article about Kaleidoscope event
04/03/2010 00:00 GMT

Posted by lisa

The following article about this weekend's Kaleidoscope event mentions the showing of the newly recovered Goodies footage.



From http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/5039200.Famous_Five_stars_to_reunite_in_Stourbridge/ :

Famous Five stars to reunite in Stourbridge 3:30pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010

TWO of the original Famous Five are set to meet again for the first time in 30 years in Stourbridge.

Marcus Harris and Gary Russell, the actors who played adventurous brothers Julian and Dick, will be brought together for a day of nostalgic television heaven taking place this Saturday (March 6) at the Talbot Hotel in the High Street.

The event, organised by Midlands-based organisation Kaleidoscope, will also include vintage performances by Bob Monkhouse, Eric Sykes and Kenneth Williams.

Kaleidoscope's Chris Perry says it has been a real coup for the voluntary-run TV research group - which has an archive in Dudley and holds regular screenings in Stourbridge - to get stars of The Famous Five to come along.

He said: “For a generation of children, the well-remembered 1970s Southern Television series was a wonderful introduction to Enid Blyton's classic characters.

“I have fond memories of the TV adventures of George, Julian, Dick, Anne and Timmy the dog. Now the cast that brought them to life are back, reunited on stage for the first time in over 30 years.

“I'm sure the audience will be as delighted as we are to see them.”

Writer Gail Renard, who adapted Blyton's stories for the screen over two series between 1978-9, will be joining actors Marcus Harris and Gary Russell at the event.

Sci-fi fans will best know actor-turned-author Russell from his work as a script editor and director on the new series of Doctor Who.

As part of a packed schedule, a classic episode from The Famous Five will get a rare showing on the day.

An edition of cult quiz show The Golden Shot and long-lost footage from The Goodies will also be aired.

Chris said: “This is a genuine UK premier. Recently, sketches from two early episodes of The Goodies were recovered in Australia. They'd been cut from the show and subsequently lost until now.

“Though brief, the footage is both fascinating and hilarious to watch, with stars Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie on top form.”

Also appearing at the event, which runs from 12pm to 7pm, is Steve Bryant of the British Film Institute and veteran TV producer and director Paul Stewart Laing.

Laing began his career as a cameraman and went on to work with all the greatest artistes on New Faces, London Night Out, Wednesday at 8 and many others before becoming director of programmes at TSW.

He will be bringing along some curios from his own archives, including the unaired pilot of an ITV show deemed too risqué for broadcast.

Entry to the event is free, but all donations will go to Kaleidoscope's chosen charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

For more information check out Kaleidoscope's website - www.kaleidoscope.org.uk