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I just read that article in the Independent (thanks for posting it) and have a question. I've been an AR fan for years and this is the first I've heard of his speech impediment. Is this well known? When he's in a scene where he's angry, he can snap out of the "languid tone and delivery" mode. Someone shed some light? Whatever causes it, that voice is a gift to women everywhere.
And I thoroughly disagree that he can't play romantic roles at his age (did someone ask US)? OK, I'm done...
Angelina
CA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 23:01:57 (PST)
Article in Dominic Mohan's Bizarre column in the Sun; TIM ROTH on the ProfessorSnape role he lost to Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter film:"Its just a make up job.I feel bad for the actor". Miaow.
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 22:22:14 (PST)
Lynn, I agree! I know Rafaella came up with the great idea of wearing badges, but it was too late in the planning for me to receive one before I left (since I flew out 3 weeks before I saw AR on stage). Sigh. I would have put people's email addresses on the PL list so that those going on the same night could get in touch, but get worried about loonies out there, so didn't want to go that far. I know I sent out a plea for a common location for everyone from out of town to meet, but wasn't met with a very enthusiastic response. Next time...!
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 21:55:38 (PST)
The third and final Harry Potter trailer is now available for viewing at both The Harry Potter Galleries and The Official Harry Potter movie site! Check it out...looks like we can get a better view of AR/Snape in this installment. (^-^)
ZelAnne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 21:30:36 (PST)
As Magda mentioned on Sunday, a nice drawing of AR accompanied The Independent article, compliments of GML (thanks!)
Suzanne (let the HP promotion tour begin!) <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 19:32:08 (PST)
Doesn't it tire to be catty.
sarah
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 17:22:44 (PST)
Thanks to Gertrude and Fausta for the Snape pumpkin -- that was priceless!
Cindie
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 16:43:57 (PST)
Sally, next time (not that I want a certain person to work 365 days a year), but the next time we all congregate in London for an event, we should make plans to meet somewhere specific and swap photos in advance!
Lyn
ME USA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 15:58:53 (PST)
Did I scare you guys? Happy Halloween, everybody!
Mary
McHenry, - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 14:56:13 (PST)
Lyn - I was right behind you and ever so slightly to the right in B18. I suspect you were next to but one to the annoying couple who didn't seem to have eyes for the stage at all... So close! Darn! John Gissing AND PL!
Sally
Sydney, Aust - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 14:36:11 (PST)
Gertrude just sent the Snape pupmkin, just in time!
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 14:01:49 (PST)
Emily, join the club I watched that film in biology as well. For some daft reason I ended up crying at the end. Might have been something to do with the fact that JS's character died from cancer and missed out on sharing the Nobel Prize with all those irritating Cambrigde men, but probably has more to do with the fact that I had watched TMD the night before. TROTN tapes are very good. One of my favorite passages is the opening chapter, it is just pure narrative description of the heath.
Elizabeth
Guess - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 12:55:01 (PST)
Emily - They're good.
Sue
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 12:10:31 (PST)
I am sooooo excited for Harry Potter!!!! EEE. Today in Biology, we had to watch this boooring movie on DNA but it was like a story kind of thing. Meanwhile, I was thinking to myself, "that would be great if Alan was in it". Low and behold, Juliet Stevenson's face pops up and i'm like damn! Ps. I got Return of the Native tapes today. Tell me if they're good
Emily <Dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
Jersey - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 12:07:42 (PST)
From what I'm reading prospects for PL coming to NYC look GREAT! And since the Yankees won last night it proves that God is truly listening to my prayers. Now, all I need is a timeframe so I will know when to reserve time to see PL. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Am glad to hear all you goils are getting together. Please be sure and make a toast to absent friends. :D
Slainte!
Joan
Joan
USA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 11:46:36 (PST)
Concerning HP soundtrack: I've just bought it and listened to it. The music is good and quite promising... Unfortunately, there is no Snape theme on it. Caution!!! The bonus material on the second disc only works if you're able to install the Quick time player (Apple software); therefore I wasn't able to see the trailers, because I have a Windows computer (with Quick Time for Windows installed, but somehow it doesn't work!). I'm a bit disappointed, as there is no warning on the cover of the CD.
Gertrud
Germany - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 10:59:12 (PST)
Radio Times has GMTV on Monday 5th November with star interviews from Harry Potter. Also this Friday at 8.35am GMTV will have a sneak preview on it's showbiz section.
Happy Halloween to everybody. Has anyone else noticed that the pumpkin lip-synchs perfectly to Hans!!LOL
Sue
England - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 10:36:55 (PST)
Re: AR interview on TV next week. Newsround (children's BBC1 news prog) has been running exclusive interviews with the cast all this week (Ron, hermione, Harry so far). They are having a detailed look at it again on Monday after the premiere and apparently will run more exclusive spots that week -- possible that Himself will turn up there? The other possibility, though lower viewing figures so not as likely as This Morning or GMTV would be Open House (with Gloria Hunniford) on Channel 5.
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 10:22:29 (PST)
Hi to everyone.
Just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY HALLOWEEN. Be safe and have fun.
Wonder if Alan Rickman will go out for Halloween . lol,lol.
Can't wait until Harry Potter comes out in the theatre, I will take a day off work to go and see it. Thats how excited I am to see AR. I'm sure it will be fantastic....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 08:31:15 (PST)
Thanks Georgiana. Sue said the acorns had gone too - either they listened to us all or acorns really do fall in Autumn?! I think us Brits use "house full" to show only standing room is left (£8 at PL if anyone wants it). I hoped to go but my M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) staged a comeback tour! Maybe in a few months. R.E. my earlier post I'm trying to find cast details for NY, will check my "Stage" newspaper tomorrow - I tried the producer press agent today but they were not answering the phone.
Steve
London, England - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 08:27:04 (PST)
I just tripped up on the funniest thing. A charity, Children's Hug's Hospices, have asked AR to " ... sign a Beanie's Bum ... "
Elizabeth
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 07:31:53 (PST)
Oh, my, the anticipation! Thank you, Georgiana, Anne... and everyone else!
Suzanne (Happy Halloween!) <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 06:57:33 (PST)
It was DEF. GMTV- but they didn't say which day.
Susan
Yorkshire - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 06:36:23 (PST)
Have just exhausted This Morning and GMTV. Am going to find a new copy of Radio Times. Surely they would print it in that if he was doing an interview, especailly if it is a HP interview.
Elizabeth
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 06:10:03 (PST)
Oh good, that has given me something infinatley more intersting to do than upack boxes.
Elizabeth
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 05:52:29 (PST)
Christine mailed me and said that she was watching tv in London on Monday morning and they said that there would be an interview with AR next week! Unfortunately the dozy dollop(LOL) had no idea what programme or channel she was watching so it's hunt the interview time. She said it was a news/chat show so I reckon GMTV or This Morning depending on what time it was. I think I'll leave the video running every morning just in case. Hope it wasn't "Big Breakfast" Anybgot any other ideas?
Sue
- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 05:28:57 (PST)
Some HP news. The soundtrack to the film has been released already. In fact I believe it was realeased yesterday. It's a double disc. Disc one being the music. Disc two has some weired and wonderful extras, including both trailers. Last week Classic FM were playing it as record of the week. I have to admit that as I was driving to our new house, completely lost and in the pitch black I was genuinly a little freaked out. It certainly brings out the dark side. Oh and the music that they have on the trailers is Hedgwig's Theme. Haven't heard a Snape theme as yet, but I might go shopping, if my pay cheque comes through.
Elizabeth
Just Chaos, as usual - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 04:32:52 (PST)
PS Suzanne, he will think yours is the commonest name on the planet for the number of folks having programs and photos signed for you--and Anne has a little something extra special.
Georgiana (apologizing for this aside to our fearless D o C)
London - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 04:22:31 (PST)
Another lovely performance last night. The cast appears under the impression that they are going to Broadway--barring impact of world events. It is quite an amazing production--lovely physical bits throughout giving depth and new insights each time through.
Last night was of a major GB contingent filling the center stalls. Lovely to meet Raffaella! And Marian. And Judy. And I'm sure to be missing some... And to again see Claire and Dana and Anne. So something of an enthusiastic crowd.
Steve, I see no 'acorns' whatsoever remaining at the Albery. I am told there was some hint of fresh paint in the stairwells at the end of last week--so perhaps they have headed the concerns. Hope you soon get to see this. Last night was again sold out--or 'house full,' as they seem to favor.
Georgiana (off to see Judy Dench this afternoon...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
London - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 04:20:56 (PST)
Sally, I didn't see them! They must have been behind me!Where were you sitting? (I was in the Royal Circle, dead center, row A, seat 20.) And I only had eyes for the action on stage--so captivated that the building could have fallen down around me and I wouldn't have noticed.
Lyn
ME USA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 04:17:54 (PST)
I am with you Fausta! No one can do Sherlock after Jeremy Brett!Not even our wonderful Alan! Thank you GML for that wonderful "chat"....very enlightening! I do love Dunkin Donuts as well! I am off to my home town of New York City for 2 days (the 17th and the 18th). I will take my kids to the HP opening here on the 16th and the next morning take the plane home! I must admit to being a bit afraid but my fears are only overshadowed by my deep desire to "pay my respects" and visit Ground Zero!I expect to totally lose it and will bring a large amount of Kleenex as needed. Wouldn't it be marvelous if PL was already there on Broadway?My husband was playing Chess on Yahoo with a Londoner(Westend) and as they chatted I was so tempted to type-in " have you caught Rickman and Duncan in PL yet?"... but it would have annoyed my husband to no end so I refrained! Oh dear... I am a woman obsessed! Have a lovely day! Happy Halloween!
Star
NC USA - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 03:59:20 (PST)
I have to admit Red, that other Hex Man pic looks a lot better than the one I found in The Harry Potter Galleries. (^-^)
ZelAnne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 02:58:45 (PST)
PL / NYC Transfer. British Channel 4 Teletext page 431 state today that the production will transfer to Broadway at a venue to be announced. It does not explicitly mention the casting though, but the words "the production"
Steve
London, England - Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 00:38:02 (PST)
Fausta, Thankyou for this months Rickmanista. Magda.
Magda <Magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, UK - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 23:31:38 (PST)
Lyn, how close were you to that annoying couple who sucked eachothers lips all through Private Lives on Friday night - I just have been practically behind you!!! So close...
Nice article at the Independent on AR - I can't work out if it is the one someone has been reproducing below or not, but I don't think so because it doesn't seem to directly have any comments from him.
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 22:38:12 (PST)
Another little PL story - can't leave it alone, can I? Victoria dropped by the Albery this afternoon to pick up a couple of tickets for her parents as a Christmas gift. Being seniors and living in Richmond, the Sunday matinee would work best for them. But she was concerned that, as with other shows, the principals might sometimes take the matinees off and leave their roles for the understudies. So she asked the box office person whether that was likely. 'No, Miss Duncan would never do that' was the reply 'and Mr. Rickman wouldn't dare'.
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Heading home to Toronto on Thursday, - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 15:50:32 (PST)
GML, yes that is probably what I meant, although right now I haven't a clue what I mean. Today has been one of those really no go days, and to top it all one of our dogs died. Thankyou Fausta, I needed some cheering up.
Elizabeth
Depressed Chaos - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 15:16:27 (PST)
The November Monthly Rickmanista is now on line. Please visit.
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 13:35:41 (PST)
Re: the "F-word" in Gissing...
I had an instant problem with the "F-word" in "Dogma." Not that I objected to it per se (was it George Bernard Shaw that had an ever-so-witty saying, to paraphrase, that the only thing to be ashamed of when cursing is to do it badly? Alas, I cannot impress you with my literary prowess); what grated on my nerves was how poorly the entire cast employed it. It is arguably a rich, earthy, loamy sort of word, demanding the proper usage and a proper respect for context - NOT meant to be sprinkled indiscriminately and amateurly by those unable to do the word full justice.
It was only employed once - once, amongst dozens of repititions! - in the movie, in a way that did full justice to both context and content. Guess when!
Mary
McHenry, - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 13:04:12 (PST)
Hi all,
Red, Brazilian people don't do things by half, do they? Wow, impressive. And our favourite potions master tops them all, yeah!
Gail, thanks for the review... on the basis that interpretation is personal and there is no such thing as an invalid one, I saw the ending as rather positive, myself, as well as funny. Elyot and Amanda have learnt, after years of separation, that these rows are something they can live with in exchange for, uh, I dunno... the happiness of being together? In exchange for being alive and being able to feel? For having a soulmate round the pillow's corner? They tried to find 'better' separately, and they didn't. Sybil and Victor are... learning. They finish the play a lot less insipid than they started it. Well, at least they seem able to express something else than propriety... :) Maybe Elyot and Amanda were watching themselves, when they were watching them, and that helped them understand something?
Georgiana, dare I ask who Mr Godfrey is? Apart from 'the maid's husband' - and you blew smoke in their faces all evening? Tut tut ;);)
Elizabeth, did you mean you can't find your computer, let alone the magazine? ;)
Am I the only sober person on this guestbook tonight? Must be time to go and see Private Lives again... ;)
GML
UK - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 12:18:32 (PST)
Red - Thanks for the Brazil link. What an amazing photo!
Sue
- Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 05:38:12 (PST)
Had a first look at Private Lives Sunday matinee and it was lovely. Mr. Rickman does appear to have his eyes half closed for the first act--well, there is a line about Elyot's shifty eyes--but then begins to pace and glare and warms up to the really alive conflicts and high emotions of the second and third. Contrary to how some of the photos appeared, he looked quite well rested. Anne and I were at the next table to Mr. Godfrey and his wife (the maid) at J. Sheekey's for dinner and got into quite a lovely conversation, mostly about the horrors of having cigarette smoke blown at you through a meal.
At the stage door, Mr. Rickman indicated the run is to be extended a few weeks in January. Mr. Godfrey appeared to feel it was something of a 'done deal' that it would go to New York, more dependent upon the financial impact of world events on Broadway than on any decisions by the creative people involved. So there is hope on many fronts.
I am ever so looking forward to several more performances.
Georgiana (oh, my, back to these British keyboards with keys in the wrong places--grin--please forgive...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
London - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 04:27:48 (PST)
Thought you all might like to see this massive Harry Potter poster in Brazil. AR is... hmmm, let's see... I make it at least six storeys high. Excellent stuff.
Red
London, England - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 03:50:18 (PST)
My final thoughts on PL after my final viewing on Sunday - what I liked about this production is what the Coward purists (and there are some of them around) did not like. I liked that beneath the brittleness Elyot and Amanda were real hurting people. You had a real sense that after the cathartic events in Act II of the play, and as Act III unwound with Sybil and Victor taking on many of the combative elements from E and A, the latter had finally learnt how to live - well, not quite in peace with each other, but with only the occasional outburst. I had the strong hope that they would eventually live 'happy ever after'. So for me the tussle that Victor and Sybil were engaged in as Elyot and Amanda crept from the scene at the end of the play returned the show to farce, and negated the positive vibes that had built up. I wish the director hadn't done that. As an old fan of Frankie Howerd, I can see how the reference crept into reviews of AR's performance. It really shows up in the last act, when he has to wear a particularly unbecoming raincoat with very large lapels and sloping shoulders -just purse your lips a couple of times, as AR does, and it's Frankie to the life! I really enjoyed meeting Lyn and having a couple of dinners with her, the fleeting minutes I had with Sue (UK) and Marion (US). Also seeing Christine and Georgiana again, and meeting Anne Harding. My only regret is that we hadn't pre-arranged a dinner or coffee rendezvous after the show to exchange our impressions. Perhaps if the show goes to New York we could go that one step further. As for the other shows - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was steamy in more than one way - up in the gods it was like a sauna. Brendan Fraser made a terrific Brick, and his second Act pivotal scene with his father was very well done. Both those actors being North American helped. Gemma Jones as Big Mama just seemed to be a variant on her Duchess of Duke Street TV show. There was the same problem in spades with Judi Dench, Toby Stephens, Harriet Walters in a revival of a Kaufman play The Royal Family. Talking with some Americans near to me we agreed that although the British actors can soften their clipped accents to an approximation of the American accent, they can't get the cadences. Not that this was a play that deserved to be revived, in my opinion. It opens this week and I will be very interested to see the crits. Sorry, another long post.
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Still London, and wonderfully warm and sunny, UK - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 01:40:33 (PST)
Thanks GML, right now I can't even find the magazine let alone my computer!
Lyn, that's nephews as in graphic brother's sons and tennis player brother's sons. We know about the nieces already.
Elizabeth
more and more chaos - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 01:24:05 (PST)
I am a bit confused-it seems like some of the interview was gleaned from older sources. Or does Rickman give the same interview more than once? I have no problem with his nieces reading Harry Potter, but surely they are past the Barbie Doll phase by now-{Im not talking about collectors, I'm talking about Uncle Alan taking the tikes to the toy store and picking out anything they want....while they wear their pink lurex tutus. I just bet he wouldn't make that offer them them now---porche or BMW anyone? Isn't one of them an actress?
A Rickman Admirer
- Monday, October 29, 2001 at 19:59:28 (PST)
Nephews?
Lyn again
ME USA - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 18:37:53 (PST)
After spending five days in London and seeing PL three nights in a row, I am suffering terrible withdrawal pangs. It was wonderful to meet Gail and Victoria, and Sally, I'm so sorry we did not connect at the John Gissing screening Thursday AM or PL Friday night. Gail and I looked for you! OK, here's my take on both: 1) The Search for John Gissing--very funny, very enjoyable. The editing gives it a staccato feel, which took a few minutes to get used to, but adds snap to the fast pace. In it, we get to see AR driving a convertible, his hair(almost blond) blowing in the wind; swinging a golf club; doing ungentlemanly things with cups of water and coffee; bumbling blindly without the Michael Caine-like eyeglasses; being bitten; sliding across the floor and tap dancing. If, however, you are uncomfortable with swearing, you might be dismayed at how much the dialog is peppered by the F-word, among others. I thought it was hilarious--an updated screwbll comedy with an unlikely plot, like the stuff that Cary Grant did so well, with a great up-beat feel. If I had my way I would see that it arrived in theaters worldwide, with great fanfare. (Distributors, take heed!) 2) PL. Ooh, ah. Yes. What can I add that hasn't already been said. The first night I was in the center of row C in the Stalls (and directly in front of Salman Rushdie; Tony Blair and company were above), which was close enough to see them sweat. The second night I was in the Center of row A in the Royal Circle, so I could get the overview of the choreography of the fight and the dance. I was not disappointed! Third night, again in the Stalls. Gail mentioned that AR/Elyot did not convey passion, and I agree, but he did convey positively cuddly and delicious affection, toward Amanda, which she did not return. For me, the defining poignant moment was when he sat at the piano and sang that beautiful bittersweet song, all irascible and flippant defences abandoned for a few moments. And then the delightfully affectionate moment at the end of the song, which is a variation of the program photograph of him in profile against her face, her hand on his cheek. (LD, by the way, is sparkling and gorgeous.) His hands, for those of you who might be interested, were seldom still, and are truely the most uniquely expressive I ever seen on stage or off, particularly the fingers of his left hand. (He has cute feet, too.) And, if you are like me and loved the expression on AR's face in the S&S scene where what-his-name is awkwardly holding squalling baby Thomas, you'll be interested to know that we see a great deal of that expression near the end of the third act! Loved it! And finally, 3) (Sorry this is such a long post, especially from someone who is primarily a lurker!)we waited at the stage door for his autograph, which I have never done before.He is a very gentle man, methinks, very approachable and extremely patient with all of us. I thanked him for the evening performance and for the Winter Guest, which I adore, but I was stricken with more shyness than usual, and like Sally said, my brain disengaged from my tongue and I'm sure some of what I attempted to say must have sounded like garbled nonsense to the poor man. But as I say, he is very patient and I was rewarded with a sweet smile and a thank you. And will I go see it again if and when it lands in NY? YES! And I will bring my bemused other half along because I know he'll enjoy it tremendously. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go watch S&S, Mesmer and DkHbr to ease the withdrawal...(Sigh)
Lyn
Portland, ME USA - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 18:33:31 (PST)
GML, don't know if this is the same article but the November issue of Premiere (with HP on the cover) states "Rowling has been pretty chatty with the film's actors, most of whom have committed to making the first four films in the projected series. Alan Rickman (Die Hard), who plays Hogwarts' creepy Potions teacher, Professer Snape, discussed his character's pre-book past with her in detail".
There was a bit in there about what Rowling has told some people about future storylines and what she won't tell. Nice photo spread, but none of AR (alas...)
angelina
ca - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 17:45:19 (PST)
Monday October 29 5:45 PM ET Yahoo! Entertainment News
Harry Potter stars gear up for magical movie debut
By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - For the grown-up stars of the first Harry Potter movie, the message from all their kids was the same -- "Get a part or we'll never forgive you.''
The first four Potter books have already sold 100 million copies in 46 languages, turning a generation of children into devoted fans of the teen-age wizard. Now the youngsters are poised to see if the first Potter film -- a Warner Bros. production that gets its world premiere in London next Sunday and opens in the United States on Nov. 16 -- fulfills their wildest dreams of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Author J.K. Rowling is fiercely protective of her creation and was determined that Harry should never be turned into a saccharine Hollywood horror. So director Christopher Columbus, who won fame with ``Home Alone'' and ``Mrs Doubtfire,'' pledged his undying loyalty to the original.
"I was adamant about being incredibly faithful to the books, which meant shooting the films in England with an all-British cast,'' he said.
And it all started for Columbus when his daughter Eleanor insisted he read ``Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, known in the United States as ``Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.''''
"I started reading it, finished it in one day and couldn't stop thinking about turning it into a film,'' he said in the production notes for the $125 million movie.
FAMILY PRESSURES
The search for Harry Potter attracted 2,000 children before British star Daniel Radcliffe landed the role. He has no qualms about the worldwide fame he will gain once the film is released. The 12-year-old said: "I have thought a lot about being recognized and I think it will be quite cool.''
But he wasn't so cool when he first heard he had got the part. "I was happy. I cried a lot. That night I woke up at 2 in the morning and woke up Mum and dad and asked them -- 'Is it real?'''
Radcliffe's parents said they were worried about him being propelled to stardom at an early age. But for the grown-up stars, the pressure came from their own children.
Robbie Coltrane, the rotund Scottish actor who plays gentle giant Hagrid, said: "My son would have killed me if I hadn't so there was no question of me not doing it.''
Irish veteran Richard Harris, who stars as Hogwarts' all-knowing Professor Dumbledore, was also under strict family orders. "My 11-year-old granddaughter telephoned me and said quite simply 'Papa, if you don't play Dumbledore I will never speak to you again.' So I didn't have much choice in the matter.''
Alan Rickman, who is eccentric Potions Professor Snape, had little choice either: "I have lots of nephews and relationships with friends' children. They weren't so much excited as insistent that I do the part.''
Correction made (though you more than made up for your missing "s" in your next post). :-)
Thank you, Elizabeth and GML for typing that interview up for us!
Hope the gang had a wonderful time at PL on Sunday. And we're looking forward to your reviews!
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 15:07:40 (PST)
Suzanne, can I asssk you to sssstick an 'sss' back into "perssssonal trainer" in the transsscript? It'sss going to be on my conssscience all night! ;)
GML
UK - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 12:33:16 (PST)
The Unreel chat... Damn, it's longer than I thought. Why did I volunteer to type it in? ;)... Starting from where Elizabeth left, I think:
Can you tell us a little about your character Profesor Snape?
Well, he's professor of Potions and the current head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts - the school of wizardry that Harry attends, but he harbours a secret ambition to be a Professor of the Dark Arts. He isn't that taken with Harry though, probably because he finds him a little too popular for a first-year pupil, I suppose. I think at heart Snape is basically quite an insecure person, he's always longing to be something else that people will really respect, like a black magician, not just a school master. That's why he envies the popular and successful boys like Harry. He does have his positive side though, even though Harry's a thorn in his side, he doesn't let it worry him too much.
In the earlier part of your life you were also in a profession that you wanted to get out of so you could become something else that people would respect more, do you think this was the element of yourself that you brought to the part of Snape?
Hmm, that's an interesting question, I'm not sure I can answer it. I don't know if that's for me to judge, you'd have to ask the people around me... family and colleagues. You use yourself in everything you do, but at the same time you've got to have a very clear idea of another person. Otherwise I don't see how you can hand yourself over to it. He's not me. And also perhaps at particular times in your life you recognise certain parts as being closer to you now than they might have been five years ago. But no, every part has to have its own life to me - it isn't just me wiping myself across a stage or screen.
Professor Snape is also a Quidditch referee, does that mean you've now mastered all of the game's rules?
No, and I don't intend to.
[aw!]
This first Harry Potter movie has a mainly British cast even though it's a Hollywood film. You've been quite outspoken on the problems with the British film industry, was it refreshing to be working with so many fellow Brits?
The thing I like best about working with British actors is the approach they take to their work. Because they're not as likely to become famous making British films, they don't have as inflated a sense of their own importance as some American stars can develop. It's like [director] Chris [Columbus] said: 'there's not a sense of ego with any of the stars, none of that Hollywood stuff. Everyone just comes in to do their work. Nobody has a cook or a personal trainer', I think everyone found that refreshing.
So what is it like to be a British actor working mainly in Hollywood, then?
When you get off the plane in England you've got to shrug a little bit, hug yourself into your coat a bit more. I stand straighter in LA. It's something about how the English are brought up, and what we're told we can expect. Maybe it's because I drive a car in LA, and I don't here. I feel more in charge of myself. I wouldn't dream of being out there as an actor looking for work. To actually say 'OK, I'm going to pitch a tent here and wave a flag saying EMPLOY ME' - I couldn't do that. But I enjoy being there: it's disgusting and wonderful. Like going to Dunkin' Donuts for lunch every day.
Director Chris Columbus said his young daughter Elenaor was a great help as an unofficial consultant on the film because she was such a big fan of the Hary Potter books. Did you have any young consultants yourself?
My two young nieces Claire and Amy have both read the books, I didn't consult them on my performance but I like to spend time with them whenever I can. We do all these daft things - movies, McDonald's, Hamleys. One time I told them we'd walk through Hamleys to choose one thing each. They marched straight to the Barbie counter - I couldn't believe it -hideous little dolls with pointed legs and breasts. My sister doesn't dress them in pink or bows. However, if I had children, I'd like to think I'd let them wear whatever they wanted. None of my friends would believe me, but I'd let them walk down the road in pink Lurex and gold plastic.
Or attend a school for wizardry and witchcraft?
Even that.
Alan thank you very much for your [time?] and good luck with the film.
Thank you, it's been a pleasure.
GML
UK - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 12:24:50 (PST)
Oh, I agree Fausta! But still, I'd love to see what Himself could do with the role of Holmes. GML, there was a bit about the actors getting as-yet-unrevealed info from Rowling to help develop their characters in the US TV Guide; don't know if they publish the same in the UK under a different name.
I've never read the HP books and was not sanguine about AR's appearance in the movie. I guess I should do so; from all I'm reading in here, the character actually sounds deliciously deep and - dare I say it - tormented? And, for a change, redeemable? Oooo! Now, THAT'S sexy!
Mary <When young, I thought "Harold Square" was some early flickers movie star...foo>
McHenry, - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 12:06:03 (PST)
Join the club,Sarah!
Sue
- Monday, October 29, 2001 at 11:38:08 (PST)
I went to see "Private Lives" on Saturday after I got tickets for my 19th birthday. It was amazing and Alan Rickman was outstanding! It was everything I was hoping for and more. The man has such stage presence. You want to be watching him all the time, even when he is not directly involved in the dialogue. The other thing that stood out for me was that he looked as though he was having a lot of fun during the performance.
Sarah
Derby, England - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 11:34:52 (PST)
I'm glad AR's not doing Sherlock Holmes -- to me, J. Brett was it.
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
(singing) Give my regards to Broadway, rememeber me to Herald Square . . . , - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 10:39:50 (PST)
Can I just second ZelAnne and add a link to a higher resolution version of the same Hex Symbol pic? ^_^
Red
London, England - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 09:25:22 (PST)
Everyone's favorite Hex Man. (^-^)
You'll have to excuse me...a couple of nights rest and it's time to watch THE movie I've been waiting over a computer screen for!
ZelAnne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Monday, October 29, 2001 at 07:43:56 (PST)
I still hold a brief flicker of hope, Julia... How can magazines and everything get down to a month to start filming... But, I swear to you, he didn't have an inkling, and sounded like he will be too busy come next March to be filming Sherlock Holmes so, I guess it will have to be a wait and see. I too desperately wanted to see AR in Sherlock Holmes...
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 21:33:21 (PST)
I'm leaving in 30 minutes! Here you are a good review of Harry Potter from Ain't It Cool News: "The adults in the film all did a great job. Mr. Rickman has the most challenging of all the roles in portraying Proffesor Snape, a complex character, in that he is a 'good' wizard, but hates Harry Potter with a passion and treats him with such cruelty that it's ...well... truly disturbing. Rickman is exactly as I imagined Snape to be. He's intimidating, shrewd, cruel and truly scary when he talks quietly.". The link to the whole review is below.
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 21:12:56 (PST)
Ahh well, that should pacify the Jeremy Brett fans.
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, Canada - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 20:50:45 (PST)
WHAT!?!?!?!?! He is not to be in Sherlock Holmes???? I fear my heart will break! But it was supposed to have Gabriel Byrne in it too!!!!! What am I going to do with my overload of estrogen?
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, Canada - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 20:50:13 (PST)
Alas, back in Australia...
Gail, we should have all bought Rafaella's badges - I gather there was quite a few of us at the Thursday showing of John Gissing as well! I kept looking for loan skulkers like me, but everyone seemed to be with someone, so I didn't speak up...
AR was MAGNIFICENT last Friday! I panicked just before I left Australia and bought a ticket to the Wed performance (couldn't bear the thought of flying all that way to find out he was off with a cold on the Friday or something awful...) and I thought he was midly stilted initially (until he started bantereing with Lindsay Duncan), but there was none of that on Friday - he was perfection personified the whole play through! And you are right about the tears on Lindsay Duncan - I noticed that as well, and they were absent on Wednesday night.
Er, you may have seen me after the Friday show... One particular AR fan wrote and asked if it would be possible for us to meet AR - and the stage manager said yes! So, we got to talk to him for about 5 minutes just inside the stage door, and I know a few fans observed this when we walked out! Many, many, MANY thanks for Patti for organising that wonderful suprise for me! (I knew nothing until a few days beforehand!). That really made my trip!
So, the all important questions - what next? AR's response was more Harry Potter! He also mentioned that there are talks that PL may be going to NY, which I believe someone below also mentioned that Lindsay Duncan said the same thing. I also summoned up guts to ask about Sherlock Holmes (I was a jellied wreck of awe and the brain had disengaged from the tongue, so I'm amazed I got anything out...) and he has heard nothing about those rumours... *sigh*
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 18:19:06 (PST)
Leaving for London tomorrow. But fate is against me: there's much fog over the airport, and there's also a strike beginning at 1pm. Drats! Hope to arrive in London in the early afternoon, I have a ticket for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Wish me luck.
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 13:15:03 (PST)
GML, on the other hand you are most welcome to do it! As you can probably see from the bit I already did, I get a bit carried away with my bracketed additions!!!!!
Elizabeth
- Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 03:54:02 (PST)
Magda: ISBN number for paperback ET S and S diaries is 0747530602, published by Bloomsbury. I can get you a copy from work and post it to you, it would be cheaper than in the shops, let me know.
GML, I am getting there, the magazine is packed in a box somewhere, when we get moved into our new house tomorrow, I will post the rest of it.
Emily, but Branagh fans will have you believe that it was Greg Wise who shipwrecked ET and KB's marriage, at least ET and GW are still together, which is more than can be said for the other two!
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
Very Extreme Chaos! - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 03:27:11 (PST)
Independant on Sunday, IoS Profile Beguiling monster who made Cherie weak at the knees. Not bad article, includes some of Maureen Paton's quotes, and other stuff that we know. A decent drawing is with it. Happy matinee to everyone going this afternoon!
Magda
Aberdeen , Scotland - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 03:17:16 (PST)
Hello,
Have I said welcome to the American lot about to land or already in London? I have now! ;) Don't let the weather put you off staying and enjoying more of it than just the West End... the pubs are dry and warm inside! And I might be wrong but I think the annual Wildlife Photography exhibition is on at the Natural History Museum at the moment. A treat to anybody interested in wildlife of the non-human sort (no money exchanged ;) or/and photography as an artform.
Elizabeth, are you going to post the rest of Alan's interview from the 'Unreel' Magazine? I read it too now, and you've only given us the obligatory introductory blurb! Not the longest or most in-depth interview he's ever given, I agree, but it's sort of fun, and at the breadcrumb rate he dispenses them, we can't be choosy! Glad you spotted it - and since one of my many accomplishments is fast touch-typing (the exciting things students have to do to earn a few quid...), let me know if you can't face the challenge, I'll do it.
Has anybody read that article on Harry Potter (sorry, I was in a hurry, I put the mag back on the shelf and now I can't remember what it was) in which it said that Rowling had discussed the characters in detail with the actors and that AR knew about Snape's past and Harris knew about Dumbledore's future?... Sounds like something will come up about our favourite potion master's youth in the next books, goody!
GML
UK - Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 01:45:05 (PST)
Thank you to Suzanne for the TMD song. LOL! Made my day. Thank you to the Rickman admirer from the Phillipines for a link to the photos. Is the one of Snape at his desk in the newest Premiere?:) Re: Lily: I'm not sure about Severus and James vying for Lily; Rather, I think that when clever Severus realized *what emotion* is strong enough to defeat his Master's magic, . . . (That's assuming he knows what happened the day she died.) Perhaps he'll do the same, in his way.
Ann W
AZ USA - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 17:54:11 (PDT)
Elizabeth, I saw your post about Emma Thompson's S+S paperback and wondered if you could post ISBN please. Thanks.
