A little slapstick

It seems ages since I’ve been to a Goodies event, so when I heard that Graeme and Tim would be speaking about my favourite TV comedy show at the Slapstick Festival in Bristol I thought I ought to go. However, life intervened slightly and I wasn’t able to make proper arrangements to go. But after some careful planning I discovered that I could make it there and back in the same evening, and the man at the box office assured me that the show would finish in plenty of time for me to catch the last train home. So on Thursday night I sent off for Bristol …

I arrived at the Old Vic theatre in plenty of time and found some friendly faces already waiting. There was plenty of time for chatting before the show started, and by the time we went into the auditorium the place seemed quite full. And so it was with I sat with anticipation waiting for the show to start.

I had no real idea of quite what the format of the show would be, apart from that it would be some sort of discussion with superfan Phill Jupitus. The evening vaguely resembled The Goodies Rule OK Tour from a few years ago, which I did see once or twice(!), so some of the stories were familiar (including Tim’s story of being injured by wires during the filming of Kitten Kong – I’m sure the trandem gets higher each time he tells it!). But having Phill asking questions gave it a different dynamic and so there were quite a few new tales which emerged. The talking was interspersed with clips from various episodes, some of which had featured in the tour show as well as some new to the big screen, like a good part of Goodies Rule – OK? and some of the music items which appear as extras on the LWT DVD.

There was a lot talked about, and I can’t begin to remember it all, although I did come away with the distinct impression the Phill Jupitus seemed a little obsessed with the money aspect of the show – how they would cost jokes, and the running out of money so they did an episode in one room type stuff. They began at the beginning with the three meeting at Cambridge footlights (Graeme’s comment about of ‘bastard’ about the president at the time he auditioned made me laugh well before he explained who it was at the time), before going on through to creating The Goodies, various aspects of the show and other things like the tour and the love they have in Australia. Tim gave a very good plug for the UK fan site, as run by the Giddies, one of whom I could see applauding from the front row. They also spoke about their success outside of the show, including appearing on Top of the Pops with Pans People, the movie that never was, and how the idea of a Goodies Theme Park (or was it a ride within a theme park?) had been discussed.

Sadly I had to leave before the show finished in order to catch the last train home and not be stranded in Bristol. So it was, with a tear in my eye, I crept out of the theatre and away into the rain-drenched streets, leaving the sounds of laughter and merriment behind.

Silent, but dead funny!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending an afternoon of Buster Keaton shorts at the Barbican in London. Now I wouldn’t say that I’m a huge fan of silent comedy, although the few films I have seen over recent years I have appreciated. So why did I choose to go? Well, it could have something to do with the fact that the afternoon was being introduced by Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor and was also to feature some clips from The Goodies showing how they had been influenced by Keaton. So C and I took seats on the front row, with a few Giddies and other forum folk scattered nearby, to see what the afternoon would bring.

I really enjoyed watching the films and was captivated not only by how funny they were, but also how clever Keaton and his film makers were – pushing the skills and techniques of a still fairly new art form. There were a few particular bits where I forgot to laugh as I was so in awe of the photographic skills, particularly in The Playhouse where Keaton was playing all the roles on screen. Graeme and Tim spoke between each film to explain various things and during one of these Graeme told of how this effect was done – by screening off each part of the film to film one character in the scene before winding the film back, moving the screen and filming the next one. All the more impressive when you think it was being done on hand cranked cameras!

In addition to the Keaton films there was a short selection of clips from The Goodies, to demonstrate some of the influence they took from silent comedy. I’d like to say I know the clips used fairly well, but they took on a whole new dimension with the piano accompaniment of the amazing Neil Brand (who had been providing the live soundtrack for the afternoon – who knew you could recreate the sounds of gunshots and bells and all sorts of other things on a piano??!) I did also find myself watching the Keaton films and spotting bits that had been reused in The Goodies – it seems they weren’t so creative and innovative as I’d thought (only joking!)

After the films there was plenty of time for chatting in the bar, although not really about the films, as I know nothing – apart from what I’d learnt that afternoon. Graeme commented on how much easier it was to get to than Leafield. I’m not convinced – the Barbican is a maze of concrete, and the lanes of Oxfordshire are so much prettier. And I had a chat with Tim while I asked him to sign my The Zygon Who Fell To Earth CD about Zygons in their many forms [hmm .... that sounds slightly surreal, but it seemed perfectly normal at the time] and how he hadn’t heard the adventure yet. Then it was time for hugs all round before heading off home (having taken a slight diversion to Mornington Crescent!).

What a Con!

