2006 Entries
December 2006
Hope you are all well. Apologies for the delay in getting this new diary to you only things have been incredibly hectic these last few months. Basically I have been rushing around trying to juggle all the political and acting stuff at the same time and am only just now getting a second to tell you what's going on on the acting front.
First off I am about to go and start in on my Christmas show in Norwich. I've had the script through and been learning all of the songs and I have to say it is something I am now really looking forward to. I guess at first I was a little dubious about the whole idea from some inbuilt snobbery on the acting side of things, but having seen the script it really is a beautiful old fashion Christmas show with an orchestra, and songs and dancing etc, so more like a Christmas musical than what has become the norm for pantos really. Anyway I start rehearsals next week so hopefully you will get a chance to come and see it.
I've also now signed the contract for the never ending TV show which I have been hinting at for the past year. Can't tell you what it is just yet but we start filming at the end of January and I can assure you it will come completely out of left field and you would never guess in a million years what it is (small hint....think Medical-no not Casualty!)
I'm also in discussions with my good friend John Wilding, author of a new book "Jack the Ripper revealed" about a one man play we are hoping to put on mid next year. I know it's a bit far off but because of the TV project we are having to plan ahead a bit, and work on the script here and now as being a one manner it would be very tough, but from an acting point of view incredibly challenging.
Also in discussions about a possible turn in the West End with another play....v early days again so will let you know how that one pans out.
On top of all that I also have been chatting to a producer friend of mine about the possibility of co-producing a new feature film with her. It's the most amazing script about family and relationships and about finding yourself in both. We were hoping to film it next year, but because of the TV project and these possible plays it now looks more like 2008, which although an age away will actually involve a heck of a lot of work over the coming months to try and sort out the finance etc....like doing course work for school exams again!!!
Hopefully you will have had the chance to see me popping up on TV and Radio over the last few months, mostly to do with the political stuff. It's been great fun and I would just like to say a huge thank to everyone for the fantastic support they have been kind enough to offer. The main response seems to be one of joy that someone they know to exist outside of Westminster (and so more "real" as a person I suppose) is throwing their hat in the ring. I do feel it is incredibly important that we stem this tide of apathy that is sweeping across us at the moment, particularly amongst our younger generations, so please do all get involved or at least be aware of what is happening and use your voice!
Soap box moment over!!!
Anyway hope you all keep well and as I say be sure to check in over the coming weeks to find out what the new project is, which I promise to reveal as soon as I can.
Have a fab Christmas if we don't see each other before, and save a mince pie for me!
July 2006
Welcome to the new expanded site, hope you like it. As ever keep in touch and I will do my best to let you know what I am up to at the moment.
As usual things have been incredibly hectic on both the acting and political fronts.
Firstly I have been in pre-production and cementing the feature I am about to start (August-September) called “Whatever happened to Pete Blaggit?” It’s a great story which at first seems to be about the emotional troubles of a guy named Pete and the trials this puts on his assistant Clive (me!). However as the film progresses it divulges off into this incredibly bizarre parallel world as the characters find themselves caught up in a series of surreal situations…think “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ” meets “Doctor Who”!!! I’m really excited at the prospect, especially as the director Mark Jeavons seems to be incredibly visionary and talented, and so touch wood it should be great.
I’ve also been in meetings regarding a couple of theatre projects I have coming up.
Firstly I am doing the Christmas show at the Theatre Royal Norwich. Now I never thought I would do panto, and although it is this in name only as it’s by no means your typical sort of today. It’s far more a hark back to the traditional theatrical Christmas shows of the 50’s etc, and involves songs and a live orchestra, in a way similar to the one the National does, or Sir Ian McKellen did recently. When they asked me to take part I just thought it might be something which was really fun to do, and since all my theatre to date has been adult orientated, I liked the idea of doing something to entertain the whole family.
The other theatre piece is for next year, but is taking a lot of up front planning. I can’t give much away at this point other than to say it is about Jack the Ripper, and is something I am incredibly excited about and have actually been working on for some time now. It should be an amazing piece, both for me as an actor and the audience too, and will be truly unique in its appeal (I know that phrase gets used a lot, but trust me it will!!) I will be sure to let you know more as and when I can.
Well that’s it for now (oh yes there is another TV show as well but very early days so will keep you up to date on that too) so be sure to stay in touch, and as ever many thanks for all your messages.
