Thursday, December 19, 2013

Christmas Holiday

Today was my last day of work before Christmas break! (Sorry to those who have to work now til 5pm or later ). I wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday break, and it doesn't matter if you're going away on vacation or staying, like me, at home.
I want to share this nice and sunny picture with you!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Picture from the past

This is one of my favorites photos of Jonathan (actually, all photos of Jon are awesome :)) He looks great in this black shirt. Black is a classic colour, simple, but stylish. I think black can evoke strong emotions, Jon looks powerful and sophisticated.
Have a great week! Have a great Christmas shopping!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Black Death DVD III

I'm watching "The Black Death" at the moment. Interesting movie about terrible desease. The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. I like historical movies - they manage to drag us away to another time and, for the most part, teach us a little about our ancestors, history. A few years ago I watched BBC series about Egypt, about various archaeological discoveries in that country. It was really interesting and entertaining.
Jonathan is a very versatile actor and has acted in various roles. He is true actor as he can play any role. He looks accurate and believable in historical clothes :) "Pompeii" and "The Nuclear secrets" are my favorite too.

Jon as Louis Heyligan, musician and philosopher

Friday, December 6, 2013

Jonathan on TV II

I've just found this - Jonathan as Julian Felspar will be on Alibi channel on December the 8th at 4 pm (New Tricks - Couldn't Organise One)

Jon with Ronald Pickup (from New Tricks)

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Jonathan on TV

For those who have ITV3 channel... Sparkling Cyanide will be on December the 31st (New Year's Eve !) at 3.55 pm and on January the 1st at 7.25 am (if you still be awake on the first day of the New Year!).

Monday, December 2, 2013

The Black Death DVD II

I've just received a package from Peter Nicholson.:) It didn't take a lot of time, like he promised. Will watch it this weekend. Have a lot of work to get done at the moment.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The True Gentleman

Since there is no news about Jonathan... I've decided to post this last year's picture, that  I truly love. Jonathan looks good in a suit, confident and sophisticated. He deserves the BAFTA award for being a talented actor :)

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Black Death DVD

Two days ago I found a person who has The Black Death DVD. It’s Peter Nicholson, The Black Death director (and Pompeii’s). I asked him if he knows where I can watch The World’s Worst Century documentary on the Internet. He was really nice chatting to me on the Facebook. I didn’t expect him doing this and I was surprised, when he said that he has this DVD and he will make me a copy. I’m really grateful to him. This morning he wrote that he made a copy and will post it to me this week. I’m looking forward to it.
And his Dartmoor Killing project is coming along well. He really hopes to be able to announce big news before Christmas.

The Black Death Documentary


Thank you, Flo, for the link!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The World's Worst Century

The "World's Worst Century" was released in 2004. That is a movie (with Jonathan in it) I haven't seen. And there is so little information about it. As I understand it wasn't released widely on DVD. I only know that this is a three part history series considering the fourteenth century which saw traumatic upheavals such as wars, epidemics and revolts. The series has 3 episodes: Agincourt, The Peasant's revolt and The Black death. Jonathan is playing Louis Heyligan. And I don't even know in which episode. I would love to see it. I've got two interests - Jonathan (of course :)) and I like to watch historical documentary. The problem is - where to find this series.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

The Class of 89 reunion

Next year, in 2014, Jonathan will celebrate the Class of 1989 the 25th reunion at Central School of Speech and Drama. And it’s already written on a school website:  “A 25 year reunion for the Class of ‘89 will take place in 2014”
It’s a nice and exciting event, I think. I attended my 10th University reunion (how time flies!) a couple of years ago.  It was fun.
This picture is from Alumni Newsletter published in January 2010. I think it’s the 20th reunion (this picture quality is not very good)

Monday, November 18, 2013

The Winter's Tale (performing on stage)

It was a really beautiful performance. Still think a lot about my trip to Sheffield :) and about Jon :)


Take a look (this page has a lot of beautiful photos from the stage)

The Winter's Tale rehearsal photos I

These photos were taken by Mark Douet in September. Photos are great with a good quality.
 This one is my favorite. Jonathan with flowers around his neck (very romantic!). Other pictures are available here http://markdouet.photoshelter.com/gallery/The-Winters-Tale-at-The-Crucible-Rehearsal-Photos/G0000Ly4S5HLtx6Y

The Winter's Tale rehearsal photos II

Rehearsing ...

