BBC Audio Drama Awards 2013 presented by David Tennant
Last night I was privileged to attend the 2nd BBC Audio Drama awards held in the Radio Theatre.
My only comment on getting on the guest list is "Thank you so much" imed at the person who put me on it.
The evening began with a drinks reception where those stars who perform in radio drama mingled with producers, adaptors, writers and BBC executives in a bubble of excitement. It felt like all thee celebrities were in a safe space so I didn't get out my camera and start pointing it at them. Instead I relaxed into the atmosphere, did some star spotting and waited for the ceremony to begin.
At 6.30 we were ushered into the Radio Theatre to take our seats, a band called the Jazz Slayers played us in and entertained as the crowd settled into the space.
I sat 3 rows back, near Tim Davie, Acting Director General of the BBC.
Graham Ellis, cting Director for Audio & Music gave the introduction and told us some of the stunning highlights including Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman that are coming to BBC Radio in the near future.
He then handed over to David Tennant
David strode onto the stage in a striped suit, clean shaven and smiled broadly before thanking the band. He commented on presenting the awards for the 2nd year running saying “I could become known as the guy who does the BBC Audio Drama Awards.” And followed with a rye smile; “That would make a change”.
And so the tone of humour and light hearted self deprecation was set for the evening.
He often referred to the fact that he was presenting or being cast in dramas because he is cheap to get. He also informed us all that Radio Drama will celebrate it’s 90th anniversary in 2 weeks time. As the audience clapped he noted “I’m applauding a concept”. Radio drama is nearly as old as BBC radio itself.
The first awards presented were the Imison Award and the Tinniswood Award - details of who won what are written all over the press today, I won’t repeat them but share my memories of the event.
Csaba Székely won the Imison award for best script by a new writer and told us “You are all very sweet and nice people” I caught up with him later for a quick chat and his description also applied to himself. I left him when his family replied to his messages on the iphone and he went to share his success with them.
I have a brilliant mental image of DT describing actors in a whole variety of ways including “warm props” before presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress.
I was amused to learn that Stephen Mangan will be the spoken voice of Postman Pat when it comes to the big screen this year. The singing voice of Postman Pat will be provided by Gary Barlow!
It was fabulous to see Murray Gold take to the stage and receive the Tinniswood Radio Drama Award 2012 for Best Radio Drama Script. Kafka the Musical being the script that was honoured. I had a brief chat with Murray later on and he seemed very thrilled at the award. He had only arrived from New York the day before and was about to head of a catch a train to Cardiff to work on Doctor Who.
David Troughton was amongst those who have starred in Doctor Who taking their place on the stage. He won Best Supporting Actor in a Radio Drama for his part in Singles and Doublets.
Penelope Wilton presented the award for Best Actor in an Audio Drama looking every inch the prime minister.
Sian Philips presented the award for Best Use of Sound and told us a charming story of how she used to go the studios in Wales as a young person and they let her create sound effects in the studio. She was proud to tell us that her horse and cart was transmitted in a Saturday night theatre slot.
Before the presentation of best Actor and Actress, David waxed lyrical about the variety of characters that acting for radio allows you to play. “I’ve been lucky enough to play Kings, rodents and even English people”
Lenny Henry very much enjoyed presenting the award for Best Audio Drama (Single Play) so much so that he took over David’s autocue and read the nominees. DT “Do you love radio Len?” Lenny Henry “No we’re black people we don’t like radio.” Lenny then went on to explain his father’s love of the Archers and describe radio as “Poor Folks flat screen TV”.
The On It team came on stage in a group to accept the award Lenny presented and rather sweetly Tony Pitts (Director) asked for the paper from the envelope that announced them as winners; he then carefully folded it and tucked it safely into his back pocket.
All too soon the awards were over and it was time to head back to the Media Café for drinks and canapés.
The room was full of stars, happy winners and chatty runners up. All were enjoying the conversation and the wine.
I wondered the room congratulating winners and talking to journalists and BBC staff before a truly amazing person introduced me to David Tennant. As you might imagine he was very much in demand so we didn’t talk for long. We shook hands and he said he was pleased to meet me. I asked how he has found the evening and he gushed about how wonderful it had been and how much he enjoyed presenting them. I wish I could remember the exact words but I may have been a little awed… he was dragged away by Arabella Weir.
Now having spoken to one Doctor in an evening it seemed only proper to talk to the other Doctor in the room, Sylvester McCoy. He was lovely and kind and we talked about his upcoming projects, The Hobbit and the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who coming up this year. No insider knowledge from him. He told me no one had asked him to appear in anything. I asked about the Doctor Who stamps and was he pleased to be on a stamp? “Well of course I’m already on a stamp for the Hobbit in Australia” He seemed pleased all the same and made a joke about everyone licking his head.
A quick chat with Murray Gold (described above) and my fairytale evening came to an end.
I had the most wonderful evening and came away with delight at all the charming and warm people I had met. Here’s to another 90 years of Radio Drama. (the next 50 of them with awards presented by David Tennant).
News links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/audiodramaawardswinners.html
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-28/sherlocks-andrew-scott-wins-best-actor-at-bbc-audio-drama-awards
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9831025/David-Tennant-at-the-Audio-Drama-Awards-radio-drama-makes-me-proud-to-be-British.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2269352/David-Tennant-bumps-veteran-Time-Lord-Sylvester-McCoy-attends-BBC-Audio-Awards.html
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/01/andrew-scott-and-vicky-mcclure-win-at-bbc-audio-drama-awards/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio/posts/Doctor-Who-times-two-Its-the-BBC-Audio-Drama-Awards-
As you can tell by the quality all the images are mine except the last one which was taken by the event photographer.
