WATCH: Benedict Cumberbatch On Theater, Tom Hiddleston And Peter O’Toole

ANGLOPHENIA
By Fraser McAlpine | Posted on May 23rd, 2014


Benedict Cumberbatch (Pic: Red Carpet News TV)

You can’t just ask Benedict Cumberbatch a couple of quick questions, especially on a topic such as the continued popularity of British theater, grab a couple of soundbites and waltz off.

Here’s a video taken a few days ago by Red Carpet News TV, at the first anniversary party for London’s Park Theatre.

You will notice he is un-swerved from his dedication to talking total inspirational sense about the dramatic arts by an attempted videobombing, and the clear presence of a party in the background.

And he draws a firm parallel between his early career and that of Tom Hiddleston, pointing out they both got started in relatively low-key theatrical productions—he playing Shakespeare in the open air in Regent’s Park, Tom in Cheek By Jowl productions—but treating them with the reverence and respect a paying audience deserved.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/05/watch-benedict-cumberbatch-theater-tom-hiddleston-peter-otoole/

Julian Ovenden: the sweet-singing son of a Queen’s chaplain

BROADWAY WORLD
by Pat Cerasaro
May 23, 2014

Internationally celebrated performer and vocalist Elaine Paige headlines a new weekly theatre-themed talk show titled THE ELAINE PAIGE SHOW and a First Look at the actress interviewing notable actor Julian Ovenden is now available to view.

Ovenden performs the WEST SIDE STORY standout "Something's Coming" in the new clip as well as discusses his prominent role on the hit international drama DOWNTON ABBEY.

Spiritual calling: Julian with his wife, Kate Royal Photo: REX FEATURES


READ MORE HERE: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Julian-Ovenden-Sings-WEST-SIDE-STORY-Talks-DOWNTON-ABBEY-On-THE-ELAINE-PAIGE-SHOW-20140523#.U39PVvldVls

Benedict Cumberbatch Replacing Guy Pearce in Johnny Depp's Whitey Bulger Pic

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
4:07 PM PDT 5/21/2014 by Borys Kit



Benedict Cumberbatch is in talks to replace Guy Pearce in the Johnny Depp-starring Whitey Bulger crime drama from Warner Bros. and Cross Creek Pictures, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie, which is based on the book Black Mass: Whitey Bulger, the FBI, and a Devil's Deal, is now shooting in Boston with Scott Cooper directing.

Pearce was to have played Whitey's brother Billy Bulger but dropped out a few weeks ago for reasons unknown. The studios is trying to close a deal for Cumberbatch to step in, although he was approached a few weeks ago.

READ MORE HERE:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/benedict-cumberbatch-replacing-guy-pearce-706360 

Pictures: Matthew Macfadyen and Jerome Flynn film Ripper Street at town hall

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Emma Flanagan
May 21, 2013

Actors L to R Matthew Macfadyen (Det. Insp. Edmund Reid) and Adam Rothenberg (Cpt. Homer Jackson) filming new series of drama Ripper Street at Manchester Town Hall Annex.

Mr Darcy may be behind him but Matthew Macfadyen proved he was still worthy of his heartthrob status while in Manchester filming the BBC’s Ripper Street.

Shooting at Manchester Town Hall, the actor is filming the gritty Victorian crime drama here until Thursday.

Alongside the Anna Karenina actor was Jerome Flynn, one half of 1990s singing duo Robson and Jerome and currently starring as Bronn in the fourth series of Game of Thrones.

Ripper Street was axed at the end of last year after not having the audience the BBC had hoped for.

