Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars
- Publication: Gazette and Post
- Date: 1971-01-28
- Author:
- Page: 11
- Language: English
THIS week I went along to the BBC rehearsal studios in Victoria Road. North Acton, to investigate the claim of Graham Spears a BBC press officer that the studios are one of the biggest gathering places of television stars in London.
Gazette photographer- Peter Smith and I arrived at the studios at 11 on Thursday morning It wasn't a simple matter of "popping in for a look around." however We had to arrange our visit a week in advance
Two BBC press officers, Norma Gilbert and Pam Pyer, were there to meet us and show us around Our first visit was to the studios restaurant on the seventh floor.
The restaurant, whose windows overlook the cemetery, already had a small but steady stream of theatrical looking types passing through. and I immediately began the business of star spotting
Just about everyone who entered was casually dressed corduroys and Jumpers appearing to be the order of the day.
The semi bohemian trappings could not disguise the careful groom ng: it was all a studied essay on how to be casual with style.
But in spite of the obvious glamour there were no instantly recognisable faces when I first looked around.
It was only when I was half was through my cof fee that I spotted an actor who played Betty Davis's transvestite son in the film. The Anniversary. 1 couldn't recall the name. however. and neither could our two charming guides. Norma and Pami
Coffee over, we made our way past a studio where Marius Goring was going through a final rehearsal of an episode of "The Expert" "It's a very intricate rehearsal. so they don't want to be disturbed." said Pam and arrived at another studio where we found Dick Emery rehearsing a sketch for his new series.
Mr. Emery was rehearsing "up front" with a young actress. Sonia Fox. while a group of actors sat around a large table waiting for their calls
Apart from his very familiar face. Dick Emery stood out prominently against the other people gathered there. in grey overcoat, dark suit, white shirt, and polka dot tie, he looked more like a businessman than a star per former.
The sketch they were rehearsing was about an veteran who. approached by an attractive young lady (Sonia Fox) who wants part of his uniform for her wardrobe. believes he is being seduced.
The sketch was in the usual Emery style full of "double entendre" and Mr. Emery was giving his usual polished performance as the aging soldier you could almost hear him creaking at the Joints.)
Dick Emery may have been dressed like a businessman. but there was no mistaking his professionalism.
In the next studio we visited, the entire cast of "Dr. Who had gathered for a technical rehearsal - one of the final stages before filming.
Dr. Who himself actor Jon Pertwee was having his hair combed by an attractive young blonde while the others were being put briskly through their paces by director Michael Ferguson, a young man whose soft blonde features were hardened by a steely expression and a Machiavellian beard.
An elaborate, complex pattern had been marked out with tape on the huge expanse of floor, and the actors were being ushered rapidly to and fro by Mr. Ferguson. Only Mr. Pertwee - who looked bulkier in real life than he does appeared unflustered.
Then the cue came for the transformation of Mr. Pertwee into the character of Dr. Who, and Mr. Pertwee. too. became caught up in the frantic flow of movement.
From there, we passed a studio where a Paul Temple episode was being rehearsed another instance in which we were given the "do not disturb" injunction and went to meet the "Liver Girls."
GAILY
The girls. Polly James and Nerys Hughes, were doing a scene in which Polly is learning to "talk proper" from a speech teacher (veteran actress Fabia Drake). Polly, who was going through her lines. stopped as we entered. turned, and waved gaily.
This said Pam Pyer. was a "word rehearsal." where the actors concentrated only on getting their dialogue and their cues right.
The last studio we visited had been set aside for the "Doomwatch" team. Outside, we found Simon Oates ("Dr. John Ridge") on the telephone.
Mr. Oates, I observed, was a formidable-looking towering well above 6 ft. and with bulk to match. The trendy gear he was wearing keeping with the character of Dr. Ridge looked rather incongruous in a way.
John Paul, who plays Dr. Spencer Quist, was also taller than I had imagined. He proved to be a much warmer character in real life than the icy minded Dr. Quist.
As we entered the studio. he made a point of coming over and introducing himself.
The director, Lennie Maine, was calling out for Simon Oates.
His attempts to get the scene set up were interrupted. however. by a friendly argument.
Then it was back to business for the doomwatch team, and the air of informality was replaced by one of concentration.
John Pertwee in a thoughtful mood during the technical rehearsal of "Dr. Who."
Dick Emery rehearses a sketch for his new series with young actress Sonia Fox.
Veteran actress Fabia Drake gets into character for her role as a speech teacher for a "Liver Girls" episode.
Captions:
ABOVE: Simon Oates, who plays Dr. John Ridge in the "Doomwatch" series rehearses his lines at the North Acton Studios.
ABOVE: Polly James, one of the "Liver Girls," gives the dialogue all she's got. The picture was taken during a "word rehearsal."
John Paul - alias Dr. Spencer Quist of "Doomwatch" -discusses a point in the script for the episode.
John Pertwee in a thoughtful mood during the technical rehearsal of "Dr. Who."
Dick Emery rehearses a sketch for his new series with young actress Sonia Fox
Veteran actress Fabia Drake gets into character for her role as a speech teacher for a "Liver Girls" episode
Disclaimer: These citations are created on-the-fly using primitive parsing techniques. You should double-check all citations. Send feedback to whovian@cuttingsarchive.org
- APA 6th ed.: (1971-01-28). Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars. Gazette and Post p. 11.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars." Gazette and Post [add city] 1971-01-28, 11. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars." Gazette and Post, edition, sec., 1971-01-28
- Turabian: "Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars." Gazette and Post, 1971-01-28, section, 11 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Cue_up_here_for_your_favourite_T.V._stars | work=Gazette and Post | pages=11 | date=1971-01-28 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=19 October 2024 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Cue up here for your favourite T.V. stars | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Cue_up_here_for_your_favourite_T.V._stars | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=19 October 2024}}</ref>
