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| ... November 2003 News willkemp.org |
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November 26th: No news today. Just wishes for a happy and loving Thanksgiving to all statesiders; and to those families and friends in the military, far away from home, peace and safe keeping. November 25th: Okay, here we go again. The Van Helsing Trailer. According to FilmJerk, sources have indicated that Universal has bought a couple spots during the Super Bowl to launch trailers for upcoming films. Van Helsing is said to be holding one of those spots. Marketing wise, it's definitely a choice move with millions of already revved up viewers surgically attached to their televisions and their beers looking to be charged up just a little more. Certainly Wolf Man, Dracula and Frankenstein, not to mention Hugh Jackman in leather, fit that bill quite nicely. The Super Bowl is February 1st. The movie opens 3 months later. Not much time left on the clock and it's 4th and 1, Universal. No punting allowed. Go for it!! November 24th: The Sunday Paper. The latest Friends newsletter is out and it's not quite as big as the Sunday paper, but it reads that way. As always, we can't spill all the beans out of fairness to the Friends and New Adventures, but we'll try to tantalize you as best we can. First, there is a nice article (and pretty cute photo too) on Matt. He was honored not once but twice in the past few months for his contributions to British culture (Hamburg Shakespeare Award) and for being an 'innovator in his field' (Pioneers of the Nation). This last honor bestowed upon him at Buckingham Palace by the Queen no less. Matt chats up a bit about the new season and new faces for Nutcracker!, Play Without Words, and his involvement with Mary Poppins; plus his travels, the Highland Fling workshop, Spitfire and a word of thanks to all who have contributed to the New Works Fund. There are two great interviews in this issue - one with Ewan Wardrop, who has become a Bourne favorite (Swan Lake, Cinderella, Car Man, Nutcracker!, and Play Without Words - not to mention dancing it up in Adam Cooper's On Your Toes); and Sam Archer who was on the US Tour of Car Man and most recently in the Queen musical We Will Rock You. He is now part of the stellar cast of Play Without Words. 'A Fling with Scott' - that's the title and it refers to Scott Ambler and that's as much as you will get from us on this piece in the newsletter....let's just say it was good for us. Arthur Pita, who danced his heart out in Swan Lake, Cinderella, Car Man, Nutcracker! and as one of those sexy (and silly) Spitfire boys, is turning his talents to choreography and his first project is titled Open Heart. A double bill of his new works will be presented December 5th and 6th at The Place Theatre. Arthur shares a good deal with us about the two pieces, one of which is titled 'Bugger - A Fairy Tale', and is about gay love. There is a promo image that goes with the article which is fantastically fun....fondue and argyle sweaters are featured. Yodelling and Rufus Wainwright have a part in the work itself. What does it all mean? We're not telling you. But if you saw the promo image alone, you'd be moved to run out and buy tickets immediately. Speaking of Spitfire... Y-fronts, fish-dives and an over-the-top curtain call by a former Swan, were part of the story on the Dance Umbrella Gala and Matt's boyz in briefs. There is a good write-up on the Highland Fling workshop this past September and also about the afternoon in which the Friends were invited to sit in and observe the process as the dancers and Matt worked out choreography for a possible future production. Mandy and I both thought it an incredible experience as well did everyone else lucky to have been there. Finally, from 'Whispers from the Wardrobe' (the newsletter 'gossip' column), here are a few whose names came out: Arthur Pita, Adam Cooper, James Leece, Richard Winsor, Adam Galbraith, Will Kemp, Ben Hartley and Ben Wright. Okay, we will tell you what was mentioned about Will because we must. It's short but it is sweet: >>Seen at the opening night of Ballet Boyz - George Piper Dances at Sadlers Wells on 22September, was Will Kemp. He'll be back as Ratty in William Tuckett's jolly version of Kenneth Grahame's classic Wind in the Willows....Will looks forward to appearing again next year in Swan Lake, and after that, we hope, in Matt's future project, Edward Scissorhands.