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, UK - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 17:46:51 (PDT)
Sally - sorry we didn't get to see you. Lyn and I did all we could to look for people who might be you, but I hadn't read your post so we didn't know what you looked like. We checked the stage door area briefly and even asked the assembled fans if any of them were Sally from Australia. Hope Lyn managed to meet up with you tonight.
Gail (still in London)
Of Toronto, Canada - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 16:49:24 (PDT)
Here is some entertainment sleaze that some of you may find a bit interesting: Actress Helena Bonham Carter is now dating her “Planet Of The Apes” director Tim Burton. This puts an end to the 10-year relationship Burton had with actress, and Helena’s ‘Apes’ co-star, Lisa Marie. For those of you keeping score, Helena previously shipwrecked the marriage of actress Emma Thompson and actor Kenneth Branagh, after Branagh directed her in “Frankenstein.”
Emily <Dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
New Jersey - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 13:39:08 (PDT)
I´ve seen this Snape figure in the supermarket... Holy shit! *sorry* He is... kinda... fat! Yeah, really! And he has such a little nose! But, at least there´s a nice pic of HIM on the packet! BTW: 19 days left and still no bridge...
Nicole
Germany. - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 12:13:59 (PDT)
There is a HP poster book out in the UK now, I know because I spent my whole day at work having people moan at me because the books kept running out on the bin location. One picture of Snape, from the side, I don't think we have seen it. Having got suffiently bored today, with little more to do than ring the stock room for more HP poster books, I decided to hunt out the PL script, to find to my horror that there were none on the shelf. Mortified I came across the paperback version of ET's S & S diaries, same text, but some different pictures. There is a rather nice one of Brandon, standing aside a carriage, just before they shot the Delaford picnic gone wrong scene. AR is doing his staring into space thing and looks decidedly wonderful.
Elizabeth
Extreme Chaos - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 11:58:14 (PDT)
Yesterday's Vancouver Sun ran verbatim yesterday's article from the Daily Telegraph on Branagh in Harry Potter
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 07:55:51 (PDT)
Today's Independent lists "Private Lives" again this week as one of the top five plays in London.
Georgiana (packing... packing...)
Seattle - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 07:52:49 (PDT)
Iwas going to post this last night but watched TMDfor theumpteenth time. From The Guardian G2 section Sian Phillips(my week) Last Saturday, Iwas thrilled to get last -minute tickets to the matinee of Noel Cowards Private LIVES at the Albery Theatre.I've been having a theatre fest lately an and it was one of the best things i've seen in years. She then goes on to say things about having dinner with friends.
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 06:03:34 (PDT)
Thanks to all who replied to my post. Lets hope the Broadway Unions agree with this GB!! Safe journey to those coming to London this week - this Londoner welcomes you all.
Steve
London, England - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 05:18:55 (PDT)
OK. I take it back. I take it all back. I nearly didn't go to PL last night - thought of trading in my front row ticket and going to another show, particularly as I'm back there on Sunday. But then I thought I would kick myself later for not going. And I am so glad I did. What I saw was a very different show - they were steaming, corruscating, and yet very human. Towards the end of the first act, when Amanda is trying to decide whether to stay with Victor or run away with Elyot, the tension was almost unbearable, and real tears ran down Lindsay Duncan's cheeks. That hadn't happened the night before. I think last night's audience helped. They allowed the tension to build and the actors to go with the play rather than having to pause for the 'cheap' laughs, the easy ones. I just hope that all those coming to this play get to see at least one of these 'on top' performances. It also explained to me, at least to a certain extent, why you get such different reviews, assuming that all the critics don't all go on Press Night. However, to keep Mr. Rickman's feet firmly planted on the ground I do have to note that in last night's Evening Standard Nicholas De Jongh, in his overview of 25 years at the National, nominated the AR/HM Antony and Cleopatra as one of the five worst productions. However, on the opposite page Laura Smith mentioned it as one of the 'notable triumphs. Go figure. Tonight it's steam of a different sort - Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.
Gail (still in London) gail.rayment@simpatico.cafoo>
- Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 02:34:40 (PDT)
Suzanne, thanks for the pics of the flowers, they're really beautiful (sunflowers in Mr Rickman's arrangement? I had always wanted to send him sunflowers, they make me think of him). And thanks for having arranged the shipping!
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 01:35:30 (PDT)
I was very unhappy to read that artical in Hello. How dare they say that AR and LD are DECENDING. I have written to Hello magazine. com and complained that it is a wonder with the tourist's missing in the West End,it is wonderful to see people coming to see this play. How dare they!long live Private Lives!
Barbara the Australian
Australia. - Saturday, October 27, 2001 at 01:11:07 (PDT)
PS I think it takes about 6 weeks to get a reservation at J Sheekey for us mere mortals--sort of the new Ivy.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 17:42:35 (PDT)
Thanks EVER so much, Suzanne! Now, doesn't that Armagnac look positively classy!
Georgiana (I should be packing by now... but I'm still working!)
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 17:40:36 (PDT)
Suzanne thankyou for the photo's of the flowers and booze. I am sure that they were suitably impressed. Did I not see in the GB that AR and the cast had a party at J Sheekey? must be a New Labour haunt as well.
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 16:35:56 (PDT)
Suzanne, they're beautiful! Thanks for doing all the work for all of us.
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 16:13:47 (PDT)
I received the photos in the mail from the florist! Very lovely. The first is Lindsay Duncan's flowers. And the second is Alan Rickman's arrangement, with the Armagnac pictured in front of the vase.
I also received a couple more pictures from Sue (thanks!);
Total Film: Life takes its troll
And for those who'd like to see Tony and Cherie Blair (PL program in hand!) in front of the Albery Theatre, here's the photo from today's Evening Standard.
Suzanne (movie theaters sell ice cream? I need to get out more...) <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 15:33:11 (PDT)
I don't know about Rickman being an "international star". I suspect that at one time he could have been, if he had wanted to be...However, he is an international actor-his films are shown all over the world, and after Harry Potter, he won't be able to hide....run, but not hide. Certainly he would have no problem on Broadway, as he has had a great deal of theatre experience, and as a British actor, certainly is admired for his ability. David Suchet {and Sir Peter Hall} brought Amadeus to LA and then Broadway-now wouldn't that be nice!!!!!!!Mr. Suchet was brilliant,as always-is it something in the air over there, or what?
A Rickman Admirer
- Friday, October 26, 2001 at 14:49:30 (PDT)
Here's wishing Anne a safe arrival in the UK!
Georgiana (I've never understood all that ice cream in the theater...)
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 14:39:01 (PDT)
Jill - I really love long films I am just worried about the ice cream situation!;) (I never eat ice cream at home just at the flicks; some do popcorn I just have to have fudge sauce!!) I'd hate to go out and miss a Snape moment!
Sue
England - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 12:38:37 (PDT)
In reply to Steve's comment below about AR needing international star status to come to Broadway, I do not think that would be a problem at all.
He has enough screen credits to quality and he was nominated for a Tony Award for LLD.
All I want for Christmas is for the Yankees to win the World Series and to hear that PL is transferring to NY with it's cast in tack :-D (not necessarily in that order).
Am looking forward to reports from the stage door encounters.
joan
USA - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 12:21:31 (PDT)
Sue -I have just read some comments from the Leaky Cauldron Harry Potter site from a couple of people who have seen Harry Potter at a special screening in the USA. They thought it was brilliant and remark how particularly good AR is (like we all knew he would be without seeing the film!) They also thought they would not be able to sit through the film because of the length but ended up not wanting it to end! So don't despair yet!!!
Jill
Kent UK - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 12:04:42 (PDT)
Hi everyone :) I was reading the Life section of the USA Today paper yesterday, and it stated that the third trailer of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone will premier (including the first look at the high-flying game of Quidditch) when the movie Monster's Inc. opens on November 2nd. It didn't mention anything about Professor Snape, but maybe there's a chance he'll be in the trailer ::crossing her fingers:: Traci (who's counting the days until HP opens)
Traci <Maidmarian1965@aol.comfoo>
Tulsa, Ok USA - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 10:43:49 (PDT)
Slightly O/T, from the Fall 2000 Chicago Wilderness magazine:
"Hollywood Owl"
I have been inundated with requests from young readers to write about the "guaranteed" sighting of "white owls" throughout the area after November 16. Of course they are referring to the opening of the new Harry Potter film, in which Harry acquires a pet white owl named Hedwig (played in the film by Ook the Snowy Owl). All right, to be honest, I have received only two requests, those being from my two boys.
It's doubtful that Steven Spielberg is aware that the premier date for the film is also the approximate date for people to start seeing snowy owls in our area. Last year around this time, a magnificent immature snowy owl hung out in Lincoln Park (i.e; in downtown Chicago) where it was admired by hundreds of park visitors for a few weeks before taking off for parts unknown.
Woodsy Mary <Always reaching for the teachable moment...foo>
McHenry, - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 10:08:18 (PDT)
I'm a little concerned about the running time of 2hrs 33 mins for Harry Potter. I've usually finished my two scoops of cookie dough ice-cream, hot fudge sauce and sprinkles by the time the ads and trailers have finished so how am I going to survive?:-) (Perhaps I can send my son out for more during a quiet patch!)
Sue
England - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 08:45:50 (PDT)
Deb and Jill, thanks for the feedback. Nice to know I'm not totally hallucinating about the possible subtext! I just treated my self to a look at Claire's latest picture page and I love the "older" shots (that is, the younger shots). It seems as if you can still see the slightly geeky actor that "no one was sure what to do with" in those earlier photos. Thanks for all the effort that so many of you put into these pages (guestbook included) so that we can all enjoy them!
Cat <crubins@asu.edufoo>
Tempe, AZ USA - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 08:23:35 (PDT)
That's "Blairs/Albery."
Georgiana (sometimes the fingers have a mind of their own...)
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 07:11:29 (PDT)
The Blairs/Albert article (sans photo) can be read at the Evening Standard "This is London" on-line site.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 07:10:19 (PDT)
Further to Gails report, the front page of todays London Evening Standard features a photograph of Tony and Cherie Blair outside the Albery after visiting Private Lives. Cherie is flaunting her programme and they are surrounded by a lot of ladies of a "certain age" (wonder if there are any GBers there?)
Sue
Wondering if Cherie got the programme autographed;), England - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 06:05:01 (PDT)
From an article in today's Daily Telegraph on Branagh taking the role of Lockhart in the second Harry Potter film:
As filming of the sequel begins in Scotland, advance copies of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone have yet to arrive in Britain, according to the studio, although the final version has just been previewed in Chicago. Four hours of footage were edited to a running time of two hours and 33 minutes. The cinemagoers were given no advance notice, apart from being told as they entered the auditorium that a "family movie" was to be shown ahead of the main feature.
Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution for Warner Brothers, said that when the title was announced, there was "applause" that lasted several minutes. Christopher Columbus, the director, spoke of an amazing reception. "The Harry Potter readers were ecstatic." People in the audience who had not read the volume "loved the story", telling executives afterwards that "they wanted the book".
The film is to be premiered with its stars in London on Nov 4, with a gala celebration to follow on a set being built to resemble scenes from the book. Two days before, a new trailer, featuring a Quidditch match, will be unveiled at cinemas. The movie will have three preview screenings and a Scottish premiere attended by the Harry Potter author, J K Rowling, in Edinburgh. It will be released in Britain on Nov 16 and launched in 4,000 cinemas across America.
Some paragraphing omitted.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 05:22:08 (PDT)
The Mirror
October 26, 2001, Friday
SECTION: FEATURES; Pg. 24
THEATRE: IT'S NOT FROTHY, MAN
BYLINE: Tony Purnell
PRIVATE LIVES
Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan are far too serious for words as on-off lovers Elyot and Amanda in Private Lives. The result is that Noel Coward's cappuccino of a comedy is served up without its customary froth. Rickman underdoes the camp and Duncan underdoes the vamp when they should both be gloriously over the top.
The pair find themselves honeymooning in adjoining hotel suites in 1930s Deauville, five years after their divorce. A cocktail or two later and they are back in each other's arms. They head off to Paris where love soon turns to hate again and they start throwing things at each other and brawling.
The flat they flee to resembles a brothel with its scarlet drapes and decor, and ends up looking like a battlefield. It was a direct contrast to the stunning opening set with twin balconies overlooking the sea, and the orchestra playing the romantic Some Day I'll Find You in the background.
Adam Godley and Emma Fielding were woefully miscast as abandoned groom Victor and jilted bride Sibyl - by no stretch of the imagination could you imagine sophisticated Elyot walking down the aisle with a frump such as Sibyl, or stylish Amanda tying the knot with a gump like Victor. Fortunately, they only make a brief appearance at the beginning and the end.
Albery Theatre, St Martin's Lane, WC2. Tel: 020 7369 1730.
Georgiana (Two days! If I can find time to pack...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 05:13:46 (PDT)
I wondered if I should have stood up in the Thursday showing of John Gissing and asked everyone, 'Who here corresponds in the AR GUestbook????' Probably quite a few of us skulking in the audience! What a ghastly hour though! I deliberated for ages on going because I am not exactly staying in London, but went in the end because John Gissing will probably never get to Australia, and how often does one get to see such an advanced screening of an AR film?!
I'll be at Private Lives tonight if anyone sees a blonde floating around lugging a black coat with red silk lining and 2 programs (one for another AR friend) - its me (its been too hot to wear the darn coat!)... I saw Private Lives on Wed - gosh thats a funny play, and AR (as everyone knows) is hilarious and really good in it!
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Friday, October 26, 2001 at 04:17:54 (PDT)
PS Forgot to mention that I found a Harry Potter pictorial souvenir book that has a terrific full length semi profile shot of Snape that I had not seen before. But then I haven't visited Claire's page lately - she may well have it.
Gail <againfoo>
- Friday, October 26, 2001 at 01:03:36 (PDT)
Lyn, Victoria and I were the GB contingent at PL last night. A full house, and sold out for the week anyway, as I heard when picking my other tickets up. I must admit it took me a while to focus on the play - with Salman Rushdie two rows in front of me, and Tony and Cherie Blair and entourage in the Circle seats above me, (I guess he felt he needed a night out.) I had a hard time shaking a nagging feeling that a quick targeting of the Albery by the Bin Laden bunch would solve two of their problems in one fell swoop. And hearing a plane overhead briefly during the start of the second act didn't help either. Anyway, the show is wonderful. Terrific sets, and great acting all round. Rickman's talent for humour and timing has never been so evident as in this show, although I am still not convinced (sorry, everyone) about his ability to convey great sexual passion. Lindsay Duncan is a glamourous and fiery icicle until she melts. The top price seats are worth it in order to be able to observe the nuances of expression that fly around, particularly from AR. Someone earlier has commented on the five minutes or so at the very end of the play when the two principals are silent as the other couple have their moment - the expressions on their faces as they watch what is going on are a delight to see. There were not many people at the stage door, and we had to wait quite a while as all the celebs visited back stage. (There were quite a few familiar faces in the audience.) However, both the stars, when they finally appeared, were absolutely charming. I asked Miss Duncan about the possibility of the show going to New York, and she said they were talking about it. Finally (and I'm sorry about the long block but I've left my crib sheet on HTML at home in Canada) Lyn went to see John Gissing yesterday morning. Only about 50 people there, she said, and AR did not turn up. She said it was extremely funny. I'm looking forward to seeing the big GB crowd on Sunday.
Gail <from Londonfoo>
- Friday, October 26, 2001 at 01:00:09 (PDT)
Re Snape: join the club - my theory too! It would be nice though if Snape is redeemed by finding a new love!
Jill
Kent UK - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 23:38:50 (PDT)
Thanks so much for the TMD sound file, I can't stop playing it!
angelina
california - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 16:56:13 (PDT)
Cat, that's always been my theory about Snape too!
Deb
Canada - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 15:34:33 (PDT)
I was catching up on a few days worth of Guestbook reading and read the bit about AR "knowing something the rest of the actors didn't" during the Harry Potter filming. So here's my theory: I have been rereading the series, and it strikes me that all we ever hear is that Snape loathes Harry's father. No mention of Lily. I think we'll discover that Snape was in love with Lily and that's the reason that he is so conflicted about Harry: he wants to protect him because he's Lily's son, but he hates him because he also represents Lily's love for (drat! can't think of his name - James?) Harry's father. JKR made reference in an interview once about watching out for the story of Snape to involve love and its redeeming qualities. She has also said that Snape is an example of someone who is good, but not kind. What a wonderful, complicated character! I look forward so much to seeing what AR does with this role!
Cat <crubins@asu.edufoo>
Tempe, AZ USA - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 13:12:49 (PDT)
Hi all!
Suz, thanks for the Truly Madly Deeply sound file. They are both excellent. I must say Juliet Stevenson's performance of grief and joy in that film is the best I have ever been an audience to. I feel so sorry for the people who can't see the difference between that type of acting and the usual 'I love you Kevin' Hollywood stuff. Their lives must be very shallow.
Re Private Lives: "It's fair to guess his heavy-lidded, faintly languorous Elyot won't be to everyone's taste."
... Well, it's fair to assume anything - but since the various audiences are clearly loving every minute of it... somebody explains to me what the critic bases this one on? It just amuses me the way they (and this is not directed against this particular critic, I liked the review on the whole) seem to forget that plays are written and played for *audiences*. You might be cynical and argue that they are written for profit, but profit still is dependent on audiences liking the show. To say that a play most people enjoyed immensely is no good is extremely dismissive of the audience - many of it members being better educated, more sensitive to art and potentially better critics that the ones who so happen to make a living out of it. Of course an awful lot of appalling TV programmes are loved by millions (did I say 'Big Brother'?) and are, so sadly, a reflection of their audiences' tastes - or lack of - but I like to think that theatre is different... In my experience, if people like the play, suffering the odd exception, the chances are that it's a good one.
GML
UK - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 12:17:53 (PDT)
Following Rafaella's post:
Bard guy is good guy in next ``Potter''
By Cathy Dunkley
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Kenneth Branagh, who made his name directing and acting in Shakespearean projects, has signed up to play Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter (news - web sites) sequel, ``Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.''
The second film in the Warner Bros. franchise is scheduled to start production Nov. 16, the same day that ``Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'' will open.
The film is based on J.K. Rowling (news - web sites)'s second book in the ``Harry Potter'' series of the same name. The principal leads in ``Sorcerer's Stone'' will reprise their roles for the sequel. (yay!)
Branagh's character, a charming, golden-haired wizard who has made his name as a successful writer and self-promoter, is enlisted to teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He teaches Harry and his friends Ron and Hermoine, who develops a crush on Lockhart.
Branagh is also set to play Richard III on stage at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield starting Feb. 11. He is expected to finish most of his work on the ``Harry Potter'' sequel and then return to finish his scenes again in mid-April.
Branagh most recently starred in Philip Noyce's upcoming ``Rabbit Proof Fence.''
His other recent credits include HBO's ``Conspiracy'' for which he has received an Emmy nomination, and ``Shackleton,'' the true story of Ernest Shackleton's 1914 endurance expedition to the South Pole.
Reuters/Variety REUTERS
Renie
CA, - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 09:33:29 (PDT)
Here's the photo from Total Film (which I, personally, have never seen before), courtesy of Sue. It must be from the Halloween Feast. Terrific photo, thanks, Sue!
Suzanne <Sue@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 07:40:14 (PDT)
TOTAL FILM DECEMBER 2001 There is a 9 page spread on HP.
.....'One thing that proved surprisingly possible was finding exactly the right cast. As Columbus puts it, the adult cast list "reads like a British greatest hits." With Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as McGonagall, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Ian Hart as Quirrell and Alan Rickman as Snape, you can see what he means. "It was embarrassing because everyone who was our first choice said 'yes'," Columbus continues. "There was a situation with Tim Roth, who we first approached for Snape (Roth opted to do Planet of the Apes instead), but ironically, the only resaon why we didn't go straight for Alan Rickman was because he was the one person who we thought would say 'no'. And it turned out he wanted to do it very much."...
There is a full page picture of Snape that I'll scan later but I think it's one we have seen before at a table with a pumpkin.
John and Sue, so glad you enjoyed PL.
Sue
England - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 03:21:53 (PDT)
BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! This production of 'Private Lives' must be the best ever done. AR is fantastic and Lindsay Duncan matches him, in fact the whole cast is excellent, including the maid. The last time we laughed so much was the original production of 'Noises Off' about 15 years ago, and I can tell you we do see a lot of theatre productions. From when the Safety Curtain lifts to reveal that wonderful Art Deco Hotel front to when it falls on the final Flat scene we were riveted to it. If ever a production deserves to go to Broadway then this one does. We don't want to give anything away but just watch him, towards the end, when he is sat on a suitcase whilst the others are talking whilst sat on a settee. He doesn't utter a word but his face is a performance in it's own right. Everyone who contributes to this Guestbook deserves to see this play. If you get the chance, then go. Bye for now.
John & Sue <jrnavigator@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Derby, UK - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 02:46:48 (PDT)
Thank you Suzanne!!! You just made my night with that sound file from TMD! That is my favorite part of the movie, my daughter's favorite too. In fact I've been concerned the tape would break because she's always fast forwarding to that scene. Now we can listen to it again and again without risking our video tape. Thank you again Suzanne, for all that you do!
Laura <ljyolo@yahoo.comfoo>
Yakima, WA USA - Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 01:01:08 (PDT)
What happened to the review? Well, here it is: "There's scarcely a more quotable comedy in the English language than "Private Lives," so the first thing to be said about Howard Davies' glorious West End reclamation of Noel Coward's perennially popular play is how piercing its silences turn out to be. That's not to suggest Davies has performed a Pinteresque conjuring act on Coward, even if the director is in every way blessed to have as his leading lady Lindsay Duncan, an actress whose shimmering allure suits Coward's barbs as fully as it does a Harold Pinter pause. What sets this apart from any other "Private Lives" I've seen -- a misconceived National Theater revival two years ago included -- is a collective understanding of the ache that underlies the badinage, with the once-married Amanda (played by Duncan) and Elyot (Alan Rickman) trading banter to hide mutually heaving hearts. The show gets its requisite laughs -- Rickman finds one in the single word "escape" -- while revealing itself in an altogether different hue whereby hate is inextricably linked to love and sorrow shadows even the cleverest of quips. The shift in affect comes from nothing beyond a willingness to start from the text, not from any received notion of Coward-style posturing and camp. The result is a comedy played for real, for a change, that effects transformations large and small. For instance, Elyot's new wife, Sibyl, usually (and often memorably) emerges as the butt of some of Coward's crueler jokes (few who saw it will forget Sara Crowe in the part torpedoing a previous West End revival out from under Joan Collins' Amanda). On this occasion, Emma Fielding re-evaluates the play's primary figure of fun not as a dimwit but as a sensible, bright-eyed bride brought low by a new husband unused to her brand of seriousness -- especially when confronted across a Deauville balcony by his onetime wife, Amanda, for whom Elyot still lies emotionally in wait. (That hotel, incidentally, is by itself worth the price of admission, designer Tim Hatley's narrowing facade a witty Gaudi-style wedding cake of a building displaced to the south of France.) Given the scenario, what can the discarded Sibyl and Victor (Adam Godley) -- Amanda's latest amorous recruit -- do beyond look on in disbelief, Godley's perf extending the luxury casting with a grinning eagerness that is itself capable of going sour? In context, it's scant surprise that the play's subsidiary pair here come off as a debased version of Amanda and Elyot, with Sibyl and Victor enmeshed in an enmity all their own, leaving the leads time to sneak away in the best Coward tradition. That the younger duo clearly are fated to repeat the pattern of their elders -- albeit on a less exalted scale -- reminds one once again of the ways in which "Private Lives," among other works, can be seen to anticipate "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," another play about two couples, gamesmanship and the unforgiving seesaw between desire and despair. (Davies has directed "Virginia Woolf," so may well have had the affinities in mind.) Amanda and Elyot's reunion also reunites Duncan and Rickman, former Royal Shakespeare Co. contemporaries who partnered to career-making effect under Davies' direction on "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," which earned Tony noms for all three in its 1987 Broadway stand. Since then, Rickman has had a rough time of it onstage, and it's fair to guess his heavy-lidded, faintly languorous Elyot won't be to everyone's taste. On the other hand, that basset-hound demeanor from the outset hints at the wistfulness that here gets folded in beneath the jibes, with Rickman possessing the "shifty eyes" ascribed to Elyot by Sibyl's mother. And when the actor takes to the piano to sing "If Love Were All," his voice cracking with feelings that dare not speak their name, the character's waspish petulance is redefined as a defense against pain: For the "two violent acids" that are Amanda and Elyot, love and war are one. Duncan, in turn, has been a stranger to Coward, which seems astonishing in light of her intuitive hold over the necessary sophistication -- Amanda, we hear, is "jagged" with the stuff -- that is both elegant and eloquent at once. The fissures in her new marriage showing already (would a heroine so resistant to normalcy really want a companion as boringly smiley as Victor?), Duncan's Amanda brings down the house locking eyes for the first time in five years with Elyot, a slow grin spreading across her face. It's not long, however, before delight has given way to a newly awakened awareness of the damage wrought by passion, which must itself be set against the loneliness of life spent with Victor. Amanda and Elyot walk a fine and poignant line, you realize, between love and loss, their epigrammatic ease a heartbeat away from a broken heart."
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 23:46:50 (PDT)
I don't know if this review has been posted already, I don't think so. Anyway, here it is, from Variety.com, written by Matt Wolf. <>
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 23:45:48 (PDT)
Hi all! Variety.com is reporting that Kenneth Branagh has signed to play Professor Lockhart in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"! That's great... when I described Lockhart to a friend of mine, who's a Branagh fan, she cried out: "Ken!!!". She was right. Whoa, HP is becoming the wildest dream for lovers of British cinema!
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 23:28:15 (PDT)
Re: TMD soundtrack. If one ever existed, I never found it. As for the duet Jamie and Nina perform, that's my favorite part of the entire movie! Yes, I made a sound file of that, which you can play on your computer any time you need a little pick-me-up. :-) Although I'm still working on the Sound Gallery (I'm adding *lots* of new sound .wavs!), you can download it here in the meantime:
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
The tears flow every time I watch TMD..., TX USA - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 19:55:48 (PDT)
In "Twelve Days of Christmas." yesterday's "This is London" Christmas Entertainment Guide lists "Harry Potter" as first among its six recommended films.
Georgiana (and gives Rickman second billing!)
Seattle - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 14:49:37 (PDT)
I can find no link online to that article, so you will have to suffer my appalling typing skills. Having just re-read it I do wonder if the person was listening to AR.
Unreel Magazine, issue 19 Oct/Dec
Interviewed by Jaspre Bark
Thanks to his performances as the terrorist Hans Gruber in the original "Die Hard" and the Sheriff of Nottingham in "Robin Hood:Prince of Theives", Alan Rickman is one of the quintessential screen vilians. Bearing this in mind, you would have thought he was better suited to the role of Lord Voledemortin this November's eagerly anticipated "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" not Professor Snape - a part that was originally to be played by Tim Roth. (thank god, if there is one, that it isn't) But (did this person not learn about syntax at journalist college?) Rickman has built a career on defying his audiences expectations.
Following his sucess with "Die Hard" and "Robin Hood:Prince of Theives" he was inundated with offers to play more dastardly characters but he turned them down in favour of films like "Truly Madly Deeply", "An Awfully Big Adventure" and more recently "Dogma" and "Galaxy Quest". In fact his decision to become an actor in the first place, might have seemed unexpected at the time because it meant leaving the sucessful design agency he had set up to become a student at RADA at the not so tender age of 27.(so they didn't learn about syntax or puncuation)
While at RADA, he supported himself working as a dresser for Nigel Hawthorn and Sir Ralph Richardson and left afrer winning every student award going. A long career in theatre followed but he never really rose to prominance until he played the role of Valmont in the stage version of Les Liason Dangereuses in the West End and the on Broadway. This brought him to the attention of Hollywood and lead him to land the role of Hans Gruber in "Die Hard"
As an actor, he brings a great deal of intelligence and invention to every role he plays, he effortlessly steals movies and acts of his co-stars off the screen.(this sentance is an insult against the English Lanugage, and if the Jane Austen Society got hold of it, they would string Mr Bark up, rather apporpriatley on the nearest tree)
As a person he is moved by a high degree of social concern, (now this next bit is amusing) in fact his (wait for it) wife Rima Horton stood as a Labour Parliamentary candidate, (so he has obviosly got so ****** off with stupid nosy tabloid papers, in fact if we belive anything we read he must have a time machine because this was published before that Mail article.) but his social conscience is motivated less by a political agenda and far more by the deep seated sympathy he has for his fellow human beings. You might say it is this sympathy that allows him to play so many different characters with such unerring accuracy.
We caught up with Alan as he is about to embark on a full scale publicity campagain for the new Harry Potter film. Here he talks exclusively to Unreel. (I am beginning to wonder if "unreel" is symbolic)
So that is the first installment, sorry I can't do it all at once but what with moving house and so on and so forth, I really have got to go and a box. Next part tomorrow, the sentence structure is better in th next bit, mainly because AR is doing the talking.
Elizabeth
More Chaos - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 13:15:03 (PDT)
Thanks Sal and welcome .
Sue
- Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 13:05:13 (PDT)
hello, I'm the UK Branagh fan referred to below, and am posting at Renie's request. Also a long standing AR fan, of course! (although new to this place) Anyway, I saw PL on Sunday and thought it was wonderful - very funny, and IMHO AR is made for this role - his voice, his gestures, excellent comic timing; and I thought his partnership with LD was fine. I can't agreed with the review by Laurence Green posted below; and certainly on Sunday all 4 actors seemed to be on better form than when Jo saw the play. I'd recommend it to anyone and am even thinking of going again! I also waited outside the stage door (something I've never done before), and when AR and LD came down, I was glad I had. He is very tall, was smartly dressed, and utterly charming - he apologised for keeping us waiting, and signed autographs and chatted for a while. Lovely! Then in total AR overload I went to the John Gissing premiere - the film is OK, quite funny in parts, although patchy in others - AR is good although wearing a dreadful pair of specs. Worth seeing, just about.
sal <kar3jpdy@keswick.karoo.co.ukfoo>
UK - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 12:35:15 (PDT)
Thank you, Sue!
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:46:00 (PDT)
I was at Walmart the other day, and although I was much dismayed to hear that they do not carry the HP figurines ("I didn't even know they made those," the salesgirl droned), i did see the HP Lego! Yes, Snape's Classroom, the complete set. Those kids were all over them! I just adore the little green man, with his raised eyebrow! It's brilliant! Sears also carries the complete set of HP bedding: that's sheets, bedskirt, and window valance! And, they have a sale on right now! How convenient... And, while we're on the topic of HP, is anyone else amazed at the amount of product the HP people are endorsing? I am on the verge of getting sick and tired of the Coke commercials, with the paperboy...
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, Canada - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:27:10 (PDT)
BTW I picked up Galaxy Quest Dvd for £9.99 (usually £19.99) at HMV Mammoth Sale today. As I already had an ex-rental video I was loathe to fork out before but couldn't resist a bargain!(Lots of other good titles too).
Sue
England - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:00:14 (PDT)
Bon Voyage to Christine who flies tonight (broomstick optional) and also to Georgiana, Anne and everybody else arriving this weekend. See you Sunday.
I think that Mr. Rickman should receive some sort of commendation from the London Tourist Board. Mayor Livingstone keeps going on about getting tourists to the theatres,etc. and little does he know that their are dozens of hardy souls making the trip. The average AR fan is obviously tougher than the average tourist (and a tad more obsessive, perhaps!!;))
Sue
England - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 09:16:50 (PDT)
Yes, as reported, there is a lovely picture of that rare bird, Snapeus Magnificanii in the current TV Guide. No quotes, but one reference by screenwriter Steve Kloves, regarding the challenge in keeping characters true to future events or as-yet-unrevealed twists of their personality. Both he and the actors relied on this help; as he reports,
"...Alan Rickman, who plays the sinister Professor Snape with such relish that he sometimes scared the young actors, clearly got some inside scoop as well. 'It's very interesting to watch Alan's performance,' says Kloves. 'There are a couple of moments where it's clear that he knows something I don't.'"
Mary
McHenry, - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 08:17:15 (PDT)
Font fixed.
Yup, LLD was 14 to 16 years ago.
Suz (D.o.C.)
This is to re-bold the font. Perhaps Suz will fix things???
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 07:44:12 (PDT)
Copyright 2001 People's Press Printing Society Ltd ;
Morning Star
October 18, 2001
Pg. 9
HEADLINE: Lacklustre portrait of passionate couple;
THEATRE
BYLINE LAURENCE GREEN
PRIVATE LIVES Albery Theatre, London WC2
IT takes fights and rows to cement a loving relationship.
This would appear to be the message of Noel Coward's muchadmired '30s comedy, which has been revived in a new production directed by Howard Davies. Having divorced five years ago, Elyot and Amanda are aghast to find themselves sharing adjacent suites while both honeymooning with their new spouses in a swish French hotel.
But nostalgia, music and moonlight soon inflame old passions and they find themselves flirting with disaster in this amusing study of failed marriages and second chances.
Since they created frissons in Les Liaisons Dangereuses 20 years ago, this is the first time that Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan have appeared together on stage and expectations were high.
But, sadly, the sparks did not fly on this occasion. Rickman appeared to be too laid-back as Elyot and unable to generate much excitement, although, in keeping with the character, he does manage to convey a certain sophisticated world-weariness.
Also, Duncan fails to convey the light-hearted flippancy and emotional vulnerability of a woman who has decided to settle for second best.
Nevertheless, she does radiate a certain charismatic stage presence that makes her constantly watchable.
In fact, their early love scenes have a gentle tenderness and honesty which hits the right notes.
However, in the drawn-out second act, after they have dashed from the Riviera to Paris, tempers fray, cushions fly, furniture is upturned and a head gets banged.
But the scene lacks the ferocity and spontaneity that Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lessing brought to their roles in the National's 1999 production. And, as their new spouses, Emma Fielding and Adam Godley seem unusually lacklustre.
