Monday, December 17, 2007
Witness
It's all happening at the BBC at the moment. The production with the working title of The Passion is currently being edited ahead of its broadcast next March (and the edits of episodes 1-4 that I have seen are wonderful); yesterday we had the Liverpool Nativity and all this week we have Witness, which I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Episode 1 was broadcast today and you can listen again here:
The Afternoon Play
Note too that there is a short documentary series following the play each day, 3-3.15pm. It is presented by Ernie Rea. Details and the listen again facility are found here:
Witness: Behind Luke's Story
The blurb for today's episode is as follows:
The Afternoon Play
Witness: Five Plays from the Gospel of LukeI am listening at the moment. It has a very Man Born to be King feel to it, and is great listening, though the accents are more obviously regional than they were for the Dorothy Sayers classic. I hope to continue to comment as the week goes on. I will post periodic reminders about listening to it. It's actual broadcast time is 2.15pm daily.
By Nick Warburton
The story of Jesus imagined through the eyes of those who witnessed it.
Monday
The Lake
Peter and his brother Andrew tell the story of how Jesus was baptised and began to teach in Galilee, and how they were inspired to leave their lives as fishermen and follow Him.
Jesus ...... Tom Goodman-Hill
Peter ...... Peter Firth
Andrew ...... Paul Copley
Baptist ...... Stephen Greif
Elder ...... Sam Dale
Possessed man ...... John Lloyd Fillingham
John ...... Simon Treves
Woman ...... Laura Molyneux
Tempter ...... Peter Marinker
Note too that there is a short documentary series following the play each day, 3-3.15pm. It is presented by Ernie Rea. Details and the listen again facility are found here:
Witness: Behind Luke's Story
The blurb for today's episode is as follows:
Ernie Rea presents a series exploring Luke's gospel. 1/5: He looks at the social and political context of Jesus's radical teaching on the Kingdom of God.
Liverpool Nativity: Overnight news
There is some early coverage of the Liverpool Nativity. The Liverpool Echo has an article and pictures:
City in spotlight as thousands turn out for Liverpool Nativity
Dec 17 2007 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
Thousands brave freezing weather for Liverpool Nativity
The second page of this is a short review of the piece by Phil Key, which also appears in the Liverpool Daily Post. The article also notes that there will be a repeat on 23 December on BBC3.
The Guardian notes that it was a ratings success:
Update (10.34): There is also a BBC Video News item with some interviews and rehearsal footage. I should also have linked to BBC3's page on the Liverpool Nativity which features rehearsal photographs and a trailer. BBC Liverpool have pictures from the event.
City in spotlight as thousands turn out for Liverpool Nativity
Dec 17 2007 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo
THOUSANDS gathered to watch the Liverpool Nativity acted out on the streets of the city.The same paper declares today that the City's star is rising with further positive comments about the production. And then there is a third article:
People braved freezing temperatures to cheer, boo, sing and clap along in the BBC’s live televised event.
Crowds started arriving at William Brown Street two hours before the start of last night’s event which was beamed nationwide to TV viewers on BBC3 . . .
. . . .The hour-long production opened with the iconic image of a star shining high in the sky above Liverpool and culminated with the nativity scene brought to life to the sound of some of the city’s greatest music.
It included songs by The Beatles, Teardrop Explodes, Dead or Alive, The La’s and The Zutons.
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, described it as a “brilliant” live experience.
He said: “It had poignancy and the joy of the Christmas story. There were so many resonances there.”
The Liverpool Nativity sprang out of a meeting between writer Mark Davies Markham and the Bishop at Liverpool cathedral.
Mr Markham said: “I owe the story to Bishop James. All I did was fill in the dots.” . . .
Thousands brave freezing weather for Liverpool Nativity
The second page of this is a short review of the piece by Phil Key, which also appears in the Liverpool Daily Post. The article also notes that there will be a repeat on 23 December on BBC3.
