By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)
Potter Summer Home To be Preserved
The house and grounds which is said to have inspired beloved British author Beatrix Potter to write The Tales of Peter Rabbit have been given Grade II listed status by the British Government.
‘Lingholm’ and it’s grounds in Portinscale, Cumbria will now be preserved. The Grade II listed status means “being of special architectural or historic interest” and will be protected against “unauthorised demolition, alteration or extension.”
The population of red squirrels in the woodland nearby Lingholm are recognised as an influence behind Potter’s other published work The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin.
Lingholm was built between 1871 and 1875 and was designed by renowned Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse. Waterhouse was best known for designing The Natural History Museum in London and Manchester’s Town Hall.
Aging Sherlock Holmes To Make Screen Debut
Sir Ian McKellen will play an aged Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon’s new film A Slight Trick of the Mind. McKellen will play the long-retired sleuth who is haunted by an unsolved case from 50 years earlier. Holmes is losing his memory and without the aid of his sidekick Dr. Watson, Holmes can recall few details of the case.
Holmes has been portrayed recently on television by Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC1’s Sherlock, Jonny Lee Miller in the US series Elementary, two films starring Robert Downey Jr and the farcical Fringe show Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Hansom Cab Killer with Chris Bange.
National Theatre’s New Family Stage Play
London’s National Theatre will present a a family stage play suitable for ages 7 and up starting November 16th. Emil and the Detectives is based on the 1929 children’s book Emil und die Detektives by Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner Erich Kästner.
Synopsis from the National Theatre:
Join young Emil as he says goodbye to his mother, leaves his small town and sets off on a journey that will change his life.
When his money is stolen on the train by a mysterious stranger, Emil thinks he’s lost everything. But as he starts tracking down the thief, he soon discovers that he’s not alone in the big city after all.
Emil and the Detectives was adapted by Carl Miller and is directed by Bijan Shelbani.
Darkmoor Headed for Television
The September 14th auditions for the British children’s fantasy film Darkmoor: The Movie (working title) has been postponed. It now appears that Darkmoor is shifting to a TV pilot with the potential for a series.
In recent development, cinematographer Jeffrey Kimball (Top Gun, The Expendables and Mission Impossible 2) has been attached to the project.
Darkmoor is based on the books by Victoria Barry. Two books are currently published with three more books in the series to be expected.
The synopsis from the official Facebook site:
The old Victorian vicarage has been stood empty for over a decade in the village of Filius. With rumours of its haunted past, everyone stays away…well almost everyone.
Ten year old Catherine Rose has become obsessed with the rundown ruin and makes daily dairy entries about its only surviving inhabitant, Clever Crow.
When twelve-year-old Matthew Khan and his dad move into the vicarage, Catherine’s obsession increases. Before too long, the newfound friendship traps them both into a cruel world mastered by Clever Crow.
As their fight for survival starts, they must discover the secrets that are hidden deep with the darkness and uncover the truth behind Crow and his precious vicarage. The only question is…will you dare to delve into the darkness with them?
Darkmoor is to be produced by Eiran Lenton, Charles Huddleston, Michele Martin, Dan O’Gorman and Victoria Barry. Music is to be composed by Stephen Currell Jr.
Gemini Force One are Go!
Gerry Anderson’s unfinished book Gemini Force One is to be released in August of 2014. The release of Anderson’s unfinished book will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Thunderbirds, Anderson’s creation. Gemini Force One is Anderson’s latest project which never saw completion after Anderson was stricken with Alzheimer’s.
Gerry Anderson’s younger son, Jamie, has brought in author M. G. Harris (The Joshua Files series) to complete his father’s work. The Gerry Anderson estate plans to release the novel independently. Jamie hopes to use the crowd funding platform Kickstarter to raise enough funds to back the first run, pay the author and cover marketing costs.
If successful, Gemini Force One will become a series of books with plans for a film or TV deal.
Gerry Anderson is known for such hit TV series as Stingray, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Terrahawks, Space: 1999 and Space Precinct.
Cliff Celebrates Rock Idols with New Album
Sir Cliff Richard, the rock ‘n’ roll teen idol of the 1950’s and 60’s is set to release his new album titled The Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Songbook. Set for a November 2013 date, the album will pay tribute to some of rock’s early pioneers such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and rock ‘n’ roll’s king Elvis Presley.
The album was recorded at Blackbird Studio and the Parlor in Nashville, Tennessee.
Cliff Richard with his backing group The Shadows had a string of music hits with Living Doll, Summer Holiday and The Young Ones among others. Cliff with or without the Shadows would eventually star in a number of British-produced films while creating song hits over the next four decades.
Actors Added to Happy Days Musical
A stage musical based on the TV series Happy Days have added two new cast members. Former Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman will play “The Fonz” and he will be joined by former Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker who is cast as Mrs. Cunningham.
Earlier in the year it was announced former Sugarbabes’ singer Heidi Range was cast as Arthur Fonzarelli’s girlfriend Pinky Tuscadero.
The show will tour through 20 cities in the UK and will start on january 13, 2014 at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre.
The musical was written by Happy Days TV series creator Garry Marshall with the original Fonzie, Henry Winkler, serving as creative consultant. It will feature 21 original songs by Paul Williams who is best known for composing the film Bugsy Malone.
Former Glenvale Member Passes
Maureen Schryer passed away at West Parry Sound Health Centre on August 29th. For many years she was involved with The Glenvale Players, a theatre group for blind actors in Willowdale, Ontario.
She is survived by her loving husband Erik and her children.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 7th in St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church, 1399 Bayview Ave. in Toronto. For more information click here.
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