Friday, July 23, 2010

THEATRE: SHERLOCK [ABRIDGED] THE CASE OF THE PORCELAIN TONGUE

Press Release:

SHERLOCK [abridged] THE CASE OF THE PORCELAIN TONGUE

Imagine the entire canon of novels and short stories about Sherlock Holmes.
Now imagine them distilled into one definitive Sherlock Holmes story. And so
you have it: The Case of the Porcelain Tongue.
Holmes and Watson must foil the machinations of the villainous Hodley
Blackscar as he attempts to steal a fabulous, diamond-encrusted porcelain
tongue from his beautiful step-daughter. Along the way, our heroes come up against clues, danger, and dangerous clues. What is the secret of Hodley Blackscar? Who is the mysterious Blackley Hodscar? And will Watson find another wife to add to his collection?

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION:
Sherlock (abridged) is the second collaboration between Matthew Woodcock, Peter Davis and producer Frazer Brown, under the Theatre (abridged) banner. Their acclaimed original production, Hamlet (abridged), co-written with Simon Kane (Mitchell and Webb; Shunt’s Money), made its debut at the 2008 Camden Fringe. They return in full force, bringing their frenetic energy and surreal wit to the world’s greatest detective and his lady-loving sidekick.

CAMDEN FRINGE UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE 2010:
Producer Frazer Brown has programmed an eclectic group of shows exclusively for the Camden Fringe 2010 at the respected fringe venue Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Dubbed ‘CF10 Upstairs’, the programme includes classic plays and brand new productions, including exclusive world premieres. The first Camden Fringe took place in August 2006 at the Etcetera Theatre and included 57 performances by 22 acts. It has grown steadily since then and last year there were 399 performances by 116 different acts in 4 separate venues. There has been an 80% increase in ticket sales each year since 2007. More details can be found www.camdenfringe.org

ABOUT FRAZER BROWN and RTC:
Founded in 2005 by Cassie Wadsworth and Frazer Brown, RTC prides itself on pioneering new and exciting works as well as supporting rising directors who bring a fresh and modern approach to new writing and established theatre classics. Recent projects have included the West End run of Dorian Gray (starring Matthew James Thomas).

Cast: Peter Davis and Matthew Woodcock
8th–10th August 2010 6pm
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate
Tickets £7.50
Box Office: www.camdenfringe.org or 08444 77 1000

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

TV: BBC SHERLOCK AIRS JULY 25

Episode 1 of SHERLOCK airs Sunday, July 25th on BBC One & BBC HD

BBC PRESS RELEASE

Other detectives have cases, Sherlock has adventures...


Benedict Cumberbatch (Small Island, Starter For Ten) and Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) star in Sherlock, a thrilling, fast-paced update of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective, set in present-day London, for BBC One.

Sherlock is co-created by the hugely talented partnership of Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Coupling) and Mark Gatiss (The League Of Gentlemen, Crooked House, Doctor Who) and produced by Sue Vertue (Coupling, The Cup).

The three, 90-minute films, written by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and Steve Thompson (Whipping It Up, Mutual Friends) are directed by Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin, Gangster No. 1, The Acid House) and Euros Lyn (Doctor Who, Torchwood).

In this unique adaptation, the iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain. They live at the same address, are only interested in the bizarre and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

Sherlock also stars Rupert Graves (God On Trial, Midnight Man) as Detective Inspector Lestrade, Scotland Yard's finest, largely because Sherlock allows him to take credit for his deductions, and Una Stubbs (EastEnders, The Catherine Tate Show) as Mrs Hudson, their long-suffering housekeeper.

Steven Moffat says: "Everything that matters about Holmes and Watson is the same. Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock coats and gas light – they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood curdling crimes and frankly, to hell with the crinoline.

"Mark and I have been talking about this project for years, on long train rides to Cardiff for Doctor Who. Quite honestly, we'd still be talking about it if Sue Vertue, of Hartswood Films, hadn't sat us down for lunch and got us to work."

Mark Gatiss says: "The fact that Steven, myself and millions of others are still addicted to Conan Doyle's brilliant stories is testament to their indestructibility. 

"They're as vital, lurid, thrilling and wonderful as they ever were. It's a dream come true to be making a new TV series and, in Benedict and Martin, we have the perfect Holmes and Watson for our time."

Sherlock was commissioned by Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC One, and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning. 

Sherlock is executive produced by Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. The BBC executive producer is Bethan Jones.

Sherlock is a Hartswood Films production for BBC Wales, co-produced with Masterpiece. Rebecca Eaton is the executive producer for Masterpiece. 

Sherlock is simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC's High Definition channel, available through Freesat 108, Freeview 50, Sky 143 and Virgin 108.

More info at the BBC PRESS OFFICE.