But thanks to a fans' protest and a sudden ratings boost, the BBC have decided to bring back the costume drama, but it will be shown on Amazon Prime before it makes it to our screens.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/ripper-street-filming-manchester-matthew-7149339

Downton Abbey stars play 'Edwardian Ant and Dec' in event hosted by Allen Leech and Rob James-Collier

GET BUCKS
May 21, 2014 16:10 By Lorcan Lovett

Members of the Downton Abbey Cast with Chilterns MS Centre Trustee Linda Oatley, chief executive Robert Breakwell and fundraiser Hannah Asquith

Seven members of the award-winning Downton Abbey cast joined 115 guests at Hedsor House for a fundraising dinner last Friday (May 16).

The evening in Taplow was in aid of Chilterns MS Centre which provides treatment to people with Multiple Sclerosis across South Bucks.

Rob James-Collier who plays under butler ‘Thomas Barrow’ and Allen Leech ‘Branson’ once the chauffeur and now part of the ‘Grantham’ family, hosted the event and described themselves as the Edwardian Ant and Dec.

The guests had plenty of opportunity to talk to Michelle Dockery ‘Lady Mary’ from ‘upstairs’ and Jim Carter ‘Carson’, Phyllis Logan ‘Mrs Hughes’, Lesley Nichol ‘Mrs Patmore’ and Sophie McShera ‘Daisy’ all in the ‘downstairs cast’.

Robert Breakwell, chief executive of Chilterns MS Centre, said: "It is not often that a small, local charity like the Chilterns MS Centre is supported by the cast of a global TV phenomenon.  I would like to sincerely thank Rob James-Collier and his fellow cast members for making this Downton Dinner possible."

READ MORE HERE; http://www.getbucks.co.uk/news/local-news/downton-abbey-stars-play-edwardian-7152814

Benedict Cumberbatch: 15 facts you didn't know about the Sherlock star

EXPRESS
By: Laura Mitchell Published: Wed, May 21, 2014



We can't get enough of Benedict Cumberbatch, and thankfully there's a new biography coming out that should satisfy even the most dedicated "Cumberbitch".

Being Benedict Cumberbatch, by Joanna Benecke, gives an insight into the man's life and career, and is packed with pictures and "Cumberfacts".

Famed for his role as the complex and intriguing Sherlock Holmes he is no stranger to acting out unusual personality quirks, but it seems the actor may have a few of his own.

Whether you are a devoted Cumberfan or a Benedict novice you will probably have come across the star at some point. As well as his famous role as Arthur Conan Doyle's detective the actor played Khan in Star Trek and was the voice of the dragon in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

But while this is all common knowledge there is plenty more to know about this star than meets the eye.

From his love of steamy fan fiction to his cyber-stalker, here are 15 things you probably don't know about Benedict Cumberbatch...

1. He keeps a collection of stuffed owls. In his boudoir.

2. His favourite steamy fan fiction comes from China and Japan - in the form of erotic manga!

 3. He wishes that he'd never learned to play the trumpet.

4. He's ever so slightly in love with an overweight civil servant named Christopher (a character he played in Parade’s End).

5. While filming for Star Trek: Into Darkness, co-star and resident prankster Simon Pegg tricked Benedict into believing he had to wear dots of "neutron cream" (really it was just moisturiser) on his face to protect himself from radiation.

6. In China, Benedict and Martin Freeman are known as "Curly Fu" and "Peanut" respectively (despite the fact that Sherlock is banned).

7. Before Benedict became an actor he was a perfumer and taught English to Tibetan monks (not at the same time).

Curly Fu and Peanut

READ THE REST:  http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/477237/Benedict-Cumberbatch-facts

Colin Firth - Kingsman The Secret Service trailer (this looks like fun)

Colin Firth: I love mentoring

TV3
May 20, 2014



Colin Firth is surprised he's not jealous of younger actors.

Colin Firth expected to turn into a "bitter old actor".

The 53-year-old star has appeared in countless films and many fans will always think of him as the charming Mr. Darcy from '90s TV series Pride and Prejudice.

In action thriller The Secret Service he now takes on the role of a veteran secret agent who mentors a young upstart. Far from making him feel past it, it helped Colin appreciate his experiences so far.

