Page 23 - issue08.03.2019
P. 23

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 8, 2019 R'n'R 4                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Royal Air Force News Friday, March 8, 2019 R'n'R 5
         R'n'R



                     TV                                  New         The Big Interview                     David Baddiel                                                                                                                          Theatre                                                             Early
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Mike
                     MotherFatherSon                    series                                                                                                                                                                                    Abigail's Party                                                     Leigh
                     BBC Two                                                                                                                                                                                                                      UK tour
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Cringe-inducing 70s classic
       First for Gere in TV                                         Multi-talented comic has


       drama of family feud                                                                                                                                                                                                          is back to make you squirm




          OLLYWOOD HEARTTHROB  character in a TV series, or even    another hit to his name..
      HRichard Gere (An Officer and a  playing a character for this amount                                                                                                                                                                EST END star Jodie Prenger
       Gentleman, Pretty Woman) stars in  of time.                                                                                                                                                                                   Wleads the cast in Mike Leigh’s
       the new BBC Two eight-part drama   “At the surface you think you                                                                                                                                                              ground-breaking comedy classic
       MotherFatherSon.              know this guy, because we  know                              Tracey Allen                                                                                                                       Abigail's Party, now on tour.
         Gere plays Max, who owns one of  figures like him from real life – men   Playlist                                                                                                                                              Prenger plays Bev, who with her
       the world’s most influential media  like Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch       Top 10               S   THERE     ANYTHING                                                                                                         husband Laurence (Daniel Casey),
       empires. Information is his trade:  and Richard Branson. Guys who                              David Baddiel can’t do?                                                                                                        is throwing a party for their newly-
       he holds dark secrets on everyone,  have achieved so much in life you                          The  comedian, who  shot  to                                                                                                   wed neighbours, Tony (Calum
       and uses his power ruthlessly.  have a sense that they have a golden                       Ifame in the 1990s, is also a                                                                                                      Callaghan) and Angela (Vicky
         His son Caden (Billy Howle,  touch, and  are involved  with all                          successful novelist, screenwriter,                                                                                                 Binns). Joining them is highly-
       Dunkirk, On Cheshil Beach) is the  kinds  of  businesses  linked  with                     playwright, TV presenter, radio                                                                                                    strung Susan (Rose Keegan) who’s
       youngest ever editor of Max’s prized  power, politics and media.                           show creator and children’s                                                                                                        been  banished  from  the  party  of
       newspaper, The National Reporter.   “But Max is not based on any                           author.                                                                                                                            her teenage daughter Abigail.
       But  Caden   is                              of them – he’s                                  His bestseller for children,                                                                                                        The play is set in 1970s suburbia,
       crumbling under                              someone new, a                                AniMalcolm, has been made into a                                                                                                   with its heady mix of free-flowing
       the    pressure                              work of fiction.                              musical and is currently on tour.                                                                                                  cocktails, classic  disco  and cheese
       of his father’s                                “When   you                                   The show, from Story Pocket                                                                                                      and pineapple sticks. As tensions
       exp e c t at io n s,                         look at what he                               Theatre, combines physical theatre,                                                                                                rise and tempers flare the sheen of
       numbing his pain                             has done with                                 puppetry and storytelling to bring                                                                                                 respectability is torn away by the
       with drugs and                               his life, he’s kind                           Baddiel’s magical, comic tale to the                                                                                               warring couples with hilarious,
       excess.  When                                of a Citizen Kane                             stage.                                                                                                                             and    potentially  disastrous,  SOPHISTICATED: Bev (Prenger) offers Tony (Callaghan) a cheese and pineapple cocktail stick
       Caden suffers a                              type  character.                                Young Malcolm doesn’t like                                                                                                       consequences.
       massive  stroke,                             He   came  up                                 animals, but his family love them                                                                                                     Prenger, who won the role of   “It’s amazing! You type   ‘Things   wife, Alison Steadman.
       he’s left like a                             out of the steel                              – their home is full of pets of all                                                                                                Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s   that happened in 1977’ into Google   renger  said:  “That  role  is  just
       helpless  child,                             industry before                               shapes and sizes. The only bright                                                                                                  revival production of Oliver! at the   and  one  of  the  results  is ‘Abigail’s  P so iconic in the way it was
       battling to rebuild                          giving that up                                spot on the horizon is the Year Six                                                                                                Theatre Royal, Drury Lane after   Party premiered’, along with the   performed  and  created.  So  much
       his life.      DARK: McCrory and Gere star in new series to buy a local                    school trip, until there he is on the                                                                                              winning BBC 1’s  I’d Do Anything,    massive world events that   came out of improvisation.”
