| Archives | Current News & Info | Alan Rickman Home page
|
Start reading at bottom of page.
| February 26, 2002 |
|---|
Hear ye, hear ye! I give you King Philip Motzinger (sound .wavs):
We should not discuss matters of trade in the presence of the fairer sex. Let's away!
A good wench is so hard to find.
We wage war on France on the morrow!
I do demand proper service.
Is there unrest in my kingdom?
Listen to your shrew. In her nagging there is wisdom.
Guards! Seize this wench and take her to the stocks!
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Wednesday, February 26, 2002
A very nice lady named Marian on the AR Yahoo Group has put up some King of the Hill Real Audio files on her website. I hope she doesn't mind me posting them here, but I'm sure you'll agree they are worth sharing.
A good wench is hard to find:http://www.rickmaniacs.com/real/wench.ram
Historical Innacuracies (your British accent is close) http://www.rickmaniacs.com/real/inaccuracies.ram
How now gas man http://www.rickmaniacs.com/real/hownowgasman.ram
And finally, he breaks into a Texas accent: http://www.rickmaniacs.com/real/texas.ram
they work best for me if I save them then play them from my computer.
Claudia <claudia@paradise.net.nzfoo>
New Zealand - Wednesday, February 26, 2002
This released yesterday on Theatrenow.com:
Private Lives' Broadway Transfer Confirmed
25/02/2002
by Paul Webb
Following its huge success at the Albery, Howard Davies' production of Private Lives has finalised details of its transfer to New York.
The play will be seen at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway from 19th April, with a press night on 28th April.
Fortunately the entire cast will be travelling with the show, and American audiences will have the opportunity of enjoying the stage chemistry between the four leads - Alan Rickman, Lindsay Duncan, Emma Fielding and Adam Godley and Alex Belcourt in a supporting but hilariously played role as the maid.
The original leads, Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, also transferred to Broadway: Coward was a great fan of New York and his first visit, as an impoverished young man in the early 1920s, had a profound influence on him. He was particularly struck by the relative speed and naturalness of delivery that marked Broadway productions of those days.
His long-term romance with America - which produced a little-known but enjoyable song, 'I Love America' - paid dividends on both sides: America provided him with a second career and much-needed cash as a cabaret entertainer in the 1950s and 1960s, while American audiences have always enjoyed his plays.
Private Lives, being perhaps his best and certainly the best-known, is likely to do particularly well, especially with Duncan and Rickman as Amanda and Elyot.
Annette
Mansfield, TX USA - Tuesday, February 26, 2002
DAILY MAIL (London)
February 25, 2002
SECTION: Pg. 39
BYLINE: Nigel Dempster
PS NOT know to be a party animal, Alan Rickman is joining London's socialites at a special gala evening. The Truly, Madly, Deeply hunk will be quaffing champagne with the likes of Tamara Beckwith, Zoe Appleyard and model Lisa Butcher at the Enchanted Evening concert for the Neurofibromatosis Association, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in May.
As if Rickman weren't enough, there's also the chance to meet the host of the evening, X Files star Gillian Anderson.
Georgiana (Sounds like a heck of a commute!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, February 26, 2002
| February 25, 2002 |
|---|
Broadway fans might want to visit the Internet Broadway Database; the Richard Rodgers Theater has its own page, and so does Mr. Rickman (albeit a short page!). His PL run dates (April 19 to Sept 9, 2002) coincide with the 1987 dates of LLD (April 30 to Sept 6, 1987).
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, February 25, 2002
Variety, Jan 28, 2002 v385 i10 p47(1)
Olivier omissions. (Out In The Cold). (Brief Article)
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2002 Cahners Business Information
Britain seems barely to care about the Jan. 17 Olivier nominees, if the absence of mention in the local press and theater ads is any gauge. Charlotte Jones' "Humble Boy," opening imminently on the West End, is among the few so far to cite its noms (four) in listings. Not so "My Fair Lady" and "Kiss Me, Kate," with 17 between them.
Still, it's worth playing the game of omissions -- a list including Evening Standard Theater Award winners or runners-up Fiona Shaw ("Medea"), Penelope Wilton ("The Little Foxes") and Alex Jennings ("The Relapse"). Two Nicholas Hymer National Theater entries -- "The Winter's Tale" and "Mother Clap's Molly House" -- went unremarked, as did "The Royal Family's" Judi Dench and "South Pacific's' Sheila Francisco, two gifted ladies who in different ways let rip.