Fortunately, though, Coward's wit and wisdom shines through unaffected.
Playing until the January 6.
Box office: (020) 7369-1730
Georgiana (Wasn't LLD more like 15-16 years ago? That's not all that's wrong with this review, which seems a tad ambivalent.)
Seattle - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 07:42:00 (PDT)
Jo, me thinks you are beginning to know me too well!
I went to the cinema last night(Enigma, got very lost, not very like the book but an interesting Winselt, would be nice to see her and AR do something now she is older), and picked up some free magazine to read whilst all those terrible advertisments were, I was to say the least very amazed to find an interview with AR about Harry Potter. Ok so it is not huge, there is one whole bit that seems to be a paragraph he has learnt off by heart about being taller and having a car in LA, and going to some doughnut place! Some bits about Snape, pictures, but none of Snape and all ones we have seen before. I think it is online, will find a link and let you know.
Elizabeth
Still Chaos - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 07:10:10 (PDT)
PL / NYC Transfer. The powerful Nederlander Broadway Theatre Producers have a stake in the London show, making transfer distinctly likely IMHO. My thought about AR going with it is that it will depend on whether he is free anyway AND whether the tetchy American Equity Actors Union will let him perform. He would need "International Star Status" for that. I guess from all his movie work that he has it, if not...(enlighten me someone, please,as I genuinely don't know!). As for movie-going at 9am, why not? I used to when I worked nights. It's great as the place is empty and you get a private screening!!
Steve
London, England - Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 05:40:45 (PDT)
Elizabeth - who goes to the cinema at 9 'o'clock in the morning? Can't the poor man have a lie in if he is working so hard! Someone wants their pound of flesh!
Jill
Kent UK - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 23:57:03 (PDT)
Saw PL on Friday. Very funny, though considering that it's darker than the normal treatment, I *did* feel that the (very tarted up, very affected) audience laughing like drains in those darker moments was a bit...hmmmmm. Possibly something to do with peolple needing to laugh more. But, yes, AR looks terriffic, and LD looks absolutely stunning. As Elizabeth would say, he looks *tall*;-) The scenes with AR/LD sitting around cosily sparring are certainly the best and most believiable. I must admit that I found AR's seemingly paralysed arms and hands (like a Thunderbirds puppet with the strings cut) to be rather distracting, as it was so unnatural. And while he's in fine voice, there just wasn't a lot of variation. I know it's Noel Coward, not Chekov, but for all the advance critics' comments, I didn't really feel much emotion there. Also, there were quite a few botched lines between the four actors, although they covered for each other quite quickly -- maybe there was a bug going around. I'm _not_ slating PL at all: it was very entertaining, but also immediately forgettable. A very good way to laugh and turn your brain off, a good 4 stars, but sort of like a theatrical chinese meal. At the curtain calls, AR looked very smiley and twinkly and held the door open for the rest of the cast on they way out. Bless 'im.
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
Plymouth, Britain - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 16:48:31 (PDT)
The new edition of the US TV Guide (October 27 to November 2) features an article on the Harry Potter film. There are four collectible covers (no, one is not Snape, sorry to say) and a small copy of the photo of Snape in the lab.
Keyser <keyserfankf@netscape.netfoo>
USA - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 16:21:24 (PDT)
A UK Branagh fan made it to John Gissing, but Rickman didn't appear. I'll post any details on the film when I get them. She also saw PL--and said that AR was "made for Noel Coward".
Renie
- Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 13:28:16 (PDT)
That's pretty much how Keyser posted it a week ago from Playbill online, "Howard Davies hopes..." to take PL to Broadway.
Georgiana (Will he or won't he; my, but these rumors are pesky!)
Seattle - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 13:13:54 (PDT)
I received this info from Theatre Now - which is based in London
Please God let it be true!
Private Lives Heading For Broadway 17/10/2001
by Paul Webb
One of the West End's current success stories, Private Lives at the Albery Theatre, is due to transfer to New York next year.
The production, starring Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan, with Adam Godley and Emma Fielding, and directed by Howard Davies, is booked into the Albery until January 2002.
Producer Duncan Weldon has confirmed that he hopes to take the production to Broadway "somewhen in the first half of next year", but no further details are currently available.
Joan
USA - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 12:49:26 (PDT)
I suggest you all get over to Claire's page ASAP.(Thanks Claire - we are not worthy)
Sue
England - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 11:33:30 (PDT)
I noticed the imdb listing some months ago. Best I can tell, Nikki seems to be a series, in its second season, on the Warner Bros. network--looks like it deals with sex and wrestling. Paging through the episode guide, I don't see anything very promising. Sometimes season openers on US television begin with a longer episode--billed as a TV movie.
Any other thoughts?
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 11:06:03 (PDT)
You know what really annoyed me about "that" book, is that there is a load of stuff that should never have been published(that enitre chapter on Riverside Studios), and secondly she claimed he played a guitar in TMD, no points for guessing when I put the book back on the shelf....
Elizabeth
Chaos - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 08:50:21 (PDT)
Hi all, I just went to the Internet Movie Database and found that AR was listed for a TV Movie called "Nikki". Does anyone know anything about this?
Jutta
- Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 08:40:20 (PDT)
I started to read this book, too... Well, I stopped reading after few pages. Not for the reasons given by the Admirer, but because I didn´t understand a word. It so frustrating! I don´t get the meaning of any sentence! *grumpf* But the pictures... And the countdown says 23 days left!
Nicole
City of Justice, Germany - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 08:15:22 (PDT)
To Laura: The lovely duet of AR and JS isn´t on the TMD soundtrack. But I think there´s a .wav file somewhere on the net (Suzanne?)
To Emily: I also don´t recommend MP´s book. You should read the articles in the ARchive on Claire´s page. They contain the same information, only without someone telling you what to think about it.
Jutta
Germany, - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 08:14:51 (PDT)
I wouldn't recommend buying the hard cover Maureen Patton book, as it is a lot of money for not much book-basically she reviews everything he ever did in a tedious manner, and because she didnt have access to him, she guessed about his feelings, motivations and psychological makeup. It is particularly annoying when she confuses his characters with himself and tries to infer things based on his acting. A certain amount of unqualified psychobabble. The paperback would be less of a waste of money, at least for the pictures, anyway. I understand that he refused to sign a copy of the book at the Antony and Cleopatra stage door, so I wouldn't recommend trying that again. I did feel a bit sorry for the fan who asked him to sign the book, as it was available in the National bookstore,and might have been bought there innocently enough.It disappeared from the shelf at the NT bookshop after the "incident"BTW........
A Rickman Admirer
- Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 01:52:05 (PDT)
Jill, that SFJG screening is at 9 in the morning. So he won't be on stage. Ah so that is what is with the pumpkin, excuse my ignorance but have no idea of the dates at the moment due to house moving and lord knows what else!
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 23, 2001 at 00:17:16 (PDT)
Nice pumpkin, Suz!
Thanks for the info, Claudia, would love to see The Search for John Gissing, alas some of us have to be at work during the week. Oh, where's that rich man waiting to marry me? ;) I can only hope it makes it to my local cinema soon, they specialize in independent films, lucky me...
Christine, I can't remember on which tape AR sings 'Au Point du Jour' on the Return of the Native tapes, besides, I think there are two editions in circulation - but we had this conversation here before, so the answer is somewhere in this GB's archives, good luck! Must be in book II. His French was just as perfect in How can he split himself in two and be at the cinema and on stage at the same time?I can't see that he could go to John Gissing when he is in the play - people would want their money back if he did'nt appear! Sounds like someone is trying to round up publicity!! I just had this e-mail about Search for JG - so if anyone's interested: Hello, Sunlight Productions are hosting a 'Sneak Preview' of 'The Search For John Gissing' starring Alan Rickman. 9am Thursday 25th October at the Metro Cinema in Rupert Street, Piccadilly (LONDON). Tickets are £7.50 each or buy 5 tickets for £25. The Premier was on Sunday night out of two showings and closed to a round of applause. If you or you know anyone who would like to go, please tell them to contact the cinema box office before tickets run out!?? 020 7734 1506. They are selling like hot-cakes and there's a possibility that Alan is going to be there on Thursday, as he could not make the late showing. ---- Get tickets!! Raindance Film Festival chose the film for Official Selection!! If possible, maybe you could post a memo on the Home Page as I know there must be tons of fans wanting to see the film! It could be their only chance until next year!! Thanks just got "michael collins" and "blow dry" on dvd and watched them both for the first time on the same day (sheer heaven). "blow dry" was fun, that's the quietest role i've seen alan in. possible spoiler on "michael collins" follows... did anyone else get the impression during that scene where Alan's character (Eamon) escapes from prison and Liam throws the womens clothing on him, that the three actors (Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn and Alan) were genuinely laughing in the car? Aidan looks at Liam and they both start cracking up and Alan's laugh sounded so spontaneous. probably just good acting but i like to think they thought Alan was hilarious... i'm jealous of all of you who got to meet him in person... Is it worth it to buy AR's unauthorized bio? Will I find out stuff that I don't normally know about him? I would be most thankful for your help I have survived the Trail of History! Thank God it's over! Also known as the Trial of Misery (and the Trail of Beers on Saturday night, but that's another story). I am so refreshed to be able to now return here and read all updates on Da Man, but wish those of us stranded here stateside weren't stuck in a holding pattern as regards new releases. On the other hand, once HP hits the theaters, it'll be hard to find room on this guestbook (and the median age of the contributors will drop at least 20 years), so it's a mixed blessing all around. I envy you who meet him in the flesh, but I couldn't do it. I'd spend my dwindling years in mortification over whatever faux pas I'd be sure to commit. Elizabeth, the pumpkin is indeed for Halloween. The "holiday" is celebrated in the states with (among other things) the carving of pumpkins into leering faces to be lit at night by candles - evidently a practice that originated in Ireland (though they carved rutabagas and potatoes) that both travelled to and survived in the U.S. I'd go on and post the lovely little song I learned in grade school about jack o'lanterns (jack of the lantern, i.e. carved pumpkins), owls and the moon, but I think Suzanne would probably block me from the guestbook for my sins. Oops. That would help, wouldn't it? Georgiana: Please email me right away; I can't find your email address. I have some answers for you. Apologies for the off-topic request. the pumpkin stands for halloween silly!! does anyone think that alan will be @ the American Film Institute fest for the screen of TSFJG??....i might go Excuse me for asking, or being dim, whichever it may be. But what is with the pumpkin? Countdown says 24 days left. And two days ´till holydays. Still no accomodation. Gues we´ll really have to sleep under a bridge! I'd be happy to, Magda. Anyone who asks sooner, please post response so we don't all bombard the poor man with the same question. Sue. Thanks to you I have spent the afternoon in tears. Absolutely wonderful, big *sigh*. Magda. Will someone, ANYONE, who is going to see PL, please ask AR if they are planning on bringing this production to NY? Don't be shy! Just ask! Joan "Let's go Yankees!" :D Daryl,Julia, I really envy you for your courage to wait for AR at the stage door and ask him for an autograph! When I was in London, I didn't dare to ask him for one, can't explain why really, maybe I don't want to destroy my illusions about him (although he seems to be very kind and friendly, according to your reports). I asked several people at home whether I should do it, but they all said I would be very disappointed if he was in a bad mood at that day, and I think/thought they are right. Somehow I regret it ... PS: I've heard that Ralph Fiennes is in talks for playing James Bond! How about a movie with RF playing Bond and AR as the chief baddie (or as Bond girl, if he boroughs the wig he's wearing as Snape in HP) Hi Christine of Montreal, I don't know whats going on with the Bravo show Scanning the Movies. I can't find it anywhere. It doesn't make sence to have a two part show and not show it. I didn't like part one . It was suppose to show the movie Harry Potter but all it did was discuss the books . I was really hoping to see AR. As for part two I will just have to keep an eye out, and I will let you and everyone elso who is interested, know when I see any advertisment. If you see anything please let me know too. If they do ever have it on I sure hope it's a lot better then part one....... saw A.R. in PL at the Albery Theatre, London last night. (20/10/01) absolutely everthing that I imagined and some. I agree with Sue re: seeing him outside the stage door. He was such a gentleman and was much taller than I had imagined. He posed for photogs. even though he looked tired. LD was surprisingly ordinary, and very friendly, even asking us how long we had been waiting in the cold! Anyway, would love to see it again in Broadway this time, to enjoy AR once more. Can anybody reveal what he's up to next apart from HP? Here's to all you lucky sods that are yet to see him, I'm jealous already!!!! Similar, but slightly different than previously posted photos, this one accompanied the below Sunday Times "don't miss" review (thanks, Sue!). Sunday Times Culture Magazine Oct 21 2001 The Critical List This week Don't miss THEATRE Private Lives An irresistable production: Howard Davies gives Coward's marital and erotic fireworks a new, darker hue that makes them even more funnier. Love is like an out-of-tune violin and Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman play on it with a sense of glittering mastery. Albery, WC2 Just bought Harry Potter tickets for November 11th advance preview at our local cinema! The lady on the desk said the tickets were selling incredibly quickly - people just can't wait to see this film!! Just on the subject of coincidences:- having watched AABA and TMD thanks to TV this week I noticed that Maura in TMD was played by Stella Maris!!! This was the first time I had watched TMD since it was first on TV and this time I really appreciated N's agony and J's sacrifice. I didn't like the first time probably in a perverse way I tend to be suspicious of anything with so much hype. Def feel he came back! Ah well - I might have been tempted to stay with the ghost but not so sure about all his friends!!!! certainly better that rats!!! Am off to France this morning for a break at last - we haven't managed to have a break what with Foot and Mouth (not here thank goodness)but still made a lot of extra work for my poor vet husband and my new venture - the Arts Centre so all the more welcome. the amount you all write I'll never catch up! - We have started a film club for the youngsters (Infant/JUnior schooo age) and guess what the first film is - Help, I'm a Fish. Lovely big poster with "Featuring the talented voice of Alan Rickman" all along the bottom - may just have to purloin it! Can't wait to see it on 10th Nov. to all those who are going to see PL whilst I'm away - ENJOY Just to add to AR's workload - Channel 4 film teletext were talking about Ridley Scott's plan to film the life of Captain Kidd early next year and they were still mentioning that Alan Rickman has been cast as an admiral! It is going to have a great cast!! in response to Mr. Rickman "making a bee line", I would bet that he headed straight for the safety of an attached female-he is nervous about the unattached ones, I think. Even the unavailable ones, in my case. His virtue has always been safe with me.....snorfle Magda, someone asked him that I believe, and he hadn't realized the name connection-maybe it meant something to Sharman-I think Jamie is a fairly popular boy name-I believe that Joanna Lumley named her boy child Jamie,,,,, Here is just some of my input for the night. Today i received the dvd of dark harbor and of course i had to watch it! but the thing is, i watched the director's commentary. i know i'm the one who asked to discuss the little signs here and there but even discussing that didn't clear everything up for me. after watching this version, suddenly, EVERYTHING clicked! it really is just a true love story (disturbing,yes) just wrapped in a thriller/horror if i must. hearing what the director planned just makes me think about how much work the actors put into making this peice and i now appreciate it sooooo much more. it's extremely well put together and i now have a certain weak/soft spot for the extremely sensitive and private lovers. Speaking of TMD and again of TWG: is it significant that the dead husband's name in TWG is Jamie as well? A small "in" reference to the earlier film? A regretful affirmation that the dear departed are indeed gone forever? To Sue in England blubbing at TMD(*spoiler?*): this is your thank you to Minghella, Rickman and Stevenson for their success in this tale. If Stevenson's utter agony (this wasn't just dysfunctional lack of coping, it was utter agony depicted for the first 20 minutes) weren't so vast, her redemption after Jamie's prodding her back to "life" wouldn't be so satisfying. What philosophical head-spinning to contemplate seeing a tragedy reversed in real life, if only for a while. I'm giving Alan and Juliet the credit for pulling this off, since Minghella's works since this have proven to wallow, to me, in smug undercurrents: here at least is all out emotion, and the pay off is tremendous. (And of course in the world of fiction, I'd choose to stay happily crazy with the ghost for ever after...) 'Tis true, Sue! So you really will go to the ends of the earth to see AR, Georgiana! Well, Sue, I thought I'd take a little trip over the pole to London. Um, let's see--a week from today! Will catch the matinee of "Private Lives" next Sunday! A while back, someone told me that AR sings the French song in TROTN on tape 9 or 10. I listened through both and it's not there. Does anyone know for sure which tape it's on? Would love to hear that again without going through the whole story to find it. Should have made notes the first time around. ;) Ok, still 26 days left, almost 25. I´ve seen Bob Roberts today. Very very confusing, didn´t understand much. But there was Susan Sarandon in it! And she had so much text! Thrilling! Just like Mesmer. And I´ve seen the German Cinema Trailer with the terrible voice once more. And I´ve seen "Lammbock", might be the best German film this year. Anyway, I´d better go to sleep now... Are you going somewhere, Georgiana??? To Lyn in Ottawa: The second half of Scanning the Movies on Bravo wasn't on last night - maybe I got the days mixed up. Do you know when it is? So, Daryl, how about your review? Thanks! Somehow I doubt any of those actors would have side by side or consecutive runs of the play, not to mention any producers! Ralph and AR are friends, too. But the thought is lovely, I'll admit. I'd settle for a dinner party with them all, though! Care to host, Fausta? LOL! Just arrived home from my birthday trip to London,& Paris. Saw Alan on the 12th (my birthday)in PL. The evening was perfect, wonderful acting as always from Alan & Lindsay. I met Alan afterwards at the stage door. (he made a bee-line straight for me!!) Even though he looked particularly tired, he stayed long enough to keep everyone happy, signing autographs. What a perfect gentleman. Even hubby was impressed. Thank you Alan for a great evening. THE WEEK Ocober 20 2001 Review of Reviews:Drama Private Lives Running Time 2hrs 20 mins Howard Davie's revival of 'Private Lives' is "not only the best since Coward died almost 30 years ago," said Sheridan Morley in The Spectator,"but also the most faithful". Since his death, Noel Coward has been the victim of innumerable "young whizz-kid directors who have "tried just about anything to add an irrelevant and unnecessary spin of 'modernity' to his work". But in this instance the director and cast demonstrate perfect faith in the material. As Elyot and Amanda, Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan are ideally matched:"In love and lust and loathing they are Coward's perfect odd couple" There is also fine work from Adam Godley as the unfortunate Victor. "I just wish", said Morley, that Coward had lived "to see his most successful comedy being celebrated insted of commandeered, made to work instead of being made over". What's revelatory about the production is that it presents "Coward without camp", said Alastair Macaulay in the Financial Times. And Davies deserves a bravissimo for reconceiving him "so gloriously". The "cultivated artifice" of the language has always made Private Lives seem to be a "glamorous lie", but Rickman and Duncan "play it for real". In this reading they're still elegant and funny,but they're not theatrical" and "they're certainly not brittle". This production is "just what the West End needs right now", said macaulay:"Look back in laughter." It's a delightful production, agreed Kate Bassett in The Independent On Sunday, and both Rickman and Duncan are on "top form". The repartee is "shockingly funny" and Coward's depiction of their love "rings true". The Parisian penthouse scenes, in particular,seem "extraordinarily modern and intimate". The whole production, said Bassett, is "highly amusing, implicitly radical and touching". **** (4*=don't miss;1*=don't bother. Emily, I was just telling my husband today that I would like to have the sound track to Blow Dry, I just love the music! The other AR film I would love to have a sound track for is TMD. The cello music is wonderful, and I would LOVE to have Alan's singing to listen to anytime I need a pick me up. Anyone have any suggestions as to where we could find these? We all remember that this was in the Daily Telegraph in July: The Independent (London) Ok now, todays countdown says only 26 days left and I´ve got no accomodation... Does anyone know some bridges to sleep under? *g* Does anyone know if there is a way to get the soundtrack form Blow Dry? I really enjoyed the music, how bout anyone else? I think that would be good if Tasha Richardson was in it with AR & LD, right? Just watched TMD for only second time. Blubbed continually (maybe the Chardonnay had something to do With it!) On second thought, would prefer Rickman as Elyot, and JOE Fiennes as the other guy, M'm M'm Good! Well, while the plans to take PL to Broadway still seem vague, one can hope AR will play Elyot, and Rafe the other guy. Now THAT would be quite worth seeing, wouldn't it, Renie! FYI In the November issue of Town & Country there is an article on Natasha Richardon in which she mentions an upcoming project - appearing in Private Lives with Ralph Fiennes .. .. on Broadway. No, I do not believe the film has them married. Not a nice slap to Michael. Sue I was under the impression that they weren't married, but there are varied things saying that they were and weren't, so I guess it is up to you to decide your own opinion, but it never says that they were in the film. Evening Standard Hot Tickets Magazine FILMS OF THE DAY - ALEXANDER WALKER Truly,Madly, Deeply 8.20 Film Four Anthony Mingella's small film - before he did 'The English Patient' - presents a view of the afterlife that (film-goers will be happy to hear)includes watching Woody Allen films. Juliet Stevenson is a widow who feels her bereavement so powerfully that her late husband(Alan Rickman) returns from the dead as a domestic spirit, Minghella's direction is sensitive enough to make this conceit work. There's fun, too, in the chap's new approach to life, which he seems to want to continue much as before, but now invites other ghosts home to watch videos. Michael Maloney plays the new man in Stevenson's life. She's better off with the dead. ENTIRELY OFF TOPIC: Bob Edwards opening on NPR this morning said that 5 of the 6 tabloids published by the anthrax-infected Florida firm were running anthrax stories this week; the sixth was leading with "Bigfoot Kept Lumberjack as Love Slave." Okay, something weird is going on with my e-mail, since I can receive e-mail from some people and not from others (sorry, Raffaella!). I don't know what it is, but if your messages sent to Suz@mail.usa.com are bouncing back to you, then use this address: Lady_Marian@Spreemail.com. Sigh of relief, I passed my driving test. Must have been that Good Luck Prof Snape card you sent me Sue! In today's Independent (p. 17): Truly Madly Deeply (8.20pm FilmFour) was famously consigned by Ian Hislop to Room 101 for its notoriously schmaltzy hopscotch scene. For all the jibes, however, writer-director Anthony Minghella's movie is a durable tear-jerker. In this contribution to FilmFour's "Afterlives" season, Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman (both above) give memorable performances. Stevenson plays Nina, a woman so numbed with grief over the premature death of her partner, Jamie (Alan Rickman), that she summons up his ghost. When Jamie returns from the "Other Side", however, Nina gradually sees that she can never really revive their relationship. The director went on to make the multi-Oscar- winning The English Patient. Your name turns into a link (blue) when you type something into the "Homepage URL" field. I de-linked it for you. :-) er, why is my name blue? Jill, remember also there is that "gardener epic" and those Sherlock Holmes rumours. Me thinks he is going to be a busy man. Is there any way to contact Howard Davies? It's nice that he wanted to extend the play's run but I personally think it should be fair for them to come down to NY. But anyways, that's not the only thing I want to talk to Davies about so don't worry Londoners! Still love ya~hehe I managed to track down a copy of Hello magazine that I was asking about a few days ago today in the hairdressers! This magazine is now fetching the grand price of £33 the last time I looked on E-bay because of a so-called article about AR. It is the smallest article ever - nothing new just rehashed and with a picture from the Amnesty International concert. You obviously have to be careful what you buy in these auctions but I can't help feeling someone is going to be disappointed! As to PL going the Broadway I read in a paper that Howard Davies wants to extend the run here beyond January. How is AR going to fit everything in with 2 Harry Potters to get through next year aswell! I know there isn't much Snape in Book 2 but there is alot of him in Book 3!! It is wonderful to read all your reports from London!! I do hope this one goes to the U.S.A! He is such a good stage actor and this play sould be seen everywhere! I humbly hope that one day AR will come "Down Under" once again either on the stage or on film. AR has such a good soul and I guess, it is difficult, when he is respected all over this little planet, to go everywhere. It was good to see Harry Potter in Who weekly, this week! there is one photo of AR? IT is on Page 4 it says it is AR but doesn't look much like all the other photo's of Snape. Maybe a new one of Snape? It is good to hear about TSFJG! I wonder if this one will come down here? We are still waiting for Blow Dry...Take care everyone and enjoy London! Barbara. P.S. Thanks, Jennifer. Sorry about the personal post. To Suzanne: I cannot send you any e-mail...they bounce back saying the return address was refused. Yet I do receive your e-mails. Weird. Barbara (Gold Coast), after several email attempts I've sent a letter. Fausta, did you just fall off your seat?! Good news about TSFJG, although having seen that trailer I can't understand why they are searching for him, he seems to be quite findable, maybe its another of our favorite metaphors. Only 3 weeks and 5 days until HP is released, and 1 month and 11 days until I see PL. Oh the suspense. I have an afternoon off school the day HP gets released, how convinent. Now this is scary I have my driving test tomorrow afternoon. Gail, shall we go Search for John Gissing in Soho Thursday morning? I´m bored... Therefore I´ll start a countdown: 28 days left ´till my flight to London! *lol* (for those wanting to know it...) I'm OK, I'm OK! And greatly pleased to hear about the possibility of PL on Broadway, plus, count'em, TWO Rickman films in the horizon. I bet that I am not the only one to check out deals to New York today. I just hope it comes off for all our Stateside friends. Mind you I could have done with a longer run in the Westend because there are only so many times that I can see it while I am in London. Unfortunately I will not be able to go to see Premier of John Gissing I am too far away for a short visit. Re; John Malkovich I saw somewhere I think that a critic said about LLD that although JM was a good actor it needed a truly great actor like AR. Golly, Fausta, and I'm thinking--an ongoing smash hit in the West End, while not one but two movies coming out, "John Gissing" AND that little sleeper of a film, "Harry Potter"! PL with AR on Broadway! Sunlight Productions invites you and your guests to the Premiere Screenings of a comedy by Mike Binder The Search for John Gissing starring Mike Binder, Janeane Garofalo, Alan Rickman, Allan Corduner, Juliet Stevenson, Owen Teale, Nigel Terry, Lee Oaks, James Lance, Angela Pleasence Official Selection Raindance Independent Film Festival When: Where: Dear Friends, we present this special invitation in appreciation of your support of our independent filmmaking. Kindly forward this to all like minded friends in the London area, as this is a one off for now. As I am casting a bit of a wide net here, I would greatly appreciate your acknowledging this invitation.....by not acknowledging it (please.) Cheers for now... Many thanks to all. We look forward to seeing you there. Keeping everything crossed for you all in the States. Be patient, remember how long it took for anything positive to appear about PL after the initial news back in the Spring. John Malcohvich, great actor!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I hear somebody swear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just a cautionary note-it does not say that Private Lives will definitely be going to Broadway, just that the director? {can't remember} hopes that it will.Don't get hopes too high until we hear absolutely. I would hate to have such lovely people disappointed, so hope for the best but wait a bit to get too excited..... Thanks, Keyser! And thanks to everyone who is keeping us up to date with all the PL news and Snape photos. I've been a fan of AR since Die Hard. I think I've seen most of his movies including one called Dark Harbor which I saw last week. My favorite role of his is Rasputin, but he was a scream in Galaxy Quest. It is amazing how prolific he is - I saw Dogma the other day and he was in that movie as well. You people on the East Coast are sure lucky that you have a chance to see him in Private Lives. I used to live there. Hey, am I the only one that thought that Alan and Lindsay should have reprised their roles in Dangerous Liaisons? John Malokovich is a great actor, but I really think Alan would have been bettr. But you know - big box office and all that. Anyway, it's nice to discover this homepage. Thank you for letting me have my say. OKAY RICKMAN FANS...LISTEN UP!!! We all gotta pray that PL comes to broadway. Just think of the people who have never been able to see him in person (like me). Almost everyone I know knows that I will do anything in the world to get see him...and i mean ANYTHING,lol. But just keep on wishing and maybe all us fans will run into each other. BROADWAY, here I come! Keyser, what great news! "Private Lives" with Rickman and Duncan--ON BROADWAY!! Claire - finally had a revelation Re ITVdigital box Put desired channel on on digital box then switch on video - change to L-1 then programme as usual finally got it to timed video. Come back to me if that doesn't work - yours may be on L-2 You can't watch any other digital channel whilst its recording but can watch terrestial. Fingers crossed London Private Lives Heading One of the West End's current success stories, Private Lives at the Albery Theatre, is due to transfer to New York next year. The production, starring Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan, with Adam Godley and Emma Fielding, and directed by Howard Davies, is booked into the Albery until January 2002. Producer Duncan Weldon has confirmed that he hopes to take the production to Broadway "somewhere in the first half of next year," but no further details are currently available. The revival hit the West End Sept. 21, opening Oct. 4. Rickman and Duncan played opposite each other in Les Liasons Dangereues in the mid-1980s. The play, with (after Romeo and Juliet) the best known balcony scene in theatre history, was performed at the National in 1999, the year of Coward's centenary, with Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lesser; and at the Aldwych, starring Joan Collins and Keith Baxter, in 1990. -by Paul Webb Theatrenow Susan - If it's an ON (oopse ITV) Digital box then they are one of the eternal TV video mysteries. I can't programme it at all ! OFF TOPIC: Yes, Jill, I read the reviews yesterday. Most all thought Joan not worth the ticket price, but were quite pleased by Frank Langella's performance; except Nightingale, that is, who thought Frank hopelessly overacted while Joan was possessed of "creamy charm." Alastair Macauley in the Financial Times (my, but he is good!) laments that "The West End has its highs and its lows, and it is depressing to see how many people cannot tell the difference." He clearly places this among the low and concludes as to Joan, "But she is a terrible actor, unspontaneous and guarded and artificial." As to Frank, "Langella mugs and camps and hams in a way that Joan wouldn't know how; only an accomplished actor can be quite this virtuosically bad, this gleefully exaggerated." Susan - I think where I come from was too remote even to have a bus stop! Thinking about it, I have never owned a pair of gloves, although I do have a silly hat and a scarf - tartan of course. This will make you laugh - Channel 4 teletext has a review of all the critics who have seen Over the Moon/Moon over Buffalo which has just started with Joan Collins. Basically nobody has a good word for it except guess who - thats right our very favourite critic Benedict Nightingale from the Times who seems to have a thing about Joan Collins!!! As Joan Collins has been splashed over every newspaper in saucy underwear and stockings I can only imagine this must be the appeal. AR is obviously not wearing the right clothes!!!! AABA - have finally seen it on TV last night. Feel I enjoyed it but it lost pace in the last quarter/fifth of the film. Don't understand why it is labeled a comedy - sure there are some funny moments - I even laughed out loud at one point but it doesn't fit the category (perhaps it is because Hugh Grant was well known for that genre at that point and it was deemed a selling point) I would have loved to know more about Prunella Scales' character - I feel ther is a whole other story there. In fact a much deeper and intriguing film could have been made by investigating most of the othere characters instead of mainly concentrating on HG's although it would be essential to include his. Unfortunately I knew the relationship between PL and Stella from reading the comments in the GB - my own fault, no blame attached to anyone else - so I'm not sure how I would have reacted to the film and the twist. Am going to watch it again soon to see how I really like it - have finally managed to work out how to video digital but not to use the timer so have to be in the house to video - really annoying as I'm usually fairly competent with machines!!!!! Re the discussion on The Winter Guest - I bought this recently and have watched about two thirds of - am watching it in bits as I love it so much I don't want it to finish. I am Scottish (of Scottish parents)and it is so reminiscent of my girlhood. The women are all my relations and my Mother's acquaintances rolled into the three characters. They are so familiar to me. By the way, Elizabeth (I think it was) the bus was certainly familiar - The Blue Bird bus was my mode of transport. I lived in Fife for about 5 years and Scotland for 22 years. A lot of the language is very Scottish and the whole thing is bringing back so many memories. I didn't always have gloves and a hat - perhaps when I was a child but less when I was older - we are a hardy lot we Scots. In fact I hardly ever even fasten my coat here in Yorkshire! I am finding the film visualy, linguistically and as a story and exploration of character a delight. What I really loved about TWG is that nothing was ever written in stone, everyone has their own interpretation of, thoughts and feelings towards the characters. I think sometimes when a writer writes something they are not entirely sure what they are trying to show/say, and when it comes out in whatever form, and someone says "oh I thought it meant this", the writer will be "oh so thats how it was" or " so thats what it meant". Whether or not buts like the boys on the ice is sad or not, is not written in stone, AR said in an interveiw at Venice Film Festival that for him the boys come back, they stay alive, but he felt that for Sharman MacDonald they don't come back, but it is not obvious in the film. Go for it Lyn, you know I think he would really like that. I was going to when I saw TWG at the Almedia, but when he came out in the interval I was in a que for the toilet, when I got back he had gone again. It gave me back something about my home and my life I thought I may not encounter again, but it also taught me something about life, perhaps that is the metaphor. Hi! Just a thought or two that came to me while reading the latest entries. Some of my lecturers -and indeed a whole school of criticism- used to take the view (still do I guess) that what a writer/director makes of a project is never quite entirely what he/she *meant* to make of it (because human communication is not perfect) and what the reader/viewer then makes of the result is yet again a little different (or very different in the case of people missing the point altogether ;). Of course there are big overlaps and as a rule we get most of what the writer intended to pass on, if we know how to read or listen... but it's never quite right on, and that is normal. In fact some people from that school think that one ought to consciously keep away from any outside info on the writer's life, experience, etc, so as to be able to go for 'pure' interpretation of the work without distraction or prejudice regarding 'what the author meant'. What matters is not 'getting' it right, but getting some feeling or thinking out of the work, whichever direction it takes. Seen that way, nobody's interpretation of the Winter Guest is wrong as such. It is whatever the coming together of Alan and the actors' intention, realization and your own interpretation powers make of it. Oh, and talking teenagers taking their kit off in the snow...;), I must disagree with most people here re the likelihood of it (not that I think the likelihood matters that much) : it *does* happen all the time (whether people want their own sons and daughters to do it or not ;)... Well, the snow is not a compulsory ingredient but... I have memories! And if you don't believe me, have a look at the figures for teenage pregnancy in Britain! *low whisper*... some boys must have been involved. And considering that most of the girls are fortunately very good at *not* getting pregnant, it gives you an idea of what goes on in the big wide world... :) Ah, well, no doubt human habits vary from this climate to that neighbourhood... Uh, I' d love to go on talking but it's time to go to work now... :( Michaela, Im sure you have a lovely personality. This is very creepy. I came across this pic while surfing and it looks just like me. But, it's Alan Rickman! http://www.thesnitch.co.uk/galleries/newimages/pic__3.jpg It's too bizarre. 