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| ... July/August 2005 News willkemp.org |
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| *Here's What's Happening in Will's World* August 30th: Will kicks up his heels in Metro Life Magazine. August 27th: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake is back in rehearsals, preparing for a mega-tour to include the UK, Paris and the USA. The new cast list is now out and there are some favorite dancers reprising roles they haven't done in years, such as Alan Vincent as the Swan/Stranger and Saranne Curtin as the Queen. There is a favorite dancer creating his role for the first time - Neil Penlington as The Prince. There are also quite a few new faces that will no doubt become favorites as well. I have one of those new faces to introduce you to right now because she is extra special. She joins the Swan Lake cast as an ensemble member and will play the role of the German Princess. She also happens to be Will's little sister --- Daisy May Kemp---. Congratulations Daisy! We all look forward to seeing you in performance and to discovering the incredible talents you will bring to the stage and to this fantastic company. Visit MatthewBourne.Org for the Swan Lake cast list. August 26th: It's showtime! Will takes the stage tonight as Highland Fling opens at Sadler's for one last run. Best wishes and have a smashing time Will. August 23rd: Here are the photos that appeared in the print editions of this past weekend's Times articles; Sylph's run amok and Will in lounge mode. August 21st: Will swims with the sharks. Find out how he likes to chill out on holiday and also what a true romantic he is in this Times interview. August 20th: Will talks 'Fling' with The Times. August 18th: Will has changed UK agents and is now with Ruth Young at PFD. You can have a look at his CV on their website and also check out some of the other actors the agency represents. Nothing 100% confirmed on Pinocchio yet but thinking positively, as you know I always do, the first little sketch for the production is now up on the ROH2 site. Matthew Hart is confirmed for the title role. And you know, I think that little drawing does look a bit like him.....I think it's the hair. If you are a member of Friends and will be in London on 03 September, then you could be - should be - going to those last two performances. Will dances the matinee and following the evening performance there is an after show party and an opportunity to meet the Company and who knows who else. Check Matthew's site for information just posted on upcoming Friend's only offers. Yes, membership has its privileges. There is some press coming out soon on Will. My understanding is it will be The Times this weekend - both Saturday and Sunday editions; and then next Thursday, Metro Life in the Evening Standard. The Times should be online but regardless, I will do my best to have it for you. August 10th: It’s just about time for Will to get in that kilt once again. For those of you in London from August 26th to September 3rd, you are the lucky ones who will get to see him back in it. Below are the dates he is scheduled to perform. Please keep in mind these are subject to change due to injury, etc. Friday, 26 August, 730pm – Noi Tolmer and Will Kemp Saturday, 27 August, 230pm – Noi Tolmer and Will Kemp Saturday, 27 August, 730pm – Kerry Biggin and James Leece Sunday, 28 August, 4pm – Kerry Biggin and James Leece Tuesday, 30 August, 730pm – Kerry Biggin and Will Kemp Wednesday, 31 August, 230pm - Kerry Biggin and James Leece Wednesday, 31 August, 730pm – Noi Tolmer and Will Kemp Thursday, 01 September, 730pm – Noi Tolmer and James Leece Friday, 02 September, 730pm – Kerry Biggin and Will Kemp Saturday, 03 September, 230pm – Noi Tolmer and Will Kemp Saturday, 03 September, 730pm – Kerry Biggin and James Leece For more information and to purchase tickets online or by phone, visit the Sadler’s Wells site. I have some magazine photos courtesy of my wonderful friends Mitori, Meg and Non and I have a few more pages from the Japanese Highland Fling programme, just up over on Matthew’s site. July 20th: A show-off in school? I find that hard to believe. But there you have it. Find out a few more things that you may not know about Will, as well as other members of the Company, through a series of mini-interviews that Ginko conducted while Highland Fling was in Japan. You won't find this stuff in the programmes that's for sure. Thanks Ginko! July 12th: Don't read Japanese? Here is the english translation of the message Will posted on Meg and Non's site for all his Japanese fans. Very lovely. More photos of the kimono clad Company (try saying that fast three times) can be found over on mb.org. July 11th: Will is on his way home now, but before he hopped on the