Yesterday I went to my first convention in a very long time. My last convention experience hadn’t been great, so it took something very special to entice me back into the world of cons. And what was promised at the London Film and Comic Con was indeed very special – all three Goodies together! That (together with a couple of other people I would like to see) persuaded me to buy a ticket and so on Saturday morning I arrived, with C, at Earls Court a bundle of excitement and anticipation.

First stop was the talks venue. I knew The Goodies were doing a talk first thing and so queued up to get in, spotting some Giddies on the way. It was rather confusing trying to find the seats, but soon we were all ready and waiting. But it started with a rather disappointing message – Graeme Garden wasn’t able to be there, which was sad. But the other two were there and were welcomed on stage. Most of the half hour was taken up by Robert Ross asking the guys questions about various aspects of The Goodies, which left only a few minutes at the end for questions from the audience.

After the talk ended we were milling around a bit, trying to decide what to do, when we noticed Tim was still at the front of the auditorium talking to Jenny (from GROK). We waved and wandered over to say hello. We all chatted for a little while before people for the next talk started to appear, so we all walked back across the hall with Tim, commenting on his escort of six young (ish!) females!

Most of the signing tables were across the back of the hall, and I was very pleased to spot that right next to the Goodies was Peter Davison (one of my favourite Doctors), so I was quite happy to spend time standing around that end of the hall. Although there was a moment of sadness when they took Graeme’s picture down from behind the desk where he would have been.

Most of the rest of the day was spent wandering round spotting people like John Hurt and Christopher Lloydwalking past, seeing who else was at the other signing tables (and telling C which episodes of Doctor Who some of them had been in!), and looking at the stalls. I was very impressed with myself for not buying anything, although I already have far more Doctor Who stuff than I could ever really need! And it was with fangirlish glee that I spotted the Tardis on display, with a new series Cyberman posing for photos and stomping around scaring small children. I was also quite impressed with the DeLorean from Back to the Future.

During the afternoon we spent ages waiting for the queue for Bill and Tim to go so that we could talk to them (there’s strict rules on not talking to guests if you’re not buying an autograph and there are other people who want to, and I didn’t want to break the rules!) As it had been Tim’s birthday a couple of days before I had made cakes (just an excuse really – I enjoy baking cakes!), which we shared. And Jenny had made a card, so it was a proper mini celebration.

The highlight of my day has to be meeting Peter Davison. I’d been keeping an eye on the queue to see him, debating whether or not I had the courage to meet him. I noticed the queue dropped to just a couple of people and took a deep breath and joined it, before I changed my mind. To quote Steven Moffat, “he was my Doctor” and to be able to meet him took me right back to being six again. Only he wasn’t on the telly, he was there, right in front of me, signing my DVD cover! The Doctor!! I didn’t really get to talk to him as I couldn’t actually speak, let alone string a coherent sentence together. Afterwards I struggled to put the cover back in the DVD case as my hands were still trembling so much! (Actually the real highlight might have been in the queue waiting to see him, oblivious to what was going on, when C pointed out that Tim was standing behind Peter’s desk, hands on hips, looking quite put out that I had gone to see someone else!)

A final wander round the hall to see if my photo was ready (it wasn’t) brought us back to the signing desks to find Bill and Tim had gone! But as we were walking past some of the stalls we noticed Tim walking towards us, so there was just time to ask for a quick hug (can’t not have a hug!). After which a random girl rushed up and asked Tim is she could have a hug too, then another asked the same thing – like moths to a flame! Then it was time for goodbyes before I went to collect my photo and head home, very tired.

Being the Audience

Friday evening I took a lovely drive round the lanes of Oxfordshire. Pretty though my journey was, it did have a purpose. A little while ago I’d spotted that there was to be an arts festival in the village of Leafield and one of the events was “An Evening with Graeme Garden”. Well, how could I not accept an invitation like that, which was practically on my doorstep? So with C for company, and to help with navigation (not that I don’t trust my satnav, but it does take interesting routes to places), I set off on a lovely drive on a beautiful summer’s evening.

Arriving at the church where the event was being held, we had intended on sneaking in and sitting at the back. However, this was very badly scuppered by the sight of a very familiar face as we walked through the door! But we took a pew at the back anyway and settled, waiting for the evening to begin.

 After a slightly muddled introduction, the show got underway. It took the form of questions from the audience, which Graeme answered with some wonderful stories and anecdotes. There was a good mix of questions about comedy influences, writing, performing and the origins and rules of Mornington Crescent. C even asked about Pocket Orchestra (finally!). I didn’t ask a question (although I thought of quite a few after the event – typical!), but Graeme did mention the lovely Goodies fans in Australia and the few in the UK, mentioning that there were two sitting at the back! (We did find another one after the show who’d come all the way from Sheffield!)

