Madness have today announced details of a brand new UK tour, M.A.D.H.E.A.D, which will be coming to the first direct arena this winter.
Tickets for the Thursday 11 December show go on sale this Friday, priced from £35.00.
The last couple of years have been incredible for the nutty boys responsible for hits such as House of Fun and Baggy Trousers. Last year saw Madness play London’s iconic Alexandra Palace, said goodbye to one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, BBC Television Centre, performed a series of outdoor shows and released their tenth acclaimed studio album Oui, Oui, Si, Si, Ja, Ja, Da, Da. Not only that, they have had the chance to produce their own ales ‘Gladness’ and ‘Night Boat’.
Since their Alexandra Palace date last September Madness have been locked up the studio making brand new music. Watch this space……
Regarding the new tour frontman Suggs said:
‘I know when to go out, I know when to stay in and get things done…..GET YOUR M.A.D.H.E.A.D ON, WE ARE GOING OUT!!!!!’
To book tickets for this event, visit www.firstdirectarena.com, phone 0844 248 1585, or book your tickets from the first direct arena box office, located in Trinity Leeds from 9.30am Friday 16 May.
There's a blast of raucous energy to this lively comedy that sets it apart from the pack; aside from a willingness to get deeply rude and incorrect, the movie is actually very funny. It helps that it's packed with snappy characters and witty dialogue, and that the cast makes the gratuitously vulgar humour come to life in surprising ways.
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It opens with happy couple Mac and Kelly (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne), whose idyllic life with their ridiculously cute baby is interrupted when a frat house moves in next door. They want to be cool about it, so introduce themselves and nicely ask the fraternity leaders Teddy and Pete (Zac Efron and Dave Franco) to keep it down. They even indulge in a bit of partying themselves. But the noise only gets louder, and when Mac and Kelly call the cops in a moment of desperation, they spark a war that escalates into a series of crazy practical jokes. This also gets the fraternity in trouble with their university administrator (Lisa Kudrow), which only fuels the battle.
Director Nicholas Stoller (The Five-Year Engagement) keeps things moving briskly, packing every scene with shamelessly coarse humour. For every joke that falls flat (like a breast-feeding set-piece), there are five more gags immediately following that generate gut-busting laughter. While the plot is little more than a series of elaborate pranks, there's an unstoppable momentum that builds to a riotous party climax. Even more important is the way the actors are allowed to twist their stereotypical characters to add some meaningful subtext.
Efron and Franco represent irresponsible youth longing for a bit of stability, while Rogen and Byrne are adults who aren't quite ready to be grown-ups. None of this is terribly deep, but it gives the movie just enough weight to hold the interest, especially as each character is forced to confront his or her expectations about life. Thankfully, Stoller and his screenwriters never get sentimental about any of this, remembering that their first responsibility is to make the audience laugh. And it's a rare comedy that does the job quite this well.
Watch the trailer here:
Update 13/5/14 14.55
Internationally acclaimed actress Charlotte Rampling to star in new series of Broadchurch
Legendary film and television actress Charlotte Rampling is to take a lead role in the new series of Broadchurch, broadcaster ITV, Kudos and Imaginary Friends announced today.
The phenomenally successful and multi award winning series, which captivated viewers when screened on ITV in 2013, begins filming in the UK in the coming weeks.
Charlotte Rampling will play a pivotal role in the new series. The details of her character and how she impacts on the drama and small community are being kept under wraps by ITV and the production companies, Kudos and Imaginary Friends. Broadchurch creator and executive producer Chris Chibnall is delighted Charlotte Rampling has taken the role.
"Charlotte Rampling! We've been keeping this secret for months, it's been agony!” said Chris. “We have another big story to tell this year, and that meant finding exceptional actors for new roles. There's none more exceptional than Charlotte: to be writing for her is a dream come true. As you can imagine, Charlotte's character is an integral part of our new story -- but that's where we're drawing a veil, for now..."
Broadchurch is commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.
“We’re delighted Charlotte is joining the Broadchurch family,” said Steve. “She’s the first of some exciting additions to the ensemble for the new series.”
After months of speculation ITV, Kudos and Imaginary Friends have confirmed the returning cast for the new series of Broadchurch, which begins filming in Dorset shortly.