An ideal world would have found room for at least one of several Christopher Oram sets and acknowledged Diana Rigg's spin in "Humble Boy" as a sometimes tricksy actress's most honest work in years. Still, I suppose one mustn't ask for the moon when Alan Rickman, Lindsay Duncan, Simon Russell Beale, Ned Beatty and Marin Mazzie are among those who made the cut. The point is, we have the stars.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, February 25, 2002
Sunday Times (London)
February 24, 2002, Sunday
SECTION: Features
HEADLINE: Film choice
BYLINE: Edward Porter
Galaxy Quest (Sky Premier, 2.35pm/8pm)
A cheerful spoof starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman as actors who have had little success since their days in a defunct television sci-fi show. When a race of extraterrestrials mistake them for genuine galactic adventurers, our has-been heroes are offered an unusual means of restoring their pride. Dir: Dean Parisot (1999)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, February 25, 2002
| February 24, 2002 |
|---|
To all who would like PL tix for NY and do not have an AMEX card, here's the customer service number you will need as the code on the Ticketmaster site: 1 800 327 2177. After that you may order tickets using any card they take (MC/Visa, etc.) This is what I did using my Mastercard and I did get a confirmation from them. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, and for them to tell me-Hey, this is not an AMEX! You will have to try again on March 10th! But why would they give you the option of using another card if they weren't going to take it? AND why would they email me a confirmation. I think it probably worked. Good luck, everyone!
Mindy
CT USA - Sunday, February 24, 2002
Sue (Lincoln) the bit says: (I think this is the bit you mean) "...this is a kids classic which adults will enjoy as long as Rickman is in earshot."
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, February 24, 2002
Have just found a copy of the notes which went with the wonderful Telegraph photo; apologies if anyone's already posted this.
Entitled The prince of darkness
"Alan Rickman is the man who stole Robin Hood Prince of Thieves from Kevin Costner. His weapon is his voice, a louche drawl born originally of a speech impediment. Very good at being bad, his CV is predominantly made up of attractive villains, from Rasputin to Prof. Snape in Harry Potter. Truly, Madly, Deeply and Sense and Sensibility stand out as rare romantic moments in an otherwise sinister landscape. His brilliant Elyot in Coward's Private Lives has won him an Olivier nomination, but the next Harry Potter film puts him right back in menace central: the place we love him most."
I think we just love him anywhere, don't we?!! Am madly trying to find another article from the Times yesterday, in a little booklet that reviews all the BAFTA nominations cos there's a great quote in there about him from Help I'm a Fish; I'll find it and post it later!
Sue
Lincoln, UK - Sunday, February 24, 2002
To whoever said that AR isn't in OK magazine - you may have bought the previous issue. He is in the one that's now - I risked buying it!!! Ignore all the Joan Collins stuff, there's a lovely picture of him and LD near the front.
(Ed:Issue you require is 304)
Becky (posted from the GB)
Manchester, UK, - Sunday, February 24, 2002
| February 23, 2002 |
|---|
Today's Daily Telegraph photo (thanks again, Sue!).
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, February 23, 2002
News for all Brits -
RUSH OUT AND BUY TODAY'S (SATURDAY) DAILY TELEGRAPH - a special issue for the BAFTAs entitled "Jude Law, Ewan McGregor and 77 others who make British film worth getting out of bed for" Turn immediately to page 67 and there is a whole page devoted to AR - I am assuming that this is his Dressing Room at the Albery. Enjoy!
Susan
Yorkshire, UK - Saturday, February 23, 2002
| February 22, 2002 |
|---|
People Weekly, Feb 18, 2002 v57 i6 p31+
Screen. (motion pictures)_(movie review) Leah Rozen.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Time, Inc.
Spotlight on...Made with Hearts and Craft
Looking for a refresher course on romance pre-Feb. 14 or just a cheap way to spend Valentine's Day? Why not curl up on the couch, alone or, even better, a deux, with a great romantic movie? These favorites are all available on video and some on DVD.
TRULY MADLY DEEPLY Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson
Love means never having to say you're outta here, even though one of the partners is dead in this sly, 1991 British comedy romance.
Best scene: When all his dead buddies show up to watch movies.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, February 22, 2002
The Sun and Coventry Evening Telegraph also included Mr. Rickman yesterday in their birthday lists.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, February 22, 2002
| February 21, 2002 |
|---|
Hello everyone from a "long-time lurker!" Decided to write today in honor of Mr. Rickman's birthday--may it be a happy one with lots more to come! Also, AMC has a show on Friday night called "Cinema Secrets." This week's is called "Amazing Creatures" and features some of the creatures from "Harry Potter." Their commercial for the show had a snip of an interview with AR. It's on at 10:00 pm Eastern tomorrow. Don't know how much he'll be in it, but he's there. Have a good day!!