The Guardian notes that it was a ratings success:
BBC3's ambitious attempt to re-create a modern day nativity on the streets of Liverpool was rewarded with more than 700,000 viewers last night.This might sound low to those unfamiliar with the British scene, but this is very good for non-networked TV. BBC3 is one of the BBC's channels only available via satellite, cable or freeview.
Liverpool Nativity, which starred Jennifer Ellison, won its slot with an average of 710,000 viewers and a multichannel share of 3.2% between 8pm and 9pm, according to unofficial overnights.
The BBC3 drama peaked with 770,000 viewers in the quarter hour from 8.15pm
Update (10.34): There is also a BBC Video News item with some interviews and rehearsal footage. I should also have linked to BBC3's page on the Liverpool Nativity which features rehearsal photographs and a trailer. BBC Liverpool have pictures from the event.
Labels: BBC, Bible Films, Liverpool Nativity
Liverpool Nativity: Comments
I watched The Liverpool Nativity and found it a laid back, enjoyable, refreshing hour's viewing. It was broadcast live from Liverpool on BBC3, at 8pm. The event was very similar to last year's Manchester Passion, the Biblical story adapted and set in a modern British city, set to music familiar from that city's recent heritage. Something like half of the music tonight was Beatles (Across the Universe, Lady Madonna, All You Need is Love, Here Comes the Sun) or Beatles related (My Sweet Lord, Imagine). And there were other Liverpool favourites like The LAs' "There She Goes" (I once went to see them live in concert!) and that Dead or Alive song, "Spinning Right Round". There were one or two I didn't recognise.
Several of the actors were familiar faces. Nerys Hughes (Liver Birds) appeared at the beginning as a sympathetic server at "The Grill" and Geoffrey Hughes (Twiggy in the Royle Family and a ton of other things) was Gabriel, also the ever present compere. He held the production together, addressing the massive assembled crowd of Liverpuddlians, acting as narrator and moving loosely in and out of character as Gabriel, and occasionally addressing those taking part via audible voice or TV screen. His narration was lightly Christian and broadly traditional but not overtly evangelistic, with references to what "the Bible" says, and drawing attention to the contemporary translation to Liverpool.
The narrative thread was fairly straightforward, a fairly even and traditional harmonizing of Matthew and Luke translated into a contemporary setting, often in interesting ways, but often without the necessary time to get properly developed, so that it raced along. The story was stronger in the first third of the piece, where we see Mary in a cheap diner, meeting her boyfriend Joseph, an asylum seeker, and finding out that she is pregnant by the holy spirit at the same time that Joseph finds out that he needs to register as an asylum seeker. They get the ferry across the Mersey, and work out their problems with further communications from Gabriel. All this was the strongest, most compelling part of the story, not least because we were allowed some insight into what Mary and Joseph were thinking, the music well chosen, and the performances very good.
In the next phase, the other characters dominated. A purple-suited local government official of some kind called Herodia was the cartoon villain, and her two or three songs were set pieces with dancers, one with the magi, who arrived in a Rolls Royce. The shepherds (singing "Imagine" -- did this represent their secular lifestyle ahead of their encounter with Jesus?) were homeless people who were addressed by Gabriel on their faltering radio, and who were joined by a handful of angels in silver suits, all of whom marched to the centre of Liverpool, where the stages, the crowds and Gabriel were located.
The narrative had a slightly rushed, going-through-the-motions feel as it resolved itself with the birth of Jesus, and a reprise of "All you need is love". But the whole production was beautifully constructed and choreographed, and remarkable for being a live performance. The quality of the singing was mostly excellent, all the more impressive given the way the characters were moving around the streets in what must have been a pretty cold evening, probably close to freezing temperatures. There was a large orchestra on one of the central stages, and for other parts, there was a small ensemble of guitar, accordian and violin. For the bigger pieces, the crowd were encouraged to sing along and unfortunately no one told Geoffrey Hughes not to join in; he sang along like your uncle at the wedding who wants to encourage everyone else but doesn't realize that he is singing off key and only occasionally knows the words.
