Congratulations, Donna! I knew you admired and ... Stephen, but I did not know you had his website. Keep up the good work!

LOL, thank you ladies!

How exciting, Donna. Congratulations. We know it's a labor of love. ;-)

(Heidi) We know it's a labor of love. ;-) *Tee hee*, unrequited! :-)

Well, yesterday afternnoon Ann W.Aishling, Lizza and I attended a special showing of TRT at the Theatre Museum....I was disappointed in that the whole production loses a lot on film...even the performances. I enjoyed it because it brought back the play experience to me, but I wonder if Lizza, who had not seen the play, enjoyed it at all. Makes me think that it would not transfer successfully to a movie . Unless TS re-writes the whole thing.

Wonder if this has anything to do with having seen it in NY? Haven't you all said the NY staging and performances were better than at either London location? Also, didn't Stephen say that in his interviews how the Barrymore's space fit the play much better and it really came into its own there?

This tape was filmed at the end of the Donmar run....even Ann w. agreed that it was not the true Donmar production we had seen earlier. Annie was not creamy-dreamy..and it was a bad hair-day for all..which didn't help. I don't think the venue would have made any diff..the plot seemed trite.And perhaps what I am trying to say is that the taped performances did not compare to the ones on stage. I guess, the chemistry is what is missing.

Oh dear, what disappointing news. I wonder if the actors ever watched themselves in this particular recording. I know that they had good days and not so good days on stage, it sounds like filming may have been on one of those not so good days. JE had definitely reverted to her creamy dreamy delivery during the last month of the run in NY. Lots more touching in various scenes. During the end, Stephen would actually walk over to her and kiss the top of her head. This was during the cricket bat scene and she says to him, "I hate you." He would then walk over to her and say someting like, "I love you, I'm your pal." Kissing her head, and they would briefly hold hands. It's a pity if they watched themselves on that particular tape. Then they still don't know how good they really were. Neither will the rest of the world. Bummer. But thanks for the report!

I forgot to say that the "Touch Me" scene was the best I've ever seen..almost erotic....while she is saying "Touch, me" ,he is standing in front of her and she wraps her foot around the back of his knee rubbing it up and down..eeeevvvveeer so slowly. *Sizzle*. Did you ever see her do that one, Donna?

I'm not sure whether I should post this here or over at Odds and Ends, and I don't want to offend major Ralph Fiennes fans... But I just saw him in Coriolanus. The production was very good. Uniformly good, which is a pleasant surprise. The last Shakespeare production that I saw was in Julius Caesar (Joe Papp, Shakespeare in the Park in NYC), in which the talent level was quite uneven. But I digress... Ralph was very good, and such a hard worker, so I hate to be critical. But, he did not have a very strong stage presence. He is not tall, his voice was not particularly commanding, and he does not physically move well. There were times when he was swaggering across the stage, and I had to surpress a little snicker. To tell you the truth, the two of us were both quite shocked. He was good, but not brilliant by any means. He did not show the range of emotions that seemed to be required from the dialogue. One reviewer mentioned that he sneered throughout, and he did. I mentioned during intermission that I thought both Colin and Stephen could have done more with the part. My companion thought that Stephen could have played the role with one arm tied behind the back. She also thought Stephen has a virility that was more appropriate for this role. :-) Emilia Fox is in this production. She didn't have much to do at all, but she looked good and her voice had a nice projection. I was very pleased with that, I didn't want to hear a girly thin voice on the stage. Said companion (tee hee, she knows who she is) pointed out afterwards that Colonel Forrester from P&P was also in it. I hadn't recognized him! Linus Roache was in this too, and he commanded the stage. He is even shorter than Ralph. He played Dr. Astrov to Stephen's Uncle Vanya. They must have looked like Mutt and Jeff on the stage together. Going back to Ralph, I really feel guilty about criticizing him, because I do respect his talent and work ethic. Well I see him again on Wednesday, and maybe my opinion will change, and perhaps this was an off-performance. But from this one viewing, I would say that as a stage actor, he is overrated. He is very good, but not brilliant. I was actually stunned by the lack of range that he displayed and the lack of interpretation. The second half was almost one-note. There is a lot of wit and sarcasm in the writing, and I guess I've been spoiled by how Stephen can sort of milk those lines. Ralph's interpretation seemed flat by comparison. I think film is his medium. The camera can control the angles. Physically, he just isn't imposing. Remember how Colin seems to tower over Georgiana when he gives her a hug in P&P? No such thing here. I have to admit that during the play, I kept thinking of how Stephen could have done the role. He is physically more imposing, taller, richer voice. And he moves so well. I think his swaggers would have been more natural. Ralph and Linus did have a wonderful sword fight though. I was worried they would hurt one another, or that they would trip and hurt someone in the audience.

