TW/JB articles....
John Barrowman performing at the Henley Festival
Spaceman to showman - John Barrowman - aka Torchwood's Captain Jack Harkness - will sing at the Henley Festival next week
July 01, 2009
John Barrowman is about to return to our TV screens for a new series of Torchwood, but fans of the all-round entertainer and actor will be delighted to know that he will also perform at next week's Henley Festival.
Fans can buy tickets for John's performance on Friday, July 10, where he'll headline a show on the Festival's Floating Stage enticingly called Pure Gold from the Silver Screen - and the concert will also be recorded by BBC Radio 2 for its ever-popular Friday Night is Music Night series.
Other luminaries on the stage with John that night are presenter Sir Michael Parkinson and leading lady Kerry Ellis, currently heading the cast as Elphaba in Wicked.
Interestingly, although John Barrowman hasn't visited the Festival before, he has his finger firmly on the Henley pulse.
The opening episode of his recent Saturday night entertainment show Tonight's the Night featured celebrity guest Katherine Jenkins - the very singer who will appear on the Floating Stage for the 2009 Festival's opening night.
West End star John Barrowman is a unique talent in the British entertainment industry. With a high profile on a variety of primetime TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic, his biggest breakthrough was the his guest appearance as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who.
The character was then given his own show, Torchwood, the third series of which will return to BBC One on Monday and can be heard in a series of radio plays on Radio 4 at 2.15pm until Friday.
Pure Gold From The Silver Screen is just one of a number of shows within the five-day festival.
"I am hugely looking forward to seeing this show," says Stewart Collins, the Festival's Artistic Director. "All-in-all this should be a fabulous show what with John, the concert's presenter Sir Michael Parkinson, West End star Kerry Ellis, the fabulous vocal outfit Cantabile - The London Quartet and the BBC Concert Orchestra."
Also in the Festival's smaller venues that night are: biographer and television newscaster John Suchet with musical director Simon Mulligan on the piano in a Beethoven performance; A Funny Look at Impressions with comedian Jan Ravens; world class virtuoso guitarist Eduardo Niebla; and the maestro of swing and jazz himself, Ray Gelato.
There will also be spectacular fireworks, galleries and sculpture lawns bursting with visual art and Henley 's uniquely quirky roving street artists.
Henley Festival launches on Wednesday, with a performance by Katherine Jenkins and a Flanders and Swann tribute band.
On Thursday, highlights include Mishka Adams, while on Saturday Arthur Smith will bring his humour to Henley. The festival closes on Sunday with The Bootleg Beatles and Jo Brand.
source: http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/2053475_john_barrowman_performing_at_the_henley_festival
Barrowman on Torchwood success
John Barrowman said he'll never bore of his Torchwood character
6 hours ago
John Barrowman has said he would love to play Captain Jack in sci-fi drama Torchwood for the rest of his career.
The actor, who plays the lead in the Dr Who spin-off, said: "If I were asked just to play Jack in Torchwood for the next 20 years I'd be happy and content."
"I've said it before and I will say it again any time I see Captain Jack on camera or on screen I absolutely love him."
He continued: "I think he's great, I think he's a great character, a great hero and it's not me being egotistical in saying that. I say it because I enjoy playing him, I think he's brilliant and also he's changed my life.
The self-confessed science fiction fan says he attends conventions and talks to fans of the shows success.
"I think it's because we deal with real things - although we deal with them in a science fiction way - we deal with real emotion, we deal with real humour, we deal with real people, we deal with real relationships, you know, and it's right in front of you," he added.
"Everybody can see themselves in somebody in Torchwood I think and that partially makes it the success that it is."
:: Torchwood: Children Of Earth, a new five-part series for BBC runs every night next week starting Monday at 9pm.
Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jhw8Kd3Lw5HESyMibB-UngJYcKKw
Barrowman labels cut-down Torchwood 'a punishment'
Jun 29 2009 WalesOnline
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2009/06/29/barrowman-labels-cut-down-torchwood-a-punishment-91466-24017760/
Torchwood star John Barrowman said a decision to make just five episodes for the new series felt like a punishment.
Barrowman plays Captain Jack Harkness in the Doctor Who spin-off.
The programme's popularity has seen it jump from BBC3 to BBC2 and most recently to BBC1 for the new, third series.
The series will see a new adventure, Children of Earth, told over five episodes.
Barrowman told the Radio Times: "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it."
He continued: "We were the most successful show on BBC3, ever.
"We moved to BBC2 because the ratings were so good; the ratings were great again "averaging 3.1 million) and we were beating shows that had been on BBC2 for a long time.
"The decision was made to go to BBC1 - and then we were cut. From 13 episodes down to five.
