February 2009 Archives

This week, in the first of a series of visits to BBC Showcase, we talk to Richard Armitage, star of Spooks and Robin Hood, and Robert Glenister, who plays Ash in Hustle and the Home Secretary in Spooks.

We also meet former Disney Club and Wheel of Fortune presenter Paul Hendy, who talks about his second novel, Who Killed Simon Peters?, a sequel to 2004’s Diary of a C-List Celeb.

To listen to the podcast:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (24Mb) (right-click and select “Download file/Save linked file as…” or similar)

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll automatically receive future podcasts when they become available.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

Who Killed Simon Peters? is published by Bantam Books, and is on sale now with an RRP of £7.99. However, Amazon.co.uk currently (as of 27 Feburary 2009) is selling it for £5.99, with free delivery.

• Order Who Killed Simon Peters? from Amazon.co.uk

Hendy’s previous book, Diary of a C-list Celeb, is currently available from Amazon.co.uk for £5.99 (RRP £6.99), but only with limited stocks.

Spooks, Series 7 starring Richard Armitage and featuring Robert Glenister will be released on October 12, 2009 with an RRP of £58.99. Amazon.co.uk is taking pre-orders at just £25.98 — that’s less than half price — and, with Amazon’s price guarantee, if you order now, you’ll pay whatever the lowest listed price is between now and the release date.

• Preorder Spooks - Series 7 from Amazon.co.uk

Hustle, Series 5 has not yet had a DVD release date set.

Robin Hood, Series 2 is available on DVD for an RRP of £39.99, and is currently available from Amazon.co.uk for £25.98.

In this week’s Stage Podcast, Scott Matthewman talks to the cast and crew of a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s rarely performed musical Saturday Night - Helena Blackman (Helen), Harry Waller (Ray) and musical director Tom Attwood.

• Saturday Night - The Stage Listings
• Saturday Night review

And Jon Cassar, executive producer of hit US drama series 24, talks about how America’s changing political landscape and the writers’ strike both changed the shape of the show, and whether there will be a future for 24 after Jack Bauer.

• 24 on Sky 1

To listen:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select ‘Save As…’/’Download file…’ or similar):

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll automatically receive future podcasts when they become available.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

In this week’s podcast, we talked to former Blue Peter presenter, actor and panto director Peter Purves, followed by American actress Patina Miller who opens in Sister Act: The Musical in June.

To listen:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select ‘Save As…’/’Download file…’ or similar):

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll receive an automatic notification when future podcast events, including our other Spotlight On… conversations, become available.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

Peter Purves

Earlier this week, we went to the press launch of Peter Purves’ autobiography, Here’s One I Wrote Earlier, which also took place on his 70th birthday.

As a birthday present, we presented him with several of his reviews from his career, from his days in repertory theatre, through to his work as a TV actor, as well as his days in Doctor Who and Blue Peter. The article that really excited him was a review of The Girl in the Picture, broadcast in 1964.

• View The Stage’s review on The Girl in the Picture (free to view)

The Stage Archive houses a searchable repository of our pages from the first issue in 1880 up to 2007. Searching is free, but to view or print out pages from your search results you will need one of our affordable timed pass options. Prices start at £5 for 24 hours’ unlimited access.

• Visit the Stage Archive

The audiobook extract is from Mother Russia by Big Finish Productions, which is available on CD (price £8.99) or as an MP3 download (£7.99).

• Order either CD or MP3 from the Big Finish website

Patina Miller

This young US actress will shortly be taking to the stage at the London Palladium to play Deloris van Cartier, the lounge singer who has to hide out in a convent after witnessing a murder, when Sister Act opens later this year.

We caught up with Patina to talk about her previous acting roles, including a stint on US soap All My Children and her involvement with the earlier versions of Sister Act when it played in Pasadena and Atlanta.

We also discuss a YouTube performance of a song called Random Black Girl, composed by her drama school contemporaries Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond:

We are sorry to have to inform listeners to The Stage Podcast that the next planned Spotlight On… conversation, with acclaimed composer Michel Legrand, has been cancelled.

Happily, the other conversations in the current run, with Mark Shenton talking to Sandy Wilson, composer of The Boyfriend and opera and musical theatre star Lesley Garrett, will be going ahead.

For more details on those events, please visit The Shaw Theatre website.

In the final part of our three-part series, Ruthie Henshall answers questions from the audience at the recent Spotlight On… event. Part 1 and part 2 are both still available.

Ruthie covers topics such as her vocal technique, whether she would ever share a role with an alternate, whether jukebox musicals mean the West End is dumbing down, the perils of recording musical theatre albums, what makes her blush on Dancing on Ice and her advice for people entering the industry.

If you want to be in the audience for future Spotlight On… events, book tickets from the Shaw Theare website at http://www.theshawtheatre.com

• February 15: Michel Legrand CANCELLED - apologies
• March 13: Sandy Wilson
• March 25: Lesley Garrett

To listen:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select ‘Save As…’/’Download file…’ or similar):

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll receive an automatic notification when future podcast events, including our other Spotlight On… conversations, become available.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

In the second episode of a three-part series, musical theatre actress Ruthie Henshall talks to The Stage’s Mark Shenton. (Missed the first episode? Find it here)

In this segment, Ruthie talks about roles in Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Oliver!, Chicago, Putting It Together, Peggy Sue Got Married and Marguerite. She also talks about the loss of her sister Noel, and how she used that memory in her Marguerite performance.

In the third and final segment of this conversation with Ruthie, which will be online at the beginning of next week, she will be answering audience questions.

If you want to be in the audience for future Spotlight On… events, go to the Shaw Theare website at http://www.theshawtheatre.com.

To listen:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select ‘Save As…’/’Download file…’ or similar):

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll receive an automatic notification when the rest of the interview with Ruthie Henshall is available, as well as other podcasts from The Stage.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players

In the first episode of a three-part series, musical theatre actress Ruthie Henshall talks to The Stage’s Mark Shenton.

As well as talking about her position as a judge on ITV show Dancing on Ice, she talks about her entry into the industry, her training and her early career.

In the second episode, she will talk about her more recent career developments, while the third will be devoted to audience questions.

The interview was recorded as part of the Spotlight On… series at The Shaw Theatre. Future interviews are scheduled with Michel Legrand, Sandy Wilson and Lesley Garrett. For more details and to book tickets, go to http://www.theshawtheatre.com/

To listen:

You can use the player below, or download the MP3 file (right-click and select ‘Save As…’/’Download file…’ or similar):

Alternatively, subscribe in iTunes or your favourite podcast player. This will also ensure that you’ll receive automatic notifications when the rest of the interview with Ruthie Henshall becomes available, as well as other podcasts from The Stage.

• Subscribe now in iTunes (recommended)
• RSS feed for other podcast players