(Evelyn) she wraps her foot around the back of his knee rubbing it up and down..eeeevvvveeer so slowly. *pant pant* Nooooo! Never saw that one. Oh, I need to lie down...

(Donna) I really feel guilty about criticizing him, because I do respect his talent and work ethic. Why should you feel guilty? He's not a sacred person. But from this one viewing, I would say that as a stage actor, he is overrated. He is very good, but not brilliant. I was actually stunned by the lack of range that he displayed and the lack of interpretation. The second half was almost one-note. *snort* I've been saying this for yonks, except that I don't limit it to stage work (which I haven't seen). About the only thing he's done that I thought was not "one-note" is Sunshine. Like little bro better. He was the heart and soul of SiL, and got no credit. As I recall, the reviews in London were not that good. Some of it had to do with the caliber of the plays themselves; however, much had to do with RF's interpretation and execution. v. uneven, as I reall. Ralph and Linus did have a wonderful sword fight though. I was worried they would hurt one another Think I read that Ralph did cut himself in London and kept on going, trooper that he is.

Donna my friends in London who saw RF in both Coriolanus and Richard II thought that he was terrible in C but absolutely brilliant in Richard II. They raved about his Richard II. (Evelyn) she wraps her foot around the back of his knee rubbing it up and down..eeeevvvveeer so slowly. They did it when I saw the play at the Donmar. VVG!

Thanks Donna...This is the first review I've heard from a friend on Rafe. And he considers himself primarily a stage actor.

Yes, Rafe was much better in Richard II. No swaggers required :-)

Donna...a propos of fundraising.... In the Donmar program prominently listed in The Real Thing Gala page is your name as a Patron....right below Miramax Films and ICM!!! I am so proud that a fellow Droolie was acknowledged:-))

We Friends and Patrons of the Donmar can run, but we cannot hide. Time for another festive gala, I'd say! :-)

Ran across this, from the Canberra Times (9/9/00) Likeable Crook in Predictable Plot By Dougal Macdonald Michael Lynch's career is robbery with threats of violence, he sleeps in one or other of two beds with his legal wife or her sister, he loves his kids and inculcates in them his version of honour and trust, and Sergeant Quigley of the Garda would give just about anything to put him away. Gerard Stembridge wrote Ordinary Decent Criminal as a combination of humour and wickedness. We want to see Michael succeed, despite knowing that he belongs behind bars. Shot in Dublin in 1998 before Kevin Spacey won his Oscar, the film offers equal amounts of dramatic energy and, it must be said, predictableness. Director Thaddeus O'Sullivan gives it a little sparkle by inter-cutting past and future moments into what's happening now but can't conceal what we've seen coming. This detracts a little from the film's effectiveness, but mostly it's fun. Spacey slides comfortably into the role, using an agreeably Irish accent although a finely tuned ear might wonder how Dublin it is. Italo-American actress Linda Fiorentino as his wife occasionally loses the accent, which is not so important because she has relatively little to say. Helen Baxendale plays her sister The best of the film is in the supporting actors David Hayman as Michael's trusted sidekick Tony, Peter Mullan as Stevie, Stephen Dillane as Quigley and Patrick Malahide as a born-to-lose policeman.

Anna Karenina is on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre schedule (thanks to a poster at VV). Their website lists the airdate as January 1, 2001. That is a Monday, so I am not sure if that is a misprint.

Excellent counterprogramming for those of us who don't care about the Orange Bowl, that is the one that is played on New Year's Day night, right?

the Orange Bowl, that is the one that is played on New Year's Day night, right? Straight from Miami! Thanks, Donna! I have been waiting for that one.

I've just read an article written about the Tony Award broadcast, generally criticizing it for highlighting TV actors. The author writes, "This last development, to be fair, didn't start with O'Donnell. But having Kathie Lee Gifford present really goes too far." The article also goes on to say, "But for most of the evening, O'Donnell seemed aloof and a bit bored. Hectoring the audience during commercial breaks, O'Donnell insisted that winners 1) keep speeches brief, 2) don't mention your agents ("no one cares"), 3) be "emotional"! Consequently, most of the speeches seemed forced and oddly awkward. Blakemore and A Moon for the Misbegotten's Roy Dotrice thanked America, while Aida's siren Heather Headley paid obeisance to Disney. An uncomfortable Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) looked like he'd never been onstage before..." Poor baby.