plane, he sent out this message for everyone: Just a note to say that, as you know, the Japan Tour of Highland Fling was a huge success! So many enthusiastic people out here. Packing to go home today took some working out as I have been bombarded with gifts and letters. After the last show today I was met by over a hundred fans wanting pictures and autographs!!!! I am truly overwhelmed by the generosity of the Japanese public - I had the most fantastic Birthday out here both with the company and the Fans! I truly feel that this is a country that I have an affinity with. The Japanese Promoters were very happy with how it aIl has gone. I am very exhausted after a hard tour of press engagements as well as performances etc. The company acted superbly and gave their all every night- such a great group of people. ~Will ------ Thanks Will. (There will also be a message from Will going up on his Japanese website shortly). I have a handful of photos left to share from this past week's fan events - a few more of the Company in their yukatas and a set of Will during one of his many, many autograph gigs. I may still have a few items coming... ------ As this tour has come to an end, I would like to take this time to say again how very grateful I am to my friends in Japan. Without them I would never have been able to cover this. I am indebted to them for their incredible kindness, their generosity and their like-minded spirit and loyalty when it comes to supporting Will, and the Company as well. I am very fortunate to count them as my friends. With Special Thanks to: Mitori, Eriko, Meg, Non and Ginko ------ July 9th: I am happy to report that from what I've heard through various friends and sources over the past couple of days, it appears that all in the New Adventures family, including their own families and friends, are safe and well. I know we are all enormously relieved to hear this good news, even as our sympathy and condolences go out to those not as fortunate. On a much, much lighter note, last evening at the theatre where Highland Fling is playing, there was another special fan event, this one featuring members of the Company in yukatas (summer kimonos). My friends in Japan have sent several photos. Here are the first few with more to follow next week. Many, many thanks, my friends. The curtain falls on Sunday after the 1pm performance. To Will and the Company, have a safe journey home. July 8th: Yesterday's London bombings My thoughts and prayers go out to our friends in London and to all of those who have suffered in this terrible event. July 5th: Twenty-five lucky fans had the honour and joy of helping Will celebrate his 28th birthday. ‘Friends’ members Eriko and Mitori were two of the lucky invitees. They kindly share some of the moments with us. After fans welcomed Will with a Happy Birthday song, a cake was brought out for him and he blew out the candles. Guests were then invited to ask Will a few questions. One guest inquired as to where he celebrated his birthday. He said that they went to the restaurant Gonpachi, which is a famous ‘Kushiyaki’ restaurant where Japanese President Mr. Koizumi entertained President Bush. Another question was what his next production would be. Will said he would perform in William Tuckett’s new staging (Pinocchio)! There was also a True or False quiz with prizes (which you can find on Mitori’s site) followed by the much anticipated one-on-one photo and autograph opportunity with Will. The event lasted about 45 minutes and although Will looked a bit tired, he was very gracious to his fans and they all left the theatre very happy and with big smiles on their faces. Here are a few photos from that evening as well as of Will on the autograph circuit. By the way, Will isn’t the only one providing smiles for fans. Visit matthewbourne.org for more photos of the Company in Japan. Thanks to our 'Friends' in Japan. July 1st: The creative talents that brought us 'Wind in the Willows', have conjured up another special Christmas at the Linbury Studio Theatre. Will Tuckett's staging of Pinocchio has been officially announced on the Royal Opera House website. The production runs 16 December through 07 January. Some casting is up including Will as the villainous puppeteer, Stromboli. I have not heard anything official from Will however, so don't count your chickens just yet. Luke Heydon is set for Geppetto and if you saw 'WITW' you will no doubt recall his hilarious turn as the Gaoler's Daughter, as well as playing the Otter and Chief Weasel. Matthew Hart is in the title role and well, I hardly need to say more on his account. This will be a definite early sell out. The James Dean of Highland Fling. Some of the photos from the Japanese programme. Thanks to Meg and Non. |
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