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Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow organist's tribute to city's 850th anniversary
'I'm his strongest critic,' she says, with a smile. 'And his biggest supporter. I'm very proud of him today - but I'm proud of him every day.' On Wednesday (May 14) Bill marked more than 55 years of performing at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum with a special recital arranged for Glasgow 850, the city's year-long celebration of its 850th anniversary. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) 'I did the organ recital for Glasgow 800 on May 14, 1975, and exactly 50 years to the day, I am doing it for Glasgow 850,' he says, proudly. 'It really is lovely, a real honour - and very good publicity for the organ and the city. Glasgow has the world's longest-running free daily organ recital and I'm very proud to be part of that.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Bill, who is now 76, started 'picking out tunes with his right thumb' on his mother's piano at the age of five. The family lived in Netherlee, and his mother was a gifted pianist who encouraged her son's love of playing. 'I got lessons at eight and that's when I realised what my other fingers were for,' he says, smiling. 'I liked the piano, but I was fascinated by the organ in my local church. I used to watch the organist in full flow, marvelling at the pedalling. I wanted a go at that….' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) He had his first organ lesson at the age of 12 and played his first church service six months later. As a teenager, he studied at Glasgow Cathedral with John Turner, who was the Cathedral's youngest-ever organist and is, Bill says, 'still going strong in his mid-80s.' Bill's first recital in Kelvingrove was in 1969. He loves the museum's beautiful, complex Lewis pipe organ, which was built for the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition and moved in to the museum's central hall the following year. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) 'This organ is like an old friend,' he says, softly, demonstrating the vast array of pedals and stops in a quiet moment before the recital begins. 'It is capable of everything from a whisper to a roar. The acoustics in the building are wonderful, and wherever you are, in the side galleries, on the balconies, on the stairs, you can hear the music.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Music has always been 'a hobby and a passion' for Bill, whose day job was in financial services. He and Moira, who is also an accomplished organist, live in Paisley, and the couple have two sons and two grandchildren. Over the years, a vast range of music has been played by the organists at Kelvingrove. In January 2016, Christopher Nickol's rendition of Life on Mars in tribute to David Bowie, following the singer's death earlier that day, was a hit on social media with millions of views in the space of a few hours. 'Some organists play classical music, others do contemporary, most do both,' says Bill. 'It's important to have a mix of the lighter pieces and the more stirring ones. The trick is to get the audience's attention early with something fast and exciting.' He adds, smiling: 'You never know who is in the audience, either – multi-millionaire film producer Michael Mendelsohn popped in recently, because he was in the city filming with James McAvoy.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren, who presented Bill with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his outstanding service, said: 'Bill's dedication to the world-famous organ recitals in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has enriched our city's cultural heritage and brought joy to countless visitors. 'His performances have become a favourite tradition and for some a happy introduction to the world of organ music, usually more associated with places of worship. 'This milestone is even more momentous as Bill took part in the Glasgow 800 celebrations. Today, fifty years on, we honour his commitment, exceptional service and his place as an integral part of Glasgow's vibrant cultural life." READ NEXT: Glasgow unveils city's first ever memorial to Merchant Navy 'It was the end of blackouts and air raids and fear' as Glasgow marked VE Day The Glasgow schools for 'homeless waifs' which helped feed city's poor At the Glasgow 850 recital, busy with tourists and schoolchildren, the programme included A Glasgow Flourish, arranged by Bill and woven with familiar melodies linked to the city; Kelvingrove, a piece specially commissioned for Bill by his family and composed by John Barber, in honour of Bill's 50th anniversary of recitals at Kelvingrove in 2019; and the Finale from Sonata No. 4 by Alexandre Guilmant. Bill has played organ recitals all over the country, but Kelvingrove will always have a special place in his heart. 'The audiences at Kelvingrove are what make it so wonderful,' says Bill. 'They're open to everything, from Bach to swing to the unexpected.' He pauses. 'Although French avant-garde music does tend to be a little less well-received.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Skipton Town Hall to play host to classical music festival
