never enough time...

Have fun, MaryAnn.

It´s always the same ...
So many things to watch, so little time !!!

welcome to good old blighty, ma'am! And while you're here, get a copy of Russell T Davies' just-released book "the writer's tale: the untold story of the BBC series (Dr Who)". Excellent read for a trip away from home.

You'll be able to watch the opening episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures series two as they go out, starting next Monday. Also, this Friday, the Chris Moyles breakfast show on Radio 1 is apparently some kind of Doctor Who special.

welcome to good old blighty, ma'am! And while you're here, get a copy of Russell T Davies' just-released book "the writer's tale: the untold story of the BBC series (Dr Who)". Excellent read for a trip away from home.

I clicked on this to make exactly the same comment...i've just got this today. I'm supposed to be working, but i'm riveted to this book (up to page 177). Such a facinating account of the writing of Series 4 (and the Xmas special).

I'm supposed to be working, but i'm riveted to this book

I finished it off on a journey to Belgium and back yesterday. It's a wonderful book, especially considering that it's mainly a printout of a year-long email conversation. Its wonderfulness is RTD's passion and obsession and angst. All the biographical details of the writer and production team are interesting enough on their own, but nothing compared to the excitement of watching a creative mind working. The email form makes the "writer's tale" immediate and compelling. So many of the entries are "in the moment" that it feels like you are sharing the experience, rather than observing it or reading his reflections on the process. I was completely immersed and rather intoxicated, which isn't to say that the book is all sweetness and light. Much of it is powered by terror and doubt, but it just underlines the madness of genius.

And I'm convinced that the man is a genius, even if he is a genius heading for an early grave.

Have a great time!

I'm off in a month to see him in Hamlet and Love's Labours Lost

and then Hamlet again in December and the final performance in January

and the wait is killing me!

Bad to double post I know

but I also can't wait to read your review!

I finished it off on a journey to Belgium and back yesterday. It's a wonderful book, especially considering that it's mainly a printout of a year-long email conversation. Its wonderfulness is RTD's passion and obsession and angst. All the biographical details of the writer and production team are interesting enough on their own, but nothing compared to the excitement of watching a creative mind working. The email form makes the "writer's tale" immediate and compelling. So many of the entries are "in the moment" that it feels like you are sharing the experience, rather than observing it or reading his reflections on the process.

Yes, it's fascinating to see the germination of ideas, seeing them change...and reading the reasons for the change (the last couple of pages are an interesting point, with the DWM journalist giving his opinion about the original ending of "Journey's End" which would have been a cliffhanger into the xmas special, and RTD initially saying nope, this is why i've done it....but then emailing later to say, actually i think you're right, and by dropping this we solve other problems.) It's the sort of behind the scenes workings that i find very interesting

which isn't to say that the book is all sweetness and light. Much of it is powered by terror and doubt, but it just underlines the madness of genius.

Indeed, some of the most interesting pieces are the entries riddled with selfdoubt & procrastination. The long entry about why he hated the Press Launch for Voyage of the Damned was compelling.

I've finished the book now, and can't recommend it enough.

Hi

I saw Hamlet a couple of weeks ago and the production will give you an amazing interpretation of Hamlet.

David Tennant is on the verge of being a truly great classical actor. He is much better than in Doctor Who.

Have fun!