<< So good things come to those who wait. And whilst we wait, please step over to mb.org and check out other past issues of the Friends newsletters and get in on some of the fun. The Friends have got press night outings planned for Nutcracker! and Play Without Words (party with the cast, people) and also on January 5th, Matt is having a pre-performance talk about PWW. Even if you can't make any of Friends's special events, you are a lot closer to being a part of it with the newsletter than not. So, our last pitch (today) for Friends is aimed specifically at Will Kemp fans. Will is very much a part of New Adventures and he hopefully will be for a long time. Join Friends, contribute to the developement of Edward Scissorhands. Even if you don't live in the UK, by the time Ed opens you will have had plenty of time to sock away money for the trip and the chance to see Will dance that role of a lifetime. Will, up on the big screen, is breathtaking. Will, up on the stage, is mindbending. Will dancing Edward Scissorhands......priceless. In any case, like we've said before, contributing to a Bourne production is like being a producer.....you get bragging rights when it opens. We told you this was a BIG newsletter and we actually shared maybe a sixteenth of what was in it - we never even got around to the photos. We do have one last personal note to add and that is a kind thank you to the Friends for the mention of both willkemp.org and matthewbourne.org in this issue. It was a very nice surprise for us indeed and of course, very much appreciated. November 17th: Spin cycle. According to Dark Horizons, Variety reports that 'scouting and prep work' for the Van Helsing TV series and now a sequel to the movie, have begun in the Czech Republic. A whole lot of spinoff action going on, but no promotion or even buzz on the actual film itself. What's up with that? A swoonworthy photographer. In the past year, Roy Tan has graced wk.org with some stunning photographs - all exclusive gifts. I thought it might be nice to create a gallery to show off these wonderful works of art as a tribute to this very kind, funny, clever, wise, and generous man whom I am very fortunate to call my friend. The opening of this new gallery offers me the opportunity to introduce three rare photographs of Will as the Black Swan - siblings to my homepage photo. I've held off sharing these remarkable treasures for a variety of reasons, but now seems a very befitting time to unveil them. As you will see, once again, Roy's beautiful photographic style and Will's beautifully photogenic face are indeed a match made in heaven. Thank you Roy. November 14th: A very young and very dashing Gypsy Lover. There are about ten different reasons that photo should send you into the weekend with a big ol' smile on your face. Hugs and kisses to our friend Susan who found this gem for us. And with that, we bid you adieu until next week. Have a great one. November 12th: Wind in the Willows, Will's next stage production, begins rehearsals on December 1st. The full cast list is now up over on the ROH site along with some flash photos of the original cast. November 11th: Shear Madness. Here's some truly fantastic news we've been waiting to read about - Matt Bourne's Edward Scissorhands is indeed still in the works - so says Playbill. It doesn't mention who will dance the title role - but we are still hedging our personal bets on it being Will. He was pegged for it by Matt back when the production began developement and Will said in his last update on Roy's site that he 'hoped to be able to play that role'. We cling to these two comments like a life raft. Thanks for the catch Nic. November 10th: Game face. An article from Electronic Gaming Monthly scanned by a Helsing fan (and judging by her user name, Velkan's Dark Princess, perhaps a Kemp fan) gives us a first look at Van Helsing the game over at the countingdown.com forum. He's spoiling us. Adam Cooper has yet another diary entry for his fans. Which gives us a moment for some retraction action. The Binocular piece we reported that he and Simon were said to be dancing in at The Place, is apparently a figment of that venue's imagination. Read up on what seems to be a reoccuring problem for Mr. Cooper and other artists whose names everyone wants up on their marquees. All the dates for Nutcracker! and Play Without Words have been loaded over at Matt's site. As of yet just UK and Japan for Nut and UK for PWW. Check under What's On on the news page for this info. November 7th: Trailer Park. Van Helsing was a no-show but get this - Will still made it to the big screen because Mindhunters fronted Matrix Revolutions in some theatres!! Lucky Will fan, Joanna, gave me the scoop. If you've read the script you will remember this early scene. The teaser opens with the trainees hanging at the bar having a good time, joking and profiling people around them for grins. There is then a general plot description of how they are sent to the deserted island for a training exercise where one by one they are killed off and soon realize one of them is the killer. And Will you ask? Um...how about buh-leached buh-londe!! WooHoo! Now, I checked theatres in my area and some of them did have the clip, but have not attached it to any of the prints yet. So basically, it's a matter of checking back with your theatres until it's been added. And be sure to ask if it's attached to all the prints showing at that time because it may not be. Hopefully we'll see an online trailer soon. But let's face it. We all want to see Will Kemp two stories high in front of us. Bleached blonde. Surfs up!! Thanks again Joanna!! New Adventures was very kind indeed to send me the cast lists for Matt's upcoming Nutcracker! and Play Without Words. Nutcracker! is in rehearsal through next week before a week each of previews in Salford and then Bromley. It opens at Sadler's Wells in London on December 2nd. Speaking of Nutcracker!, here are two great Japanese sites for Mr. Bourne's holiday classic. One is the official site and the other is my friend Mitori's site. They are both quite beautiful. Meanwhile, Play Without Words goes into rehearsal next week and previews begin on December 10th at The National in London. 