This may be old news, but you were all so darn busy over the weekend I might have missed it in the flood of new posts! Has anyone mentioned yet that Red Tango has some new stuff up on her site? Funny stuff from that "horse circus-thing" (sorry, can't remember the name of it).

Claudia -- If it's not too personal, do you mind sharing why you don't like watching Closetland? I've been thinking of buying it. The description of the film makes it sound very violent, but at another site they gushed that AR was never sexier. I'm not sure how it could be both.

Cassandra 7 -- I'm a blond too! Well...dishwater/strawberry blond. You didn't say where you're from. Could this be cultural confusion? In America, we often goodnaturedly tease people who are tough enough to take it -- because we enjoy it when they give it right back! Redneck jokes have led to Blueneck jokes ("You know you're a blueneck if you think Heinz ketchup is too spicy"). Blond jokes led to Redhead jokes ("How do you know when your redhead has forgiven you? She stops washing your clothes in the toilet bowl.") and Brunette jokes ("Who makes bras for brunettes? Fisher-Price."). 

I hope you stay and keep contributing to our AR site!

I hate to have to insert a serious moment here.  But.......... 

There has been a lot of discussion about the silly little blonde moment icon today.  Some of which has been deleted.  

I spoke my peace on the subject earlier by saying that I do not intend on removing the icon and my intentions if anyone ever abuses the icon (which will never happen).

Now I am going to ask that we close the subject.  I truly do hope that everyone understands.   

Back to our usually friendly fun!     

Ah, Bob Geldorf is the verbal twin brother of Kevin Smith~

Sabine--I should really confess to a few "gray moments"  , however Lady Clairol takes care of that!

Elaine, that would be sweet of you-- it would be a kick to see "Sir Paul" again, now that we are both "mature"  no screaming teenies to contend with this time

Sue, I have to laugh, I definitely am old enough to remember live-aid.  That was the year my oldest son was born.(and I was not a young first time mom)  I probably was so consumed with being a new mom that I didn't pay attention to who was in it.

Ms Clarkson definitely has been taking it on the chin, is it just because they think it is a useless position or that she isn't doing a good job?

Sue - Wednesday TikkiRose. Yes, he does have a fringe and it looks about the same time as Troilus and Cressida ones so I will follow your advice and put "Mystery 1980s" in my Alan file.

Ouch indeed re Canadian G-G responses.

Elaine - Congrats on the new car!  A Land Rover, I'm so jealous! 

Man, I wish I could go the Live8 concert!  I still remember Live Aid, I was glued to the TV!  Luckily my wonderful hubby gave me the DVD set as a Christmas present last year, so now I can watch it whenever I want. 

Cassandra - I have to agree with Claudia, sue, Elaine etc., these blonde jokes are made all in good fun.  I'm a blonde and I use the phrase "blonde moment" all the time.  I think you're taking political correctness way too far.  I hope you can see the humor in this and realize that we indeed are a friendly, fun-loving bunch here. 

Just got to mention that I've just come into no.30 of "Hollywood's top 100 best kept secrets" and it is hilArious. They have worked out that if Jonny Depp and Kate Moss lived up to their claim that they "boffed" in every room of a certain hotel then it would have taken them 2 months and cost 75,000 dollars! I could believe that! Daft!

sue, you're the brave one! Cassandra, please relax a bit, take the slack out of your stays... If you're so strung up about blond jokes then I think you really need to question why.  It's noticeable that the blonde moment jokes on this gb have actually been made by blondes! And as sue says, it's hardly something to rate along with racial slurs. I'm sorry that you are upset by it but if you want to exist and get along in the world, you might need a slightly thicker skin. We've all got the "shell". I'm not blonde but I'm fat and speccy. I'm not the brightest bulb in the house either but it doesn't bother me in the least if you want to have a giggle at me, with me, or for me! We'd love you to stick around and see how harmless we are. Let's not forget that this is all about a really top notch actor. It's like TV critics or the "Mary Whitehouses" of this world - there's always an "off" switch!

RE: Comments to Ottawa Citizen article

   Ouch! 

Wow that Lady Governor General sure isn't popular! Read all the comments to Alan's support of her at the bottom of the article (Sound-Off) HERE

... Cassandra7--> "I will think before I act!"... (Maybe that's the reason why I dye my hair black....!)

I know the one you mean Barbara, a bit of a fringe? Never sure when that one was taken! Wow that was really helpful wasn't it?LOL I'm guessing mid-latish 80's?

Hello everybody. I´m pretty *bleep* angry right now. Been looking forward to the Live 8 concert in Hyde park since I first heard of it and now they say that you have to live in the UK to get tickets! So unfair! Do you think they will close it entirely to the public or can you stand outside of Hyde park? Oh I so really wanna go...

Help wanted for Wednesday's TikkiRose Pic of the Day. I know I will have to wait a while for you to get there. Young Alan in casual clothes, T shirt and jacket, leaning against a pillar, wearing a wedding ring and bit of a beard, B&W. Think it must be from a play?

Off topic. We also have a Governor General because the Queen is Head of State. She is a lovely, dignified but warm person. Wanting to be a republic isn't so strong here as in Australia. May change when King Charles comes along.

I'm sorry Cassandra I don't personally think you can liken a few blonde jokes alongside racist slurs. I really think that is taking "political correctness" way too far.

Kathy, do you want me to send in a few texts for tickets to Live 8 for you? It'll be my pleasure to contribute to the charity that way.

I think I need to watch BC again.He is so brilliant in it. Wish he would do another TV series.

Here's his official site, kathy.

Yep, Bob Geldof swears like a trooper all right!  He used the "F" word on several occasions in the news conference this morning!  I never knew him from his music but I have followed him a lot since Live Aid 1985.  He has a personality and drive for this cause that is unmatched as far as I'm concerned. 

BBC1 will be airing "Geldof in Africa" starting June 20.  Perfect timing for the G8!  I hope it makes it over here or on DVD! 

Kathy! You must be too young to remember LiveAid back in 1985 then? He was a former punk Irish musician who led The BoomTown Rats. He came up with the "Do They Know It's Christmas" charity single then organised LiveAid. Famous for never combing his hair and swearing like a trooper but he gets things done. He was awarded an Honorary Knighthood (being Irish he couldn't have a real one) but is generally known as St.Bob!

PPS--one more question and I promise I am finished.  One more indication of my need for the stupid brunette sign--Who is Bob Geldorf??? apart from organizing live 8 --please don't throw tomatoes at me!!!

PS---Cassandra7--I am not blonde (come from a long line of brunettes) and certainly many times have qualified for the stupid-non-blond sign!!!! and unfortunately will probably do so again!  I think it's all in fun.

Oh my gosh you guys are busy here--I just got home from the eye Dr. so I can see where I'm going on my trip (and not fall flat on my face by missing a speed bump like I did the last trip to London--so hard to look dignified while being splat on the ground! My camera's never been the same since either!) I have a monsterous headache and am going to lie down for a moment but wanted to check in--first things first!!  

I hesitate to show my appalling ignorance of the Canadian system of government, but I thought they were an independent country and not affiliated with the Queen any longer--is their system of gov't more like the British than the American? It is sad she is estranged from her children--The more I am acquainted with AR the more I learn and the more I realize what I don't know yikes! Someone more enlightened than I please clue me in!

I guess I will have to take a pass at the live 8 concert--maybe I can watch somewhere--or listen somewhere!! 

I was checking out the info on the NY play scene (my other favorite, Michael Ball will be making his debut at the Met. Opera in a Gilbert and Sullivan musical in Sept.) and went looking for a hint of plans for a Rachel Corrie reprise across the pond.  No hints but did find some rabid sites on both sides of the Rachel Corrie issue--really scary to read. I would hate to read some of the mail all concerned have gotten over the course of the play.

Elaine, congrats on your new car!  Nice to have reliable transport!  Nothing like a new car smell! I am hanging on to my van until it falls apart as it is paid for and soooo nice not to have car payments. Buying a car these days really is an investment! 

Hope AR is enjoying his time in Ottawa--I hear Canada is exquisite by train.  I've only been to British Columbia--also beautiful--but a friend of mine went to Canada for her honeymoon and said it was fabulous.

Bye guys--got to get rid of this headache--naptime.

 I know a couple imbecile non blondes too, Natasxxx!  *grin*

@ CASSANDRA7--> I'm blond too!

But it is just a matter of speaking! Please don't take it personal!  There are a lot of non_blondes who are really really stupid!!!!!!

Laura, Obadiah Slope is AR's character in Barchester Chronicles.  Very young, cute and TALENTED was he!

Welcome to our little piece of AR online, Cassandra7.  Please feel free to join us whenever you can.  I am truly sorry that the little blonde moment emoticon offends you.  That is certainly not the intention of anyone here that has used it.  I am one of those fair haired blondes from a family of blondes as you and I absolutely love a darn good blonde joke.  All I can do is assure you that if the little emoticon is ever used to personally attack someone, the post will be deleted and the poster banned.  

A question: what is Obadiah? Thank you for the beautiful screencaps. I read everything but I admit that my English is poor and I don't really understand the biggest part so I'm wondering what AR's work is this one.

Thank you in advance,

Laura 

Ohhh thank you Sue!!!!  It looks like it is going to take you a long time to watch BC...but we are very happy recipients!

They are all so clean and crisp!  I like them all but the second has to be near and dear for me! 

I sure wish someone would cast AR and Susan Hampshire in something together!  I still say AR as a love interest for Molly on Monarch of the Glen would have been a show stealer! 

Here he is:

A gift -wrapped prezzie from Amazon arrived this morning! Yes! Obadiah is here at last!!

The gift-tag read:

"Harding to find this, so please be Proudie of it and don't let it send you down a slippery Slope, as I spent all my Bunce on it.

Love from A Trollopexxx"

To think I have put up with this for 30 years!!

I want to sit down and watch it properly but am tempted to hop in for a couple of screen caps

I better top up my phone card ready to make a few texts!

Excuse me while I lie down as I have just shelled out a disgusting amount of dosh on a Land Rover! (I'm so excited!!!!)

I was just thinking that it would be really  to try for tickets to Live 8 but then I realise that I will be on my hols so forget that idea   Anyone hoping to go, I wish you luck. Ricky Nicky, are you going to have a go? I remember when Live Aid was on, I was working in a little long-stay hospital in Westcliff on Sea and it was the same day as our fete. I remember pushing my patients around the grounds from one TV to another.

I hope that Tom Waitts song was one that AR just picked for the book. I've tried listening to it. It's AWFUL. (I'm afraid I really don't like TW. It would be better if he could actually sing!)

Stupid sunshine keeps disappearing. It's allotment time now....

I also wanted to mention that America Online is going to be a sponsor for Live8!  I hope they will streamcast the event!!!   I've been an AOL member since 1994 and I have to say that I have never been more proud to be a member than I am right now! 

Uh Ohhhh!  This is going to be a tough one!  Here's the lowdown on getting tickets to Hyde Park. 

Starting Monday June 6, BBC radio, other commercial radio stations, and print media will be broadcasting competition questions with multiple answers.  Participants will have to text message your answers.  The number of times you can text is unlimited but each text will cost you £1.50 (for the cause) plus your usual network charges.  This will go on for 7 days. At the end of the the 7 days, all correct answers will be entered into a computerized pot and the computer will pick the winners.  Winners will get two tickets to Live8.

I think I have that right.  If not, I have the jest of it, I'm sure.  

I'm wishing you luck, Sue!

I'm loving the live conference.  We've heard from Sir Bob Geldof, Richard Curtis, Bono, Dave Matthews, and of course Elton.  They are amazing speakers on this cause!

Thanks for the Live8 info, Sue.  I'm listening to live video through CNN now.  The amazing Internet!!!  It looks like Elton is there too!   Be back in a bit. 

Welcome to Radu and Raluca!  I hope you will join us when you can! 

I agree with you, Michelle! This "glorious obsession is educational"!  There has been a ton of education for me since this thing set in! 

Thanks for the information on Adrienne Clarkson, Kimberly.  The pair look quite regal, don't they? 

Natasxxx, be sure to let us know what you think about Closet Land.  That film has always been very hard for me to watch.  I've only watched it three times since I bought it.  The first time is obvious. The second time as a favor to a friend, and then the third time to make the clip for the site.  It is a hard one to watch, for sure.   

Congrats, Elaine!  Are you getting a utility vehicle?  My auto will be paid off next month and I am going to try to go without a car payment for a while. The last time I paid off a car, it broke (non repairable) within 3 months.  So I'm crossing my fingers and holding my breath!  LOL

I already have the lyrics! Thanks anyway!Hope I see you around.    

Thanks Kimberley. Yet again this glorious obsession is educational! I know far more about all sorts of things than I would otherwise have done. Amnesty International, the situations in Burma and Ralestine, Make Poverty History to name but a few. What a man! And that doesn't even include what a great actor he is!

Correction: he knows what he`s talkin` about. They`r 2 different songs. Alan composed the lyrics for "take me with you" , but I do believe Radu is talknig about his (Alan`s) favourite song. I`ve heard about it to, can`t seem to find it, though.

Radu - It's "Take Me With You," music by Michael Kamen, lyrics by AR.  You can find it on this site.

How funny are you Raluca! I can only   for all the good things you say!You're still a: 

If anyone has the awsome song (that's what Al said) Tom Waits- "Take it with me" please share!

 Radu!!!!! Naughty, naughty!!!!!

For Natasxxx:

Actually, I`ve been hanging around for some time now but I never actually felt the need to post any message. I was in shock for about 2 days seeing how many people visit this site. I think I`d rather NOT know the number (huge as it is) of his fans world-wide. Ain`t I the possesive type? oh, well, regarding the movie, I`ve seen parts of it and I do believe I`m the proud owner of ....over a hundred screen-captures. All that`s missing it`s the movie itself! kinda hard to get your hands on it!

"One by One we can make poverty history"

The Great Big man from Paddington is apreciated not only by girls...we like him, but in another way! I say he's sexy but in my dreams is nothing but Angelina... So he's a great man,great actor, not neccesary to say all this, you Know what i'm talking about!

Respect to Natasxxx... nice girl!

 This is a section from a Sigourney Weaver interview regarding "Snowcake":

"What’s next for you?
Well, I’m doing a wonderful movie, working again with Alan Rickman. We’re doing a movie called “Snowcake,” which is an English script, [an] independent film. Alan plays a guy traveling through the northeast of America and there’s a terrible accident and someone is killed. He comes to my house to tell me about it and, as it turns out, I’m on the spectrum. I have autism and that’s just one of the things about this character. She’s many, many ‘out there’ things, but one of them is she’s OCD and she’s on the spectrum and very up-front about it. He has to spend a number of days with Linda because there’s a wake at her house and, of course, she never lets anyone in her house. She cleans the whole kitchen every time she makes a cup of tea. So she suddenly has 75 people in her house.

