The actors Hammed Animashuan and Lucian Msamati talk about their involvement in the National Theatre's 'Master Harold'... and the Boys.

The talk is on 18 Nov 2019.  Details are here https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning

While there were other members of The Goons and guest appearances, the 2 main members, besides Spike Milligan, were Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers.

Michael Bentine was the final member, a comedian with a sense of humour similar to Milligan, but he has now been mostly forgotten.  There is a pub in London near where I used to work with a plaque for the Goons, as they wrote their first scripts in a room above the pub.
https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMZ29_The_Goon_Show_Strutton_Ground_London_UK

The Goons were a major influence on Monty Python, and Milligan has a cameo in Life of Brian.

Ken Russell Portrait of a Maverick is a documentary by Chris Wade. The film gives an overview of Ken’s childhood and career, and has interviews with Xavier Russell (Ken’s son who edited some of Ken’s films), Judith Paris, Emma Millions and (voice only) Scott Antony.

Xavier gives some good insight into Ken’s working such as how he edits.  He also mentions the friendship between Ken and Coppola, and Scorsese (who would send Ken copies of his latest films), as well as Fellini’s admiration of Ken.  He also mentions Ken’s mixed feelings about Kubrick.

Judith Paris brings out how devoted she is to the work of Ken and mentions his insistence on lots of takes.  As well as in films, she worked with Ken in the theatre.

Emma Millions covers the last films of Ken.  She gives examples of Ken’s inventiveness such as when they had to find a way of portraying a castle collapsing (The Fall of the Louse of Usher) and he came up with the idea of using a bouncy castle.  She also touchingly tells how she burst into tears when she overheard someone say Ken had just died.

The film is just over 55 minutes.  You can buy the DVD or the download here
http://wisdomtwinsbooks.weebly.com/documentaries.html
The site has a short online trailer you can watch.

Recommended.

Berkoff performs They Shall Not Pass: The Battle of Cable Street in Arcola Theatre London on 20 Oct 2019.

"October, 1936. Three thousand fascists, led by Oswald Mosley, march on Cable Street in the heart of the Jewish East End. Six thousand Metropolitan Police officers are on hand to defend them. But London’s socialists, trade unionists, immigrants and dock workers are ready to meet the fascists – and their message is clear and united: “They shall not pass.”

Drawing on archival records and his own rich personal history, Berkoff performs a new verse work, with live music from long-time collaborator Mark Glentworth. Then he discusses the colossal impact of the Battle of Cable Street, and its lasting significance at a time of creeping threats from the far-right."

Details are here
https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/they-shall-not-pass-the-battle-of-cable-street/?dm_i=1FRR,6IF53,7EF3YC,PUWWK,1

Another chance to see Ken's photos.  Is it at the Lucy Bell Gallery in St Leonards on Sea, UK from 21 Sept to 9 Nov 2019.

https://www.lucy-bell.com/