Oh, crap.

[sensaes]

R.I.P. Ken Campbell.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/sep/01/theatre.comedy

Comments

[sphinxvictorian]

I wish I'd known more about him. I do remember him from seeing him in several British TV shows, most memorably as James Ryder in The Blue Carbuncle, one of the early Sherlock Holmes episodes. It's one of the regrets I have about not actually being more up on modern British theatre, I'd have known about his theatrical ventures. And might have gotten to see one, when I was in the UK.

[sensaes]

Absolutely - he's one of those chaps who seems to have been around forever. Although he's probably best known these days for his readings of the (similarly late and much-missed) Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus books, back in 1979 he adapted, produced, and starred in the first stage version of The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (which, as I recall, had a revolving stage set!).

I understand that Nic Glass (Arts correspondent) has recorded a short tribute for tonight's Channel 4 News, due for broadcast at the end of the 7 o'clock edition. With any luck it'll be up on the website (http://www.channel4.com/news) shortly thereafter.

Edit/Update: Looks like it got bumped off the agenda. *Sigh.*

[helice]

I remember him doing stand-up at the Fringe with Sylvester McCoy years ago.

[sensaes]

Yes - I remember seeing clips from that! Surreal, semi-slapstick stuff, wasn't it?

Many thanks for the Indy article, too - I'm doing my best to hide it from the lads. ;o)

Edit: If I didn't already have some fellow feeling for the chap, that line about the builders pretty much clinched it...