It’s a very unusual, beautifully written script. It’s not about autism per se, but I would say it tries to show you that people with this condition are maybe not that comfortable in our world. But they have worlds of their own which we are not part of, which are amazing. It’s a great story about Alan’s time in this town. He plays a character named Alan, and he has a romance, not with me, and a few other things. But it’s a beautiful, beautiful script by a first time screenwriter and it’s an English production. We’re going to start, hopefully, in January six hours north of Toronto or something really cold. And I can’t wait to work with Alan again." you can thank me later!

@RALUCA: I will!

And if you like I make some screencaps of it!

I see that you're new here ( Am I right????? Otherwhise I have a!!!!!!!!)

Just wanna say that I'm hopefully next week the proud owner of a "Closet Land" DVD.....I'm still here....But most of the time as a reader...

...Wow Uncle X is in town!

What happened to "Man. Utd. ruined my life" ????? .... How dissapointing... (true HP fans will know what to make of this! )

 Radu, get outta here before you completely ruin my reputation! 

I've heard Al is a world-wide sex symbol!Who agrees with me?Maybe the biggest fan of him...Raluca!If you see a nice girl begging for a picture of him..that's her.This is only the begining of the Raluca Saga! Now really: Not to be lame - La mai multi ani, mai multe filme & mai putini fani! Peace!

Who is the Friendly Rooster?

Michelle: I'm not Canadian, but I live in Michigan, so I'm pretty close. Our current governor, Jennifer Granholm is Canadian. At any rate, here is some information on Adrienne Clarkson and her husband, writer/philosopher John Ralston Saul. I've also included a photo of the two.

__________________________________________________ ________

Despite the variety of her work in journalism, news, the arts, and cultural policy, Clarkson is perceived as an elitist. For twelve years, she has been lampooned by Canadian comics such as the Royal Canadian AirFarce and Double Exposure. In one skit, a haughty, modulated voice introduces itself, "I'M Adrienne Clarkson...and YOU'RE not..." Because her most recent programs have been arts oriented and she has been involved in arts activities and posts of distinction, she is seen as having limited commercial appeal. Indeed, like most arts programs, hers do not garner high ratings but are highly regarded by critics.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++

On October 7, 1999 she was sworn in as the twenty-sixth Governor General of Canada, after being appointed by Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s head of state, on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Clarkson is the first non-white Canadian Governor General, the second female, and the first without a military or political background.

The Governor General of Canada (French: Gouverneur général or Gouverneure générale) is the representative of the Canadian monarch. Canada is one of sixteen Commonwealth realms, all of which share a single monarch (currently, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II). The Governor General acts as the Queen's viceregal representative in Canada, exercising her powers in her absence.

As Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the Governor General's role is limited to ceremonial and non-partisan functions. In practice, most political power is exercised by the Parliament of Canada (which is composed of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons), and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. By constitutional convention, the Governor General exercises his or her powers, with very few exceptions, solely on the advice of the Prime Minister and other ministers. Although the Queen of Canada is also Queen of the United Kingdom, the British Government does not advise the Governor General or otherwise interfere in Canadian affairs. The Queen does not personally intervene in Canadian politics, either; she does hold the power to appoint a Governor General, but does so only on the advice of the Canadian Prime Minister. Any constitutional amendment that affects the office of Governor General requires the unanimous consent of the provincial legislatures, rather than the two-thirds majority necessary for most other amendments.

The present Governor General is Her Excellency The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, who has served since 7 October 1999. The present Vice Regal Consort is His Excellency John Ralston Saul. In Canada, the title "Governor General" is not hyphenated, even though a hyphen is used in other Commonwealth realms.

The Governor General receives an annual salary of $110,126. His or her official residence is Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario. A Governor General's wife is known as the Chatelaine of Rideau Hall; however, no equivalent exists for husbands of Governors General. Since 1872, Governors-General have also resided in the Citadel (La Citadelle) in Quebec City, Quebec for a part of each year (normally several weeks).

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/clarksonadr/clarksonadr.htm

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++

Alfan, thanks for the link.

The point I am making is that some ticket buyers would not have access to the internet. When I bought my ticket, they did not ask me where I had seen it advertised, nor my email ad. They did ask for a telephone number and an address. Quite probably, if I was not a part of this universe, I would still think it was on and would not be happy to make all sorts of arrangements only to get there and find it cancelled! I know it probably costs them to send out cancellation notices but it could cost them more if people demand their money back or even more. Just seems a funny way to run something.

Good grief, another sunny day iin the UK! I'm off to buy a "new" car - wheeeee  

Canadian GBers. I'm afraid my knowledge of Canadian politics is non-existent. Is Adrienne Clarkson a controvertial figure? It sounded a bit like Alan felt he had to stand up for her. I know in Australia there is a strong republican movement but I don't know about Canada. Can someone help me out of my ignorance!

Thank you all for the good wishes for Memorial Day! silly anedote: when I was a Brownie Scout we were preparing for a parade and when the Scout Leader opened the closet and I saw the American Flag I asked if I could carry it and she said yes, everyone will carry it, each girl carries it for one block (there was over ten of us!). She was great to do that because we were all included and the flag was heavy with it's wooden pole and huge flag! one block was enough...it isn't as easy as it looks. Memorial Day was always a beautiful, sunny day and the parade was long, and very much filled with military, soldiers, etc. you had to know what it was all about, especially seeing the men with guns, uniforms, etc.

The kids would decorate their bikes with red-white-and-blue ribbons and everyone had flages all over the place; it was for me a happy celebration and the American Flag was a symbol of happiness for me, more like a party, celebration decoration. Now I see the flag on coffins, makes me cry.

http://www.tv-now.com/stars/rickman.html 

Above is a TV schedule for AR

It's now considered acceptable to wear white year 'round althought in winter "winter white", a less bright white, is said to be best by many mag's I've read, TV shows etc.

<-- actually that is me before a drink, ha ha!
Me after a drink!  -->    

Opps, sorry i got carried away. Lets try this again. This time with no l.

www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/15673.htm

I got the information from the web site that the Chelsea show is postponed. Try this link. http://www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/15673.html

Kathy, RHPoT:they left a lot of the scenes out anyway but edited it for UK viewing - (as we are such "genteel" folk here  *snort*!) eg - no "leg splitter" and no view of George thrusting the sword into cousin's chest. But in the scene where the statue arrives, instead of us seeing and hearing from Mortiana's view through the spyhole, we get the actual scene (and George trying to disrobe the girl). Some scenes are all over the place too. I have to say that the last scene where Robin kills George just shows you the difference between the two actors....

Sorry, Kathy, but just about to do some of this with some scrumpy! 

Oh, BTW...

Elaine, how is RHPoT different?

Claudia..don't worry, I didn't take offense just wanted to be sure I hadn't given any!!

When I was a kid you never wore white shoes after Labor Day to San Francisco and always went with a pair of gloves.  Sounds like the dark ages doesn't it!  Now anything goes and if you could see some of the parades in San Francisco now, clothing is definitely optional......... before or after Labor Day.   However it is still one of my most favorite cities in the world.

Back to what I was doing......................

 Lots of this...........

and some of this......

but none of this!.......

Elaine, you got me started!

No one has contacted me to say the event at Chelsea has been cancelled. Short of keeping an eye on the website, how are we to know when it has been re-scheduled. They should be contacting everyone who has bought tickets. 

"Never wear white shoes before memorial day" - like that! I'm originally from Essex and "Essex girls" are supposed to have a liking for white shoes - stilettos preferably (although I never wore either and I don't think I ever danced round my handbag in a disco!)

sue, there was a lot of talk about there being no bank holidays after August at one time. As it's the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, I'm sure they should give us an extra one. They did for the Jubilee, after all!

BTW The Brit version of RHPoT is really quite different in places!

Oh I'm sorry, kathy.  I didn't mean to imply you or anyone were selling RH short in the intelligence department.  I was more or less expressing awe at her level of intelligence.

Enjoy the holiday everyone, and those across the pond enjoy RHPoT it is one of my top favorites. 

I didn't really mean to sell Rima Horton short, it just startled me to see so much info in plain sight.  Of course she is an intelligent woman in her own right and is perfectly capable of making correct decisions concerning her job and keeping the more ardent fan at bay.... 

I found out at 8 am this morning it is a bank holiday in Britain when I tried to make a call to Cambridge and got a recorded message!!!!

After today, Late Spring Bank Holiday, we only have one more Public Holiday (end of Aug) till Christmas!!! How fair is that!!??? 'Bout time they gave us Trafalgar Day in October or Guy Fawkes or something!!

Very true, Elaine.  I hadn't thought of it in that way. 

I was writing as you were posting, bluebeatbabe!

Best Memorial Day wishes to all you peeps over the water.

Is it similar to our Remembrance Day? We don't get a day off for that, though, although today is a "Bank" Holiday.

Auntie is showing RHPoT right now! THe only decent thing to be on TV for the Holiday! Wonder if they'll have the version with the "leg splitter" scene?

Claudia, I know that Chelsea put the announcement on their site but if you think about it, not everyone will have access. Seems odd that they have not contacted ticket buyers in some way.

Hi Everyone,

Realise this is late notice but BBC 1 are showing Robin Hood at 5.45 pm  British Time today. I think Alan is hilarious in this movie and yes, he definitely did steal the movie from Kevin Costner !

Hope you can catch it!if you have n't seen it or just to drool over the devine Alan !

Bluebeatbabe

1996!! wOw!! Sorry - guess I'm showing my age. It seems to me that the Internet exploded onto the global scene just a few years ago! Hmmm...what in the world was I doing nine years ago that I missed it...?

Actually Dee, Karina started the Alan Rickman site and Guest Book back in 1996.  That guest book has evolved into what you see today at Suzanne's.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Thanks for the Kensington and Chelsea link, Kimberly. The Ottawa Citizen said that RH is an ex-politician so there was a bit of confusion on my part, I'm afraid. 

I have to agree with Kimberly and Elaine on the "personal" information on that link.  First, Ms Horton (as with any politician on both sides of the pond) have to be available to their constituents.  So I am sure that RH and her people have take every precaution needed in order for her to have complete access to the people she serves while weeding out the over anxious fans.  Ms Horton is a VERY smart woman.  I mean she used to teach Economics for God's sake!  I tremble at the thought!  LOL 

As for the A&C reviews. I have to admit to cringing while reading them and I also admit to wanting to thrash a critic or two.  But since I didn't have a chance to see the play, I can only defend it because of my admiration for Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren. 

Writing, as in every walk of life, had good and bad.  Some reviewers seem to take great pride in being as catty as possible. To me, that's a bad writer.  And they are obviously not very confident in their talents as well. 

I do think a good critic performs a service for the audience though.  I've went out of my way to see performances which I normally wouldn't have paid much attention to because of a well written review.

I loved your emoticon fest, Elaine!  *grin*  BTW, the notice on the postponement of the Chelsea event was posted on their site. 

Annick, thank you for your offer.  I am sure there will be some that will take you up on it.  I have to agree with Elaine though on the RADA donation.  I think that is what he most appreciates. 

I was watching Kumar's at No 42 the other day and the guests were Graham Norton (love that guy!) and Davina McCall.  I have to admit to not knowing who Davina McCall is but I think it is only due to my living on the wrong continent.  Anyway, Sanjeev asked Davina what was the worse thing about being famous.  I can't quote her per se' but she said the worst thing for her was the constant influx of gifts that she didn't need.  She didn't say it in a catty or snooty way and in fact she was quite nice about it.  But it did make me think about poor AR sometimes. 

I am sooooo sorry you have had bad experiences in meeting AR, Kate Melville.  Perhaps the occasions weren't appropriate times or maybe he was in a bad mood (we are all entitled to having a bad mood from time to time--just ask my kids!).  Maybe the next time you meet him, it will be much more positive. 

THANK YOU Stephanie!  It seems like AR will be going straight from shooting Snow Cake to shooting Perfume!  Next year is shaping up to be an AR filled year!!!!  YAY! 

Kate Melville - I'm curious about that too: are you still a fan? How did you meet him several times and what did he "do" that was so rude?

I'm amazed that no one here actually saw A&C on stage! Although...it was quite a long time ago. No one was chatting and sharing "AR passion" on messageboards back in 1998 (At least, I don't think so...were they?).

I hope all you folks in the States are having a great Memorial Weekend! We're going picnicing and fishing this evening (NOT my favorite pastime - too many bugs! - but grandpa, dad and boys enjoy it, so...!). Enjoy!

I found this photo from PL. It may be familiar to many of you, but it was new to me!

Elaine, sue--I haven't been contacted and I was actually thinking the same thing.  About 2 weeks ago I received a program and the ticket to the lecture on the 28th--am going to listen to the sculptor also, they were going to hold my AR ticket at the door.

Kate melville, why would you continue to meet him if he is rude?

The German website www.netzeitung.de reports in the article http://www.netzeitung.de/entertainment/movie/341182.html the official announcement, that Dustin Hoffman plays the part of Guiseppe Baldini in "The Perfume" along with Alan and Ben Whishaw. The shooting starts on July 12th in and around Barcelona as well as in Southern France, according to them.

Yes, I was thinking they should contact us Elaine. Not everybody would bother to check the web-site again after ordering and getting tickets and some may have not ordered from there in the first place.

Just a thought, has anyone here who was going to the Chelsea thing actually been contacted to say it has been postponed, or are they hopng word of mouth will stop people from going on the night??

Hi Annick, great idea but I think most of us here think that the best present you can give to AR is to donate to RADA on his behalf. It's a subject close to his heart and you can still leave messages for him on the donation page! Who knows, it may support another "Alan Rickman" to delight a future generation?

Kate Melville, so are you still a fan??

"Request:HelloAlan-fans !> >

> >

Ancaand Niki: We both are Alan-fans. Alan will become 60 years old next February andwe think he deserves a really nice and special present. Alan does a lot ofthings for other people, now it's time to do something for him ! And you canhelp us with that !> >

> >

Wewant to make a book for Alan. A book with birthdaywishes and sweet letters,specially for him. If you are an Alan-fan and you want to write a letter for hisbook, please, be our guest ! Write a nice letter or a poem or whatever you want andmail it to: Alansbirthday@hotmail.com > >

> >

Wetake care for it and make sure all your letters will be printed in a beautifullbook. We also make sure Alan receives his book at his 60th birthday in February.> >

> >

Wha happened to the paragraphs???