The Winter's Tale rehearsal photos III

Jonathan listening to Paul Miller (with Clair Price and Daniel Lapaine)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Have a nice week!

With this beautiful picture wishing a Happy Monday and a great week ahead!



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Marcel Proust - In Search of Lost Time

Here is a link to the BBC Iplayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0076qkb

This play will be available to listen for the next 7 days.

I'll definitely enjoy Jon's smooth, like velvet, voice :)

Monday, November 11, 2013

My likes

Still haven't watched all showreels, because I've been busy this weekend, but I like Luke Sheperd / Chloe Todd and Eleonora Cucciarelli / Alan Grant showreels. Emma-Jayne John and Emma Spearing were really nice in their videos.

But I'm not a professional, don't judge me too hard. 

Friday, November 8, 2013

Showreels

Have been watching East 15 MA graduates showreels today. Fascinating! These showreels were directed by Jonathan. I wonder, who writes the script for the showreel, who’s idea is this? Jonathan’s? Haven’t watched all of them, later I will decide which one I like more. http://vimeo.com/east15/videos

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

JF on BBC Radio 4 Extra

This is the link I promised
Marcel Proust - In Search of Lost Time
The Guermantes Way
First broadcast: Wednesday 13 November 2013
Duration: 1 hour

Monday, November 4, 2013

I'm curious

What are you going to do next, Jonathan? Going to work or going on vacation? I think you deserve to take time off from work and to go on vacation, where it doesn't rain :)

Friday, November 1, 2013

Jonathan is on BBC Radio 4 Extra

Jon is on BBC Radio with a Michael Butt's dramatisation of Marcel Proust's classic series of novels ("In search of Lost Time"
Series 1 - 3. The Guermantes Way). November 13 at 10.00-11.00 am (UK time). Repeat on November 13 at
3pm and on November 14 at 3am.
Marcel's boyhood crush on the Duchess of Guermantes develops into a massive passion.
 Originally broadcast in 2005.
Marcel as a Young Man (Jonathan Firth).
I'll put link later when it's available on BBC Radio.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

To Jonathan

Acting on stage is difficult. It takes more than just skill, but lots of preparation and hard work, as well (especially,  when you have to say the same lines over and over again and to remember to include intonation and expressions at the same time). You’re talented Jonathan, and I wish you every success in your theatre career . Enjoy your performance! It’s a final week of The Winter’s Tale J It was a pleasure watching you performing on stage! Thank you!

The Winter's Tale Q&A session (October 24)

After the play on October 24th, there was a Q&A session with the director and actors for anyone who wanted to stay and ask questions. Very interesting, what have they been talking about. This picture is not very clear, but you can spot Jonathan on the right side.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013

Lovely picture

I took this picture from the FB Fans page (maybe I don't have a right to take it. If so, tell me, and I will delete it. But I just can't resist Jon's smile).  I really like it. This picture was taken before the matinee on October the 26th.

 I think I'm the only one who went to Sheffield and didn't manage to meet with him. Why am I so unlucky? Going to cry into my pillow right now :(

P.S. But I'm glad I saw him performing on stage. Excellent acting and beautiful man. :)


Saturday, October 26, 2013

Great performances from all the main players


Another review from the Counterfeit Magazine


P.S. Speaking of the Winter's Tale - winter's time - don't forget - the clocks go back an hour tonight :)

Friday, October 25, 2013

More reviews...

The Winter's Tale runs until Saturday, November 2. So, It's only one week left.

Here're some
People’s  thoughts after they’ve seen The Winter’s Tale:
Wondeful Winters Tale at Crucible theatre brought tears to my eyes at the end

Really lovely production of The Winters Tale - cracking performances, great design & properly moving ending. Good stuff!