There was, of course, the inevitable question about the future of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, which made me cringe a little when it was asked. But Graeme answered in beautifully by not actually saying anything specific, other than they’d like to carry on at some point.

Afterwards we went to say a proper hello to Graeme and as we were talking the ‘official’ photographer was taking pictures which he promised to send to us (and of course I wouldn’t post them all over the internet! Honestly!!). There was just time for a quick hug before it was time to find my car and head home.

Woo Who!

Some fantastic news (well I think so) – a Doctor Who/Goodies crossover. Well, not really, but both Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor are in the recordings for new Eighth Doctor adventures for BBC7.

Graeme told GROK

I thought you might also like to know that this week Tim and I are recording episodes of Dr Who for audio CD and BBC7 broadcast – don’t know when yet.

I did mine on Monday with Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith as the Doctor and Lucie.  Also in the cast were James Fleet, Nick Brimble, Samantha Hughes and Duncan James.  The ep is called ‘Max Warp’ and I play a sort of inter-galactic Jeremy Clarkson!  It was really good fun!

Tim does his on Friday – it’s called ‘The Zygon who fell to Earth’ and Tim plays a Zygon, of course.

It’s odd, because I never pictured Tim as a Zygon …

I wonder if they’ll be asked to do the TV series??

The Main Issue

Mark Thomas has written about the SOCPA protest in his blog for the New Statesman. In it he says

A multitude of banners pricked the air, demanding everything from an end to the war in Iraq to the immediate release of all Goodies episodes on DVD. Then after some cheers and shouts the protestors split up to head to their next demonstration.

I think I’ve obviously highlighted an issue close to a lot of people’s hearts!

Of course if they’re that passionate about it, maybe they’d like to sign the petition …

Wild Thing!

Monday night was my final show of the Goodies tour, and the penultimate show of the tour itself.

We had front row seats (again) but were sitting the opposite side to all the other shows. Consequently we were able to see into the wings before the show started and noticed a cheeky little face peeping round the curtains! The stage was quite high, which meant I did start to get a crick in my neck from looking up all the time, but I don’t mind. It was worth it.

The theatre was sold out and it was so good to see the show with a packed audience who were really responsive and joined in with all our clapping and cheering. Tim and Graeme seemed on top form and really seemed to be enjoying the show more than usual. There were some gloriously funny moments, including Tim getting the giggles while he was trying to tell his story about Germaine Greer (and the more he laughed, the more we did, which I think made it worse), Graeme appearing from behind the curtain where Bill’s paper supposedly fell out of the screen, the bulb falling off the horn on the radio mic stand and Tim commenting about being upstaged.

I love this show so much (can you tell?), I think I’ve enjoyed it more each time I’ve seen it, partly because it’s fun to watch out for all the different things and how the audience react (which is fun with any live show), but I think the real joy is the anticipation – waiting for the punchline, even when you know what it is, builds the tension and seems to make it so much more funny.

After the show it was round to the stage door and as usual we waited for the crowds to go first. While we were waiting we realised that we were standing next to Lisa (the GROK president), so it was great to put a face to a name. While we were chatting we suddenly noticed Tim running past us! I think one of the kids who was asking for autographs had got a bit overawed and so had run away and Tim was running after him!! (Graeme just sauntered over in a very casual way!)

Then it was our turn. We chatted for a while to Tim, asking him about the ‘Hello Cheeky’ album cover which Clair had had signed in Birmingham. Also, because Kate had ‘crumpet’ written on her t-shirt he explained how they’d not been allowed to use the word ‘crumpet’ during that joke in Cambridge Circus because it was censored by the Lord Chamberlain’s office! Tim then went and had his photo taken with some other people, so we asked Graeme to sign things. Graeme said something about me being a ‘lady in red’ (I was wearing a red dress) and looked at my dress and went “oh, yes” as I hadn’t thought about that! I asked for a photo with him (which I look really strange on, but Graeme looks fab. I must learn not to pull funny faces when I’m having my picture taken) and a hug – going for the works!!

I then asked Tim to sign my programme. He’d put his pen away, and so I borrowed Clair’s, and Tim asked me if I could help him by taking the end off for him. I did, while Tim was making some comment about how he could have said pull the end off (he’s so naughty!). Then I had a photo where I was still giggling too much, but it’s a good picture. I also asked for a hug, which was lovely, although afterwards Tim said something about goose (it was written on the pub behind me)!!

Then all too soon it was time to go. So we all said our goodbyes and went our separate ways home.

It’s Friday …

Another week, another Goodies show (ok, so it’s less than a week since the last one, but it sounded better). This one was in Birmingham, not my favourite city in the world, but the one I know best.

