Website & Gallery news

The move seems to have gone fairly smoothly and we cant find any problems...yet. If anyone spots anything please let us know. The cluster map has gone mad recently and is showing  strange low visitor counts. I may replace it soon.

Members of the forum were asking for ways to help with hosting costs. They were unaware that every time you click through an amazon link from the website (even if you buy something else when you are finally on Amazon) they give us something like 10 pence for referral fees. Nothing remotely exciting (which is why we never mention it), but lots of 10 pences soon add up I am sure, so should you ever make any Amazon purchase (even non-Joseph related ones) it would be very kind of you to click through the site first.  

We have been fed up with all the database errors and website down time recently, with our current hosts Bluehost. We decided to change servers to a solar powered dedicated server called Iron Mountain. Its a lot more expensive but will be worth it for reliability and website loading speed. We plan to switch over sometime tonight, hopefully it wont take very long.

Here is the second part of the interview! Interesting news about his new project!

Section C – Much Ado specific

Your portrayal of Benedick had the critics raving – how did you put together your take on such a well known character ? 

We had a long rehearsal – maybe too long. I just played and explored each scene for itself, tried not to worry about the picture, the arc of the story too much. That’s for the audience to see. Stole as much as I could from other Benedicks ! 

You played Benedick for over six months – what did you do to keep the character fresh ? 

Kept trying new things – within reason. Tuned in to the very different atmosphere that each audience brings every night. Concentrated on the other actors.

Are there any lines of Benedicks that you particularly relish ? (As you may have picked up, Susannah is a big fan of “Serve God, love ……me, and mend” for some reason. Karen particularly likes “Come …I will have thee”)

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you, is that not strange ?”

Section D – The future

You have mentioned that you will be starring with Max Beesley and Laura Fraser in a new series for ITV – any hints about your character ? 

I play Woody, a radio producer and best friend of Max’s character in the show. Married to Laura Fraser’s character – she and Max have an affair and all hell breaks out ! 

Are you planning to do any more theatre in the near future ?

Its an addiction I’m trying to take a break from. But not for long – I love it too much.

Ta, Joe

Joseph has been exceptionally kind in answering a few (ok more than a few) interview questions put to him by website member Susannah.  Part 1 posted today and Part 2 will be tomorrow. A huge thank you to Joseph for doing this for us.

Section A – Quick Fire Round ….ten starters

Latest Film you saw  Casino Royale – sadly. 

Last Book you read Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins by Rupert Everett

Best book(s) ever  Nightmare Question ! Ummmmm…… Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde) or  David Copperfield (Charles Dickens)

Most coveted part (in a play or film)  Archie Rice in The Entertainer by John Osborne. I’ll have to wait for a few years. 

Role model / hero / heroine My Father 

Music on your iPod/ CD player Smashing Pumpkins, Harry Connick Jnr, Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, Smiths, REM

Couldn’t do without My wife and our children

Biggest fashion mistake Following the motto “function before fashion” my whole life

On holiday (with apologies to the Independent) … culture vulture, beach bum or adrenaline junkie  Beach bum

Best holiday destination  Barbados – Sandpiper Hotel 

Section B – More considered, but somewhat random

We understand that you are a football fan, what team do you support and what position would you play for them, should they tempt you away from acting  Liverpool in Midfield

Do you have any superstitions or routines before you go on stage  A good stretch and warm up. Eat my meal at least an hour before curtain.

How do you keep fit? Are you a gym bunny or a couch potato Theatre keeps me fit – if not, gym when I can.

Your favourite ways to relax Long Baths, nature and the countryside, time with my family.

What attracted you to acting in the first place Not sure – it’s a long story. It just seemed to reach out and grab me when I was 17 or so. Also it seemed a great way to meet girls ! 

What’ s the most interesting question that you have ever been asked in an interview or audition (we’re looking for some hints here !) No idea. Sorry. You’re doing fine.

Forum members may get a surprise when they next visit as we did a huge upgrade, and it all looks very different. The new style makes it easier to get to the sections you want (i.e. Joseph's), and there are lots of new features, but it will take a bit of getting used to I think. I also managed to delete all members who hadnt visited in the last 6 months. Apologies, but some people may have to re-register.

The advent calendar will be removed tomorrow night as the windows will no longer open after December. Thank you to all who viewed, contributed and commented.

Many apologies for the website downtime today. It was an unavoidable server problem which I hope has been resolved. Unfortunately, any comments left during the brief periods it was online, have disappeared into cyberspace. So if you left a comment and it isnt visible now, that is the reason.