helenistic, Author at Helen McCrory

Evening Standard and TikTok join forces for £120k fund to support theatre talent of the future

On November 26, 2020May 19, 2021 By helenistic No Comments

Helen McCrory is among the panelists for the Future Theatre Fund

by Robert Dex | November 26, 2020 | The Evening Standard

The Evening Standard has joined forces with TikTok to launch a £120,000 fund to support the next generation of theatre stars, who are struggling under the impact of Covid-19.

High-profile figures including award-winning actress Helen McCrory, theatre supremo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Young Vic boss Kwame Kwei-Armah have joined the panel to help decide who receives the 12 grants, each of £10,000.

McCrory said: “It’s fantastic that these funds have been set aside to help the next generation of actors, directors and artists waiting to get on the ladder. These are the young people without support just leaving college or just starting out, who are treading water until theatres, studios and galleries reopen. These prizes of £10,000 each will be an absolute lifeline. Good luck to all the entries.”

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Print Media Reviews Roadkill

Hugh Laurie classes up political scandal in David Hare’s new drama, but maybe we’re too scarred to be thrilled

On November 1, 2020May 20, 2021 By helenistic No Comments

Corrupt politics, greedy public officials failing upward – it’s all so tiresome and depressing, isn’t it?

by Melanie McFarland | November 1, 2020 | Salon.com

Corrupt politics, greedy public officials failing upward – it’s all so tiresome and depressing, isn’t it?But damn if it doesn’t go down more smoothly in a British accent. Usually, I should say.

“Roadkill,” the latest “Masterpiece” limited series from Oscar-nominated screenwriter and playwright David Hare, tests that theory with prismatic tag-along through the a rocky chapter in British government minister Peter Laurence’s career. Played with a rakish confidence by Hugh Laurie, we’re introduced to Peter as he’s walking out of court, victorious in libel case alleging that he lied about an attempt to use his office for financial gain.

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Print Media Reviews Roadkill

Roadkill: Hugh Laurie Plays a Politician Trying to Avoid Cancellation

On October 30, 2020May 20, 2021 By helenistic No Comments

A brash British populist dealing with a law suit, a love child, a mistress, and a suspicious PM

by Mike Hale | October 30, 2020 | New York Times

Credit…PBS, via Associated Press

Need to lend some charm, suavity and wry humanity to an otherwise objectionable middle-aged British male? Hugh Laurie is your man, filling that neo-George Sanders role in characters both mildly vainglorious (the spaceship captain of “Avenue 5”) and utterly despicable (the arms dealer of “The Night Manager”).

His latest, in the BBC mini-series “Roadkill” (beginning Sunday on PBS’s “Masterpiece”), falls somewhere in between, and trying to guess exactly where is our primary sport across the show’s four episodes. Peter Laurence may be a well-meaning, if destructively narcissistic, politician with a libertarian bent; he may be a soulless monster who doesn’t care about the bodies he leaves behind, perhaps literally, as he claws his way up the government. Laurie’s guarded, superbly understated performance keeps alive to the last moment the possibility that either, or both, might be true.

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Print Media Reviews Roadkill

Hugh Laurie Delivers in Soapy British Political Drama ‘Roadkill’: TV Review

On October 29, 2020May 20, 2021 By helenistic No Comments

Soapy British Political Drama Delivers

By Rebecca Strassberg | October 29, 2020 | Variety

We’ve been conditioned — mostly thanks to corruption, greed and a steady abuse of power — to mistrust politicians. For many, skepticism is such a deep-rooted emotion when it comes to the government, even being too trustworthy becomes suspicious. But you need not worry, that isn’t that case for Hugh Laurie’s Peter Laurence, the center of PBS Masterpiece’s saucy political miniseries “Roadkill.” Go ahead and bank on those instincts. What begins as a straightforward story unravels into an interconnected evening soap, better paired with gin than tea and crumpets.

When introduced, well-known political figure Laurence has just won a libel lawsuit. A smug grin from ear to ear, he’s off to discuss it with Mick the Mouth on “Alltalk,” a trashy radio show on which he appears weekly. It seems par for the course these days that a once guarded political figure could go off the rails on the airwaves or social media. High off getting his way in the high court, Laurence says, “People like me because I break the rules,” foreshadowing what’s to come.

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Awards Charity Damian Lewis Feed NHS Personal and Family Life

PRWeek UK Awards Winners 2020: FeedNHS

On October 28, 2020April 28, 2021 By helenistic No Comments

Best Proactive Communications During the Coronavirus Crisis

by PRWeek UK Staff | PR Week | October 28, 2020

Nominated: Best Ethical or Good Cause Initiative During the Coronavirus Crisis
Nominated and Won: Best Proactive Communications During the Coronavirus Crisis

Judge’s comment:
Brilliant campaign, well executed with passion.

And the winner is, FeedNHS! This campaign aimed to raise £1m to get hot, healthy meals to frontline NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis, as many struggled to get them amid lockdown closures. It was set up by Leon Restaurants co-founder and chief executive John Vincent, actors Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory, and actor and comedian Matt Lucas.

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