Aunty Donna announce UK tour

Australia’s favourite absurd sketch group, Aunty Donna, is bringing their first-ever live tour to the UK and Ireland after the success of their Netflix series. This will be their first visit to the UK in over five years, and they are scheduled to perform in Glasgow, Dublin, Bath, Birmingham, London, and Manchester.

The trio’s partnership with Netflix for the release of “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun,” executive produced by Ed Helms and Scott Aukerman, received critical acclaim and praise from fans worldwide, including Neil Patrick Harris and RuPaul. After a record-breaking tour of Australia and New Zealand, the group is eager to take their new show to the rest of the world.

The Aunty Donna boys said:

“When the Magical Dead Cat demanded we participate in this incredible tour of the UK and Ireland, a tour showcasing brand new hilarious comedy and some fan favourite bits from our world-shaking Netflix series, we were initially hesitant. It seemed we would provide the bulk of the entertainment whilst the Magical Dead Cat would merely bring some coughed up fur balls!’ ‘We raised our concerns with the Magical Dead Cat, and it offered to sweeten the deal by ending each show with a special surprise web slinging guest whose name rhymes with Glider Man. Desperate to meet this special surprise guest, we immediately said yes.”

In 2012, Aunty Donna burst onto the Melbourne comedy scene with their distinctively surreal, fast-paced, and alternative style of sketch comedy. Between 2014 and 2017, they won over audiences in the UK with their loud and high-energy performances at the Edinburgh Festival and Soho Theatre. Their shows have since traveled the world multiple times, earning them numerous awards and a massive following of over 2 million fans across various platforms, as well as 113 million views on YouTube.

Now, the trio of Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly, and Zachary Ruane are coming together to bring their wildly entertaining brand of comedy to audiences across England, Scotland, and Ireland on a new tour.

LISTINGS

11/09/23 Glasgow King’s Theatre 

16/09/23 Dublin Olympia Theatre 

19/09/23 Bath, The Forum 

21/09/23 Birmingham The Alexandra 

22/09/23 London Eventim Apollo 

24/09/23 Manchester O2 Apollo 

Thu 23 March @ 10am: Tickets on general sale – more info @ http://www.auntydonna.com/

New dates for landmark Ray Harryhausen exhibition

A thrilling and immersive exhibition on the pioneering and unparalleled work of Ray Harryhausen (1920-2012), the cinematic titan whose movies shaped the face of modern cinema, will arrive at the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS), as part of the late filmmaker’s centenary celebrations. Working in close collaboration with The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation, the National Galleries are proud to present Ray Harryhausen: Titan ofCinema, which will lead the reopening of Modern Two at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art from Saturday 24 October.

The exhibition is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition  of the art of the legendary trailblazer Harryhausen to date, who elevated stop-motion to an art-form between the 1950s-1980s, and whose exhilarating movies inspired a generation of the world’s greatest living filmmakers, among them Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Sir Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro.

The exhibition, originally scheduled for May this year and delayed due to COVID-19, will now lead the reopening of Modern Two with an extended run from October 2020 until September 2021. Visitors can secure their tickets via the new online booking system, available from www.nationalgalleries.org

Ray Harryhausen was responsible for some of twentieth century cinema’s most magical moments. The Titan of Cinema exhibition will showcase the original models at the very centre of these classic moments, such as the iconic skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts(1963), the Cyclops from his highly-influentialSinbad series of the 1950-70s and his landmark UFOs from 1956’s Earth vs the Flying Saucers. Among the models on show, are ones that would later inspire movies such as Lord of the RingsStar WarsJurassic ParkPan’s Labyrinth andMars Attacks!

Also on display will be a young Harryhausen’s very first models, including his marionette inspired by the gorilla from Willis O’Brien’s film King Kong, as well as models from Mighty Joe Young, the first film Harryhausen and O’Brien worked on together and the movie which effectively launched Harryhausen’s career.

These miniature monuments to cinematic history are joined by a bounty of posters, memorabilia, never-seen-before photographs, storyboard illustrations and the drawings and art that inspired Harryhausen’s creatures and films, all taken from his remarkable collection.

The Academy Award-winning filmmaker’s life, work and boundless imagination will be told through an immersive showing of sights, sounds and shadows, which caters not only for steadfast film enthusiasts, but for visitors of all ages and interests.

The exhibition also traces Harryhausen’s unique connection to Scotland. Not only did Ray and his lifelong partner Diana have an affinity for Scotland, but Diana was also the great-great granddaughter of the Scottish explorer David Livingstone. One of Harryhausen’s final projects was designing a statue of the legendary missionary, which now resides in Blantyre.

Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema is presented in collaboration with The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation (Charity No. SC001419) to celebrate what would have been his centenary birthday year. 

As part of a series of events and initiatives under the banner #Harryhausen100, the exhibition will be accompanied by screenings, workshops, talks and more, bringing his creations to life once again and celebrating the legacy of the filmmaker who shaped cinema as we know it today.

Vanessa Harryhausen, daughter of Ray Harryhausen and a Trustee of The Ray and Dianna Harryhausen Foundation, said: “Our plans to celebrate Dad’s centenary at the National Galleries in Edinburgh are so exciting; if he was still around, he would be so enthused by all the centenary celebrations and plans! It’s wonderful that we are able to display so much of Dad’s collection: the space at the Galleries gives us great scope to display as many of his models and artworks as possible, as well as personal items which have never been exhibited before.”

“We at the Foundation are thrilled to work with the National Galleries on displaying Dad’s collection and celebrating his legacy. He established the Foundation in order to encourage future generations to enjoy stop-motion animation, and we hope the celebrations and activities in Edinburgh will encourage fans of all ages to be inspired by his creativity”.

Ray Harryhausen | Titan of Cinema runs at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two) from Saturday 24 October 2020 – 5 September 2021. Tickets on-sale from 2 September via www.nationalgalleries.org

Episode 214: Simon Pegg MCM Panel

Here is the full Simon Pegg panel from MCM London.

Simon discusses The Dark Crystal, Star Trek, Star Wars, the Cornetto trilogy, Ready Player One and, Spaced.

Simon Pegg is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He came to public prominence in the UK as the co-creator of the Channel 4 sitcom Spaced, directed by Edgar Wright. He went on to co-write and star in the Three Flavours Cornetto film trilogy: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World’s End (2013). He and Nick Frost wrote and starred in the sci-fi film Paul (2011).



Episode 195: Interview with Paul McGann

Recorded today at MCM London, here’s the interview I attended with Paul McGann. He discusses Jodie Whittaker and whether or not sci-fi should ever be political.

He praises Big Finish, Bradley Walsh and Sheridan Smith. He also addresses the Withnail & I drinking game.

Paul John McGann is an English actor. He came to prominence for portraying Percy Toplis in the 1986 television serial The Monocled Mutineer. He later starred in the 1987 dark comedy Withnail and I, and as the eighth incarnation of the Doctor in the 1996 Doctor Who television film, a role he reprised in more than 150 audio dramas and the 2013 mini-episode “The Night of the Doctor”.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Amazon Music, PodchaserPlayer FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

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Martyn – @BadWilf

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John Pirruccello Twin peaks Q&A

Next month, the Official Twin Peaks UK Festival returns to London to re-create the eerie, fictional town of Twin Peaks, over the weekend of September 29th and 30th at the London Irish Centre in Camden; with activities extending to Camden Square Gardens.  Guests will be able to rub shoulders with stars of the show as they dig into some damn fine cherry pie with a cup of coffee.  David Lynch Coffee in fact. We’ve been lucky enough to get a Q&A with John Pirruccello (deputy Chad Broxford) who’ll be in attendance.

QUESTION: What are you most looking forward to, about coming to London and attending the official Twin Peaks UK Festival?

JOHN: I’m really looking forward to meeting all of the great fans in person I’ve been interacting with online and the new ones too. A few of them have offered to buy me a pint. So…free beer! I’m looking forward to free beer in London.

QUESTION: Free beer is always a great incentive, Will it be your first visit to the UK?

JOHN: It is not my first visit to the UK but I have not been for a good long time.  It will be a lot like a new city I’m sure with an air of familiarity to it.  I really loved London way back then.

QUESTION:  Can you describe your character, Deputy Chad Broxford?

JOHN: Chad is a broken man.  He’s arrogant, self-centred and entitled. And not entirely honest!  Not nice.

QUESTION: What was it like performing in Twin Peaks last year?

JOHN: Performing in Twin Peaks was like a dream.  A wonderful dream that seems to be recurring!

QUESTION: Were you a fan of the original series or was ‘The Return’ your first foray into the world of David Lynch?

JOHN: I was very much a fan of the original Twin Peaks. It woke me up like it woke up the rest of us fans. It was a disruption as David (Lynch) might call it. It was impossible to see television the same way after.

For more information regarding the festival visit here.

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Big blue box podcast discuss LFCC

In a semi-collaboration, we teamed up with the big blue box podcast to cover London Film and Comic Con.

On the latest exciting instalment of their podcast, Garry and Adam discuss the highs and lows of this summer’s LFCC.

The duo also discuss the Doctor Who story, Snakedance.

