Film Geeks at the Theatre – James McAvoy on the Differences Between Stage and Screen May 15, 2013 By Ben Mortimer (HEY U GUYS UK)

Not all that long ago there was a pretty clear distinction between a theatre actor and a film actor. Once in a blue moon you’d see an A-lister getting back to their roots with a role at the National Theatre, but on the whole the closest you’d get to a well-known thesp on a West End stage was Jason Donovan in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat.

Recently, though, things have been changing. London theatre-goers can see Luke Treadaway, Brian Cox, John Simm, Roger Allam, Zoe Wanamaker, Rupert Everett and Helen Mirren. And that’s just the ones that immediately sprang to mind.

With this in mind, we’ve decided to do something a little different at HeyUGuys: an occasional column looking at the cross over between the worlds of stage and celluloid. We’re calling it ‘Film Geeks at the Theatre.

READ MORE: http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/film-geeks-at-the-theatre-james-mcavoy-on-the-differences-between-stage-and-screen/

BBC AMERICA’S DRAMAVILLE PRESENTS AWARD-WINNING CONSPIRACY THRILLER STATE OF PLAY IN DECEMBER

TV by the Numbers

Written By Robert Seidman
November 3rd, 2011

 

via press release:

Acclaimed miniseries from Shameless writer Paul Abbot and Harry Potter director David Yates stars Bill Nighy, John Simm, David Morrissey, James McAvoy and Kelly Macdonald

Experience a rollercoaster thriller of deception and collusion in the corridors of power. Following the critically acclaimed series Luther, The Hour and Whitechapel, BBC AMERICA’s Dramaville (hosted by Luther star Idris Elba) presents another opportunity to see the award-winning conspiracy drama, State of Play. Written by Paul Abbott (Shameless) and directed by David Yates (Harry Potter), the miniseries stars Bill Nighy (Love Actually), John Simm (Life on Mars), David Morrissey (South Riding), James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class) and Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire). State of Play premieres Wednesday, December 7, 10:00pm ET/PT as part of BBC AMERICA’s Dramaville.

The six-part miniseries’ intoxicating storyline and impeccable cast instantly won over fans and critics when it debuted on BBC AMERICA and lead to the feature film version starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren. State of Play, which redefined the television miniseries, returns to television in celebration of BBC AMERICA’s weekly slot Dramaville, the home for groundbreaking British drama.

BBC AMERICA’S General Manager, Perry Simon, says: “I’m delighted that Dramaville, our weekly showcase for the very best of British drama, gives us the perfect opportunity to bring State of Play to a whole new audience. With its dream cast, fascinating plot and brilliant writing, State of Play is the gold standard for contemporary miniseries.”

A dynamic combination of murder, suspicion, deceit and intrigue - State of Play examines the tumultuous world of respected journalist Cal McCaffrey (Simm) and his sarcastic newspaper editor Cameron Foster (Nighy) as they attempt to unearth the connection that two unrelated murders have with a prominent, yet deceptive politician (Morrissey). Revelation upon revelation pile up in the aftermath of these two seemingly unconnected events, ultimately bringing to light shady dealings between the government and major corporate powers. Friendships are tested and lives are put on the line as an intricate web of lies unfolds.

State of Play follows the stylish and cinematic crime thriller, Whitechapel, continuing BBC AMERICA’s weekly British drama slot Dramaville, airing Wednesdays at 10:00pm ET/PT and hosted by Luther star Idris Elba.

Note to editors
Twitter: @BBCAMERICA Hashtags: #StateofPlay #Dramaville