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Post by kazzamazza on Nov 15, 2005 13:35:21 GMT -5
I think Jackie and Fletch should do a Grease song. ;D
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Post by angelsolace on Nov 15, 2005 13:37:26 GMT -5
Ooooo and wear the outifts!!
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Post by kizzyfans on Nov 16, 2005 9:09:06 GMT -5
Great article. Thanks for typing that up! ;D
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Post by kizzyfans on Nov 16, 2005 9:10:48 GMT -5
The Fletch Does Panto: An (unbiased) Review - Even More Gorgeous In The Flesh (Thanks to lilijanamarijuana off E.net/Nfans)
Saturday 18 December: 7pm: The Festival Theatre, Great Malvern, somewhere in the deepest darkest Malvern Hills.
As beautiful as the Worcestershire countryside is this time of year, myself and my sister were in Great Malvern to see one thing and one thing only.
The God that is Fletch.
He was playing the role of Abanazar in Aladdin and boy, did he make a good villain. An excrutiating (all of 10 minutes) wait into the performance and there he was - resplendant in a long black robe with pointy shoes and a turban. he had fake eyebrows, fake beard and black nail varnish.
If his on screen presence isn't enough, his stage presence is even better. He commandered that stage from his first scene, being suitably evil but unwittingly gorgeous for all the kiddies in the audience to wonder why there were so many single women in the audience sans child.
In true Hollywood style, Alan did a loud booming English accent to emphasise his wickedness, but had the odd lapse into the old Aussie twaaaaaaang which the girl playing Princess Jasmine did an excellent take off of. "You haaaave to rub the laaaamp," she said in a pitch-perfect Joe Mangel accent. You probably had to be there. The audience lapped it up.
I could wax lyrical for ages. There seemed to be more than a fair share of Neighbours fans in the Gods. Cue some loud cheers everytime a Neighbours in-joke came up.
As Abanazar, Alan was told to get a doctor in one scene, there was another chortle chortle moment about good neighbours. Then we get to the best bit. Alan had the Princess trapped in his hideaway and called upon his servants 'Izzy' and 'Susan' to get the door. We loved it.
This is the point where I started getting heart palpitations. Alan launched into a song and dance number with all the gusto of the accomplished thespian he truly is. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Love God Dr. Kennedy does Robbie Williams' 'Radio' - be still my beating heart. The words were changed to tie in with the script of course, and it was amazing. The man can welll and truly sing. This was also my favourite scene because he had his turban off and you could see his cute haircut - still looking good!
And then, there was the requisite all-cast sing-a-long at the end. They'd adapted the McFly song 'Obviously' (it's all the rage with the kiddies these days!!) Alan was smouldering away on stage chuckling with the Princess because he'd obviously been struggling with this one. But he nailed it. And I wouldn't have even noticed if I could have focused on the overall production, but I couldn't. Alan was the star, his face was splashed across the posters dotted around this pretty little town and he'd even made one of the bill lines on the front of the Malvern Gazette.
Click For Spoiler In his interview with the Gazette, he said that he had some 'saucy' storylines coming up in 2005. Have I died and gone to heaven?
Let's save the best til last. Being the consumate professional that he is, Alan appeared after the show. (Flecks of hastily rubbed off black nail polish still adorning his cuticles.) I've interviewed many let's say not-so-famous famous people in my job as a reporter, but no-one has made me go as weak at the knees as Fletch.
He was wearing a blue and white striped shirt, a black leather jacket and jeans. It was gone 10pm and he'd had a matinee performance to get through that day as well and he still had time for his fans. What a guy. At first he was mobbed, then me and my sister finally plucked up the courage to abandon the Festival Theatre vastly overpriced wine at the bar and see The Fletch. The most frustrating thing was not taking a camera, not thinking for one moment we would get to speak to the great man of Erinsborough himself. He posed for photos, then he caught our eye, smiled and signed our programme. I told him it was an absolutely brilliant show, the highlight being his singing. My sister then chipped in with the 'you're even more gorgeous in the flesh' and he took a beat, smiled and those crinkly little laughter lines appeared around his eyes and said: "You're too kind." I thanked him for taking the time to meet us all and he said "You're welcome" and touched me on the arm. A moment I will never forget.
