Archive for the ‘Theatre’ Category

Lincoln’s Captivating Nativity Journey

Friday, December 26th, 2008

The other night we visited Lincoln Castle to take part in the annually performed Christmas story “The Journey”.  Presented by local actors, The Journey is a promenade performance set in the enchantingly under-lit grounds of the Castle.  It was led and narrated by Jason Hippisley in the role of Jesus as he looks back on his beginnings.

Our children are of course getting quite familiar with the story of the baby Jesus.  They all take part in the primary school nativity playing roles such as kings, angels or shepherds.  Our pre-school three year old was able to watch his older brothers and sister perform.  When asked where the baby Jesus was born he confidently, if somewhat patronisingly, exclaimed “On the stage in front of the donkey. Derrr.”

Having experienced all of this at school it was a real thrill for them to visit the Castle and follow the journey of Mary, Joseph and the donkey.  We could see the shepherds minding the sheep in the neighbouring fields.  We spotted the three Wise Men in the distance as they made their way around the perimeter wall of the Castle.  We witnessed several inn keepers miming the frustrating news that they were fully booked.

Eventually Mary and Joseph parked their donkey and settled in the Castle’s bath house making a wonderfully intimate stable.  From the distance we could hear the cries of a new born baby and we could see a hive of activity as various visitors assembled.

Jesus then led the following crowd up the hill and we were all invited in turn to enter the stable and take a closer look at the shepherds, the three wise men and of course, at the centre of the scene, the baby Jesus in his mother’s arms with Joseph looking proudly on.  A radiant angel hovered above to over see the tale as it had been foretold.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in News, review, Theatre | No Comments »

Ken Campbell is buried

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

This blog follows my previous entry “Ken Campbell Dies Suddenly”

This morning Ken Campbell personally welcomed us to his own funeral.

Over the sound system we heard ”Do you realise, the word FUNERAL…” it was Ken’s usual very nasal and now ethereal voice, “is actually an anagram for  REAL FUN!”  Pause for laughter.  “Why are you lot down there looking so miserable?  I was a clown.  You should be throwing a flan or something.”

This wasn’t going to be any normal kind of day.

Nina Conti

Chris Langham

Chris Langham

Ken’s daughter, Daisy, spoke first.  She revealed that as a child she would have to write a poem if she wanted new shoes.  She read a poem she had written for Ken this week.  It was an outstanding tribute.  Daisy was followed by Jeff Merrifield on “Campbellogy”.  Next members of the original Ken Campbell roadshow including Bob Hoskins recalled stories from those early days in their careers.  Josh D’Arcy was next.  Not so much Josh really, but more so a bull dog who Josh supplied the ventriloquist voice for as it recited “Gentlemen of the Jury”!  Next Chris Langham addressed.  He was later heard with the aside “This is the best gig I’ve had in two years”! <huge laughter>  Nina Conti shared her Ken stories next and so did her monkey!
Jim Broadbent

Jim Broadbent

Jim Broadbent then added his memories during the service.  He talked about how he got his first job with Ken back in the seventies.  There was an occasion when they were touring the show and stayed in a hotel with far too many people and far too few lifts.  There was always a huge crowd waiting in the lobby for the lift to come.  Ken, Jim and the rest of the theatre company were travelling down in the lift one morning.  Suddenly Ken said “Down on the floor everyone.  Put your hands and legs in the air.”  Everyone did as they were told. Well, you did when Ken spoke!  So there they all were, on the floor, with their arms and legs in the air.  As the doors opened on the ground floor in front of a packed lobby Ken said “My, that came down at one hell of a lick!”

Ken’s coffin was taken to the woods on a dog-drawn carriage.  He was laid to rest in beautiful woodland under the leafy trees of Epping Forrest.

People gathered in groups telling each other their ‘Ken stories’.  As I mingled I’d hear various impressions of that nasal voice as the Ken quotes kept pouring out.  They were invariably followed with a knowing laughter from the listener.

I have learned today that Ken Campbell touched and influenced the lives of so many people.  Everyone who has worked with Campbell seems to have a little bit of Ken still inside them.

Tags: , ,
Posted in News, Theatre | 6 Comments »

Ken Campbell Dies Suddenly

Monday, September 1st, 2008

Eccentric English writer, actor, director and comedian Ken Campbell died suddenly yesterday, August 31st 2008.  He was found at his home in Epping Forest.  He was 66. 

