Category Archives: Covid-19

MOCKDOWN! Chat show, Episode 7, Aug 2, 2020

Acting, Actor, BBC, celebrities, Celebrity, Coronation St, Covid-19, Emmerdale, Film, Filmmaking, ITV, Mockdown, Music, stage, theatre, TV, Voiceover, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello dear followers!

We’ve just finished another wonderful episode of Mockdown!
I think we could have chatted for another hour!

This week, my guests are actors – with a musical side…. Jonathan Kydd and Andy Whitaker [more details on my guests below]

Due to copyright issues, Andy’s version of BLACK – WONDERFUL LIFE
cannot be shown above, Click here to see the full version of his song.
The full show is also available on my Actor Facebook Page

MY GUESTS

Jonathan Kydd
An actor. But also does voice stuff and makes films and videos and write songs. Written three musicals and a variety of hour long shows featuring comedy bands  and a number of video blogs, mostly about football. Also does cartoons. Was a dinosaur in Toy Story that time forgot, and all the voices in Bangers and Mash, and in Mr Bean, and Noddy, and Dennis the menace, and hilltop hospital, etc… He also made two comedy short films and a lot of videos. Podcasts about football as well.
His father, great British actor Sam Kydd, made over 280 films and thousands of tellies 1946 to his death in 1982. Sam played cockneys and Irishmen, despite being quite posh having gone to Dunstable Grammar. Jonathan found an unpublished autobiography of his dad’s career 1946 to 1970 in his mum’s loft and is editing it. It’s almost finished. He’s also going to make a documentary about his dad’s career. He has all the home videos, 300 stills, a mass of letters and scripts and diaries. As well as the book.
Official Web Site 
Twitter
The Rudy Vees

Andy Whitaker
You may know Andy by his professional name, Andy Moore, in his role as PC Mike Swirling in the BAFTA-winning soap Emmerdale… He has a vast musical history and is about to make his own film…
Having started out as a musician in The Sun and the Moon with The Chameleons front-man Mark Burgess and Chameleons Drummer John Lever, went into acting at the age of 35 in the 90’s telling himself it was a less age prejudice profession. After all, they always want granddads in films and TV shows.
After doing the rounds in rep and theatre in education, he got my first telly part as an Amnesiac who thinks that he is Kevin Keegan in the BBCs The Cops in 1998, was a series regular in Dream Team for Sky One, played the obligatory red herring in The Bill and the role of Sean Wakefield in Coronation Street under Alan Wareing’s direction – that lead to his current role as PC Mike Swirling under Alan Wareing’s direction.
Andy Moore Facebook Page
Twitter
More about Andy’s Music – 

SUPPORT ARTISTS –
https://www.equity.org.uk/about/benevolent-fund/
My Ko-Fi link – http://ko-fi.com/davemcclelland

MOCKDOWN! streams live Sunday evenings at 8pm (UK) on my Actor Facebook Page.
Past shows are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube

Stay safe you darlings!
D x

MOCKDOWN! Ep 6, 26th July

Acting, audiobook, BBC, Broken TV series, comedy, Computer, Covid-19, Family, friends, Humour, Lancashire, Mockdown, Politics, Sheffield, stage, Technology, The Yorkshire Teabaggers, theatre, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello friends!

I hope you’re all staying safe and well, despite the best efforts of our government…

Had another fun MOCKDOWN! show last night.
This week’s guests…. Brothers from Other Mothers – and a Sister-in-Law too….
The wonderful trio, STEVE GARTI, JOHN & MARIA ATHERLEY… [Guest details below the video…] We chat about how Lockdown has impacted on them, and what they’re up to now.

MY GUESTS

STEVE GARTI, actor, musician – Acting Credits include The full monty, The Cops, Ashes to Ashes, all the soaps, Brassic. And Broken with me and Sean Bean!
Did years on the club circuit with various bands and was Billy Pierce’s drummer during the late 80’s. A professional cook. Proud dad to his son James who with his partner has recently gifted him a grandson.
https://twitter.com/SteveGarti  • http://limemanagement.tv/talent/steve-garti/

My musical brother, JOHN ATHERLEY, my bandmate in The Yorkshire Teabaggers, founded The Sheffield Ukulele Group, and an all round IT Whizz!
He studied drama, went into IT but still had that artistic and performance bug…
Creates his own artwork under the name Tommy Teabag Art, created The Yorkshire Teabaggers which I’m very proud to be part of, formed the Sheffield Ukulele Group and now runs his own Tinterweb design company, Atherweb.
http://www.atherweb.co.uk/ • http://www.tommyteabagart.co.uk/

And John’s partner, MARIA ATHERLEY, an Army brat apparently, studied hospitality management and worked in hospitality and HR, but in recent years has embraced her spiritual side and co-founded The Karma Hub, offering a variety of Yoga, meditation and sound therapies….
http://www.karmahub.co.uk/ • https://www.facebook.com/thekarmahub/

SUPPORT ARTISTS –
https://www.equity.org.uk/about/benevolent-fund/
My Ko-Fi link – http://ko-fi.com/davemcclelland

MOCKDOWN! streams live Sunday evenings at 8pm (UK) on my Actor Facebook Page.
Past show are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube

Stay safe you little beauties!
D x

Last night’s MOCKDOWN! Chat Show, Comedy Special!