"I love it. I love it. I mean, it's actually one of the things that makes me feel better about growing older," he smiled to insidemovies.ew.com.

"You know, I wondered when I was that age whether I'd end up one of those bitter disappointed old actors who are jealous of young people. I fully expected to be that. But it actually gives me enormous gratification to see how much I'm learning.

"If someone wants to put me in a paternal role, that's great, but actually what's going on in reality is that I'm the one thinking, 'I couldn't do that at that age.' So it's a two-way process."



The young protégé is played by Taron Egerton, whom Colin was so impressed by that he claims he often felt like the "student".

Colin's kick-ass part in The Secret Service is a far cry from his usual roles, which often see him playing the charming British gentleman. It involved a great deal of training, but the actor swears it hasn't given him an action man body.


READ MORE HERE; http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.874&article=135053

Benedict Cumberbatch lights up the Chelsea Flower Show

RADIO TIMES
Ben Dowell
12:28 PM, 19 May 2014



It is surely the most dramatic thing to have happened to horticulture since the invention of the lawn mower: yes, indeed, Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has graced the Chelsea Flower Show with his presence.

Breathless gardening fans at the event were eager to catch a glimpse of the star as he arrived this morning wearing a pink shirt, light grey jacket and sunglasses - in the company his mother the actress Wanda Ventham.

Cumberbatch and his Mum - who plays Sherlock's mother in the hit BBC series - were there to review the floral displays for BBC2's coverage.

The actor, who has said that he relaxes by "roof terrace" gardening, is due to appear in a section of BBC2's coverage of the show called Mum and Me in which he will converse with his mother about the various displays.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-05-19/benedict-cumberbatch-lights-up-the-chelsea-flower-show

Richard Armitage: New audiobook recasts 'Hamlet' as a thriller

LAS CRUCES SUN NEWS
Mark Kennedy AP Drama Writer
POSTED:   05/20/2014 06:00:46 AM MDT



(Eds: 'Hamlet: Prince of Denmark' available for download beginning Tuesday. With AP Photos.)
NEW YORK (AP) — The hero of a new audiobook is introduced as he lies in bed, tying to sleep on a frigid day in 1601.

He's the heir to the Danish throne, a tall handsome man of 27 with "a pale, finely chiseled face" and "mournful eyes that were the pale gray-blue of the sea in autumn."

"To hell with the throne," the young man says, pulling the sheets over his head when a court jester comes to awaken him. "I want to sleep. Forever."

Not familiar with this guy? You should be. His name is Hamlet.

Audible Inc., the world's largest seller of downloadable audiobooks, has followed the success of their recent novelization of "Macbeth" with a new thriller about the moody prince of Elsinore.

"Hamlet: Prince of Denmark," co-written by Shakespeare expert and novelist A. J. Hartley and British mystery writer David Hewson, was released Tuesday, narrated by "The Hobbit" actor Richard Armitage.

It's a fresh, contemporary take on Shakespeare's tragedy, one not afraid to create new characters or cut long soliloquies. We get a noirish Hamlet, who, when asked by Laertes if he's ready to fence, blurts out: "I've been ready all my life."

The writers admit they're a little nervous about the reaction they'll get for this "Game of Thrones"-like portrait of a slightly bipolar Hamlet who never utters the line "To be or not to be."

 READ MORE HERE: http://www.lcsun-news.com/portal/las_cruces-sunlife/ci_25798021/new-audiobook-recasts-hamlet-thriller?_loopback=1

Online: http://www.audible.com/mt/Hamlet

'X-Men' Star James McAvoy Talks Imitating Patrick Stewart (Video)

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
9:02 AM PDT 5/19/2014 by Hilary Lewis

X-Men fans were seeing double on Monday when both the younger and older versions of Professor Xavier appeared on Good Morning America.

James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart each shared their thoughts on the other actor, with McAvoy revealing that he initially shaved his head when he learned he would be playing the younger version of Stewart's character.