         For  Kathryn                               n e ws p a p e r ,                            bus, heading to… a farm. But on a                                                                                                  said: “Abigail’s Party is a true British   happened at that time.  The tour visits venues including
       (Helen McCrory,  Skyfall, Peaky  and then another bigger one, and                          school trip like no other, Malcolm                                                                                                 classic and a real bucket list part for     “It hit right at   Stoke-on-Trent, Woking, Aylesbury,
       Blinders), Max’s estranged wife,  another, and then finally becoming                       begins to understand animals more                                                                                                  me. I’m thrilled to be involved in        the heart of that   Manchester and Edinburgh.
       this is a second chance to be a  the owner of reputable national                           deeply than anyone.                                                                                                                something so wonderful.                    moment,  but  it’s   Binns said: “It’s always interesting
       mother to  her son. A respected  newspapers and news organisations                           Baddiel said: “The show is aimed                                                                                                    “It’s uncomfortable and                 still so identifiable   to see the different reactions at each
       former journalist from a wealthy  that are involved in the highest                         at children from about five up to                                                                                                  deliciously dark. It’s full                today. It’s like being   venue you go to. That’s something
       British  family,  she’s  determined  to  levels of politics.”                              13 – and their parents. It’s family                                                                                                of that thing where                        a fly on the wall at   that makes it fresh and new each
       reconnect with the sensitive boy                                                           entertainment.                                                                                                                     you don't really                           a party that you   night – you get the input of the
       Max ripped away from her.         e added: “I was still trying to                            “Story Pocket approached me                                                                                                      want to watch,                             wouldn’t want to   audience and their reactions. In
         As Max and Kathryn fight for  H figure out as I was playing him                          about  adapting  the  book.  They                                                                                                  but you can’t look                          be at. You get to   general, the further north you get,
       their son’s soul, another fight is  just how dark he could go. Max does   THE MUSICAL  of David   are very low key, not a great big                                                                                           away.”                                      be  there  without   the more vocal the reaction. That’s
       about to begin. Caden knows  questionable things – mischievous   Baddiel’s bestselling children’s   theatrical company, very charming,   MY FAMILY (NOT THE SITCOM): David with partner Morwenna Banks and children Ezra and Dolly, in 2015                                                               PHOTO: PA  having to dance   not to say people in the south
       secrets that could bring Max’s  things – but I certainly don’t see   book,  AniMalcolm, is now on   doing a lot of good work.                                                                                                     bigail's Party was                       awkwardly   or  aren’t enjoying it, it’s just that their
       empire crashing down. And Caden’s  him as an evil villain character.”  tour. Here’s his top 10 playlist:  “I was very, very, very impressed  with comedian Frank Skinner, creating   creative, witty and funny people. At the   Afirst   performed                         make chit chat.”  reaction is more measured.”
       silence can’t be bought.                                                                   with a dress rehearsal I saw.  Fantasy Football League, co-wrote the   moment I can’t see either of them going                     more than 40 years ago.                                         Prenger  added:  “There  is
         Gere said: “I’ve never done  n MotherFatherSon continues on                              The show started touring at the  platinum number one single Three Lions,   into ordinary jobs.                                     Why does it continue                           eigh,   now   something magical about going
       anything like this – playing a lead  BBC Two on Wednesdays at 9pm.  1  David Bowie         Edinburgh Festival last summer  has written four critically-acclaimed   “My daughter is extremely musical                          to be so popular?                           Lp r o b a bly   to  the theatre. You’re  sat  amongst
                                                                         Lady Stardust            but I couldn’t go to see it because I  adult novels, plus four children’s books   and she is also a very talented dancer.             Binns     (inset                     best    known    as  hundreds of people and you never
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  film
                     Competition                                      2  Genesis                  was on tour with my own stand-up  and the hit film The Infidel, that starred   She is quite keen on going into musical             right),  who  played                    a famously  director,  know what’s going to happen.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Dobbs
                                                                                                                                                                    theatre herself.
                                                                                                                                 Omad Djalili.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          created
                                                                                                  comedy show.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Switching on the TV, you know
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Molly
                                                                                                                                                                       “She might be following in my
                                                                                                                                   His stand-up show My Family: Not the
                                                                                                    “AniMalcolm as a musical
                     The Great Escape                  Win!              More Fool Me             is really excellent, better than I  Sitcom, had a 15-week run in London’s   footsteps, but I don’t know if either of               in    Coronation                         the  play  through  what you’re going to get. With
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Street and Ollie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              improvisation.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  theatre, anything can happen.”
                     Gala screening                                      Joni Mitchell            expected. The tour so far has gone  West End.                     them would want to be stand-ups.”                                Reynolds    in                            role of Beverly was   n  Go to: atgtickets.com for tour
                                                                      3                           really well and I’m looking forward                                  Baddiel revealed that his protagonist,                        Emmerdale, said:                          played by his then   details.