Mary (Jody McNee) was brilliantly cast and was one of the best things in it; Joseph (Kenny Thompson) was also impressive.
These are first impressions after an initial viewing. I hope to get a chance to catch it again tomorrow and perhaps to extend and modify some of these thoughts.
Several of the actors were familiar faces. Nerys Hughes (Liver Birds) appeared at the beginning as a sympathetic server at "The Grill" and Geoffrey Hughes (Twiggy in the Royle Family and a ton of other things) was Gabriel, also the ever present compere. He held the production together, addressing the massive assembled crowd of Liverpuddlians, acting as narrator and moving loosely in and out of character as Gabriel, and occasionally addressing those taking part via audible voice or TV screen. His narration was lightly Christian and broadly traditional but not overtly evangelistic, with references to what "the Bible" says, and drawing attention to the contemporary translation to Liverpool.
The narrative thread was fairly straightforward, a fairly even and traditional harmonizing of Matthew and Luke translated into a contemporary setting, often in interesting ways, but often without the necessary time to get properly developed, so that it raced along. The story was stronger in the first third of the piece, where we see Mary in a cheap diner, meeting her boyfriend Joseph, an asylum seeker, and finding out that she is pregnant by the holy spirit at the same time that Joseph finds out that he needs to register as an asylum seeker. They get the ferry across the Mersey, and work out their problems with further communications from Gabriel. All this was the strongest, most compelling part of the story, not least because we were allowed some insight into what Mary and Joseph were thinking, the music well chosen, and the performances very good.
In the next phase, the other characters dominated. A purple-suited local government official of some kind called Herodia was the cartoon villain, and her two or three songs were set pieces with dancers, one with the magi, who arrived in a Rolls Royce. The shepherds (singing "Imagine" -- did this represent their secular lifestyle ahead of their encounter with Jesus?) were homeless people who were addressed by Gabriel on their faltering radio, and who were joined by a handful of angels in silver suits, all of whom marched to the centre of Liverpool, where the stages, the crowds and Gabriel were located.
The narrative had a slightly rushed, going-through-the-motions feel as it resolved itself with the birth of Jesus, and a reprise of "All you need is love". But the whole production was beautifully constructed and choreographed, and remarkable for being a live performance. The quality of the singing was mostly excellent, all the more impressive given the way the characters were moving around the streets in what must have been a pretty cold evening, probably close to freezing temperatures. There was a large orchestra on one of the central stages, and for other parts, there was a small ensemble of guitar, accordian and violin. For the bigger pieces, the crowd were encouraged to sing along and unfortunately no one told Geoffrey Hughes not to join in; he sang along like your uncle at the wedding who wants to encourage everyone else but doesn't realize that he is singing off key and only occasionally knows the words.
Mary (Jody McNee) was brilliantly cast and was one of the best things in it; Joseph (Kenny Thompson) was also impressive.
These are first impressions after an initial viewing. I hope to get a chance to catch it again tomorrow and perhaps to extend and modify some of these thoughts.
Labels: BBC, Bible Films, Liverpool Nativity
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Liverpool Nativity
Tonight on BBC3, live, was the Liverpool Nativity. I can't wait to see this one, but it is looking like it will be tomorrow before I get the chance, at which point I will post my comments here. Today's BBC News reported on the upcoming performance and yesterday's Guardian has a great anticipatory write-up:Miracle on Merseyside - Liverpool remakes the nativity
David Ward
Saturday December 15, 2007
The Virgin Mary comes from Knotty Ash, one of the angels used to be in Brookside, and Herod is a woman.And there are similar amusingly worded comments. I have been meaning to blog on this for a while, but it's good to see that Matt Page, as ever on top of these things, commented back in November, on Bible Films Blog. More here when the reviews start coming in tomorrow.
This version of the Christmas story, to be played out on the streets in the centre of Liverpool and broadcast live on BBC3 tomorrow night, has a cast of 300, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a technical crew of 150 and is produced by the BBC team responsible for last year's Manchester Passion.
