Junior's Eyes: Stage (Theatre)

Showing posts with label Stage (Theatre). Show all posts

May 30, 2011

Today's Tune: "Dr. Phibes" By Angel Witch

Hugh Griffith as the Rabbi in 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' (1971)

Born on this day in 1912, Welsh film, television and stage actor Hugh Griffith (May 30, 1912 – May 14, 1980) was born. His acting career flourished soon after he served in the army during World War II, which happened just as he was getting started.

Early on, Griffith did very well trodding the boards in both England and the United States. Those stage roles earned him award nominations, while putting him alongside another famous Welsh actor, Richard Burton, and American actor Anthony Perkins.

He also shared the silver screen with many celebrated actors, once he started doing films in the late 1940s. Griffith would work in movies ('Ben-Hur', 'Oliver!', 'Start The Revolution Without Me') released up until the year before his death, at 67 years old. He appeared in a few hit television shows (Quatermass II, Clochemerle, 'Grand Slam') as well.

This 'Today's Tune' was selected based on a pair of horror films Griffith made with master of the macabre, Vincent Price. Price stars as Dr. Anton Phibes, a murderous madman bent on revenge, in both 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' (1971) and it's sequel, 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again' (1972). In the first film, Hugh Griffith plays the Rabbi that knows all about the Egyptian themed curses all the terrifying deaths seem to be related to. In the follow up movie, Griffith portrays Harry Ambrose, while Price's re-awakened Dr. Phibes continues to kill.

Angel Witch, my favorite cult NWOBHM band, originally released the instrumental track "Dr. Phibes" on the 'Loser' EP (Extended Play Single - B-Side). Since then, it has been included on multiple re-issues of 'Angel Witch' (1980), the band's gothic masterpiece and first full studio album.

Angel Witch - "Dr. Phibes" Original Studio Recording

Angel Witch - "Dr. Phibes" Live in Athens, Greece Nov. 15, 2009

April 13, 2010

Today's Tune: "Child In Time" By Deep Purple

Peter Davison as The Doctor

Happy Birthday Peter Davison! Born Peter Moffett on April 13, 1951, Davison is an English television and stage actor, who has played many popular characters in quite a few popular TV series and stage plays since changing his name to avoid being confused with another veteran actor before his first job in 1975.

Davison later worked with that actor and director, Peter Moffatt, after he landed the BBC TV series role of Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great And Small (1978 - 1990), a comedy / drama based on the books of the British veterinary surgeon Alf Wight, better known under his pseudonym James Herriot.

Among the other quality series in which Peter Davison is remembered for working in, are his detective roles in the TV adaption of Margery Allingham's Campion (as Campion 1989 - 1990) and recurring character Inspector Christmas in Diana Rigg's Mrs Bradley Mysteries (1999). Another of Davison's interesting shows that I like is ITV hit comedy / drama, At Home With The Braithwaites (as David Braithwaite 2000 - 2003).

This 'Today's Tune' links with Peter's most well known acting role of all, the fifth incarnation of The Doctor (1981–1984 and later revivals), in the classic BBC science fiction series, Doctor Who (1963 to 1989, 2005 - present). The Doctor, of course, travels in both time and space. During Davison's time, the Doctor was a young Time Lord of maybe 500 something years old. Therefore, I've chosen "Child In Time" (1970) by the classic British rock band, Deep Purple.

Deep Purple - "Child In Time"

January 27, 2010

Today's Tune: "45" By Elvis Costello

The musical genius known as Elvis Costello.

Happy Birthday Alan Cumming! Scottish stage, television and film actor Cumming was born in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland on January 27, 1965. The activist and humanitarian is in very high demand these days. You see him regularly in films and a fair amount on television (PBS / Masterpiece presenter).

When I think of Alan Cumming, I remember his work in movies such as 'Bernard And The Genie' (Won British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Newcomer), 'Spy Kids' ('Spy Kids' trilogy), and 'X2: X-Men United' ('X-Men' film series). And who could forget him as Wyatt Frame, also known as "White Ass Wally", in 'Josie And The Pussycats'.

Cumming was born in 1965, which makes him 45 years old today. So, for our 'Today's Tune', the obvious choice is "45" (2002). It's a great piece of work, about all things 45, by a musical genius born in England of Irish heritage, Elvis Costello. Costello was 45 years old when he wrote the song.