'Specially since I'm female... Hello, everyone! I just wanted to mention to all Australian AR fans, out there, that the photo of AR, LD and RIMA, is in the International Daily Mail now (or UK Mail), on Nigel Dempster's page 33, at your newsagents! I still am very angry at the comments that this man says about this happy couple. It's not fair to say those things.... I really liked the WG too. I read somewhere that AR would like us to see this ending as a happy one, if that is what we see. Jennifer, could you email me? Thanks. Barbara. A few thoughts on TWG: In spite of the fact that no one wore gloves, hats, etc and the snow looked like sticky soap suds, I loved it at once. It was a visual treat, beautifully framed, lonely and bleak. The night that I saw it, I regarded it as a gift when I badly needed one, having learned that afternoon of the death of the son of a friend and coping, as always, with an aging parent. The unfaltering pace and gentle energy replaced the anguish I was feeling with serenity. I'd like to thank him for it, if appropriate, after PL next week. Also, to add to the on-going debate about his appearance in TWG, I don't think he's the man at the bus stop. Near the end of the film, when Elspeth and Frances return to the village street, a man in jeans, black Gore-tex jacket and a hat pulled down over his forehead walks briskly by behind them---himself? Any thoughts? This fragment of an article entitled "Harry goes Hollywood: Fans and merchants gear up for a magical event" comes from New Jersey Online: Amanda Droussiotis, 13, of New Providence, feels Fiona Shaw's Petunia Dursley "looks too normal. She should have a sheep-like face with shifty eyes." She envisions Professor Severus Snape as a balding guy with a comb-over instead of the stony-faced, long-haired Alan Rickman (who most fans feel looks dead-on perfect). I agree, He does look dead-on prefect! The whole article can be found here: Can't wait to see the HP movie! Hey guys and gals. Funny story: alright, i was in Nordstrom in New Jersey may I add,lol, and you know how all malls play music right? not just the piano. anyway, what other song comes on but "In Demand" and i'm like OMG! why are they playing Texas? I couldn't stop thinking about that tango scene the whole way home! Oh, the two boys walking out to the frozen sea is supposed to be sad? I thought the frozen sea was a metaphor for life itself and the scene meant they were leaving childhood behind. I thought it was quite upbeat, actually. Those two boys, and Lily the old funeral hopper who gets a gleam in her eye when she marks her calendar for another one, and Elspeth were the best things in the movie. "Willing suspension of disbelief" is not something you should have to work at; it's what the filmakers work at. And when you're knocked off of it and land on the floor with a thud, it's not easy to climb back on. TWG came about from Lindsay Duncan's experience with her mother-something about mum gardening with her wedding veil on-Lindsay is obviously not a gardener, or she would realize that a wedding veil is perfectly acceptable in a garden-you should see some of my outfits!And EA Bowles, a famous gardener and a relation of Camilla Parker Bowles by marriage, used to be found weeding in his tuxedo. I have learned never to go outside in my good clothes, because those weeds are impossible to ignore. When my husband buys me something nice, he begs me not to wear it in the garden!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if anyone has read the play script for TWG, but those who have will know it starts differently to the film. The play opens with the two old ladies at the bus stop, moves to Elspeth looking through the telescope and so on. They both end with the two boys walking out across the sea, but I think the diifeence is that in the play they walk out and don't come back, in the film the ending is ambigous, its your own interpreation of the end, infact the film/play as a whole that matters, and everyone will think differently. I went to see the play with a friend, who cameout of the theatre wondering why she had gone, however she saw the film and felt something different, the fact that she had experienced a feeling in the film meant that there was a meaning, not just one but numerous meanings. About the two boys not valuing life, I am not sure that when I was tweleve years old I valued life. When you are that age you live for the moment, I think however they value each other, perhaps when we first encounter them they appear not to hold anything close to them, but as with every other character they go through an evolution, when the meet Francis and Elspeth, they are shown mainly about Elspeth, about the need to be needed, the kittens shw the need for love and care. Maybe by the end they have begun to value things, if not life. Surely when Sam(I think) calls Tom to come back he has realised something, perhaps about life. On Alex and Nita, may I point out that in extremly remote parts of Scotland you can often be the only child within a forty mile radius, no I am not exaggerating. Someone said they were too confident, Nita perhaps, but then she is the unknown outsider we know nothing of her, except for that present time in the film. I do not believe Alex is remotely confident, and perhaps the actions he takes are spurred through being unerved, but something stops him, is it really as he says those photographs of his father, or is it soemthing he is afraid to admit? I think that there is a realism in the film, but I agree it is a metaphor for life, perhaps an understated one. Let us not forget how the script came about in the first place. Re: The Winter Guest. Well, I don't think TWG is a realistic film, I've always seen it as a metaphore of life. That's how I explain those "odd" things: missing gloves, mysterious bus, fluently speaking kids and teens...Sharman MacDonald isn't describing real life, but a state of mind, this is my personal opinion. So it is confirmed that the man in the bus stop is AR!!!! OH dear, back to BlockBuster Video and the man there is thinking me rather funny coming in and asking about Rickman films... Will have to rent out TWG again and look-out for HIM.My husband is out of town (who would have guessed?)so I can unashamedly have my very own "Rickman Revival". I agree with Sue on The Winter Guest's ending. As the mother of a boy I found it very disturbing that the two people who did not appear to value life were the young boys. Another Rickman fan who reviewed the movie was also troubled by this. As for the lack of hats, gloves, & scarves, several Canadian fans sent a lot of comments! Having lived in Ithaca (upstate NY) one winter when Cayuga Lake froze (and that lake is way smaller than the sea,a nd not salty), I can assure you that, once it's that cold (for it has to be constantly cold for several days) you have to wear hats, gloves, & scarves (some people even wore 2+ of each), just as you have to wear a coat, because of the pain from the intense cold -- you know it's cold when the teens all are buried under parkas, hats, etc. If you touch with your bare hands a piece of metal, the moisture on your hands makes your skin adhere to the metal -- permanently. And, of course, if the house is unheated, the pipes would burst way before one could even think of filling the tub. Teens are amazingly voluble in movies, aren't they! The mother-daughter relationship was portrayed in a very natural way, and I also liked the two ladies that went to funerals. Visually, too, the movie was lovely. I also liked ET's house. The Internet Movie Database lists AR as "(uncredited) Man on the street". It's a while since I saw Winter Guest because it is not a film that I have wished to see again - however I remember at the time being amazed at the kids getting their kit (kits?) off. Not because of any lack of bashfulness on their part, but because of a total lack of goosebumps! Earlier in the film a great deal had been made of the house being cold and the pathetic little fire was not going to do anything to warm them up. There was also a scene where the participants were supposed to be in the great wintry outdoors, and the breath of the actors was not visible, as it should have been. Unfortunately there were a few of these technical lapses. I see that the Private Lives Revealed link that Fausta gave yesterday is a BBC page and that it has a link to these hallowed pages. Congratulations Suzanne your fame just spreads and spreads. BTW I watched TWG for the first time yesterday. I really enjoyed it, the mother and daughter were so brilliantly played by ET & PL. The dialogue between them was so realistic (my mother lives with us and I could see some of the reactions between them were so true to life). I too wondered about gloves but as Elizabeth says they are a tough lot up there!(which always makes me wonder why so many of them come and live in the South of England!;)) Being a mother of lads I did find the final scene rather disturbing but I know you can interpret it either way. I know there has been great debate as to whethet the man at the bust stop is AR - I think it was. The broken link caused the problem, but it's back now. Uh, what happened to my first posting this morning? Almost, but not quite (forgot your closing quote). No prob, all fixed. Good God, Suzanne! I think Star and I are posting at the same time because I swear I did it right! Anyway, here's the David Blackwood site: Blackwood. Of course, it would help if you knew where to look: David Blackwood's site. Teens are actually remarkably prudish when it comes right down to, well, getting down to it. Most teens are so self-conscious about their bodies that they would have to know someone very well before they took off their socks. But it's not the sex part that gets me. It's their talking in full, fluid sentences all the time. No, Nita and Alex are too confident to be believed. They were believable up to the point where they got wet and he invited her home for a bath. (I pass over the sight of him taking his wet shoes and socks off and standing and walking barefoot in the snow; totally incredible. Do people do this in Scotland?) Anyone who enjoyed the landscape in TWG should examine the landscape prints of Newfoundland artist David Blackwood. They are identical. I could not shake the feeling that AR really filmed it on the Rock. And him a come-from-away! I know what you mean about the teens in TWG and I am relieved to read your comments! All these years I thought I was just being a prude! But indeed ,I have 2 teens and I don't think they would just jump in the sac with someone they hardly know...(and they are males!). I was surprized because I know that Sharmond Mcdonald(sorry about the spelling, it's 6:42am here...) has at least one teen in her household. Ofcourse our Alan co-wrote the script.... God knows what they were thinking. I watched Dark Harbor again yesterday and I was surprized at how stocky AR looked, almost short legged( like me!) but now he looks slim and tall as usual... men are much better at shedding pounds anyway, Anyway--I still didn't like it and I think I gave it a good chance. The "speech" about love still makes no sense to me because the "other man" is so young, they could not possibly have built up the kind of relationship David is taking about. With all the troubles in this world of ours, look at what I am preoccupied with! Oh well... men have sports and we have.... Alan!It is nice to come here to the GB and get lost in our mutual obsession.Well, back to the "real" world... must wake up my 10 yr old daughter and take her to school ( the older boys are long gone on the bus...).Have a great day friends! Oh wait! OFF TOPIC: Does anyone know what happened to the Kelclancy Page and also the Rickman Addicts Survival Page?Just wondering.... Cheers! I loved TWG, but do you know what really, really amazed me? The fact that they were acctually abale to find a bus. I lived not far from where they filmed it, and never, ever saw a bus, let alone one with people on it! What it did show however was the reality of harsh winter in Scotland, when I lived in Tongue (yes it that is what it was called, its on the maps, north coast you can't go any further) I remember the heating system breaking down, we had a tiny population of people no electricity and no hot water for three weeks. The nearest town was forty miles away and the roads were so thick with snow that no one, not even the weekly post truck, could get to us. O the subject of gloves, you get so used to cold, and as many people are working out of doors the restricted movement that gloves give you is so annoying that you tend to grin and bear it. Magda, I think that is called a "willing suspension of disbelief". I suppose that there are all kinds of people in the world, but my daughter was gobsmacked at the thought of two young people taking their kit off before they even know each other's last name-she is a teenager and I was delighted to hear of her reservations--he he, but of course I couldn't tell her that! I am still wondering why Emma Thompson didn't shave the pits--although some could say that she needed the extra insulation-if the sea was cold enough to freeze, you betcha I would have the heater fixed.... Just sat through my fourth showing of Winter Guest, with a friend who's as keen an Emma Thompson fan as I am. And again I liked everything except those teenagers Nita and Alex. They're not believable to me. No teens are that articulate in that theatrical manner. It really pulls me out of the film when they're on screen. That, and the fact that on this "freezing cold" day, only one old woman has the smarts to wear gloves. Is handgear an affectation in Scotland? My link was not liked; you'll have to search on your own. I cannot find a US release date for "Help! I'm a Fish!" But I note that amazon.co.uk lists a 19 November 2001 release date for the UK video (PAL) and DVD (region 2), now available for pre-order. does anyone know when help! i'm a fish will come to america?? An article in Saturday's Birmingham Post, ARTISTIC LANDMARK; SINCE OPENING THREE DECADES AGO THE REP HAS SEEN MANY MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES ON ITS EXPANSIVE STAGE ARTS EDITOR TERRY GRIMLEY EXAMINES THE HISTORY OF ONE OF BIRMINGHAM'S CULTURAL ICONS Photos captioned: Now and then: above, the Rep as it was unveiled in 1971 and, main, as it stands today as part of the city centre's major regeneration Famous faces at The Rep: main, The Devil Is An Ass August 1976 starred a young and fresh-faced Alan Rickman; left, Josie Lawrence and Simon Callow starred opposite each other in The Alchemist in September 1996 In the body of the article proper: "He [David Suchet] also played the master criminal Professor Moriarty in a rare outing for William Gillette's Victorian melodrama Sherlock Holmes. The title role was played by an unexpectedly youthful actor called Alan Rickman: has anything ever been heard of him since?" Thank you, Suzanne. BTW Did anyone notice that AR was worth £8000 on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on Sat. night? I just flicked over and read the question- "Who played Sherrif of nottingham in RHPOT?" I was so busy shrieking the answer I never saw the other 3 choices!! The couple got it right by the way!!! Re: flowers/brandy. Yes, they were delivered on Oct. 4th (so I assume they received them!). No photo yet, but it may take a little while since the mail has been going slower than usual. Thank you, Elizabeth. Wouldn't want to put big American 7-league-boots to some little-known Scottish tradition! I shall plan on picking up a little something on my way to the theater for her on the 7th, barring act of God (and assuming the US passport office gets a replacement to me before I am scheduled to leave...) Am not sure how to say this, but I've been thinking, with some nostalgia, that, after the release of "Harry Potter," there will be no further, "Alan who?" remarks when one mentions one's little obsession (this part is old news). But have been thinking recently the additional notion that it shall be awfully nice for him to be mid-run in a smash West End revival when the "Harry Potter" hoop-la breaks. Rather like--and yet not so--to when "Robin Hood" premiered and he was interviewed whilst doing "Tango and the End of Winter." From my selfish perspective, this may at least make for scads more project offerings--whether he accepts them or not being an entirely different matter. *Whoops* Forgot to mention on earlier post.There are new stills of the man from the In Demand Texas video on Tex@snet I think I have spelt it right. Georgina, No, no, no, that isn't what I meant, did it sound like that? Ooops, no I meant age, disregard age - it seems to have no effect on those two, that is what I meant to say. I think I have put my foot in it again, yet again. So nothing new there! For those for whom the melody did not spring immediately to mind, you can find here a brief instrumental version of "Someday I'll Find You," or hear here Noel and Gertie spouting lines from "Private Lives" over a piano rendition. Oh dear, yep me again! Georgina, I just looked up Lindsay Duncan and yes November the 7th is the right date and it will be a Friday, and she is a proper Scot!!!!!! Born in Edinburgh no less. Someone was asking about her age, four years younger than himself, but neither of them look anywhere near that so I think we can disregard any reference to it. Ok I am going now, you may breath a sigh of inaudable relief! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, Can someone in the UK help me. I was all set to tape and watch AABA, and TMD when when Aberdeen Cable went bust and switched off the plug. If someone can tape it for me I will be eternally grateful. I can send replacement tape plus p.p. Please e.mail me if you can. I will send non virtual address. Everytime I see a Snape photo he reminds me more and more of my old drama teacher, that one where he is leaning on the edge of the table, very ex-drama teacher. Thanks for that link Fausta, I like that pic. Now tell me if the BBC can put up an online review, why can't they review it on Newsnight Reveiw? And if those two do ot get Laurence Olivier Awards, or at the least nominations then I am going to get up on my sopa box for an extremely long time. Thanks for the video advice - now thanks to a message I have just received from Amazon my order of Quigley Down Under will not be going ahead as the manufacturers have apparently stopped printing it. Have to add that to the list! Amazon are a bit slow though as they are still showing it as a special order and I have had it ordered for about 4 months!!!I think I will bite the bullet and try and order the others from America and hope they work!!! Another review with photos at Private Lives Revealed, with one of the photo captions reading Rickman sings Someday I'll Find You. Now, if only they'd transfer the production to McCarter Theater & then Broadway, as they did with Electra a couple of years ago . . . Suzanne, do we know that opening night flowers were received? Did you ever receive a picture of same? "Mesmer" is available on-line from amazon.com. It is less expensive, I believe, when purchased in Canada, and has long been available at www.videoflicks.com. (Canada was one of the few countries where this film was not tied up in legal battles, and it ran early in film festivals there.) "Dark Harbor" is widely available on line. Jill - I got Dark Harbor from Amazon in the States - It will play on a Brit video-player as long as it's not too ancient. Most newer video players are NSTC compatible. Mesmer I had to rely on a friendly U.S. GBer to provide -she knows who she is and I am eternally grateful. BTW I thought Amanda's hair was fine too. Another view on everybody's favorite Potions Master from the Harry Potter Galleries: http://members.9cy.com/hpgalleries/mgallery79.htm Susan - Lindsay Duncan's hair was still fluffy on Saturday and I thought it was perfect for her character - rather wayward not starchy and precise as Sybil's hair is! I disagree with the critic who said that she needed a good period hairstyle I thought it was very in keeping with it. Thank you also to whoever mentioned AABA on BBC Knowledge I too would have missed it - once I have taped this I will only need to find a way of getting Mesmer and Dark Harbour to complete my collection. do you think it's possible for AR to ever come to NYC or something like that to do a play or to just visit? i have got to find a way to see him... Jo - thanks for the info re AABA on Knowledge - had completely missed that bit of news and it is a film I have wanted to see - it isn't out on video so thought I had no chance. The Sunday times review was spot on - the most thoughtful so far. Re LD's hairstyle - has it changed? ~When I went to the preview it was fluffy and seemed to suit both her and the part but saw a photo recently when it appeared to be marcel waved - bit too starchy for the underlying sex. Perhaps they changed it - anyone enlighten me? Have persuaded my husband to have an extra night in London in November - no prizes guessing what we are going to see!!!!!!! apart from Judi Dench in the Royal Family would like to see Ian Holm in the Homecoming. BUT THIRD NIGHT BELONGS TO PL. The Saturday Telegrah has PL at the top of the Critics choice and there was even another mention on Sunday - def a big hit - ya boo to detractors!! Just dropped in and have had a good time looking around.:) Himself just gets better with age. Pity I couldn't invite an ex-boyfriend to a performance of PL -- one would have to understand what is so attractive about him, after that. Finally saw DkH. All the Best to Everyone! Here is the Sunday Times review with photo You'll be interested to know that, according to yesterday's International Herald Tribute: It's the battle of the adult-soap stars in London's West End. Decked out in a skimpy corset and brandishing a sword, Joan Collins, 68, the former "Dynasty" star, will open Monday in Noel Coward's "Private Lives" at the Old Vic. The former "Dallas" actress Linda Gray, 61, is playing Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate" at the Gielgud. Hey folks! After louds of hard and sudorific work and many many sleepless nights we´ve now finished our page. Check www.Alan-Rickman.de Thought I would try and type this review out from the INDEPENDANT ON SUNDAY. Much more delightful is Howard Davies fresh West End p production of Noel Cowards 1930 comedy PRIVATE LIVES. Linday Duncan and Alan Rickman are on top formas the flagrantly un-orthodox divorcees, Amanda and Elyot. They outrage their second spouses - Adam Godleys nerdy Victor and Emma Fieldings prim Sybil - by eloping from their honey moon hotel suites to bed down in liberal Paris.Davies dispenses with the traditional cut-glass accents and thus, frees up the play. Admittedly Coward opening scenario remains schematic with stiffly balanced balcony scenes. However, designerTim Hatleys Art Noueeau hotel facade veers dynamically up into the clouds.And the repartee becomes shockingly funny as the maritally exasperated Rickman growls,"I should like to cut off your head with a meat cleaver"The Parisian penthouse scenes seem extraordinarily modern and intimate too, as Duncan and Rickman crawl around on the carpet in their silly dressing gowns, cracking drunken jokes and cuddling. Albeit driven by farcical quarrels, their love(probably inspired by Cowards ardent gay attachmants).Highly amusing, implicitly radical and touching. This is by Kate Bassett page 10 Arts etc Independant on Sunday Yes Sue, I am a R4 listener, nope Front Row haven't reviewed it yet, I have almost given up on them as well. Neither have Classic FM to my despair included him in their "Masters of Their Art" programme, we can but wait for the boat, but will also probably miss it as the boat sails by. Story of my life. Great news about TMD, but I don't think there will be anything like deleted scenes, as AM said in that book My First Movie that there was very little cut. Anyway the Sunday Times have a PL review and another picture of them beating each other up. I will summerise, basically they love it, its the best PL revival, they don't like Duncan's hair style. I will type the paragraph talking about their performances. " Duncan badly needs a proper period hairdo, but her Amanda, a sensual, thoughtful, imperious she wolf masterpiece of serious high comendy. Rickman plays a silky, world weary tiger, a melancholy Caesar watching with applled fasination as Cleopatra rolls out of the carpet. Oh God, will this be love? This is quite simply, one of the great Coward revivals." That was written by John Peter, his collegue Benedict Nightingale was defiantley in another theatre. Private Lives - is and was wonderful last night. Forget all bad reviews they obviously did'nt see this play! If AR and LD are 'leaden' I would like to see the actors the critic who said this thinks are'nt! Beautifully acted great chemistry stylishly dressed from dinner jacket through those pyjamas to stylish raincoat (which I want for my husband!) there was'nt a foot put wrong. Mr Rickman does not fluff his lines!!! For those visitors coming from America later this month - there were lots there last night all around us (Big red house full sign on the door) so make sure you come. The comments I heard leaving the theatre were all great! Can't wait to see it again!!!!!Hair nice slightly grey at the temples he moves so deftly even more amazing in the flesh! Big grin on face now for rest of day. I also have had a look at that Hello. No sign of that Artical... Will keep an eye out over next few weeks. Raffaella, wonderful photo's for all of us who cannot get there.. Thank you for sharing them with us, here on the GB!I knew this one would be a success. Great news about TMD--but where is "The Winter Guest" including "the making of" featurette, deleted scenes, directors commentary and commentary by Emma and Phyllida? I have been VERRRRRRRRRRY patient.......and I hsve been very good too,,,, I forgot, but I checked out the Hello magazine the other day with Prince William on the cover, and I don't remember who mentioned it but they said there was an article in it with Alan Rickman. I went throught the magazine a few times and didn't see it at all. where is the article with him in it. could someone let me know. thanks..... Hello everyone, Well I was really dissapointed in the Bravo show Scanning the Movies last night. It was suppose to show the making of the Harry Potter movie but all it showed was how HP has be so popular and it never talked about the movie. Maybe part 2 will be better, but I wasted my time watching it. Oh well maybe someone out there liked it. Did anyone else watch the show? if so let me know what you thought about it. i'm courious about others reaction about it.... There is a review of reviews in the Editor magazine in todays Guardian. I would post it but my typing skills are atrocious. Heads-up on An Awfully Big Adventure - on BBC Knowledge this Tuesday at 10pm GMT. Just to clear up for people with Region 2 (or other non-US) DVD players, you *can* play R1 (NTSC, US, cheap) DVDs on them. Just about every DVD player is easily hackable with remote control codes which break the 'lock' on region encoding (no need to resort to inserting a new chip). Check DVD group FAQs to find your code. There are some places operating out of Jersey (ie tax free and US prices) which won't rip you off with the inflated import prices that a lot of R1 UK mail orders places hit you for. Stock is limited however, so you have to resort to Amazon for a lot of the obscure AR stuff (though the Rasputin DVD is 9 quid inc post). I had no trouble pulling up the DVDs for Mesmer and Dark Harbor at amazon.com, Jo. These are region 1' won't play on standard region 2 players. And, my, but this is new: A DVD of Truly Madly Deeply with commentary by Anthony Minghella (and new cover!) is scheduled for release Dec. 26! Lovely! Elizabeth - you are a R4 listener, aren't you? Has Front Row reviewed PL yet? I listen most nights but haven't heard anything yet. Course I missed it last Thursday!.. Well I give up on the newsnight review, they have obviously decided that they are not interested in reviewing PL. Obvoiusly it is so wonderful, that there is nothing worth them having a dig at! I am just trying to locate a new PL review, but I seem to have lost it. I will be back. Thanks for the S&S commentary info. Sue - I saw the 'special edition' British DVD S&S advertised early this year too and then saw it disappear. Amazon US definitely has the special ed (as of today). Am noticing oddness with Amazon.com though: I did a DVD search for Mesmer and Dark Harbour and came up with nada. Then I tried amazon.ca (canada, seeing as Mesmer was a part canuck prod), which seems to redirect to the normal amazon.com...et voila, suddenly Mesmer and DH appear from the ashes. Okay folks, I'm not quite awake yet, lol. I meant that last message for Sue. Sorry :( JO...just wanted to let you know that I got my copy of S&S on dvd from my local Borders store. Last time I was there, they still had some on the shelves, so that might be a good place to look if there's one near you. Traci The collector's edition of "Sense and Sensibility" on DVD has been out in the US for some time; no new Rickman material (although I did not listen to all of Emma and Lindsay Doran's commentary to see if anything was said) Jo - Where have you seen S&S dvd? A Collectors Edition was due out in March but then withdrawn. I have checked dvdpopcorn and Amazon UK and US but there is no mention of it. Suzanne and GML - thanks for the photo - thats where it really came together for me. Finally, a balcony photo! It's from yesterday's Daily Express, courtesy of GML (thank you!!!). The Daily Mail rewrites its review, retaining a choice phrase or two: The Independent (London) THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON) Some _very_ nice pro-shot photos (perfect for stage door attempts) can be had for about 10 quid each from the Mirror newspaper archive at: http://www.mirrorpix.com/cgi-bin/Mirrorpix?FFPG=AccessSite.mom. Especially worth it for the Prince of Thieves and terraced houses shots (is the street significant?). Quality is very high - much better than Ebay crap. Advice needed: Dark Harbour: pants or good? Noticed Amazon US has it on DVD. Also, does anyone have the new edition DVD of Sense and Sensibility with the commentaries, etc. yet? Any gems? Been scrubbing all morning as we have "lookers" at 3.30 & 4.30 so I thought I'd better just check in to see what's happening. Jill - Have a lovely time tonight - I just KNOW you are going to enjoy it. Yes, LD does look good, oh for good cheekbones*sigh* SPARE TELEGRAPH REVIEW: Anyone who wants one of my spare reviews from The Telegraph (with superb shot of AR/LD -- AR looking very young, great suit & hair) e-me with your address (gratis, naturally). The Daily Mail had another review of Private Lives on Friday, with a teriffic shot of AR in tux. Inconceviably they also gave the otherwise-slated Luther 4 stars, and the otherwise 'averaged' Antarctica 1 star. Ah, the Mad Dog Mail, go figure... At least Adrian Thrill managed "Ronan Vibert -- a fine actor who resembles both Alan Rickman and Linus Roache..." so not quite Benedict Nightingale. Jo Lindsay Duncan is coming up to her 51st birthday on Nov. 7. It would be a lovely gesture if someone (Georgiana??) took her some birthday flowers on that date. I think she has looked stunning in every photo. And I particularly love the 30s-ish hair do, to the extent that I took some of the photos to my hairdresser (his famous friend has recently been in town, George)to see if my frizzled locks could be made over into some approximation of the look. No, not homage - just had been thinking about a new 'do'. Yes Georgiana, it is amazing how beautiful Duncan looks! Any idea how old she is? Have a lovely week-end everybody! I know our focus has been otherwise occupied, but doesn't Lindsay Duncan just look spectacular in all the "Private Lives" photos? The Daily Mail photo up at Claire's site is priceless! Good Morning everybody! I´ve just recieved "January Man" today. What a movie! He has so much text! Wow! And he had Bruce Willis´ dubbing voice. What a mix! But the film is thrilling. Wonderful. Just wonderful. So, have an nice day and cross fingers for me! Got a competition with my dog... Obidience. Horrible. Daily Mail has a rewrite of last weeks review today. Last week it was accompanied by a cartoon (check out the cARtoon page via CPP , this week a very nice photo -to go up later. 16 Private Lives reviews now up in the Alan Rickman ARkkive. Picture in Evening Standard yesterday is small b/w portait in Cannes 1999 - their *stock* photo. This is completely off topic, but can I just say how much I HATE bigoted homophobic b******ds. I just found out my daughter and her friend had been beaten up by some guys in Aberdeen last night. The police were not sympathetic either and suggested that they may have deserved it. Other thing though thanks for the chat last night. Mary - "snogging" is Brit for necking, sucking face, or whatever you call a heavy kissing session! I still rather like smooching myself!! "Alan Rickman has spent a lot of time being a baddie in Hollywood films"...if I hear this nonsense for another time, I'm hitting the author with an oak chair! It's a shallow and haughty statement. Are 2 films "a lot of time"? What about the other films? All right, I had a bad time at work, Mr Gorelangton (hey, does no one of these "magistri elegantiarum" have a normal name?) should thank Heaven he's not in this room. I mean, everyone has the right to express his opinions, but that statement is utterly false! Okay you Tommies, what exactly is "snogging?" Evening Times (Glasgow) Evening Times (Glasgow) The Evening Standard (London) Jill - no, just the usual 10 but kind of cute. Anon -yes I agree re: FH's talents but somehow I just don't want to think of him whilst watching AR! Unfortunately I can kind of see where they're coming from (maybe it was the hair colour or something). OOer Mrs no titter yee not. Some-one making unfavourable comparisons with Frankie Howerd. No no Mrs. For those in the unknow Frankie Howerd was/is a British comedy legend of double entendre and slightly risque jokes who in his latter years became rather a good actor. I was very impressed with his Bottom (yes that type of humour) but no titter yee not, he was a superb Bottom but better known for the very British "Carry on" comedy films. Sue - I am very glad you had a great time last night - my turn tomorrow (I don't want it to come too quickly)! Glad about the acorns - perhaps someone at the Albery reads this site! Are you implying that AR has an unusual number of toes - should I be looking out for this? I have always thought that he had nice large feet but I can't for the moment think when I first noticed but the pictures I have seen for PL seem to enforce this! What is with the Frankie Howard comparisons? Who is this guy and what does he have to do with AR/Elyot? The photo which someone linked didn't bear any resemblence that I saw. Copyright 2001 EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS Thank you Sue. When I last sat in AA (a fave of mine) the lumps were 4 inches high and annoyingly intrusive. I called them acorns, the Usher said pineapples and my then girlf was more Freudian altogether in her interpretation! Glad someone cut them down. Steve, there isn't anything really except some little lumps that may be the acorn remains or something more technical but there was nothing to spoil the view, in my opinion. So pleased you had a good time Sue. They removed those acorns did they - they were there during previews as I got a complaint. FINALLY good sense prevails. Could you please tell me what is there now so I can amend my website? Legroom is great isn't it. I have read all of Nightingale's reviews from this year, and it is not just AR and LD he dislikes, he dislikes everyone. I mean he has not writtne a single nice review about anyone or anything this year. Must go I have a lesson to go to. I could of course stay all day, but that would be too long an essay! Friday 9am. Had a WONDERFUL night out last night. Despite the fact that we decided to walk from Waterloo to the theatre as we had lots of time and it was a pleasant evening,but unfortunately I thought the Albery was in The Haymarket (yes I know it says St.Martins Lane on the ticket,but I come from the "you read the instuctions if all else fails" school).We grabbed a taxi and still got there by 7.30 in time for a drink and order the interval drinks. *PRIVATE LIVES SPOILER* For the first half of the first act I think I just went through the motions - yes, it is a marvellous witty play, yes, that is Alan Rickman a few feet in front of me - but somehow it was as if I'd been expecting too much. THEN when E & A were on the balcony together and he was talking about the moonlight and his voice dropped, that was it, that was what I'd come to see (and hear) and it all kicked in and I was well and truly hooked. The second act was amazing. The set (& the first one) was stunning, very crimson, very sexy. The deterioration of the relationship from the first scenes of passion into vitriolic exchanges and ultimately the fight were beautifully acted. Lindsay Duncan was superb - as much as I wanted to look at him , you had to look at her during their rows. I think the very best moment, for me, was when he sang at the piano. He may not be a great singer, but it was very tender and natural, I really wanted to applaud at the end but it would have spoiled the moment and I think most of the audience felt the same. The PJs have already been mentioned at length, so I will gloss over those (if only!). For a big man, AR was very agile and seemed to glide all over the stage,(I really don't know what play Benedict Nightingale was at!)and there was some nice dancing too. The fight scene was well handled apart from one little bit at the beginning that didn't seem quite right. The audience did gasp at the slap and I thought that LD was a little TOO genuine with the coffee table! Sibyl and Victor were well played, particularly Victor, and Sybil didn't look TOO young (there was a genuine laugh from the audience at the age difference line, though). The maid was still a bit OTT but, speaking as one who has been the rear end of the pantomime cow, you have to seize your moment, I guess. My non-AR pal thought he was "quite a hunk"! and said that it was quite difficult to stop looking at him even when he wasn't speaking (funny, we've never had that feeling, have we girls?!!.....) Well, I could go on for hours, but I don't want to bore you. JILL - the acorns are gone and there is loads of leg-room in the front row. CLAIRE - yes I could count his toes, in fact, I think t*es could well be this season's h*nds!! Oh, and for those going in the front rows, there is a rather nice back of the neck moment in the final act! Hi Magda, you were mentioning the magazine Empire, well yes we can get it here in Canada, I have seen it at Chapters. At least the one at South Keys in Ottawa. Also don't forget that on BRAVO Friday the 12th. of Oct. There will be part 1 on the Making Of Harry Potter, on Scanning The Movies. Its on at 8pm, the conclusion will be the following week. so everyone get ready and get those video machines ready. Lets hope Alan Rickman is on it.... GML, I couldn't agree more. And what exactly, may I ask. is wrong with porridge? Hi everyone! There are new pics from the Albery stage door on my page, courtesy of Jimmi. Just follow the link on my name and click on the PL poster on the right. Oh, happy day! Oh, happy day! I'm going to London to see "Private Lives". I have booked tickets for November 24th, both for matinee and evening performances. And when I called to do that the phone was answered by someone whose accent must have been Scottish. This is called luck! But I managed to communicate what I wanted and to understand all the necessary information. Never felt better in my whole life!!! For anyone within reach of a London Evening Standard, there's a picture of AR in it this evening - illustrating a story about Latymer becoming co-ed. No comment, just the picture. I´m confused. I am now the very proud owner of an English tape of "Robin Hood" and, the very best about it, the picture is CLEAR! I can see HIM. On my tape, in the background, there is a report about some boy-choir or so. And, this voice. tHIS VOICE! Gee, confusing. *dizzy* Wonderful movie. I think sometimes Costner looks like HIM. But in last time everyone seems to look like HIM... You know, AR once said in an interview that he didn't read the reviews written on