Just have been to see The Winter's Tale. Brilliant production! Really enjoyed :)

Winter's Tale was absolutely fantastic. I may have had something in my eye when Hermione came back to life at the end :-)

The Winter's Tale at the Crucible theatre. Amazing production and some blazing actors. Well worth a Saturday afternoon.

Very impressive production - a super strong cast and impressive staging!

Just saw a fantastic production of The Winter's Tale. One of the best Shakespeares I think I've ever seen. Ace.

The Winter's Tale is so engaging and gripping I want to see it again! So beautifully staged. Will book to see it again.
 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Sorry, I'm not a theatre critic...

The train to Sheffield from London’s St. Pancras took 2 hours 7 minutes. It was warm in Sheffield, the weather changed from cloudy and overcast to sunny. I had no problem finding the Crucible Theatre. I guess, I've got a GPS in my head, so I find places easily :)

 The Winter’s Tale performance began at precisely 2 pm. I enjoyed this performance, enjoyed the acting from all the cast. I liked the way it ended (scene with a Hermione’s statue). And the scene with a baby was really heart touching. The set, the lighting on the stage and the sound were done nicely. I liked that the audience is so close to the stage. I had a nice seat, not in the front row, but in the center (F 46).

 All actors were great: Daniel Lapaine, Claire Price, Barbara Marten, Christian Dixon – with a good costume and a special lighting effects, his bear looked real, Keir Charles and young Patrick Walshe Mcbride were so funny.

 And Jonathan was perfect, he was great and convincing in his performance. Jon was serious, angry, touching and funny. I liked the sheep shearing fest scene very much, especially when he started to dance :) The truth is Jonathan has won my heart long time ago. And I really enjoyed his performance and the way he looked. So bad, that I didn’t get a chance to meet him. I bumped into Daniel Lapaine, when he was walking out the stage door, I saw Patrick Walshe talking with some women, Gareth Williams (I think it was him) smoking near the stage door. So I saw other men, not the one I wanted to see.

 I bought The Winter’s Tale programme at the Crucible. This programme consists of cast and production team list, cast and creative team biographies, an interview with Rafaella Marcus (Assistant Director), an article “Seeing and Believing” by Raphael Lyne (reader in English Renaissance literature at the University of Cambridge), an interview “In conversation with actors Jonathan Firth, Daniel Lapaine and Claire Price” by Mark Fisher and some rehearsal pictures.

 In this interview Jonathan answered 3 questions: 1) What makes a good director?
 Jonathan: I worked with Paul a very long time ago. He gave me my first theatre job, a play called Bad Company, which was very enjoyable. There’s something about Paul that gets everybody to believe in the material and to believe in themselves very strongly. There’s also something about this play – the feeling that it is a tale, a piece of storytelling – that means, despite a lot of it exploring dark territory,it is a 100 per cent positive atmosphere.

2) Jonathan, how does it feel to be the innocent Polixenes, wrongly accused by Leontes of adultery? Jonathan: It’s a huge shock for him. There’s no suggestion anywhere in the script that Leontes and Polixenes have any siblings, and there’s a lot of suggestion that they grew up together. They’re not just best friends; they are the nearest thing they have to family. So the story has that family-schism factor as well as a friendship-schism. Friends move on, but with family, those wounds remain. There’s always a hole there that needs filling.

3) The other big theme in the play is reconciliation.
 Jonathan: What’s interesting about this play, unlike Shakespearean tragedy, is that there is healing at the end of it. Truth and reconciliation commissions do require an immense act of faith from all concerned and an immense lack of cynicism and Paul’s interpretation celebrates that.

This review was published two days ago (October the 19th):
The Winter's Tale got 4 stars from the Stage review
and it mentioned Jon's performance: " .....Jonathan Firth, as the undeserving target of his wrath, is equally impressive, delivering the lines with clarity and sense".

