Latest news with #Bergerac
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Liza Goddard: Renowned English actress 'a bit frightened' about debuting Scottish accent in Edinburgh play
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Actress Liza Goddard has said she is "a bit frightened" to debut her Scottish accent when she performs on stage in Edinburgh next month. The 75-year-old star, who has appeared in TV shows including Doctor Who and Bergerac, as well as 1969 series Take Three Girls, said she had been "trying out" her accent in shops in preparation for playing 19th-century crofter Enid McRae in a production of play The Croft, at the Festival Theatre. The play has already been performed in theatres across England. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Goddard also revealed she had enlisted the help of Lewis folk singer Dolina Maclennan to help her pronounce some Gaelic phrases required for the part. Based on a true story, The Croft, which also stars Coronation Street and Casualty star Gray O'Brien, charts the life of the last woman to live on a remote croft on the Applecross peninsula. 'I'm a bit frightened about performing in Edinburgh,' Ms Goddard said. 'I've had lots of practice and a very good voice teacher. Sometimes, apparently, I go to Morningside, but mostly I stay in the Highlands. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I quite like accents. I do practice all the time in shops. I don't know why I feel that people in shops are going to say 'oh, you're not Scottish'. But of course, they don't. They're probably accepting of however you talk. Liza Goddard stars as Enid. | The Croft 'So, I don't know if that's a good thing, but I have a happy time being Scottish most of the time.' Ms Goddard added: 'Gray [O'Brien] is very useful because he'll tell me if my vowels are going a bit south.' Mr O'Brien said the pair have a ritual to get Ms Goddard into her Scottish accent before going on stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I say 'guid' and she says 'guid' and then I say 'aye' and she says 'aye',' he said. 'Her accent is pretty good. She's so jolly hockey sticks normally that it is funny to see her playing this dour, crofter woman.' He added: 'It's been a really difficult play. It makes you feel guilty that people are turning these old crofts into holiday homes, after all that happened in the Clearances. I know the audience in Edinburgh will have a good awareness of that. I'm not sure how much our audiences in England knew before.' The Croft writer Ali Milles was inspired by stories of local women told at the Applecross visitor centre. The play moves between the life of Ms McRae, in the 1870s, to modern times, when other characters stay at a holiday home next door to Ms McRae's remote croft. Ms Goddard said she had called on Ms Maclennan, a friend of Scottish actor John Bett, to help her with the Gaelic lines. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Liza Goddard, while appearing in Bergerac in 1997 | PA She said: 'She very kindly recorded it for me so I could then practice. I feel confident doing it all because of her. It'll be a great treat to meet her when she comes to Edinburgh to see the play.' Director Alastair Whatley said he found the location a "really spooky place" when he visited out of season to get a feel for the area before starting work on the play. He recounted finding himself in the Applecross Inn with just one other guest. 'I went up and I visited it a few times, and it's an amazing, beautiful place,' he said. 'But when it's raining and it's dark and you're on your own, it's a really spooky place.' Mr Whatley said of staying at the award-winning Applecross Inn: 'It was just me and one other guest, who I never met, and the owners. It was the off season and nothing was open out there, and it was pouring with rain. It was really kind of bleak, but also magical, it was quite easy to get into the play.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He added: 'There's something about it, particularly when you learn the history and the tragedy that's come its way, which is quite powerful.'