Then off he went, back to his little cottage in one of the villages nearby. I read that his wife is coming over for Christmas and he's off to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. He intends to spend Christmas gorging himself on British TV.
What could be a better way to round off the year than seeing The Fletch in panto? It's obviously something he enjoys and finds easy and it shows - he sailed through it. It's rare to find someone of Alan's ilk who gives his fans so much time and effort. Little old Malvern is truly lucky to have been 'Fletchered'.
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Post by kizzyfans on Nov 16, 2005 9:20:00 GMT -5
Article from Inside Soap 2004? (I loved reading about how cultural Fletch is. Some really interesting ideas below lol)
How would you spend 24 hours? Neighbours' Alan Fletcher would play for peace!
"My perfect day would begin with an old-fashioned lie in. I would wake up in my Paris hotel room with my beautiful wife Jennifer. We would lie chatting until breakfast arrived, which we'd eat sitting on our balcony which overlooks the river Seine as it winds through the city. After breakfast, Jennifer and I would stroll along the river to the Louvre gallery, where we'd be escorted through all the paintings by the art critic Robert Hughes. As it's my fantasy day, all the famous artists would still be alive and they'd talk to me about their work. After soaking up the culture, we'd pick up our children before flying over to London for lunch with the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, Alan Rickman and Sean Connery. Following that, we'd go the newly completed Wembley stadium where, for the first time ever, the Australian Football League Grand Final is being played! My team, Essendon Bombers, are playing, but after going 10 goals down and being riddled with injuries, I have to take to the pitch and score the winning goal for them! After the game I would introduce my footie-mad son to Michael Owen (who just happened to be at the match!) I'd then pick up my daughter from her riding lesson, and my wife from her shopping expedition round all the expensive jewellery stores, before heading off to the finest Indian restaurant in London for lashings of curry, naan bread and beer. Later, we would see a concert featuring all my favourite artists, living and dead! On the bill would be Bob Dylan, Wilson Pickett, Janis Joplin, The Doors and Elvis Costello. I have a party animal side to me and the after show bash would end up at Eric Clapton's place, I'd compare Neighbours stories with Kylie Minogue, and maybe even scribble a song down with the legendary John Lennon and Paul McCartney! As we are leaving the party I am asked to take a conference call from George Bush, Tony Blair, Yasser Arafat and the Israeli cabinet. They have read my plan for world peace and decided to implement it. Jennifer and I would then be whisked back to Paris in the early hours for a romantic meal overlooking the city. As the day ended, we'd snuggle up back in our hotel room and I'd fall asleep dreaming about my perfect tomorrow."
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Post by angelsolace on Nov 16, 2005 10:29:59 GMT -5
Arrrrr, both of those articles are amazing, thanks so much guys, its great to hear about other peoples experiences of meeting Fletch, and has started my little heart fluttering, with the excitement of watching him in just a few weeks! Its great what he wrote about his perfect day, totally amazing!! I love Judi Dench too! Fletch just seems like the perfect husand, dad, and man!! I wonder if he has a younger single brother???!!
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Post by UKNeighboursfan on Nov 17, 2005 10:28:41 GMT -5
Fab articles, thanks Kaz & Kizzyfans.
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Post by kazzamazza on Nov 17, 2005 10:31:04 GMT -5
Your welcome, although lazy me only copied and pasted with thanks to Clare - Neighboursfan of NF.com.