his shows or films. At the time I thought "yeah... right" - but I am beginning to believe it now, and understand why too: Some of them seem to have so very little to do with the show reviewed! Any 100% ecstatic praise is bound to be a bit biased of course, there is no such thing as a perfect play - but that last negative review from the Scotsman... is plain sad! I hope it's a ploy to attract attention or to try to be 'different' from the other good reviews for the sake of it. Because if not, and the guy/girl is sincere, then what a show he/she has completely missed! Even allowing for varying tastes and expectations on the one side and varying quality performances from night to night on the other, calling these people's acting leaden is ridiculous and embarassingly arrogant. Do these critics believe that growing brain cells in your back garden is illegal or what? ;) Right, right... I should know better than to even read them. (See?) - And according to my calculations, Sue is having a great time *now*, which is a nice thought. Yeah.. right... *Jealous sigh* ;) GML According to Empire On Line: "The December issue of Empire (out 1 November 2001) will feature interviews with the cast and crew of Harry Potter and first-look shots from the set - including a exclusive cover picture from the movie." This is a British mag and I'm not sure if I've seen it over here. Or you can buy a midget metal Snape that lives in a book. . . For those interested, a Snape doll can be purchased on-line. A bit of detective work is required here - a copy of Hello magazine is being sold on E-bay which apparently contains an article on Alan Rickman entitled "What is it about Alan Rickman?" - it says it has nice pictures etc. It sounds like it is in the edition which had Prince William on the front recently as it also says it has a large article about him aswell. I know nobody wants to admit reading Hello but if AR insists in appearing in it in the interests of the Guestbook I wondered if anyone can put the article up for us all to look at as I could'nt find a copy!! London Evening Standard Hot Tickets Magazine 11th October Video Review - Steve Morrissey BLOW DRY "'Based on a screenplay by Simon(The Full Monty)Beaufoy' the credits proclaim. Based on? Maybe he walked off in exasperation halfway through. Because there is a good film in here, an underdog drama set in the sticky world of competitive hairdressing,and starring Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy - world masters of weary camp - as warring Misters Teasey and Weasey. But it's ruined by wimpy moralising, bogus sentimentality and two strap-on young leads - new Yank hunk Josh Hartnett(not too bad at a Yorkshire accent) and Rachel Leigh Cook. Surely they weren't aiming this at America? Some laffs, and worth a look to see Warren Clarke stealing the show as the Mayor of Keighley with a secret desire to be Elvis. Demi-wave." Oh God! Just reread the Daily Mail piece that accompanied the picture! No wonder Rima tries to stay low on the radar! These so -called journalists are ruthless and cruel! I understand now why privacy is so important to Alan and Rima(she writes as she cannot get enough of the "scoop" herself). Okay! Fine! so I am a hypocrite but at least I mean no harm.... Thanks for all the reviews posted here, obviously mixed reviews but in the most part I think very good! I love the picture of Alan with Rima and Linsey Duncan! How old are these women? Duncan looks AMAZING and I really like Rima, looks like someone you could go out for coffee with and chat the afternoon away... it's nice that he has been true to her all these years, especially with all the temptations he must encounter.That tabloid has some cheek to talk about him" popping the question "! like she is some Cinderella all these years "waiting". Give me a break! From what I understand she is a very independant woman and obviously the two of them have a definite commitment to one another. I think that the Scotsman reviewer is referring to the buttoned up blazer that AR wears in the first act as very Robin Day rather than any other physical resemblance. Along with being arrogant and rude, wearing a blazer and a bow-tie were Robin Day's trade marks. Caramel colour, now that is an interesting observation of his hair. I suppose it was considered necessary seeing as Elyot is 35. Have a great time tonight Sue. Link is correct, Georgiana. Have a great time tonight Sue. Thanks Georgiana. Nice picture. Oops! That link appears to be to an Edinburough review from the Stage page. Sorry. My husband left for work this morning -"Have a lovely time tonight and remember-(slips into Frankie Howerd voice)"Titter not at Alan"" I mean, no jury would ever convict me, would they? Here's the "Stage" review. Hi there! Could anyone tell me the German title of "Dark Harbor" and "Closetland"? Have a nice day, its foggy and cold and raining... "The Stage" (The British Acting industry newspaper - like "Variety" in the USA) and the only critical opinion I personally value, has published its PL review. Spoiler ahead if you read on? EXTRACT (c) The Stage 2001: "Rickman pitches his performance at such an introspective level that at times he is almost inaudible. But he never leaves us in doubt about his love for Amanda, his touching singing of If Love Were All being the most moving moment of the play" The full review should go up later today or tomorrow online at www.thestage.co.uk/paper/0140/2101.shtml or thereabouts! Hey, just came across a neat "Snape" page with some rather imaginative photo collages of our man: Obviously one writes a review from a certain perspective or opinion. There seem to be those who like the darker view of Coward, and those that like the light, larky, camp version. It would probably be too much to expect that both expectations could be satisfied with one play. I think that caramel hair would look good his eyes, and a nice Halloween touch-- Georgiana I am thinking a Democrat perhaps. Never seen anyone from the GOP calling him the Shrub. I know if I was an American I would be. Don't know about your conspiracy theory, Magda, but I've looked at a few more photos of Sir Robin and -- my conclusion: It's the hair; do wish he hadn't dyed it quite that shade of caramel! This could be a conspiricy theory too far but as Andrew Neil is the editor of the Scotsman he used to work for the awful Rupert Murdoch the owner of the Times, Sun etc and the only other negative one so far. You dont suppose that had anything to do with it.He always thought that evil old bat Margaret Thatcher was the bees knees and we know what AR thought about her. Parodic = Of the nature of a parody, burlesque. Private Lives Wallpaper, now at the rickmanista review! Barbara, busy moving her dept. at work :( plus her play, plus her training, plus moving her house.... *ack!* For those, like me, who do not know Sir Robin Day, here is a photo. I suppose it is telling to note, first of all, that he is deceased. Copyright 2001 The Scotsman Publications Ltd. Albery Theatre, London Don't know about "we," Magda, but Hollywood has been drastically editing what we see in TV and the cinema since the events of Sept. 11. Why would it be untimely? Obviously Michael Binder's character is too old to be a new recruit or draftee; his comment reflects his view of his job, not war in general. Are we going to be that sensitive everytime war is mentioned? Looks like a good trailer by the way. I had trouble with the Gissing trailer last night, but it downloaded fine this morning. The best Rickman scenes are near the end, unfortunately. I wonder about release for this one--there is a scene where the searcher (Binder) says he has missed out on all the wars so his career has become his equivalent--not the most timely sentiment given the events of this past month. I only managed to see half of the video and that took ages then it just stopped, still at least the site has some great pics. It's like waiting for a bus, being an AR fan - you wait for ages with nothing then there are more pictures and reviews than you know what to do with! (well o.k. ignore that last bit). Sue - I am sure that once AR comes on stage acorns will be the last thing that you will worry about! I also think that selfishness will be permissable on this occasion - I will be allocating the worst seat to my husband! Downloaded John Gissing trailer - it does look good perhaps if it is funny they have been prudent in holding it back - we all need something lighthearted at the moment to distract from real life. I just saw the video clip, I am assuming that it is the trailer. It is very funny, but the computers here had no sound so I haven't a clue what is being said! I've just checked the "In Search for John Gissing" official website; lots of beautiful pics and a movie clip: it is huge (19 MB) but very funny. Not to miss. According to the John Gissing page it is being shown at AFI Festival 2001 Nov 9 at Vogue Theatre LA. Looks like Nightingale didnt want to like it anyway, the way he speaks of then LLD performance he just doesnt seem to like AR or LD. I bet he didnt like that either. Blow Dry and Help I'm fish were opened here and HBO Asia is putting on January man. So if any AR's fan in this area can have very good time for about a month. It's nice for everybody to see RH and AR together publicly in Newspapers nowadays. He must have thought it's time to make a move as he did when he wrote to RADA, and I do understand what he meant when he said that. Whether legally married or not is NOT important to me either; the committment shown through the movements and in words from my partner are the proof for me to value & feel. So if 2 of them or any of people are comfortable as they are, just leave them there... Living for 25 years together isn't easy to maintain, as all we know. If you haven't already, go to www.searchforjohngissing.com and watch the video clip!!!! it's so funny and alan looks INCREDIBLE!!!! btw, does anyone know when this movie will be out in theatres or what not?? My goodness!! less than 24 hrs have passed since I checked the guestbook, and so many postings to read! Well, I was at Costco today to pick up my copy of the BJD DVD and low and behold, I found a two pack of the HP plastic figurines! cost was about $14. of course, I had to have my 6" Snape! They certainly got the nose right but the eyes are too close-set and a bit crossed. and now he sits, next to my computer monitor! I left Costco with a very silly grin on my face, hardly able to control myself with glee! silliness, I know..... Nightingale had a second article in the Saturday "Times" under "London Choice." Oh, too funny! The Evening Standard clearly has Emma Fielding and Adam Godley pictured with their "Private Lives" review, but labelled as Amanda and Elyot! A nice look, nonetheless, at the junior cast members. Warner Bros. races against time to film the second Harry Potter film before Daniel Radcliffe's (Harry's) voice breaks as he becomes a teenager, according to "This is London" (Evening Standard on-line). "Acorns" are an ornamental feature at the Albery Theatre which the TheatreMonkey has indicated are a distraction for folks sitting every fifth seat in the front two rows. Steve (the monkey) has posted to this page that it is only a relative distraction--not what one would expect for the price charged. Thanks Anon and Claire for the correction Re: Telegraph photo. I'd certainly like to see a balcony photo! :-) I have a couple more photos from GML (thanks, again!). The first is a scene from Harry Potter from SFX mag: And the second is a nice pose of LD, AR and Rima that accompanied the Daily Mail article Claire posted below. By the way, GML, my e-maii says it's (only!) 82% full, so I'm not sure why your message bounced (unless it was huge) :-), so please try again! Elizabeth, I think it is definately over 30 years, and how does Nigel Dempster know whether AR has proposed or not. I seem to have read somewhere that he considers Rima his life partner thats good enough for me. Sue, What is an acorn? and why should it spoil it for you. You know, I have been doing my sums, and ok admitedly my maths leaves a lot to be desired, but by my reckoning it is more like 37 years. TMD will be shown on Friday 19th of October on Film Four at 8:20pm. Just to let those who have access to that channel know. Corrections made. Suz, please fix paragraph .. and typos! Still Truly Rickman - from Daily Mail , There is still the tiniest flicker of hope for those dreaming of snaring TMD superstar Alan Rickman: after nearly 25 years with economics Lecturer Rima Horton he has yet to pop the question. And pretty admirers were not in short supply at the aftershow party of his latest West End triumph Private Lives, in which he stars oppose blonde Lindsay Duncan. "It was difficult to get to him because he was constantly surrounded by girls" says a fan. "But he seemed unimpressed and even cut some of then dead." Rickman had already appeared in Hollywood blockbusters such as DH and Kevein Costner's RHPOT, but Rima has yet to fulfiul her political ambitions. Little has been heard of her since she stood fo Labour in the safe Tory seat of Kensington and Chelsea in the 1992 General Election. (The film initials are all mine) Or even mind one. Jill - ok won't say a thing!!I'm still worried about my acorn but as I'm treating my pal I think she can have that seat. (Selfish? moi?). Well for God's sake she's a Sean Bean fan, she won't mid an acorn!!! Sue -I hope that you enjoy your trip to PL on Thursday - I am so excited about going on Saturday that it is becoming unbearable. Hope our seats are alright - report if you can but don't tell me if you can't see a thing!!! What does everyone think the chances are of PL coming over to Broadway? Could someone who is going to see this play ask Mr. Rickman if this would be a possibility? Tell him, New York City NEEDS him and Ms. Duncan!! :-) Hi again. To start with the off-topic subject, I would say that whether his is a good show or not, there certainly is an element of show in Mr Blair's behaviour over this crisis, which disturbs me a little... But since there are no easy solutions to the situation and since meeting people face to face is always a very good idea in any crisis, I'm certainly glad of his trip round the world. Rafaella, sorry about what happened in Milan. Lives cut short are always a sad occasion whatever the cause. Don't let it put you off flying (says she who's always hated it). Suzanne, delayed thanks for the Help I'm a Fish song track, I do like it. Sue, thanks for enjoying my short 'review', I so enjoyed the play, I had to share. Cryptic? Ah, ah, uh, I didn't expect anybody to read it that closely. No, no, nothing happened, I'm a good girl ;), but if you do (innocently go with your ex-but-now-married-boyfriend) like I did, just be prepared to resist temptation, whether temptation is something you can resist or not as a rule ;). A tribute to the brilliant acting. Claire, I've tried, I've tried, but I really can't remember what colour LD's clothes were. I'm afraid it's just the sort of thing I never notice, even in real life. I would only go to a fashion show if taken there at gunpoint, even if AR was modelling a new sock collection ;) - Um, she definitely wore *some* clothes... but probably not that bright, or I would remember - unless it blended in nicely with the rather bright setting. Anon, thats my fault on the photo, but having not yet seen the play and fumbling around in a daze this morning I just guessed it was from act 1 on the balcony. Nonetheless it is very nice and has now been pinned up on the poster board in the common room. By far the more favorable picture of the ones seen in the papers so far, and by far more preferable to the picture of some footballer that was until this morning taking up and entire part of the board, that was until I diplomatically lost it! YES, THE PIC IS DEFINITELY FROM ACT 3 (BUT STILL LOVELY)- AND THE RED SUIT WAS WORN AT ALL OF THE FIRST SHOWS. "Private Lives" is the featured item at this week's Theatre Now web site, which includes a feature article, review, and summary of published ratings. Agree with Anon, the Telegraph picture is Act 3 - it also confirms what I thought. Lindsay Duncan has changed costume for this act. Last Wednesday she was in a grey suit rather than this stunning red which was evident early previews (Heather you can confirm?. GML can you recollect the costume last weekend? Suzanne, Hate to disabuse you but that photo (great though it is) is from Act 3 (Paris flat) not Act 1 Deuville balcony. Thanks, Claire. Not yet up at the DM/G web site (poor search engine, there, however), nor at my subscription search engine. Will keep hunting throughout the day. Suzan, just a quicky to say you would have had the Telegraph review as well as the photo but it bounced because your inbox is apparently full... Hope you got the one I sent this morning. UK alert - Today's Daily Mail photo of AR, Rima and Lindsay Duncan, entitled Still truly Rickman .. will leave Georgiana to find the text or will type up tonight. Full set of PRIVATE LIVES reviews (or tell me if I've missed one!!) in the ALAN RICKMAN ARKKIVES see link from CPP More pictures comming on CPP including Telegraph etc. Oh my! Here's the photo from todays Daily Telegraph, courtesy of GML (thank you!): Here's a link to the Telegraph article, which includes a very haughty photo. Forgot to add that the What's On Stage new outing is for the 4 November (Sunday) matinee. What's on Stage now offers a second cost-saving outing to "Private Lives" saying that their initial outing sold out "four times over" and describing the play as "critically aclaimed." Has anyone ever had any luck getting anything out of the Daily Telegraph search site? I've typed in AR many times but never got anything. Was just trying to see if the pic Elizabeth m,entioned was anywhere. In a review in today's Daily Telegraph of Birmingham Rep's successive production of "Closer" and "Private Lives," (titled "...and an enlightening intellectual exercise ") Dominic Cavendish tells us: All seem more at ease playing Marber's seedy urbanites than Coward's elegant quartet, but nowhere do the performances jar. Ian Shaw and Carolyn Backhouse are not Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan but his wry, raffish Elyot and her camp, capricious, wilful Amanda are highly dependable alternatives, for which local residents, wishing to avoid the expense of a West End trip, should give thanks. Italics added. I spent some time yesterday reading past theatrical reviews of other plays, especially his "Best of the West End" columns. As something of a globetrotting theater dilettante, I was largely unfamiliar with his choices. I conclude Mr. Nightingale is something of a theatrical snob, by which I mean an individual whose taste is self-proclaimed as above that of the masses. By definition, then, he would disdain any production likely to achieve widespread popularity. If this is the case, it would imply "Private Lives" is going to be a smash! Thank you, Steve! And here's the Telegraph: Copyright 2001 Telegraph Group Limited Theatre "VERY flat, Coward," one often observes after a dud production of one of his lesser plays, but there is no risk of that here. Private Lives (1930) is his masterpiece, perhaps the finest light comedy of the last century, and nothing like as light as its reputation for high style and brittle wit might suggest. The comedy emerges, gracefully and defiantly, from a bedrock of pain. Amanda and Elyot are mere shadows of themselves when they live apart, but they find it impossible to live together. The play's view of sexual love is as pessimistic as Strindberg's. "Selfishness, cruelty, hatred, possessiveness, petty jealousy. All these qualities came out in us just because we loved each other," observes Amanda in the immaculately constructed first act, set on the adjoining balconies of a Deauville hotel, where the divorced couple are honeymooning with their dull new spouses. No wonder Amanda and Elyot toast each other with the words, "to hell with love". But love, of course, cannot be denied, and when it re-ignites, it brings all the old emotional mess along with it. Howard Davies's revival, with thrilling, fresh-minted performances from Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan and stunning sets by Tim Hatley, strikes me as being as near definitive as makes no difference. It is stylish but never tiresomely artificial, it is funny but it is also deeply felt, and above all, as you would expect from the actors and director who created Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the whole show seems to have been marinated in sex. In the second act, set in a dim red womb of a room, it is absolutely clear that for several days, Amanda and Elyot have been bonking each other's brains out. When the deliciously tousled Duncan compliments Rickman on how sweet he looks in his dressing gown and crawls over to him on her hands and knees, her carnal intentions are unmistakable. Their rows spring from desire, too, from the desperate need of lovers to possess each other entirely, and the insupportable knowledge that this is impossible. Rickman, in particular, combining languid charm with an undertow of menace, brilliantly captures the gnawing destructiveness of sexual jealousy as he contemplates Amanda's other lovers. The physical fights here aren't jollily choreographed rough-and-tumbles, but truly vicious, and you gasp when Rickman suddenly slaps Duncan very hard indeed. Both actors wisely avoid the clipped, cut-glass accents that can make Coward seem so mannered and artificial, and though Rickman sometimes stumbles slightly over his lines, it seems preferable to the glib precision usually felt to be de rigueur with Coward. Duncan, with a glamour that is just beginning to turn attractively lived-in, like a graceful tree in its autumnal glory, matches Rickman word for word and blow for blow. Her timing is a joy, and she uses her devastatingly lovely smile as an offensive weapon. When she turns it on Rickman in the balcony scene, it is so evidently a signal of poise, power and challenge that the audience actually applauds. Coward described Sybil and Victor, the deserted newlyweds, as "little better than ninepins . . . only there at all in order to be repeatedly knocked down", but Adam Godley and Emma Fielding offer terrific value in these allegedly thankless roles. The jug-eared Godley is delightfully dim and blustery, sporting a suit that looks like knitted porridge, while Fielding mercilessly lays bare the venom that underlies Sybil's obsessive conventionality. This is a great production, which reveals Private Lives to be unexpectedly wise and touching, as well as blissfully funny. Tickets: 020 7369 1740 Good morning friends! As an American I must say that Prime Minister Tony Blair has really impressed me! The man is down right Churchilian! I am so happy and proud to have the British on our side. Thanks to Georgiana for the 3 am sighting of AR at a pub w/ friends. Any photo to accompany this? I am still amazed at his stamina! I am 10 years his junior and by 9-10 pm, can hardly keep my eyes open!(ofcourse I do rise at 5:15 am....)Still- he does 2 shows and can still stay up late with friends at 55! The man is a wonder!And he flies off wherever to film HP2 and as we know, he has tons of projects(directorial as otherwise) up his sleeve! I envy such stamina! I have to rally every atom in my body with the St. Chrispin's Day speech just to wash the kitchen floor!!!!Oh Help! Anyway, Hope you all have a lovely day! I am planning a trip to "ground zero" in a couple of weeks. I need to see my home town again and pay my respects.... keep you posted. God bless you all- The London Evening Standard Newspaper "What The Critics Said" roundup of PL reviews summarises as: 7 Good / Positive (Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Guardian, Independent, Financial Times, Sunday Telegraph, Observer); One O.K./ Mixed (The Times) and four not reviewed yets (Telegraph, Daily Express, Sunday Times, Independent On Sunday) Though from the last GB comments these are catching up. LBC (London Commercial Radio Station) gave a rave to AR and PL on Sunday night, and hinted the run may extend - depending on AR's schedule. I always thought that AR and LD where good together. Maybe history repeats itself. I also feel that any Noel Coward play is worth seeing. It has been wonderful to read all the really good reviews and it doesn't surprise me that Ar and Ld are doing so well as they are both such good stage actors.O/T It is frightening, however to see what is going on around the world at the present.It does tend to distract from everything, especially as the largest Islam Nation lies within Sneezing distance from us and who know's where this is going to go... I must say that I am afraid as we do not know how this is going to end. No Sue thats not all of the National reviews. There is another very good one in todays Telegraph. And brace yourselves, the photo, is them on the balcony! Someone heard my cries! He looks very very, loveley for want of a better word! Anyway I have not got the time to type the whole thing out as I am supposed to be doing Biology coursework on periwinkles at this momnet in time, I trust someone else will do so and will post the photo if not I will attempt to do so tonight when I have returned from essaydom. I've lost count - have we had all the Nationals reviews yet? I think only the Sunday Times is missing but are there any more expected? GML - thanks for the marvellous review. Unlike you I have no willpower and have read everything printed so far! (What's this cryptic bit about old boyfriends and passion?....;-)) Roll on Thursday. What's happening to the world? Yesterday there was a terrible plane crash at Linate airport in Milan, 118 victims. "Fortunately" it wasn't a terrorist attack, but people are getting really paranoid. In 3 weeks, I'll be flying to London from that very airport. My relatives, who know nothing about England, are very impressed with Tony Blair and the way he has handled the terrorist situation. They think he gives brilliant speeches and has the bearing of a strong leader;They all raced downstairs when he came on CNN, just to hear what he had to say. Good show, I say.... That's what happens when you use a closing link tag where a closing italics is needed. *grin* All fixed now. Just curious, but why is Georgiana's the only post in regular type and all the others in slant? I find the slant harder on the eyes to read. I was wondering what our Alan thinks about how Blair is handling things, since I know he supported him politically. I think Blair is doing a fantastic job from what I see and hear from this side of the "big pond". A lovely comparison, isn't it? But I definitely agree--perhaps we can launch a campaign for au naturelle? Georgiana, I think you're right. But in any event I had fun clicking back and forth between the two. It seems to me that this wonderful picture from the "Private Lives" program is the rehearsal version of this photo, at the piano, from the play (yes, Claire's 'swoon' shot). What do you think? Mister (?) Nightingale's distaste for Rickman goes back a long way. Here's the only mention of Rickman's turn as Achilles (in the Davies-directed Troilus & Cressida, which, interestingly enough, also starred Lindsay Duncan) in a Nightingale-penned review from July 5, 1985 which appeared in the New Statesman. "Indeed, the only serious failure is Alan Rickman's Achilles, a slovenly loafer in braces who lacks charisma, force and a proper respect for the English consonant." Some of you know of my fondness for Rickman's Achilles, and now, after reading Nightingale's latest re: Private Lives, I have to say that I believe Benedict is a wee bit scrambled. Hmmm. Or maybe he's just a rotten egg. Five Star Treatments Mail on Sunday 7th October 2001 BY GEORGINA BROWN This week, a revelation. Noel Coward's miraculously constructed comedy Private Lives, as I've never seen it. No period posturing with cigarette holders, no cut glass accents, no skidding across a shiny, scintilating surface, but deep, penetrating insight into the relationship between middle aged lovers who can't live together and can't live apart. Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman are sensationally good as Amanda and Elyot, the divorced couple who meet on the balcony of the hotel where each is honeymooning with a new spouse. The electricity with crackled between these two in Les Liaisons Dangereuses is here more highly charges, more explosive than ever. Now older, sexier, more sophisticated, more subtle, under the assured direction of the great Howard Davies, they shake all the artifice from Cowards's familiar lines and bring the play to a fiery, funny, profoundly felt, startling spontaneous life. Their shared jokes and wit, their way of touching one another with easy familiarity, their ravenous desire for one another, the intimacy of their irritation, the ferosity of their fighting, brilliantly define a dependancy which cannot be destroyed or denied. Emma Fielding and Adam Godley provide the perfect complement as the starcy, dull and decent new spouses. A brilliantly lit, powerfully illuminating, definative revival. Book Immediately. You can access the Financial Times "Private Lives" review directly at their web site. Hi people! Um, I think I can confirm that Private Lives is doing well... Yep, I made it to the Sunday matinée! And it looked pretty full from the middle of the stalls where I was steaming away along with the rest of the audience. No, no... I mean my clothes were steaming: 'Twas a very, VERY wet and windy day in London yesterday! I got soaked before the play, I got soaked after the play, I lost my umbrella, I lost a contact lens, my train back home was delayed because of the weather and I got home cold and shivering to be welcomed by a power cut... but it was WORTH it! - What can I say? The FT's review I've just read on this site must be the best, most accurate and most inspired one written so far. It's the review I wanted to write, damn them! (Uh, they publish theatre reviews?! I've never opened the thing!) **Spoiler** Don't read any further if you are going to see the play and want, like I did, to form your own virgin opinion on the night... So... I spent a couple of very happy hours at the Albery, blissfully unaware of what was going on in the rest of the world at the time. So glad I was able to enjoy it to the full. First time I see Mr Rickman on stage. Pheww, what a presence! What struck me most must be the deep, deep humour in him. Might be my mistake of course, but I could really feel it oozing somehow. Not a gushing sort of humour - more like a rumbling, grumbling one. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the play was written for him - and Ms Duncan. Not to belittle the other actors of course - they were all excellent, and let's face it, it must take some uncommon skill to play wet people, but AR and LD obviously played the most infuriating and attaching of characters. Sure, Noel Coward is behind most of the humour: it's a very funny (not so light at all) play - but the delivery and the acting were truly a treat. However well written a play might be, it can't be that easy for the actors to move from tender moments to violent fights via roaringly hilarious scenes (some of them totally silent) in such a smooth flow. I was so impressed with the choreography as well - and I don't mean just the dance. The FT reviewers thought the fight lacked spontaneity? I guess they had to find something wrong to do their reviewer's job and must have worked hard at it, bless them. AR and LD managed to wreck a whole set (and it was an impressive, in a sort of impressively impressive sort of set) without injuring themselves or the audience... Seemed real enough to me. Must take some directing. Only time of the evening I was grateful I was not sitting in the front rows. In fact, the whole coordination work was truly perfect. I know it's their job to get it right, that's what they do for a living, but I claim my right to be impressed nonetheless, so there!;) Few people in any profession do their job so well as to impress anybody after all. I know *I* would miss the sofa or end up passionately kissing a pink cushion at least three times a week... ;) Talking passion, well... let's say don't go and see this play with your ex-but-now-married boyfriend. No cheap fireworks, but something was smouldering under the seats all right. These two would rekindle the ashes over Pompei easily enough. Very skillful at taking the audience through a variety of contradictory emotions, choking with laughter one minute, jumping with fright the next. Uh... in fact it felt pretty well like being married, I guess! ;) OK, I'll stop yap, yap, yyy...apping away now ;) - just don't miss this play if you can help it! The Mirror Alan Rickman dining with pals in J Sheekey... Claire tells me I have posted a review in duplicate. Sorry. I do try to look, but have erred on the side of duplication as preferable to omission. Thank you, Steve, for the clarification on ticket sales. Please do let us know anything you find out. Sorry your review, up at TheatreMonkey.com, was not the product of a night out on the town. Elizabeth forgot to add, Fit like quine foos your doos? Elizabeth thanks for looking anyway, I stay in what was once a village but now is more like a small town 6 miles outside Aberdeen called Portlethen. I am really pleased ticket sales are going well.Iam living a state of suspended animation until I get there. I cant even have a cigarette because Ive given them up. Andrea, I spotted it at www.tvtv.de about a month ago. Its a good page, look at it! I got up late at night to see Truly Madly Deeply at sunday night and on monday, there was a math-test in the first lesson. Very very nice! I order the English video on amazon.de or at eBay, there I got "Mesmer". Of course in NTSC but there is a "Umspuhlstelle" that copies it. BTW Andrea, don´t you like to write a German biography about HIM? *please* *smile* My experience is that PL is selling well - I booked tickets for the evening performance on Dec 1st yesterday and First Call had already sold out all their allocation in the stalls; I had to call the theatre direct to get tickets. Anne I'm looking, no luck yet, Norfolk is a forgotten about county, although I have no support for its flatness as I come from Scotland. The line from PL where Elyot says how flat Norfolk is, is perhaps the most factually correct line in any 2oth century play. Anyway, Aberdeen - which bit? Please dont tell me that the play is in trouble.I am so looking forward to going to see it.Elizabeth did you find the Daily Mail review because living in Scotland we only get the Scottish view of things.Was Benedict Nightingale at the same play? Thanks Gail for pointing out the broken link I think I've fixed it now. If anyone else spots one PLEASE let me know. It is the leftovers of that hacking three weeks ago! As regards 1/2 price ticket booth, theatres almost automatically send tickets here when less than 65% have been sold. The play is not in trouble, but breakeven is 72%+ so theatre producers school taught me, and they can make up the difference this way. In London it is usual for people to buy three weeks ahead or so after good reviews, so those early days can be less busy. Box office staff will tell you on the day before or so if tickets are likely to be sent here - ask really nicely and they also tell you the general trend for the week. Oops, oops! Meant the Alastair Macaulay review! It seems Susannah Clapp saw the same play our denizens have been witnessing. "...while everything that mattered vibrated in the air between them." This might be the first time a reviewer had me reaching for a fan. Thanks Georgiana, welcome back home. Extracting from a review of several plays in the Observer, 7 October: Lindsay Duncan takes the Coward's way out The most accomplished revival of the Coward centenary is guaranteed an acclaimed long run. Howard Davies's production of Private Lives - the play in which Coward pronounced Norfolk 'very flat' and suggested that some women should be beaten regularly, 'like gongs' - purrs along like a well-tended Thirties motor. Lindsay Duncan, whose voice has more layers than a millefeuille , glaciates and crackles: she shows exactly what she thinks of 'morals' by a dip in register; the words 'jagged with sophistication' could have been written for the moment when her tone crisps up. Alan Rickman lizards away with assurance. Tim Hatley provides a design that is appropriately sumptuous, exaggerated and weird - a tower of white balconies tipping giddily in the opening scene; a smothering plush red chamber in the second. As the secondary, younger couple, Emma Fielding and Adam Godley chirrup and goggle effectively. No one drawls or clips the ends of sentences; no one sticks their chin in the air. This is an attempt to reclaim Coward from Cowardese. It's a reclamation that makes both the perfection of the dramatist's plotting and the hermetic artificiality of his characters more apparent. Copyright 2001 The Financial Times Limited Together again! In the 1980s, Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman made a classic pair in Christopher Hampton's stage adaptation of Les Liaisons dangereuses. Noble, witty, erotic, doomed. So now, when they play Amanda and Elyot in Noel Coward's Private Lives - the classic divorced couple who no sooner meet again than they realise that they never ceased being in love with each other - it feels as if this were a date with destiny. Howard Davies directed them in Les Liaisons; he directs them again here; and Hampton has written the programme note. Even if they were wrong for the play, you can feel that the whole of the West End wants this partnership in this play. But they're not wrong. They're revelatory. To watch their body language at every point is to believe the intimacy and experience that this Amanda and this Elyot share. And to hear them is better yet. They're revelatory because they've dared to reconceive that whole genre of performance style known as Noel Coward style. Coward without camp! What Coward caught - brilliantly - was the automatically theatrical, frequently insincere, cleverly quoteworthy, flippantly debonair delivery of the old English upper class ("Certain women should be struck regularly, like gongs"). But, delicious though that is and enduring in a certain notion of sophisticated Englishness, its cultivated artifice has always made Private Lives seem to be a glamorous lie. Duncan and Rickman, however, play it for real. They're much the most grown-up people in the play, sexually charged, emotionally multi-faceted, painfully right for each other. They're elegant, funny, but they're not theatrical, and they're certainly not brittle. When they do flippant, it's a choice, not a need. With her usually pellucid diction (which irritates some people), Duncan in particular could do conventional Coward style - both staccato and marcato, the Gatling-gun patter technique - in her sleep. Here, however, she and Rickman utter a lot of the lines languidly, without public flourish, mezza voce - for once, as if the audience were not there, addressing each other at times with the inwardness that we usually reserve for the voice in our own heads, so that they truly seem the reconciled halves of one person. Lines that usually just pass in the night fall into place, famous lines make new sense. There they are on the balcony talking of travel. "How was it?" she says with her voice soft but at its most grainy, covering deep emotion; "The world?" he replies, slowly and more grainily yet, looking at her as if this small talk was sheer automatic pilot while everything that mattered vibrated in the air between them. Four faults. As the maid Louise, Alex Belcourt makes unnecessary physical jokes; John Leonard's mix of offstage noise is muddled; Peter Mumford lights Act Two as if there were only two light-sources when there are 12 different lamps on the stage; and the end of Act Two needs more pace and (in the famous fight) spontaneity. But Tim Hatley's set for Act One - an angled view of four storeys of the hotel - is so witty that it rightly wins a round of applause, Jenny Beavan's costumes are as good as the acting, and Adam Godley, as Victor, is as original and surprising as Duncan and Rickman. A bravissimo to Howard Davies for reconceiving Coward so gloriously, and another to Coward for being so beautifully reinterpretable. Just what the West End needs right now. Look back in laughter. Alastair Macaulay Albery Theatre, London WC2 I have just returned to the world of the living after 20 hours without electricity due to storms in southern England.We huddled around my son's Wallace & Grommit clock radio listening to "our leader" tell us he was bombing Afghanistan. Followed by candle-lit charades and I almost burned the house down with a candle under a kitchen unit!!As we entertained ourselves by the open fire I thought this must be like the old days when they were waiting for someone to invent the television! ANYWAY...Thank you Claire for the pix and reviews. Only one duff review so far which can't be too bad. Well, I'm going to have to eat my words again. Tickets for PL were available for the Sat matinee at the official half price booth. An aberration I thought, stupidly thinking that the England v Greece footie might have something to do with it, but seemingly no as there were tickets again for the Sunday Matinee. This really means that the West End is being hit hard by the lack of tourists. Andrea - I'm not sure that your video recorder really broke down, because "Truly, Madly, Deeply" was cancelled that day! I was told from the MDR the new brodcasting time will be fixed in about 5 weeks. As soon as I know the time I will post a message here. Thanks for all the incredible photos and reviews, everyone! Nicole - I owe you big time! I didn't spot Judas Kiss in the tv-progam, but saw your entry here and managed to set my videorecorder JUST IN TIME!!! (about 10min to go).. uff... and that after having that thing breaking down a few weeks ago when they broadcasted Truly Madly Deeply (in the middle of the night as well) - of course I only noticed the morning after. Thanks again! btw: where do you order those english videos? Aha, found it, but it is far to long for me to scribble down from their website, it is a good review, so that makes at least five good reviews and one nasty review. I think that is pretty good going. Anyway link for the Independent Review is The Independent Am just going in search of the Mail one. Eva, Jenny Bevan also did the costumes for The Winter Guest. I have found a review from the Independent, but appear to have lost it again. Bear with me, I'll be back in a minute. Turn on your radios - the strikes against Afghanistan have begun, God help us all. Claire, thanks for the photo from the Sunday Times. Errr, I really don't think it's going to arrive here (we get international issues and they're different), is there anyone who has got a spare copy? I'm willing to swap it with a copy of Vanity Fair. Thanks. Hey, I found an old issue of the local newspaper (the "Suedkurier" *g*) and there was a picture of... yes, HIM. It was that profile-photo of Snape, it was b/w, small an very bad-printed. I only recognised the nose... But I can remember having read the article and having looked at the photo and thinking "wow, what a nose!". Well, only wanted to say this and request some divine inspiration of you all for tomorrows English translation test :-) I translated some film rewievs over the last time and ordered a couple of English video of HIM... At work today - bleh. We have a large event coming up the weekend of October 20th and 21st, and who is still frantically composing volunteer instructions to be sent out in the mail? Moi. For those of you in the Chicago region, do come out that weekend to the McHenry/Richmond area for our Trail of History - a pilgrimage to Kevin Smith's hunting grounds, and supposed home to whatsername in "Dogma." It's really a fabulous event, even if we do end up calling it the "Trial of Misery." Saw the Snape doll at Wal-Mart last night ($6.77, for those interested). Well, they certainly got the nose right(shame on you, Jo). And the picture on the box is actually quite nice. Has anybody scanned it in and posted it yet? If needed, I'll volunteer to get it and scan it - I'm getting quite good at figuring out how to use the scanner here at work! I know I'm exceedingly slow on the uptake, but I haven't understood past references to "Moon over Buffalo" in the guestbook, since it seemed to have nothing to do with AR. Now I wonder, is it because scenes from "Private Lives" are incorporated into the plot? Or was it because of speculation that AR might star in it? My theatre exposure is limited. I just saw "Pygmalion," starring Daniel J. Travanti (someone needs to 'splain to him that his career, based as it is on the need to posess talent, is probably over. And I was a BIG "Hill Street Blues" fan). Well, thanks for your patience with my ramblings. Back to work. I could not help noticing in the reviews that costumes are by Jenny Bewan, whom you might recall also was the costume designer for Sense & Sensibility. I don't belive it, you bet me to it again Claire! Leave the Sunday Mail one to me, although I am going to have to see if I acctually brought one today. I had a very amusing time in Sainsbury's just now. I had found almost every available paper and sat down on the floorwith them, there I was happily reading away, and isn't that line from the Observer wonderful "Alan Rickman lizards away with assurance." I was laughing so much I attracted to much attention and a arther shirty Sainsbury's person came up and demanded to know if I was buying the papers or not. When I replied that I had already paid for them and was waiting for my mother she looked at me and said "what all of them?" "oh yes, but the problem is that I only want the Arts Review section from all of them, would it be possible to take this and give the rest of the paper back to you." I was of course being very sarcastic but my comment went down like a " ... velvety hot chocolate spiked with wormwood." to quote yesterday's Gaurdian. Nothing in the Independant though. I will look on line, perhaps there is something there. And I will return shortly. IMPORTANT NOTICE:about HPinfo. Ooops I can't believe I missed Snape's photo in the Sunday Times I turned over too many pages and indignation set in too quick when I could'nt find one. My son eventually showed me!!It is a great photo but he looks just like a bat - perhaps a vampire!! When Benedict Nightigale writes that AR "reminds him of Eeyore" maybe we should just decide that he's actually paying a compliment and is thinking about other ah...'characteristics' that donkeys possess. Donkey envy is my guess;-) Jo Sue wrote about someone taunting her with the "Frankie Howerd,eh.."