April 2016

ABC TV’s Meet the Mavericks is an interview series featuring some of Australia’s most iconic artists, performers, thinkers and cultural leaders. Each episode sees two of these creative talents (and troublemakers) come together to compare notes and talk intimately about their view of the world, their passions, what inspires them, what drives them and how they channel this into their creative process. (Photo courtesy of ABC Arts)

Tune in to Episode 4 on Tuesday 3rd May, 2016, at 10pm, for two humanists: Phillip Adams and Tim. Late Night Live radio host and godfather of the Australian film industry, with a regular column in The Australian, Phillip Adams and Tim (composer/lyricist, musician, comedian, actor, writer and director) talk about life, art, identity and religion.

The episode will join the others on ABC iView once it airs.

Here’s a clip to whet your appetite:

For those outside Australia: Sadly, there are no plans as yet for international distribution and iView is geo-blocked. However, there will be a couple more clips available to view on this blog 24 hours after the episode airs.

UPDATE: (04/05/16) Additional video clips. Tim and Phillip discuss comedy:

Tomorrow, April 23rd, you can watch Tim playing his part in the celebrations at Shakespeare Live! From The RSC. As it broadcasts live on BBC Two at 8.30pm, the show will be screened live to Picturehouse cinemas in the UK and Europe. Tickets here. (Details of worldwide screenings below)

Photo courtesy of The RSC

Tim joins a huge and stellar cast which includes: Akala (Hip Hop Shakespeare), Roger Allam, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Simon Russell Beale, Ian Bostridge, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Anne Marie Duff, English National Opera, Paapa Essiedu, Joseph Fiennes, Alexandra Gilbreath, Henry Goodman, the cast of Horrible Histories, Rufus Hound, Rory Kinnear, John Lithgow, Ian McKellan, Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra, Helen Mirren, Alison Moyet, Al Murray, Pippa Nixon, Orchestra of the Swan, Gregory Porter, the Royal Ballet, Antony Sher, The Shires, Meera Syal, David Suchet, Catherine Tate, Rufus Wainwright and Harriet Walter.

Hosted by David Tennant and Catherine Tate, the live television celebration, marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, will be staged at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon.

The RSC: ‘Shakespeare Live! From the RSC’ will feature performances of some of the greatest dramatic scenes ever written, played by some of our greatest actors, as well as songs, comedy, dances and music celebrating Shakespeare’s legacy.

The programme will be available on BBC iPlayer shortly after broadcast.

There will be screenings around the rest of the world by BBC Worldwide:

6th May – Australian cinemas: Details and tickets here.

23rd May – US cinemas: Details and tickets here.

At there moment there are no details for cinemas outside of Europe, Australia and the US but check here for coming details of further international screenings including New Zealand, South Korea and Russia.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 19th April 2016, sees Tim attending and performing at the launch event for the Canadian production of Matilda The Musical, at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto.

There will be a live feed of the highlights between 2:30pm and 3:30pm (EDT) on the Mirvish Productions Facebook Page. ‘LIKE’ the page to watch.

That’s 7:30pm (BST) in the UK and for Australian night owls/insomniacs/very early risers that’s 4:30am (AEST) 20th April.

In addition, the event will be live tweeted by @Mirvish with images going up on Instagram @mirvishproductions. #MatildaTO

Toronto will be the only production of Matilda in Canada.

Tickets are already on sale for performances from 5th July up until 4th September, 2016, from www.mirvish.com or by phone at TicketKing at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Royal Alexandra Theatre Box Office, 260 King Street West. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 416-593-4142 or 1-800-724-6420.

More information can be found on the Matilda The Musical website and if you’d like to see the story of Matilda’s adventures internationally, including many reviews, photos and videos then take a look here.

Last Sunday Matilda and Me aired on Australian TV. Narrated by his sister Nel and with the rehearsals for the launch of the show in Sydney forming the backdrop, the documentary charts Tim’s long-term fascination with Roald Dahl, his childhood and early career and the creative process behind the smash hit musical. You’ll find more details and a teaser clip here.

Matilda & Me is now available on DVD from MADMAN and JB HI-FI across Australia. Both ship internationally but please note it is a Region 4 DVD, so aimed primarily at the Australian and New Zealand market. Outside Region 4, you’ll need a multi-region DVD player or PC/Laptop with a DVD drive to play it. (A handy guide to DVD compatibility can be found here courtesy of eBay.)

Australians can also download it from iTunes and it will soon be available on many other digital platforms. (You’ll find them listed to the right of the DVD here).

Matilda and Me will be available on ABC iView until 8:40pm on 18th April 2016, where you can now also watch SEVEN exclusive behind the scenes clips.

Sadly iView is geo-blocked for those outside Australia but wheels are in motion for this documentary to be available more widely. We’ll let you know as soon as anything is confirmed but it’s also worth keeping an eye on the Matilda & Me Facebook Page for updates and news.

In case you missed the heads-up via Tim’s mailing list yesterday:

Priority booking is now open for you, for the world premiere of Groundhog Day, Tim’s brand new musical at London’s Old Vic. Get ahead of the crowd before general booking opens.

Scurry over to the booking page and once you’ve chosen the date you fancy, quote HOG5 in the promotional code box and Phil’s your uncle! Ya dig? You can also use the code over the phone: 0844 871 7628 or in person at The Old Vic (where you must whisper it at the box office and tell them when you last saw your shadow… possibly).

Tickets will go on general sale on Tuesday 12th April, 2016 at 12 noon.

Groundhog Day will begin with previews from July 11th, 2016, with the official opening on August 16th. It will be a strictly limited 10-week season until Saturday 17th September, 2016.

The show reunites composer and lyricist Tim, with director Matthew Warchus, choreographer Peter Darling and designer Rob Howell, four of the Matilda The Musical creative team. They have joined forces with writer Danny Rubin to collaborate on this new musical based on his 1993 hit film.

Andy Karl will play Phil Connors, a cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Caught in a time loop, he’s forced to relive the same day again and again…and again.

More information can be found on The Old Vic website.