Lou Ann <lnorman@swbell.netfoo>
Terrell, TX USA - Thursday, February 21, 2002
If you have an American Express Gold or Platinum card,starting THIS SATURDAY at 10:00 am you can buy tickets to the NY production of "Private Lives" . It is not listed on Amex's website yet (the service rep apologized; I knew from Richard Rodgers theatre that it would be happening). Here's the deal: Tickets range from $20 (I can't imagine where those seats are - probably out in the restroom) to $75 (I am surprised they are so cheap for Broadway & for so popular a show; maybe it is a special price for Amex). It is for the whole run of the show, not just specific performances. The phone number (Ticketmaster)is 212-307-4100.
Joy, peace and a very Happy Birthday, Alan, and many, many more.
Posted to the Guestbook by Ann
NJ USA - Friday, February 21, 2002
From Arts & Entertainment: Friday, November 16, 2001
Movie Review
A spectacle of magic: 'Harry Potter's' focus remains on the hocus-pocus of the book
By Moira Macdonald
Seattle Times movie critic
. . . . . .
The grown-ups, without exception, are just fine, with two performances standing out. Alan Rickman, all coal-black hair and eyebrows (he looks like a character from a Tim Burton movie), brings his oil-dripping-on-velvet voice to the nasty Professor Snape. Clearly, he's having even more fun than he did in "Galaxy Quest." And Zoë Wanamaker makes a spiky-haired dominatrix of flying instructor Madame Hooch, striding through the rows of kid wizards like a confident matador ready to face the bull.
Georgiana (missed this one before--what a lovely image!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, February 21, 2002
Birmingham Post
February 21, 2002, Thursday
SECTION: FEATURES; Pg. 10
HEADLINE: BIRTHDAYS Alan Rickman
Actor Alan Rickman, 56 Born in Hammersmith, London, Alan Rickman lost his father when he was only eight.
He studied graphic design at The Royal College of Art but later abandoned working as a graphic artist to take up a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. During his three years at RADA from 1972-74, he made it clear he had made the right career move by winning the Emile Litter Prize, the Forbes Robertson Prize and the Bancroft Gold Medal.
A successful stage career followed and Rickman gained particular acclaim for his role as the elegant and heartless seducer Valmont in The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
The production's move to Broadway led to success in films after Rickman was offered a role in Die Hard and produced an inspired interpretation of the villainous Hans Gruber.
Rickman's versatility has brought him success in villainous, romantic and comic roles on stage and screen.
He has appeared in more than 20 films and he played Professor Snape in the recently-released Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, February 21, 2002
Apparently, this week's Hello magazine quotes Rickman as saying that filming the second Harry Potter was "huge fun" and he has some terrific scenes with Kenneth Branagh.
Renie <reniept@hotmail.com foo>
CA - Thursday, February 21, 2002
From Today's London Evening Standard - Letters Page
HOT AND HIP AT 50-PLUS
"I'm with Pete Clark on this matter of age(It's not nifty to be 50, 20th February). It's about time men over 50 were given the once-over. I'm a 48-year-old married to a man of 53 and am full of admiration for men of my husband's age who have refused to become stereotypes. There's something that Mr.Clark fails to mention: thay they were young bloods at the time when the term teenager was first off the blocks and the best of the bunch have more or less stuck to that. Can you,for example, distinguish the divine Alan Rickman from his younger cool self?
Here is my personal list of the men who have passed 50 but refuse to grow old: Sting, David Hockney, Terence Stamp, Jeremy Paxman, Richard Branson, Rick Stein and Raymond Blanc. Growing old doesn't have to be done gracefully, it can be done with pizzazz."
Annie Parker, Lewin Road,SW16
Posted to the Guestbook by Sue
England - Thursday, February 21, 2002
Today's Guardian (page 20) and Mirror (page 42) also include Mr. Rickman in their list of birthday wishes.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, February 21, 2002
| February 20, 2002 |
|---|
From 8 February 2002 "Hollywood Reporter":
Film Shorts
Mike Binder‚ creator, executive producer and star of HBO's "The Mind of the Married Man"‚ took home the Critics Choice Award for best feature at last month's Sarasota (Fla.) Film Festival for "The Search for John Gissing." The film, which Binder wrote, directed and stars in, will screen this month at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo. "Gissing" explores the less-than-friendly waters treaded by brash Americans abroad. Alan Rickman and Janeane Garofalo also star.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Wednesday, February 20, 2002
The Independent (London)
February 21, 2002, Thursday
First Edition; Pg. 6
HEADLINE: BIRTHDAYS
...lists, among others: Mr Alan Rickman, actor, 56
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Wednesday, February 20, 2002
| February 19, 2002 |
|---|
There is now a ten minute 'promotional video' (RealPlayer) up at the When Love Speaks site. It features Attenborough, Kamen and Rickman, with little snippets of many others on the album, and was clearly filmed prior to the Old Vic concert. It has marginal video (audio was fine) on a T3 line, so be patient with the download.