... "Oooooooh Noooo, Missus Reallly, Noooo Alan". I'm assuming this is particularly noticeable to people who've watched (the very enjoyable) Dogma. Quite *disturbingly* Frankie Howerd. And yet still so much MORE satisfying than Ben Affleck and the eternally prespubescent Matt Damon. Which says it all really. Pity that Emma Thompson pulled out of being God. Finally saw Judas Kiss last week. A lot of potential there but none of the relationships were drawn out, and Emma Thompson and Himself's characters just sort of drifted along (there could have been a great parrallel film there). As always, the chemistry was good to watch -- are there any rumours of a further collaboration? Sunday Mirror PHIL Allen (Alan Rickman) is a man with a mission at the National Hairdressing Championships. Years before he was the top stylist - until his wife ran off with his model. Hurt and dejected he settled for a life of obscurity, running a small barber's shop with his son. But when he finds his former rival is tipped to win the championship, Phil is determined to cut him down to size. Unfortunately, first he has to beat his own son. And there's plenty more twists, deceit, and cheating in the battle for the Silver Scissors in this unusual but entertaining comedy. RENTAL 6/10 JEREMY WATTS From today's Sunday Telegraph (after "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" and "Mahler's Conversion"): Death bursts into life Theatre The new production of Private Lives, at the Albery Theatre, is all that it should be, which is saying a great deal. It brings out the qualities that make the play far and away Noel Coward's best, a work worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Congreve or Wilde. It is glorious to look at, too. Tim Hatley has designed a soaring, sloping hotel frontage for the first act and a richly dishevelled crimson lair for the second and third. There are attractive costumes by Jenny Beavan and atmospheric lighting by Peter Mumford - especially in the hotel scene, with its sparkling reflections from the sea and glamorous glow from within. Meanwhile Howard Davies' direction displays an unerring sense of pace and form. On this occasion, I think, even the most casual playgoer will take pleasure in the elegance with which the play is constructed, while perfect timing and emphasis ensure that jokes, which in another context might seem no more than moderately funny, come across as diamond-sharp. At some point, no doubt, direction becomes inseparable from the acting, which is exemplary. As Amanda, Lindsay Duncan's allure is laced with a dose of cool common sense and a dash of deadly nightshade. As Elyot, Alan Rickman proves himself a master of the stricken look, the bleak stare, the sardonic comeback and the out-and-out tantrum. Adam Godley's Victor and Emma Fielding's Sibyl provide delicious foils: the sight of Amanda, Victor and Sibyl sitting crammed on a sofa while Elyot addresses them with his mouth full of brioche will not be readily forgotten. But then neither will lots of other scenes: the production creates wave after wave of comic euphoria. New PRIVATE LIVES CPP now on line with ALL this weeks newspaper photos I could find, including the Sunday Times new SNAPE !! There is a link be to the permanent ARKKIVE of Alan Rickman Reviews, which by the end of the afternoon should have all the available ones for PRIVATE LIVES too. Elizabeth - There is a nice review in the Sunday Mail you could get typing on that ? Drat, you beat me to it, Sue and Claire. No matter, I *did* learn how to scan a picture today and was about to send that Snape one but you have already done it Sue. As it happens I never got to buy my papers and was just heading out now. I will still see if The Telegraph have got their act together yet though. I wonder, why do they keep using the fight photos? What I want to see is a nice one of them on the balcony. Er, little question... sounds like a hysterical-puberty-teenage-boygroup-lover-question but anyway... Is there a chance of getting autographs after the show? And does one have a good few from the Royal Circle? Like for photo shooting. No need, thanks Claire! Have also sent The Observer photo as well (yet another "fight scene").As Elizabeth said she'd put up the review I'll let her do it, after all her fingers are considerably younger than mine! OBSERVER - Review 7th October 2001 - the Private Lives part of the total article extracted. They're all behaving badly Simon Nye's Don Juan pouts wonderfully and Lindsay Duncan takes the Coward's way out Susannah Clapp Private Lives Albery, London WC2 The most accomplished revival of the Coward centenary is guaranteed an acclaimed long run. Howard Davies's production of Private Lives - the play in which Coward pronounced Norfolk 'very flat' and suggested that some women should be beaten regularly, 'like gongs' - purrs along like a well-tended Thirties motor. Lindsay Duncan, whose voice has more layers than a millefeuille , glaciates and crackles: she shows exactly what she thinks of 'morals' by a dip in register; the words 'jagged with sophistication' could have been written for the moment when her tone crisps up. Alan Rickman lizards away with assurance. Tim Hatley provides a design that is appropriately sumptuous, exaggerated and weird - a tower of white balconies tipping giddily in the opening scene; a smothering plush red chamber in the second. As the secondary, younger couple, Emma Fielding and Adam Godley chirrup and goggle effectively. No one drawls or clips the ends of sentences; no one sticks their chin in the air. This is an attempt to reclaim Coward from Cowardese. It's a reclamation that makes both the perfection of the dramatist's plotting and the hermetic artificiality of his characters more apparent. I have scanned the ST Snape pic to Suzanne so hopefully when she is up and picked herself off the floor (it's a bit of a cl**k moment for her)she will be able to post it. Ah yes Jill, but the magazine is worth having just for that full size picture of him in it, the did mention his name on the bottom of that. I am off to buy my Observer, and will return to write out any reviews of PL that I might find, the Telegraph may have finally printed one. I have to say I prefer the Snape photo in todays Times to the ones we have seen so far, or rather the one. He looks very tall in it. The Sunday Times last week was promoting today's paper as a collectors item as it contains an article on Harry Potter. Most of it is rehashed from other articles I have read and very little new stuff. There is a tiny mention of Snape (not Alan Rickman) and his costume being Victorian although they have given his gown a tail like a snake's forked tongue so that he literally slithers out of a room! It would appear that the Sunday Times and the Times perhaps have an embargo on mentioning Alan Rickman's name perhaps he upset them and would'nt give them an interview.!!! OFF TOPIC: UK Newsquest Regional Press - This is Wiltshire Joan Collins last appeared on the British stage in Noel Coward's hugely successful Private Lives and she makes a triumphant return in Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo directed by Ray Cooney. After recovering from the initial shock of seeing a 68- year-old-woman looking incredibly glamorous in revealing neglige, you are left marvelling at a confident and polished performance. Collins plays the role of Charlotte Benson, an ageing repertory actress desperate to break into films with her husband and co-star of 30 years, George. The action is set behind the scenes hours before the group are due to take to the stage for a matinee performance of Cyrano de Bergerac. What follows is a compelling comedy with a series of sub plots, a dose of drunkenness, lots of confusion, a hint of passion and the obligatory mistaken identity. Frank Langella is brilliant as George, Charlotte's philandering husband, who has been enjoying a short-lived but fruitful affair with her understudy. Moira Lister also impresses playing Charlotte's deaf mother Ethel. While the first half was perhaps a little long, the second half practically romps along. The only change of scenery is when the actors begin their doomed matinee performance of Noel Coward's Private Lives ' only George is convinced he's still playing Cyrano. The audience was in stitches. Comedies can be tricky to pull off, but Ken Ludwig has written a brilliant script ' Moon Over Buffalo is a huge success on Broadway and was nominated for Best Play of the Year. Moon Over Buffalo will shortly be heading to the West End. By Andrea Ball Thanks, Claire - I am three weeks away from being able to post a PL review on the Theatremonkey site, and by then I doubt that I will have anything original to say that hasn't already been said. I was just making the point that the link wasn't working in a spirit of general public interest. I've emailed the website to point out the problem.He's left out the www/ bit. Hey, there will be "Judas Kiss" on TV in about two hours. Long night! I´ll sit in Royal Circle, too. Wherever that is! Like row A or something like that. I´m so excited! And I´m still looking for a German biography writer. *please* It would include an Alan-Rickman.de eMail address (if thats makes it look more "attractive") *g* I´m just a little bored. Have to stay awake so long. Haja... *bored* My dog hunted deers today. Wonderful! Didn´t get them, though. He might be too fat for running after deers. BTW: On some pictures of "Bob Roberts" HE does look like my history teacher. I´m shocked. Really, history is the worst subject I ever had. Worse than maths. Anyway, good night! Enjoy live. Thelink you require for posting reviews Gail is: I had always fancied that Zoe Wannermaker had a wicked sense of humour, she is another RSC comtempary of Alan and Lindsay. I have had the most chaotic day at work, having arrived to find that only one team leader, one stock replenisment supervisor and one invoice printer operator were on site along with myself as the only monitor, it looked ste to be a busy day. Busy being an undersatment, the team leader went home after a distressing phone call, the printer operator was on a half day as was the stock supervisor, so that left me and the floor manager. The computer system went down, there was a big fire down the raod fromt the warehouse and the lorries couldn't get in to take the deliveries, oh and because of that the electicity was cut off. Yes I had fun. Then my own team leader turned up, and as I was having an irrate conversation with a fire officer he came up behind me and shoved a whole load of PL reviews and pics under my nose "You can have a break now, if you want, oh and your paly and your actor are wonderful" He walked off, shouting behind him "How do you know" "I went last night" came the reply "Oh, and now you think you can leave us all to our fun do you?" "Oh yes absolutly" he said, and then added "oh by the way, where do you think a good place for a sexy pic of our actor would be." Oh yes you guessed it my team leader is gay! But he brought every review possible in to work today just to cheer me up after a rather sad and muddled week. I am buying an Observer tommorrow and a Spectator if I can find one in this provincal part of the world, and a Time Out should be coming my way as well. Did anyone read Mr Nightingale's entry in todays Play section of the Times, different review, I suspect from the way it reads he wrote it before he saw it, oh and the title above the review and pic of LD says "Benidict Nightingale's Choice." Thought you would find that amusing. Our friend Steve the theatremonkey on his website shows Private Lives as No.1 of his top five plays on in London. He also shows his page for the Albery, where PL is running, as his most visited page - we might be able to guess why! I found it really useful in locating a cheaper seat for my third planned visit to the show - with the Cdn. dollar being where it is I had to economise on No. 3. He also invites us to add our own reviews, but that link didn't seem to be working when I tried it. Steve, could you fix it, please?! Sue I know exactly what you mean. At the moment my darling husband is currently singing bits of a pop song with the wrong words just to wind me up. Also he loves repeating lines from films in character ie, RHPOT, The importance of being Earnest ( A handbag Edith Evans).etc...etc...Still got to love him we have two tickets to PL plus the Gala at the Festival Hall. Correction. My husband returned from London last night clutching a copy of the Evening Standard."There's a review of your play in here"-"Yes I know, good isn't it?" "Frankie Howerd,eh.." He then precedes to spend half of the evening and today going "Oooooooh Noooo, Missus Reallly, Noooo Alan"( sadly, he is rather good at impressions,You should hear his Billy Connolly meets Cary Grant!) I know only Brits will know how I am suffering. I just hope I don't think of it on Thursday! My husband returned from London last night clutching a copy of the Evening Standard- The Independent (London) Blow Dry (15) Blow Dry wants more than anything else to be the next Brassed Off. Sadly it's just another in a long line of spectacularly lame British comedies. Set in Keighley, Yorkshire, it follows the fortunes of a group of disconsolate barbers who sign up for the National British Hairdressing Championships. Among them is a divorced lesbian suffering from terminal cancer (Natasha Richardson) and her reclusive ex -husband (Alan Rickman). Laughs are few and far between here. Perhaps the greatest joke of all (albeit unintentional) is the young American actor Josh Hartnett as Rickman's teenage son. His attempt at a Yorkshire accent really has to be heard to be believed. The Evening Standard (London) ACTRESS Zoe Wanamaker was in mischievous mood having been to see the first night of Noel Coward's Private Lives, starring Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan, at the Albery Theatre. "I thought it was absolute c**p. All of it - complete c**p," Wanamaker told me. But it transpired that she was joking. "Only kidding. I thought it was brilliant." DAILY MAIL (London) Private Lives by Noel Coward: Albery Threatre That's Elyot and Amanda for you, celebrating five years of divorce by honeymooning on adjacent balconies with new partners in Deauville. Coward's 1930 comedy is one of the great plays of the last century. Last night, we went to a marvellous party, as Sir Noel would have most certainly approved. For Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan as Elyot and Amanda have redefined their roles in the most brilliant fashion, sculpted them to their own special talent while honouring the Master. Not since Robert Stephens and Maggie Smith kicked the stuffing out of each other nearly 30 years ago there been such a glorious tribute this fantastic, melancholic revival old animosities. Too much in love to like each other very much, Elyot and Amanda are epitome of a modern, messy marriage, relaunched on the bitter sea of experience. They have too much history in common not to win through. So it seems in Howard Davies's coruscating production, which Tim Hatley has designed first as a towering wedding cake of balconies and then a red bohemian den in Paris. Rickman is sometimes too slackjawed for his own good. But his impeccable timing and magnificent wounded egomania have never been seen to better advantage: he releases Coward in an entirely new idiom. He plays Elyot's vanity like some heroic venture, squinting at everyone through a veil of delightful disdain. And Miss Duncan bats it all away like a trouper,moving silkily into pole position as an ice-queen of blonde bravura. Their second act fight is a logical conclusion of deep-seated affection, the sort that breeds real hate over trivialities. Rickman will impress his fans, and fashion pundits, with those black silk pyjamas. I now see this war of attrition as an education for the second, outlawed couple, who end up bickering with the sort of passion that can only end in marriage. Adam Godley is a wonderful Victor, while Emma Fielding is sheer delight as Sybil, despite a dank wig making her look like an upturned mop. GRAPHIC: GLORIOUS: RICKMAN AND DUNCAN Saw PL last night (Friday). Here's my one-word review: "swoon". :-) For those in need of a more detailed commentary, I second the glowing reviews below, and the Evening Standard one seems (a bit unusually for them) the most apposite. Not only is AR charisma incarnate, but Lindsay is amazingly good too. My ambition now is to have a little gadget that contains a soundclip of Elyot's line which is something like "You are the most thrilling woman who ever existed". I then intend to keep it on my dressing table by the mirror, and play it back whenever I feel I need it... I also got to witness a real-time conversion to the faith, in the form of a friend who came with me primarily because she likes Noel Coward. For several weeks prior to the performance, right until curtain-up, she maintained that she had no interest in AR whatsoever. However, during the interval, she was heard to utter the phrase "But hasn't he got a lovely voice?", in a tone that witnesses agreed could be accurately described as "wistful". By the end of the performance, her breathing was laboured, her colour was high, and she kept making little sighing noises. Several medicinal gin and tonics had to be administered before she was able to produce coherent sentences, and even then, all of them contained the word "lovely". My only regret now is not thinking to bring a complete set of medical testing equipment (blood pressure indicator, heart monitor etc.) with me, then we could have had sound scientific proof that there is a single, definable moment that the condition manifests itself. Although, even if I had been better prepared, I'm not sure I could have kept my mind on the instruments - my attention was distracted by the on-stage activity in a way that would no doubt have played havoc with my scientific rigour... I don't think that man from the Times acctually realised that when he described Alan as Eyore that he was playing into our hands. Emma Thompson called him the Owl from Squirrel Nutkin but I think Eyore is a much more endearing character, and that dry sense of humour, and the slow dep voice is acctually very Alan. So **** **** ****(numerous rude words that I leave to your imagination) Mr Bendict Nightingale, who by the way has not written a single nice review on anyone in any play over the last three months. He will probably even go as far as saying rude and unecessary things about Judi Dench when The Royal Family opens, then he will run a mile! Search Terms: private lives The Guardian (London) Is it better to love temperately or wildly, wisely or too well? The question is posed in Howard Davies's very funny, very deep and subtle revival of Noel Coward's masterpiece. Private Lives is generally referred to as a light comedy; if this is light comedy, King Lear is a vaudeville turn. The great delight of this evening is that it offers pain and exquisite pleasure in the same outing. It slips down like velvety hot chocolate spiked with wormwood. Coward's 71-year-old, fresh-as-sushi play is dazzlingly constructed from the brilliant idea of a divorced couple meeting and rekindling their desire while on the first night of their honeymoons with their new partners. Elyot has married young Sibyl, a nice, conventional young ninny, and Amanda has hooked up with Victor, a wet-behind-the-ears tweedy type. But they have eyes and hearts only for each other. One drink, one tune ("Strange how potent cheap music is"), and they are lost. Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan have the on-stage chemistry to make you believe it. Rickman's hooded, languid amusement is the perfect foil for Duncan's fragile, jagged steeliness, and they never let you doubt for a nanosecond that this is a passion so grand that it could kill. Duncan - never on better form - suggests a woman who has abandoned herself to love but who also has a presentiment of all the pain that will burn her in the future. All this is achieved without sacrificing any of the play's comic perfection or its lightness of touch. These qualities are mirrored in Tim Hatley's south of France hotel, modelled after the leaning tower of Pisa, which transforms for the final two acts into a pink chocolate-box boudoir that could no more contain the passions of Elyot and Amanda than it could two ravening tigers. Emma Fielding and Adam Godley succeed in making Sibyl and Victor more interesting than usual, offering comic relief to Rickman and Duncan's creations, two helpless, devouring creatures whose triumph and tragedy is that they want all or nothing at all. It seems to me that NOBODY at the Times would like AR or LD...... Such is the tale of a Blue tinted opinion....To Mr. DeJong it was so refreshing to read a realistic opinion. Thank you. Sheridan Morley is one of the best Biographicial writers there is after just reading his book on Sir John Gielgud. He is wonderful and does real justice to anybody he writes about. He grew up with stage and film all around him. I really feel that these last two opinion's are right! Enjoy everyone. It is always wonderful to watch anything Noel Coward wrote and this Play is one of his best. Do you all agree? I suppose with a name like "Benedict Nightengale" one is doomed to a negative attitude...... Filmfour is showing Truly, Madly, Deeply at 8.20 p.m. on Friday 19th October. Quote from Filmfour Guide:- "Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson star in this enchanting British weepy from the director of The English Patient. Stevenson can't get over the sudden death of cellist hubby (Rickman) whose ghost has come to stay. Sexy, abrasive Rickman provides a large helping of the film's abundant, quirky humour." Another nice review, in fact this one is positivley celebratory. I found it on the Channel Four Teletex, page 432, 5.10.2001. Private Lives. Review by Sheridan Morley The Howard Davis revival of Private Lives is not only the best since Noel Coward dies almost 30 years ago, but it is also the most faithful For years we have suffered from whizz kid directors and designers giving Coward "concept revivals" or staging him in post-modern in imposible sets. What is wonderful about this revival is the faith the director and cast have in their author.(In Mr Rickman's own words."Always remaining true to what I saw as evidence on the page" Ok so he wrote that about As You Like It, but the same concept applies.) There have been some minor cuts - a three act play is now a two act play - and there is one breathtaking innovation, though I believe it is one with which Noel would have no trouble at all. In the old Act 2 there has always been a dodgy moment when Elyot and then Amanda go to the piano. Davies adds the most hearthbreakingly autobiographical of all Coward's songs - If Love Were All. As for casting, Davies has reunited Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan from his triumphant Les Liaisons Dangereuses of a decade ago. Because they already exist as a team their Elyot and Amanda are perfectly matched. In love, lust and loathing they are Coward's perfect odd couple. Adam Godley is touching as Victor, who goes down like a ninepin when attacked from all sides. Only Emma Fielding as the equally unfortunate Sybil ("Don't quibble, Sybil") Seems seems to have a little trouble with the quickfire pace of Coward's constantly mood changing quartet, but that will come with a little practice. I just wished that Noel had lived to see his most successful comedy being celebrated instead of commandeered - made just to work instead of being made over. Conclusion, Benidict Nightingale does not like either Alan or Linsay, he was definatley in a diffrent theatre, watching a different play on a different planet, and I think he is the perfect successor to Mark Ratcliffe, who was always so nasty and malicious towards Alan, his acting and worst of all his voice. I have a feeling that Sheridan Morley acctually wrote a biography of Noel Coward and is perhaps the most trust worthy critic of the two in that instance. Eeoyre? Gosh, it's a cute character, but I confess it's not the first thing I think of when I look at Mr Rickman! BTW, the "Evening Standard" review was rather heartwarming, thanks Georgiana for posting. Daily Mail has a nice review but not currently online so I'll type out the AR pertinent part. "Rickman is sometimes too slackjawed for his own good. But his impecable timing and magnificent wounded egomania have never been seen to better advantage:he releases Coward in an entirely new idiom. He plays Elyots vanity like some heroic venture, squinting at everyone through a veil of delightful distain." Nice cartoon of Rickman and Duncan will scan for the Alan Rickman cARtoon Page this weekend. Look, if it's a Piglet, it's a stuffed animal. And while I don't know about the "stuffed" part, Liam's definitely enough of an animal to fill the bill (and a foin figger of an animal, at that). Hm-m-m-m...I suppose Denzel Washington is a little too intense for Pooh..... If Alan is Eeyore then there is only one Tigger and thats got to be Ruby Wax. Michaela, you can also read the entire Neruda poem in my TMD page, side-by-side with translation. Heather's review of PL is now on line. Please visit! Liam's waay too good looking for Piglet, my friends, trust me on this. I saw him in Anna Christie a while ago and all I could do was gape. Very very sexy. And yes, tall & sculpted. But a cute and squinchy one, Sue! To RA: if you contact the webmistress, she will give you my email address, as you know, I don't want to post it here. I have always thought most critics are frustrated actors who have not got the .....(please insert whatever word you like (rude or otherwise))to get up on stage and act themselves so I try not to take in too much of what they say. However having read the Times review and the Evening Standard review I do wonder whether these men were at the same play, in the same theatre and at the same time. Very different.!! I will have to be my own judge next Saturday. Perhaps the Times man thought he would'nt be caught out calling him Eeoyre again! Personally Eeoyre is lovely!! Mary-a great BIG piglet... Here's the correct Evening Standard photo (thanks again, Sue!). ...come to me my existential melancholly ba-a-a-be-e-e-e... Actually, if he's Eyore, who's Pooh? And Piglet? These are weighty questions for those of us who must drool vicariously. The ES review is up on www.thisislondon.co.uk but they have put the wrong photo up. Pick me up from the floor! NdeJ liked something!!!! Is he on drugs or something? Here's the photo included with the Times review (thanks, Sue!). Outch! That was hot-foot!! Further to the Standard review that I just got home hot- with-Yes it was Nicholas de Jongh!!ES ratings are as follows-x=poor,0=adequate,*=good,**=very good,***=outstanding. He gave it **. A pal just rang about something else and said that it had a marvellous write up in the Mail(tabloid). Which just goes to show something or other. I am concerned about Frankie Howerd though, he was mentioned in the Dogma reviews. Much as I loved FH as a kid I'm sure I didn't fancy him!!! Will scan ES pic to Suzanne. I'm going with the Evening Standard review - sounds wonderful and I can hardly wait. Does seem to me Benedict Nightingale has decided he doesn't like Rickman as an actor. From today's "Evening Standard": HEADLINE: PLAYING COWARD STRAIGHT AND SERIOUS I NEVER imagined a Noel Coward comedy could deluge me with emotion as well as provoke me to laughter. But it happened last night when Coward's classic comedy of bad marital manners was revealed in a searching, new light. Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan as Elyot and Amanda, the formerly married couple who fall in love all over again when honey-mooning with new spouses in France, are sensationally different and good. They have discarded the traditional style of playing Noel Coward and paid him a rare, almost revolutionary compliment. They play Private Lives straight and serious whenever the scene or situation demands. Instead of the clipped, staccato diction and air of studied affectation which Coward adopted when starring in Private Lives's 1930 premiere, Rickman and Duncan go for realism. And how it pays off. This Elyot and Amanda, speak and behave like real, bohemian people. There they are in the first act on adjacent terraces of a seaside hotel in France, each having rowed with their respective new spouse. The sexual electricity that courses between them crackles and sparks when they meet again. Howard Davies's production creates a real romantic framework and strikes up an enticing atmosphere. Tim Hatley's first act set-design features a white, four-storey hotel block in art nouveau style. It does not stand vertically upright but leans back at an angle, as if to suggest the dizzying, distorted perspective that wild love induces. With the sound of waves and seagulls, the orchestra playing 'Some day I'll find you' and a sunset glow on the terrace, the couple are spell-bound. Rickman's dinner-jacketed, faintly camp Elyot, looks rather like Frankie Howerd, but there's no artifice about this laconic, unaffected man of the world. He's bowled over all over again by Miss Duncan's languid Amanda, in the glow of her middle-aged sex appeal. Laughter is again and again induced by the fashion in which both of them struggle to maintain an air of studied nonchalance. The atmosphere is heavy with their unstated longing. The mood eerily anticipates Coward's Brief Encounter where another illicit couple dared not give way to passion. But once this far too free and easy couple have abandoned their honeymoons and their spouses for the pleasures of Amanda's Parisian apartment, they behave like the smitten, brawling lovers they used to be. Miss Duncan's Amanda has a tart, scathing line in the put-down, while Rickman rises to her sexual provocation with more ardour and energy than I've ever known him muster on stage. The couple's climactic, second-act battle, when verbal abuse turns physical, is on this occasion darkly comic rather than farcical. It comes to seem as if Coward's witty sex-war comedy harks back to Strindberg and forward to Edward Albee's vicious, lethally comic antagonists in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Because Amanda and Elyot are convincingly played as people who can neither live happily together nor apart, the comedy disquiets as much as it amuses. When Emma Fielding's delightfully prim Sibyl and Adam Godley's haughty Victor arrive to reclaim or reject their spouses and end up in a happy sex-war of their own, this delightful production reaches an ironic apogee: marriage, in Coward's acerbic, witty view, works best when it's a battle as well as a sexual pleasure. This is a terrific, escapist evening to be savoured. I'm sure it was Emma Thompson who first coined the "Eyore" comparison. Benedict rarely likes anything. Please God the Standard didn't send Nicholas De Jong. Apropos the smoking topic AR lights two cigarettes for himself but doesn't take a single puff, but then neither does he play the piano - on Wednesday he was about 12" away from the keyboard when the music started but apart from that.... That's just charming isn't it, I mean Eyore! Thankyou Susan for that info on the seats. I think that the critics are living up to their name and being Critical. Now I am annoyed, there is this Times review in the papers but it turns out that it is NOT in the Times that I have. How is that! Anyway apparantly we get a different edition in Norfolk than those around London do, I mean that is just typical!!!!!!!!!!!!! Took me a while to find out who or what Eeyore is (please excuse silly Germans who don't know Winnie the Pooh...) How charming, Alan being compared to an old melancholic donkey? What a cheek! And by the way, what is meant by "the scene lacks ferocity"? What did this "nightingale" expect? Breaking each others bones and pouring blood all over the stage or what? Well, I must admit I haven't seen Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lesser in 1999, but when LD broke the record on AR's head, I was really concerned whether he could bear it until January 8th. .. And I don't think at all that EF and AG do seem ill in their roles, do they? If there is something to critisize, it is AR's and LD's surprise in the balcony-scene when they recognize each other. That wasn't too authentic in my opinion (but please don't stone me for it...). Are there any other current reviews available anywhere? No review in the Telegraph. Have sent Times review and accompanying pic. to Suzanne and Fausta. Eeyore has always been my favourite anyway. BTW-Attention all UK Sky Digital viewers. A new video request channel called "Magic" opened on Channel 452 a few weeks ago. It plays recent good quality pop. Having just enjoyed Eltons and Kylies new ones, what should pop up but "In Demand".It appears to have just been added to the play list, so get requesting! Elizabeth - you needn't worry about your seats. I was on the front row middle of the Royal Circle and I felt I was on stage - great view and you can look straight into the eyes! Surrrrrrrrrrrrrrre. Didn't that reviewer call AR Eyeore in his review of Antony and Cleopatra, too? I have read a similar comment before...if it came from him, I think the Times readers should demand a more objective reviewer. Just a little request. Could anyone either post the poem Jamie recited in TMD or give me a link to it, because the one in the FAQ doesn't work. It would be so very much appreciated! Thanks! *Kisses the room* REVIEW PRIVATE LIVES... The Times FRIDAY OCTOBER 05 2001 Theatre Marital strife fails acid test BY BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE Private Lives All right, they stage a bit of a fight after they’ve scarpered from the Riviera to Paris. Tempers fray, cushions fly, a head gets banged. But the scene lacks the gathering ferocity Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lesser put into it in their underrated partnership at the National in 1999. These two don’t make us feel, as they must, that the one thing they find harder than living apart is living together. Surely the stakes should be higher. But Rickman in particular finds excitement hard to generate nowadays. He reminds me of Eeyore with a fine profile, not least when he’s prowling the stage exuding existential melancholy. Duncan fares better, but not a lot. Her Amanda, it seems, is a woman who has made up her mind to settle for second best, only to find an old emotional addiction or allergy uncomfortably stirring. Still, their first love scene has the quiet tenderness Coward wanted. And they aren’t upstaged by their new spouses, for the usually excellent Emma Fielding and Adam Godley seem ill at ease in their roles. But let me add that last night’s audience laughed often and even applauded Tim Hatley’s hotel balcony and posh-Paris sets. They at least were full-bodied enough to deserve it. PRE -REVIEWS IN FOR PRIVATE LIVES ....THE TIMES SATURDAY OCTOBER 06 2001 (Published 4th October) London choice BY BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE PRIVATE LIVES WHY IS there any need to restage the Master’s most celebrated comedy? Why are Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman treading the boards so recently worn thin by Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lesser? Well, there are several answers to that. Private Lives isn’t popular just because it is funny, though in the right hands it can be, very. It is a much subtler play than it was once reckoned by those critics who dismissed Coward as, in his own rueful words, a “capering lightweight with neither depths nor real understanding”. It is about the hate that inhabits love and, at times, makes it more powerful. Moreover Elyot and Amanda, the recently divorced couple who run into each other while they are honeymooning with their second spouses, can be interpreted in several different ways. Even if one doesn’t trot out the dread word “subtext”, that is still a sign of a play richer than it seems. The protagonists are selfish, fickle, wayward, unreliable, difficult, maddeningly attractive; yet good actors can make you feel that they are more than that. They are sad, angry, maybe even doomed. Stevenson and Lesser brought out that and received an unfair critical pasting in return. They “weren’t funny enough”. But perhaps Duncan and Rickman, two charismatic performers together for the first time since they canoodled and sneered and plotted in the RSC’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses 20 years ago, will manage to make us laugh and feel. That is the challenge. And that is the answer to those who feel they have seen Private Lives too often. Has AR ever been nominated for and/or won a Larry? I think that you might be interested in this new picture of Snape. http://www.hpgalleries.com/mgallery72.htm (You'll have to scroll down a bit) To RA: You are going to see PL??? I'm green with envy. You wouldn't possibly be interested in meeting to discuss your PL experience and to possibly see HP, now would you? I was thinking, which is rather scary in itself, but HP comes out in a month and 2 wks. Oh and those who have been to see PL already, I was looking at my tickets and Mum seems to have booked them for the "Royal Circle" where ever that is, what sort of a picture do you reckon I'll get??????? I will be drowning in newspapers tomorrow morning and as I have frees all morning I will be zeroxing the reviews, if there are any, for you all to read. And BTW one on PL's closest rivals, Mahler's Conversion with Anthony Sher opened last night and was hammered by the critics in the papers today, I am interpreting that as a good sign, don't know about anyone else, and they were hammering the writing more than the acting soooooooooooo. Anyway I still feel that there many be a Larry nomination coming along. Claire, I assume that is a 10:30 curtain for the usual 8 pm start, and more like 9:30 tonight as they were starting at 7? Hey folks! @Raffaella: Lucky one you are! I can only find it on American eBay. Wonderful! I´ve just seen this piano-pic. Does this woman know WHO is sitting next to her? Do they need makeup-artist there? *g* As I went to catch the mail this afternoon I found a letter from London addressed to my father. I knew what was in this letter and so I opened it with trembling fingers... and there I had two tickets for "Private Lives". I was shocked. I had to take a seat and breathe. I am so HAPPY!!! *jumps* I´m so happy... Just can´t wait Nov. 15th! BTW: Does anyone want to write an AR biographie in German? I need it for my page, but I´m too occupied with the filmo to do it myself... *g* Sue - more like counting his toes !! Play finishes 10.30pm. That's right now!!!!!! Almost curtain-up (it opens at 7 tonight only). Hope he hasn't got hayfever. Oops, an unintentional Noel Coward pun!