Give ’em a follow on Twitter:

Garry-@Bigblueboxpodcast

Adam-@Thegeekshandbag

 

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Episode 192:Sylvester McCoy and Jim Cummings

In which Martyn and Gerrod bring you an interview with Sylvester McCoy and, Jim “Winnie The Pooh” Cummings.

Sylvester McCoy is a Scottish actor, best known for playing the seventh incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science-fiction television series Doctor Who from 1987 to 1989—the final Doctor of the original run—and briefly returning in a television film in 1996.

Jim Cummings is an American voice actor and singer, who has appeared in almost 400 roles. He is known for voicing the title character from Darkwing Duck, Dr. Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog, Pete, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Bonkers D. Bobcat and the Tasmanian Devil. He has performed in numerous Disney and DreamWorks animations including Aladdin, The Lion King, Balto, Antz, The Road to El Dorado, Shrek, and The Princess and the Frog. He has also provided voice-over work for video games, such as Icewind Dale, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft: Legion, and Splatterhouse other voice characters voiced as Biker Mice from Mars, Iron Man, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Incredible Hulk, Batman: The Animated Series and Fantastic Four. He has been the voice of Pooh since 1988.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Amazon Music, PodchaserPlayer FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

Check out our Youtube.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

Socials:

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Martyn – @BadWilf

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Review-Sancho: An act of remembrance

Rather shamefully, I knew nothing about Charles Ignatius Sancho prior to this play.

Sancho was born into slavery, but went on to become a classical actor, a composer, an anti-slavery campaigner, property owner, and the first black British person to vote in a general election.

Paterson Joseph begins his one-man play, in a bold and unusual way. He comes out as himself and explains the driving force that made him write the play. He explains that after seeing his contemporaries get cast in costume dramas, he was keen to join them. However, he was constantly told he couldn’t, as there were no black Britons before the Windrush generation.

Image credit-Robert Day

It’s impossible to not be drawn in by Paterson Joseph’s charm, wit and energy. He’s an extremely characteristic man. His entrance is fantastic and a great way to launch a solo show. There is no fourth wall in this production, Sancho will lock eyes with audience members, pull them up on stage, ask why they’re laughing. The play defies theatre traditions, much like Sancho’s life defies our perception of black history in Britain.

The 70 minutes fly-by, the script is sharp, witty and political. The set and sound design are both exceptional. The backdrops are wooden and help hint and Sancho’s origin. The sounds help truly immerse the audience into the period.

Joseph fully embodies Sancho. He’s clever, witty, a raconteur and ever so slightly camp.

Image credit-Robert Day

Sancho: An act of remembrance is masterfully acted, beautifully written and reminder about the power of theatre. I left the with a greater knowledge than when I entered. Sancho’s life should be a TV series.

I hope this kick starts a re-evaluation of our history.

Sancho – An Act of Remembrance is at Wilton’s Music Hall until June 17th. For more information, click here.

REVIEW: Star Trek in concert

As part of the Royal Albert Hall’s Films in Concert, two showings of Star Trek were shown over the weekend. Saturday showed 2009’s Star Trek. Sunday showed Star Trek:Beyond.

Both screenings were accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and conducted by Ernst van Tiel.

We attended the Saturday event.

Image credit-Penny Smallshire

I’ve attended concerts like this at The Royal Albert Hall, many times. But some how each time feels like the first.

For those who are unfamiliar with these concerts, the films are played on a suspended screen, above the musicians. The dialogue is intact, with the Orchestra performing the soundtrack and sound effects live.

Not only are these amazing musicians a sight to behold on stage, but the evening provided a phenomenal audio experience that no Blu-Ray can possibly live up to.

My personal highlight of the evening was the Orchestras performance of the Star Trek theme, over Leonard Nimoy’s “space the final frontier” speech. They received a seven minute standing ovation for this.

http://badwilf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/trim_8edfaf01-2d0c-47e1-b4dd-cdd8ec012772.mov

What I took away from this event, is just how beautiful and timeless Gene Roddenberry’s vision is. This is an experience I will cherish for a life time.

I highly recommend attending one of these screenings. Click here to find out information about the next one.

Episode 157: MCM round table interview with Tom Mison

In which Martyn and Gerrod, along with 1o other journalists interview Tom Mison from Sleepy Hollow.

Thomas Mison is an English film, television, and theatre actor, voice artist, and writer. He has had leading and supporting roles in a variety of British theatre, television, and radio productions, as well as independent and mainstream studio films and film shorts.

Thanks to the guys at MCM for allowing us access.

Check out the official Bad Wilf Vlog.

The podcast can be accessed via different places, including Audioboom, Tunein, Miro, Stiticher, Blubrry, Player fm and Itunes.

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