Kimberley (do you work nights?), please don't apologise. As a  councillor, RH has to be seen as being accessible to the people that actually live in her ward so it makes sense to publish phone numbers, contact emails, etc and like you say, she owns the house which makes her eligible for that council, but I, too, have heard that she does not live there. It's like being an MP. What use are they if you cannot contact them? I agree with you and feel that she has had all sorts of systems in place to screen out the "rabid" fans! I doubt the phone numbers are home numbers anyway. If I remeber, there was a conversation much like this on Suzanne's, or imdb or somewhere.

And I also have to say that I am more interested in ARs work because it's what drew me to this universe in the first place. Yep, he seems a nice guy but it's highky unlikely that we'll ever be one of those fortunate few who call him friend. That's why I'm a "gregori"

And I feel an emoticon-fest might be in order:

  What I am doing this afternoon.

  What I hope to do some time this week.

  What I don't have to do for a couple of weeks.

  But what I have to do on Thursday

    Haven't got either one of these, thank goodness.

      But I do have these, and I really need to do more of this  

And I think that's about it! (Sorry Emily...)

PS: HATE this:  and this:  

LOVE this:  but feel sorry for poor little Bangladesh.Hope we don't get the same from Australia!

Here's an article everyone might enjoy:

http://members.iconn.net/~ab234/Plays/Hamlet/HMPrince.html

I just want to say I did not mean to upset everyone by linking to Councillor Horton's info.  The information is on a public website and has been for quite some time.  If one "Googles" Rima Horton, this information will come up. I would never "publish" private information about Alan Rickman or his family on an open internet site.  Much of that doesn't interest me anyway.  I am more interested in his professional work, rather than him as a private person.  The "real" Alan Rickman is not as interesting to me as his characters! I'm afraid I'd rather meet Snape or the Sheriff of Nottingham! :lol 

The "real" Alan is just a guy who happens to be a successful actor.  He's very nice, generous and family-oriented. I'm sure he'd be fun to have lunch with. HOWEVER, I'd rather see him on the big screen or on stage. I hope this makes a modicum of sense. *LOL* Okay, onward and upward....

*Oh, and to me, the fans and websites like Claudia's are the big bonus of being an Alan Rickman Fan.*

I've never read those A&C reviews before. I've avoided them because I knew they were really bad but now I've steeled myself and read them all. They're heart-breaking aren't they? He must have been so scared while waiting for the reviews for PL. We're so used to reviewers saying he's the best thing about the films he's in but he would have felt a complete failure as a stage actor and probably concentrated solely on film. Thank heavens PL was so wonderful. I just wish he'd won an award for it.to boost his self-esteem.

Ah, thanks for the correction Kimberly! I saw that website not too long after I posted before, but I was reluctant to post it here, as it contained a ph. number and address. But thanks for clearing that up too!

Don't worry! Rima's not stupid.  Alan's been famous for as long as Rima has been a councillor.  By now, they have would have systems in place to deal with unwanted intrusions into their privacy.

Kathy: I wouldn't worry about that.  That information has been on the internet for years. I'm sure by now Rima has a system in place for handling curious fan calls.  Most likely a caller will get an answering machine or a receptionist. Rima might own that house, but I have it on good authority that she doesn't live there.

OMG I hope that is an office phone and address yikes! That could be a dangerous thing.

Just had a very enjoyable evening watching S&S--gets better each time!

Hi SARF! Good to see you here.

Rima Horton is currently the Labour Councillor for St. Charles Ward, London.

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/az/az.asp?OrgId=419

She ran for MP (Member of Parliament) for Labour-Kensington in 1992 (?) and lost. That seat is heavily concentrated with Tories, so her loss was no surprise.

Hey Claudia,

According to this website, Rima Horton is no longer a current MP.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,9290,-2524,00.html

Oh, and Hello! to everyone that has joined up since the last time I was here. It's nice to 'see' you.

Special thanks to Stephanie for posting that article - what an excellent way to make a debut into AR fandom!

 Good heavens!" we agree about critics being a little over zealous when it come to giving a low-rating review. (Please see my post April 10 2005).

I did make the comment that I read somewhere critics write for each other and performers are better off not reading reviews. And yes, they do use their creativity in writing reviews...they don't just say "it was bad" or put up only one star, they use some pretty colorful images to express the "badness".

I just glanced at one "Antony and Cleopatra" review and such a comment jumped out at me and I decided not to read them, cause I know I too, would roll my eyes like another poster.

No, I am not a performer, I'm a critic.

Sue - thanks for the Cedric page. I thought the Oliver Pritchett interview was very clever. Somewhere I read that the director's concept of A&C was that Antony was no longer noble but a bit of a boozy has-been, then Alan gets criticised for being inaudible and bumbly. I hope while he is in Canada he will meet up with John Neville, also ex-RADA, fantastic actor, I saw him as Hamlet at the Old Vic with Judi Dench as Ophelia when I was about 9 but he has lived in Canada for years now.

Dee--I think it was Oct-Dec 1998.  It seems he had a lot on his plate then. Quite a few movies wasn't it?  Had he finished Winter Guest by then? 

As much as I'd like to think these A&C reviewers are all idiots and morons -- and I'd like to smack them repeatedly with a rolled up program for insulting our Man -- it does seem that the overall opinion of the play wasn't good.

So, I'm curious what caused the perceived problem? We know AR's had plenty of experience in Shakespeare roles. We know he's always prepared, and usually has a unique interpretation of how to play the role. We know he's talented. We know he looked goooood and has more sex appeal then any one man should be allowed.

I'm not excusing the reviewers -- they seemed to get a certain amount of glee from their own clever insults and didn't offer any constructive comments. I'm just curious.

Can it be that none of us saw the play? What year was it?

sue - thanks for the info on Cedric.  I didn't realize he was such a star!

Yes, I totally agree A&C pics scream chemistry!  LOVE that look!

Thankyou Elaine!! What a treasure trove of great pics you have....excuse me while I wipe the drool off the keyboard!

Unfortunately, China will probably own the US one day if we don't get our economic house in order Somehow this hasn't dawned on the powers that be! 

I try, I hope it works.

Of course the owner of the pics is the person who posted them in the original website.

I am messed up on my dates!  I just realized that today is the 29th and is the birthday of a special friend of mine.  I don't think she has ever posted here but she can be shy sometimes. 

I hope you have a fabulous birthday, dear friend Cattis!   

Ah cha wa wa, Elaine!  Thanks for those close ups! 

Hee hee!  I don't know about yall but I haven't seen an A&C pic yet that didn't scream out CHEMISTRY! 

Well put, Sue.  Did I read somewhere that AR never reads reviews? Don't blame him really. Unfortunately it is the power of the press! Your friend found out how powerful they are, sue and it reminds me that even though we may think, oh these entertainment people, they must be rolling in cash, there are fortunes lost as well as made!

Martha, I loved that comment from HM, too. That says a lot about how his friends feel about him to make one of them actually write into the newspaper to refute the accusation.

As said, as long as the charities involved are doing something about it, it won't harm the movement too much. It's the "fasion" wristbands that will do the damage! But China makes it's money from it's biggest asset - people!

Still contributing to the ARDA: I realise I don't have any BIG pics of AR as Anthony. Just quickly wiped a watermark off these:

I'm with you, Claudia, I love the "Anthony" look!  

Lucia, would that be the case brought by George Galloway after they accused him of taking oil money from Saddam Hussein? I know that is going to appeal and the US Senate (or was it the UN) have made similar charges against him.

I feel the report is probably broadly true, but the charities do seem to be on the case and working with such companies is probably more beneficial to the workers than just walking away and putting the work elsewhere. Actually, when you think about it, that's exactly what these charities should do, as it helps ease poverty for those workers.

sue--Thanks for the info about Cedric I didn't realize he was a snake! Imagine the costume managers face when she found him!

Claudia--Thanks for the pics--I don't know but those costumes look pretty good to me!!

What's in those costumes look pretty good to me, too!

Elaine--Unfortunately, with or without coffee I am a night person, who was blessed with 2 children whose favorite time of day was 6am so, never having gotten the hang of going to bed early I spent  many years wandering thru life desperate for a nap!!! (and wearing shirts inside out)

....OT alert... can any of you Star wars fans tell me if Darth Vader knew his children survived the death of their mother?

.....now back to our regularly scheduled program.........

sue - thanks for the info on Cedric!  Personally, I'm a huge snake fan and I would have loved to see Cedric on stage!  LOL

Thanks for the article, Juliet.  I do hope that the wristband issue won't take away from the MPH issue, even though both issues need to be addressed.  And really, the conditions in the China sweatshops just prove how important it is to call attention to these problems.

Uh-Ohhhhh is right, Juliet! What an awful discovery.  It does look like the MPH organization is taking appropriate steps to disassociate with the offending factories, if they don't make significant improvements.  So hopefully this won't hurt the movement to much.

I'm not to much of a snake fan myself, Aurora.  Had I had the chance to see the play when ole Ced was loose, I have to admit I would have to pause for a decision.  LOL 

Laura, I forgot to mention that the pic links you posted don't work.  Would you try to re-post them when you get a chance?

Although the story if its true is bad please remember that the sister paper of the Sunday Telegraph has just been sued for slander.

Uh-ohh, the anti-MPH brigade are going to have a field day with this report from today's Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/05/29/nwrist29.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/05/29/ixhome.html

Sorry I did put paragraphs in there! Honest!!

Martha - a lot of Cedric info can be found HERE

When you read all those A&C reviews one after the other you can see why he didn't want to go on stage again! It seems so much easier to write a bad review than a good one doesn't it? By that I don't mean saying this was a fabulous play-go see it, but it seems so much easier to write a cutting, witty, sarcastic piece pulling something apart than to write a similarly readable positive review of something doesn't it? I think it is human nature (well certainly in Britain) to enjoy some caustic well written piece than one full of admiration. I am certainly guilty of enjoying bad reviews (until of course it is about someone I admire), but sometimes one has to step back and say to the critic "Yes, you made me laugh but hey this is a whole load of people's livelihoods you are trashing here!"

Last Christmas I was in the kitchen (where else?) at a lunch-time drinks party and got talking theatre to some guy I had never met. Turned out he was some kind of musician/writer who had recently been involved in a West End musical which had closed after one week after the most horrnedous reviews. I remembered the reviews (though not the title at the moment) and said "Yes, I had read them." He then gave me a lot of detail into the work and so forth that had gone into this particular play and said "Yes there were faults but no-one had given it a chance" and I could see how negative reviews could ruin so many people's hopes overnight.

I am just gald that AR went back to do Private Lives and that was a success or else he might never have been seen again!!

Wow.. 3 days away and look what i found!

That A&C review is heart breaking (I wonder how breaking AR feels when he read it)

The Argentina article.. he did mention "The Ballon of Fire"!  isn't it "The Goblet of Fire"

Well, must prepare for another exams.. i've done Physic, Biology and Math.. 3 down but still left many more to go

Thanks for the information and pics about A & C, I hadn't known very much about this stage performance. Alan looks great in these pictures indeed.

It's aweful, how some (in fact a lot of) journalists are easily able to stay away from truth and serious reporting.

CLOSET LAND:

For those interested, amazon.com has 20 used (VHS - region 1) copies for sale, starting at $11.59. Four of them are under $20.

Claudia - thank you for those pics!  I agree, A&C is definitely one of my favorite AR periods, even though I'm not necessarily a "beard girl."  LOL

Kimberly - thank you for all your contributions! 

Elaine - I have to agree, yours are slightly bigger... 

http://xoomer.virgilio.it/_XOOM/maggie76/Stars/Emma+Alan.JPG

I'm looking for AR pics from Venice film festival, hoping that being in Italy gives me more chances to other pics

http://xoomer.virgilio.it/_XOOM/maggie76/Stars/Alan.JPG

Lot's of lovely stuff to read with my morning coffee. Thanks everybody. Ya gotta love HM's quote: "I am honoured to have become a member of a very large group of wise people that have a generous, loyal, brave and cool guy called Alan Rickman as a friend." You tell 'em girl!

Anyone know anything about the Cedric referrence from the stage door report?

Well, the sun is out for the first time in WEEKS! I'm off to

Awwww YES!  The Antony and Cleopatra era. One of my favorite AR periods! Thank you for going to the trouble to dig up and share all the reviews, pics and that wonderful stage door report, Kimberly! Just think....if it hadn't been for the wonderful generousity AND the Internet, that story would have never been preserved! 

I don't know of anyone that saw the play in person but sonoma (and a few others, thanks to sonoma's tip about it) saw the video at the National Theatre Archive.  The video is screened on a very small telly and the camera shot is of the entire stage. But there is no mistaking AR when he enters the stage and the sound is pretty good.  Along with the video, you will be able to view (and make black and white copies) of some of the publicity shots from the production too.   

I dug out some of my favorite A&C photos! 

Yeeeeeeeessssssssss!!!!

I wondered what you were doing still up, Kathy. And Kimberley is a little night owl too. I get like that after my nights, though. Hope you can get to see the vid, Kathy. I'd love to hear what your thoughts were on it. If you look at most of the pics of HM and AR, there certainly seems to be enough sexual chemistry for the camera! You know, he is well overdue for a major stage role. Up to now he's been on the stage about every 2 years. I don't count MNiRC!

Kimberly--Thanks for the pics and the stage door report.  You are a fountain of information!!!

Elaine--my god what a pic with the 2 of them on the floor!! (No sexual chemistry??)

This play especially has intrigued me because it had such fabulous potential with 2 such excellent actors.  Maybe I can get into the National Archives and watch the video of the play and decide for myself.

I can't get to sleep so have been checking out all sorts of things on the web (like the amenities on Virgin Atlantic flights, and the in flight movies for June!!) Been reading the Peter Barnes web pages but it doesn't look like its been updated for quite awhile.  Quite an amazing man.  Another loss. Quite profound, no wonder AR loved him.

(I should be in bed not fiddling around on the computer--shouldn't drink coffee at 11pm!)

I've got slightly bigger ones (!?):

and this is one of my faves from rehearsals:

Kimberley, thanks for all those contributions.

I do have to say that Shakespeare is probably not his "bag" but as for the comment that he is not trained to do it, was the writer living in a cave? I've read all sorts of reviews for A & C but not having seen it myself, I wonder how realistic they are. I think critics put too much of themselves into a review when they should be more objective. What I do know is that AR looks damned hot as Anthony!!!!