(How "terribly,terribly" amusing) BTW, can anyone tell me what time the play turns out? This time next week I should be there even if I am only looking up his nose in row AA! Well I have to totally disagree with that reveiw. I love Blow Dry! Even my dh likes it, and he doesn't quite get british films. The Times has a brief review of Blow Dry for its video release, article on-line dated this coming Saturday 6 October. I need piano lessons... And what a wonderful photo it is, Sue (thank you!)! Thank you, Star & Lynn. I scanned the photo from the March 31-April 6, 2001, issue of The (London) Times Magazine, Play, page 9. The photo is aprrox 1/2 the size, but since size matters, there it is, in full color. There's a nice colour photo in tonight's London Evening Standard of E & A at the piano. I have scanned it to Suzanne and Fausta so doubtless you will see it soon! Well I had another "pick-me up" sooner than I would have predicted. I had arranged to meet a friend at six yesterday, with him warning me that he could only spare an hour as he "was going on to something" - fair enough. At half six his mobile rings and apologising he takes the call. "Ah, oh dear, sorry to hear that, never mind, no no it's alright, no no can't be helped" etc etc. End of call. He turns to me and casually asks, "Would you like to see Private Lives tonight?. I was being taken by a friend who works at the box office at the Palace Theatre and has got tickets but can't make it." Well I thought about it for about a quarter of a nanno second....The performance was actually not as polished as it was last Thursday with some obvious fluffs and sin of sins talking through laughs. I was trying to work out whether it was a less responsive audience last Thursday or whether (as I suspect) they were "off" on their timing. My friend (who hadn't seen it before but is a theatre professional) said it was very noticeable so it wasn't just me. (It wasn't quite as noticeable as the couple next to us who managed to consume an entire box of Matchmakers and very large packet of Rolos in the first act).That having been said it is still a wonderful show and the one positive improvement is the maid who has toned down considerably. For those of you still wanting tickets I suggest you get in today as it is certainly not going to be easy when the reviews come out.(There was not a single empty seat in the stalls yesterday). I can't believe that it is sixteen years almost to the day that I first saw AR and LD together. I decided that if I was going to London to see AR I may as well go twice to see PL - just in case. But when i called last night, the play was nearly sold out with seats hard to find- and this was Oct 24! So, tickets are selling! I do so hope that Mr. Rickman isn't having his day off when I go to see Private Lives.... Laura, thanks for your email,Ihave tried replying but this machine keeps spitting it back. Send me your snail mail address and I will see what I can do. Magda Straight from Elyot's mouth. In response to a question about future work his "role in Actors has been recast" due to work commitments in relation to Harry Potter 2. OPENING NIGHT GIFT UPDATE: Tomorrow is the big day! Yo Fausta!!! AR looks amazingly handsome in that pic! What a picture in the Oct. issue!!! Where did you find it? And was that really taken this past March? Amazing.... That Rima is one lucky lady!Thank you and Good night! ps--- I saved it in my documents... I am learning! Thanks for the "Fish" link Suzanne - I know it's not the first time, but I decided to open it this time. It takes a while but is well worth the experience. Devoid of a visual reference, and even though it's only a so-so musical experience, it still brings home yet again what a crafted, honed instrument that man's voice is! Happy Birthday Laura! OH MY GOODNESS, Fausta I LOVE the picture you have of AR in your October issue. It is so beautiful. I wish my printer was working I want that picture.... Thanks for putting that pic up. Tried and tested, the link works. This is a must. Voting has started for the Greatest Movie of all time, on the Classic FM website. I have already used my whole family's emails to do as many votes as I can for AR films. Anyway, to vote click on this link:Classic FM Which should work, but if note try typing www.classicfm.com in your address thingy. And yes I am an avid listener. Coco, I don't know if there's a German VHS of Mesmer. But I know for sure it was dubbed because I saw it on cable TV (yes, in German! It's a long story...). To Elizabeth: I've read the His Dark Materials trilogy, I love it! They're always kept among the children books, but I think they're not really kiddies novels: if you're reading the last volume you know it's a bit too "intense" to be read by children. BTW, wouldn't Alan make a lovely Lord Asriel? Thanks for the information regarding the tickets. Laura if you would like to e.mail me maybe I could send you a prog; or something. I have just ordered almost every paper I could think of (tabloids not included!) For Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My lunch hour at work on Saturday is going to be spent digging out every PL review possible, And as I do the papers at school I will get to them first on Friday, seeing as I am the only one who ever reads the things anyway I think I could probably steal, er borrow them. I have just started reading the last installment of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy, if I attempt to explian I will just confuse you. Anyway there I am at some silly hour of night enthralled by these excellant when some character starts calling for "Lord Regent", suffice to say that this is based on a human from another world attempting to do what Satan failed at, and Lord Regent is an angel, and is ruling while God is in hiding. Anyway so Lord Regent appears, and guess what he is called Metatron! Thankyou Georgina, I was going to resort to the telephone for PL seats, as that is how Mum did them in the first place. And thanks for the info on the Royal Festival Hall concert. I have persuaded a teacher from school to come with me, it just happens to be her day off, how convenient! This is my first post to the GB, although I recognize most of you from Raffaella's AR list. Just wanted to thank all of you who have been to see PL for posting pics and experiences. I would especially like to thank Anne for the wonderfully detailed accounts, reading what you write is as close to London as I'll be able to get for quite a long time. The more read about AR the more impressed I am by this gentleman. And I can't remember who was going on 15 November, but I am soooo envious, that is my 33 birthday. If there was any way on earth I could have pulled it off I would have been at the Albery to celebrate it. Thanks again everyone, and please keep sharing, it's almost as good as getting to go myself. I don't know of any link to the soundtrack of Help! I'm a Fish!, but here's a link to download the song (MP3) AR sings: "Intelligence." That's "tracked"--sorry; and for recent poor grammar. Too little sleep; too little a keyboard. As always, Fausta, lovely! You can purchase tickets for "Voices in Exile" on 19 November at the Royal Festival Hall web site. If the link does not work, you can enter: http://www.rfh.co.uk The event is listed under "music" and there is a link to ticket availability and on-line purchase from there. If you do not wish to purchase on-line, you may contact one of the sponsoring organizations by post or fax. They are Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and the Prisoners of Conscience Appeals Fund. Medical Foundation public affairs office is 020 7813 9999. You can check out their web site for additional contact information. As to finding an additional seat for "Private Lives," you may call the box office directly and they will check for you. Their number is 020 7369 1740. Lastly, "opening night" for "Private Lives" is 4 October--i.e., tomorrow. The reviews are likely to follow this coming weekend, if I've tracket the usual London theatre etiquette correctly. The October Monthly Rickmanista is now on line, with info on the various Snape figures. Please visit! Apologies for the delay, but I've been down with a bad cold for 4 days. And let me tell ya, wish I were in London! Rickman in good hair, and silk pj's! M'm M'm Good! Just what the Doctor ordered! Cindie, the Snape doll is about 6 inches tall, quite a good likeness of AR (better than the Sheriff doll), comes with a cauldron and the box has a great picture of him on it. Probably going today to pick one up for my daughter ;)! Woops, mean't to ask, does anyone know where I can get tickets for the thing at the Royal Festival Hall on the 19th November? And also, I have tickets for PL for Nov 30th, does anyone know how I can find out if there is one free seat on the same row as the ones I already have?? I have a relative who wants to come as well, and I need to find out if there are any free on the same row. BtA, now we all know what he will doing on his monday off. @Suzsanne: *puh* Its hard to wait... Hey, does any of you know where I can buy "Mesmer"? I can´t find it in any German Video-tape-index. Does it exist in German anyway? BTW: Got my eMail now! Oh, it is so good to read all your comments about Private Lives! It was also wonderful to read about Harry Potter, just today, in the new Australian Empire Magazine, that AR is going to do the 2nd movie! I don't know whether this is old news but, it says and I quote here :-" Alan Rickman, scheduled to do a Theatre Play, in London for several months, will be taking a least one day off a week to return in the role as Professor Snape"! Oh Joy!!! I hope this is true as this is shaping up to be a great film and it starts here in Australia on the 29th November!! AR's name is the only name mentioned with Daniel Radcliffe. It is the, Empire Magazine, November (Australian) with Let's get Skase on the front. This comment is on the "Behind the Curtain page 28. AR is one wonderful and very BUSY thespian!!!! Thanks Jutta! Nice to know (imagine) where AR goes after an evening on stage! Is there a matinee as well, or just an evening performance? Nice to hear that Rima was there with him on opening night... guess they are as good as married. That's nice... after all these years, still together. That says ALOT! Various things ... Drugathon - I went, AR wasn't on stage but he was never supposed to be; the press assumed the committee organizing the event (which included AR) would be on stage. In fact, the performance was done by a number of relatively well-known comedians. AR was in the audience, as were the rest of the committee. I went as the guest of one of the sponsors, and got to meet a few of the organizers - which is why I know about the messup in the press. I love clients who sponsor events ;) The Old Vic is not that far from the Albery - perfectly do-able in the hour or so between PL ending and Drugathon starting, even allowing for getting out of costume and makeup. I did the same trip and managed to get dinner en route ... I saw PL again before Drugathon; just as good as the first time (better, in fact - I had seat D24 and ended up AR's line of sight each time he gazed off the balcony in Act 1!) To whoever got seats in row AA - it's fine, you're just right at the front of the stage and if you're short you may not get to see absolutely everything on the stage. You won't miss anything critical. Other stuff. Doesn't look like AR smokes - he lights up a cigarette a few times during the play but doesn't take more than one drag on it and that's expelled rapidly. He doesn't hold the cigarette entirely comfortably either - and I doubt whether that's acting because there's no reason for Elyot to be uncomfortable with a cigarette. Play trivia - on Sunday night, Amanda's suit in the final act was grey, a change from the red suit in the first week - same cut, just a different colour. Not sure whether that's a permanent change. The pub he disappears to after the play is J.Sheehey, he went there last Wednesday as well, and it's a restaurant that's pretty good (I've eaten in there before, I didn't follow him in!) Ok, that's enough. Over to someone else .... Thanks for the photos, Jutta... is it the back of his neck on the first one? Woo-hoo! Rare sighting! ;) (Usually is hidden by hair...) - Hey, this play sounds greater and greater the more I read (or rather try not to read ;) about it, I can't wait to enjoy it too. By the way, does anybody have an actual link to an online Help I'm a Fish songtrack? I'd love to hear it again. The Theatre Monkey site lists problem seats for orchestra (stalls) at his website, but Steve has assured us that is simply relative to the price (and not the ones you booked, Magda). Was not able to find "Help! I'm a Fish" soundtrack anywhere a few months ago when I did a concerted search, but Eva in Copenhagen kindly purchased and forwarded same for a few of us who are notorious for our lack of patience. Thank you again, Eva. Christine -- What do the figures look like? Or perhaps I should ask, who do they look like? Hi I have booked tickets for Private Lives 15 November seat numbers AA13-12, I have seen somewhere that they might not be very good. Can anyone please enlighten me. Many thanks Magda. Rebecca--Lovely to hear from you again! The song "Intelligence" is ummm, less than what I'd hoped for--though I suppose in context it should be okay. The obvious comparison is Jeremy Irons (now in DK clothier print ads everywhere) as Scar in Lion King, and AR's rendering leaves me cold as a fish. Sorry! I have the file saved--so if you can't find it, drop me a line, and I'll send it. Rebecca - I see you are equally talented at drawing and writing. I have read all your stories and love them! Hope there's more to come. You are SOOO right about AR being perfect as Snape. Soon, soon! For our Canadian Fans - Snape dolls are now on the shelves at The Bay. Star power at hand... According to the Inpendent newspaper, sales for Private Lives are healthy: And sales for a revival of Noel Coward's Private Lives with Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman are healthy too, with the star appeal overcoming the fear that audiences may be put off by light comedy. This excerp is from Theatrenow (theatrenow Magazine - UK email magaozine devoted to the Theatre This Week's Diary.... 2nd - 9th October 2001 Pick Of The Week The West End autumn season is in full warm up for the autumn this week with a number of shows competing for Pick of the Week. Notable openings include Rufus Sewell in John Osborne's Luther @ National Theatre (Olivier) a strong young British cast in a new play, Antartica @ Savoy, and the great Anthony Sher in a new play by Ronald Harwood, Mahler's Conversion @ Aldwych. However, this week also sees a revival of Noel Coward's popular and enduring classic comedy of manners, Private Lives @ Albery Theatre. Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan star as estranged divorcees Elyot and Amanda; reunited by chance in the South of France, smouldering emotions soon bubble over. This classy production is directed by award-winning director Howard Davies, who previously brought Duncan and Rickman together in the RSC production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses "Classy" it certainly is! Was calming down until I saw the picture in the Sunday Telegraph - it covered over half the page! Wow, it's been a LOOOONG time since I posted on this guestbook! I actually came here looking for information on a song Alan reportedly sings on the soundtrack of "Help! I'm a Fish" -- I was wondering if it's available anywhere on the web for my listening delight. The VOICE, you know... :) I was surprised and pleased to come across some nice reviews of my Snapefics on this page as well... thanks for reading, guys. You KNOW that "my" understanding and presentation of Snape is, of course, very heavily based on AR. Always has been, actually -- even before I knew there'd be a movie or that he would be cast in the part. When I read the books aloud to my husband a couple of years ago, I gave Snape AR's voice, or at least as near an approximation as I could produce -- it just seemed to fit so perfectly with JKR's description of his "silky" voice (I think she uses that word almost every time Snape opens his mouth!). So when I started writing Snapefics, of course I saw AR in my mind! And speaking of which/whom, if you click on the URL I've given here as my Homepage URL, you can find a few drawings I've done of Snape, most of them heavily influenced by AR. I still have yet to get him "just right", and I'm still learning to use Illustrator 9 to full effect, but I hope you enjoy the pictures nonetheless! Signing off now... So, that pub would be the Salisbury, on the corner of St Martin's Court and St Martin's Lane? Wow. It's an excellent pub anyway - very traditional, all glass and mirrors and chandeliers, terribly picturesque - but another incentive to go is always nice... Whe-e-e-e-e-e-w. Thank you Georgianna, Cindie and FastFilm! His loss would have broken my heart. To Star: On the two evening occasions he disappeared into a pub "next door" to the theatre. I can´t remember the name, but it´s in the little street (St Martins Court) of the stage door and it has sight-proof glas windows (At least from the outside, you can´t see in). If you stand in front of the stage door, turn to your right and you stand before it. The first night he went with Rima, the second night with Lindsey and some friends. We didn´t follow. That would have been stalking. Therefore I have no idea whether he uses the tube or not. Last night when I got home from work Therese Racquin had arrived, so I spent the evening watching it straight through. Kate Nelligan was good, "Laurent" was OK, and Mona Washbourne (sp?) was FANTASTIC!!! Oh, and AR was really good, too, although the role was small. I especially like the scene in which he reviews Laurent's work. Totally superficial comment: you really notice how tall he is when you see him at this stage of his career - he's so skinny! What fun to see him in something new, and good, and at a different stage of life! And Mona W. really was fabulous - she steals the show, IMHO. Can anyone point me to any reviews of this production on the web? Good morning all! Here is a question for all of you who have been lucky enough to meet HIM at the stage door; Is AR on his way out to a limo bound for home? Or does he walk off down the street when he is finished signing autographs?Does he have security or an entourage that is there for him?I am trying to produce a most accurate mental picture of your experiances, to live vicariously through you! If you can answer this I would most appreciate it! Oh! and thanks for the on-stage photos of the cast!How did you do that?With such amazing "spying" tecniques.... we need you here in the US( intelligence dept)!!!Have a great day! Mary, one of Mandy Patinkin's fansite's lists him interviewed on ABC in the aftermath of the terrorists' attacks. (You may exhale now.) Similarly, how did the theatregoers manage to come away with the great PL encore photos? As a photojournalist, I happen to know that in this country, one would be treated as armed Al Qaeda assasins if one were so much as glimpsed with a camera. A colleague who's done both said it was easier for him to get a photo pass from the Pentagon than most entertainment events in the U.S., (although maybe not any more!) Hi I came across your site a couple of days ago. Since then I have got tickets for Private Lives and also for the Gala at the festival hall. Wonderful site, funny and intelligence in one go WOW. LOL! Which she is *ever* grateful for.... Yes full page Noel Coward picture in the programme. Yes also there is cigarette smoking in the play, for whoever asked, I just think of it as another opportunity for one of Renie's h*nd moments. Just a quick note to Star, thanks for answering my question about wheather AR smokes. I just hope he doesn't . We wnat our man to be as healthy as possible.... Thank you, Jutta and Suzanne! I guess we see just how high that stage is at the Albery--not to mention sets, period costumes, etc. And is that a big picture of Noel Coward in the program? As promised, more wonderful photos from Jutta (thank you!): He's in the Cleveland paper also, for October 6th. Sounds like quite a rumor, Mary. No article up at CNN.com, and the Toronto Star keeps listing him as coming to the Hummingbird Center Oct. 15 in their weekly attractions listing. O/T - and what a wonderful topic it's been (I sort of almost nearly-but-not-quite feel as though I were at the play myself) - yesterday a friend told me that Mandy Patinkin had been killed in the WTC, supposedly as reported on CNN. Has anybody heard anything about this? I can't find anything on their web site or, indeed, on a general search of the net. Returning you now to your regularly scheduled creamcake... Yes its me, again, that last sentence should read " he was made ................" Its been a long day, and no I can't string a sentence togethr, or thogether, oh god, I mean together. Ok I am going. PS. Thanks for that photo, I can now go to bed feeling sufficently mesmerised. Have discovered that there was no rat, fish or conspirsy(my spelling is getting worse) only a typical media muck up. The press had got it into their heads that all these people were going to be performers, but in fact they were on the committe that set the whole thing up. I am reliably informed however that he was in the audience, and on the comittee, and he made serious fun of in the last act on this very subject of press muck ups! The commercialization (is this an oxymoron?) of both "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" was the topic of a feature article in the 29 September Telegraph. In "Play Time" in the Washington Post, September 9: What to see? CoGo recommends "Humble Boy," a new comedy based on "Hamlet." Critics expect "The Royal Family," which opens in October, to be a megahit. CoGo also wants to see Noel Coward's "Private Lives," with Alan Rickman. From an article entitled "London's Stage Migration" in the 16 Sept. New York Times: THERE promises to be a decidedly trans-Atlantic feel to the theatrical landscape in London's West End this fall. . . . There'll be plenty of interest, too, in the revival of Noel Coward's ''Private Lives'' that Howard Davies is staging at the Albery on Oct. 4, since it brings together Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan for the first time since they shared a triumph in the Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of ''Les Liaisons Dangereuses'' in 1985. Hey, where are the sound and videofiles! I miss it! *grummel* Okay, link fixed. That's where Claire's "pyjamas" link gets me, too, Suz, but thanks to you both for such a lovely photo! Nope, the link on my name gets you to ALL the CPP pictures including pyjamas!! Oops! Looks like I'm a bit behind. But, Claire, your link leads to my GB index page! Here's a fantastic photo of AR & LD dancing in their pajamas that appeared with the Sunday Telegraph article that Georgiana posted yesterday, courtesy of GML (thank you!!!) And more photos from Jutta coming shortly! PRIVATE LIVES photo - Dancing in Pyjama's !! To answer Lynn's guestion... I truelly believe that our Alan does NOT smoke! I have kept a look-out for such evidence for 7 months now (as long as I have been captive to this "Rickman" fever) and have come up empty! So I think out hero is just too smart to smoke! But what about in PL? Does he puff away on stage? We will forgive him that! Thanks to all of you posting the PL comments. They are not "spoilers" to me for I have as much a chance to fly to London and see him on stage as I do to.... finding him squeezing tomatoes at the produce section of my grocery store(a common fantasy of mine!)! Well! Cheers from North Carolina and the USA!Love you all! More silliness you may have missed. Harry Potter Lego is now available, and a mini-Snape is one of the available characters - see here for a peek. (The link does work, but you have to choose a country before it'll show you the product.) Slightly worryingly, his skin looks grey on the picture. Even more worryingly, on the real life version it's actually pale GREEN. Ha! A rejoinder to all of those worried about AR's complexion on the HP photos... it could have been worse. But hey, it's the principle of the thing. Not a very close resemblance, but still an ideal gift idea for those who have always wanted to mold AR to their will... or indeed, pull his legs off. :-) Umm, Georgina, I smell a rat, or a fish, or is there a conspiricy brewing? Hmm, it seems, according to the Evening Standard ("This is London") that the well-known quarter of stars, including Mr. Rickman, was NOT present for Drugathon last night. Well I am back, and I survived, well only just! Having arrived and discovered to my horror that I had left my TROTN tape back in the common room at school, I was subjected to an entire four days of pure noise! The appaling weather I could cope with but that noise. I have heard a story that people acctually enijoy it and call it music!!!!!!!!!!!!! And just to make the whole thing worse, no AR. So I spent my wekend being an ecology freak and bonding with periwinkles(no I am not joking, if you whistle at them they come out of their shells and dance!) I am two minds about whether or not to read everyones PL reviews, I mean it is 2 months before I see it, thats an awful longtime to be bypassing them the whole time, and I could skim read them I suppose. BTW did anyone see Drugathon last night??? And are there any reviews on it around and about. Oh and I brought an Observer yesterday, well acctually I sent the biology teacher shopping! And that Mark Ratcliffe guy seems to have gone.
GML (trying very hard not to think of what happened to that fun and imaginative Snape site after Warner Bros directed the middle-class spoilt brat elite its way...
UK - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 23:33:00 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 23:28:37 (PDT)
Claudia <claudia@paradise.net.nzfoo>
- Monday, October 22, 2001 at 20:03:07 (PDT)
angelina
california - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 19:04:39 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 17:46:15 (PDT)
Mary
McHenry, - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 16:04:39 (PDT)
Magda <mgrantwich@yahoo.comfoo>
Canada - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 15:42:35 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 15:35:47 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 15:26:04 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 15:22:11 (PDT)
Nicole
Holyday-Land - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 12:26:35 (PDT)
Georgiana (Anyone who asks sooner, please post response so we don't all bombard the poor man with the same question.)
Seattle - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 10:39:42 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 10:14:57 (PDT)
Joan
USA - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 10:00:50 (PDT)
Gertrud
Germany - Monday, October 22, 2001 at 02:17:17 (PDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 14:25:37 (PDT)
Julia <jules@janusalarms.comfoo>
worcester, uk - Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 11:30:42 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 09:39:47 (PDT)
Sue
Just think this time next week Christine, Georgiana, Anne and I should be finding our seats!(Well actually I'll be in the loo as usual!!), England - Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 07:51:27 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 05:36:21 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkhsire - Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 01:50:53 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 23:18:17 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 22:58:33 (PDT)
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 22:52:25 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 20:55:17 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 19:00:27 (PDT)
FastFilm
Los Angeles, CA - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 18:20:21 (PDT)
Georgiana (But this will not be the first time!)
Seattle - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 15:58:38 (PDT)
Sue
- Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 15:39:14 (PDT)
Georgiana (counting, who me? Let's see if I survive the work week--they're trying hard to bury me!)
Seattle - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 15:33:32 (PDT)
Christine
Montreal, - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 15:10:41 (PDT)
Nicole
Bob Roberts-Land - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 14:25:35 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 14:05:52 (PDT)
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 13:10:45 (PDT)
Georgiana (whew!...replacement passport arrived!)
Seattle - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 12:56:15 (PDT)
Renie <reniept@hotmail.com foo>
- Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 12:55:54 (PDT)
Daryl Rodger <darylg@ntlworld.comfoo>
Glasgow, Scotland - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 11:55:23 (PDT)
Sue
Balcony phot we have already seen., England - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 07:32:52 (PDT)
Laura <ljyolo@yahoo.comfoo>
Yakima, WA USA - Saturday, October 20, 2001 at 00:27:56 (PDT)
THE last big revival of Noel Coward's marriage satire Private Lives took place 10 years ago at the National Theatre, with Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lesser. Unfortunately the pair were miscast and the production was woefully mirth-free. Now others are queueing up to revive it. Ralph Fiennes and Joely Richardson did a private "planning" reading of the play a couple of months ago but they are going to be beaten to the punch. The impresario Duncan Weldon has just signed Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan to play the lead characters, Elyot and Amanda, in the West End at the start of October.
Georgiana (Perhaps we shall have Rickman AND Duncan AND Fiennes AND one or another Richardson on Broadway altogether next year?) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 17:49:26 (PDT)
October 20, 2001, Saturday
SECTION: First Edition; FEATURES; Pg. 41
HEADLINE: THEATRE: THE FIVE BEST PLAYS IN LONDON
BYLINE: Paul Taylor
1
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Lyric Shaftesbury)
This astringent, richly atmospheric Tennessee Williams revival features a superbly pent-up Frances O'Connor and square-jawed, sensitive Brendan Fraser, as the frustrated ambitious wife and her alcoholic jock husband. To 12 Jan
2
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (New Ambassadors)
A wonderfully zestful and prickly revival of Peter Nichols's taboo- shattering, tragicomic masterpiece about a couple's struggle to cope with a severely brain -damaged child. To 24 Nov
3
Private Lives (Albery Theatre)
Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman generate heat and hilarity in this excellent production, while also giving haunting hints of loneliness under the flippant glamour. To 6 Jan 4
The Homecoming (Comedy Theatre)
Ian Holm is ferociously funny as the strutting but emasculated North London Lear in this powerful Pinter revival, which also stars Lia Williams. To 1 Dec
5
An Inspector Calls (Playhouse Theatre)
In its latest transfer, Stephen Daldry's spectacular Expressionist version of the Priestley classic proves that it has lost none of its timeliness or penetrative power. To 30 Mar
Georgiana (I've tickets for 1, 2 & 3--and have previously seen 5--twice!)
- Friday, October 19, 2001 at 17:44:47 (PDT)
Nicole
Hödingen (ha, look for it on a map!), - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 15:48:59 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 15:20:31 (PDT)
Sue
England - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 14:28:20 (PDT)
Fausta
- Friday, October 19, 2001 at 14:04:40 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, October 19, 2001 at 13:58:47 (PDT)
Kari
Seattle, - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 13:41:25 (PDT)
Georgiana (I stand corrected, Sue. No wonder one never arrived in Redhill when I was standing in the car park with the trains out...)
Seattle - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 12:49:04 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 12:45:34 (PDT)
Sue
They weren't married were they? Georgiana -our Daily Sports' "London Bus Found On Moon" takes some beating!, England - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 09:25:15 (PDT)
Georgiana (only in America--somehow I think our tabloids are not quite the same as British tabloids...)
Seattle, home of Bigfoot - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 08:53:48 (PDT)
Suzanne
TX USA - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 08:16:37 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 08:14:02 (PDT)
Georgiana (9 days and counting...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 05:38:25 (PDT)
Suz (D.o.C.)
Elizabeth
- Friday, October 19, 2001 at 04:01:59 (PDT)
Elizabeth (getting very worried about my test now)
UK - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 04:00:39 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ America - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 03:43:29 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 03:20:50 (PDT)
Barbara the Australiam
Gold Coast, Qld Australia. - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 00:44:23 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Friday, October 19, 2001 at 00:16:54 (PDT)
Jennifer
- Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 16:14:38 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 13:48:04 (PDT)
Lyn
Maine USA - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 12:03:52 (PDT)
Nicole <Hausmeister@Alan-Rickman.defoo>
boring Germany - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 11:41:27 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
(singing) Give my regards to Broadway . . . , - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 11:07:27 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland. UK. - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 10:50:25 (PDT)
Georgiana (Nope, never again will we hear 'Alan who'?!!) (Loved all the "Winter Guest" discussion, by the way--but loved the film more, amazed by its depth, pacing and grit! I still get up to the soundtrack every morning.) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 09:26:01 (PDT)
THUD
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 09:03:50 (PDT)
Sunday, October 21st @ 9:00 PM
Thursday, October 25 @ 9:00 AM
Raindance Independent Film Festival
Metro Cinema 1
11 Rupert Street, Soho W1
Box Office Telephone: T: 020 7734 1506
admission supports The Raindance Festival, with our apologies
Kind regards - Jack Binder, Producer : )
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 07:11:12 (PDT)
Sue
England - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 02:45:42 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, October 18, 2001 at 00:12:55 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 23:45:46 (PDT)
Renie (now a bit less green of the West-Enders) <reniept@hotmail.com foo>
- Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 23:31:42 (PDT)
Diane Geitenbeek <KEYES48@aol.comfoo>
Mesa, AZ 85202 - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 19:32:00 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ USA - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 18:49:34 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
I knew it!, TX USA - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 18:36:25 (PDT)
Georgiana (Yeah, Suzanne!)
Seattle - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 17:07:45 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkshire - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 16:21:04 (PDT)
for Broadway
17-OCT-2001
Keyser <keyserfankf@netscape.netfoo>
USA - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 15:56:27 (PDT)
Claire
- Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 15:31:17 (PDT)
Georgiana (Sounds like fun; many summarize as a poor cousin of "Noises Off.")
Seattle - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 08:30:48 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 08:16:22 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 05:18:58 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkshire - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 04:28:01 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at 01:30:54 (PDT)
GML
UK - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 23:52:23 (PDT)
A Rickman Admirer
- Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 22:49:36 (PDT)
Michaela <mother_mercury@cornerpub.comfoo>
Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 22:05:38 (PDT)
Barbara the Australian <hermione(underscore )3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Qld Australia - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 20:27:55 (PDT)
Lyn <(Counting the days to PL)foo>
Maine USA - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 18:54:31 (PDT)
New Jersey Online
Ewa <bricken@terramail.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 16:40:09 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ USA - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 15:56:20 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 15:47:19 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 13:55:53 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 10:31:32 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 08:58:18 (PDT)
STAR
NC USA - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 08:23:17 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 07:36:31 (PDT)
Gail
Toronto, Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 07:19:00 (PDT)
Sue
England - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 05:44:31 (PDT)
Suz (D.o.C.)
