Bleak House Coming Soon to the USA
Posted at 12:48 PM (PST) on Friday, December 16, 2005

PBS has a video promo of Bleak House.

Available in Quicktime or Real Video.

MASTERPIECE THEATRE

To be presented in 6 episodes:

Sundays, January 22 - February 26, 2006

Acclaimed writer Andrew Davies turns his talents to one of Charles Dickens' most brilliant novels. Fresh and imaginative, yet faithful to the original, this thrilling episodic adaptation is shot with a contemporary edge.

At its heart is the story of the icily beautiful Lady Dedlock, who nurses a dark secret, and the merciless lawyer Tulkinghorn, who seeks to uncover it. The generous John Jarndyce, struggling with his own past, and his two young wards Richard and Ada, are all entangled, like Lady Dedlock, in the infamous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, which will make one of them rich beyond imagination if it can ever be brought to a conclusion. As Tulkinghorn digs deeper into Lady Dedlock's past, he unearths a secret that will change their lives forever, and which is almost as astounding as the final outcome of the Jarndyce case.

A unique adaptation of one of Charles Dickens' most impressive works, Bleak House is a sprawling presentation featuring a spectacular cast, including Gillian Anderson, Charles Dance and Ian Richardson.

Thanks, Tamara!

BBC's Bleak House 'to go global'
Posted at 5:44 AM (PST) on Friday, December 16, 2005

BBC News

The BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House is poised to be snapped up by broadcasters around the globe.

BBC Worldwide - the BBC's commercial arm - said there had been a "huge amount" of international interest.

About 20 countries are said to be keen on showing the period drama, which has been aired on BBC One in half-hour episodes with soap-style cliff-hangers.

(In the UK) The final episode of the 15-part series, starring Gillian Anderson and Charles Dance, will be shown today, Friday.

Bleak House, which began on 27 October, has regularly attracted more than six million viewers per midweek episode.

A spokesperson for BBC Worldwide said: "We've had a huge amount of interest from broadcasters around the world. As it's still on air we haven't confirmed any deals, but the people who take our period dramas are saying it's the best that they have seen from the BBC."

NOTE: BBC Four repeats, scheduled for December 29, will offer 150-minute installments of the series.

Gillian at George Michael Film Screening
Posted at 12:56 PM (PST) on Sunday, December 11, 2005

Gillian attended a Gala Screening of George Michael's documentary, "A Different Story," on Dec. 5th.

George Michael Documentary a 'Present' for Fans
Ireland Online

Pop star George Michael said tonight that a new documentary charting the highs and lows of his turbulent career was a “Christmas present” to his fans.

The former Wham! singer said the film was not a part of a promotional campaign but was a chance to offer fans an explanation as to why his career has been such a “stop, start process”.

More...

Pictures of her at the event are available to view here, courtesy of Lorna and thenight.

Gillian in Budget Living magazine
Posted at 10:27 AM (PST) on Friday, December 9, 2005

Budget Living Magazine
December 2005

Three metal letters spelling out the word YES hang in the stairway of her London home.

Gillian: "I bought them about five years ago from one of those catalogs you get through the mail. I was looking through the catalog thinking, if I ordered these letters, what would I spell? At the time I was reading a book called The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle, and part of his philosophy is about being present in life. It's about saying yes to the moment, accepting it exactly as it is. And because of that, I decided to get the letters Y, E, and S. ...I'm often completely distracted, thinking about 2,000 things, and it reminds me to think positively, to slow down."

Photo by Perou.

Thank you, Mulderbulge and Wendy!

Updated Photo Gallery
Posted at 9:48 PM (PST) on Sunday, December 4, 2005

We've updated the photo gallery with pictures of Gillian from the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and the Irish Film and Television Awards. Thank you to Marie and Lorna for the pictures.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Irish Film and Television Awards

The Mighty Celt DVD in the UK
Posted at 7:41 AM (PST) on Sunday, December 4, 2005

List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £11.99
You Save: £4.00 (25%)

Release date: January 30, 2006.

DVD Region 2 encoding: Europe, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East including Egypt.

Not yet available: you may pre-order this title. We will dispatch it to you when it is released by the studio.

Free UK delivery on orders over £15 with Super Saver Delivery.

We have no information yet as to when "The Mighty Celt" will be released in North America.

Bleak House DVD (2005)
Posted at 4:52 PM (PST) on Saturday, December 3, 2005

In the U.S.A.:

List Price: $39.98
Amazon's Price: $27.99
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
You Save: $11.99 (30%)

Availability: This title will be released on February 28, 2006. You may order it now and Amazon will ship it to you when it arrives.

In the UK:

List Price: £29.99
Amazon's Price: £23.99
You Save: £6.00 (20%)

Delivered FREE in the UK when you select Super Saver Delivery.

Release date: February 20, 2006.
Not yet available: you may pre-order this title. Amazon will dispatch it to you when it is released by the studio.

Buskaid Live! (double album)
Posted at 10:52 AM (PST) on Friday, December 2, 2005

Just in time for holiday giving --- Buskaid Live!, a compilation CD of extraordinary live international performances by the Soweto-based Buskaid Ensemble recorded between January 2001 and June 2005.

This double album features a breathtaking rendition of Grieg’s Holberg Suite, as well as the romantic slow movement of the Elgar Serenade, recorded in Southwark Cathedral in 2002 by the Ensemble under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, who has just won the prestigious Gramophone Award for 2005. In addition, the internationally acclaimed mezzo- soprano Bernarda Fink sings Handel arias and Spirituals in a performance recorded in London in 2001.

The CDs also feature talented soloists from within the Ensemble, including the charismatic vocalist Teboho, the wonderfully earthy singer Mathapelo, exciting lead violinists Samson and Kabelo, and the haunting sounds of cellist Innocentia.

As the Ensemble’s Director, Rosemary Nalden writes in the booklet ‘As an overview of our students’ grasp of music style these recordings could scarcely provide a more comprehensive range of examples.’ Composers highlighted include Biber, Farina, Mozart, Bartok, Massenet, Albinoni, Tchaikovsky, and Purcell, as well as composers from the lighter side, such as John Williams, Hoagy Carmichael, Timothy Kraemer, and of course quite a bit of that vibey Kwela…..!

All the tracks on this double album were recorded by top engineers and producers at Buskaid concerts, and combine the spontaneity and excitement of live performances with the musicality and attention to detail which have become Buskaid’s hallmark.

An added bonus is the beautiful packaging of this double album, designed by the London-based South African Aubrey Kurlansky. The 34-page booklet is full of beautifully reproduced photographs of the young musicians, and also contains imaginative - and sometimes witty - sleeve notes written by the Buskaid students.

As revenues from the sales of all Buskaid CDs help to sustain this amazing organization, your support is of direct benefit, and is greatly appreciated.

US residents may purchase the CD by emailing brenda@buskaid.org.za. The cost, including shipping, is $30. Orders will be processed via PayPal.

Those outside the US, may purchase the CD from the Buskaid web site.