It's a risky enterprise: Manchester United are playing Liverpool at Anfield that day, which could make for a lively post-match crowd looking on when Jesus is born in a real ale pub named after the first chief public health officer to be appointed in the UK.
Christmas weather in Liverpool can also be unkind so producers have not only given the angel Gabriel a decent part but beseeched him to arrange a meteorological miracle around St George's Hall and the Walker art gallery.
They have also taken the precaution of pre-recording the part of the story that unfolds on the Mersey ferry. But Mary and Joseph will still have to cross the river in real time.
If a force eight is blowing, Jesus's first glimpse of the world he has come to save could well be Birkenhead . . .
Labels: BBC, Bible Films, Liverpool Nativity
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Witness - Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Thanks to Michael Thompson for alerting me to this interesting broadcast coming soon on Radio 4. Mike was a consultant on the project:
Witness - Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Radio 4
Monday 19 - Friday 21 December
14:15-15:00
Witness - Five Plays from the Gospel of Luke
Radio 4
Monday 19 - Friday 21 December
14:15-15:00
Peter Firth (Spooks), Paul Hilton (True, Dare, Kiss), Lorraine Ashbourne (Jane Eyre, Playing The Field) and Penelope Wilton (Shaun Of The Dead) star in five new plays by award-winning writer Nick Warburton which tell the story of the Gospel of Luke.Read it all -- there is also news of a related programme presented by Ernie Rea, Witness - Behind Luke's Story.
The story is told through the eyes of Peter, Judas Iscariot, Andrew, Mary Magdalene, Jesus's mother Mary, Caiaphas, Pilate and many other ordinary men, women and children through whose lives Jesus passes, from his birth in Bethlehem, through his ministry, to his death on the cross and resurrection.
Warburton creates his dramas as the Gospel was made: by piecing together the story of Jesus's life from the memories of those who saw him.
On radio, there are no beards, no sand and no sandals. Filmed versions of the Gospel story can get bogged down in these images and make the events and characters seem remote and unconnected to us. The radio format allows Warburton to imagine the private thoughts, hopes and fears of those around Jesus, making these dramas intimate, accessible and alive . . .
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Wikipedia Story
I mention this since it is an occasional topic of conversation on this blog, and a correspondent mentioned the programme to me the other day. This week's Radio 4 Choice Podcast is The Wikipedia Story, presented by Clive Anderson. Go to the Radio 4 Choice Podcast page to download if you don't already subscribe, or listen to the stream.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
All Things Considered on Lampeter
One of my regular BBC podcasts is BBC Wales's weekly religion programme called All Things Considered. This week's episode was wholly devoted to a feature on and interviews with the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Lampeter. It's not often (ever before?) you get an entire radio programme devoted to a Theology or Religion department. According to the programme, the department at Lampeter is the largest in the UK, with 49 academic members of staff. We used to say in Birmingham that we were the biggest, with almost 40, but it looks like Lampeter are now winning on the size front. The documentary is found here, either for download (podcast), or streaming. It begins with an excerpt from a class on the Gospel of Thomas:
All Things Considered
All Things Considered
Labels: BBC, UK Universities
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC
From Christian Today:
TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC
A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.
by Gretta Curtis
TV Bible Adventure Stories to Air on BBC
A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.
by Gretta Curtis
A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.Looks like fun.
Set in the first century AD, the UK-produced Friends and Heroes, is the epic animated tale of two young people - Macky and Portia - whose idealism and friendship leads them across the ancient world.
Through Macky and Portia, the Friends and Heroes series brings stories of the Old and New Testament to a new, worldwide generation of children in the twenty-first century, whatever their faith or background.
The 13 episodes will be broadcast on weekdays between March 12 and 23, sometimes twice a day, starting at 12 noon and 12.30pm, or in single episodes starting at 12.30pm. The series will form part of the BBC's factual output on CBBC which is also used by schools.
Labels: BBC, Bible Films, Friends and Heroes
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