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 05:17:03 (PDT)
Suz (D.o.C.)
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 05:16:09 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 05:14:10 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 05:11:01 (PDT)
STAR
NC USA - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 03:53:20 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 00:27:07 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Monday, October 15, 2001 at 22:53:31 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 19:51:44 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 17:42:33 (PDT)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 17:41:40 (PDT)
emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
nj america - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 16:34:11 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 16:05:09 (PDT)
Georgiana (He's worth ever so much more!)
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 14:26:37 (PDT)
Sue
- Monday, October 15, 2001 at 13:42:09 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 13:42:06 (PDT)
Georgiana (I'd be happy to help him decide, of course!)
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 13:05:07 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 13:04:24 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 12:43:02 (PDT)
Both in RealAudio and Windows Media versions.
Georgiana (So, Elizabeth, are you recommending that we ignore her birthday?) <gellis@drizzle.com foo>
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 12:29:46 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 11:35:50 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 11:35:29 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 11:23:04 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 11:20:15 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 11:00:14 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@rickmanistareview.comfoo>
eating my heart out!, - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 09:35:22 (PDT)
Georgiana (Will try to take a little something for Ms. Duncan--and her spectacularly appropriate 1930s hairdo!--on Nov. 7, assuming we are sure this is her birthday???) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 09:22:25 (PDT)
Sue
England - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 07:05:54 (PDT)
zelanne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 04:59:11 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Monday, October 15, 2001 at 04:35:22 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ USA - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 18:18:53 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkshire - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 16:38:07 (PDT)
Ann W <wagner@cybertrails.comfoo>
AZ USA - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 15:47:04 (PDT)
Sue
- Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 09:29:13 (PDT)
Georgiana (Oh, my, but they are confused!)
Seattle - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 09:06:19 (PDT)
Nicole & Sarah <Hausmeister@Alan-Rickman.defoo>
Germany - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 08:53:21 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 05:00:55 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 01:34:34 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Sunday, October 14, 2001 at 01:32:01 (PDT)
Barbara the Australian
Australia - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 23:58:59 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 20:58:16 (PDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 19:08:50 (PDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 18:58:46 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 17:06:17 (PDT)
Jo
- Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 15:39:25 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
Plymouth, UK - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 15:38:01 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 14:58:00 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 14:04:53 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 13:45:39 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
Plymouth, UK - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 12:10:45 (PDT)
Traci <Maidmarian1965@aol.comfoo>
Tulsa, OK USA - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 10:05:40 (PDT)
Traci Mason <Maidmarian1965@aol.comfoo>
Tulsa, OK USA - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 10:00:21 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 09:54:02 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 09:34:00 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 09:21:44 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 08:46:38 (PDT)
DAILY MAIL (London)
October 12, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 54
HEADLINE: A MASTERFUL TAKE ON NOEL'S CLASSIC
BYLINE: Michael Coveney
TWO violent acids in a matrimonial bottle. That's Elyot and Amanda for you, celebrating five years of divorce by honeymooning, on adjacent balconies, with new partners, in Deauville.
Coward's 1930 comedy is one of the great plays of the last century.
Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan as Elyot and Amanda have redefined their roles in the most brilliant fashion, sculpting them to their own special talent while fully honouring the Master. Too much in love to like each other very much, Elyot and Amanda are the epitome of a modern, messy marriage, relaunched on the bitter sea of experience.
So it seems in Howard Davies's coruscating production, which Tim Hatley has designed as a towering wedding cake of white balconies in the first act, and a blood red bohemian den in Paris later on.
Rickman is sometimes too slack-jawed for his own good. But his impeccable timing and magnificent, wounded egomania have never been seen to better advantage, he releases Coward in an entirely new idiom.
Older than usual for the role (the character is just 30), he plays Elyot's vanity like some heroic venture, squinting at Amanda, and everyone else, through a veil of delightful disdain.
Miss Duncan bats it all away like a trouper, moving silkily into pole position as an icequeen of blonde bravura without once resorting to superficial brightness or camp gestures.
In support, Adam Godley is a wonderful, spindly Victor Prynne, while Emma Fielding is sheer delight as Sybil, despite a dank and bitty wig that makes her look like an upturned mop. ESCAPISM is what we need at the moment.
Georgiana (ESCAPISM? Didn't I say that???) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:58:47 (PDT)
October 13, 2001, Saturday
SECTION: FEATURES; Pg. 8
HEADLINE: ARTS: THE WEEK IN REVIEW
CRITICAL VIEW
THE PLAY
PRIVATE LIVES
In Howard Davies' revival of Noel Coward's "comedy" Alan Rickman and Lyndsay Duncan play the divorced couple who meet on their second honeymoons.
"An evening of high style and low punches," savoured the Daily Express. "The play sank under the weight of two leaden performances" lamented The Scotsman; The Daily Telegraph disagreed: "They were thrilling, fresh-minted performances." "Rickman's hooded, languid amusement is the perfect foil for Duncan's fragile, steeliness," enjoyed The Guardian.
To 6 January. Albery Theatre, London WC2 (020-7369 1730)
"This is a lovely, liberating revival... and an object lesson in how a show can take its time without becoming slack or underpowered. " Paul Taylor.
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:51:23 (PDT)
October 13, 2001, Saturday
SECTION: Pg. 06
HEADLINE: theatre & comedy
BYLINE: By CHARLES SPENCER
Private Lives Howard Davies directs a fabulous production of Coward's greatest play, reuniting with Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan (right), who sent the sexual temperature soaring sky-high in Les Liaisons Dangereuses all those years ago. They drop the polished artificiality normally de rigueur in Coward comedy and concentrate instead on finding the passion, and the pain, of Amanda and Elyot, a couple who cannot live together and cannot live apart. The result is marvellously sexy and funny, but also unexpectedly touching, with Rickman and Duncan striking terrific sparks off each other in the starriest and most entertaining double-act in the West End. Albery Theatre, London WC2 (020 7369 1730).
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:47:17 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:36:26 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
- Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:30:00 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:21:57 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
- Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:21:48 (PDT)
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Toronto, Canada - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 07:05:40 (PDT)
STAR
NC USA - Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 05:56:13 (PDT)
Georgiana (Thanks, Claire, for the reassurance about "Luther." Can anyone tell me why, when an ink jet printer's color cartridge is running out, it prints b&w photos in purple?)
Seattle - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 17:10:42 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 16:14:57 (PDT)
Nicole
Germany - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 14:58:26 (PDT)
Claire
Dont worry Georgiana Daily Mail likes Luther 4 stars., - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 12:09:36 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocks@:hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scoland - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 11:30:01 (PDT)
Sue
England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 11:26:36 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 11:21:36 (PDT)
Mary <(aka Billy Yank)foo>
McHenry, - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 11:11:55 (PDT)
October 11, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 3
HEADLINE: BE FIRST TO SEE HARRY POTTER
BYLINE: By Andy Dougan
Calling all Muggles! The Evening Times can reveal the source of tickets for the hottest event of the year - the Scots premiere of Harry Potter! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, one of the most eagerly-awaited films of the decade, is to have its Scottish premiere on Tuesday, November 6. Tickets go on sale today and part of the proceeds from the magical event will help the Evening Times Maggie's Centre appeal. The screening takes place at the new Star Century cinema in the Ocean Terminal complex in Leith, Edinburgh, and almost a thousand fans will be among the first to enjoy Harry Potter's movie exploits.
The world premiere is in London on Sunday, November 4, so the Scottish screening will be only the second showing of the film anywhere in the world. Money raised from the Scottish event will be shared between two of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's favourite charities - Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres and the MS Society Scotland. Ms Rowling is patron of both. A London charity screening on November 7 will raise funds for the National Council for One Parent Families.
J.K. Rowling, who has close personal links with all three charities, has been involved in several of their fundraising and awareness campaigns, including the Evening Times' Maggie's Centre appeal. She said today: "I'm delighted Warner Brothers has granted premieres to these charities, as they are all close to my heart and deserve a higher profile."
Carys Winship, Glasgow fundraising co-ordinator for Maggie's Centre, said the charity was thrilled to be involved in the magical event.
"This is a great boost for the charity, and for the Evening Times Appeal, as some of the cash raised will go straight into our campaign to raise (pounds) 500,000 to build Glasgow's first Maggie's Centre." J.K. Rowling will be at the Edinburgh screening, where it's hoped she will be joined by Robbie Coltrane who plays the giant Hagrid as well as director Christopher Columbus, screenwriter Steve Zaillian and other members of the cast and crew. The film is based on the J.K. Rowling novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Part of the title was changed to Sorcerer for the American audience. It tells the story of a boy who learns he is the orphaned son of two wizards and possesses unique magical powers. Newcomer Daniel Radcliffe plays Harry, and the cast includes some of the biggest names in British cinema such as Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman and John Cleese. Released on November 16, some industry sources believe it could become the most successful film ever, outstripping Star Wars, Titanic and ET.
lFamily tickets (which admit four) are available for a minimum donation of (pounds) 100. Tickets are only available from the hotline numbers above.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 10:02:22 (PDT)
October 11, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 12
HEADLINE: Latymer School is to let all the girls in
LONDON'S LIBERAL middle classes will be fired with progressive zeal with the news that Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith is to become fully coeducational. One of West London's oldest schools, with alumni including Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and former education minister George Walden, it was founded in 1624 and became independent in 1976. Latymer plans to take girls from 8 to 18 years within the next few years, and other London girls' schools, particularly next-door Godolphin and Latymer, may well feel threatened, as it will undoubtedly cream off some of the capital's liveliest crop of girls.
However single-sex schools still perform better than their co-ed rivals academically, and, as Hugh Grant speculated when Latymer accepted girls into its sixth form for the first time in 1994, "won't the snogging be rather less exciting?"
"It's a momentous decision," a school spokesman tells me. "The governers announced it at the beginning of the term to parents but we are not making a timetable for it until a lot of conditions have been met.
"In the 21st century it just seems like the only way to proceed. Girls shouldn't be excluded."
My colleague George Walden, though, is in two minds about the move. "I wish it had been co-ed in my day," he tells me, "then I wouldn't have had to spend so much time looking at the pallid thighs at the girl's school next door. But I worry that it might not help the results of boys in general who are lagging behind the girls."
Georgiana (Not up at their site yet, so no photo)
Seattle - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 09:57:22 (PDT)
sue
England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 09:17:05 (PDT)
Sue
England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 09:15:07 (PDT)
Anon
London, - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 08:51:21 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 08:15:53 (PDT)
Cindie
in a state of confusion, - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 08:12:56 (PDT)
The Express
October 12, 2001
SECTION: FEATURES; Pg. 47
HEADLINE: THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE LOVE AND TANTRUMS; THEATRE
BYLINE: ROBERT GORELANGTON
PRIVATE LIVES Albery Theatre, London WC2, 020 7369 1740, ends Jan 6.
LIKE MANY top British stage actors, Alan Rickman has spent a lot of time being a baddie in Hollywood films. Think of Die Hard and Robin Hood:
Prince Of Thieves - films which he enlivened with his brand of knowing, camp comedy. Now he's back on stage, teaming up with Lindsay Duncan (both made their names in the Eighties in the steamy stage classic Les Liaisons Dangereuses) in Noel Coward's ultra-stylish PRIVATE LIVES. On stage Rickman acts like he's on Valium and on top of that he's beginning to sound - and even look - worryingly like Frankie Howerd.
But that wounded vanity he exudes is actually perfect for the part of Elyot, who can't live with or without his ex-wife Amanda.
The couple find themselves falling in love again when honeymooning in France with their new spouses and, once back in Paris, the marital bickering starts up again. Lindsay Duncan's Amanda is terrific, giving as good as she gets and exuding a tremendous sex appeal between rows. The mood swings from romance to violence are always a comic treat and the stage fight between the pair in the second act is the best stage punch-up since Macbeth. Add to the mix excellent performances from the abandoned spouses - gawky Adam Godley and a frumpy Emma Fielding - and you've got an evening of high style and low punches and a surprising amount of between-the-lines smut.
Tim Hatley's stunning set of vertical hotel balconies gives way to what looks like a tart's boudoir and director Howard Davies keeps us laughing throughout.
(Rufus Sewell in "Luther" also reviewed--unfavorable [Drat! I have a ticket!] in this article.)
Georgiana ("rear end of the panto cow..." I love it, Sue!)
Seattle - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 07:14:20 (PDT)
Steve
London, England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 06:27:25 (PDT)
Sue
still got a silly grin on my face., England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 05:36:47 (PDT)
Steve
London, England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 03:15:39 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 02:36:07 (PDT)
Sue
our house goes on the market today and I should be cleaning, England - Friday, October 12, 2001 at 01:57:09 (PDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 16:51:33 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 15:30:01 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 14:27:17 (PDT)
Ewa <bricken@terramail.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 14:18:11 (PDT)
Anne <anne@chantico.comfoo>
London, - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 13:30:43 (PDT)
Nicole
Überlingen :-), Germany. - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 12:24:51 (PDT)
GML
UK - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 12:19:25 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 11:37:12 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 10:58:07 (PDT)
Georgiana (Democrat? Moi? Had to be a rightward move...)
Seattle - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 10:50:52 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 08:16:26 (PDT)
Sue
Just off to titivate,could be sometime!, England - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 06:28:36 (PDT)
Star
nc usa - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 05:07:49 (PDT)
Star
NC USA - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 04:55:27 (PDT)
Anon
- Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 03:41:00 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 03:28:59 (PDT)
Steve
London, - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 02:54:19 (PDT)
Sue
still paranoid, England - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 02:31:15 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 02:29:53 (PDT)
Sue
getting paranoid, England - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 02:28:04 (PDT)
Georgiana (Thanks, Steve.)
Seattle - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 02:25:33 (PDT)
Nicole
Germany - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 02:06:18 (PDT)
Steve
London, England - Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 01:09:32 (PDT)
http://www.jareth.com/movie.html
Also, on the same site, there's critique page for the new Snape doll:
http://www.jareth.com/review.html
Pretty cute!
Carol <cebbyq@hotmail.comfoo>
Okazaki, Japan - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 23:49:11 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 17:40:10 (PDT)
Magda (I know the hair colour isnt perfect but ooh he is)
Scotland - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 16:02:49 (PDT)
Georgiana (Oh but the natural grey is so much nicer!)
Seattle - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 14:10:15 (PDT)
Magda
Scotland - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 13:02:01 (PDT)
Georgiana (but you probably all knew that!)
Seattle - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 12:52:15 (PDT)
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 12:46:44 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 12:45:57 (PDT)
The Scotsman
October 10, 2001, Wednesday
SECTION: Pg. 11
HEADLINE: A VERY FLAT COWARD REVIEW PRIVATE LIVES
BYLINE: Kate Copstick
I HAVE to confess that I am hopelessly, helplessly in thrall to Alan Rickman. From the Rev Obadiah Slope in the Barchester Chronicles to the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood, he has shown himself to be an actor of intelligence, strength and a level of animal magnetism that would buckle the Forth Road Bridge. So when someone looking like Sir Robin Day appeared on Tim Hately's slanted white balcony, I wondered if the understudy was on.
With mounting despair I watched this wonderful play sink under the weight of two performances best described not so much as lead as leaden. Never, I would wager, has Noel Coward's masterly sweet'n'sour tale of love and loving-to-hate been so wholly stripped of its sparkle.
Lindsay Duncan's Amanda promised much. Sadly, it soon became clear that her entire performance was a homage to Jennifer Saunders's Edina in Absolutely Fabulous. In an odd - and presumably deliberate - piece of casting, both second spouses looked to have been barely viable when Elyot and Amanda walked down the aisle together.
Emma Fielding's Sibyl was nicely fluffy on the outside and steely on the inside. But on no level was it believable that Duncan's parodic Amanda would marry Adam Godley's eager, gangling Victor. But at least the dialogue sounded right in the mouths of the younger two.
In Elyot and Amanda, Coward created two wonderful creme brulee characters - shiny and brittle on the top but really very soft and gooey underneath. Rickman and Duncan gave us porridge. "Terribly flat, Norfolk," intoned Duncan . Not as flat as these performances.
Until 6 January, 2002, tel: 020-7369 1730
Georgiana (Chalk up #2 in the negative column...)
Seattle - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 12:42:05 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 12:34:21 (PDT)
Magda
Canada - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 10:20:33 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 09:16:04 (PDT)
Sue
England - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 08:24:46 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 07:27:09 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 05:19:11 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 04:28:42 (PDT)
Sue
England - Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at 02:55:05 (PDT)
Magda
Scotland - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 23:37:21 (PDT)
Mika
K Lumpur, M'SIA - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 22:39:12 (PDT)
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ USA - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 18:57:52 (PDT)
S ;-)
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 18:42:42 (PDT)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 17:47:39 (PDT)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 17:38:51 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 17:32:48 (PDT)
Georgiana (Claire! Such dedication in a hunt-and-pecker!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 16:51:13 (PDT)
Professor Snape, McGonagall and Quirrell
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 16:49:38 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 15:38:48 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 14:43:43 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 14:41:21 (PDT)
Thanks for typing that up!
Suz (D.o.C.)
Claire
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 14:27:57 (PDT)
Claire
I think the *acorns* are ALL removed !!, - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 14:26:00 (PDT)
Sue
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 13:24:37 (PDT)
Sue
England - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 13:23:53 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 13:18:52 (PDT)
joan
USA - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 13:14:18 (PDT)
GML
UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 12:27:25 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 11:29:02 (PDT)
HEATHER
TX - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 10:07:21 (PDT)
Georgiana (...with the Times review something of an outlier)
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 09:46:28 (PDT)
Wondered if the change was to make the scarlet woman aspect rather less blatant, for the red certainly drew the eye even when concentrating on Elyiot, or that some disaster had befallen the red costume for that particular performance!
Claire
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 09:43:36 (PDT)
Anon
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 09:17:26 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 08:39:54 (PDT)
GML
UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 08:19:04 (PDT)
Claire
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 07:12:34 (PDT)
AR & LD on balcony
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Oh, the possibilities! I'm so happy!, TX USA - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 07:08:27 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 07:07:43 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 07:03:00 (PDT)
Georgiana (My, but isn't this fun! How fine that he elected to get back on this horse...)
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 06:42:38 (PDT)
Sue
(marinated in sex eh..........., England - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 06:33:23 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 06:25:31 (PDT)
Georgiana (, , , only slightly tongue-in-cheek. Thanks for fixing my errant link, Suz!)
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 06:15:14 (PDT)
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH(LONDON)
October 09, 2001, Tuesday
SECTION: Pg. 24
HEADLINE: A masterpiece of love and pain
. BYLINE: By CHARLES SPENCER
Private Lives
ALBERY THEATRE
Georgiana (I asked Claire if we could have Tony Blair, just for a bit--she declined; lovely to have him articulating what the Shrub universally cannot manage.) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 06:00:51 (PDT)
Star
NC USA - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 04:49:40 (PDT)
Steve
London, England - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 04:20:05 (PDT)
Barbara the Australian <hermione(underscore )3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Qld. Australia - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 03:21:42 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 02:35:41 (PDT)
Sue
England - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 02:21:13 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 01:41:06 (PDT)
a Rickman Admirer
- Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 01:14:35 (PDT)
Suz (D.o.C.)
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
NY USA - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 20:53:52 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 17:15:09 (PDT)
Cindie
Why, oh why, did he colour his hair?
Cleveland, OH - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 16:55:46 (PDT)
Georgiana (and a nice replacement, alas, for Sally's lovely wallpaper it is!)
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 16:39:49 (PDT)
Kari (from the frying pan into the fire!)
Seattle, - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 16:26:37 (PDT)
Claire
And ANOTHER good review!!, - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 15:36:10 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 15:02:04 (PDT)
GML
UK - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 12:39:42 (PDT)
October 8, 2001, Monday
SECTION: FEATURES; Pg. 19
HEADLINE: 3AM: SURVEILLANCE
BYLINE: Jessica Callan, Eva Simpson, Polly Graham
Georgiana (now where *did* I put my passport...)
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 12:38:24 (PDT)
Georgiana (Thank you, Cindie! Good to be home. Except for all the work that awaits. And that my contractor decided to replace skylights while I was gone, showering the bathroom with plaster bits...)) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 12:35:11 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 12:27:01 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 12:16:35 (PDT)
Nicole <dipsy17@gmx.defoo>
Germany - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 12:06:10 (PDT)
Anne <anne@chantico.comfoo>
London, - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 11:18:12 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 11:02:58 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 10:31:46 (PDT)
Steve <website@theatremonkey.comfoo>
London, England - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 09:51:03 (PDT)
Georgiana (can I blame 1 hour of jet lag???)
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 09:22:41 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 09:21:08 (PDT)
Cindie
- Monday, October 08, 2001 at 08:03:21 (PDT)
BYLINE: Susannah Clapp
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 07:56:43 (PDT)
Financial Times (London)
October 8, 2001, Monday London Edition 1
SECTION: THE ARTS; Pg. 24
HEADLINE: Liaison is a date with destiny THEATRE:
BYLINE: By ALASTAIR MACAULAY
Georgiana (Oh, my! Now catch your breath...)
back in Seattle . . . - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 07:41:33 (PDT)
Sue
England - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 05:37:40 (PDT)
Anon
London, - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 02:02:31 (PDT)
Gertrud <GertrudTrommeter@gmx.defoo>
Germany - Monday, October 08, 2001 at 01:31:06 (PDT)
*just now picking myself off the floor* :-)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 16:57:44 (PDT)
Andrea
Germany - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 14:15:37 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 13:28:16 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 13:11:38 (PDT)
Mary
McHenry, - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 12:59:43 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 12:22:29 (PDT)
Nicole
Germany - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 12:19:38 (PDT)
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 10:17:27 (PDT)
Eva
Copenhagen, Denmark - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 09:55:26 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 08:23:20 (PDT)
If anyone gets the Bravo channel and I know most Canadians do, then get your video machines ready.
On Friday at 8pm on Bravo there will be a 2 part making of Harry Potter. On the show Scanning The Movies. Its a half hour show and it will show part 2 the following Friday . So everyone get ready . Hopefully they will show "Our" man Alan Rickman. I sure can't wait....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 08:12:03 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 07:48:43 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
- Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 07:44:22 (PDT)
Jo <vibertology@hotmail.comfoo>
- Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 07:36:14 (PDT)
October 7, 2001, Sunday
FEATURES; Pg. 43
REVIEW: VIDEO OF THE WEEK - BLOW DRY (15)
BYLINE: Jeremy Watts
Georgiana
Bozeman - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 06:56:18 (PDT)
By John Gross
Georgiana
Bozeman - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 06:50:31 (PDT)
Claire
Still checking a pile of this weekends papers for more reviews .... , - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 06:09:53 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 05:48:16 (PDT)
Nicole <dipsy17@gmx.defoo>
Germany - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 04:46:52 (PDT)
Sue
England - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 04:18:48 (PDT)
Sue
England - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 04:17:43 (PDT)
Sunday October 7, 2001
The Observer
Claire
- Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 04:13:03 (PDT)
Sue
England - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 04:07:30 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 01:46:49 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Sunday, October 07, 2001 at 01:16:51 (PDT)
October 6, 2001
Joan and co have crowd in stitches
REVIEW: Moon Over Buffalo, Theatre Royal, Bath.
Georgiana
Bozeman - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 21:57:02 (PDT)
Gail
Toronto, - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 15:53:11 (PDT)
Nicole <Dipsy17@gmx.defoo>
Germany. Lucky! - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 13:40:49 (PDT)
http://www.THEATREMONKEY.com/ContactUs.htm
Claire
- Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 13:32:19 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 12:51:37 (PDT)
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Toronto, Canada - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 10:45:47 (PDT)
Magda
Aberdeen, Scotland - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 08:24:09 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 07:52:10 (PDT)
Sue
England - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 07:46:21 (PDT)
October 6, 2001, Saturday
SECTION: First Edition; FEATURES; Pg. 34
HEADLINE: VIDEO REVIEWS
BYLINE: Fiona Sturges
Buena Vista, rental H
Georgiana (could have written this one without seeing the film, it's so derivative...)
Bozeman - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 06:39:56 (PDT)
October 5, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 12
Georgiana
Boaeman - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 06:32:30 (PDT)
October 5, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 18
HEADLINE: Roll up for this ride on the marry go-round
BYLINE: Michael Coveney
TWO violent acids in a matrimonial bottle.
incessant paragraphing (after every sentence) omitted
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Bozeman - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 06:29:07 (PDT)
Red
London, UK - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 05:53:26 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 01:52:01 (PDT)
October 6, 2001
Guardian Leader Pages, Pg. 23
HEADLINE: Theatre: Private Lives: Albery Theatre, London
BYLINE: Lyn Gardner
Georgiana
still in Bozeman with the dino diggers... - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 21:47:56 (PDT)
Barbara the Australian
Gold Coast, Australia - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 21:22:59 (PDT)
A Rickman Admirer
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 20:08:52 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkshire - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 16:28:32 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 16:00:17 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 15:49:13 (PDT)
Claire
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 14:30:24 (PDT)
Mary <Thanks for my straight line, Fausta!foo>
McHenry, - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 14:12:16 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 11:52:59 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
missed LLD, can't make it to London now, oh well!, - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 10:40:52 (PDT)
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 10:27:20 (PDT)
S ;-)
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 09:59:52 (PDT)
Jill
Kent UK - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 09:32:12 (PDT)
Sue
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 09:00:03 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 08:41:54 (PDT)
Mary <Liam Neeson would make a great Piglet...foo>
McHenry, - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 08:06:38 (PDT)
Sue
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 07:46:09 (PDT)
Anon
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 07:39:24 (PDT)
AR & LD fighting
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
More good reviews, please! :-), TX USA - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 07:27:14 (PDT)
Sue
But it is actually hot today, England - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 07:20:25 (PDT)
Sue
England - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 07:19:26 (PDT)
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Toronto, Canada - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 07:13:39 (PDT)
LOAD-DATE: October 5, 2001
Georgiana
Bozeman - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 06:29:24 (PDT)
Anon
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 06:12:18 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 05:18:54 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 03:43:21 (PDT)
Gertrud <GertrudTrommeter@gmx.defoo>
Munich, Germany - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 02:08:02 (PDT)
Sue
- Friday, October 05, 2001 at 01:47:42 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkshire - Friday, October 05, 2001 at 00:57:13 (PDT)
A Rickman Admirer
- Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 23:01:10 (PDT)
Josephine
El Laying Low, CA - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 22:17:29 (PDT)
Michaela <mother_mercury@cornerpub.comfoo>
BC Canada - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 21:32:38 (PDT)
Albery, London
TWO violent acids bubbling in a nasty matrimonial bottle. That’s how Amanda and Elyot describe their failed marriage when they find themselves in the same hotel but honeymooning with fresh spouses at the opening of Noël Coward’s Private Lives. But at times last night I felt they’d undergone a chemical change. It was more a case of two alkalines lying pretty doggo.
That’s a pity, because this was the first time Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan had been together on stage since they chilled us in Les Liaisons Dangereuses 20 years ago and hopes were high. In fact, Howard Davies’s production, though often amusing, is relatively so downbeat that maybe it’s intentional. Here’s the elegiac tale of two people who have spent five years apart, made emotional compromises, feel rather older.
Claire
- Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 19:50:19 (PDT)
Albery, London WC2, until Jan 8 (020-7369 1740)
Claire
- Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 19:28:55 (PDT)
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 18:26:00 (PDT)
Florence
Cannes, Dauphine Provence France - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 18:12:45 (PDT)
S ;-)
- Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 16:23:39 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 15:13:53 (PDT)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
watching snow falling in . . . Bozeman - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 13:48:01 (PDT)
Coco
Germany. Aswell! - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 13:08:36 (PDT)
Nicole <Arachnia@gmx.lifoo>
Germany. Wow! - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 13:03:55 (PDT)
Claire
- Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 12:38:17 (PDT)
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 11:02:45 (PDT)
Sue
England - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 10:49:07 (PDT)
Laura <ljyolo@yahoo.comfoo>
Yakima, WA USA - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 08:31:11 (PDT)
Georgiana (Thank you, all. Keep 'em coming) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Bozeman - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 07:57:35 (PDT)
Mary
McHenry, - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 07:51:47 (PDT)
LD & AR at piano from today's Evening Standard.
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Can almost here him playing & singing..., TX USA - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 07:15:28 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
Thank you Georgiana!, - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 06:44:04 (PDT)
Sue
England - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 06:38:44 (PDT)
Anon
London, - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 02:14:39 (PDT)
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 00:33:45 (PDT)
A Rickman Admirer
- Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 23:57:08 (PDT)
Magda <magdahorrocksfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 23:41:27 (PDT)
judy
Yes, J you were right dreams really do come true ! *enormous grin*, - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 18:55:55 (PDT)
First of all, I want to thank everyone for your generous outpouring of contributions! We collected an astonishing $247, which obviously is a lot of money, so we will be sending AR and LD each an arrangement (a sort of 66/33 split), plus the brandy for AR. I'm sure Alan will be pleased! I ordered the flowers from a very lovely florist in London that Victoria recommended (thanks!), and trust her expertise to arrange something suitable. She knows who AR is, and assures me that the arrangement will be, "spectacular, unique, long lasting and gorgeous!" That's the only description I can give right now, but she also said she'd take a picture and snail mail it to me. So I'll post it for all of you to see as soon as I receive it.
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 17:10:07 (PDT)
Star
NC USA - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 16:21:10 (PDT)
Mary
McHenry, - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 15:31:04 (PDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 14:45:55 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 13:20:54 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 13:19:43 (PDT)
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 12:39:17 (PDT)
magda horrocks <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 12:19:08 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 11:53:18 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 11:07:39 (PDT)
Laura <ljyolo@yahoo.comfoo>
Yakima, WA USA - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 09:53:52 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 07:59:54 (PDT)
Georgiana (Get well quick, Fausta!)
Bozeman - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 07:20:00 (PDT)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Bozeman, MT - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 07:01:00 (PDT)
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 07:00:47 (PDT)
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 06:51:54 (PDT)
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 05:24:32 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 05:21:20 (PDT)
Coco <Arachnia@gmx.lifoo>
- Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 04:59:38 (PDT)
Barbara the Australian <hermione(underscore )3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast , Australia - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 04:46:46 (PDT)
Star
NC USA - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 02:44:55 (PDT)
Anne <anne@chantico.comfoo>
London, UK - Wednesday, October 03, 2001 at 01:47:06 (PDT)
GML
UK - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 23:41:38 (PDT)
Georgiana
Still in the Rockies and was Rainier ever gorgeous from the plane... - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 20:20:31 (PDT)
Georgiana (I trust Sally meant the Independent...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Hanging out with the dino diggers this week in Bozeman, Montana - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 20:16:53 (PDT)
Cindie
- Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 16:58:29 (PDT)
magda <magdahorrocks@notmail.comfoo>
aberdeen, scotland - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 16:34:16 (PDT)
Renie/The Daily Telegiraffe <reniept@hotmail.com foo>
(Rebecca did some wonderful posts "next door" at FOF! , - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 12:20:18 (PDT)
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 11:15:38 (PDT)
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 10:37:34 (PDT)
Susan
Yorkshire - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 10:33:42 (PDT)
Rebecca J. (Anderson) Bohner
Stratford, ON Canada - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 10:22:27 (PDT)
Red
London, UK - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 09:13:49 (PDT)
Mary <"Hay-lo! My name ees Eeneego Montoya. Hue keeled my father..."foo>
McHenry, - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 09:04:44 (PDT)
To FastFilm: I took my camera with me in my bag. There were lots of people with bags and there was no control. I didn´t take pics during the play, but during the final bows and I wasn´t the only one doing so. As far as I know that´s allowed.
Jutta
Erlangen, Germany - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 08:12:28 (PDT)
Cat <crubins@asu.edufoo>
Tempe, AZ USA - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 07:43:48 (PDT)
Star
NC USA - Tuesday, October 02, 2001 at 04:37:33 (PDT)
FastFilm
LaLaLand, - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 17:58:27 (PDT)
magda horrocks <magdahorrocks@hotmail.comfoo>
Aberdeen, Scotland - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 17:17:09 (PDT)
Renie
CA, - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 16:39:40 (PDT)
Claire
Renie .. ..oopse .. smelling salts for the lady on the floor!, - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 16:08:42 (PDT)
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 16:06:52 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 15:45:28 (PDT)
AR & EF LD & AR #1 LD & AR #2 LD, AR & EF Stage Door
Coco, I'm moving the video and sound files to another server. Don't worry, they'll be back soon! I should have the Sound Gallery up within the next few days and the Video Gallery shortly thereafter.
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 15:37:20 (PDT)
Cindie
I wonder did AR find that last routine funny?
- Monday, October 01, 2001 at 13:53:14 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 13:45:06 (PDT)
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 13:34:22 (PDT)
Elizabeth
- Monday, October 01, 2001 at 13:28:16 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 13:25:53 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 13:24:52 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 12:45:51 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 12:40:24 (PDT)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 12:33:42 (PDT)
Coco
- Monday, October 01, 2001 at 12:27:12 (PDT)
Now all of them work!
Suz (D.o.C.)
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 12:26:12 (PDT)
Claire
If another link shows Suz can you clean it up please !!, - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 12:02:42 (PDT)
Suz
- Monday, October 01, 2001 at 11:52:30 (PDT)
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 11:41:52 (PDT)
Claire
- Monday, October 01, 2001 at 11:31:15 (PDT)
Star
NC USA(still standing) - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 10:59:01 (PDT)
Red
London, - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 10:18:54 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 08:41:06 (PDT)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 07:04:30 (PDT)
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, October 01, 2001 at 05:01:32 (PDT)
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