The Stage / Features

Back from the dead: The animatronic comeback

2009-07-03T16:25:00Z

Animatronics may have been overtaken by CGI in films, but it's making a comeback in live shows, explains Sonny Tilders, dinosaur creator and director of Global Creatures

Chit Chat: Funeral chic with a twist

2009-06-30T12:45:00Z

On to a very different type of grand dame of the stage - last week the passing of Danny La Rue was marked with a private funeral in north west London to celebrate the life of the late drag star. And, it would appear, female impersonators have their very own way of paying their last respects.

TV review

2009-06-30T12:00:01Z

It is possible to have too much macabre weirdness in one programme.

Radio review - drama

2009-06-30T12:00:00Z

John Barrowman gives every sign of having the kind of Lycra personality that expands to fit the space available. So I expected him, as top bod in the Cardiff-based extraterrestrial unit, to take centre stage in Torchwood: Asylum, to inhabit the role, to be all flashing eyes and teeth (despite this being radio), to make it Tiger Bay meets Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

Chit Chat: The Jackson distraction

2009-06-30T10:40:01Z

The other notable passing of the last few weeks - well, probably the decade, really - has, of course, been Michael Jackson.

Chit Chat: Complaints when Judi speaks rudely

2009-06-30T10:40:00Z

Tabard was amused to read recent reports that "almost every time" Dame Judi Dench swears on film, the British Board of Film Classification receives complaints.

Obituary: Irene Richmond

2009-06-30T09:20:02Z

The daughter of pioneering cinema owners, Irene Richmond was to appear in some of the most important British films of the sixties and establish a popular profile in television and theatre.

Obituary: Charles Russell

2009-06-30T09:20:01Z

The theatre impresario, costumier, actor and pioneer of Noel Coward's career in the States, Charles Russell, has died at the age of 93.

Obituary: Doris Barry

2009-06-30T09:20:01Z

Like her sister, Dame Alicia Markova, Doris Barry began her working life as a child film star, when she was dubbed 'England's Baby Mary Pickford' by the Daily Express.

Obituary: Babs Adams

2009-06-30T09:20:00Z

It was whilst writing her autobiography, Parade of Clowns, that Babs Adams discovered that her showbusiness ancestry went back as far as 1767 to a family called Tabrars. Her maternal grandmother Lizzie Tabrar was one of 11 children and whose brother Joseph was a prolific songwriter (Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-Wow, was one of his songs).

Letter: Ageist against Arlene

2009-06-29T17:30:00Z

Two recent news items about the programme Strictly Come Dancing have drawn my attention.

Memories of Michael

2009-06-29T17:25:00Z

Michael Jackson played an unprecedented seven sell-out concerts at Wembley Stadium on The Bad Tour in summer 1988, putting him in the Guinness Book of Records.

Letter: Archives are the answer

2009-06-29T16:55:00Z

My grateful thanks to your columnist, Ian Herbert, for his generous review of my history of Oxford Playhouse - now also available in paperback at £9.99 (Oxford Playhouse - High and Low Drama in a University City, June 18, page 30) .

Letter: Remembering Patrick

2009-06-29T16:55:00Z

Sorry to hear of Patrick Newley's death, and at no age at all. I always enjoyed his column and recall, although years ago, appearing with him at Welwyn Garden City in a Christmas show, a musical version of Treasure Island. He will undoubtedly be much missed.

Letter: Reliving the summer of '69

2009-06-29T16:55:00Z

I am organising a 40 year reunion of drama performers course graduates who left the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the summer of 1969. It will be in October.

Letter: Keeping up with the Joneses

2009-06-29T16:50:02Z

In his book Sullivan and his Satellites, which was published in 1978, Alan Hyman gives acknowledgement to Arthur and Dorothy Jones for assistance which they rendered concerning their father, Sidney Jones, the composer who wrote musical comedy scores for the impresario George Edwardes. Does anyone have knowledge of any people linked by family or other connections with Arthur or Dorothy Jones?

Letter: Slow response summer

2009-06-29T16:50:02Z

We are delighted that, during these difficult times, members of the entertainment profession are fully employed.

Letter: Fight to the finish

2009-06-29T16:50:01Z

It was a surprise to read in your June 25 edition in the article, Four sites join theatre 'at risk' list (page 3), that the Theatres Trust had categorised the Redgrave as "lost" and had removed it from the "at risk" register after permission had been granted for its demolition.

Letter: The regions aren't a rehearsal

2009-06-29T16:50:01Z

I read with interest your article Friends reunited (June 4, page 24), the interview with Sir Ian McKellan, having watched Waiting For Godot in Edinburgh during the regional tour prior to its West End run.