I believe the CD has sold out, although amazon.co.uk (apparently now its server is down--I cannot get through) expected a new shipment.
Georgiana (must say I prefer Verdi's version of "The Willow Song," although I generally favor Kamen's music to Verdi's!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, February 19, 2002
| February 18, 2002 |
|---|
What's On Stage has posted the 'acceptance speeches' for their Theatregoers' Choice Awards, which included Alan Rickman as Best Actor:
"Thanks so much to everyone at Whatsonstage.com. The play, the actors and the audience feel completely intertwined in this production of Private Lives, so this award really means a lot."
Private Lives U.S. Ticket Sales
Ticket sales to Private Lives are now listed on Ticketmaster.com - it says tickets will go on sale on the internet on March 10, and the play will open April 19 - see ticketmaster.
Annette
Mansfield, TX USA - Monday, February 18, 2002
Hi, sorry if someone already posted this link to the Variety Awards speech: http://plum.cream.org/HP/variety.htm.
It has soundbites (MP3) of Dan Radcliffe's and AR's accesptance speeches (they cut out LD's bit).
Karin
London, - Monday, February 18, 2002
| February 15, 2002 |
|---|
Found this quote from Olivier Award announcements article by Matt Wolf on the IWon website. Don't know from where he gets his information, but this is the first time I've seen a date of PL opening on Broadway -
..."Best actress in a play went to Lindsay Duncan, the shimmering Amanda of London's sellout revival of "Private Lives." Duncan, who was competing against herself in this category for a new play called "Mouth to Mouth," will repeat her performance in the Noel Coward play on Broadway, opening April 28. Duncan last won an Olivier in 1986, for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" ("Dangerous Liaisons"). "Private Lives" also won for sets and costumes...."
Annette
Mansfield, TX USA - Friday, February 15, 2002 at 10:34:45 (PST)
The joys of 'net cafes - I've just got out of the Victoria Palace Theatre; the bad news is that Alan didn't win (Roger Allam did) but Lindsay Duncan won best actress for Private Lives (specifically - Mouth to Mouth was a separate nomination). She said that the award should be split down the middle with Alan, as her Amanda was impossible without his Elyot.
The black silk pyjamas won an award [grin] - the play picked up the awards for best costume and best set.
Great fun - worth watching tomorrow night on BBC2 ... I assume Alan was there, but it was impossible to see the actor-audience from up in the gods; everyone else was there - I saw Emmma Fielding, Adam Godley and Mrs Adam Godley, whose name I've forgotten (the maid in PL, anyway) when I was leaving the theatre.
Anne <anne@chantico.comfoo>
London, UK - Friday, February 15, 2002 at 06:39:48 (PST)
The Olivier Award winners are posted at their web site. Congratulations to the inimitable Ms. Duncan!
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, February 15, 2002 at 06:38:32 (PST)
| February 14, 2002 |
|---|
This is all I could find Variety Club Awards
Claire
- Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 15:25:25 (PST)
As a computer novice, there is nothing like being successful at something to encourage one to do it again. Hopefully this will work also. Here are links to pictures I found on a chat group of AR at the Variety Awards program variety pics 1, and variety pics 2. While he does look like he isn't feeling well, his tie does look good.
Annette
Mansfield, TX USA - Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 13:48:22 (PST)
I hope this works - here is the link to the deleted HP scenes warnerbros. There is a second or two scene of the potions class at the end of the clip. Snape sounds so much like teachers I have had when he says "why aren't you writing this down?" that it brought back some unpleasant memories.
Annette <annettegeisel@charter.netfoo>
Mansfield, Tx USA - Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 11:54:38 (PST)
Suzanne- I checked out the footage on the "Leaky Cauldron" site and my RealOne player was able to show it. They DID show a tiny, half-second clip entitled "Snape's Class", so yahoo! I guess we'll have a little bonus to look forward to when the DVD comes out. (Some of the other clips looked good, too.)
Laurel <laurelb@flash.netfoo>
CA USA - Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 08:25:03 (PST)
| February 13, 2002 |
|---|
Sure someone from the UK will do a verbatim of the Variety Club speech but here's the short highlights. AR had to bend to the podium microphone set to LD height, everyone was dressed fully in black (presumed for Princess Margaret?). AR was in black suit shirt and tie :
AR says he let Lindsay Duncan do the speaking as he had learned as Elyot to stand that pace back and react to Amanda. Says the show is going to NY in April and finishes with a nice quip at the end of the speech AR directed at Daniel Radcliffe, something to the effect of "See me later Potter !"