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

More reviews for The Winter's Tale

1. Review from The British Theatre Guide
2. Broadway World Review
3. The Stage review

The Winter's Tale opening night

Many people enjoyed The Winter's Tale opening night yesterday. Here are a couple of comments:

"...a thing of beauty in beautifully balanced, wonderfully cast The Winter's Tale. Thaws the soul".

"Sheffield Crucible Theatre has another hit with a BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL production of Winter's Tale led by Paul Miller and a superb ensemble".

Monday, October 7, 2013

The Winter's Tale trailer


It's a very nice video. This play looks really interesting. Would love to see it. Jonathan is really handsome in it.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

The "Guardian" review

This review is quite small, hope there will be more later
I want to see this play myself. Those who visited are saying some nice words about it. I'm hoping to come to Sheffield in two weeks. But still not sure :(

It's a press night for The Winter's Tale on Monday at 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

First review

First review is from the artisctic director at Sheffield Crucible Daniel Evans: "....public dress rehearsal went brilliantly. The Winter's Tale was touching, frightening, funny, harrowing, devastating, uplifting, moving and brilliantly spoken".

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Public dress rehearsal

Tomorrow evening is "The Winter's Tale" public dress rehearsal. I hope everything goes smoothly and well!

P.S. It's a full house for "The Winter's Tale" public rehearsal! All tickets are sold out. I hope you'll have a wonderful evening, Jonathan!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Winter's Tale Interview Trailer


This interview was published today (on September 25). Daniel Lapaine, Claire Price and director Paul Miller share their thoughts on the play.
I was hoping to see Jon in it :(

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Winter's Tale rehearsal photos

The Winter's Tale rehearsal photos are now available on this webpage
Jon as Polixenes. It's a really nice picture!!!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Fundraising Gala Dinner at Sheffield Theatre

The Sheffield Theatres staged its third annual Fundraising Gala Dinner yesterday (Friday 6th) at 7 p.m. It's brought together some of the country's finest acting talent, including the cast of The Winter's Tale.
I wonder if Jonathan F. was there too...

...as a matter of fact, he was.
 Having a nice chat with Daniel Lapaine

Friday, August 23, 2013

"The Winter's Tale" rehearsals update

Rehearsals will start on Tuesday 27th August and the production week starts on Saturday 28th September (the production runs from the public dress rehearsal on Weds 2nd October until Saturday 2nd November).

Is that true that theatre people are superstitious? And it is considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" in a theatre? And it's better to tell "break a leg"?

So if it is true, then "BREAK A LEG, JONATHAN!!!"

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Masterclass with Jonathan Firth

(Thanks to you Flo that you found this information). Today (7 August) Jonathan Firth gave a masterclass on actor-director relationships at NYFA (National Youth Film Academy). It's an organisation created to locate, educate and showcase the talents of gifted young actors and film makers aged 16-25 years old from around the UK.


http://www.nyfa.org.uk/


As I undestand tomorrow will be another day of hard work - filming ( I assume with you, Jonathan). I read comments, students liked your master class and they think you're knowledgeable, interesting and funny. It's great to see that you enjoy working with youngsters, teaching them. And they're lucky to have you as their teacher.












Monday, August 5, 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Jonathan will perform at the Sheffield Crucible

JF is on stage again. I found out about it by chance (thanks to Flo and some Jonathan Firth official ? FB page, where Jon's message was published: "I will be at the Sheffield Crucible this autumn playing Polixenes in Shakespeare's Winters Tale. It runs from the 2nd October to 2nd November").

The full cast is not announced, except Daniel Lapaine, who will lead the cast as Leontes and newly-graduated Eva Feiler, who has landed her first professional role as Emilia in the "Winter's Tale". This play director Paul Miller said, that "the cast for The Winter's Tale is looking terrific: seasoned colleagues and fresh delights".