"The five episodes, the mini-series as I call it, are incredible - I have no doubt about that - but personally, I felt like we were being punished.
"Other shows move from BBC3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut.
"So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
The show's writer and creator Russell T Davies defended the changes.
He told the magazine: "Part of us thought: 'We could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first'. But why not change it?
"I know if this was America, they'd try to keep it going for seven years, doing the same thing every week.
"And BBC America, who show Torchwood, are furious that we've changed the format.
"But they're not our paymasters.
"It's the British audience we make these for. And I don't think audiences are remotely lost by a change in format."
:: The full interviews appear in the latest issue of the Radio Times.
source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2009/06/29/barrowman-labels-cut-down-torchwood-a-punishment-91466-24017760/
John Barrowman on Torchwood: Children Of Earth
Simon Brew
Torchwood: Children Of Earth
Captain Jack Harkness slams the decision to cut the third season of Torchwood down to five episodes…
Published on Jul 1, 2009
Next week sees the unveiling of the third season of Torchwood. On the plus side, it moves to BBC One for the first time "its third channel to date). On the downside, it's down to five episodes, which are being broadcast on consecutive nights.
It's quite a bold move for the show, but the decision to reduce the episode count hasn't gone down blindingly well in all quarters. Talking to the Radio Times, the show's star has been damning over the BBC's move. In an interview with the magazine, he said, "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it." He didn't hold back, though...
"We were the most successful show on BBC3, ever. We moved to BBC2 because the ratings were so good; the ratings were great again and we were beating shows that had been on BBC2 for a long time. Other shows move from BBC3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut. So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
He concluded that "I felt like we were being punished."
Russell T Davies was more upbeat about matters, arguing, "Part of us thought: 'We could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first'. But why not change it?"
The proof, as usual, will be in the pudding. And Torchwood: Children Of Earth starts this Monday on BBC One, at 9pm.
source: http://www.denofgeek.com/television/278863/john_barrowman_on_torchwood_children_of_earth.html
Is John Barrowman right to complain about Torchwood downsizing?
As if you didn't know, the new, third series of Torchwood starts next week. I've already given my initial verdict "see link at the bottom of the page), but expect more detailed and even reviews from Our Anna. The big thing about this series of Torchwood is that it's being stripped across five weeknights in one of those 'event TV' thingies. Whether this is a good thing or not is up for debate, but for one John Barrowman, Captain Jack himself, it's not good enough. Why?
It was interesting reading JoBa's words in The Sun, The Guardian etc etc this morning. It seems he's really not happy that the show has been slashed from 13 episodes to five.
This is what he said:
"We were the most successful show on BBC Three, ever. We moved to BBC Two because the ratings were so good. The decision was made to go to BBC One - and then we were cut. From 13 episodes down to five. The five episodes are incredible. But I felt like we were being punished. It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
You can't blame John for being passionate about a show he stars in that inspires large, cult fan bases all over the world "they love Torchwood in America), and he's damn straight about the fact that Torchwood is perhaps the most moved show in British television history. It started on BBC Three, went to BBC Two and now it's on BBC One. All in the three series. That's lot of shifting about.
But the real issue to come out of Bazza's comments is whether five episodes stripped across is actually a downsizing, or whether it's actually a promotion of sorts. There may not be the quantity of episodes in this series, but stripping it across the five weeknights does give the whole thing a bit of an elevated status.
So what do you think? I know there are lots of Torchwood/John Barrowman fans out there. Do you think this is downsizing or a promotion to 'event TV' status?
Posted by paulhirons on June 30, 2009 in Doctor Who | Permalink
source: http://www.tvscoop.tv/2009/06/is_john_barrowm.html
‘Children of Earth' Prequels Bring Torchwood Back to BBC Radio
By John Scott Lewinski
July 1, 2009 |
2:41 am |
Categories: sci-fi
Torchwood: Children Of Earth
BBC Radio 4's long-running Afternoon Play series is venturing into sci-fi and the supernatural this week as the network presents three specially commissioned Torchwood radio productions.
The three episodes ""Asylum," Golden Age" and "The Dead Line") are considered canon and bring the series' back story up-to-date before the international premiere of the Doctor Who spinoff's third-season miniseries event, " Children of Earth."
The radio shows are written by Torchwood veterans Phil Ford, Anita Sullivan and James Goss. Starring series regulars John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd, the 45-minute plays will air at the standard Afternoon Play slot of 2.15 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Once transmitted, fans can catch up with the episodes on the BBC iPlayer around the world for seven days before they become available for purchase on iTunes and other services.