And what a lovely "stage door" story. Sometimes he just seems to be so relaxed and chatty with fans but other times not very forthcoming at all. I guess he gets tired and moody like the rest of us.

AFNH, like your paper and appropriate for the "theme"!

Dee, I can think of a few comments I'd like to add to that pic.....

Sorry these are so small. Cast bows from A&C.  I don't remember where I found these. Ebay, maybe?  I don't own the originals, unfortunately.

Here's a stage door report from Suzanne's GB archives:

Conversation at *Antony & Cleopatra* National Theatre Stage Door. Monday 9th.

Claire and Dianne arrived with Gilda and Robyn, Raphaella and Donna were already waiting outside. Neither group of persons had any idea of the identity other set!

AR was already standing by the desk. Wearing black trousers, black shoes, white T-shirt with a black zip up fleecy jacket (sports motif) and a black long coat. Robyn has the eye for detail.

Having -- err -- done *this* before, Claire headed straight into the Reception area, and the rest followed!

A huge pile of wrapped sandwiches and salad boxes were sitting on the counter on trays apparently left over from during the day. The girl on Security was paging people to let them know that food was on offer and that it was being given away. AR had picked up a salad and was getting ready to leave. So Claire asked if we could have some of his time.

He seemed very relaxed, less tired than on previous visits and happy to sign programmes and books.

Claire commented on the speed the current nights play (about 7 to 8 minutes faster than usual) -- AR said it was Monday! -- then passed a copy of the Shakespeare essay book to him for signing, saying that it was a good piece of writing and he should do more. "Hmmm. Maybe later." was the reply.

He carried on signing bits and pieces. Donna mentioned that she had seen *Dark Harbor* in Seattle and about his attendance at the festival. AR replied "Ah, one of the few" to the first part of the question and apologised, he had been busy and it was also a long flight. However, other members of the cast had been there.

He asked Raphaella's name for the programme signing, and there were a few words about the Mimosa that she had sent.

Dianne asked AR if he was going to Cannes next year to promote Dogma. AR said probably yes, although he wasn't quite sure what everyone was going to make of it. The film is very unusual and Catholics may not like it. AR said it was definitely "Not anti-catholic, but anti- organised religion" and "it covers a lot of controversial subjects". Commenting that in fact he wasn't quite sure if the Italians would let it into the country because of the subject matter. Claire said it would probably need special distribution rights! Dianne mentioned that she enjoyed Kevin Smith's writing and AR replied that his style was certainly very different.

Claire asked about the wings he had to wear. AR laughed and said they weighed around 80Ibs, with lots of hoists, pulleys and special effects as they had to open out. Claire asked if they were computer controlled. AR said no, as they wouldn't have looked right. Claire asked who turned on the motor and put her hand behind AR's back to demonstrate! AR grinned and said it was done for him. Dianne then commented that AR had also got to walk on the water. AR smiled broadly and replied that the whole thing had been done using a table under the surface of the water, oh and he wasn't wearing his wings on this occasion.

AR carried on signing things. Dianne asked if he could sign a TWG screenplay for Jane and a Close My Eyes screenplay. AR asked who it was for, Dianne replied just best wishes. Claire commented that she was running an autographing service! Dianne quipped that Claire was sending them all to people as Christmas presents. (Totally Untrue -- Claire's editorial note!)

AR flicked through the Close My Eyes screenplay and said that they all had their clothes on and were even smiling in the central pictures. He paused at the birthday party picture in the middle. Claire asked if he had enjoyed making the film, said he did. Gilda asked where the book originated, Dianne said it had turned up in a theatre bookshop.

Claire gave AR a *Les Liaisons Dangereuses* play to sign and commented that unfortunately she had missed the opportunity to see the play in London. AR said it was a terrific play and a terrific book. (Nobody mentioned the film!)

When asked if he had got the flowers, particularly the flowers for Cedric. AR said he had read the card but not really taken much notice of it, not being particularly concerned by the media rubbish re Cedric, etc. (Sorry Fausta!)

Claire wondered whether he had left any of the flowers in *various stages of dying* (ref. initial conversation 14th October) AR replied yes, and in fact there were some in his dressing room from Emma Thompson. They were rooted orchids, but unfortunately not very happy. There isn't a lot of light in there and he kept forgetting to open the blind. Emma is coming to see the play in 10 days time, so he is going to be in trouble if they haven't survived. We suggested that he may have to go out and purchase some quick replacements, but since it was an arrangement the suggestion was not going to be practical!

We then thanked him for his time and congregated outside the stage door entrance, finally discovering who was who!

As we were chatting AR came out where a car was waiting.
Claire turned and said "Look at all these people you have brought together." AR grinned and said "Well you should all go for a drink. There is *RJS* in Coin Street or *Joe Allen* across the River".
Claire then asked "So what are you going to do!". AR smiled and in a slow humorous voice said "I'm going home!" With that he smiled, got into the car and was driven off.

Sure there will be further points that the others remember, but we had 40 minute chat together and this is based on the notes taken then by Dianne -- the only one of us admitting to be able to do shorthand! And yes I have restrained myself from editing out the more personally embarrassing parts!


Claire
Sussex, UK - Tuesday, November 10, 1998 at 16:38:55 (CST)

Kimberly--

Thanks for the info on the A&C play.  It must have been hard for him to see those reviews.

How could he not be a Shakespearian actor?? He did lots of Shakespeare before his film career took hold, he went to RADA for goodness sake. Hmmm would have loved to have seen it because I am also a big fan of Helen Mirren.  Sounds like things weren't right all the way around because who can be more sensual than AR?  Doesn't the director influence what the presentation of each character is?  I'm glad it didn't stop him from doing plays and that his next effort was a huge success.  Its high time he found another play to do for those of us who haven't had that pleasure yet. 

Did anybody here actually see A&C and what was your opinion?

"Rickman was seen sprawling with Cleopatra ' on a bed of cushions and mounting her as if she were a mare he would of sooner not have got astride'"

Am i the only one who read that sentence twice? Oh, thank the lord for imagination.

More on Antony & Cleopatra from the "Experts":

Mandrake: No love lost between Antony and Cleopatra

The Sunday Telegraph; 12/6/1998; Adam Helliker

Oh be still my heart................

The Aid in Benefit of of the Alan Rickman Drought is a huge success in Arkansas!!!

I wish I had something luscious to contribute but I am an ardent audience of the contributions!

Someone who has been a fan longer than I tell me what was the problem with Antony & Cleopatra?  Did anyone give it a good review?  It seems with such excellence all the way around it should have fairly glittered with praise.  Was the Olivier Theatre the wrong venue or the sound not adequate?  It is astonishing it would get poor reviews.

I liked "Big Fish", too and I'm a fan of Steve Buscemi who played the poet, and the bank scene was hilarious!Also, AR said that he would find it hard to play himself in a movie the way SB did in "Trees Lounge".  Wish he would!

Great contributions, everyone! Such decadent delights! And, it's all fat-free! We may end up with a "flood in the kitchen" if we're lucky!

Herewith a little Antony & Cleopatra to feast your eyes on:

A review by Robert Smallwood:

I don't have much time, but I wanted to contribute to the AR Drought Fund (or whatever we're calling this worthy cause)! Hope you all enjoy!

He has on a beige shirt open between the jacket and the T shirt. It's visible if you enlarge the picture.

It's obvious that the press was alerted to his arrival in Ottawa - the reporter and photog didn't just get lucky and happen to be waiting at the train station to interview him and snap his picture!  He is being unusually cooperative. Looks like this trip across Canada is part vacation, part work: an early publicity campaign to spread the word about "Snow Cake".

Oh Elaine, I'd probably be banned from the internet much less the GB for the comments I was thinking about with that last picture.

And...Big Fish was FABULOUS ---good story, great acting, a really feel good movie.

I was trying not to notice the purple stain--sort of makes him human--he can slurp like the rest of us! (my husband used to say I needed the bib more than the kids did!)

I have to agree that it probably is a wine stain unless he was met with a slobbering unruly fan who gave him a hug. But i dont know if the picture goes with the article, as it states he has "taupe jacket and beige shirt". But in this picture he has no beige  shirt on?

And one more before I HAVE to go to bed....

One should always check the silencer is well screwed on before using one's weapon.....

Ok, Kathy. Now you've started something......

To carry on with the "trend", here he is holding another weapon....

...and hope his aim is true!

But now these look dangerous.....

....and I could be shot down in flames for all the comments I am thinking that I could use!

I am hoping to see the new Star Wars too, Kathy. I do have a soft spot for Ewan MacGregor, too. Did you like "Big Fish"?

As for the stain - must be red wine! Have you tried slurping a full glass on a train?

Elaine-thanks for more S&S I love that movie!  He seems very adept with his equipment (sorry )

The mystery man of la mancha doesn't look like AR to me IMHO, he's not tall enough, his face is rather short, and he's a little young unless these were taken a few years ago. Not bad to look at tho-

Just got back from taking my son to see the latest Star Wars movie--a reward for working like a dog with me yesterday cleaning the house.  Hmmmmm I'm not the best judge of sci-fi because I'm not really a fan, seemed long on great special affects but skimpy in the development of the story but everyone in the theater seemed to love it--my son included.  Ewan Mac Gregor isn't bad to look at either. 

You guys crack me up!  Thanks for the giggles, I really needed that!

And thanks for all the pictures! 

Welcome, Stephanie and "hi" from a fellow German! 

Sue -   I was thinking more along the lines of someone recognizing it.  There's sure to be more than one in the world.  But given what some people can do with pics around here, who knows?

Elaine and Sue, you girls sure crack me up! 

Touring Canada east to west by train -- it sounds like he's running for office!  Can we vote for him if he we don't live in Canada?

I think that's him in the "La Mancha" clips -- looks like he has either "Private Lives" or "Michael Collins" hair.

Thank you, everbody, for the nice welcome messages !

I'll try to post and add some information as often as possible.

Great pictures from "Sense and Sensibility", actually it is one of my favourite Alan movies.

Blimey Martha! What do you think we have? X-ray vision????

OK I'll have a guess! It could be an e and a small L but could also be a scrawled large R!! LOL I am going to plump for the word "Wilderness"!!!Could be clouds or a bay above.

BUT then again it could be I "Heart" Elvis!!

OK, ladies!  What does it say on the T-shirt in the new pic???

I had to look twice at the La Mancha pics. There is more than a passing resemblance.

You know, I've still got to watch Fahrenheit 9/11 but I think I will tonight.

Yes, Sue, a soldier must always keep his weapon clean. A good coating of oil helps...

But, I also love a man who knows how to bowl a good ball!(Could have said something else but wouldn't want to lower the tone!)

Sue, Martha--love your sense of humor!!! (are you sure you're not nurses in disguise?)

Elaine--LOVE that pic from S&S.

He really does have the best smile.

Claudia, I'm with you on Michael Moore, especially after I heard him speak on campus before the last election.  He is MUCH more reasonable, and giving than his detractors give him credit for. I'm sure I've said this before but both he and Anne (with the long blond hair--I'm having a brain f**t right now) came to speak in an effort by the campus to provide a balanced view, and all she did in her total of 45 mins was be sarcastic and insulting and really gave very little information or reasoning behind her views, while MM talked and answered questions for 2 1/2 hours and was quite informative without just giving shots at the opposition.

I find it interesting that MM and AR know each other.

Just goes to show how wide and diverse his circle of interest/friends is.

Ohhh thank you Sue!   He looks like he's having a good time, doesn't he? 

Just gacked this off Suzanne's. Came with the article apparently

.

Back to the "Lost in La Mancha" topic that was mentioned a week or so ago.  I finally rented the documentary.  I have watched the waterfall scenes until my almost cross eyed and have not been able to spot anyone with a water bottle.  However, I did spot someone a fantastic AR lookalike!.  See thumbnails below (not necessarily in order):

Ohhhh I like the project title "Alan Rickman Drought Aid" too!  Thanks Kim. 

The contributions to the AR Drought Aid project are wonderful!  Never get to tired of seeing piccies! 

Back to the new article. 

It would seem like AR has a lot of god-children! Michelle brought a god-son to my attention a while back and I have been trying to find out more information but since there is a mention of his god-daughter in theatre school in Montreal I thought I would post what I have.

It is mentioned on IMDB that Tom Burke is AR's god-son.  Has anyone any other information on this? 

Let's hope the god-daughter has a great success after school! 

Also, Rima is there with him!  That's wonderful news!  Did anyone notice "former politician"???  Does this mean that she is no longer a councillor? 

And yes I did see the comment about his smile, martha!  Sounds like Mrs. Harris has converted over to our side!  *grin*

to Stephanie!  Please join us as often and you can!

And a HUGE SUPER  for that marvelous Canadian article!  Here's the link to the article  Ottawa Citizen

He sums up his opinions with: "I'm with Michael Moore on most things."

OMG, Yall just don't know how thrilled I am to read this comment from the one and only AR!  As a lot of you know, I am a Michael Moore addict and truly believe that he champions for what is right and good for this country.  So to see someone like AR agree with him (on most things)...all I can say is I'm on cloud nine right now!    Stephanie you made my day, Girl!!!!! Thank you.

Just a thought does anyone know if John Ralston Saul, the husband of Adrienne Clarkson, is the author with the same name.

Thanks for posting that article Stephanie and welcome. Thanks to Elaine and Sue also for those pics. S & S was the movie that made me an AR fan.

Elaine - that's my very favorite pic!

Sue - I see you're in fine form today, perhaps you could offer the man a hand?

Anyone else notice this little quote:

"He didn't smile very much, but when he does it's precious."

Awwwww, don't we just agree with that!

How True Elaine, How True....................

I've always like a man who keeps his weapon polished. (As military woman Elaine you should appreciate that too )

OK, here's a quick one for the Drought Aid, and because you can never get enough of the Colonel, can you, Sue.

I seem to have been sleeping for a very long time....

Thanks for that article, Stephanie. Hope he's not "working" too hard!

"Alan Rickman Drought Aid". I like that....

Thanks for that Stephanie

Well that Governor General sounds like a smart cookie, doesn't she?

Regarding the trip down memory lane: is anybody willing to share a Private Lives stage door report?  I don't know about you guys, but I loved reading those reports.  Those were the days... LOL

Just a suggestion... 

Wow, I've got a lot reading to do here. Thank you all for the information on MPH, Bill Nighy - I just love that man-, etc.

Martha: I thought the same thing when I read that statement. ROFL

Hey, I've got a few "Snape Fantasies" that need servicing. 

I'll have to find something to contribute to the "Remember This...." Alan Rickman Drought Aid. I'm sure I have something I can dust off around here....

