News & Notes "Murderland" Coming To DVD The tentative UK release date for "Murderland" on DVD is 01/02/2010. Pre-order from hmv.co.uk or play.com. 2010 Whatsonstage.com Awards The 2010 WHATSONSTAGE.COM Awards cover the 2009 theatre going year, with all professional productions opened in London between 1 December 2008 and 30 November 2009 eligible for consideration. Please go to WHATSONSTAGE.COM to nominate Sharon for Best Supporting Actress In A Play. Sharon is currently starring as Estrella in "Life Is A Dream" at Donmar Warehouse in London. Thanks to Lorna. Site Will Be Updated Soon Sorry for the lack of updates recently; life's been a bit crazy... But I flew to London on Saturday to see Sharon in "Life Is A Dream" and to meet friends made through this website and its forum. We were blessed to be able to have a few words with the lady after the play and I just wanted to say that yes, Sharon is every bit as lovely in real life. :-) Do go and see the play if you can, you won't regret it. And thanks to Sharon for bringing us all together, albeit unknowingly... Sharon Cast In Donmar's "Life Is A Dream" Sharon has been cast in Donmar Warehouse's new production of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's Life Is a Dream, which begins performances Oct. 8 (prior to an official opening Oct. 13), for a run through Nov. 28. To book tickets, contact the box office at 0870 060 6624 or visit www.donmarwarehouse.com. Many thanks to Lorna for the heads-up! Watch 'Pop Art' Online Now you can watch "Pop Art," the short film Sharon did last year, online through the BBC Film Network. A film about the friendship between 12-year-old Toby, who is trying to make sense of life and Arthur, who just happens to be inflatable... "Mistresses" Returns For Third And Final Season The BBC has commissioned a third and final outing of the popular drama that follows four friends supporting each other through the complexities of life. Katie, Trudi, Siobhan and Jessica have all had their fair share of men troubles over the years, but the new series, which consists of four hour-long episodes, looks more intently at the relationship between the four women. The final instalment of Mistresses will focus on love, betrayal, loss, forgiveness and, most of all, the enduring power of female friendship. Ecosse Films' executive producer, Lucy Bedford, said: "We are delighted to have all four lead actresses back for a third series. The strong bond they have formed over the last couple of years translates brilliantly onto the screen. "These episodes will see the characters' friendship tested to the max." Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning, added: "Mistresses – The Last Act is a final four-part special event that will bring the stories of the four mistresses to a dramatic conclusion on BBC One next year. "Simply and elegantly bookended by a mysterious glimpse into the future, all the four women will be returning – Katie, Trudi, Siobhan and Jessica – with new and sometimes shocking stories." Mistresses will start filming in Bristol later this year for transmission in 2010 on BBC One. (Source: BBC Press Office) Sharon Small Added To 'Murderland' Six weeks of principal photography began today on the ITV1 drama, Murderland. Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter, Cracker) leads the cast as detective Douglas Hain. Written by acclaimed writer David Pirie (Murder Rooms, Woman in White), directed by Catherine Morshead (Ashes to Ashes, Viva Blackpool) produced by Touchpaper Scotland, part of the RDF Media Group, and commissioned by ITV1, the 3 x 60 min drama will be filmed on location around London. Coltrane will star alongside, Sharon Small (Mistresses, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries), Lucy Cohu (The Queen's Sister, Becoming Jane), Amanda Hale (Persuasion), Nicholas Gleaves (Foyle’s War, Robin Hood), David Westhead (Criminal Justice), Andrew Tiernan (Survivors), David Gyasi (Law & Order) and Bel Powley (M.I. High) Murderland is an emotional and passionate thriller that tells a traumatic murder story through the eyes of three central characters: Carrie the daughter of the murdered woman, Douglas Hain, the detective in charge of the investigation and Sally the murder victim. Still haunted by her Mother’s murder, the adult Carrie cannot move on from the terrible unexplained events that occurred when she was a child and make a new life, until she uncovers the truth. Murderland is a knife edge thriller of revenge, redemption and rough justice, where three different perspectives eventually piece together the truth. As the investigation unfolds, Carrie’s yearning to discover who murdered her mother becomes obsessive bringing her closer to Hain. In the end Carrie holds the key to the killer, the past may be better laid to rest when those you trust have the most to hide, and chillingly are now the people from whom you may have most to fear. Murderland has been commissioned by Director of ITV Commissioning, Laura Mackie and Controller of Drama Commissioning, Sally Haynes. “Following the success of ITV1’s Monday night thriller season, we’re delighted to commission Murderland. It’s also a great coup to have Robbie Coltrane return to ITV1 Drama in the role of DI Douglas Hain,” said Laura. Murderland is produced by Kate Croft and Dave Edwards for Touchpaper, Scotland. “Robbie Coltrane heads a marvellous cast and combining the talents of David Pirie and Catherine Morshead on this project is a delicious prospect. Murderland promises to be as much a why-dunit as a whodunit. As much a love story as a murder story,” says Kate Croft. RAVE REVIEW: Mistresses - Coming To BBC America From AreYouScreening, 18 February 2009: Mistresses premieres this Friday at 9pm on BBC America, and it might just what the night’s lineup was looking for. A smart, sophisticated drama full of quirks and rich characters, Mistresses is odd enough to hook you and well-written enough to keep you coming back for more. The story centers around four friends with one glaring commonality, infidelity. The plot develops as a play on microcosmic metaphor for the general “friends as family” world in which we now live. Think Desperate Housewives, but with less focus on dramtic spins that arise to bounce around watercoolers, and far more exploration of legitimately detailed and complicated characters. The show stars four well-known British actresses in an interesting amalgam of character directions. Mistresses has a definite British feel to it, which might only make sense if you watch a lot of British and American television, but generally speaking it is more interested in playing out to a longer viewing theory. That is, as opposed to American ADD television writing which demands that something spectacular or “shocking” happen every ten seconds. Though the show ventures close to what might have to be described as PrimeTime Soap (which makes sense given the EastEnders credits found on the writing staff). It avoids that trap, if it is one, by delivering a sense of reality and storylines that feel as though they provide a genuine flow toward purpose, rather than just a need to fill in melodrama. "Harvey" Update + Mistresses On BBC America I've posted earlier about the new movie "Last Chance Harvey." Unfortunately, Sharon will not be seen in the film. Series one and two of "Mistresses" are launched on BBC America this month. Fingers crossed that it will do well! Awards For Pop Art "Pop Art" won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short Film at the Austin Film Festival. It also got a Special Mention for Best British Short at Leeds International Film Festival. Congratulations to everyone involved! |