'Play' will have the same cast members as last year's Olivier award winning production with the exception of (gulp) our Will. But Sam Archer, who danced in Car Man, is in his place and I've heard he is tremendous. Many, many thanks again to Suzanne. Speaking of tremendous, my friend Roy Tan has graced me with another exclusive photo for this site (and Matt's). When Richard Winsor appeared in Play Without Words last year, one critic referred to him as a 'baby faced sex bomb'! You may also recall he was recently one of the 'boyz in briefs' in Matt's Spitfire. I was fortunate to see him in a workshop in September and even in that situation he had an incredible presence; you just felt drawn to watch him. And it has nothing to do with the 'baby faced sex bomb' thing. Really. Barely. All kidding aside, I am really looking forward to seeing Richard dance in Play this winter, and of course, to seeing the production as a whole. I won't have to spend another year whining because I missed it like last year. I will have more photos of Mr. Winsor for you, but it might be wise to start with just one. Thanks Roy for yet another stunning photograph. Mandy has some news on the super Cooper brothers. As they did in Exeter, this dashing duo will perform a duet choreographed for them by Wayne McGregor to music by Marilyn Manson. The date is December 20th in Euston at The Place. It's not official-official, i.e. it's not posted over at adam-cooper.com yet. So check over there in a bit for the definitive. Again, I do floors and windows - please someone in London - take me in. In fact, to see Adam and Simon Cooper dancing together in this particular piece, I'll even throw in yard work. Thanks Mandy. Hey, what do you know. News picked up just the tiniest bit this week after some pretty wicked dry spells. And don't forget, Wind in the Willows will go into rehearsal in about a month and maybe, just maybe, I'll have a treat for you on that. Enjoy your weekend everyone. Good luck hooking up with the Mindhunters trailer. Did I mention bleached blonde?? November 4th: Mindhunters. Remember? Will's first major motion picture. Well, according to Greg at yahoo!movies, the release date has been moved back yet again, from January 9th to January 23rd. Reason? Dimension Films wants to release a different film on the 9th. Ready for this? The movie is 'My Baby's Daddy'. Would we kid you about a thing like that? Will's first movie may end up being his second movie if this release date thing keeps up. Anyway, how bad can Mindhunters be that it keeps getting shoved back? How can it be worse than a movie titled 'My Baby's Daddy' ............ Bring it on. Will's in it and that means we know at least one element in the movie is brilliant and perfect....and that is plenty good enough for us. November 3rd: What Will did on his summer vacation. According to the November issue of Dancing Times magazine, one thing he did was to teach at the London Childrens Ballet. That's a lovely thought isn't it? Hopefully quite soon we will hear a little more about his fall and winter plans as well. Shameful hint, I know. Thanks to Ann for this nice bit of news. As I mentioned earlier, my friend Carol and I had the good fortune to be able to interview Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt of Ballet Boyz fame when George Piper Dances came to Washington. The interview is featured in this month's issue of the criticaldance magazine. We were quite nervous going in, this our first time interviewing and such, but Michael and Billy were incredibly gracious and quite fun to chat with and made it a breeze. Again, we thank GPD for allowing us this extraordinary opportunity. Please note that I've also renovated the GPD page on this site with new photos and articles, so have a look when you get a chance. In the same issue of that magazine, there is a company focus on Matthew Bourne and New Adventures. There can never, in my mind, be enough focus on this man and his company. I've done my best here on this site, but two problems. One, eventually, there will be a more consistent flow of news on Will and I will then be able to fill this page with Will, Will, and mostly Will. The second problem is - I don't want to give up promoting Matthew Bourne, in fact I want to take it to a higher level. So, you probably have guessed.....I'm building a big, comfy, beautiful website for him. And I have a few friends, also big Bourne fans, helping me put it together. What else really can fans give the man who has everything? Like Will's site, it is a fansite and it is geared towards fans. However, also like Will's site, it is meant as a tribute and a way of showing how much we as fans appreciate, respect and admire a very remarkable individual. Matthew is quite aware of the site and has been exceedingly supportive of us in the course of its construction. We cannot thank him enough for the generosity of his time and of his kindness. Welcome to matthewbourne.org. |