Backstage: Diverse design

2009-06-29T14:30:02Z

ADLIB Audio supplied sound for the Love Music Hate Racism Festival 2009, staged recently at Britannia Stadium, Stoke, and organised jointly by Stoke City FC and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Backstage: Orb control

2009-06-29T14:30:02Z

Zero 88 has announced a series of training days in the UK, offering users open access to its ORB console.

Backstage: Oasis of light

2009-06-29T14:30:01Z

Oasis' Dig Out Your Soul world tour is currently using more than 140 i-Pix BB4 wash lights for its stadium gigs - a record number of i-Pix fixtures for a single concert touring show.

Backstage: Life on Mars

2009-06-29T14:30:00Z

The BFI's Southbank Gallery has gone 3D, via a new, immersive video installation by British artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.

Don't rely on a cunning stunt

2009-06-26T17:00:01Z

Using shock tactics at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is less likely to garner publicity in this desensitised media age, argues PR guru Mark Borkowski

Spiro's inspired roles

2009-06-26T15:30:00Z

Currently starring as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing in Regent's Park, Samantha Spiro talks to Nick Smurthwaite about the varied roles she has performed over her career, from impersonating Barbara Windsor to playing Fanny Brice in the musical Funny Girl

Experiencing theatres

2009-06-25T11:10:00Z

A K Bennett-Hunter picks some moments from the recent Theatres Trust conference

Focus: Live Nation

2009-06-24T11:25:00Z

Michael Quinn takes a look at the company's history, its current situation and increasing interest in live music, plus the portfolio of UK theatres it is putting up for sale

Chit Chat - What's in a name?

2009-06-23T13:05:00Z

One section of the cultural community, however, which appears to have no problem calling a spade as a spade, so to speak, are London's gay theatre makers.

Chit Chat - Conditioning in modern art

2009-06-23T13:00:00Z

The Tory's shadow arts team has done rather a good job at ingratiating itself to the cultural sector over the last year or so. Indeed, its charm offensive has been never more apparent than in the last month, when Conservative minister for culture Ed Vaizey has been seen one day cropping up at a National Campaign for the Arts conference and another in a feature interview for The Grauniad, of all places.

Obituary: Terence Alexander

2009-06-23T12:30:05Z

Tall, handsome, suave and sophisticated, the priesthood was Terence Alexander's first calling before acting, until, he later confessed, "I realised that celibacy wasn't for me".

Obituary: John Willmer

2009-06-23T12:30:04Z

John Willmer, a long-time reviewer for The Stage and author of a useful and entertaining biography of the Connaught Theatre, Worthing died on June 12 after a short illness.

Letter: Fifty and fabulous

2009-06-23T12:30:04Z

As a mature actress and singer (playing age 40 to 50), I am compelled to respond to the equal roles article by Matthew Hemley in The Stage last week (Stage campaign inspires Mosse to write play for older women, June 18, page 3).

Letter: A mention for JB

2009-06-23T12:30:03Z

Thanks for listing the entertainment industries performers mentioned in the Queen's Birthday Honours (June 18, front page).

Letter: Take to the stage

2009-06-23T12:30:02Z

Noting the common-sense advice from Simon Dunmore and practical attitude of Theatregirl123 (The Stage Online, June 11, page 9), I would like to suggest to all Stagetalkers the only way to discover your ability and strength as an actor is to get on a stage and act. Find a local amdram club or start one yourself and entertain a real, critical, ordinary local-type audience. This method is the best audition of all. Don't be too depressed Theatregirl123, you're on the right track.

Letter: The race without a face

2009-06-23T12:30:02Z

Many thanks for Lalayn Baluch's excellent article, British East Asian artists lambast "racist" UK theatre (June 11, page 2) bringing this important issue to light.

Letter: My comments in context

2009-06-23T12:30:01Z

I am writing following the article by Lalayn Baluch in your newspaper (June 18, page 4), reporting on the Theatres Trust conference.

Obituary: Bob Bogle

2009-06-23T12:30:01Z

A founding member of top sixties instrumental group the Ventures, Bob Bogle passed away in hospital on June 14, aged 75, as a result of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Letter: A warning to act now

2009-06-23T12:25:01Z

It is deeply disappointing to read reports of the Theatres Trust's recent conference in which adverse comments on the physical condition of London's commercial theatres was apparently allowed to go unchecked (, June 18, page 4).

Radio review - light programme

2009-06-22T16:30:00Z

For those delighting in a trip back to the halcyon era when TV advertisements weren't CGI enhanced and full of deadly dull bank employees singing about mortgages, Radio 4's Bill Mitchell, The Man Who Wrestled Pumas. Probably, was a great, albeit too brief look at a man whose voice was more gravel laden than the M1's hard shoulder.

TV review

2009-06-22T15:40:01Z

Ozzy (Brian Cox) is not the kind of gangster to let the minor inconvenience of being in prison stop him from taking care of his illicit business interests outside.

