"Tennant’s athleticism in ‘Comedy…’, sliding down a spiral staircase and somersaulting over a fountain in a manner worthy of a future Doctor Who."
February 29, 2012
As today is Leap Day I thought I would treat you to a great description of David leaping about the stage in Comedy of Errors and a picture of him getting a helping hand with his "leaping" in Pillowman.
"Tennant’s athleticism in ‘Comedy…’, sliding down a spiral staircase and somersaulting over a fountain in a manner worthy of a future Doctor Who."
"Tennant’s athleticism in ‘Comedy…’, sliding down a spiral staircase and somersaulting over a fountain in a manner worthy of a future Doctor Who."
February 28, 2012
In yesterday's post the Daily Record got it slightly wrong but in a good way. Today I'll treat you to an article from The Scotsman - and BOY did they get it wrong all those years ago!
"In a trice, hopes can be dashed beyond recall and dreams destroyed totally. So it is with the cruel announcement that Scottish actor David Tennant - misguidedly referred to as a "heart throb" - is replacing that genuine alien, Christopher Eccleston, as the Doctor. . .
"Then disaster struck just as if the Master had interfered yet again with time itself. Eccleston had quit because he did not want to be typecast - too late, Christopher - and BBC Cardiff had found a replacement.
And who did we get to play the greatest alien in the universe? The being we need to save Earth? The son of a former Moderator of the Church of Scotland better know for playing Andy Crawford, the wimpish sidekick of Dixon of Dock Green in the radio revival of the cosy 1950s police series. Yawn.
OK, I know lots of interesting folk come from Paisley and I did see bits of Tennant when he starred in the television version of Casanova. He's a passable actor and clearly more in love with playing the Doctor than was Eccleston. But as another disgruntled fan put it: "Somebody who looks like a weasel could never play the Doctor. It's over!" - George Kerevan, associate editor - August 6, 2005
"In a trice, hopes can be dashed beyond recall and dreams destroyed totally. So it is with the cruel announcement that Scottish actor David Tennant - misguidedly referred to as a "heart throb" - is replacing that genuine alien, Christopher Eccleston, as the Doctor. . .
"Then disaster struck just as if the Master had interfered yet again with time itself. Eccleston had quit because he did not want to be typecast - too late, Christopher - and BBC Cardiff had found a replacement.
And who did we get to play the greatest alien in the universe? The being we need to save Earth? The son of a former Moderator of the Church of Scotland better know for playing Andy Crawford, the wimpish sidekick of Dixon of Dock Green in the radio revival of the cosy 1950s police series. Yawn.
OK, I know lots of interesting folk come from Paisley and I did see bits of Tennant when he starred in the television version of Casanova. He's a passable actor and clearly more in love with playing the Doctor than was Eccleston. But as another disgruntled fan put it: "Somebody who looks like a weasel could never play the Doctor. It's over!" - George Kerevan, associate editor - August 6, 2005
February 27, 2012
Well at least someone besides DT fans liked Duck Patrol!!!! Rick wasn't quite right about how long it lasted . .
"Richard was ably assisted by a strong cast led by fellow Scot David Tennant, . . .
This is warming up to be a Sunday success and could follow in the footsteps of Last of the Summer Wine as a pleasant comedy that doesn't go very far, but keeps us entertained for years."
Daily Record, Glasgow - July 20, 1998 - Rick Fulton
"Richard was ably assisted by a strong cast led by fellow Scot David Tennant, . . .
This is warming up to be a Sunday success and could follow in the footsteps of Last of the Summer Wine as a pleasant comedy that doesn't go very far, but keeps us entertained for years."
Daily Record, Glasgow - July 20, 1998 - Rick Fulton
January 26, 2012
David describing The Proclaimers after their Barrowlands concert:
"They write incredible songs that have been the soundtrack to my life for the last 20 years.
"They are songs that make me happy and make me sad.
"It's about being a bloke and a human being and they do it better than anyone."
"They write incredible songs that have been the soundtrack to my life for the last 20 years.
"They are songs that make me happy and make me sad.
"It's about being a bloke and a human being and they do it better than anyone."