April 2006
Well its certainly been a month and a half!! Sorry for the delay in a new journal, but as you can gather things have all been rather hectic here of late. First off there was promotion for my Andes documentary, something which I really hope you had a chance to watch as it is a project I am really proud of.
Seeing it on TV brought back all the hideous memories of the cold and eating the raw meat, but also at the same time just reaffirmed my total admiration for the actual survivors, who suffered so much more physical and emotional hardship, yet showed true heroism in refusing to give in.
In addition to that I then ended up doing "The Games" on Channel 4. I was originally asked to take part at the end of last year, but was unable due to work commitments to give up the 3 month training period that all the contestants took part in. Then sadly at the last minute, Goldie broke his leg during the final waterskiing session, so I got a call asking if I could take part, starting a 2 week training period the next day! Well that very morning of the call the play I was about to begin got temporarily put back meaning I knew I had a gap in my schedule, so like a muppet I agreed!
Now whilst it sounded fine on paper the sports were all so technical that not only was it really hard work, but also I was always going to be miles behind the others when it came to levels of ability, so in all honesty I went into the show very much with my eyes open knowing that in all likelihood I was going to come last in each event.
Despite that though, I was really happy to take part as I knew it would be great fun, but also a way to try and encourage more people to get into sports. Like all of us the majority of sport I get to watch is professional sportsmen and women on TV, and I get the sense a lot of our youth are put off from taking up a lot of sports as they never feel they will be able to achieve the levels of those they watch, but with me taking part as a complete rookie they would be able to see just how much the other male contestants had advanced in just 3 months, which hopefully would show people how obtainable advancement was.
The best part for me was definitely the other contestants, who were all absolutely lovely and really supportive (knowing how frustrated I was at times to be so technically inferior) and messing around with them was certainly one of the major highlights with definite promises to all keep in touch (actually I'm off to see one of Jade's gigs next week!)
The biggest downside was the physical hammering that my body took! Trying to get to a minimum safe level (so I could actually legally take part) within just two weeks meant that every day I was up at 5am travelling up and down the country training with various coaches in various cities the length and breadth of the land, before getting back to my hotel at 11-12pm each day. Also because of time constraints I was having to live on cold baked beans and petrol station sandwiches for 2 weeks (if i never see one again it will be too soon!) so that when we finally started, where as everyone else was at the peak of fitness, I turned up completely knackered and ready for a holiday before we even began.
Added to all that I sparked up trouble with my back again which was a complete nightmare especially for certain events (don't even mention the weight lifting!!) although don't worry it's fine now.Now I know this might sound a bit moany but trust me when I say it was definitely a joy to take part and whilst I couldn't technically compete with the others, just having the chance to be there with them was fantastic and fingers crossed it might inspire somebody out there to take up a new sport(just don't try to do it in 2 weeks!!)
Well on top of all that, since I finished "The Games" i have been rushing around taking meetings for the aforementioned play (will tell all when I can) and also a film I have been offered for the Autumn (ditto!). Also the ongoing saga of this new TV drama is (surprise, surprise!) on going but as soon as I have word I will be sure to let you know.
Sorry again for the delay to the journal but as ever many thanks for all your emails of support which I genuinely cherish. 'Til next time.
March 2006
Sorry I have not done a full diary in a while but things have all been rather up in the air lately and just to indicate how much here is just a quick note about my latest project.
Before Christmas I was approached by the production company of the Channel 4 show The Games about taking part in this year's competition. At the time it would have entailed me commiting to a three month intensive training programme which I couldn't do due to scheduling conflicts - so I had to turn it down.
I then received a call late last week to be told that Goldie (one of the competitors) had broken his leg and would I be interested in stepping in at short notice. As the contest starts on Friday 17th March that means I have to cram 3 months training into just two weeks.
I agreed to do it because I know I'm fairly fit however I won't have the chance to develop the proper technques for most of the events like the other competitors. I also think it will be a great challenge and it's a really good show in that it encourages kids to get involved in sport and shows you don't have to be an Olympian to do it.
I've been training now for a couple of days and it's proving pretty tough but with any luck I'll be able to finish each event and raise some good money for charity. I have watched the show in the past and really think it is worthwhile in raising the profile of different sports and encouraging people to get involved.
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