was kind of prissy. The last thing you would describe her as is prissy, but her mouth was sort of..." Walters puckers up and squeaks. "I thought, oh shit, I don't think I can play her."
Walters, 5ft 3in, seems at times too fiercely good an actor for the roles she is cast in. As well as all those...
Julie Walters said yes! when asked to play Mo Mowlam in a Channel 4 biopic, and then, after watching archive footage of the late secretary of state, rang her agent and said get me out of it. They were too physically different, she thought, Mowlam with her "big, broad shoulders" and general swagger, Walters, as she describes herself, so unfailingly "weedy". And then there was the voice. "It was kind of prissy. The last thing you would describe her as is prissy, but her mouth was sort of..." Walters puckers up and squeaks. "I thought, oh shit, I don't think I can play her."
Walters, 5ft 3in, seems at times too fiercely good an actor for the roles she is cast in. As well as all those...
- 1/16/2010
- by Emma Brockes
- The Guardian - Film News
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