"I had showed up on the first day of X-Men: First Class, and I had shaved my head because I wanted to check what it looked like about a month before we started shooting -- and it looked quite good -- and they were like, 'No, no, no, no, we want you to have long hair.' "

READ MORE HERE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/x-men-star-james-mcavoy-705595

Benedict Cumberbatch keeps 1970s-style shades on inside as he arrives at Park Theatre gala

MAIL ON LINE
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 18:14 EST, 18 May 2014 | UPDATED: 06:50 EST, 19 May 2014



Benedict Cumberbatch's character Sherlock Holmes rarely lets an opportunity pass to poke fun at those closest to him.

And no doubt the detective would have had something to say if he could have seen the actor sporting an eye-catching pair of sunglasses inside London's Park Theatre on Saturday.

The 37-year-old's 1970s-style brown shades were hard to miss as he attended the venue's first birthday gala, hosted by Sir Ian McKellan.

Jokes on you: The Sherlock actor was spotted chatting to the theatre's artistic director Jez Bond outside the bash, hosted by Sir Ian McKellen

READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2632162/Benedict-Cumberbatch-keeps-1970s-style-shades-inside-arrives-Park-Theatre-gala.html

Hampshire's own Colin Firth could be crowned 'National Treasure'

SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO
May 19, 2014



HAMPSHIRE-BORN actor Colin Firth is in the running to be crowned England’s national treasure after a nationwide vote.

The National Lottery has launched the search as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations this year. The What’s Your National Treasure campaign asks people to choose the best from a range of iconic venues, landmarks, faces and facilities that are vying for the title of National Treasure.

 Vote on Facebook.com/ LotteryGood Causes from 9am today until midnight on May 27.



READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11221375.Hampshire_s_own_Colin_Firth_could_be_crowned__National_Treasure_/

CANNES: Sean Bean Heading for Romancer ‘Maudie’ with Sally Hawkins (EXCLUSIVE)

VARIETY
Dave McNary
Film Reporter
@Variety_DMcNary

May 16, 2014

Sean Bean is in talks to star opposite Sally Hawkins in the romance “Maudie,” which set to start shooting in Newfoundland in July.

Bean will play a reclusive local fish peddler who hires Maud Dowley — a tiny disabled woman –  to be his housekeeper for his small home. The story, set in the 1950s and 1960s, follows their romance as she becomes a well-known folk artist whose paintings hang in The White House.

Mongrel Intl., the new acquisition division of Canadian shingle Mongrel Media, is handling worldwide sales rights to the period romancer at this year’s Cannes Film Market. “Maudie,” a Canadian-Irish co-production, marks the first pickup for Mongrel Intl.

READ MORE HERE: http://variety.com/2014/film/news/sean-bean-maudie-slly-hawkins-1201183858/

Moscow’s magnetic pull for Michael: Fassbender does the tourist thing and pops a snap or two around the Russian capital

EVOKE
May 17, 2014



He’s one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but when it comes to sight seeing Michael Fassbender is just like the rest of us: a goofy tourist.

The 37-year-old actor was spotted taking in the beauties of Russia’s capital city on Friday, just days after walking the red carpet at the Moscow premiere of his latest film X-Men: Days Of Future Past.

Dressed smartly in a pair of black dress shoes, jeans, a white shirt and crisp black suit jacket, the Irish star was indistinguishable from any other tourist.

As he walked around the picturesque Red Square accompanied by several security guards, Fassbender didn’t hesitate to crouch down and take the odd snap.

It was a decidedly upbeat side of the Oscar-nominated performer, who is best known for taking on dark and dramatic roles – such as that of mutant leader Magneto in the X-Men franchise.

The actor plays a younger version of the character in the two most recent installments in the franchise, with the role previously being filled by Sir Ian McKellan.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.evoke.ie/michael-fassbender-tourist-around-moscow/