SKIPTON Town Hall will be a venue for the Ryedale Festival for the first time this year with a concert by trailblazing saxophonist Jess Gillam and her Ensemble III. Described as 'dynamic, bold and unique' the ensemble brings 'vibrant energy and boundless enthusiasm to the stage'. The concert includes a wide variety of music from CPE Bach and Debussy to Michael Nyman and David Bowie (Life on Mars). Jess Gillam has been described by The Times newspaper as 'not just one of Britain's most virtuosic instrumentalists, but also an unstuffy, inspiring personality'. The Ryedale Festival takes place from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 27; its programme of live classical music, offering audiences a festival experience shaped by vision, innovation and artistic excellence. This year's event features 57 performances in 33 locations right across the county, from Scarborough to Skipton. The classical music festival, which also embraces jazz, folk, poetry and participation opportunities, enjoys a large, loyal and enthusiastic audience, the warm support of the local community and a reputation as one of Europe's leading festivals of its kind. BBC Radio 3 broadcasts five concerts from the festival, including a recital by BBC New Generation Artists including German pianist Julius Asal, American violinist Hana Chang, Estonian flautist Elizaveta Ivanova and Uruguayan-Spanish tenor Santiago Sanchez. The Jess Gillam Ensemble III will be at Skipton Town Hall at 3pm on July 19. Tickets at:
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC's forgotten 'masterpiece' series with Hollywood A-lister and Walking Dead star now free to watch
The political thriller was a binge-worthy hit Viewers are urged to rediscover a neglected BBC series that's now completely free to stream online. This six-part, addictive show debuted prior to the era of streaming services, premiering on the BBC back in 2003. The political thriller begins with the death of an MP's assistant and the theft of a briefcase, which prompts the bereaved politician to enlist the help of his former campaign strategist and a reporter pal to unravel the murky deaths, reports Surrey Live. From the get-go, audiences were strapped in for a wild ride as the programme has maintained an impressive 8.3/10 rating on IMDb. The drama features an impressive lineup including big screen star James McAvoy, David Morrissey from The Walking Dead, Bill Nighy known for Love Actually, Kelly MacDonald of Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire fame, John Simm who starred in Life on Mars and Doctor Who, and Philip Glenister, also of Life on Mars renown. Additionally, there were cameos from a pre-Game of Thrones Rory McCann (known better as The Hound), Polly Walker from Bridgerton, Benedict Wong of Marvel cinematic fame, and Tom Burke, who would later headline the detective series Strike. State of Play made such a splash that it sparked a Hollywood adaptation in 2009 featuring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Dame Helen Mirren, and Rachel McAdams, though many argue that the film doesn't hold a candle to the original series. On IMDb, fans have lauded the series, with one user commenting: "This BBC political thriller mini-series is far superior to the American remake. "If you like newsroom dramas, and films involving investigative journalism then you'll love this." One ecstatic reviewer gave a 10/10 score, sharing: "What makes a good political thriller? Some things are obvious. Firstly, strong believable characters. Secondly, a fast-paced, complex, dazzling plot. "But the plot must resolve into something comprehensible - there may appear to be one hundred mysteries, but beneath the smoke and mirrors, there must be one story. "Anyone can write an infinite collection of coincidences and conspiracies - but a strong story makes simple sense in the end." Another thrilled viewer exclaimed: "What a trip watching this masterpiece. "It's a fast moving intelligent thriller that had me glued to the couch... more addictive than Crack!". "The acting is convincing, the plot is thick, the script is delicious and the characters are vivid." You can now catch State of Play streaming at no cost whatsoever on the spanking new platform U, which also boasts a reboot of Bergerac, Louis Theroux's L.A. Stories, the stylish Mad Men, crime drama Annika, as well as vintage episodes of EastEnders, The Shield, and Holby City. This service provides your gateway to UKTV's no-cost channels like UandDave, UandDrama, UandW, and UandYesterday. Boot up U online by heading over to sign up without spending a penny, and you're set to bask in thousands of hours of gratis telly. While U doesn't charge a fee, it does feature ads throughout its content.