February 25,2012
Since Simon Annand's picture of David waiting for the curtain for The Rivals at The Barbican has recently been in the press I have collected all of his reviews from the play:
"To hear Benjamin Whitrow's Anthony Absolute, the wily old father, and David Tennant's Jack, his son, turning barbed courtesies against each other is to relish the cut and thrust of language at its sharpest." -The Spectator -April 15, 2000 - Patrick Carnegy
"...the key to the play's success lies above all with Jack Absolute, and David Tennant, who plays him, doesn't put a foot wrong. He has dash without swagger; he makes a plausible soldier; he pursues his romantic schemes with determination and dry humour." - The Sunday Telegraph - December 31, 2000 - John Gross
"David Tennant's Jack is a dashing blade . . . " The Evening Standard - March 31, 2000 - Nick Curtis
"Jack, a piece of glassy-eyed genius from David Tennant . . ." Northern Echo - November 2, 2000
"David Tennant's roguish Jack Absolute . . . " The Herald - April 4, 2000 - Carole Woddis
" . . . David Tennant grows along with the plot as the hero, Jack Absolute. By the end I was totally charmed by his clever contemporary interpretation." - Coventry Evening Telegraph - April 3, 2000 - Bryan Jones
"David Tennant's Jack Absolute is as quick-witted and dashing . . ." The Mail on Sunday - April 2, 2000 -Georgina Brown
"David Tennant is a wonderful Jack Absolute" - Daily Mail - March 31, 2000 - Michael Coveney
"David Tennant, a lithe and wonderful Jack Absolute" Daily Mail - April 7, 2000 - Michael Coveney
"To hear Benjamin Whitrow's Anthony Absolute, the wily old father, and David Tennant's Jack, his son, turning barbed courtesies against each other is to relish the cut and thrust of language at its sharpest." -The Spectator -April 15, 2000 - Patrick Carnegy
"...the key to the play's success lies above all with Jack Absolute, and David Tennant, who plays him, doesn't put a foot wrong. He has dash without swagger; he makes a plausible soldier; he pursues his romantic schemes with determination and dry humour." - The Sunday Telegraph - December 31, 2000 - John Gross
"David Tennant's Jack is a dashing blade . . . " The Evening Standard - March 31, 2000 - Nick Curtis
"Jack, a piece of glassy-eyed genius from David Tennant . . ." Northern Echo - November 2, 2000
"David Tennant's roguish Jack Absolute . . . " The Herald - April 4, 2000 - Carole Woddis
" . . . David Tennant grows along with the plot as the hero, Jack Absolute. By the end I was totally charmed by his clever contemporary interpretation." - Coventry Evening Telegraph - April 3, 2000 - Bryan Jones
"David Tennant's Jack Absolute is as quick-witted and dashing . . ." The Mail on Sunday - April 2, 2000 -Georgina Brown
"David Tennant is a wonderful Jack Absolute" - Daily Mail - March 31, 2000 - Michael Coveney
"David Tennant, a lithe and wonderful Jack Absolute" Daily Mail - April 7, 2000 - Michael Coveney
February 24, 2012
A perfect description of The Doctor given by David on February 24, 2007:
The Doctor is scarred by losing his race," Tennant says. "He can't seem to hold on to anyone. He is entirely alone. Even with the ones who do stick with him. He is, to all intents and purposes, eternal. That's his tragedy."
Taken from The Times interview with John Naish.
The Doctor is scarred by losing his race," Tennant says. "He can't seem to hold on to anyone. He is entirely alone. Even with the ones who do stick with him. He is, to all intents and purposes, eternal. That's his tragedy."
Taken from The Times interview with John Naish.
February 23, 2012
Great description of David's acting from author Michael Coen. Michael won a writing competition held by Big Finish to find new authors.
"David has the ability to switch, often within a single scene, from a motor-mouthed science geek to the doom-laden - and scary - Last of Time Lords," he explains. "Few actors have that facility."
"David has the ability to switch, often within a single scene, from a motor-mouthed science geek to the doom-laden - and scary - Last of Time Lords," he explains. "Few actors have that facility."
February 22, 2012
David Tennant has only attended Comic Con in San Diego once so far and clearly he wasn't prepared for the US fan reaction. Here is what he had to say before the big Sunday panel that he participated in.
"The fan response here has been incredible -- just walking to the elevator. I can't imagine what'll be like during the panel."
During an interview at the press round table at Comic Con he was asked if he was looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up like him David's response- "If everyone at the panel shows up dressed like me I'll do the panel nude!"
Too bad the podcaster who recorded that gem didn't post that before Sunday!!!!
February 21, 2012
David's first time getting his picture in a London newspaper was October 4 1994 in The Times when he was appearing in The Slab Boys!
February 20, 2012
David has attended the TCA Press Tour twice:
At the 2005 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 14, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California to promote Blackpool with Sarah Parish and the writer of the series Peter Bowker.
At the 2009 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on July 29, 2009 in Pasadena, California he appeared on the BBC America panel with Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner, Euros Lyn and President of BBC Wordwide America Garth Ancier. He appeared again on day 5 of the tour, August 2nd on the PBS panel to promote Masterpiece Contemporary and Endgame with executive producer Rebecca Eaton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller, and Michael Young, mediator in the talks that ended apartheid in South Africa - portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller. David was on stage with Rebecca and then the others were on again with Rebecca.
You might not have any idea what the TCA is so here is some info from their website:
What is the TCA?
The Television Critics Association represents more than 220 journalists writing about television for print and online outlets in the United States and Canada.
What is TCA press tour?
The Television Critics Association exists to serve its membership of full-time TV critics, most of whom do not live near the entertainment capitals of Los Angeles and New York. The twice-yearly TCA press tour, then, represents an unparalleled opportunity to gain access to the people who make television. The reporting our members do at press tour creates story material year-round as well as valuable face-to-face contacts with network executives, producers and actors.
At the 2005 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 14, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California to promote Blackpool with Sarah Parish and the writer of the series Peter Bowker.