Claire
- Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 13:08:09 (PST)
Copyright 2002 EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS
The Express
February 13, 2002
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 3
HEADLINE: EXCLUSIVE: ULRIKA HANDS OUT TOP AWARDS FOR THE VERY BEST IN TV AND MOVIES; A VARIETY SHOW BY THE STARS
BYLINE: By Mark Jagasia Showbusiness Correspondent
EWAN McGregor added to his growing collection of awards yesterday when he was named best film actor of the year at the Variety Club's 50th Showbusiness Awards. McGregor, who missed out on an Oscar nomination for his role in the film musical Moulin Rouge, has nonetheless had his profile boosted by the runaway success of the movie in which he stars with Nicole Kidman.
"I am proud of this piece of work, " he told the other celebrities at the prestigious awards at London's Park Lane Hilton. "I never dreamed I would ever work on a musical, certainly not one as ambitious as this." The young star of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, Daniel Radcliffe, was given the Sir James Carreras Award for outstanding new talent at the ceremony, which is sponsored by OK ! magazine. Among those at the ceremony was Richard Desmond, chairman of Northern and Shell, publishers of the Daily and Sunday Express and OK! Daniel is currently shooting a sequel to the box office-busting film, but took a day off to attend the awards hosted by Ulrika Jonsson.
Also there was his Harry Potter co-star Alan Rickman, who plays Professor Snape in the films but who was named as stage actor of the year for his part in an acclaimed revival of the Noel Coward play Private Lives. His co-star in the production, Lindsay Duncan, was named the stage actress of the year. Dame Judi Dench was named as the year's best film actress but was unable to be in attendence.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Georgiana (paragraphing condensed) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 06:52:58 (PST)
| February 12, 2002 |
|---|
Fox e-mailed me back about the missing "King of the Hill" episode, Joust Like a Woman, which features our beloved...
They say it will air February 24th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 p.m. Central. I haven't checked the KOTH webpage to see if it's been updated, but it was not there before...so set your VCRs again, just in case...
Harlii
- Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at 19:35:27 (PST)
From Playbill online - Playbill online
Impresario Duncan Weldon's office has confirmed that the award-winning production of Private Lives that has been playing to packed houses at the Albery will be transferring to New York.
Star Alan Rickman, speaking to Playbill On-Line, also confirmed that the comedy would arrive on Broadway in mid-April. As expected, the Richard Rodgers will be its home.
The dates and venue are expected to be confirmed next week. Given the perennial appeal of Noel Coward, that Private Lives is his best known play, and the movie star appeal of Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan, the play is likely to do as well on Broadway as in the West End.
Keyser <keyserfan@email.comfoo>
USA - Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at 09:33:30 (PST)
| February 11, 2002 |
|---|
When Love Speaks benefit, from BBC News.
No photo of AR, though.
Renie
- Monday, February 11, 2002 at 12:45:02 (PST)
Here is The Independent's Review of the WLS Concert......"Sexily disdainful" eh?...........
cleekety-cleek
- Monday, February 11, 2002 at 02:25:29 (PST)
| February 10, 2002 |
|---|
The Olivier Awards are being broadcast on Saturday 16th Feb BBC 2 at 7pm.
Elizabeth
UK - Sunday, February 10, 2002 at 02:12:24 (PST)
| February 9, 2002 |
|---|
Thanks so much everyone who mentioned today's Independent article- I ran out and bought it instead of the usual Guardian (hope there's not an even better pic in that). Did you also notice an ad. for the WLS concert on p.43 of the TV guide ? Nice little pic there too plus a website address www.love-speaks-live.co.uk.
Jane
UK - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 11:29:26 (PST)
When the website fails, you can always fork out the £5 for the paper version... The March issue of the Classic fM magazine comes with a freebie CD of classic romance (music for lovers), as it happens, so no regrets, even if I already have most of the tracks, I'll find it a good home. More interestingly, there is an interview of Michael Kamen in their Reviews section. Apologies if this has been posted already: if so, just delete it, no problem. :
Classic fM Magazine, March 2002:
When Love Speaks Sonnets
Forty-Seven of Shakespeare's 154 Sonnets are read by some distinguished former alumni of RADA, making it the starriest cast ever assembled on disc, from Richard Attenborough and Kenneth Brannagh to Diana Rigg and Juliet Stevenson. And to hear such rich, wondrous language spoken with such dare and love is a treat indeed. Alan Rickman and Peter Barkworth are particularly outstanding and, while four sonnets are sung in eminently forgettable pop settings, the contrasting vocal timbres add to the pleasure of this unique recording. Jeremy Nicholas
INTERVIEW - MICHAEL KAMEN
'When Love Speaks' is something that's been with me four or five years. It started with me when I was 16. I started writing an opera on Othello and I wrote the Willow Song - and I'm very proud of it. Needless to say, Shakespeare is the inspiration for so much work that has gone on in the world for the last few 100 years. I decided that the sonnets were his most memorable love poems and I decided to write one - Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? I was looking for people to sing and I went to Brian Ferry expecting, without question, that he would take forever to make his mind up. But he heard it and, about two hours later, I walked out of his studio with a master.