Image courtesy BBC
source: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/07/children-of-earth-prequels-bring-torchwood-back-to-bbc-radio/
Spaceman to showman - John Barrowman - aka Torchwood's Captain Jack Harkness - will sing at the Henley Festival next week
July 01, 2009
John Barrowman is about to return to our TV screens for a new series of Torchwood, but fans of the all-round entertainer and actor will be delighted to know that he will also perform at next week's Henley Festival.
Fans can buy tickets for John's performance on Friday, July 10, where he'll headline a show on the Festival's Floating Stage enticingly called Pure Gold from the Silver Screen - and the concert will also be recorded by BBC Radio 2 for its ever-popular Friday Night is Music Night series.
Other luminaries on the stage with John that night are presenter Sir Michael Parkinson and leading lady Kerry Ellis, currently heading the cast as Elphaba in Wicked.
Interestingly, although John Barrowman hasn't visited the Festival before, he has his finger firmly on the Henley pulse.
The opening episode of his recent Saturday night entertainment show Tonight's the Night featured celebrity guest Katherine Jenkins - the very singer who will appear on the Floating Stage for the 2009 Festival's opening night.
West End star John Barrowman is a unique talent in the British entertainment industry. With a high profile on a variety of primetime TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic, his biggest breakthrough was the his guest appearance as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who.
The character was then given his own show, Torchwood, the third series of which will return to BBC One on Monday and can be heard in a series of radio plays on Radio 4 at 2.15pm until Friday.
Pure Gold From The Silver Screen is just one of a number of shows within the five-day festival.
"I am hugely looking forward to seeing this show," says Stewart Collins, the Festival's Artistic Director. "All-in-all this should be a fabulous show what with John, the concert's presenter Sir Michael Parkinson, West End star Kerry Ellis, the fabulous vocal outfit Cantabile - The London Quartet and the BBC Concert Orchestra."
Also in the Festival's smaller venues that night are: biographer and television newscaster John Suchet with musical director Simon Mulligan on the piano in a Beethoven performance; A Funny Look at Impressions with comedian Jan Ravens; world class virtuoso guitarist Eduardo Niebla; and the maestro of swing and jazz himself, Ray Gelato.
There will also be spectacular fireworks, galleries and sculpture lawns bursting with visual art and Henley 's uniquely quirky roving street artists.
Henley Festival launches on Wednesday, with a performance by Katherine Jenkins and a Flanders and Swann tribute band.
On Thursday, highlights include Mishka Adams, while on Saturday Arthur Smith will bring his humour to Henley. The festival closes on Sunday with The Bootleg Beatles and Jo Brand.
source: http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/2053475_john_barrowman_performing_at_the_henley_festival
Barrowman on Torchwood success
John Barrowman said he'll never bore of his Torchwood character
6 hours ago
John Barrowman has said he would love to play Captain Jack in sci-fi drama Torchwood for the rest of his career.
The actor, who plays the lead in the Dr Who spin-off, said: "If I were asked just to play Jack in Torchwood for the next 20 years I'd be happy and content."
"I've said it before and I will say it again any time I see Captain Jack on camera or on screen I absolutely love him."
He continued: "I think he's great, I think he's a great character, a great hero and it's not me being egotistical in saying that. I say it because I enjoy playing him, I think he's brilliant and also he's changed my life.
The self-confessed science fiction fan says he attends conventions and talks to fans of the shows success.
"I think it's because we deal with real things - although we deal with them in a science fiction way - we deal with real emotion, we deal with real humour, we deal with real people, we deal with real relationships, you know, and it's right in front of you," he added.
"Everybody can see themselves in somebody in Torchwood I think and that partially makes it the success that it is."
:: Torchwood: Children Of Earth, a new five-part series for BBC runs every night next week starting Monday at 9pm.
Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jhw8Kd3Lw5HESyMibB-UngJYcKKw
Barrowman labels cut-down Torchwood 'a punishment'
Jun 29 2009 WalesOnline
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2009/06/29/barrowman-labels-cut-down-torchwood-a-punishment-91466-24017760/
Torchwood star John Barrowman said a decision to make just five episodes for the new series felt like a punishment.
Barrowman plays Captain Jack Harkness in the Doctor Who spin-off.
The programme's popularity has seen it jump from BBC3 to BBC2 and most recently to BBC1 for the new, third series.
The series will see a new adventure, Children of Earth, told over five episodes.
Barrowman told the Radio Times: "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it."
He continued: "We were the most successful show on BBC3, ever.
"We moved to BBC2 because the ratings were so good; the ratings were great again "averaging 3.1 million) and we were beating shows that had been on BBC2 for a long time.
"The decision was made to go to BBC1 - and then we were cut. From 13 episodes down to five.
"The five episodes, the mini-series as I call it, are incredible - I have no doubt about that - but personally, I felt like we were being punished.