But having Kathie Lee Gifford present really goes too far." We'd all agree with that one, especially you! An uncomfortable Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) looked like he'd never been onstage before..." LOL! I suppose it never crossed the writer's mind that, maybe, he was surprised???

I guess Jennifer passed muster.

(Karen) I guess Jennifer passed muster. LOL, and she had Matthew Broderick as her presenter. :-)

Sets your VCRs ladies! Deja Vu airs today... Fri Oct 13 09:00P RC- Romance Classics Sat Oct 14 02:00A RC- Romance Classics Sat Oct 14 04:00P RC- Romance Classics Sat Oct 21 02:00P RC- Romance Classics

Anna Karenina is on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre schedule...lists the airdate as January 1,...a Monday, so I am not sure if that is a misprint. Depending on where you live it isn't a misprint. PBS is testing a new schedule in selected markets: such as "Masterpiece Theatre" on Mondays, "Mystery" on Tuesdays, "Nova" and "Frontline" on Thursdays, "Nature" on Fridays, etc. If your current PBS outlet is running "Masterpiece Theatre" on Sunday nights, there is a chance "Anna Karenina" will be on Sunday. However, as Sunday is New Year's Eve, it most likely will be shown on Monday in all outlets, due to special holiday programming.

(Cheryl) PBS is testing a new schedule in selected markets: such as "Masterpiece Theatre" on Mondays Sounds like a great alternative to Monday night football. :-) Thanks for the update.

A bit of trivia: I found this notice from 1998 about a film that was green-lighted with Stephen and a script by Andrew Davies. Boo hoo, it seems to have fallen through the cracks: The Arts Council of England January 1998 Film Production Awards Friday Productions Ltd - 'From A View To A Death' Award: �1,000,000 Total project cost: �2,700,000 From A View To A Death is a black comedy by Anthony Powell, one of the century's most distinguished writers. Set in the 1930s, it tells the story of Zouch, a young painter who visits a village brimming with eccentrics. More interested in social climbing and carnal adventures than the glories of Art, Zouch ends up coming to grief at the hands of county society. Andrew Davies' screenplay perfectly captures the sinister undertones behind the facade. It will be directed by Hugh Laurie, as his first feature, and will star Stephen Dillane in the lead.

Another excerpt from the Times of London from this summer: Last year definitely wasn't one of the West End's best. But although there was a stream of mediocrity, the peaks were fantastic - career-best performances from Stephen Dillane, Henry Goodman and Simon Russell Beale How delicious that they put Stephen's name first :-)

More interested in social climbing and carnal adventures Sounded v. promising. ;-D

NEW YORK -- People magazine has chosen Craig Bierko, star of Broadway's The Music Man, as Sexiest Broadway Star of 2000. Pffft!

and the first runner-up was Philip Bosco, maybe? ;-D

Don't miss the SD puzzle that Donna put up on the website.... http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/awards2.htm scroll down to the bottom Hey Donna...that's a mean pic....I need a bigger screen;-)

Good one, Donna. You made it more difficult.

LOL, little does that older couple sitting in the row behind him know that they've been immortalized on the web. :-) (Always wear clean underwear and have a smile on your face.)

(Always wear clean underwear and have a smile on your face.) Famous last words. ;-)

Uh-oh, The Parole Officer was made with Lottery money, so it's going to be trashed by certain members of the press when and if released. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=347706&in_review_text_id=292122 Also, if you go to Walker's list of top turkeys for 2000, you might recognize one. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk:80/dynamic/hottx/review.html?in_review_id=348239&in_review_text_id=292510

Seem to be stumbling across Dillane productions all over the place tonight. Times article about Paul Rhys that mentions:The Cazalet Chronicle, a six-part series to be broadcast later this year and intended to recall the television glories of Brideshead Revisited, is based on Elizabeth Jane Howard�s novels about a genteel prewar English family. Rhys plays the sensitive, artistic brother, Rupert. Next summer, From Hell, the Hollywood movie directed by the Hughes brothers, in which he stars with Johnny Depp and is �very evil�, will be released in this country. But his most contentious role this year may be the one about to hit the nation�s television screens. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,62-61746,00.html

Too bad The Darkest Light tanked at the BO, miserably. Gulp. :-( He is so darned good in it too, in a very unglamorous role. Such a pity when a good performance never gets seen. Thanks for passing along the news...