In keeping with the first series, secrecy and intrigue surrounds the story of the award winning drama written by creator and acclaimed screenwriter Chris Chibnall.
David Tennant will return as Alec Hardy, whilst Olivia Colman resumes her role as Ellie Miller, last seen having her life torn apart as husband Joe confessed to murdering local schoolboy Danny Latimer.
Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan, who play Danny’s parents Beth and Mark Latimer, will also return to their roles, alongside Arthur Darvill as local vicar Paul Coates.
No other details have yet been revealed.
ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea have commissioned the new series.
“We’re delighted Broadchurch is back in production, but we’re remaining tight-lipped about how the story develops,” said Steve. “Suffice to say Chris has delivered as always and the scripts are just as exciting as the first series.”
Broadchurch will be executive produced by Chris Chibnall (The Great Train Robbery, Torchwood) for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone (Utopia, The Hour, Spooks) on behalf of Kudos, a Shine Group company. The Producer is Richard Stokes (Silk, Law & Order: UK) who also produced the first series. James Strong, who directed 5 episodes of the first series including episode one, will be directing episodes one and two of this new series.
“The reaction to Broadchurch from UK viewers has been incredible,” said Jane. “So we’d like viewers to enjoy the new series knowing as little as possible about what’s to come and for the story to unfold in real time.”
Its said that the former members of the Beautiful South just didnt want to give it up... On the evidence of tonight, a) I dont blame them and b) hope they keep loving it.
Whilst its true that in the latter albums, The Beautiful South had it seemed grown musically weary, joyless even at times, in the South they have rediscovered that joy, that the love for the songs is just as strong.
Any accusations that they were merely milking the revival cash cow must surely be so far wide of the mark, at most they seem to be rivalling the Polyphonic Spree, as 9 members, including a nifty brass section are on the stage.
A near full Warehouse 23 greets the band like old friends and from then on the set and crowd never drop. Even when songs from the bands new album pepper the set, they still have that unmistakable Beautiful South sound and hook, you wouldn't know that there was over 20 years between those and the older songs.
Of course not all the songs were originally sung by either Alison (or predecessors) or Dave but again, where changes are to be made its without any noticeable difererence. A case in point is Old Red Eyes... originally sung by Paul but now by Alison, and superbly so. In fact, I would venture to say, its better than the original.
Otherwise the hits are all present and correct, A Little Time couldnt have been sung louder, more emphatically, more passionately than if it were the English world cup song and we had just that minute lifted the Jules Rimet trophy..
Watch Song For Whoever Live at Wakefield
Woman In The Wall has always been one of my favourites, I remember it so fondly from one of the original bands very first shows, seemingly the whole band donning fancy dress n for an extended joyous run through. Tonight its in the set again, and one of Daves' favourites. Its no less darkly joyous.
Good as Gold has an unmistakeable feelgood tone it, who doesn't want their sundrenched windswept Ingrid Bergman kiss.... and the Carry on Regardless refrain is belted back at them as a final finale.
Watch Good As Gold Live At Wakefield
Anyone who ever had any love for the Beautiful South will see that love rekindled many times over with The South. As gigs go they dont get much better...
Watch the new single, Pigeonhole below.
BBC Sport will deliver the first 24/7 World Cup from Brazil, bringing audiences enhanced live coverage, every single goal, expert analysis, breaking news, exclusive online content and interactive features – all available across any device, at any time.
Fans can share in all the excitement at bbc.co.uk/worldcup and through the BBC Sport apps for mobiles and tablets and on connected TVs – whether it’s getting the latest updates from Brazil on a mobile during the morning commute, joining in the match-day build-up from a PC at work, watching matches on the biggest screen in the house or the late kick-offs in bed on a tablet.