The Independent
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
John Simm says finding out dad wasn't biological father on DNA series felt ‘vindicating'
Doctor Who actor John Simm has said that finding out his dad was not his biological father felt vindicating and 'explained a lot'. The 54-year-old Life on Mars star appeared on ITV 's DNA Journey last year, where he learnt that his biological father was not his beloved dad Ronald Simm, who died in 2015, but a club manager from Lancashire called Terence. Speaking to The Telegraph in a new interview, Simm said the revelation rocked his world but didn't surprise him. 'It explained a lot. I always felt guilty for feeling a bit different to my family and for leaving at 16. So when I found out, I felt vindicated. I hadn't been going mad.' However, he was thrown by the realisation that he had met Terence on numerous occasions in the past. 'He used to run a couple of the clubs where me and my dad played. I'd have shaken his hand, he would have watched us and paid us, and he'd have probably seen me on TV,' said Simm. 'And yet none of us knew anything. That's a crazy Life on Mars, Back to the Future -style scenario.' He added that he's made peace with the realisation now, saying: 'I'm not damaged by it. My dad is still my dad.' Simm had taken part in the TV show alongside his Life on Mars co-star Philip Glenister so that his friend would not have to take part alone. But it was Simm whose life was altered by what he learnt from taking part in the series. Speaking on the episode, Simm said: 'It's turned out to be such a massive thing in my life and all I was doing was a favour for Phil so he didn't have to do it on his own. It's spun my world... everything I thought I knew wasn't real.' The Grace actor considered quitting the show after making the discovery but decided to use the experts for information on his real father. In the episode, Simm learnt that Terence is dead, but was told he worked at the same clubs that Simm and Ronald, who was a musician, would play gigs at. He said: 'I can't get it out of my head because we played this area in the 1980s and he was here – he was working in men's clubs.' Simm then revealed a conversation he had with his mother before filming the show that took on new light after his astonishing discovery. He learnt that his mother and Ronald initially split and got back together when they welcomed John. 'When they had me, in the 1960s, they were both young,' he said. 'They were together and then they split up and were both with other people and then they got back together and then they had me. And I'd never heard this story before.' Simm is best known for playing The Master in the BBC's long-running series Doctor Who as well as DI Sam Tyler in the BBC sci-fi series .
Telegraph
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
John Simm: ‘Finding out my dad was not my biological father? It explained a lot'
The first thing I ask John Simm is whether his new character, Gray, an angry, washed-up record producer in Chris Lang's new family drama I, Jack Wright, was written especially for him. Not that Simm is washed-up in any way, rather that across a career stretching more than 30 years he's established a reputation for playing volatile, pugilistic, screwed-up men. Yet Simm is flustered by the question. 'Hang on, what's this interview for again?' he asks. 'Oh, you mean Gray. Not Grace. Sorry. I need to get my head straight.' You can understand the confusion. The week after we speak, the police procedural Grace, in which Simm plays the eponymous sensitive detective, returned to ITV for a fifth season. The highly bankable star of Life on Mars and Doctor Who has played the 'very straight, decent copper' since 2021 and the role has been his longest consistent job – a godsend, he says, in an increasingly budget-stricken TV industry in which many of his actor friends are finding themselves 'out of work'. Simm, a restless, self-confessed workaholic, is one of the lucky ones. He never seems to stop. 'Much as I love playing Grace, who is a very good man, I sometimes find myself desperate to break out and do something else.' Hence Gray, who is not a good man at all. It's a vintage Simm part – a nasty piece of work who tasted success during the then roaring music industry in the 1990s, but who squandered it on drugs and booze and is now in debt to the tune of 50 grand to a local bruiser, who often likes to remind Gray of the fact by punching him in the face. Estranged from his obscenely wealthy father (played by Trevor Eve), Gray has great hopes of a lifeline when his dad dies in an apparent suicide. Yet the titular Wright has instead split his wealth between his granddaughter and various charitable causes, violently upending the expectations of his remaining feuding relations and leaving Gray, whose 1990s swagger is long passed its sell-by-date, a bitter desperate mess. 'I don't think Gray's a bad person, I just think he's had a really difficult life,' says Simm of a flailing manchild who finds himself, along with the rest of the family, a suspect when Wright's death is revealed to be murder. 'At heart he's a damaged little boy who felt rejected by his parents and who took the wrong path. And if you are in the music business, that's easy to do. It's easy for the world to leave you behind.' Simm knows a bit of what he speaks. Having grown up playing gigs with his musician dad in the working men's clubs of the north-west, he spent the early 1990s in his band Magic Alex, touring with Echo and the Bunnymen and playing venues such as the Brixton Academy and the Royal Albert Hall. 'I saw a lot of casualties,' he says of a scene on which he also drew heavily for his roles in Human Traffic, about the late 1980s club culture, and Michael Winterbottom's 2002 Madchester comedy 24 Hour Party People. 