Get a new agent, Stephen....or else stick to stage where you consistently get get rave reviews.

From The Hollywood Reporter today: Miramax telling Woolf story with Par in 'Hours' By Zorianna Kit and Chris Gardner Miramax Films has come aboard to co-finance and co-produce with Paramount Pictures "The Hours." The project is scheduled to start shooting next week with Stephen Daldry at the helm and Scott Rudin producing. Paramount will distribute the film domestically, with Miramax taking on international distribution rights. "Hours" will star Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Eileen Atkins and Allison Janney, among others. Based on Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1998 novel of the same name, "Hours" draws on the life and work of Virginia Woolf to tell the stories of three women: Woolf, portrayed in the throes of writing "Mrs. Dalloway" and contemplating suicide; Laura Brown, a young wife and mother in the suffocating confines of her life in Los Angeles in 1949; and Clarissa Vaughn, who is giving a party in present-day New York for her closest friend, Richard, an award-winning writer suffering from AIDS. The two studios most recently teamed on last year's "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and the upcoming "Four Feathers." ~~~~~~~~ Wonder which story/time period Stephen will appear in?

"Richard, an award-winning writer suffering from AIDS." (Karen)Wonder which story/time period Stephen will appear in? Ug... I hope he isn't Richard...

I know, I was thinking about that. ;-)

Me three. But that storyline takes place in NY. I think that's the Meryl part, so I'm kind of hoping that the character is played by Ed Harris. I'm guessing Nicole plays the prego in LA, with John C. Reilly. Book is on its way. I'll be renting Mrs. Dalloway this weekend... :-)

Stephen is thin; Ed Harris is not. No reason that Richard can't be English just because it takes place in NY. However, he has done far more 'English period pieces' than either EH or JCR. Why don't you try his agent? Surely, this info wouldn't violate the Official Secrets Act. ;-)

An on-set report at Dark Horizon: The Hours: "Meryl Streep is filming scenes for her new movie "The Hours" today (Wednesday) on 10th St. between 5th and 6th Ave. They arrived there very early this morning and will presumedly keep filming all day. The plot of The Hours revolves around three female characters in different story lines and different time periods in the 20th century, related only by a parallel in their personal lives: Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway. I heard a mention that Julianne Moore is in the film as well."

Now if we only knew what role Stephen plays.....if it's Richard, he's probably in the Village:-)))) Dooooonnaaaaaa;-)

Stephen will be on PBS this Sunday, February 18th in Anna Karenina. Part 2 airs the next week, February 25th.

You mean she leaves Stephen for that guy in the background? Baaaad casting.

I'll be there.

Don't miss Donna's page on AK. It's a class act. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/anna.htm Also the page on the Radio Play next week. http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/bayeux.htm

Articles on AK are on the second page... http://fp.enter.net/~purrfect/anna2.htm Be there tonight!

Love the pages, Donna. For those who cannot listen for these 15 minute broadcasts every day, the audiotape is available for purchase. Choices direct has it for 8.49 pounds and shipping is free worldwide. It's a two tape set (155 minutes). Here's the place: http://www.choicesdirect.co.uk/cgi-bin/ChoicesDirect.storefront/612707184/Product/View/809014 My VCR is ready to roll tonight! Too bad SD isn't Vronsky, as I bet there will be some rewind moments.

Great job, Donna! I will have to wait till tomorrow for AK. I get PBS from the Dish and MT is on Monday nights. I did see the previews and it looks so very good. :-)

Wonder if the tape being sold has the missing scenes? They weren't skin shots, were they, Donna? I only saw the first hour (rest was being taped), but it looked pretty good to me...better than the Sophie Marceau-Sean Bean version. However, Helen is not a very bewitching beauty, and Kevin McKidd doesn't fit my view of a dashing cavalry officer. Stephen isn't old enough to be Karenin, but that's OK. I don't mind watching him. [BTW, Donna, are you replaying one of his early lines over and over? The one about "your loving husband is here"? ;-D] Have to agree about Dougie's Scottish accent. Ridiculous! Totally detracted from his credibility. You can see what attracted David Blair to doing this program...all the train sequences! ;-)

(Karen) Wonder if the tape being sold has the missing scenes? Still bewildered over the cuts. There was very little nudity, and we've seen more skin and sexuality on PBS (Moll Flanders). I'm guessing it was to fit in the timeslot. The UK version is 240 minutes, so it will be interesting to see how long the US version is.