Backstage: Electric excitement

2009-06-22T10:55:03Z

Stage Electrics will be among the exhibitors at the first Excite! - the new name for the Exhibiting Show, taking place at London's Earls Court on both June 24/25. Technical products on the stand will include Stage Electrics' new LED screens with a colour spectrum of one billion colours, designed for indoor or outdoor use at sporting events, product launches and concerts and the Arkaos media server, designed to run real time video performances. www.stage-electrics.co.uk

Backstage: G force

2009-06-22T10:55:02Z

GLP German Light Products GmbH has announced its acquisition of the G-LEC business, an innovator of transparent LED video. Formed in 2001, G-LEC provides leading-edge systems to the entertainment and architectural markets. In acquiring the business, GLP states that it has ensured the continuity of the innovative technology for which G-LEC is renowned, while the association of the two companies echoes the converging use of lighting and video technologies. G-LEC, now a fully owned subsidiary of GLP, has discontinued all rental activity and will now focus on selling the G-LEC product range through the company's existing offices, as well as new sales channels. www.g-lec.com

Backstage: Extra dimension

2009-06-22T10:55:02Z

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has installed Dolby 3D Digital Cinema in its London headquarters, Princess Anne theatre, states Dolby Laboratories. Equipped with premium digital projection facilities, it seats more than 220 people and hosts many industry events. The theatre's projection room at BAFTA already has a range of Dolby digital cinema equipment installed, including a Dolby Digital Cinema server, Dolby Show Library and CP650 Cinema Processor.

Backstage: Ad libbing

2009-06-22T10:55:01Z

ADLIB Audio and Lighting have completed the latest John Barrowman tour, working closely with FOH engineer Walter Jaquiss and lighting designer Neil Trenell, the UK tour being preceded by two days rehearsals at Shepperton Studios. The standard 12 VerTec 4889 a side (left and right) system utilised on the tour was doubled up for the arena shows at Cardiff International Centre and for London's Royal Albert Hall. They also used 12 VerTec subs, the system configuration being varied slightly according to the different venues, and optimised each day by ADLIB systems technician, Richie Nicholson. They used two Soundcraft Vi6 consoles, which Jaquiss filled with around 80 inputs, 56 of which were stage alone - including guest vocals and assorted media - substantial for what was essentially a 'theatre' tour. Jaquiss' biggest challenge with Barrowman's sound, states ADLIB, was mixing a show that veers from very loud to exceptionally quiet, maintaining the level control during the more delicate moments and essentially controlling the many contrasts. On lighting, it was LD Neil Trenell's second tour with Barrowman, ADLIB Lighting also supplying the last one. Dave Hill was also involved from the start as overall show designer, Trenell working with him during pre-production, where they started programming the show using MA Lighting's new MA3D visualiser. www.adlibaudio.co.uk

Backstage: Exploding audio

2009-06-22T10:55:01Z

The Reproduced Sound conference, said to represent the cutting edge of modern audio and acoustics, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year when it takes place at Brighton's Thistle Hotel on 19th-20th November. Organised primarily by the Electroacoustics Group of the Institute of Acoustics, under the theme of 'The Audio Explosion', the conference aims to attract consultants, manufacturers, contractors, and end users alike. The event will start with a tutorial evening, while the main conference papers are expected to be highly varied again this year, claim organisers. www.reproducedsound.co.uk

Backstage: Lite launch

2009-06-22T10:55:01Z

Litestructures (GB) has launched its new division, Litestructures Live, which it describes as: "A one-stop-shop facility, unifying three previously distinct areas of operation - hire, stage and set, and Litestructures Studios." The launch took place at Gibson Guitars showroom in London, and featured a speech from Julia Jones, Litestructures' consultant in the south, plus musical entertainment by Scottish band, Our Lunar Activities. Through Litestructures Live, the company states it will introduce clients to the service and savings that can be had by using the 'one stop shop' idea, where the complete package can be supplied from design to full technical rehearsal, all in one place, on time, and on budget. The new concept was also introduced at the recent ABTT trade show.

Alison Jiear: Voice size matters

2009-06-19T18:00:01Z

Typecast due to her curvaceous figure and told to lose pounds at the audition for her first West End show, Alison Jiear has felt the full force of weight issues during her career. She tells Mark Shenton why she has turned her attention to solo work and is appearing in cabaret at Pizza on the Park

Chit chat - Stunt runner

2009-06-16T11:40:01Z

Meanwhile, Tabard was pleased to note the launch of a new competition up at the Edinburgh fringe - the Malcolm Hardee Award for Best Publicity Stunt.

Chit chat - Hamlet's all a-twitter

2009-06-16T11:30:01Z

The Royal Shakespeare Company has gone all 21st century.

Letter: Rueing the news

2009-06-16T11:15:00Z

A dark shadow was cast over my day yesterday by the news of the death of Danny La Rue, which I heard on the radio in the afternoon.