The live World Cup page also complements the BBC’s broadcast coverage, as audiences can open it up on a handheld device or laptop whilst watching the match on TV or connected TVs. This allows people to join the conversation with BBC experts, watch in-game rolling highlights and access a wealth of data and interactivity:
Watch live video for every BBC TV game, choose from alternative match commentaries, including BBC Radio 5 Live, and relive the key moments through our in-game highlights
Be a part of the atmosphere: Join in the match-day build-up and live coverage with the BBC’s expert reporters and pundits, alongside the best comments and opinions from social media, email and SMS
Keep in touch with the action: Faster-than-ever match stats and text commentary will bring audiences even closer to the action, and when watching isn’t an option, automatic goal alerts are available for all World Cup nations via the BBC Sport mobile and tablet apps
Have your say: Take part in live polls on the game’s key talking points through the live World Cup page or directly from social media accounts – simply listen out for instructions from the BBC’s live broadcast and online coverage.
BBC Sport will also use its live technology to recreate some of the home nations’ greatest World Cup matches online, as though they’re unfolding in real-time. Audiences will be able to experience or relive the 1966 World Cup final, Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal in 1978, the ‘Hand of God’ in 1986, Gazza’s tears in 1990, and Gerry Armstrong stunning Spain in 1982.
These classic matches will be replayed in full and will be given the BBC’s full live treatment, including ‘live’ video, text commentary and contributions from special guests with unique perspectives on the action, including Gary Lineker.
All matches will be available to watch across four screens – PC, tablet, mobile and connected TV – at bbc.co.uk/worldcup or through the BBC Sport apps for mobiles, tablets and connected TVs:
Friday 30 May, 12pm: England v West Germany, 1966 final
Saturday 31 May, 3pm: Scotland v The Netherlands, 1978 group match
Wednesday 4 June, 12pm: England v Argentina, 1986 quarter-final
Saturday 7 June, 3pm: England v Germany, 1990 semi-final
Sunday 8 June, 3pm: Spain v Northern Ireland, 1982 group match
Online and catch-up
To help audiences keep up-to-date with all the action and major talking points, a range of interactive features and exclusive online and catch-up content will be available, including:
A daily ‘World Cup breakfast’ video: Available online each morning from the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer, on connected TVs, and to download via the BBC iPlayer app. Perfect for watching over breakfast or on the commute, it will sum up the previous day’s events and looking forward to what’s coming up
An interactive guide to World Cup penalty shootouts with Gary Lineker: A BBC iWonder guide will explore where every penalty has been taken in World Cup shootout history. Combining video, graphics and text, the guide will analyse everything there is to know, such as how many have been taken, success rate, top nation, worst nation, best keeper and, most important of all, where best to place one
The BBC Sport website and connected TV app will offer highlights of every single match as soon as the final whistle blows, full match replays for BBC TV games and a range of other clips. All World Cup TV programmes broadcast on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three will also be available for catch-up on BBC iPlayer.
BBC Sport will offer a range of activities and content across its Facebook, Google+, Instagram and Twitter accounts. This will give fans a chance to get even closer to the BBC’s coverage, presenters and special guests with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and daily live Q&A sessions. Users can also take part in match analysis through polls by voting directly from social media accounts or the BBC Sport live World Cup page – simply listen out for instructions from BBC presenters during live broadcast and online coverage.
The BBC will also curate the best contributions from across social media, sharing comments and user-generated content and including them in the BBC’s live broadcast and online coverage. In addition, BBC Sport will provide curated lists of the BBC’s expert journalists and talent, alongside players and teams at the World Cup to give users even more insight.
The BBC Sport connected TV app is now available on over 550 devices and will offer a dedicated World Cup 2014 Homescreen that includes:
Live streaming of BBC matches including options to select alternative match commentaries
A guide to live matches available to watch each day and a selection of full length games for catch-up
Match highlights and headlines
Full ‘live’ coverage of the World Cup Rewind matches. Available to watch in full length on-demand afterwards
The daily 10 minute ‘World Cup breakfast’ video available from 5am in the morning each day of the World Cup to watch before heading to work
Fixtures, Scores, Results & Tables
BBC Red Button will offer a range of additional coverage, including a number of archive matches in the run-up to the tournament, selected full match replays including all England games, and match highlights throughout the World Cup.
Jack Bauer returned to save the world last night, but is this series really the final outing for ’24’?
Jack Bauer came bounding back to our screens last night in ’24:Live Another Day’, but is the limited event series a final farewell to our hero? Maybe not, as co-creator Robert Cochran has been telling the press that this might not be the end of Jack Bauer.