I think by now I’m starting to know the show quite well, but even so every time I see it it’s different – the audiences react to different things, the ad-libs and the fact that I always forget which bit comes next make it all so new and exciting each time. Although Tim did accuse us of laughing before the jokes when we spoke to him at the stage door!

We had front row seats (again), at the extreme left hand side facing the stage. We were so far to the left that I could see into the wings and spent a good part of the time before the show trying to identify the silhouettes that were walking in to view (I did manage to make Clair laugh by saying “there’s Graeme, I recognise the cat on his head”!)

The show was as good as ever and the audience were very responsive. It was great to see so many kids in the audience, some of them quite young (I won’t say too young because I watched the show on the telly at the age of four or five). There were two girls sitting behind us who were probably about six or seven and they laughed and giggled their way through the show probably as much as we did. Lots of the kids were hanging around the stage door after the show wanting autographs and photographs and there was a lovely moment when Tim was having his picture taken with two small children (I was concerned that it didn’t look comfortable for him having to bend down that far) when the mum told them to smile and Tim said “I am”!!

Highlights of the show were spotting Tim singing along to Grease Cycling, puppet Bill attempting to scare Tim and Tim fighting back, and we didn’t get the chance to better our clip request from Southend as someone further down the front row shouted out for Tim in a dress! We’ll save it for another time …

After the show there was a large crowd at the stage door, and as usual we let most of them ask for autographs before us. I asked Tim and Graeme to sign my new LWT series DVD. It’s great when you don’t have to tell them who it’s to (although I don’t know how Graeme remembers everyone’s name – he must have a great memory). I also got hugs from both. Tim gave the best and longest hug ever and afterwards said that it was the best bit. Graeme’s hug was great too, and while we were hugging he said how good it was to see me again and I replied that it was good to see him too (what a great and original reply! But at least I can manage to put words together and form a sentence now!!). he also asked if we would be turning up at any more shows, to which I replied “erm … well … maybe …”. That’s my attempt at being evasive!

As it was easter, and as Graeme had been commenting on the food when we were all at Southend, we’d bought them both easter eggs. We’d had messages iced on to them – Tim’s said “Hello Cheeky” and Graeme’s “Ungelievagle Genius” (apart from the ‘e’ had fallen off genius). When we were getting them out of the bag they both looked a little bemused as to what we had for them, but they both appeared to like them. Tim commented on the fact that the chocolate was ‘extra thick’ and took it, in good humour, as a personal comment. But chocolate doesn’t come in extra cuddly!! 

The Doctor Writes

I’ve been blogged by Graeme Garden!!

The End

Graeme Garden is the most wonderful person in the entire world!

We went to Southend to see the Goodies show (again) . It gets better every time I see it, possibly because I notice different things, or Tim and Graeme react differently to different audiences. Last night’s was just as much fun. We had front row seats, naturally, and cheered and whooped and clapped in all the usual places.

[I'm now going to post some stuff about the content of the show, so if you don't want to know don't read on ... ] 

There was a great moment during the bit with the puppet Bill where Tim seemed to get the giggles, then Graeme turned the puppet to him quite quickly and Tim jumped back with shock because he hadn’t been expecting that. There was also a moment when Graeme was doing his Pet’s Corner sketch and we were all laughing away. I happened to glance across at Tim, who was looking right in my direction. He probably couldn’t see me, but it did seem like we had eye contact for a moment.

Then at the end we were very naughty. We’d planed what we were going to shout when they ask the audience what episode we’d like to see. The three of us shouted out “anything with Tim in a dress”, which made Tim turn to us and say that we were sick (but he did grin as well).

After the show we waited around for Tim and Graeme to appear and sign the posters we’d got at Buxton (which was good as they were charging for them at Southend). There was quite a crowd waiting, with most people wanting signatures on every single item they owned! We let most of the crowd go first, although both Tim and Graeme had noticed us. Tim asked if we’d walked from Buxton!

I went to ask Graeme to sign my poster first, and he remembered my name!! (which is why he’s the most wonderful person). He had a bit of trouble writing on it, as there was nothing to lean on, and apologised. I said it din’t matter, and he said “yes, you know what it says”.

Then I turned to Tim, who signed the poster too. I asked if I could have a hug as well, and Tim grinned and said “you don’t look like a brazen hussy”! But I got my all too brief hug anyway.

While Clair and Kate were getting their Tim hugs I was standing next to Graeme, who looked a bit left out, so I asked if I could have a hug from him too (I think that’s the best way – seize the moment). So finally after many missed opportunities I had a hug from Graeme too. Then it was time to go. We did think about asking if we could have the hugs that we missed out on in Buxton as well, but we’ll have to wait for those!!