Elvis Costello And The Imposters - "45" Diner Version

Elvis Costello And The Imposters - "45" Street / Grocery Cart Version

January 15, 2010

Happy 45th Birthday James Nesbitt

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of Ireland's greatest actors. At 45 years old, James Nesbitt has a surprisingly long list of successful efforts in his body of work. He has created many memorable performances in high quality productions of comedy, drama, etc. via stage, television and film. Nesbitt has also been invovled with some very valuable charitable work.

Here's the Wikipedia introduction to James Nesbitt (Full article link):

James Nesbitt (born 15 January 1965) is an actor from Northern Ireland. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt grew up in Broughshane and Coleraine, County Londonderry. He wanted to become a teacher, like his father, so began a degree in French at the University of Ulster. He dropped out after a year when he decided to become an actor, and transferred to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. After graduating in 1987, he spent seven years performing in plays that varied from the musical Up on the Roof (1987, 1989) to the political drama Paddywack (1994). He made his feature film debut playing talent agent Fintan O'Donnell in Hear My Song (1991).

Nesbitt got his breakthrough television role playing Adam Williams in the romantic comedy-drama Cold Feet (ITV, 1998–2003), which won him a British Comedy Award, a Television and Radio Industries Club Award, and a National Television Award. His first significant film role came when he appeared as pig farmer "Pig" Finn in Waking Ned ['Waking Ned Devine' in North America] (1998). With the rest of the starring cast, Nesbitt was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. In Lucky Break (2001), he made his debut as a film lead playing prisoner Jimmy Hands. The next year, he played Ivan Cooper in the television film Bloody Sunday, about the 1972 shootings in Derry. A departure from his previous "cheeky chappie" roles, the film was a turning point in his career. He won a British Independent Film Award and was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.

Nesbitt has also starred in Murphy's Law (BBC One, 2003–2007) as undercover detective Tommy Murphy—a role that was created for him by writer Colin Bateman. The role twice gained Nesbitt Best Actor nominations at the Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTA). In 2004, he starred in the fact-based drama Wall of Silence as the father of a murdered boy, a role that gained him another IFTA nomination. In 2007, he starred in the dual role of Tom Jackman and Mr Hyde in Steven Moffat's Jekyll, which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination in 2008. Nesbitt has since appeared in several more dramatic roles; he starred alongside Liam Neeson in Five Minutes of Heaven (2009), was one of three lead actors in the television miniseries Occupation (2009), and is due to star in his first horror film Outcast (2010).

Nesbitt is married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam, with whom he has two daughters, and he is a patron of numerous charities.

I wanted to include some video of my favorite television and film work by James Nesbitt. It's sometimes frustrating trying to find good clips of the bits you'd think would definitely be available, but just aren't there. I just could not find a single one of the BBC America previews or trailer clips for the Jekyll TV miniseries, even though they were shown thousands of times before and during the airing of the Stephen Moffatt masterpiece. BBC Worldwide's YouTube channel has 12 clips available, but they aren't quite as good as the ones originally shown on US television. Very little of Cold Feet was available as well, and it ran for five series.

Cold Feet - End of Pilot Episode (1997 TV)
Adam (James Nesbitt) serenades Rachel (Helen Baxendale)
and Jenny (Fay_Ripley) has surprise for Pete (John Thompson).

Cold Feet - Clip from Episode 1 of Series 1 (1998 TV)
Pete plays golf with Karen's (Hermione Norris) husband
David (Robert Bathurst), while Jenny goes into labor.

Cold Feet - Clip from Episode 1 of Series 1 (1998 TV)
Adam helps Jenny, while Pete races to the hospital.

Cold Feet - Ending Episode 1 of Season 1 (1998 TV)
Pete arrives, baby is born and eveyone visits baby at home.

Cold Feet - Clip from Episode 3 (Next to last) of Series 5 (2003 TV)
Adam buys a house at auction, and Rachel has an accident.

Watch Cold Feet Pilot, Episode 1 of Season 1
and Episode 3 (Next to last episode) in Season 5.

Jekyll - Clip from Episode One (2007) a.k.a. "He's Coming"

Watch all 12 Jekyll Clips from BBC Worldwide.

James Nesbitt, Liam Neeseon - 'Five Minutes Of Heaven' (2009 Film)

January 9, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
Christmas Eve To New Year's Eve 2009

Included in this 'Junior's Reading And Viewing List' post, are links for some things offered up on the web from Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve. It's a very small sample of the kind of things I was checking out during that time.