I asked Annie Lennox if she'd give me something and she came back very excited, because she'd done a song based on one of the poems. And I also wanted Ladysmith Black Mambazo - when I called Des'ree, who also sings on the disc, she said "I'm working with Ladysmith". And I said "God, can you bring them?". Joseph Shabalala and I hit it off right away and I asked him if he would ever consider singing a Shakespeare sonnet. About a month later, he called from South AFrica, saying "you know, I don't really like singing English very much". So I called a friend in LA who did a translation of a sonnet into Zulu and that's what Joseph worked on. As far as recruiting the actors on the disc, that's something I didn't have to do. One of my great friends I worked with on Die Hard and Robin Hood is Alan Rickman - he went ahead and recruited all the actors that we see on the album. It was also Alan who suggested we use the material for a benefit album for RADA.
The beauty of all great art is that it expands people's creativity and imagination. The Shakespeare sonnets are delightful - they're each a minute long, they're crafted by a genius and they are very meaningful - the emotions in them speak to us very clearly. When Love Speaks turned out to be a title that Alan Rickman came out with, but it's exactly what the album's about'.
GML
UK - Saturday, February 09, 2002 at 10:59:51 (PST)
I tried to post the Independent article last night but our 'home' was blocked and boarded. Thanks, Suzanne, for fixing things.
Front row seats were all sold out, so I'll be in the second row for the 03/03 performance: Seat A19.
Here is some detective work on where the Binders plan to be showing/have shown "The Search for John Gissing":
2001, 25, 28 Oct, Raindance Independent Film Fest London2001, 1-11 Nov, American Film Institute's AFI Fest
2002, 12, 16 Jan, Palm Springs Int'l Film Festival
2002, 24, 25 Jan, Sarasota Int'l Film Festival
WINNER! Film Critics Best Feature2002, 8, 9 Feb, Victoria Int'l Film Festival Canada
2002, 21 Feb Cinequest San Jose, CAL Opening Night Gala (showings at 8 pm, 8:30)
2002, 26-28 Feb, Roma Int'l Film Festival Italy
2002, 27 Feb - 3 Mar, U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (8th Annual, HBO), Aspen
2002, 8-17 Mar, SXSW Film & Music Conference, Austin
2002, 11-19 April Newport Beach Int'l Film Fest
| February 8, 2002 |
|---|
London Evening Standard - Piece on "When Love Speaks" Event on Sunday
........"Alan Rickman will present the second half after hot-footing it from a matinee performance of private Lives. The event will be hosted by RADA chairman Lord Attenborough".......
sue
England - Friday, February 08, 2002 at 07:30:28 (PST)
| February 7, 2002 |
|---|
It now seems that we have a release date for TSFJG. You people are going to love this, wait for it.................................... 12 December 2002, in the USA. Only two years after they made it, thats not bad, considering Mesmer is still lying in a heap of dust in some vault somewhere.
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, February 07, 2002 at 10:39:33 (PST)
| February 6, 2002 |
|---|
According to The Leaky Cauldron, the Harry Potter DVD (UK release May 11th, U.S. release May 28th) will include all of the following:
• Two disc set (2 versions - anamorphic widescreen and full frame)
• Thrilling, new scenes completed specifically for the home video release.
• An in-depth, interactive tour that allows fans to experience Hogwarts as a first year student, including the Great Hall, the Gryffindor Common Room, and more.
• Video highlights of the students and professors
• Visits to Snape’s, McGonagall’s, and Flitwick’s classrooms, which allow viewers to discover the “secret” at the heart of the DVD.
• Captivating interviews with producer David Heyman and director Christopher Columbus, providing insights into Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
• A visit to Diagon Alley that provides access to Gringott’s Bank, Ollivanders Wands (fans can be “chosen” by a wand), and Eeylops Owl Emporium.
• A lesson in Quidditch that allows viewers to catch a Snitch with their remotes.
• An opportunity to cast a spell over Harry and his friends that will let viewers watch them perform a scene in eight different languages.
• A visit to the Hogwarts’ library which allows users to open a screaming book, catch a clue to the Mirror of Erised, choose video bios of favorite characters and meet the ghosts of Hogwarts.
• Theatrical Trailers
• DVD-ROM features worthy of the Hogwarts House Cup include the following: An enhanced, personalized tour in real-time of Hogwarts, including Hagrid’s Hut, the Great Hall and Harry’s room, which allows users to experience the magic of Hogwarts firsthand! Viewers can look in all directions as well as view a split screen of forward and reverse views simultaneously.
• Unique and exclusive electronic trading cards that allow users to collect and trade online.