Just wanna say hallo and thanks a lot to Claudia and all of you ladies!

RIcky

going to bed - 23.50 in the evening here now.

From a Bill Nighy news alert. 

The new script: making poverty history

This is an article about BN's new film called "The Girl in the Cafe".  I won't go off in my usual....make yourself count rant. 

But I did find something quite cute in the article. Its talking about the film's world premiere in Edinburgh last night.

As they arrived they were offered a symbolic G8 cocktail. Described as "the most powerful cocktail in the world if used properly" it was made from tequila, rum, vodka and lemonade.

Sounds absolutely yummy but I would not like the hangover that is bound to come with that little cocktail! 

"The other side of taking your profession very seriously is to be at the service of people’s fantasies."

*snort*

*giggle*

*runs off laughing*

Good idea Aurora, I often wonder if the solution is helping the NGO's at the source of the issue than feathering corrupt gov'ts nests. It is hard for local citizens to change their government or to effect any kind of civil change when they are suffering the lack of basic needs as food and medicine. The NGO's who are aligned with MPH are all solid tried and true agencies. Just reigning in the devastation of AIDS will allow parents to raise their own children and decrease the appalling number of orphans in Africa.

I read about the Hyde Park event on the ONE site (MPH in the US) so anybody who wants to meet up and go together let me know--I will still be in London then.

Even tho the Argentinian news is old to some of you it's new to me being a fairly new AR fan ---so I was delighted to see the pics and read the articles. You are right, he does look great these days, altho I love the pic with his hair in all directions!

Oops, I forgot to thank RickiNicki for the Live 8 info!  I'm sorry.  I hope BBC-America will carry it too.  *crossing fingers*

RickiNicki - thanks for the heads up on Live8!  Sounds like quite a line-up!  I hope that BBC America will show this concert as well.  *keeping fingers crossed*

Daydreamer - thanks for the additional articles!

Phew!  I didn't realize the Argentinian articles and pics would go over so well!  Thanks to Serpenatrix and SWARF for the additional translations AND Daydreamer for bringing them to us. 

I know that his visit to Argentina is old news but I think posting old news when we're in the middle of an AR drought can be fun and even informative to people new to the AR world.  So if you have some old AR stuff you want to post, feel free!  

Thank you for the NPR link, Aurora.  What an informative interview!  I am fascinated with their thoughts on how they propose to end world hunger and poverty. 

I'll be off to Barnes and Noble this evening Alba.  I have to have that book! 

Thank you Claudia for those articles and pictures. I have seen some quotes from those interviews, but never seen the complete ones. Thanks again!

I love, love love the photos and articles, thank you!!!!!!

isn't AR in the last Harry Potter?

SIGH!

I like this man but everytime I watch at his hair...it's wilde, eh!?

I've just found this on the net:

Heads up for "Live 8" concert which takes place in London's Hyde Park on Saturday, July 2, 2005.

The show - called Live 8 and aimed at pressuring leaders of the wealthy G8 nations to Make Poverty History - will include a host of surprises.

The concert which is being staged 20 years after the first Live Aid extravaganza to help victims of famine in Africa will see stars perform in London and Washington in the US. It will be broadcast by the BBC.

Sir Paul McCartney and U2 will open the show with the Beatles classic Sgt Pepper. Performers will include Sir Elton John, Joss Stone, Madonna, U2, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Oasis, Sting, The Who, Eminem, Annie Lennox, and Franz Ferdinand.

Organisers are in talks with: The Scissor Sisters, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd.

Nelson Mandela is expected to appear via video message if he can't be there in person.

Claudia: Thank you so much for the interview and pictures.

*rushes off again*

Thanks Claudia, always nice to see some pix

 Claudia:  

How great you are Claudia---thanks for the article and the pics--loved it.

Claudia - what a great idea to post all those pics and the articles!  Thank you! 

I love this man and hope to one day have his children.

Gee Claudia! From the time I started typing my last post to the moment I hit "submit", you posted all those wonderful articles and photos! wOw! You're good!

Sue -- Beautiful B&W photo of AR! You know...it's amazing how many "artistic" photos there are of him (I'm not talking about standard publicity shots). You don't see many "artsy" photos of other celebrities/actors.

Do you suppose those type of photographers seek AR out ("Get me Alan Rickman!"), or do you think AR approachs them ("I love his work - would he take my photo?")

And, when his picture is taken, do you suppose he likes the way he looks? We think the man is *thud* gorgeous, but when most people see their own portrait, they agonize over every imperfection.

I'm just curious...

And last but certainly not least. Here are some piccies that Lobagris' friend took of him during the film festival in Mar del Plata 

And what is a trip down memory lane without piccies???? 

These were the two that were published. One of them is a repeat from Sue's post....but when do we ever get tired of AR piccies? 

Here are a couple other links that the fabulous Fausta kept up with.

Alan Rickman: No me gustan las verdades absolutas

And here's one that she translated:

"Me paso la vida actuando"

I've been taking a trip down memory lane back to March of 2004 when AR visited Argentina.  First, here is an interview that appeared in the newspaper "La Capital".  Here is a translation special thanks to Lobagris!

The British Actor, a guest to the Festival

Thanks for the link to that article, Juliet.  It was very interesting.

I think it is great that people are making the effort to increase awareness about the situation in third world countries and I hope that poverty will indeed be history soon.  I do have to mention something though that caught my attention (sorry, but I'm extremely suspicious and a sceptic by nature).  The MPH campaign states that they don't want my money, but then I read something like this: "First, the organisers want outstanding Third World debts cancelled. Next, they want governments of richer countries to raise an extra $50 billion more in aid each year and to commit to spending 0.7 per cent of their gross national income on assisting the world's poorest people."

I'm sorry, but increasing aid by that amount of money almost definitely means an increase in taxes, which means that they do want/need my money after all.  And if that's what it takes to make poverty history, that's fine, but I just wish they'd be upfront about it.

My two cents. 

Thanks Juliet for that link. Off topic, I know but I think making Aid projects relevant and feasible is really important. I remember years ago when I worked in Kenya a certain western government organised a fish factory up near Lake Rudolph. But electricity suppy was so erratic and at times non-existent that the refrigeration plant was out of action most of the time and so the project collapsed. Sorry, not really AR related, but I am wearing my white band while I type!

Sue, yes that is the very picture.

FOB!!!! Iwish!!!

Thank you for confirming the picture, Susan, CA!   I do hope they will be able to get an American distributor!! 

"The only magazine in the world ... celebrating British films & stars"

That statement has me chomping at the bit! 

FOA...FOB...you lucky gals you!  *grin*

We are such a well-connected group!  I know a FOA (friend of Alan's)  and Sue is a FOB.   It did look like he emailed you personally, though.....

Thank you for sharing!

I DO support MPH, but I also have qualms about lining corrupt politicians pockets with our donations. There was a very balanced article (IMHO) in last Saturday's Telegraph which you can see here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=COHUZGLKDCSA1QFIQMGSM5OAVCBQWJVC?xml=/news/2005/05/21/npoor21.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=4548

The print copy had the click pick of AR.

sue.......I am honored to know an intimate of Bill's does that make you an FOB (as in Clinton days, friend of Bill???)

Claudia the first link in Bill's email (see how easy I say that? Just like he only wrote to me!! ) was THIS and the second was THIS

I am sure Bill will write to you shortly!!

OHHHHHHHHHH Kimberly!  What a life saver you have been with all this wonderful AR stuff!  Thank you and I can't wait to get the stuff up on the site!  Thank you!!!!!!!

There is an interview with Victoria Wood in tonight's Evening Standard. She is discussing being interested in making movies:

"Is she thinking of turning her her hit TV sitcom, Dinnerladies, into a film, perhaps? "Dinnerladies - the Movie would have been terrible. Sitcoms have a certain feel. What would the plot be? That they've been made redundant and gone on Richard and Judy? I've got other ideas though...."

She would love to worrk with Alan Rickman or Judi Dench. "I don't think Judi Dench has ever had a comic film written around her. She would have made a great Mrs.Overall." "

The majority of britbitsandclips.com is back up and running now.  There may be a glitch or two.  I'll be working on them for the next day or so.  If you have any problems, please email me.

Claudia:  The package from Tom arrived yesterday.   I will mail your stuff tomorrow. 

(Hints: Japan interview, Conan, The View......) I'll email you later with more details.

Laura, thanks for the offer to help but I don't have those two shows.  They will show up in me grubby little hand one day!  LOL  When they do, I might take you up on your offer. 

Well, I suppose the fact that you have talked to Bill Nighy was the deciding factor as to who gets an email from him, Sue!  Lucky you.  Where's mine???  Seriously, what are the urls in the mail? 

Well I just got to Hotmail and got all excited!! I had an email from Bill Nighy!! I knew he would come to his senses after I chatted to him two years ago!!

But no it was about MPH (oh well a girl can dream!!)

"

Hello,

Two days ago something extraordinary happened - the EU agreed to double the aid it gives to the world's poorest nations. By being part of this campaign you have directly helped to make that happen and you should be proud, very proud. It was one small step on the road to truly making poverty history. And here is the next one...

As names go Alan Johnson isn't all that memorable - in fact it's about as unremarkable as they come. But as Britain's new Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, he can play a massive part in really making poverty history for millions and millions of people around the world.

Recently the Government has started to change its position on trade, even including a pledge in its election manifesto to stop bullying poor counties into running their economies the way rich countries like ours want, instead of the way that benefits them.

But we need more than pledges - we need to see action. The Government must continue to change its policies and influence other countries to change theirs.

To stop 30,000 children dying every day of extreme poverty, we need to allow people the right to earn their way out of grinding poverty. And at the moment, so many people just can't.

No one disagrees with trade justice, no one thinks it's a bad idea - it's just that politicians, like Mr Johnson, don't know how many people care about it - and therefore it's simply not as high a priority as it should be.

So we need to show him that you do care. Please l('http://www.ProcessRequest.com/apps/redir.asp?link%3dXcageigbCH,ZdebbijefaDF%26oid%3dUdegbBE%26i clitemid%3dYcdggeeieDH%26tid%3dWhjeidfDG');" target=_blank>click here right now. Imagine how he's going to feel in 24 hours time when tens of thousands of people have emailed him asking him to make trade justice a reality. It's real people power. And it will take you one minute.

Thank you,

Bill Nighy

P.S. Don't forget it is not too late to get your transport booked to get you to Edinburgh for the Make Poverty History Rally on 2nd July. Go l('http://www.ProcessRequest.com/apps/redir.asp?link%3dXcageigaCG,ZdebbijefaDF%26oid%3dUdegbBE%26i clitemid%3dYcdggeeieDH%26tid%3dWhjeidfDG');" target=_blank>here to find out more.

I love the horse pic and thanks for the redtango link--knew it was a moment not to be missed!

I'll add my 2 cents, AB FAB and Fawlty Towers are 2 of my most favorite Britcoms--French and Saunders are the best, but we have Sat. even. Britcoms and they are my favorite night on TV when I have the time to watch.

Claudia, many, many thanks for the "public service" announcement .  It is a crime that the Western or "first" world cannot devote some of it's time, energy, money to the devastation happening in Africa.  When I see the debates going on in our Congress about the "stem cell" issue, I always think, what about debating in favor of the children ALREADY born!!  It is criminal that in this day and age a child should die of hunger or disease that could be cured very simply.  The White House has email so it is easy to let them know your wishes.

Elaine, would love to see the church banner!

Barbara the H. are you out there?  Is all well??

I am getting very, very excited about my trip!  It will be fun even if AR leaves town the minute I arrive!!!

My son made me promise to pre-order Harry Potter for him since it will come out while I am gone!  I myself will be scouring Cambridge for a copy since I will not be able to wait until I get home. Sorry, those of you who are not HP fans!

Claudia, is your problem lack of time or you don't have the shows? If it's the time, I can help doing clips. My software dislikes doing avi/divx clips but I can do mpeg/wmv and then you only have to resize them as you prefer for your site or for reason of webspace.

I hope my words make sense, anyway, now and in the future, my offer to make clips is always up

Laura

sue - thank you for the redtango link!  I was hoping she would do something with that pic! 

Well we knew redtango wouldn't be able to pass on the "Horse Pic", didn't we???

Ohhh be sure to let us know if the region 2 BC has any extras, Sue.  I checked out the Amazon UK listing and it doesn't list any extras but ya never know! 

Rachael unfortunately, Videograms don't play on all computers.  I have been working on getting copies of The View and the Conan interview for ages.  I've had a lot of people, through the years, ask me to post a .wmv version of them.  They are on the top of my wish list so if ever they fall into my hands, I'll post them to the ARDLH site. 

Elaine.  I haven't forgotten my promise about the Argentinian pic and article.  I will definitely look for them this evening. 

A picture of the church tower would be absolutely lovely!

Gissing's Girl - Is this the B&W pic in British Film??

I noticed that next week's Radio Times an half-page ad for two new dvds. One is a collection of Oscar Wilde and the other Barchester Chronicles. They are due out on the 30th May. My husband ordered one for my birthday when it was due out in April so hopefully it will arrive next week

Sabine -- I knew that banner was at the top of the page, but it never occured to me that it was a clickable link!    DUH!! So sorry that I didn't notice, Claudia! I'll check it out now!

Oh, and I totally forgot that Claudia has had a link on the top of this page for ages... 

Dee - we have "Make Poverty History" here in the U.S. as well, I have seen some ads on TV.  If you'd like to find out more, here's the website: http://www.one.org

Sharen I downloaded that before it won't work on my computer for some reason. Ohya I spelled my name wrong there is not pose to be two A at the end there is only pose to be one A at the end. Still thank for trying to help me Sharen.

Kathy -- I love to take requests for my "famous painting" AR wallpapers, and your idea for using Harrison Fishers illustrations was wonderful. Such lovely Victorian prints! But I'm not finding anything on the web with high enough resolution to use. So sorry! If I stumble across something (or if you know where to find it) I'll give it a try!

"Make Poverty History" campaign -- Is that strictly a UK project? I've never seen anything in the US about it. Does anyone know?

My 22-year-old son is home for a few weeks and just asked if I had any good DVDs to watch.  So...I opened up my "private AR collection". He turned up his nose with S&S, AABA, Mesmer...but thought Dark Harbor looked interesting. *spoiler* I just know that last kissing scene is going to totally freak him out!! Can't wait for him to finish it and give me his review. HA!!

Juliet, I haven't listened to "The Archers" for a while since the last time I caught up, it was sounding more and more like Eastenders meets Corrie in the country! I used to listen to it and be cheered up but it's going down that very soapy road now unless things have changed in the last month or so.