I could have included a lot more, and if the computer and internet service I've been using had been funtioning properly, we'd be all caught up. Once that does happen, more can be posted, and straight away too.

December 31, 2009

Michael Schenker To Release Instrumental Intensity Album
In January
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

On January 26th, Shrapnel Records is releasing a new compilation from Michael Schenker (MSG, ex-UFO, Scorpions) called 'Instrumental Intensity'.

The tracklisting for the digipack is as follows:...

Colleague Lost
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Today’s merriment and celebration is tempered greatly by a sad reality in Washington sports media: today marks the final edition of the Washington Times as Washingtonians have come to know it for the better part of of 30 years. The entire sports department at the paper has been pink-slipped...

It's Official: Marvel Entertainment Stockholders
Approve Walt Disney Company Deal
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

What has long been expected is now finally official — the pending merger between Marvel Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company is a done deal...

What 'Doctor Who' Mementoes Did David Tennant Take Home
— And When Will He Be Back?
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

FROM MOVIES BLOG: While much of the world is busy bidding farewell to 2009, "Doctor Who" fans will be saying a different type of goodbye on January 1 when series star David Tennant concludes his celebrated run on the long-running BBC science-fiction series. One of the most popular actors to ever play the iconic role, Tennant has been the face of "Doctor Who" since 2005 and led the series to its most successful run (both in the UK and abroad) in its 47-year history...

NaNoWriMo 2009: Boilermaker
By Kameron at I May Have Been Born Yesterday
But I Stayed Up All Night

I was talking to novelist and screenwriter William Goldman about my National Novel Writing Month manuscript. He said it was rough and needed a lot of work, but had some potential. Then he called the cops on me. If he really didn't want visitors at his estate, why did he buy guard dogs that were susceptible to tranquilizer darts? Freaking lightweight...

Top Ten Stories of 2009 -- Number 3: The Farm
By Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...It was quite a year down on the farm. But it didn’t start in 2009. The seeds were sown in draft picks and free agent signings dating as far back as 2002, before the Capitals had a relationship with either the AHL Hershey Bears or the ECHL South Carolina Stingrays...

AC/DC, Metallica Make Millions On The Road
By mdome at Classic Rock

AC/DC and Metallica were among the biggest touring acts of 2009 in North America...

Ovechkin, Caps on Backstrom (two years ago)
By Emily at Alex Ovetjkin

...We're hopping into the Wayback Machine to March of 2007, as the Swedish media juggernaut Aftonbladet dispatched a reporter to Washington to take a look at Nicklas Backstrom's new hometown. He met with team owner Ted Leonsis, former Caps head coach Glen Hanlon and also with a hopeful, somewhat impatient, and oh-so-young Alexander Ovechkin...

December 30, 2009

Mellencamp’s Ghostly Musical
By mdome at Classic Rock

John Mellencamp and Stephen King have been working together on a horror musical – and it will debut in Atlanta during September.Called Ghost Brothers Of Darkland Country, it’s about two brothers who hate each other, and then discover that their father...

December 29, 2009

Testing the Western Trade Waters
By David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

The 2009-10 Washington Capitals are a very, very good hockey team by just about any metric. That said, it'd be silly to assume they couldn't be even better, and given the salary cap space that opened up with Michael Nylander's loan to Grand Rapids under way and one trade already in the books...

Stan Lee Reveals The Marvel Movies He'd Like To See!
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Yesterday was Stan Lee's birthday, so it seemed appropriate to celebrate with some thoughts from the comics legend himself on the likelihood of seeing more movies based on characters he co-created back in the day for Marvel Comics...

December 28, 2009

Chris Clark on trade to Blue Jackets: 'I'm shocked'
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

Chris Clark just told me that he was completely blindsided by this afternoon's trade.

"I'm shocked," the Caps' former captain said. "But then you start looking to the team where you're going. So now I'm trying to put all my energy into who's on the team, how they're doing and where I'll be playing my next game."...

December 25, 2009

Christmas Is A Pain In The Arse
By Kameron at I May Have Been Born Yesterday
But I Stayed Up All Night

Merry Christmas!...

December 24, 2009

Caps Continue On Pace For Awesome Season Despite Spending Much of December On The Road
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

It's been mentioned from time to time but little has been written to this point about how well the Capitals have been playing this season on the road. Part of that is because until the beginning of December the Caps hap played a schedule that...