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This Week in » Tea Time Tidbits
Home Page Archives 2010
December 29, 2010
Q&A: Lenny Henry
Television's Chef (and Dawn French's ex) is known to British comedy audiences as a superior funny man, but this recent question-and-answer article reveals his serious and sentimental side (with a few comic tidbits thrown in for good measure).
Go to source article: www.guardian.co.uk
December 22, 2010
She's the best
Dench named best stage actor
And she's in good company. The Stage, an industry newspaper in Britain, has declared Dame Judi Dench as the greatest stage actor of all time -- and her competition was pretty stiff! Also placing on the list of acting greats were Maggie Smith, John Gilegud and Vanessa Redgrave. "I'm completely at a loss for words," said Dench. "It's one hell of a thing to live up to."
Source article: www.bbc.co.uk
December 20, 2010
An Interview with Keeping Up Appearances' Judy Cornwell
Source: You Tube
December 14, 2010
Missing the Yorkshire gang?
A must-see for LOTSW fans
Last of the Summer Wine ceased production of new episodes this year after 37 seasons of solid enjoyment. The series certainly has a devoted fan-following that considered this to be unwelcome news...but maybe a visit to this LOTSW fan site will help take the edge off. Profiles of the numerous actors who have entertained us all, synopses of all the episodes, a shop to purchase copies of the program and many more features are available. Take a look!
Visit the web site: www.lastofthesummerwine.net
December 7, 2010
Hello...
Lark Rise to Candleford
Starting on January 3, Afternoon Tea welcomes a new program to the British lineup! Lark Rise To Candleford, an adaptation of an autobiographical novel by Flora Thompson, is about a young girl who leaves the rural village of Lark Rise to begin life anew in the market town of Candleford where she takes an apprenticeship as a postmistress. The setting is the beautiful countryside of Gloucestershire in the late 19th century. We hope this program will become a new favorite of MPT viewers!
Information about Lark Rise to Candleford: www.wikipedia.org
December 7, 2010
Goodbye...
Ballykissangel
After enjoying the adventures of our friends in Ballykissangel for many seasons, we must sadly report that the series will stop airing on MPT at the end of the month. We know this program has many devoted viewers who will be disappointed with this news, but unfortunately the rights to air this program expire this year. MPT has been proud to present BallyK over the years, but we are also excited to present a NEW program starting in January which we hope will give as much viewing pleasure! (see above)
Information about Ballykissangel: www.world-productions.com
December 6, 2010
Downton Abbey
Masterpiece Classic
Coming in January, an Edwardian spellbinder by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park)! Following the lives of aristocrats and servants in the years before World War I, Downton Abbey chronicles the hunts, garden parties and sexual intrigues on the estate. This house full of revered actors brings a glittering bygone era to life.
Source article: www.pbs.org
December 1, 2010
The Fry Chronicles
Blackadder star writes autobiography
"The Most Intelligent Man on Television" (so he says...and many may agree) has written the story of his own life. Readers will learn more about the career of this actor who has appeared in many British television favorites such as Jeeves and Wooster and A Bit of Fry and Laurie. But he also talks frankly about dealing with bipolar disorder and also his embracing of new media (find him on Twitter @stephenfry) in the digital age.
Source article: www.greatbritishlife.co.uk
November 29, 2010
Peter Bowles & Penelope Keith
Together again as "Rivals"
One of British comedy's most memorable duos spar again on the London stage. "Richard and Audrey" from To the Manor Born are currently starring in Peter Hall's production of the Richard Brinsley Sheridan comedy The Rivals. "Throughout the course of a single day...suitors and schemers and their servants indulge in an assortment of intrigues before everyone is paired off to their own satisfaction." Sounds just like the goings-on at the Grantleigh Estate!
Source article: www.playbill.com
November 23, 2010
Oh, Marina!
We couldn't blame you if don't recognize the actress in this photograph, preparing to play Cinderella's Fairy Godmother in a British 'panto' this Christmas season. It's Jean Fergusson, better-known to our audiences as the high-haired, mini-skirted Marina from Last of the Summer Wine! Fergusson's career has included playing "every fairy that's going," in addition to her 26 years on Summer Wine.
Source article: www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
November 19, 2010
Classic Bloopers from the BBC
Including To the Manor Born, Fawlty Towers and Are You Being Served?
Source: You Tube
November 17, 2010
Even the Royals recycle
Britons and Brit-lovers around the world are delighted with the news of Prince William's engagement to Kate Middleton. The couple announced yesterday their intention to marry next year. One touching aspect of the engagement is that the prince proposed with the same ring that was his mother's, the late Diana, Princess of Wales. "It's my mother's engagement ring so I thought it was quite nice because obviously she's not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all - this was my way of keeping her close to it all," he said.
Source article: www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2010
That's just what Audrey might have thought
Penelope Keith, known to British comedy viewers as the formidible Audrey fforbes-Hamilton from To The Manor Born, claims that the English language is suffering from misuse. Good grammar, proper elocution and basic manners are in decline, according to the actress, and she is exasperated by it. At fault, she maintains, are social networking sites such as twitter and Facebook. We can only imagine what Audrey would have thought of these modern communication methods!
Source article: www.telegraph.co.uk
November 10, 2010
The British Library
Places You Must See in Britain
The Lindisfarne Gospels, Gutenberg's Bible, the holograph of Handel's Messiah, da Vinci's notebook, Captain Scott's diary: stop at The British Library to peruse these items and others of its 14 million books, 920,000 journal and newspaper titles, 58 million patents, 3 million sound recordings...and so much more.
Official web site: The British Library
Source: British Heritage magazine
A special offer for our readers: Subscription discount
November 9, 2010
Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work
In the year of her 80th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II granted filmmakers an exclusive look inside the modern British monarchy. Join the Queen and the rest of the royal family as they travel abroad, work at the palace, and meet people from all walks of life. Take a glimpse behind the velvet curtain and see what life is really like as a member of the family firm.
Airing on mpt2: Schedule
Where to find: mpt2
PBS web site: Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work
November 4, 2010
Return of the Vicar?
It's been over three years since The Vicar of Dibley wrapped production with a series finale marriage for Geraldine. But actress Dawn French now hints that additional episodes may be in the works, alluding to one possible storyline involving an "elevation." When appearing on a British interview program, French reported that show writer Richard Curtis "always did say to me if women could be bishops...and I think we're on the cusp of that. But who knows!"
Source article: The British Comedy Guide
November 3, 2010
Dame Judi publishes her autobiography
As her character Jean Pargeter in As Time Goes By, actress Judi Dench finds happiness with her true love, Lionel. But if you want to know about the actress's real-life romantic life as well her extensive and wildly successful career, there is good news: Dench's autobiography And Furthermore has been released in the UK and is set for release in the US in February 2011.
Source article: Broadway World
November 1, 2010
A touching video tribute to Mollie Sugden
An oldie but definitely a goodie.
Source: You Tube
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