I always enjoy RotD and love the bits of Clevedon and the pier! We had a caravan near there a few years ago. ET is wonderful in it. AH plays his "usual" I thought, but top quality nevertheless. I like all those Merchant Ivory films and others of that "ilk".

Claudia, I meant to take a picture on the way to work of the church in Nether Stowey. It's got a huge white banner around the church tower with "Make Poverty History" in huge letters. Must do it in the morning if I remember.

No AR news then. You can tell......

Emily.....thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 

The last time I checked (which was, admittedly, several months ago) it wasn't available.  Oh, happy day!  Thanks for the alert and needless to say, I've already placed my order! 

This guest book is the greatest!

Vicki, you sure can get Howard's End on region 1. It came out fairly recently, and it has some extras on it. It's one of the (non-AR) movies that I will watch again and again.

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=HVD001776

I just got a Dawn French news alert pertaining to Make Poverty History

Eight Men can Stop the Dying says Lenny Henry

EIGHT MEN CAN STOP THE DYING SAYS LENNY HENRY

May 25 2005

TV COMIC IN BATTLE FOR AFRICA

By Rick Fulton

LENNY Henry has witnessed first hand the devastation poverty has wreaked in Africa.

The comedian knows the horror of deprivation in the hospitals of Malawi is repeated across the shattered continent.

He is tired of seeing people pay the price for their poverty with their lives.

And the Red Nose Day frontman believes eight men can bring an end to the heartache.

Lenny will be joining thousands of protesters gathering in Scotland ahead of the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

The leaders of the world's richest nations will meet in Perthshire from July 6 to 8 and the focus will be on Africa.

Lenny said: 'Every three seconds, a child dies because they happen to be born poor. If we changed three things - trade, aid and debt - that scandal would stop.

'If the eight men sitting round the table at the G8 summit think enough people want them to, they can actually do it. Stop the deaths.'

Lenny has been the face of Red Nose Day since it first hit TV screens in 1988.

But this year, viewers saw his laughter turn to tears on a visit to Africa.

He broke down as he watched a child cosy in to her mother. The mum was so weakened by AIDS, she couldn't even return the cuddle He said: 'When you're on and you're doing a film you don't want to cry.

'People cry all the time. But my job is not to cave in.

'My job is to go, 'Look. This is what's happening. This is what it's like. Please help. Please do something.' 'I think it's important and I think people need to see what's going on.

'When people see what's going on, they think, 'This is an outrage - we must do something'.

'For me to be part of a movement that can put those images on television is mind-blowing and I always wanted to thank the British public because they want to do something to change the world.'

Comedy writer Richard Curtis came up with the idea for Comic Relief in 1985.

The charity has since raised £337million - and counting.

This year's Red Nose Day raised £49million but the final total is expected to reach £64million.

Those sums are tiny compared with the monumental debts hanging over Africa's population of around 800million.

The repayments total more than £5.5billion a year.

That works out at about £7 from every man, woman and child in a continent where most people get by on less than 60p a day.

And it's hard for Africa to repay its debts when the rich countries demand goods cheap.

Lenny's visit to Scotland with wife Dawn French is about changing politics, not emptying pockets.

They will join U2 singer Bono and Band Aid founder Bob Geldof at the peaceful Make Poverty History protest. Lenny said: 'Dawn and I are going there to be part of it -it's going to be a momentous occasion.

'It would be amazing to get Bono, Geldof and myself together. That would be a night and a half.

'Richard Curtis has done a good job already with Bob and Bono about this Make Poverty History campaign.

'These eight men of the G8 can force fair trade and drop the Third World debt.

'This is the 21st century and these things need to change.

'The important thing about Make Poverty History is that it's not asking for money.

'It's asking people to change the heinous crime that's been prevailing for too many years now.

'It's time for Africa to get off its knees and contribute to the world.

'There's so much potential in Africa but there's so much that needs to be sorted out: good political practice, good voting practice, democracy, fair trade, justice, debt - so many things to be done.

'And eight men could sort it out

Yes, 8 men can stop the dying and I say if they don't take steps to do so.........they need to be EIGHT MEN OUT!!!!!  I can't be in Scotland for the rally but my heart will be there and I'll be wearing my wristband proud! 

Between now and then, yall email, snail mail, and call your government representatives and demand they stop the dying at once. 

OK...back to our regularly scheduled program.....  ;-)

Oh, I loved RotD, but I found the ending so incredibly sad and depressing.  I remember thinking "what a waste of a life".  He dedicated his life to service, that I understand, and did it willingly and to perfection...but he lost out on the one thing that is most important..to love and to be loved.  I've only seen it once but I remember what wonderful performances both ET and AH gave.  I think enough time has passed that I could stand watching it again - now that I know what to expect from the ending. 

You know what really makes me angry?  You can't get Howard's End on DVD in region 1.  Why, why, why??????

"Is this a Remains of the Day?" has gone down in folklore in our house. It's what my husband asks when I start watching something like A Girl with a Pearl Earring or any movie where not a lot happens!!

Having said that he did actually enjoy RotD as he is an Anthony Hopkins fan.

And Juliet, nobody ever watches Coronation Streetin Eastenders or vice versa

However they were singing Bill Nighy's praises in The Archers the other week!!

That is sad news, Merchant Ivory made some wonderful classic films in the old British tradition. The BBC website makes it sound like he had been ill for some time.

Oh sad news.  Ismail Merchant has died at the young age of 68.  Merchant is half of the team of Ivory and Merchant who made such great films as A Room With a View, Howard's End, and The Remains of the Day. The last two films being very very good to Emma Thompson, I might add.  What a loss.   

Feeling VERY superior as I haven't had a TV for 25 years! Funny thing is, when I do watch it (in a hotel or at a friends house or whatever) I've nearly always seen the programme before, that's an awful lot of repeats.

The radio is so much better, the only thing I don't understand is why nobody in Ambridge listens to The Archers! LOL!

Well if they are only planning on selling it in Central London then they are missing out on some customers aren't they?

Thanks for the information Gissing's Girl!  I never got any word from the email I sent inquiring about a subscription but the address you provided is not the same address I mailed to.  Maybe this is the reason. 

GG, it seems you might have found a little bug with this guest book program.  I tried several times to fix the email address you provided to no avail.  So I will report this problem and hopefully, WebSiteToolBox will have it fixed shortly.  Their customer service has been top notch thus far so maybe it won't be to long. 

Although that link doesn't work that is  the right e-mail address. It works because he  e-mailed us from Cannes Film Festival and then when he got home the same night. I now have a copy and it is a full page black and white photograph with his face half shaded by his hands.

Sue, the magzine is available at Borders if there is one in London. WH Smith are not going to market it. When we e-mailed the publisher he said it was available at Harrods. They answer all e-mails promptly and are very helpful, to the point of offering to give me a copy if I couldn't obtain one elsewhere.

E-mail Address(es): postmaster@terencedoyle.demon.co.uk

Just to change the subject to another little moan - I haven't given up on finding that new British Filmmagazine, I looked last week in the Waterloo WHSmiths with no luck. Today I went into Guildford and into the large and shiny WHSmiths. I asked at the enquiries desk and the girl did try to find out about it but the person she asked said they had never heard of it. It won't last long if nobody can buy it will it?? She did say that sometimes new magazines don't come out till their cover month but it doesn't bode well. Maybe they just want subscriptions but I ain't subscribing to anything till I see it!!

Although I hate the majority of *reality shows* I am hooked on Strictly Dancing.It has been a joy to watch these young people improve their dancing over the weeks. Arlene Phillips does the *bad guy* judge but she knows her stuff as she is a choreographer and a dancer.

Hmmm.... I'm really not sure why I like American Idol.  I love music, so that may be one aspect of why I like that particular reality show.  I thought that the people who have won so far all had talent and I enjoyed hearing them sing. 

But I do agree that there are way too many reality shows on TV.  And I know that some actors who mainly work on TV are really concerned about this because it gets harder and harder to pitch actual TV shows, no matter how good they might be.  That's just sad.  I wonder where this whole thing is headed and what it will do to our culture... 

Thanks Claudia for the info. It's an addiction I look forward to! LOL. I'm going to have to get another TV though, as my husband is BIG into reality shows and sports programs. Neither interest me.

When I was in England I watched a show one night that was about the top 10 british comedians and it was hilarious!  

Arrgh!...reality shows....I can think of no worse torture.  I am proud to say that I have never watched even one.  The promos are enough to make me gag. 

It seems that the last few years, I sit in the evening with remote in hand and just click away and can never find anything decent to watch.  How can there be so many channels to choose from and not one of them is airing anything worthwhile?  I have taken to watching the Discovery Channel, The History Channel, and BBC America occasionally.  I don't mean to sound like a snob or anything but there just isn't anything new that appeals to me anymore (is that the first sign of old age?). 

Thank God for some of the syndicated comedies.  We can still enjoy Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier and every once in a while I'll catch a Seinfeld episode (although, I think I've already seen most all of them).  The rest just seems to be mindless garbage.  Because of this, my DVD collection is growing beyond my shelf space capacity.  I may just be able to open a store soon.

Anyway, we all have our likes and dislikes....one thing we can agree on here.  WE LOVE ALAN!!!

BTW, thanks for the link to the Ennis-Brown house.  I knew that it looked familiar.  Now I can see why.  I may just go take a tour!  Have a great day everyone! 

thank you for the answer , Claudia, I meant the site, the gurst book/forum works fine, luckely I saved before the link to it or I would have had no chance to find it again

I love the pics, thank you everyone for sharing, with articles, news etc!

Laura

I just can't get into the hard cord "reality shows" either. Honestly, most of them seem to encourage selfish, crude, indecent and cruel behavior -- as if humanity needs THAT! As Alex says in GQ, "It's like throwing gas on a flame." (There! See  I managed to work a touch of AR into that OT rant!)

I agree with Sue on the Argentinian pic and article.  I'm sure I have it tucked away in my archives.  I'll check it out and post it later this evening. 

Laurie, check out your PBS station.  My PBS affiliate has "Saturday Night Brit Coms" all evening long.  WARNING though, they are very addictive!  LOL  Once you've seen the PBS shows a couple of times....you'll branch out into buying DVDs and then....a multi regional player so you can buy region 2 Britcoms!  And the madness goes on and on!  LOL 

I love all the Britcoms but my favorites are Vicar of Dibley , As Time Goes By, and Waiting on God.  Oh my goodness the list really can go on and on and on.....

Elaine, I think that is the biggest version of that Argentina pic. It was on an Argentine (tinian?) news page with an interview in Spanish or Portugese which I recall somebody translated somewhere.

I have no problem with the odd bit of dross on tv. What annoys me is that every channel copies each other and do series after series. I watched Changing Rooms the first time round but they just carrried on and on, same with Ground Force. There is a limit (or with me anyway) to the amount of times you want to watch someone in tears pretending that some ghastly tacky make-over is just what they wanted!

I don't know what good scriptwriters are doing for a living these days.

Sabine: I found out they're showing "American Idol" on tv.

I loathe reality tv shows such as Big Brother. And I don't like talkshows. Well here in the UK it's not as bad as in Germany, but in Germany there are a lot of talkshows and court shows on every channel! It's so annoying. But I love British comedy shows, especially Blackadder.

I'm like you Kathy, I rarely watch TV at night. My husband is big into the reality shows. I would much rather read a book or watch a movie (HBO or DVD).

I have a question. I have heard several of you (who live in the US) talk about watching British TV shows over here.  Where would I find those and which ones would you recommend I watch? I get basic cable but have never run across any.

sue, totally agree about reality shows. Funny thing is though, that all sorts of people watch these things and you wonder why? All of you who watch "idol", what is the attraction? These programmes just make me cringe. "Celebrity Love Shack" has to be the most gross! And makeover shows as well - except Trinni and Susannah, and "Queer Eye". I have to admit to that one! I started watching the UK version but am now taking in the US one as well because Carlson is just something else! I guess we all have our "guilty secrets" but I think that generally, the TV companies are really dumbing down the schedules. We don't have half as many really good drama series on these days, nor classic sit-coms either which Auntie beeb used to be well known for. It's TV on the cheap!

I love that Argie pic which I had not seen before. Does anyone know where there might be a bigger version?

In my own defense  AI is the only reality show I watch I rarely watch TV, mostly CNN and PBS and Booknotes on the weekend, but it is a diversion and at least the people have to have some talent,  I do agree that the whole TV scene is pretty sorry, which is why I enjoy the British comedies, etc.  Altho I think everyone's TV selections are getting pretty miserable.

I guess we all have our "guilty secrets".  I also agree on the makeover shows. 

Oh Sue!  You go Girl! 

Sounds like you and I are on the same page with reality and makeover house/garden shows!  I have the full package of cable services and sometimes think about cutting back but then I think about the obscure "The Directors" Anthony Minghella" that was on Encore a while back that had AR in it. Or then you have something like StLM, Warm Springs, or the upcoming Richard Curtis/Bill Nighy HBO film The Girl In The Café and I begin to re-think my letting go of any of the services.  Its a catch 22! 

To be fair though.  I suppose not 100% of them are bad though.  I do like the British "What Not To Wear" with Trinny and Susannah and TBS did a funny little reality show called "The Real Gilligan's Island" that I was able watch without falling asleep.  But there are very very few that I can watch. 

Sabine, I think that the British did start the Pop Idol thing for which I am deeply sorry!! If anything is guaranteed to get me off on a it is the whole *reality tv* thing: Big Brother, I'm a Celebrity(oh really?)Get Me Out of Here, Celebrity Love Island etc etc ad nauseum. Night after night we scour the channels (and with satellite, that's a lot of channels!) looking for something to watch and more often than not end up turning off or just watching some old classic comedy or movie. How can people watch this tosh? Barely literate attention-seeking people get there "five minutes of fame", are courted by the tabloids turned into D-list 'slebs and then can't cope when they are dropped when some new idiot comes along.

Where the *talent* shows are concerned I think it is very sad that someone can go into an audition, be ritually humiliated by some nasty unknown *expert*, then be voted for on a whim by the public. I know some of these people have some talent but what about all the people who have studied and worked their way up through the *real world*. It must be rather galling to see somebody who normally works in the supermarket and enters on a whim getting awarded some large contract or tv special!

Anway, rant over!! (and I haven't even started on make-over and garden shows!!LOL)

Claudia - don't worry about the server switch!  Take your time! 

Dee - maybe I'm a bigger geek than I thought, because my husband and I watch Queer Eye as well...

kathy - don't worry, your secret is safe with me! 