At the 2009 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on July 29, 2009 in Pasadena, California he appeared on the BBC America panel with Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner, Euros Lyn and President of BBC Wordwide America Garth Ancier. He appeared again on day 5 of the tour, August 2nd on the PBS panel to promote Masterpiece Contemporary and Endgame with executive producer Rebecca Eaton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller, and Michael Young, mediator in the talks that ended apartheid in South Africa - portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller. David was on stage with Rebecca and then the others were on again with Rebecca.
You might not have any idea what the TCA is so here is some info from their website:
What is the TCA?
The Television Critics Association represents more than 220 journalists writing about television for print and online outlets in the United States and Canada.
What is TCA press tour?
The Television Critics Association exists to serve its membership of full-time TV critics, most of whom do not live near the entertainment capitals of Los Angeles and New York. The twice-yearly TCA press tour, then, represents an unparalleled opportunity to gain access to the people who make television. The reporting our members do at press tour creates story material year-round as well as valuable face-to-face contacts with network executives, producers and actors.
February 19, 2012
Not only is David a Doctor Who geek . . . ahhh fan but he was also a Blake 7 fan! During the 2005 production of Look Back in Anger he was fortunate enough to work with Gareth Thomas who plays Alison’s father in Look Back in Anger, was Roj Blake in Blake 7 and one of his childhood heros. He was awestruck when they met, unable to look him in the eye, but asked the older actor to sign his DVD. In David's own word's: “Pure adoration.”
February 18, 2012
A few days ago I gave you a fact about the first meeting of the British Shakespeare Association. While there David spoke to a reporter from TES magazine. TES stands for Teaching Every Student and they are the largest network of teachers in the world, you can check out their website here.
This little exchange is proof that David's political convictions have been with him a long time!
"Chatting to one of our reporters at the inaugural conference of the British Shakespeare Association about the sorry status of the bard in schools, Tennant wondered whose responsibility it was to turn things around.
"Who's the minister? Estelle Morris?"
On being informed Charles Clarke was now in charge in England, his face fell and, summoning the best eloquence he could muster from his native West Lothian, he exclaimed: "Oh well, we're fucked in that case." " - September 19, 2003
This little exchange is proof that David's political convictions have been with him a long time!
"Chatting to one of our reporters at the inaugural conference of the British Shakespeare Association about the sorry status of the bard in schools, Tennant wondered whose responsibility it was to turn things around.
"Who's the minister? Estelle Morris?"
On being informed Charles Clarke was now in charge in England, his face fell and, summoning the best eloquence he could muster from his native West Lothian, he exclaimed: "Oh well, we're fucked in that case." " - September 19, 2003
February 17, 2012
In a 2007 interview in the RSAMD's Academy magazine David stated that Twelve Angry Men was his favourite movie and in a DWM interview he said that Twelve Angry Men would be a remake of a film he would like to star in.
Twelve Angry Men was a play first by Reginald Rose and David appeared in a production of the play in 1990 while he was at drama school. David played Juror No. 8, the lead, this is the role Henry Fonda portrays in the film. David was part of a troope called Theatre Positive Scotland and all money raised during the production was donated to Scottish Aids Monitor.
This is a great description of the play written by Keith Bruce of The Herald:
"I wish I could do as much justice to this production of Twelve Angry Men as Theatre Positive has done to the play. Before the performance began, the sparse set -- large table, 12 chairs, clock, water cooler, fan -- evoked vague memories of the film with Henry Fonda. Within minutes of the performance beginning, all such echoes had faded as this terse, tense, fidgety production began to grip its audience.
It would be all too easy for a play based on the deliberations of a jury -- the eponymous Twelve Angry Men -- to become a static, Last Supper affair. This did not happen here. Constant movement highlighted and underpinned the dialogue, conspiring with it to scrape and chip away at the veneers of civilisation, its constant, fractious effect exacerbating the mounting heat and anger. Pens were tapped, gum chewed, smoke rings blown, feet stamped in tattoos of frustrated impatience.
Just occasionally, the tension was slackened -- with a joke, a moment of reason, or a point at which the jurors discussed the mundane aspects of their own interests or jobs. The audience visibly relaxed, or laughed nervously, always aware that without warning the elastic band between them and the company would be flexed once more. This interaction between actors and audience was one of the major strengths of the production, and added a new dimension to a play usually seen in the screen version.
It's a play of big themes: issues often seen in tandem, yet somehow antithetical. Justice and the law, ignorance and prejudice, wisdom and experience, mind and intellect. MacCarthy's shadow, Hitchcock-like, stalks their exploration. For that reason if for no other, it was worth the cast's attempts at various forms of American accent -- even if those accents, particularly in moments of rage, lapsed occasionally into Glaswegian.
None of the jurors in the play is addressed by name, and this is reflected in the programme notes, where each is listed by number. It is a production which relies on equally intelligent individual performances combining in a well choreographed whole of dialogue and body language. The 13 actors are all students at RSAMD. Each of them match the challenge. But director Ian Reekie set it, and has seen it fulfilled in this outstanding production."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)