The cause of death is currently unknown but it is reported that Ken was not ill.  He had in fact been on stage just days earlier at the Edinburgh Festival with his show Showstopper! – The Improvised Musical.

Ken was a friend of the Broadbent Theatre.  He visited us first with “The History of Comedy Part I: Ventriloquism” in October 2002.  He followed  this in April 2004 with “The Meaning of Life: I’m Not Mad.  I’ve Just Read Different Books”.  His third visit was perhaps his most remarkable.  Ken arrived one Saturday in November 2005 at 2pm.  I presented him with 11 amateur actors.  He spent the afternoon in workshop mode and taught the principles of Improvisation.  That night the packed house was treated to a hilarious and quite outstandingly entertaining impro performance.  Ken’s most recent visit to us was in May 2007 with “Hyphenator” when he displayed a gallery of art by his talented parrot, Dolly.

We didn’t book Ken in the usual sense.  It was he who found us.  One day in 2002 I got a call from Ken’s agent, Colin Watkeys.  Colin explained that Ken had been listening to Radio 4 and came across a programme about the Broadbent Theatre.  Ken rang Colin and said “The Broadbent Theatre.  Why have you never booked me in there?”  “The where?” replied Colin.  “You know, Jim’s parents place.” ”Who?” said Colin.  ”Jim Broadbent.  The Broadbent Theatre.  I want to go there.”  Colin did some research, found the website and called me.

Now, if I’m honest, I have to say that I wasn’t really sure who Ken Campbell was.  I Googled his name.  There, to my astonishment, near the top of the page was a reference from Jim Broadbent’s biography on my very own website, broadbent.org!  It read “A significant breakthrough came in 1976 when he (Jim Broadbent) appeared in Ken Campbell’s ‘Illuminatus’ a 12 hour sci-fi extravaganza in which he played a dozen characters.

Jim Broadbent actually came to see that first performance “The History of Comedy…”  It was so interesting to hear them catching up in the pub afterwards.  Jim once said to me that chatting to Ken in a pub is very much like seeing him on stage except that you can occasionally get a word in sideways!”.  On his second visit Ken stayed with us at our house.  Having a drink with him that night was indeed like being treated to a 4 hour extension of his show!

Ken Campbell (1941-2008) will be missed.  May he have a safe journey to wherever the heck he thinks his going!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in News, Theatre | 1 Comment »

Lincoln Mystery Plays 2008

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Lincoln Mystery Plays 2008

Congratulations to Geoff Readman and his outstanding cast for their gripping portrayal of the 2008 Lincoln Mystery Plays.  The plays, performed last week at Southwell Minster, are this week at home in Lincoln Cathedral.  We witnessed last night’s pacy performance in the open air of the Cloisters and even the weather was good - they’ve not been so fortunate every night and I fear they can’t rely on it for the rest of the week either!

 

The players established a fictional community of Lincoln crafts folk and Guild members giving a ‘play within a play’ feel.  Each ‘Guild’ or group of tradesmen offered their part in the event by presenting their particular play.  For example the gardeners presented ‘Creation’ and the millers, ‘The Last Supper’.

 

The outstanding musical troupe led by Liam Robinson produced music and effects using traditional instruments and their songs were based on early Lincolnshire folk music.  A particular highlight was ‘While Shepherds Watched their Flocks’ to the tune of ‘The Lincolnshire Poacher’.  Many of the cast had outstanding singing voices.

 

Costume had a great impact on the production clearly depicting the wealth and resourcefulness of the tradesman combined with the particular biblical character they were attempting to portray.

 

Carrying the cross, and with his face on every poster, was Kevin Troughton who brought a very ‘normal bloke’ quality to the role of Jesus. Jason Hippisley (as a butcher) played a wonderfully vain and comic Herod who used his cleaver more often as a mirror than for chopping meat.  Satan was a good match for the Holy Trinity played this year by not one but three actresses, Aggi Gunstone, Jo Hollingworth and Janet Smith, not dissimilar to Shakespeare’s witches.

 

A final mention for Liz Lucas who held it all together in the oft thankless role as Producer.  I’m sure she doesn’t mean it when she says “Never again!”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in review, Theatre | No Comments »