RickiNicki - I think the original Idol show comes from the U.K. but I'm not sure if they're still showing it there.  Maybe one of our British friends here knows.

To make this a somewhat AR related post: I do believe that the writing on AR's shirt is Russian.  So maybe it's the name of a Russian band then?

Marlina, AR and SW are just very good long time friends.  I can understand why you would think that they are possibly dating.  But you have to remember that they are doing a film together and are a long way from home.  SW is happily married with a, I believe, teenaged or pre-teen daughter.  Hopefully we will see them together in promo interviews for Snow Cake too! 

I'm still working on the server switch.  Please have patience with me (I know yall will cause yall are the best there is!). 

Well.. i got a strange feeling that Alan is dating with Sigourney Weaver.. 

Can it be?? or it's just my stupid thought?

They seems go out together a lot..

I just want to pop in and wish a happy birthday to Pam and Peekabooh! Sorry my delay!

The new picture of Alan is really nice! But I didn't recognise Sigourny Weaver, she looks so..... different. Ok, I only know her from Galaxy Quest.

Sabine, I used to watch the same tv show in Germany, but now I think it's not worth any more. It's always the same. And here in England I don't know if it's on.

And welcome back, Juliet! Glad you're ok!

There is also a tv alert for the people in the UK:

StLM will be shown:

Sky Movies 1 - Thursday 23 June, 12.50AM
Sky Movies 7 - Monday 27 June, 8.30PM

Someone (go bo) on another site (go bo) said that the (go bo) saying on Alan's (go bo) shirt is  in russian, and the same (go bo) one he (go bo) wore in Argentina last year (go bo). Now as far as (go bo) American Idol goes, ah (go bo) who has time (go bo) watch such silliness  (go bo)  on TV. -----------(GO BO)

Sabine...shhhhh just between you and me I'm a closet Amer Idol fan also! Don't tell anyone I told you, tho!

Oh, Sabine... American Idol? Say it isn't so!  That's okay...How can I hold it against you when I'm a rabid "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" fan! We all have a geeky little TV pleasures! Anyone else care to admit theirs?

T-shirt -- At another message board they are furiously discussing the meaning of the shirt. Right now they have it narrowed down to: a band by that name and a potion master inside joke. Personally, I don't think AR likes the Snape character well enough for that. Does anyone know about the band?

The Shirt:  Dee, I remembered that shirt from the Argentina picture as well, I just never realized that it had the formula for sulfuric acid on it!  LOL  The letters look Russian though.

Totally O/T: I'm excited about the American Idol finale tomorrow!  Yes, I am a geek! 

The pool was nice tonight............

Aurora, I couldn't even afford 1/2 price tickets at those prices!!

That is an exceptionally good picture, of AR, too! 

My 78 year old mother called me tonight to tell me about a great movie she went to see..........H2G2!  Couldn't wait to tell me about the depressed robot and slartibartfast.  So even older ladies like AR and Bill Nighey

Juliet -- Glad you're home! I'm sending good thoughts and prayers for your good health and peace of mind!

Thanks for sharing that fabulous photo of AR at the horsey circus! An article I once read said that he took riding lessons for the movie QDU and loved it. He looks so happy in this shot I believe he must really like horses!

Sue -- Shame on you! Hysterical manipulation!

Claudia -- I agree. I'll bet AR's got Blair's stupid new rules in the back of his mind! Someone reported a sighting of him shopping in Toronto -- maybe he was stocking up on hoodies to take home to friends!

The mystery t-shirt -- Another site posted this photo of him wearing the same shirt in Argentina last year. It must be a favorite.

H2SO4-sulfuric acid-----------what else whould a potions master have on thier shirt.........?

Phew, you guys were busy today!

Welcome back, Juliet!  Glad you're feeling better!

sue and bunks: thank you so much for the horse picture!  AR seems to be having a blast! 

Great horse pic! Thanks to bunks for scanning and Sue for spreading the joy.

Probably old news, but I happened upon the Ennis-Brown House site which says it was used in Fallen Angels among other films: http://www.ennisbrownhouse.org/film/film_index.html (see 1993)

Rachaal, The View is at Suzanne's: http://alanrickman.hypermart.net/guestbook/ar-guestbk.htm  (scroll down to May 7 at 2:05pm).

Hey can anyone give me download of the show The View with Alan, Emma, and another lady talking about The Winter Guest and a few other movies. I had it on the computer and dad bought a new computer and I would like to have it on this computer but I can't remember were I found it. Please will someone help me.

I just checked the ticket prices for Spamalot and I had to pick myself up off the floor----$165.oo for the worst seats nearly 600.00 for the best.  O.M.G.  I definitely am in the wrong business! (or born to the wrong family!)

OMG Spamalot is supposed to be great--there was an interview with Tim Curry on NPR awhile ago --fantastic.  It was in Chicago--didn't know it had switched to NY.  That is one play I really would like to see!  I'll bet it is a short flight to NY from toronto.  Doesn't Sigourney live in NY?  Eric Idle wrote the play!

Sue--love your sense of humor ........

see y'all or as they say here all y'all, I'm going swimming.

Another little blurbby from IMDb thanks to Leanne! 

For the UK fans:

"Something The Lord Made" will finally be shown on Sky Movies next month. So, if you haven't bought the DVD on import yet, make sure you check it out on Sky.

Sky Movies 1 - Thursday 23 June, 12.50AM
Sky Movies 7 - Monday 27 June, 8.30PM

 I want to see Spamalot sooooo bad! 

Well well well......it has been reported over at IMDb that AR and Sigourney Weaver were spotted at the Saturday performance of Spamalot.  Here's the post:

I was at the Saturday night performance of Spamalot and Alan Rickman was their with Siguorny (ok so i give up b/c i can't spell) Weaver ... are they married? It was weird b/c i didn't know if they were  

By looking at the map, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of distance between Toronto and New York City. What do yall think?

Orrrrrr he may just be advertising a good drain opener!  *grin*

Huh - well, I sure feel like a hick.  Around here, people wear 'hoodies' to keep their ears from freezing and falling off.

Anyone know why AR has the chemical symbol for Sulfuric acid on his T?  Could it have to do with this mag from CA(lifornia)?

"h2so4 is a magazine.  This is its website.  h2so4 is an experiment in textual alchemy, currently in its 12th year, and dedicated to provoking thought on politics & philosophy, art & love, without thereby giving up the potential to delight, amuse and entertain. In h2so4 you will find the serious & the silly, arcane & mundane, separately or on the same page, each never making excuses for the other.  In the articles and lists on this site you will find a sampling of what appears in our print version. Let us know what you think."

Welcome back, Juliet! 

Here's my wish for your swift recovery.

And Sue--you are shameless!  Hilarious, but shameless.

Ohhhh my, Sue!  I am having the laugh of the day thanks to you!  LOL 

I just lurv that new piccie!   

Did you guys stop to think that maybe AR's wearing the hoodie in protest???  Could be testing his own anti-social behaviour before coming home.  *grin*

I did read about the hoodie thing and Bliar on BBC News.  It's unreal the things politicians will do and say when trying to save their own skin! 

Laura, if your talking about britbitsandclips.com, I am in the midst of changing servers so the site may be up and down over the course of the next couple of days.  I'm working hard at getting things ironed out as fast as I can. 

If you are talking about this guest book, there should be no problems here at all.  If you are experiencing problems, email me with what is happening and I will get with WebSiteToolBox about it. 

Don't worry BlueBeatBabe, I'll fix the hiccups as soon as I can. 

Everyone I owe mail too, please be patient with me.  Once I get the sites switched over to the new servers, I will be able to concentrate on getting caught up on mail. 

I'm sorry everyone.  It couldn't be helped.   

 I'm in a silly mood this evening!!

Hello Juliet!

Is it just me or the site is down? I keep refreshing but I get a blank page :-(

Laura

It hicced again...

Bluebeatbbabe

Wow.. it's already 1 o'clock now.. must go to sleep

Thanks for all the information though

Okay.. from my country.. GOOD NIGHT oops.. i mean GOOD MORNING

Hey Sue,

I did nothing - it just appeared , honest,  and I thought it was only one post !  The system seems to have gone haywire...somewhere, but not in Sheffield !

Hiccoughs, indeed... hic, hic, hic,

ALAN RICKMAN.. ALAN RICKMAN...ALAN RICKMAN... will that do?

Bluebeatbabe

I see.. wonder Alan gonna learn some trick there

Hi Marlina,

The lady next to Alan is called Megali Delgado and she is part of the troupe who perform this show.

I must say Alan looks great- remarkably relaxed. I like his T-Shirt, he looks very fresh-faced and nowhere near his 59 years !

Mind you , I like the more mature man. There's only one way to describe Alan and that's 'FIT'.

I'm pleased he's getting some R/R time-off, he certainly looks GOOD on it !!!

Best Wishes Juliet- wishing you a speedy recovery.

Bluebeatbabe ( previous post had a will of its' own ! Sorry)

I keep wondering where all these people on ASBOs are going to go? What are they ging to do if they can't kick the s**t out of the potted plants in the shopping mall gardens? I actually think they all go to Butlins and then rampage down the road outside our hospital at 3 am. Why can't they get the Norwalk virus like the rest of the "inmates"?

I love those headlines!

Sue, "The Virginian" was my absolute favourite! What was the guy's name? US TV series were so much better than ours then - except for Dr Who!

Looks like hiccoughs in Sheffield!!

It's a method of training horses apparently. You don't whip or shout at them but sort of get them to follow you!LOL

There is a Robert Redford film called The Horse Whisperer where the character retrains a highly damaged horse after a terrible raod accident. Being a Robert Redford film of course he also falls in love with Kristin Scott-Thomas

I'm sorry to sound stupid.. but what's horse whisperer?

Marlina,it says under the pic. She is one of the horse-whisperers!!

O.K., you Brits.  Can you fill us in on the joke?  What did Blair do this time?...and how does it apply to our beloved potions master?

Yes, picture the scene in an upmarket Notting Hill Patisserie:"I am sorry sir, we can't serve you wearing that, no matter how many buns you want!"

Aurora, I think they must be talking Central London! Our top temp today was about 15C. We are 40 miles South of London and quite high up for Southern England. Our temps are generally 3 or 4 degrees lower than London. It's funny I was brought up with Fahrenheit but over here they use only Centigrade now on the forecasts. I never really know exactly what the equivalents are. i just know once they start talking 21C or above that it is getting pleasant

Yeah Friday night was Mr.Ed night when I was a kid!LOL I was brought up on all the American crap you  used to send over!!(we didn't have anything decent of our own) - I Love Lucy, My Three Sons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and not forgetting all those wonderful Westerns -  Champion the Wonder Horse, Rin Tin Tim, The Lone Ranger, GunSmoke, Laramie, The Rifleman, and of course later on my favourite The Virginian. My mother and I used to shout at the screen whenever there was any lurve interest for the Virginian, cos we knew the poor woman would either be dead or bereft by the end of the episode. I don't think the poor guy ever got his oats!

Well enough of the trip down memory drain. I hope someone gets word to Alan that he won't be welcome back in the country whilst wearing his hoodie. Mr.Blair will slap an ASBO on him before he can turn round!

Sue, you are right, that pic soooooo needs a caption!

Juliet, welcome back. I'm sure you will make a full recovery. I have lots of friends who have!

Aurora, I second Sue's comment about the weather here. It's a bit nippy at the moment and we keep getting blustery rain. Last night I thought the hospital roof was going to be torn off, the wind was so bad! However, when we do get good weather, there is nowhere nicer!

Oh, Sue!  Thanks for the great picture!  He looks really happy and relaxed in the picture.  That's a great shot. 

Juliet - so happy to hear you are home and recovering.  Rest up and spend lots of time watching AR films. 

Pam & Peekabooh - happy belated birthdays to you both.  That TMD find was truly a result of good karma!

Daydreamer - your English is perfect.

Kimberly - thanks for sharing all the inside scoop from your friend.  Does he/she realize how happy he has made all us ladies?  I would believe that AR doesn't own a computer or want to use the internet...but I would also agree that Rima probably does, just because of her work.  I think someone who is a celebrity and has had some not-so-pleasant experiences with the media (print journalists/television) would not be real anxious to expose themselves to yet another form of intense, microscopic, scrutinization from a new technology.  I'm sure he is curious about it (the internet) being the intelligent person he seems to be, but rather than have it invade his personal sanctuary, he relies on trusted friends and family to be his buffer should he have a need to ever make use of cyberspace.  Not unlike hiring a driver.   Pure speculation, mind you...but it would make sense.

Dee - I believe that men do still celebrate women with big cabooses.  It's just the media that doesn't.  Love the new wallpaper!

Kathy - A fan get-together sounds fun.  I have had the pleasure of two fan get-togethers for my other obsession...the 80's television show Moonlighting.  Both times we had a blast.  We are currently planning a big, all-night party here in L.A. at a fan's house to celebrate the release of seasons 1 and 2 on DVD the first weekend in June.  We will be screening the DVD, and having lots of laughs.  We even have one fan flying in from Philadelphia.  So, maybe with enough notice, we could make a get-together for AR fans work!  I might be up for it!

Welcome back Juliet--get well soon we missed you!!

Sue,

Thanks for the pic with AR and the horse it's great!  Did you guys get Mr. Ed in England also???  Shades of my childhood.

YES!  Thank YOU Sue and bunks for the new piccie! 

Well it would seem that he likes horses.  Maybe more than he likes cats, I suppose.  LOL

Bunks just put the Toronto star pic up on Suz's.  So Naturally i borrowed it!!

Is it just me or is this picture just crying out for captions? Mr.Ed anyone?

Sue, when I was in England the weather reminded me a lot of Vermont weather. I think anyone else from New England could probably say the same. 

So AR is going to New York after he's finished in Canada. Do you think he might drive instead of fly and travel down through Vermont for the scenic tour?  Probably not, but a girl can dream can't she?

There just aren't enough happy icons to express what I want to say!!!   Welcome back, Juliet!!!!  I am soooo glad to see you back!  Take it easy and don't over do.

A meeting in Atlanta sounds like a party I can't miss!  Time to party hardy!!!!

Hmmmm, The Coward?  Its a nice idea but why not The Noel or The Noel Coward???

Hey everyone!  I am in the process of changing over BritBitsandClips.com to a new server and I am told that the site might be up and down for the next couple of days.  This guest book is safe and is not being moved so if you access it from the url, then your OK.  If you usually access it from Britbitsandclips.com, you need to bookmark the guest book at least for a day or two. 