West Australian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Screen Queen TV Reviews: Stick, Brassic, Alone Australia finale, The Tylenol Murders and The Survivors
Not to sound like an insufferable Pollyanna, but I have a list of things that make me smile. And when life's grinding me down and I'm having a particularly crappy day, I'll read it, and try to do at least one thing off it that instantly makes me feel better. I know — I annoy myself, too. There are all sorts of random things on said list: drinking my first coffee of the day, getting into clean sheets at night, sniffing my dog's paws (they smell like CCs!), feeling a breeze on my face through an open window, watching funny Instagram memes with my kid — all are instant dopamine hits. Over the years, various TV series have snuck their way on. And if I need a lift, I'll regularly rewatch old episodes of Escape To The Chateau, Schitt's Creek or Ted Lasso. If I REALLY want to feel all the happy feels, I'll pop on Bluey's Sleepytime episode and cry great, big cathartic tears into my cat's fur — highly recommend. I can't help wondering if Owen Wilson's new feel-good golf comedy, Stick, might be about to join my happy list, and, indeed, become a whole generation of sports-comedy-loving viewers' serotonin hit of choice. It tells the story of an over-the-hill golf pro called Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who discovers a 17-year-old golf prodigy named Santi (Peter Dager) and decides to mentor him on the competition circuit. It's got all the ingredients for an instant TV hit, and there are some incredible performances from the cast, which includes Marc Maron, Judy Greer, Mariana Trevino and Lilli Kay. And sure, it's about golf — not exactly my sport of choice — but, like soccer was to Ted Lasso, that's really just the kick-off point to tell some heartfelt stories about hope, resilience and the importance of picking yourself up. Add it to your lists, people! Looking for your next favourite under-the-radar Netflix show? This is it! Regular SBS watchers might have already caught this great British series, about a group of mates living in the 'grim North' of England. But Netflix is giving this fabulous black comedy a new life, streaming seasons one to five. It's already crept into their top 10 list this week, which brings me joy — I love that new fans are discovering how great This Is England's Joe Gilgun (the show's co-creator) and Bergerac's Damien Molony are as the two mismatched besties at the heart of the series. The full cast will be coming together for a special reunion episode at the conclusion of the final two instalments of the season, to be hosted by Kumi Taguchi. Can't wait for the debrief. If you took a drink every time someone said the word 'Tylenol' in this doco, you'd be absolutely hammered five minutes in. Talk about branding! Though probably not the kind the massive drug company was after. This doco has some genuinely surprising moments, but they weren't enough to sustain my interest past ep one. This Aussie drama, based on Jane Harper's bestselling novel, stars The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power's Charlie Vickers and Yerin Ha, who'll soon be seen playing the romantic lead in the next instalment of Bridgerton. Talk about a stacked cast! Mark your diaries.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Owen Wilson's new series Stick is feel-good TV at its best
Not to sound like an insufferable Pollyanna, but I have a list of things that make me smile. And when life's grinding me down and I'm having a particularly crappy day, I'll read it, and try to do at least one thing off it that instantly makes me feel better. I know — I annoy myself, too. There are all sorts of random things on said list: drinking my first coffee of the day, getting into clean sheets at night, sniffing my dog's paws (they smell like CCs!), feeling a breeze on my face through an open window, watching funny Instagram memes with my kid — all are instant dopamine hits. Over the years, various TV series have snuck their way on. And if I need a lift, I'll regularly rewatch old episodes of Escape To The Chateau, Schitt's Creek or Ted Lasso. If I REALLY want to feel all the happy feels, I'll pop on Bluey's Sleepytime episode and cry great, big cathartic tears into my cat's fur — highly recommend. I can't help wondering if Owen Wilson's new feel-good golf comedy, Stick, might be about to join my happy list, and, indeed, become a whole generation of sports-comedy-loving viewers' serotonin hit of choice. It tells the story of an over-the-hill golf pro called Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who discovers a 17-year-old golf prodigy named Santi (Peter Dager) and decides to mentor him on the competition circuit. It's got all the ingredients for an instant TV hit, and there are some incredible performances from the cast, which includes Marc Maron, Judy Greer, Mariana Trevino and Lilli Kay. And sure, it's about golf — not exactly my sport of choice — but, like soccer was to Ted Lasso, that's really just the kick-off point to tell some heartfelt stories about hope, resilience and the importance of picking yourself up. Add it to your lists, people! Series 1-5 of Brassic are now streaming on Netflix. Credit: Supplied Looking for your next favourite under-the-radar Netflix show? This is it! Regular SBS watchers might have already caught this great British series, about a group of mates living in the 'grim North' of England. But Netflix is giving this fabulous black comedy a new life, streaming seasons one to five. It's already crept into their top 10 list this week, which brings me joy — I love that new fans are discovering how great This Is England's Joe Gilgun (the show's co-creator) and Bergerac's Damien Molony are as the two mismatched besties at the heart of the series. Alone Australia is wrapping up its third season this week with a reunion show to air after the series concludes. Credit: Narelle Portanier / SBS The full cast will be coming together for a special reunion episode at the conclusion of the final two instalments of the season, to be hosted by Kumi Taguchi. Can't wait for the debrief. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders is streaming now on Netflix. Credit: Supplied If you took a drink every time someone said the word 'Tylenol' in this doco, you'd be absolutely hammered five minutes in. Talk about branding! Though probably not the kind the massive drug company was after. This doco has some genuinely surprising moments, but they weren't enough to sustain my interest past ep one. Yerin Ha and Charlie Vickers star in The Survivors. Credit: Aedan O'Donnell / Netflix / Courtesy of Netflix This Aussie drama, based on Jane Harper's bestselling novel, stars The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power's Charlie Vickers and Yerin Ha, who'll soon be seen playing the romantic lead in the next instalment of Bridgerton. Talk about a stacked cast! Mark your diaries.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
British drama becomes hit in Japan despite mixed UK reviews
An iconic British drama has become an unlikely hit in Japan despite a string of mixed reviews in the UK. The six-part crime series, titled Bergerac, hit screens with a reboot back in February and stars Damien Molony, who stepped into John Nettles's lead role of Jim Bergerac. Originally airing in 1981, the remake follows the complicated detective Jim as he has to deal with the past case of a murdered woman alongside his own personal issues. All six episodes are available to watch for free on the U&Drama streaming service. In an unexpected move, the Jersey-based series has caught the attention of TV bosses in Japan. Bergerac is now reportedly set to air on Japanese broadcaster WOWOW. However, the remake of the detective drama flopped in the UK and has a mediocre 6.4/10 rating on IMDb, with many favouring the original. The Mail's Christopher Stevens scored the series four out of five stars but noted it 'very different production from the one that enthralled audiences in the Eighties'. Other critics weren't so positive and the Scottish Daily Mail's John Macleod expressed his dismay at the lack of 'original ideas' on television. The New Statesman penned how the reboot 'lost all its drollness and sense of fun'. The publication dubbed it 'the half-hearted return of Bergerac'. Radio Times was more positive and scored the reboot three out of five stars and praised how 'nods to the original will tick boxes for longtime fans'. Though the publication noted 'there's no sign of the reggae-tinged accordion theme tune, which was a banger'. While some fans missed the charm of the YEAR series and penned on Rotten Tomatoes: 'What a shame, it's all got to serious, none of the understated humour of the original series, which I've started watching again, far better.' Another added: 'Tried it this evening and sorry the main character has the charisma of a goldfinch and high doses of being annoying and self-centred. 'John Nettles had the ability to make you like him... which this new character doesn't. 'Without John Nettles Midsomer Murders would have fold as this series will very quickly under its new straight jacket of cliches and bad acting.' Bergerac 2025 hit an impressive 1.8million viewers per episode when it first hit screens earlier this year. Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Iconic British drama becomes unlikely hit in Japan despite string of mixed reviews in the UK
An iconic British drama has become an unlikely hit in Japan despite a string of mixed reviews in the UK. The six-part crime series, titled Bergerac, hit screens with a reboot back in February and stars Damien Molony, who stepped into John Nettles's lead role of Jim Bergerac. Originally airing in 1981, the remake follows the complicated detective Jim as he has to deal with the past case of a murdered woman alongside his own personal issues. All six episodes are available to watch for free on the U&Drama streaming service. In an unexpected move, the Jersey-based series has caught the attention of TV bosses in Japan. Bergerac is now reportedly set to air on Japanese broadcaster WOWOW. Originally airing in 1981, the remake follows the complicated detective Jim as he has to deal with the past case of a murdered woman alongside his own personal issues. Nettles pictured as Bergerac However, the remake of the detective drama flopped in the UK and has a mediocre 6.4/10 rating on IMDb, with many favouring the original. The Mail's Christopher Stevens scored the series four out of five stars but noted it 'very different production from the one that enthralled audiences in the Eighties'. Other critics weren't so positive and the Scottish Daily Mail's John Macleod expressed his dismay at the lack of 'original ideas' on television. The New Statesman penned how the reboot 'lost all its drollness and sense of fun'. The publication dubbed it 'the half-hearted return of Bergerac'. Radio Times was more positive and scored the reboot three out of five stars and praised how 'nods to the original will tick boxes for longtime fans'. Though the publication noted 'there's no sign of the reggae-tinged accordion theme tune, which was a banger'. While some fans missed the charm of the YEAR series and penned on Rotten Tomatoes: 'What a shame, it's all got to serious, none of the understated humour of the original series, which I've started watching again, far better.' Another added: 'Tried it this evening and sorry the main character has the charisma of a goldfinch and high doses of being annoying and self-centred. 'John Nettles had the ability to make you like him... which this new character doesn't. 'Without John Nettles Midsomer Murders would have fold as this series will very quickly under its new straight jacket of cliches and bad acting.' Bergerac 2025 hit an impressive 1.8million viewers per episode when it first hit screens earlier this year.
