Mailbox

A round-up of the latest news, gossip and other information from members. Health warning: Anything in this article should not be relied upon as gospel. 

Got something to share? Send it to mailbox@bscw.co.uk

SITS VAC

From: Kev F Sutherland

Not that I'm one to blow my own trumpet, but you can currently find a short article about Sits Vac & The Sitcom Trials by me (along with a picture of my gorgeous fizzog, you lucky people) on BBC Online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writenow/writenow.shtml 

We are currently lining up our new year Sitcom Trials season - continuing to work with new writers and performers to devise, develop and test on stage new sitcoms and comedy concepts for TV and radio - and are always interested in hearing from producers and broadcasters.

See: http://www.sitsvac.org

SITCOM TRIALS

From: Kev F Sutherland

Thanks to everyone who made it to last night's Christmas SITCOM TRIALS at The Comedy Pub in Soho. It was another triumphant night, and congratulations are in order to the writers and performers who made it go so well. Thanks also to the TV industry faces who made themselves known, your support is always welcome.

The results of the audience voting was as follows (in order of appearance, totalled thus: Yes=+2, Maybe=+1, No=minus1, Fave=+4)

KNIGHT CLUB by Ben Manning & Matt Bowdler (starring Bowdler & Manning, Nick Ewans & Dan March) Score: 18

LAVENDER MILLBANK DEFECTIVE STORIES by Geoff Parfitt (starring Gez Foster & Vicky Jeffrey, with Louisa Gummer & Susie Govett) Score: 19

HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS by Jane Simon (starring Julie Mayhew) Score: 23

ANARCHIST by Rich Johnston (starring Nick Ewans, with Simon Kent) Score: 29

RONALD AN ACTORS LIFE by John Anderson & Damian McDonald (starring Dan March, with Hannah Kelly) Score: 25

BILL THE BUILDER by Kev F (starring Sean Boru, with Dan March) Score: 39

GRAHAM by Geoff Parfitt (starring Gez Foster, with Claude Starling) Score: 67 THE CLIENT by James Harris & Rupert Wainwright (starring Gez Foster, Nick Ewans, Louisa Gummer & Susie Govett) Score: 133

And some of the comments on the audience questionnaires:

KNIGHT CLUB "Very slick, neatly constructed" "Hugh Scully doesn't present Antiques Roadshow" "Merlin was good"

LAVENDER MILLBANK DEFECTIVE STORIES "Brilliant, though better last time" "Too long, overwritten" "Dry, bit like Drop The Dead Donkey - like it" "Elsie has best lines"

HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS "Crap!" "Funny once, that's all"

ANARCHIST "Well performed, excellent!" "Great ideas"

AN ACTORS LIFE "Very funny" "Good performance" "Love the bloke who plays Ronald"

BILL THE BUILDER Only audience comment was: "Patronising one joke character"

GRAHAM "Very good, well paced" "Were Graham to be staff in the Client it would be a winner!" "A vocalised Mr Bean" "Nice style & pace"

THE CLIENT "Outclassed everything" "Client was fab" "Good story, good characters, very enjoyable" "...seemed best thought out" "The best of the night" "Superb" "Excellent!" "Brilliant - laugh a minute. Great lines, good gags, well done, fantastic characterisations - definitely the best of the evening. Let's see some more of this one!" "Nice pineapple!"

Anyone wishing to check out the scripts from the above sitcoms can access them by joining our eGroup (see website or email me for details). Previous episodes from our last seven shows are webcast at http://www.hahabonk.com

We look forward to seeing you all at our new year shows (schedule to be announced soon). Budding sitcom writers and performers are urged to check out the website and get in touch.

DEAD RINGERS

From: Frank E Tennis

Bill Dare's list of preferred impressions for Dead Ringers:

Alan Bennett, Alan Hansen, Alastair Cook, Alec Guinness, Ali G, Anne Robinson, Ann Widdecombe, Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal Lector), Arnie, Babara Windsor, Ben Elton, Bob Geldof, Boo Boo, Brains, Brian Perkins (don’t use), Brian Sewell, Brian Blessed, Bugs Bunny, Captain Kirk, Carol Smilie, Caroline Quentin, Celia Johnson, Charlotte Green, Chris Eubank, Chris Tarrant, Cliff Richard, Clive Anderson, Clive James, Dale Winton, Darleks, Darth Vader, David Attenborough, David Bowie, David Frost, Delia Smith, Des Lynham, Esther Rantzen, Elton John (singing), Frank Bruno, Frank Skinner, Frankie Howerd, Fred Elliot - Corrie, Fred Truman, Friends - Ross, Rachel, Phoebie and Monica, Gordon Brown, Graham Norton, Henry Blofeld, Ian Hislop, Ian Paisley, Jack Nicholson, Jack Straw, Jeffrey Boycott, Jennie Saunders Dawn F, Jennifer Pattison, Jeremy Clarkson, Jerry Springer, Jimmy Hill, Joan Bakewell, Jo Brand, Jo Pesci, Joanna Lumley, John Lennon, John Humphries, John Inman, John Major, John Motson, John Peel, John Prescott, Jon McCririck, Johnny Vaughan, Julian Clary, Julie Walters, Keith Floyd, Kevin Keegan, Kirsty Wark, Lennox Lewis, Leonard Rossiter, Les Dawson, Linda Barker, Lloyd Grossman, Melvin Bragg, Michael Buerk, Michael Caine, Michael Parkinson, Mick Jagger, Mo Molem, Mr McGoo, Murray Walker, Mutley from Wacky Races, Ned Sherrin, Neil Kinnock, Noel Coward, Paddy Ashdown, Pat Evans from Eastenders, Patricia Routledge, Patrick Moore, Peter Mandelson, Peter O Sullivan, Pierce Brosnan, Popeye, Prince Naseem, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Richard Wilson, Richie Benaud, Ringo Star, Robin Cook, Roger Moore, Rolf Harris, Ronnie Corbett, Ross from Friends and all the women, Ruby Wax, Scooby Doo, Sean Connery, Shaggy, Simpsons - Marge Lisa and Bart, Sting, Sty Stallone, Sue McGregor, The Archers characters, The Hooded Claw from Wacky Races, The Likely Lads, The Steptoes, Thelma, Thora Hird, Tim Henman, Tom Baker, Tommy Cooper, Tony Blair, Top Cat, Trevor Brooking, Trevor McDonald, Victoria Wood, William Hague, Woody Allen, Yogi Bear, Yosomite Sam. We can also do most soap operas.

SOHO THEATRE

From: Gill Smith

The Soho Theatre are looking for writers, and according to their brochure the company "reads and reports on all the scripts we receive at no cost to the writer." It says that every play gets feedback, and there is a chance of being comissioned, produced, or chosen for a workshop.

E-mail writers@sohotheatre.com with your script. The theatre's website is www.sohotheatre.com