Personnel

Australian actor Ray Barrett, who voiced many memorable characters from the Supermarionation era has passed away. He was 82 and passed away on Tuesday 8th September in a hospital in Queensland. Ray Barrett did many voices, including that of Commander Shore from Stingray as well as John Tracy and the Hood from Thunderbirds.

A more detailed account of his passing can be found here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/08/2680208.htm

Details: Written by: Simon Wickes; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 256071

Sunday 9th I flew back home after attending the Barry Gray Centenary Concert in the Royal Festival Hall on the south bank of the Thames in London the evening before. I had had a fantastic night – the first performance where Thunderbirds roared from the orchestra live since the unbeatable “Filmharmonic ‘78” concert by Barry Gray himself. It was so long overdue! I got goose bumps hearing the Thunderbirds incidentals and Zero-X taking off. So why did I mark the concert with a 7 out of 10 instead of a 9 out of 10 I wondered. And then it occurred to me: I was there both as an admirer of Barry Gray’s work but also as a seasoned concert audience member.

Details: Written by: Theo de Klerk; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 7988

Reviews

As if to draw a line between the UK fans and the rest of the world, we now have this. People lucky enough to be in the London area on November 8 2008 will be able to attend the "Barry Gray Centenary Concert" at the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank in London.

It will certainly be a major event for Anderson fans.

Full details after the jump. Lucky gits.

Details: Written by: Simon Wickes; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 7865

Barry Gray

For those lucky enough to live in the UK and get the channel UK Sky Film 24 (158), you have a treat this weekend. The first part of a new 2-part documentary on Gerry Anderson airs will be airing on that channel.

Part one on the Supermarionation shows features: Gerry Anderson, David Elliott, Julien Lugrin, Desmond Saunders, Alan Perry, Roger Woodburn, Mary Turner, David Graham, Robert Eastonm John Blundall and Arthur Provis.

Someone let me know how it was...

Details: Written by: Simon Wickes; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 7295

Although new Anderson productions are unlikely any time soon - if not ever, but new publications are appearing. This month, its a new biography from none other than Sylvia Anderson. Published at the end of July 2007, the title is "My FAB Years". The book is available in the UK and the US, so hopefully it is available in many other countries around the world too.

Read on for full details and links

Details: Written by: Simon Wickes; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 7580

Sadly, we lose another from the APF years. On April 13th John Read passed away. He was one of the founders of the APF studios. John Read worked on all the shows from Torchy the Battery Boy all the way to Doppleganger/Journey to the Far Side of the Sun. On the various productions he worked as camera operator, lighting cameraman, cinematographer and producer. He also worked on the early live action movie "Crossroads to Crime". In the 1970s he was producer on the popular childrens TV show "Cloppa Castle". Our thoughts go to his family and friends.

Details: Written by: Simon Wickes; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 7195

In a grim co-incidence, two of the main actors from the UFO TV series have passed away within days of each other. Mike Billington passed away on monday and Ed Bishop passed away on wednesday.

Not much is known about the circumstances, but it will certainly come as a shock to fans of UFO and Captain Scarlet, where Ed Bishop voiced Captain Blue.

The Fanderson site has a detailed report on these events as well as more of the history for both actors. Both actors were scheduled to appear at the convention this autumn. We offer sincere condolences to their families.

Details: Written by: Simon Wickes; Category: Personnel; Last Updated: 05 August 2013; Hits: 10541

We have received some photos of puppeteer Christine Glanville in action. These photos were taken about 10 years ago by Mike Joyce when he was working on "The Pig Attraction". It was a chat show with a difference for the presenters and guests were all famous puppets from the past and present, from Basil Brush to Roland Rat and beyond.