• Magical Harry Potter game demonstrations that will put users in the spotlight as they allow players to take on the role of Harry and to navigate through Hogwarts. An additional game demonstration offers users an “activity center” in which they can create their own version of Harry’s world.
• Personalized owl emails that will allow users to receive Harry Potter updates and information.
• A sorting by the Sorting Hat that gives users the opportunity to be assigned to one of Hogwarts’ houses.
• Video biographies that will allow viewers to become better acquainted with the Hogwarts faculty.
• Downloadable screensavers and remembralls.
| February 5, 2002 |
|---|
The Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Choice Poll results are out. Mr.Rickman won best actor with 64% of the votes!!!!
cleekety-cleek
- Tuesday, February 05, 2002 at 02:36:42 (PST)
| February 4, 2002 |
|---|
Video Age International, Nov-Dec 2001 v21 i7 p6(1)
Britain's Film Boycott Blues. (World). (Brief Article)
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2001 TV Trade Media, Inc.
British actors have been instructed by Equity, the actors' trade union, to boycott any films being made in Britain starting in December, after talks with employees over bonus disputes failed to produce satisfactory results. Unlike in America, where repeated showings of a film on TV or the sale of a movie for home viewing garners increased fees for a film's stars, British actors receive no payment beyond their initial acting fees. The actors' lone request is that they be given a flat fee in advance when their movies are shown on TV or sold to video.
Should its 36,000 members heed Equity's directions, the proposed strike, which is backed by many of England's top stars including Moulin Rouge's Ewan McGregor, Harry Potter villain Alan Rickman, and veteran actresses Julie Walters and Vanessa Redgrave, has the potential to bring Britain's film industry to a standstill. However Equity hopes to negotiate a settlement before that becomes necessary.
Judging from Suzanne's picture link, this does not appear to have affected filming of HP2.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, February 04, 2002 at 11:53:21 (PST)
| February 3, 2002 |
|---|
Here's a behind-the-scenes photo taken on January 29th of AR (in Snape getup) on the Chamber of Secrets set at Gloucester Cathedral. There's also lots of "premiere" photos there, but I haven't looked through them all.
Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Sunday, February 03, 2002 at 15:13:38 (PST)
Billboard, Jan 26, 2002 v114 i4 p16(1)
The Beat[TM]. (Artists & Music).
Melinda Newman.
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2002 VNU Business Media
THE BARD SPEAKS: William Shakespeare may be making his first appearance on the charts soon. A number of acts, including Annie Lennox, Des'ree, Rufus Wainwright, Keb' Mo', Bryan Ferry, Barbara Bonney, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing Shakespeare's words set to music on When Love Speaks, a benefit album for London's Royal Academy for the Dramatic Arts (RADA).
The album, which comes out Feb. 4 on EMI in the U.K., was the brain-child of Oscar-nominated composer Michael Kamen. When Love Speaks is slated to come out on EMI Classics in the U.S. later this spring. A single has not been chosen.
The idea originally came about when Kamen was approached to make an album for the Globe Theater. "However, there was a woman taking exception to pop people doing a Shakespeare project, so it eventually got shelved," Kamen says. The composer later brought up the idea to actor/RADA grad Alan Rickman, who suggested it be done as a benefit for the academy. Rickman and a number of other famous RADA alumni, including Ralph Fiennes, Dame Judi Dench, John Hurt, the late Sir John Gielgud, and Kenneth Branagh perform readings of Shakespeare material on the album.
As Kamen, a Julliard graduate, puts it, "With Shakespeare as your lyricist, you can't really go wrong." The music for the pieces were in most cases written by the artists. Kamen composed the music for Ferry's sonnet, while Bonney, Kamen says, "sings the Willow song from Othello that I wrote when I was 16."
[Graphic omitted] Many of the project's participants will take part in a live concert of the album taking place Feb. 10 at the Old Vic Theatre in London. The performance will be broadcast on England's leading classical radio outlet, Classic FM. Confirmed to perform are Rickman, RADA head Sir Richard Attenborough, Lennox (along with Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart) Keb' Mo', and Des'ree.
Two days prior to the Feb. 10 show, Kamen will be in Salt Lake City conducting "The Fire Within," a 10-minute piece he composed for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The performance of the piece, which includes a guitar solo by Queen's Brian May and the accompaniment of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, will feature 1,000 ice skaters.
Money raised from the sale of When Love Speaks will go toward funding the school. "The Royal Family doesn't really support RADA to the extent that they need," Kamen says. "The school has just done a very ambitious building program, so they needed some money, and this will help."