                                                                         California               to seeing the show next month.”   addiel,  now  54,  has  two  teenage   Malcolm, is ‘a version of myself when   EARLY DAYS: Newman and Baddiel
       VIP Great Escape screening                                        Elton John                                             Bchildren  with  partner  Morwenna   I was a kid, and Ezra’, although he has   He said: “My first children’s
                                                                                                      Cambridge University English  Banks, also a successful actor and comedy
                                                                      4
                                                                         Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters  A graduate – he gained a double  performer (and the voice of Mummy Pig   always  been  an  animal  lover  –  with  a   book  The Parent Agency is being   Joni Mitchell at 75 film tribute
                                                                                                                                                                                                       adapted  for  a  film.  I’m  writing
                                                                                                                                                                    particular fondness for cats – and pets
         ANCY WINNING tickets to  McQueen rode in the film.                                       first – Baddiel cut his performing  in  Peppa Pig). He acknowledged that   are very much a part of his own family.  another children’s book – I’ve
      Fa  live  screening  at  your  local   To enter, just answer the   5  Neil Young            teeth with the Footlights, then  their son Ezra, 17, and daughter Dolly,   He admitted that being a comedian   signed a contract to write four   ICKETS ARE now on sale for          ICON: Jodi
       cinema of the gala evening of The  following question correctly:  After the Gold Rush      formed a partnership with fellow  14, are an influence on his work.  has given him licence to remain childish   more.              Ta cinematic tribute to music                     Mitchell                       Win!
       Great Escape on March 24?                                                                  graduate Robert Newman. They     He said: “They are both really   and believes we’re all children at   “I’ve got a new stand-up show   icon Joni Mitchell.  The Music                with skates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       in 1976 and
         The classic war film starring   Who was the leader of the great   Glen Campbell          teamed    up   with                                               heart, pretending to be grown up.    that I plan to tour early next   Center Presents Joni 75: A Birthday          marking
       Steve McQueen will be                 escape operation?        6  Wichita Lineman          comedy duo Steve Punt                                                He said: “I have never tried        year and a play at the Soho   Celebration comes to selected                 her 75th
       shown at the Eventim                                                                       and Hugh Dennis as                                                very hard to grow up and                 Theatre in London in the   cinemas around the world on                    birthday
       Apollo in London at a                   Email your answer,                                 The Mary Whitehouse                                               being a comedian is great                autumn.”                March 21.                                         – picture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       courtesy of
       special event staged by the           marked Great Escape      7  The Sundays              Experience,  notching                                             from that point of view. Most              A huge David Bowie fan,   It features, among others,                    The Music
       RAF Benevolent Fund.                  gala live screening, to:    Monochrome               up radio and TV series                                            people feel much young than             he also has a podcast, with   Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones,                 Center
         The screening follows               competitions@rafnews.                                successes and, in 1992,                                           they are.                                mate Tim Hincks, called   Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Kris
       an hour-long show where               co.uk or post it to:     8  This Mortal Coil         Baddiel and Newman                                                   “You can carry on being               Stalking Time For The Moon   Kristofferson, James Taylor, Seal
       historian Dan Snow will               RAF News, Room  68,         Song to the Siren        became    the   first                                             childish, or childlike, when            Boys.                    and Rufus Wainwright, who
       reflect on the famous                 Lancaster Building, HQ                               comedy act to fill the                                            you’re on stage as a rule.”              He said: “We don’t talk   perform many of Mitchell's songs
       prison camp breakout’s                Air Command, High           Abba                     12,500-seater Wembley                                                                                     about Bowie all the time, it’s   including A Case of You, Both Sides,
       leader, Sqn Ldr Roger   STAR: Steve McQueen Wycombe,  HP14  4UE   9  Dancing Queen         Stadium. They were                                                    e’s showing no signs                 whatever comes into our   Now, and For The Roses.        We have a pair of tickets to win  postal addresses on p3 of the main
       Bushell’s expert planning             and state your preferred                             treated like rock stars                                           Hof slowing down                          heads.”                   With nine Grammy awards  to see the film at a participating  paper stating your preferred choice
       and how it led to making one of  venue – see thegreatescape75.co.uk                        as comedy was hailed                                              and is currently                               n Go to: atgtickets.  to her name and 16 Grammy  venue of the winner's choice. For  of screening venue – by March 12.
       the most popular war movies ever.  for details.               10  The Square               ‘the new rock and roll.’                                          working     on                                   com        for  nominations, Mitchell’s catalogue  a chance to win them, answer the   How old is Joni Mitchell?
       Snow will appear on stage with the   Hurry, the closing date is March   Pengaleng            He’s also had a long                                            ‘about     100                                    AniMalcolm     of music spans more than five  following question correctly and  n Go to: joni75.com to find your
       original Triumph TR6 motorbike  15.                                                        and fruitful partnership   ANIMALCOLM: Ewe know it's going to be a hit        Photo: Steve Porter things.’  DAVID: Golden touch  tour details.  decades.          send your answer to our email and  local screening.
   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28