"Other shows move from BBC3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut.
"So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
The show's writer and creator Russell T Davies defended the changes.
He told the magazine: "Part of us thought: 'We could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first'. But why not change it?
"I know if this was America, they'd try to keep it going for seven years, doing the same thing every week.
"And BBC America, who show Torchwood, are furious that we've changed the format.
"But they're not our paymasters.
"It's the British audience we make these for. And I don't think audiences are remotely lost by a change in format."
:: The full interviews appear in the latest issue of the Radio Times.
source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2009/06/29/barrowman-labels-cut-down-torchwood-a-punishment-91466-24017760/
John Barrowman on Torchwood: Children Of Earth
Simon Brew
Torchwood: Children Of Earth
Captain Jack Harkness slams the decision to cut the third season of Torchwood down to five episodes…
Published on Jul 1, 2009
Next week sees the unveiling of the third season of Torchwood. On the plus side, it moves to BBC One for the first time "its third channel to date). On the downside, it's down to five episodes, which are being broadcast on consecutive nights.
It's quite a bold move for the show, but the decision to reduce the episode count hasn't gone down blindingly well in all quarters. Talking to the Radio Times, the show's star has been damning over the BBC's move. In an interview with the magazine, he said, "I'm going to get a little political and I'll probably get into trouble for it." He didn't hold back, though...
"We were the most successful show on BBC3, ever. We moved to BBC2 because the ratings were so good; the ratings were great again and we were beating shows that had been on BBC2 for a long time. Other shows move from BBC3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut. So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
He concluded that "I felt like we were being punished."
Russell T Davies was more upbeat about matters, arguing, "Part of us thought: 'We could do another 13 episodes, we've learnt how to do that, and the second series was better than the first'. But why not change it?"
The proof, as usual, will be in the pudding. And Torchwood: Children Of Earth starts this Monday on BBC One, at 9pm.
source: http://www.denofgeek.com/television/278863/john_barrowman_on_torchwood_children_of_earth.html
Is John Barrowman right to complain about Torchwood downsizing?
As if you didn't know, the new, third series of Torchwood starts next week. I've already given my initial verdict "see link at the bottom of the page), but expect more detailed and even reviews from Our Anna. The big thing about this series of Torchwood is that it's being stripped across five weeknights in one of those 'event TV' thingies. Whether this is a good thing or not is up for debate, but for one John Barrowman, Captain Jack himself, it's not good enough. Why?
It was interesting reading JoBa's words in The Sun, The Guardian etc etc this morning. It seems he's really not happy that the show has been slashed from 13 episodes to five.
This is what he said:
"We were the most successful show on BBC Three, ever. We moved to BBC Two because the ratings were so good. The decision was made to go to BBC One - and then we were cut. From 13 episodes down to five. The five episodes are incredible. But I felt like we were being punished. It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
You can't blame John for being passionate about a show he stars in that inspires large, cult fan bases all over the world "they love Torchwood in America), and he's damn straight about the fact that Torchwood is perhaps the most moved show in British television history. It started on BBC Three, went to BBC Two and now it's on BBC One. All in the three series. That's lot of shifting about.
But the real issue to come out of Bazza's comments is whether five episodes stripped across is actually a downsizing, or whether it's actually a promotion of sorts. There may not be the quantity of episodes in this series, but stripping it across the five weeknights does give the whole thing a bit of an elevated status.
So what do you think? I know there are lots of Torchwood/John Barrowman fans out there. Do you think this is downsizing or a promotion to 'event TV' status?
Posted by paulhirons on June 30, 2009 in Doctor Who | Permalink
source: http://www.tvscoop.tv/2009/06/is_john_barrowm.html
‘Children of Earth' Prequels Bring Torchwood Back to BBC Radio
By John Scott Lewinski
July 1, 2009 |
2:41 am |
Categories: sci-fi
Torchwood: Children Of Earth
BBC Radio 4's long-running Afternoon Play series is venturing into sci-fi and the supernatural this week as the network presents three specially commissioned Torchwood radio productions.
The three episodes ""Asylum," Golden Age" and "The Dead Line") are considered canon and bring the series' back story up-to-date before the international premiere of the Doctor Who spinoff's third-season miniseries event, " Children of Earth."
The radio shows are written by Torchwood veterans Phil Ford, Anita Sullivan and James Goss. Starring series regulars John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd, the 45-minute plays will air at the standard Afternoon Play slot of 2.15 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Once transmitted, fans can catch up with the episodes on the BBC iPlayer around the world for seven days before they become available for purchase on iTunes and other services.
Image courtesy BBC
source: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/07/children-of-earth-prequels-bring-torchwood-back-to-bbc-radio/