Month: July 2009

Tuesday’s marvellous news

28 July 2009 Rob Buckley 1 Comment

Doctor Who

Film

Comics

US TV

Sitting Tennant

Monday’s Sitting Tennants from the legion (for they are many)

27 July 2009 Rob Buckley 8 Comments

Jaradel's Sitting Tennant

Ms Rullsenberg's Sitting Tennant

Sister Chastity's Sitting Tennant

Toby's Sitting Tennant

Sabine's Sitting Tennant

So many Sitting Tennants. Unbelievable! All of a sudden (probably timed to coincide with Marie’s trip to Paris to give her a nice surprise when she’s back), everyone comes out of the woodwork and reveals their inner love of David Tennant choosing not to stand.

Today, we have no fewer than five Sitting Tennants, one each from the usual stalwarts – Sister Chastity, Jaradel and Ms Rullsenberg – and one from each of the new competitors: Toby, whom you all know, and Sabine, who’s a new arrival. A big warm hello to Sabine, everyone: hello, Sabine!

I do hope all these Tennants don’t overload you. BTW, both Sister Chastity and Toby get 0.5 bonus points each, since the pics are from ComicCon at the weekend. That Sister Chastity is getting awfully ninja-like in her stealthiness, don’t you think?

  1. Rullsenberg: 44.5
  2. Sister Chastity: 41.5
  3. Jaradel: 28.5
  4. Rosby: 2.5
  5. Amy: 2
  6. Toby: 1.5
  7. Persephone, Sabine: 1

Got a picture of David Tennant sitting, lying down or in some indeterminate state in between? Then leave a link to it below or email me and if it’s judged suitable, it will appear in the “Sitting Tennant” gallery.

Every photo displayed on Monday (one per person who sends one in) gets a point, with a bonus point if it’s from the latest DT production; the best pic in the stash each week will appear on Friday and get three points.

You can also enter the witty and amusing captions league table by commenting on Friday’s Sitting Tennant photo, the best caption getting 10 points.

Audio and radio play reviews

Review: The Companion Chronicles 3×11 – The Mahogany Murders

27 July 2009 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

The Mahogany MurdersThe controversy of over who exactly is a companion takes a new twist with this Companion Chronicle since it features Jago and Litefoot, the intrepid Victorian professor and music hall impresario who helped Tombo in classic fourth Doctor adventure The Talons of Weng Chiang.  

That’s right. They never travelled in the TARDIS, and they were only in it for one story. Are they technically companions?

Bah. Who cares?

They were, as it happens, popular enough at the time that a spin-off series was suggested – yes, they were the Captain Jacks of their day – although it never happened. The Mahogany Murders builds on that imagined series of adventures to show us a Jago and Litefoot still solving mysteries together.

In this case, the mysterious case of a life-sized, perfectly formed wooden mannequin that can walk.

Continue reading “Review: The Companion Chronicles 3×11 – The Mahogany Murders”

September at the BFI

27 July 2009 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

Time for our regular look at what TV’s on at the South Bank in London in September. Most of it is going to be taken up with a Coal season (oh joy) and part two of the Stage to Screen season. BUT there is going to be a preview of the new series of Merlin.

  • 3rd: Richard II: Live From The Globe
    The first live broadcast of a theatre production in over 30 years
  • 4th: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
    Starring Eddie Izzard, Peter Nichols’ play recorded on stage in front of a live audience
  • 6th: Merlin + Q&A
    The first episode of the new series of BBC1’s Merlin, together with a panel discussion involving cast and crew.
  • 8th: Vincent in Brixton
    A play about Vincent Van Gogh’s stay in Brixton
  • 13th/21st: The Price of Coal: Meet the People
    Ken Loach and Tony Garnett’s play about a royal visit to Milton Colliery
  • 17th: Changing Stages + Panel Discussion
    The first episode of the series dicussing the development of British theatre, followed by a panel discussion with Mark Lawson, Richard Eyre and Ben Stephenson, BBC controller of drama
  • 19th/20th: The Wars of the Roses
    All 11 parts of John Barton’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s history cycle from Henry VI to Richard III
  • 21st/29th: Which Side Are You On? + The Miners’ Film
    Two documentaries, one by Ken Loach and another made in 1975 but updated during the miners’ strike 10 years later
  • 26th: Theatre Night: Miss Julie
    Janet McTeer and Patrick Malahide star in Strindberg’s play

On at the Mediatheque: The Miners’ Picnic (Ken Russell BBC Documentary about a colliery band competition) and Ken Loach’s Meet the People.

Members’ priority booking opens: 11.30am August 4

Public booking opens: 11.30am August 11

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details