'There was a lot of drugs, a lot of excess.' Does he see in Gray a case of there but for the grace of God? 'I guess in a way I did feel a bit of that. We nearly got signed, but by that point I was working as an actor, and starring in [ Jimmy McGovern's ] The Lakes. I'd chosen acting instead.' In truth, it's hard to see much shred of screwy psychology in the amiable Simm, who is married with two children, and who cuts a surprisingly small and slight figure in the London hotel where we meet, almost dwarfed by the overstuffed armchair in which he is sitting. Some performers channel hidden bits of themselves into the parts they play; Simm opts for characters that take him as far from his seemingly equable, stable, untroubled life as possible. For many years in the late 1990s and throughout the Noughties he was TV's leading pin-up in painfully-flawed characters, probing the wayward excesses of masculinity in blistering roles from the gambling addict Danny in The Lakes to a disturbed teenager in Cracker, his edge sharpened by his self-described reputation as a 'chippy northerner' who could be tricky in interviews and prickly about his fame. That Simm is long gone – 'it was more a reflection of who I was then', he says of a youthful penchant for being twitchily defensive, although a pathological shyness also had a lot to do with it. He prefers to see the characters he plays simply as acting exercises in understanding. 'Hamlet, Macbeth, [Crime and Punishment's] Raskolnikov, Caligula: the f--k-ups are simply more fun to play. The point is to always find the humanity where you can.' He's careful never to push it too far. 'Some actors take the part home with them. But I go down the pub and have a beer. You have to remember it's not you.' The one exception was Crime, the 2021 TV adaptation of Irvine Welsh's foul and filthy detective caper in which he played – in a turn of wincingly mesmeric grotesquerie – the psychotic paedophile Mr Confectioner. 'He had a milky eye, so I tried to shed him each night when I took it out,' Simm says, squirming. 'But it was very hard. I always said I'd never play that kind of part. I find it abhorrent; I've got kids of my own. To be honest, I only took it because it was so different from Grace.' It was while filming the fifth season of Grace and also wrapping shooting on Jack Wright that Simm discovered, on ITV's DNA Journey, that his biological father was not his beloved dad Raymond, who had died in 2015, but a long-dead club manager from Lancashire called Terence. The revelation both rocked his world and didn't surprise him. 'It explained a lot. I always felt guilty for feeling a bit different to my family and for leaving at 16 [for a three-year performing arts course in Blackpool]. So when I found out, I felt vindicated. I hadn't been going mad.' What did throw him was the realisation he would have met Terence on numerous occasions. 'He used to run a couple of the clubs where me and my dad played. I'd have shaken his hand, he would have watched us and paid us, and he'd have probably seen me on TV. And yet none of us knew anything. That's a crazy Life on Mars, Back to the Future-style scenario.' He's okay about it now. 'I'm not damaged by it. My dad is still my dad.' He still sometimes watches Life on Mars, the much-loved genre-hopping BBC show in which he played the time-travelling policeman Sam Tyler. 'You get nostalgic. Me and Phil [Glenister, who portrayed the distinctly non-woke, straight-talking cop Gene Hunt] sometimes get together with a bottle of wine and stick it on the TV.' There were rumours the programme would make a return, but Simm says the idea got lost in development. He thinks that's probably for the best. 'As Phil says, you couldn't have a character like Gene on TV anymore. You'd have to water him down. We got away with it then because I'd roll my eyes at everything he said, but you can't do that now.' He finds it hard looking at his younger self. 'I watched The Lakes again recently and thought, 'My God! My God! I don't look like that anymore!' I was lamenting those cheekbones.' He's accepted he's unlikely these days to be offered the young firebrands he made his name with at the start of his career, although there's definitely something of the arrested twentysomething agitator about Gray. 'I get it. I think, 'Okay, I'm now the dad. Soon I'll be the grandad.'' He likes to slip in the stage work wherever he can, partly because he trained in classical theatre and partly because he gets appalling stage fright if he leaves it too long. He once fantasised about faking a heart attack during the West End run of Speaking in Tongues in order to avoid going on. 'And then suddenly it was my cue and I had to get on with it.' Getting on with what he is there to do is, in fact, very much Simm's style – a work ethic engrained in him by his father, and honed by the uncompromising demands of those early northern working-class audiences. 'They'd worked all week, they had one night out, they wanted to be entertained, and so if you weren't very good you got booed off.' It's been a warning to always be prepared ever since. 'We've had a spate of Hollywood stars doing shows in the West End and not getting great reviews, although I should say I haven't seen any of the plays. But they must get out there and think, 'Oh s--t, I didn't train for this'. Instead they just assumed they could do it. And you can't if you haven't put in the work.' He has no patience with actors, particularly younger ones, who have a flakier relationship to commitment. 'I'd come down on anyone at work who isn't prepared. I'd be so p---ed off. When someone doesn't know their lines, I find that unforgivable.' To some extent he sees this in his 18-year-old daughter. 'Me and my wife [the actress Kate Magowan] are constantly telling her: 'In our day, you just had to get on with it.' But then I'm from the power-through generation. And I learned that from my dad.'