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, February 03, 2002 at 08:40:12 (PST)
| February 1, 2002 |
|---|
About "When Love Speaks"--To maximize revenue on RADA's behalf you can order copies directly from the school:
"The CD itself is packaged within a beautifully designed hardback book containing the featured sonnets - you can buy this from RADA (from 4 February) - please call 020 7928 6010 to place an order by phone - to maximise revenue on RADA's behalf."--RADA
The street address is:
ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ART
62 - 64 Gower St
London WC1E 6ED
United Kingdom
It's not clear whether Kenneth Branagh will be able to attend the RADA launch event, as he is currently in Gloucester, filming in the cloisters of the Cathedral and the adjacent King's School for HP:Chamber of Secrets.
R, again.
- Friday, February 01, 2002 at 19:17:12 (PST)
New video clips of an interview with AR at the official Harry Potter site:
http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/production_notes/video.html
They are, of course, lovely (though brief) and it's the first time I've heard AR really talking about Snape, so... have fun!
R.J. Anderson
Canada - Friday, February 01, 2002 at 06:12:46 (PST)
| January 24, 2002 |
|---|
"The Search for John Gissing" is coming to Silicon Valley! I'm not sure if that location is very convenient for most of y'all, but the Cinequest film festival will be featuring this elusive film at its "Opening Night Gala"- I think it's Feb 21st or 'round there somewhere. You can check at Cinequest.org
Laurel <laurelb@flash.netfoo>
CA USA - Thursday, January 24, 2002 at 15:29:29 (PST)
| January 23, 2002 |
|---|
I've just discovered that you can get tickets for the Rada Benefit at the Old Vic on Sunday Feb 10th called When Love Speaks to lanch the CD of same name, and where AR is doing his bit. The tel. no. is: 020 7369 1762 to order tickets and I expect there's an Old Vic website somewhere around where you could get tickets too (or ticketmaster.co.uk.
Sally
London, UK - Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at 07:59:03 (PST)
Some news from www.playbill.com Jan. 23: Negotiations are getting down to the wire for bringing one of the West End's current success stories, Private Lives at the Albery Theatre, to Broadway this spring....Producer Duncan Weldon confirmed in late 2001 that he hoped to take the production to Broadway "somewhere in the first half of next year". Ira Pittelman, a co-producer of the UK mounting, told Playbill On-Line Jan. 22 "We're very close, but we haven't yet concluded conversations with Rickman and Duncan. If it does happen, it will be the Richard Rodgers Theatre".
Another announcement stated that there are a limited number of tickets available to the public to attend this year's Olivier Awards at the Victoria Palace on Feb. 15. The tickets being offered, which are in the Upper Circle, are specially priced at 5 pounds sterling each. The Awards Presentation is being hosted by Clive Anderson and will be televised on BBC. For bookings or further information, call the Victoria Palace on 020 7834 1317.
Penny S.
- Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at 06:42:57 (PST)
| January 15, 2002 |
|---|
The Victoria Independent Film and Video Festival program guide is now on-line. "The Search for John Gissing" will show Friday, February 8 at 9:30 pm at Cinecenta, and Saturday, February 9 at 6:45 pm at Capitol 6 Theatre 6, in Victoria, British Columbia. [Information for this film is on page 39; film photo does not include Mr. Rickman.]
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, January 15, 2002 at 09:36:18 (PST)
| January 13, 2002 |
|---|
I just visited the King of the Hill website (at Fox.com), and they state that all new King of the Hill episodes have been preempted until Feb. 10. So, we'll try again next month.
Annette
Mansfield, Tx USA - Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 16:33:44 (PST)
Fausta has put up Michelle's review of Mr. Rickman reading Goram Simic poetry at "War Poems," on 12 December 2001 at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, as part of the International Writers' Season of The Orange Word, a literary festival sponsored by Orange.
Mr. Rickman read Simic's poems:
--Dogs and Bones
--Beginning After Everything
--Christmas
--Sarajevo Spring
He reads for approximately ten minutes. A RealAudio file of the reading in its entirety (all artists) can be found at: WarPoems. He begins about five minutes into the file (be patient).
Georgiana (hope all these links work...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 14:03:54 (PST)
"When Love Speaks," the Shakespeare Sonnet CD/various artists (including Rickman)/music by Michael Kamen, is available for pre-order at Amazon.co.uk for £11.99, with release/ship date of 4 February 2002.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 13:52:50 (PST)
| January 8, 2002 |
|---|
Alan Rickman voices a character on King of the Hill:
Hey! I found more info on the King of the Hill episode with Alan Rickman for this coming Sunday night.
Episode 112. "Joust like a Woman"
Guest Stars: Laura Dern & Alan Rickman
Plot: Peggy stirs up rebellion among female workers at a Renaissance Faire where Hank is trying to land a big account.
Air date: 13-Jan-2002
Yay! I can't wait...hope I remember to set my VCR!
Harlii
- Tuesday, January 08, 2002 at 19:35:36 (PST)