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Post by kazzamazza on Nov 26, 2005 18:42:34 GMT -5
I don't know if this has been posted already..so let me know if it has and I can delete it. I think it is quite funny. www.gigwise.com/contents.asp?contentid=10873Kecks off for Dr Karl! Alan Fletcher On Tour - Hot Gigs! by Annie Waite Gracing the UK shores for the second time this year is Aussie TV doc Dr Karl Kennedy from 'Neighbours' (aka Alan Fletcher), proving there's more to him than just an alluring bedside manner... Fletch's band, the punningly-titled Waiting Room, will tour the UK's Walkabout Australian theme bar circuit this November. Lord help our nation's cities if the pandemonium that greeted his campus appearances this summer is repeated - tickets sold out in record time, with reports that crowds emerged post-gig bleary-eyed, sweaty, clothes torn to shreds and a faraway look of lust in their eyes… Wary of the StockAitkenandWaterman path that lies in wait for some of his younger colleagues, Fletch actively seeks to appeal to an alternative audience to that of his soap counterparts. "I don't focus on getting a record deal that can manufacture overnight success. I acknowledge the support I receive begins with an interest in me as an actor, but I receive the most gratification in getting a positive response to the music in the end". And what musical influences has he retained from his yoof? "Elvis Costello is the major influence in everything I do. Most of my major influences are British and that is reflected in the covers we perform in our set. Oasis, The Killers (sic) and Blur". But Waiting Room fans aren't just in it for the covers, says Alan: "Our style is eclectic!" If you venture out to a Waiting Room show this Winter, you'll be treated to an array of barnstorming crowdpleasers from "punk rock 'n' roll songs like 'Just like me' to fun pop commentary's like 'Mattress on the floor', to intense ballads like 'Little One' - written about the death of a child." Alan's bandmates Tommy Rando and Chris Hawker were lured into the Waiting Room when Fletch was a punter at a restaurant where they were performing - an impromptu turn from Alan on the mic…and the band was born. In addition to popping over to tour the UK, the band still entertains predominantly British backpackers at a weekly showcase in a Melbourne hostel, and Waiting Room currently takes precedent over Alan's other fringe professional interests - namely photography, treading the boards in both 'My Fair Lady' and the odd stint in UK panto. And of course, there's always 'Neighbours'…while Alan plays the tasty ladies favourite Dr.Karl, what about his onscreen ex, Susan, everybody's 'Yummy Mummy' - will they ever rekindle their sweet luvvin', Alan? "If Dr Karl has anything to do with it they will!". But if you can't wait that long for some Dr K. action, you can catch him throughout November and December at the following venues (listed below). Check back soon to the Gigwise.com sister site Entertainwise.com for a full in-depth interview with the Doc and more tales from his tour… Waiting Room 2005 UK Tour dates: Liverpool, Walkabout – November 22 Bradford, Walkabout – 23 Manchester, Walkabout – 24 Leeds, Walkabout – 25 Nottingham, Walkabout – 27 Sheffield, Walkabout – 28 Birmingahm, Walkabout – 29 Cardiff, Walkabout – 30 London, Walkabout – December 1
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Post by angelsolace on Nov 26, 2005 19:09:55 GMT -5
Wow thats like such a mega fab interview! She sure is a yummy mummy!
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Post by kazzamazza on Nov 26, 2005 19:12:35 GMT -5
I thought we had read it already..wasn't sure.
She is a yummy mummy..and does that make Fletch a dappa pappa..PMSL. ;D
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Post by angelsolace on Nov 26, 2005 19:14:59 GMT -5
LOL!! so funny!
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Post by UKNeighboursfan on Nov 28, 2005 12:38:13 GMT -5
That cracks me up, very funny article lol
Thanks for posting!!