Jonathan will perform at the Sheffield Crucible playing Polixenes in Shakespeare's Winter's Tale from Wednesday 2 October -Saturday 2 November. Directed by Associate director Paul Miller. All the information you need (such as, dates, times and tickets) is available here:  http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/event/the-winters-tale-13/ or here:
Years ago Jonathan was a voice of Florizel (Polixenes's only son and heir) in the animated version of this Shakespeare play, now he's playing Polixenes, The King of Bohemia, on stage. That's great!
I'm sure many of you have read this play. But if you want to reread it, here is a nice page:  
And here you can find all lines for Polixenes in "Winter's Tale":

In short: Polixenes - The King of Bohemia, and Leontes's boyhood friend. King Leontes of Sicilia is seized by sudden and terrible jealousy of his wife Hermione, whom he accuses of adultery. He believes the child Hermione is bearing to have been fathered by his friend Polixenes, and when the baby girl is born he orders her to be taken to some wild place and left to die. Leontes' cruelty has terrible consequences, but Hermione's child escapes death, and is brought up as a shepherdess.

Jon's character Polixenes appears to be the good guy who's wronged by his friend. Polixenes, after all, is pretty loyal to Leontes, he's nice to Hermione and he really values his friendship with Camillo. But if early in the play Polixenes becomes the victim of tyranny, later he becomes tyrannical himself (would love to see Jon playing this character!). When Polixenes finds out that his only son, Prince Florizel, is engaged to Perdita (who is actually a princess) he goes crazy, threatening to 1) have Perdita's face disfigured with branches and 2) have her old man executed. That makes Polixenes's character a literary foil to Leontes.

So... if more information will be published later, I'll pass it to you :) 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Radio reading

Jonathan is on BBC Radio 4 Extra with a reading "The Cold Embrace" by Mary Braddon (27 July).

Duration 30 minutes. First broadcasted in October 2009.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

"New Grub Street" repeat broadcast

“New Grab Street” by George Gissing starts next Wednesday (June 19) at 10.00 on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Harold Pinter narrates the tale of a group of Victorian writers' struggles with integrity and poverty. Dramatised by Tony Ramsay, stars Jonathan Firth and Kenneth Cranham. Duration: 1 hour

Monday, May 27, 2013

New picture

Jonathan with one of his students from COSCI (Thailand). Posted two months ago (March 2013). He looks great, doesn’t he…

Thursday, May 23, 2013

"Zipper and His Father" on BBC Radio 4 Extra

On June 6 (Thursday) will be broadcasted the  "Zipper And His Father".
An extract from Joseph Roth’s famous novel about musical aspirations going comically off course is read by Jonathan Firth.
First broadcast on Radio 3 in 2011

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b021n9hv

BBC Radio 4 Extra at 14.30

Thursday, April 18, 2013

New audiobook released

I'm afraid, that "The Little Ottleys" episodes are not available anymore. But you'll be glad to hear, that a new audiobook (read by Jonathan) was released this month (1 April 2013) - "Belarus" (Afternoon Drama). This play was first broadcasted on BBC Radio in June 2012. You, probably, listened to it.

There is a 3 minute sample on this webpage (It'll be great to hear Jon's voice again).
Jonathan is playing Philip Meade, 35, who is a parish priest at a Roman Catholic church in suburban London.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Jonathan F. with his students

Jon with his students (February-March 2013)
Jonathan was a visiting lecturer at College of Social Communication Innovation (Srinakharinwirot University) located in Bangkok, Thailand.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday dear Jonathan!
I hope all of your dreams come true!

Monday, April 1, 2013

"The Little Ottleys" on BBC 4

"The Little Ottleys" episodes are next Monday at 10:45 and 19:45 on BBC Radio 4.
Duration: 15 minutes.
First broadcast:
Monday 08 April 2013

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Black and white

I haven't been writing for a long time, since there is no news about Jon. I want to show you the picture I like the most. It's black and white.
I love Black and White Photography because with the removal of colour the essence of objects, sceneries and people can become more visible. It draws attention to the single expression. Everything else in the world fades away, and all we see is His eyes.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!

I hope you all will have a very happy and brilliant 2013, filled with love and happiness, joy and inspiration!
And I wish you, Jonathan, a happy, prosperous and productive New Year!