Since the last update a few weeks ago, I've attended my first Doctor Who convention, Utopia 2010, which was great fun. Great also to meet so many dedicated Doctor Who and Big Finish fans and thanks to them for coming along and making the event such a success. It was good to see others from the wider 'family' of Big Finish, particularly Charlie Ross who I worked with on City of Spires. Charlie did a great job of chairing the discussion forums we had throughout the day and kept things ticking along very smoothly.
Changing the subject completely; in 2002, I played Richard in Terry Johnson's play, Dead Funny. Directed by Damian Cruden and Richard Twyman, we opened the play at York Theatre Royal and transferred it to the Octagon Theatre in Bolton. The cover of the printed text summarises the play:
The death of Benny Hill provides the impetus for this comedy about impotence, sex therapy and the English sense of humour. Eleanor wants what Richard won't give her. Richard wants to be left in peace. Benny would rather rest in peace, but for tonight, at least, his fans won't let him.
I mention all this now, because I've just received some photographs from Simon Warner of our production and here they are: Sherry Baines played Eleanor, Robin Hooper played Brian, Nick Lane played Nick and Fiona Wass played Lisa.
As honorary chairman of the Dead Funny Society, Richard pays tribute to the recently deceased Benny Hill by impersonating him. In the final photograph, the Society party is in full swing and its members decide to perform the Morecambe and Wise classic, Boom! Ooooh! Ya ta ta ta!
'The acting is first rate… wonderfully played by John Banks as Richard – his impersonation of Eric Morecambe is worth the admission money alone.'