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Post by kazzamazza on Dec 11, 2005 13:58:28 GMT -5
Interview for Kix 96.2 fm! Not liking where they're holding the gigs!Hope they have better security/bouncer blokes next time! www.kix.fm/feature.aspx?f=alanLianna meets Alan Fletcher (who plays Dr Karl Kennedy in Neighbours) Alan has become a friend of the show after an interview in the summer. Recently the show celebrated it’s 20 year anniversary so Alan came back to tell us all about it… Lianna: Great to have you back on the Coventry airwaves Alan: Good to be here. It was such good fun last time I couldn’t resist catching up with Kix listeners again Lianna: You’re back in the area with your band ‘The Waiting Game’ how’s it going? Alan: The response is always great. So good that we’re already booked up for another tour of ‘Walkabout’ bars for June 2006. Lianna: It’s been a busy year, how were the show’s 20th birthday celebrations for you? Alan: It was really fun, especially seeing some of the old cast mates, including Kimberley Davies who plays Annalise Lianna: Kimberley had a nasty accident on ‘I’m a celebrity get me outta here recently’, did you see it? Alan: I did and it was horrible. I’m so glad she’s getting over it now. She’s a gutsy girl Lianna: Last time you were on you told us that your character Karl would be getting back with Susan, we’ve not seen it happen yet! Alan: Be patient, there’s lots more dramas in store for them before that could happen. Including Karl having to deal with false accusations from Jenai Lianna: You work so hard, how will you relax this Christmas? Alan: It all starts with the kids opening their presents, then if it’s not raining (which it does some times in Oz in December if it makes you feel any better) definitely with a barbe by the pool Lianna: Well have a good one and think of us as you throw another shrimp on the barbe Alan: It will rain now – you’ve jinxed it! See you all in 2006 xx
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Post by kazzamazza on Dec 11, 2005 14:32:37 GMT -5
*****If this is true, and you don't like spoilers...then don't read it!***** palatinate.dsu.org.uk/News/600/***Liz says it isn't true though..so have to believe her!!!*** A rticle from Palatinate..have put some edits to it! Dr. Karl Kennedy returns to Durham 6 Dec '05 Vicki Raimes DURHAM STUDENTS GOT an Aussie treat last week when Neighbours star Dr Karl Kennedy (aka Alan Fletcher) and his band returned to Walkabout to play for the second time in six months. The band, officially known as the Waiting Room, played in Durham last May and were such a hit amongst Durham students, they returned due to popular demand - to perform two gigs instead of one. Durham was the only location on their national tour - which included Leeds, Liverpool and Plymouth – to get two performances. The first performance was on Monday 21 November and the second on Wednesday 23 November. Monday night’s gig was full to its capacity of 700 and on Wednesday there was a packed, but comfortable crowd of around 400. The band, which also includes members Tommy Rando and Chris Hawker, took the stage at 11pm and immediately whipped the audience into a frenzy with some well-known covers, including Bonjovi’s ‘It’s my life’, Bryan Adam’s ‘Summer of 69’ and Blur’s ‘Song No 2’. They also played a couple of tracks from their own album ‘In the Waiting Room,’ which they were promoting through the tour. In true spirit, Alan also got the crowd involved by singing their own version of Chubby Brown’s “Who the is Alice,” replacing the word “Alice” with “Susan” (in honour of Dr Karl’s ex-wife). Alan encouraged the audience to say “boo to Susan’s new boyfriend” and he promised that “Karl and Susan will reunite one day,” leaving many avid watchers cheering. DU Neighbours Society President Adam Conway was particularly happy at the news. He told Palatinate “It was spiggin’ awesome and fantastically light-hearted. We will be continuing our “Karl and Susan 4 Ever” campaign until the day comes.” Palatinate can also reveal that one of the hush-hush future storylines will see Dr Karl marry an internet bride. After the gig, Alan returned to sign autographs and pose for photographs with the hundreds of fans who were waiting to meet him. Walkabout Promotions Manager, Katie Warren said “Everybody was loving Karl. He’s such a nice guy – he had time for everybody. He was very excited to be back in Durham. The gigs have definitely been a great success.” Alan confirmed his love for Durham when he spoke exclusively to Palatinate after the Wednesday gig. He told us “I have been exploring Durham the past few days. It’s a great place. And Durham definitely has the best crowd!”
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