Speaking at the show’s premiere, Cochran said that if ‘Live Another Day’ is successful we could expect to see more Bauer on our screens in the future. "I think if this does well, I can't see any reason not to do another 12,” he told the news channel.
The show, which had ended in 2010, was originally going to be resurrected for a movie but when that idea fell through it was finally decided that Jack would come back home to the small screen once again.
Although the film idea never came to fruition, a movie could still be in Bauer’s future as Cochran stated it was still “possible.” However, he then added that the real time format of ’24’ lends itself to TV better saying, “I'll take whatever happens,” then adding, “but I'd like to see it come back on TV.”
Actress Mary Lynn Rajskub, who plays Chloe O’Brian on the show, also feels ’24' has more life left in it, saying, “I can't imagine that there wouldn't be a little bit more now that they've gone through the trouble of bringing it back."
As for star Kiefer Sutherland, he’s admitted he was “massively” nervous about reprising his role as Jack Bauer, revealing he spent months,”scared to death”, thinking “why would we open this up again.” The actor also added that he was yet to suffer an on-set injury this time around, escaping so far with “just a couple of cuts.”
The return of Jack Bauer and ’24’ has so far received praise from critics and fans alike, with viewers voicing their approval on twitter using the JackisBack hashtag. '24' consists of 12 episodes this time and sees Bauer now on the run in London. Alongside its Fox premiere last night, UK viewers were also able to watch it on Sky 1 this morning at 1am. For those who couldn't stay up, it will be repeated tomorrow evening at 9pm.
We caught up with Philip, the former Mad Dog and Life On Mars star (amongst many others) during a break in filming the new BBC show From There To Here. (broadcast date / time tbc)
The drama begins in June 1996 on the day an IRA bomb destroyed much of Manchester's City Centre - the same summer England was united in optimism for Euro ‘96. From There To Here tells the story of a city, an era and two families from different sides of the tracks whose lives are brought together in the aftermath of the bomb. The story spans the four years that changed Manchester and the country forever - from ‘Football’s Coming Home’ in 1996, Britpop, to New Labour sweeping to power in 1997, and finally to the hangover after the Millennium celebrations of 2000.
With an epic sweep, From There To Here charts the tragic and comic misadventures of two families as Manchester is being rebuilt.
What attracted you to the script?
Peter Bowker is a friend and neighbour of mine funnily enough, and I’ve always been a huge admirer of his work. I think he’s one of our finest writers. So to get a script written by him, you know you’re in for something quite exciting, and I wasn’t wrong. It’s a page turner. And after the first episode, I read the second, the third one, and that’s always a sign there’s something pretty hot on the page.
Tell us about your character.
I play a character called Daniel Cotton, and I suppose the story is seen through his eyes and his journey. He was adopted from an early age by Samuel, played by Bernard Hill, and they have a family business in the sweet industry, confectionery, and it’s a successful business. He’s happily married with two grown-up children who are making their own way in the world and doing very well. So all seems pretty rosy.
Tell us about the scene that you’re filming today?
The scene that we’re filming today is when I’m trying to bring together the family, particularly Samuel and Robbo (Steven Mackintosh). I’ve arranged to have them both meet me in a hotel, in the centre of Manchester, just to try and bring us together. And we’ve got Euro ‘96 about to start. I want us to all sit down as father and sons and watch the football and bond basically.
What’s his relationship like with his father, Samuel?
I think when you combine family and business you’re always going to get conflict of interest in some shape or form. But he’s also the appeaser really, he’s trying to bring the family together - in particular the relationship with Samuel and Robbo, who has a very fractious relationship with Samuel. He’s the dark sheep of the family, and Daniel is seen as the golden boy really through Samuel’s eyes. So I think Daniel’s trying to redress that a little bit and bring Robbo into the frame and act as a peacemaker between the two of them.
What does it mean to you filming in Manchester?
I know that Peter says it’s “a love letter to Manchester,” which I think is very true. For my own personal point of view I've done so much work in Manchester it’s been an incredibly important and significant city in my career. I haven’t been back for a few years since I finished filming I think Life On Mars. So it’s lovely to be back. What’s extraordinary is each time I come back, even though it’s been about six years now, how much the city evolves and changes in time. It feels like my adoptive second city.
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