JULIETWELCOME "HOME"

Cooeey!! Did you miss me?LOL. Back from my trip doing missionary work on Ward 3 at HRI, one new recruit - Monika, the anaesthetist (spellcheck?) from Poland.

Thanks for all your good wishes, still a bit sore, so can't actually wear my bra and chicken fillet, so definitely a fully paid up member of the lob-sided chest brigade at the moment. Back to the specialist on Friday to see if I need any more treatment, not slytherin, not slytherin, not chemo...

But you do get through it, so anyone on here suspecting a lump, GET TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!!

Glad to read someone else wouldn't let their offspring have a mobile phone until 14, my elder sproglet was threatening to report me to Childline. So we bought him one for Christmas with a camera and all the trimmings, he plays games, takes pix, texts, don't think he has ever, actually, taken/made a phone call with it! My guess is AR is of the opinion that technology is a tool, not a master. Wouldn't argue with that.

Don't want to disappoint you Aurora but the weather in Britian (in the SE anyway) has been pretty grotty for ages. We have had one day this year so far that I have gone out with just a t-shirt (yeah, yeah and jeans!) and that was weeks ago. We haven't had a lot of rain until this week when it has been very wet and windy however they forecast a change on Friday and 25C(77F). It gets like that every year you shiver and shiver then it get's hot over 24 hrs and nobody can cope with it! Still we Brits do love to talk about the weather.

Anybody who has happy memories of queuing for the Ladies loo at The Albery during Private Lives may like to know that the Albery is going to close and be made-over and re-open next year with a new name - The Coward after Noel. The Strand is also being made-over to become The Novello. Further details here.

I love the idea of an Atlanta meeting!  Very do-able for me.  I still miss the days of Private Lives on Broadway where people were meeting up on a daily basis.  Let's hope that happens again one day!

Belated Happy Happy, Pam and Peekabooh!  Kathy, hard to imagine giving up Santa Cruz for August in AR.  That's loyalty.

Alba, you must have good karma.  I make plans to come to London, and the man leaves town.   But I've found yet another reason to go to London anyway.  The weather's better there.  Honestly, I've started checking the London weather on yahoo, and it's been consistently warmer and less rainy than it is here. 

Somebody should alert the London tourist bureau. Perhaps they haven't thought to promote England's lovely climate.</>

Thank you AFNH

It went well.. i guess i got 25 or more from total 30 multiple choice

And i'm going to have Biology Exams the day after tomorrow ^^

oh, and Happy Birthday to Pam and Peekaboh..

And by the way.. 

Tina - thanks, I have heard of that.  Unfortunately, neither my sister's nor my ascent computers support that technology.  She's the only one I'd use it with and she usually has free minutes she has to use up anyway.  She does have a cell phone - in fact, I was after her to get one for a long time.  Anyone who has to drive an hour to the store - through empty country - in an old car - with a small child - should have a means of calling for help.  Now the car is newer, the kid is older, but she still lives on the back side of beyond.  If I lived there, I'd have a cell phone, too.

O/T for Martha ....are you aware of the Internet phone i use it, its free as long as its from computer to computer ....all you need is a microphone as do the other people you wish to talk too.

i have used it for 6 months. if you are interested email me or anyone else interested, ill give you the link and will help you set it up

then you can talk to your friends and family

just a thought hugs Tina

Dobby was computer generated.  Dan R and a big red ball on a stick to use as a focal point for acting to.  I think he did a darned good job for a kid acting against an object instead of another actor.

just popped in to say  hi to you all

claudia

 
this site is great

hugs Tina

For JKR's answer, go to her site http://www.jkrowling.com/en   click on the pile of paper clips in the upper right-ish area of her desk. That will assemble into a question mark and bring up the FAQ section. Click on the envelop on the right marked "About the Books". Stuff on her desk will rearrange -- click on the piece of paper just visible under the left hand page of the notebook, and that will come to the foreground and on it is a "Poll" section. Click on that for the answer about Neville. Her answer is too long and interesting to paraphrase here.

I thought Dobby was computer generated, but I could be wrong.

I know not everyone here is a Harry Potter fan, but if you would indulge me in a couple of quick questions.........

Is Dobie in #2 book/movie computer generated or a muppet-type creature?

What was the answer to the poll question JK Rowling gave about Neville? (can't find it)

Thanks

kathy - what a great idea about the get-together!  That would be so much fun!  Maybe we can make it a reality... 

Daydreamer - since English is not my native language either, I can relate to it when you say that you sometimes can't "feel" the words.  I think your English is great though!  And I love the international flair of this GB!  BTW, watching TV helped me tremendously when I first moved to the U.S.  My favorite shows back then where "Matlock" and "Murder She Wrote." 

Dee - Beautiful job!  Your "blue" one is my wallpaper at work.  I think I'll change it tomorrow.

AFNH - thanks for the lovely work on the pics!

Happy Birthday Everybody's who's having one!  (I am so bad about birthdays - I tend to forget my own...)

Dee--- love your wallpaper--if you ever have time or the desire, Harrison Fisher has some really sweet drawings of couples around the turn of the century.  If you want I can e-mail you a couple.  AR would be adorable in one!!

Happy Birthday to Pam & Peekabooh! Hope it was a good one.

Hey, great idea, Kathy! Make it far enough ahead and I'll start saving right now! I would love to meet up with everyone.

I think AR uses a specific car/taxi firm for getting around London, (or at least someone does.) I've seen him get into a silver Mercedes twice now when leaving events and both drivers seemed to know him quite well.  So remember to peer into all of them in London, you never know who you might see! (Wonder if they have any jobs going???)

I do use a mobile phone and have had one for donkeys years but mainly because when my son was younger, and I was on my own, I felt safer having some kind of way to contact people if I had a problem, and vice versa. But I often have it on silent because it irritates me when people answer their phone in the middle of a conversation, or worse, in the theatre/ cinema. It is so rude! People can leave a message if they are desparate to talk to me. My son has a phone too but I would not let him have one until he ws 14. I hate seeing little kids with them. Apart from not really knowing what the radio waves do to your brain, as martha said, do they know what they are missing? Jamie is pretty good. He hardly ever has his on, which can be a pain when I'm trying to see if he has arrived safely at friends etc. He talks to his frinds on the Internet! (It's free!) The government have finally brought in the law that is supposed to stop drivers using their phones whilst driving but they still do it. You can always tell because they weave all over the road. Why aren't people more considerate? But I reckon AR has one, but probably just to keep in touch with Rima! I'm pretty sure she would probably have a laptop, too. After all, she was a lecturer. He knows about ebay, too!

I think the New York trip has to be a good bet for him setting up MNiRC somewhere. I hope so, for you guys in the US. I bet he does a talk show! How I wish he would do one here!!!

Kathy -- I'm up for a gathering in Atlanta! My brother lives there, so it would be a wonderful excuse for a visit!

I'm sharing my newest "famous painting" AR wallpaper. This is by James Tissot - "The Gallery of HMS Calcutta".  I love the shape of Tissot's women! I wish men still celebrated a woman with a big caboose!

Kathy, what a great idea! I would love to meet up with all you AR fans. Like I said before, it's great coming to this GB because I don't know anyone else in my area (Vermont's a pretty small place) that knows who AR is, let alone is a fan.

Thanks Kimberly for the report. I feel better now knowing that AR is not ill.  

Thanks everyone for the pictures/wallpapers and links. I'm still not that good with surfing/finding stuff on the web and I don't know if I'll ever be able to create lovely wallpapers like you girls do.   

Here's a toast to all of the birthday girls.

Have a great one!

I had a thought--I wonder if we planned it like a year in advance if we could plan a get together in Atlanta?  It is a major hub for international flights and for national flights.  And our Claudia and Sabine live there--(or there abouts) I could actually drive there!

Just a thought--they have fire water there, we could toast AR in person!!!

Kimberley--

I wouldn't visit me in Ark. especially in August.  The first summer we lived here I thought I'd die.  It was 111 degrees and the plastic nurses equipt. I had with me (I was a visiting nurse)  was melting in my car.  For that I left Santa Cruz CA and the ocean breezes!  Kim, you pick a spot I'll meet you half way!!!    Unless AR is in a movie about Bill Clinton I can't ever imagine him coming to Ark. "Black hole of culture"

I get home from the UK Aug 2 and I told my family before you pick me up at the airport make sure the airconditioning is going full blast in my house!!!

Daydreamer: Your posts are always understandable. So, don't worry about that. And, I wouldn't blame you for being a little disbelieving.  I am, after all, reporting second-hand info.  I've never met Alan Rickman myself. I know as much about him as everyone else in the 'fan world.' 

Also, I am very hard to offend.

Thank you all for the great comments! I love this GB because I know I'll always find intelligent commentary. You ladies are wonderful and perhaps someday I can meet some of you.  I'd love to visit Martha and her roses in Maine.....take in a show in London with with Michelle, Sue, Elaine, and.... (my aging brain is faltering here).  I think I'll pass on visiting Kathy in Arkansas (*LOL* too many memories of hot, humid vacations in August seeing one dusty road after the other. *LOL*).  But, hey, I'd visit Kathy just about anywhere else! *LOL* I remember as a kid dreading the words "We will be going to Arkansas for a week in August." NOOOOOOO......   I just want to meet everyone:  Claudia, Sabine, Ali-Pat, ........... However, since the chance of this happening is not likely, I am ever thankful to Claudia for this little "gateway to the universe."

At any rate, I'm glad you enjoyed my little AR tidbits.  I had qualms about posting any of it, because I know how I am when other people post personal info about AR. I am a huge skeptic when it comes to that kind of stuff. In fact, I practically forced my friend to submit to a lie detector before I would believe any of their information.

Like many of you, I still believe AR has to use a cell sometimes, regardless of what 'friend' says.

Alfan: If I can find it, I have a photo of Alan walking down a street in London (not from LA) talking on a cell.  It is a 'papparazzi' shot.

You know i always found that really strange,,,,but understandable. That he doesnt drive in London but will drive in La. Now being from little buchktahootieeville up here in Canada i can tell you my first experience driving in the big city was in Las Vegas, then Pheonix, then i drove in LA. And it was scary all three times but i have done it now and am completly at home in 6-7 lane traffic. In regards to the other story, i too am not saying i dont beleive her, hell i wish i were her a hundred times over. My apologies if i sounded rude but i dont know how the film industry works and i didnt know he had an assigned car. It was just a question i had, thats all. Sorry if i offended anyone, not my intention.

Kimberley- I never doubted you or your friend for a moment. I'm glad he is surrounded by such loyalty.

Alfan, from what I have read (from production call sheets from the HP movies), AR does indeed have a driver assigned by the studio during production, as do each of the principal cast members.  I don't know what this means in terms of the accuracy of the fan report in question, but the part about the driver is apparently accurate.

I have read that fan report about the fan touring Alan's house and i just had one question then and it still phases me. If Alan took them to the set in his car ( and he admits he doesnt drive in London) then who drove back when he fell asleep? I dont think the guy has a personal driver, he is to humble for that i think. Not saying i dont believe the story but.................if its true, then good for her, she has had an experience that we all wish we had.

Alfan - Thanks goodness...you had me really worried!

Daydreamer -- I've never read that story before! wOw! What an incredible experience! And he fell asleep on her shoulder??!!Why don't things like that ever happen to me... So, the man likes Art Deco! Clean, sleek stylish...just like he is!

I just love all these little snippets about him. Thanks Kimberly for sharing your friend's reports!

Happy birthday Pam and Peekaboo!!

No worries guys, no quoting Hugh Grant, KFK or anyone else. Im stricktly an Alaholic.

Hey all---

Claudia, I would agree with you that AR is probably not as Tech challenged as we think--I imagine the CGI stuff would appeal to the artist in him and allow designing in a different medium.  It allowed him to create the environment in TWG and I think if it is important to him he learns it.  I'll bet that side of computers even appeals to him.

I thought it was just here in Ark, that people have grown cell phones out of their ears.  .  I drives me crazy too, to see people who can't go 2 seconds without talking on one.  I too love my email, I also love my computer and have withdrawals if I can't get to it! It is absolutely imperative for school.  Professors won't accept papers that aren't typed.  Fortunately the school library has lots for students to use. 

In AR's position it is probably easier for him to go without a computer as he has secretaries, assistants etc, whom I am sure have computers, it is also a way for him to distance himself from all the craziness that must surround him sometimes.  I'll bet Rima has one tho!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM AND PEEK!!!

Did I miss something?  AR is going to NY?  I wonder if there are things in the works for Rachel Corrie?

I hope I didn't sound snippy in my last post, I didn't mean too.  I really do appreciate all the little AR tidbits that you share Kim--just didn't want to intrude on his privacy, like we have all said.

Get better soon Sue!!!

Happy Birthday to Pam and Peekaboo

I've made this wallpaper!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEEK & PAM!!!!!!!!!!

Especially 4 the 2 BIRTHDAY_LADIES

I am still working on the interview I spoke about earlier. But I did find this that was quite interesting. 

Cold Comfort

Cynthia Wisehart

Jan 1, 1998 12:00 PM

The real-time processing of the Quantel Domino, coupled with the reliably bleak Scottish weather, helped maximize the central effect in The Winter Guest, says visual effects supervisor Steve Rundell, who froze the North Sea for actor Alan Rickman's directorial debut. The plot-mandated effect, which provides the backdrop for much of the film, was created in the Domino on location along the shores of Scotland's Firth of Forth.

"It's a very emotional story, so the director wanted to avoid blue screen," Rundell says, "He wanted the actors to be working in the environment." For some of the 70-plus shots, traditional digital matte techniques were sufficient. "Because the sun was always at 40 degrees, the sea was always backlit," explains Rundell, who runs Hollywood-based effects company D*Rez. "The scene was very monochromatic-the sea was almost always gray so it was very flat. It was relatively simple to pull mattes." To create snow around the actors' feet, practical snow was sampled as it was scuffed on a model set, and the textures were then cloned and multiplied as needed for the shots.

The most elegant method for creating the mythical North of Fife was an almost painterly process available through the Domino: Artists directly froze and manipulated images with Strata Studio Pro and the Domino paint system. "We would have shots of the sea on a given day with the exact light, with the swells exactly as they were. We could then freeze it, take a frame average of the different looks that we liked, touch it up, and put in crevasses and even CGI seagulls," Rundell says. "If the camera angle changed we could extrapolate how the sea would look from the new angle."

With the Domino's high-res, real-time playback, Rickman could participate in the design, plus see the actors' performances composited with the icy background, including the opening shot, a pull up from ground level into a daring panorama of a place that doesn't exist.