Have listened to the first 15 minutes. Do you really think your average Saxon guy would say, "he doesn't give a toss" or similar. ;-D The BBC's page says that an "omnibus" episode will be broadcast on Sunday 25 February at 3.02pm. What does that mean? You should check out the interview with Christopher Eccleston (on 4 pages). On the second page, there is a pic of the actors recreating the battle scenes during the recording. Do not see SD. Lots of links. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/discover/interviews/discover_interview.shtml

(Karen)The BBC's page says that an "omnibus" episode will be broadcast on Sunday 25 February at 3.02pm. What does that mean? Not sure. But I just looked up Sunday's schedule, and it says "part 6". FYI, earlier in the day they're broadcasting Desert Island Discs, LOL.

(Karen) "omnibus" episode will be broadcast on Sunday 25 February at 3.02pm. The mini episodes will be compiled into one.

Thanks, Aishling. I was hoping that would be the case.

Not so sure. The schedule says Sunday is part 6, "Battle of Hastings", which is the climax. Friday's episode is part 5, "Building of Boats", where William prepares to invade England. Very confusing. Parts 1-5 add up to 75 minutes, Sunday's slot will be under an hour. In any case, the radio broadcast will not be the full 155 minutes of the recording.

For anyone listening to part of the radio broadcast, the webpage has a summary of each episode, so you can follow along even if you miss some of it. Bayeux Tapestry

Have just checked radio listings for Bayeux and there is nothing about an omnibus edition. Just the conclusion on Sunday. On Tuesday 27th the afternoon play is First Love with SD reading extracts from Samuel Beckett's previously unbroadcast short story. With commentary by actress Billie Whitelaw, biographer James Knowlson and publisher John Calder. 2.15 - 3.00pm.

A review of the Parole Officer from Dark Horizon. No mention of SD, but maybe Garth can put you in touch with Paul H for follow-up questions. "The Parole Officer" - A Review by 'Paul H' (Positive, No Spoilers) I caught a test screening of a British film last week called 'The Parole Officer'. It's a comedy starring Steve Coogan - well known in Britain as the character Alan Partridge, but probably unheard of outside UK. As with most test screenings, the film still needed a bit of work done to it, but I would say it was about 90% complete. In the film, Coogan plays a parole officer that gets framed for a murder he didn't commit by a couple of corrupt coppers*. The only way of proving his innocence is the security camera that recorded the killing. Unfortunately, the video-tape from it has been placed in a bank vault, and is heavily guarded. To break into the bank, he enlists the aid of some ex-cons that he helped out as a parole officer. What follows is a series of mad-cap scenes, as they plan the heist, attempt the break-in, avoid the cops, and clear Coogan's name. The film is by no means a classic, but it is consistently funny, and a lot better than recent British comedies, like "Kevin and Perry go Large", and the excruciatingly dire "Notting Hill". Coogan's performance is consistently good, and his character - although similar to Alan Partridge - is more likeable. The pace of the film was okay, but at just under 2 hours, it is likely that it will be shortened, and improved before release. The humour is very British, and in the same vein as "A Fish called Wanda / Fierce Creatures" etc... There are some very funny parts in it, a cameo by Omar Sharif, and thankfully only a small amount of cheesy romance.

(Aishling) First Love with SD Sounds promising :-) (Karen) thankfully only a small amount of cheesy romance Whew, I hate it when someone else gets the girl!

" but it is consistently funny, and a lot better than recent British comedies, like "Kevin and Perry go Large", and the excruciatingly dire "Notting Hill". " I don't know "Kevin..." but, better than NH???Wow!! I like SD doing comedy. He's so understated.Hope we get this one.

News from the AFM going on now: SPY GAME SETS UP INTERNATIONAL RING Beacon and Universal Pictures International (UPI) have assembled a network of leading independent distributors for The Spy Game, starring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Entertainment has UK rights, while Medusa has taken Italy and Kinowelt Germany. Beacon and UPI, now partnered again on The Palace Thief, have also sold Spanish rights on the CIA thriller to Lauren and Japanese rights to Toho Towa. Egmont has Scandinavia, while Universal is expected to release the film in Australia through United International Pictures. The budget on the film is understood to have swelled to $120m, partly because it was forced to switch shooting from Israel to Morocco well into pre-production.