Acting, Actor, BBC, Celebrity, comedy, Covid-19, Humour, Liverpool, Sheffield, stage, Summer, theatre, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello Darlings!!!

I really enjoyed Episode 5 of MOCKDOWN! last night… This week – A Comedy Special!

I was joined by three special guests to chat about the world of live comedy during these strange times… Will we still be laughing after the Covid Crisis?

My Guests this week… Paul BALLO Ballington, Big Shaun and Adam Rushton (info on my guests below the video link…)

ABOUT MY GUESTS

PAUL BALLO BALLINGTON – “The singing plumber” from Dinnington, Sheffield. Specialising in Comedy songwriting. The two things I love the most in life (apart from family, Football & beer) are music and making people laugh. So, I thought, why not try and combine the two – so I did!! It all began in 2012 when I wrote a song called “Ten Pints of Carling” which took off way more than I expected. Since then I have written many more similar songs that many people can relate to. Numerous national and local TV & Radio performances – invited to perform Yorkshire themed “Tour de Yorkshire” song “Get on yer bike” at the opening ceremony in York. Written songs for charity – including raising over £800 for PACT & Bluebell Wood with a Christmas song, which also featured on local and national radio. Also write and record songs for special occasions – resulted in writing bespoke birthday songs – and also writing and performing a best man speech, bride speech and Father of the bride speech!!  Ballo Facebook Page

SHAUN DAVID DOANE – BIG SHAUN has been singing in Sheffield bands for 30 years, including Ravager, 2 til 10, Sharp Cuts, Sikorski, The Koenig, Go Galleon, Tiny Barbara’s Surf Club and of course the Everly Pregnant Brothers. A funny man whose talent also embraces DJing, compering and comedy, Shaun is very Yorkshire, very Sheffield, and very gobshite!

ADAM RUSHTON is a promoter and comedy agent. Having previously spent five years in the Royal Navy, Adam started his journey in comedy on the stage before hanging up his mic four years ago and forming A Rush Of Laughter Management. His roster boast acts such as Tanyalee Davis, Gareth Richards, Njambi McGrath & Ignacio Lopez
Web Site • Twitter  

SUPPORT ARTISTS…

Equity Benevolent Fund
You can donate to me here – Ko-Fi

MOCKDOWN! Weekly chat show, 12th July

Acting, Actor, audiobook, Covid-19, Mockdown, Politics, Sheffield, stage, theatre, , , , , , , ,

Hello again!

I’m currently enjoying a post-show Brewdog beer after another thoroughly enjoyable episode of Mockdown!

Lovely guests this week…

Fiona Egan and Scott Worsfold
Fiona is an actress and presenter, mum of two, and co founder of the PantoEverAfter panto company. Professional actress for 25 years and been doing panto for 22 years, with the exception of one year when I had a baby. First was Marley’s Ghost a musical adaptation of Scrooge, that’s where she met Scott at Cragrats Theatre Holmfirth, which sadly no longer exists.
20 years later they decided to create their own pantomime, and hence the company was born. Workwise, it’s theatre, TV, film, corporate, touring, outdoor, voice over, like most actors you name it, they’ve done it.
They have two venues where they produce pantomime. The Viaduct theatre Halifax, home of Northern Broadsides and The Marsden Mechanics Hall, Huddersfield.
www.pantoeverafter.co.uk • Twitter

Liam Gerrard
Liam is a BAFTA nominated actor who’s work includes Peterloo with Mike Leigh, Death defying Acts, Coronation St, Hollyoaks, and more. His theatre work includes a lot of Shakespeare, from Midsummer Night’s Dream at work at Sheffield Crucible to Northern Broadsides and international tours for the BSC. He appeared in the 4-hander Miss-Julie alongside Maxine Peake at the Manchester Royal Exchange. Other theatre work includes SJT, New Vic, Hull Truck, Oldham Coliseum, Soho Theatre, Edinburgh Lyceum, Traverse, Theatre by the Lake, the Dukes, Salisbury Playhouse, Nottingham Playhouse, The Lowry, Derby Playhouse and many more.
He is also a voiceover actor and has narrated over 100 audiobooks, and can be heard daily on radio / television commercials. Earlier this year he won an Earphones award for his narration of H.G. Wells anthology of short stories (volume 1) and is a 4x One Voice Award nominee, as well as an Audio and Sovas nominee.
When not performing he is a magician and magic / illusion consultant to theatre companies.
In 2018 he established the Sheffield equity branch and he is the secretary of the branch www.liamgerrard.co.uk • Twitter

Melanie Hopkins
Melanie is a Sheffield born and based professional actress, writer and theatre maker/event organiser. Described as a “one woman army”, Melanie has single-handedly set up her own event; “Sheffield Monologue Showcase (SMS),” that premiered last March, with lots of feedback of it’s success. Melanie is also known for writing for the stage with her most note-worthy piece “The Sylvia Swing” performed at the York Theatre Royal’s Take Over Festival. Two pieces of her comedy writing have since also appeared on BBC Radio’s Upload Festival during lockdown.
www.melaniejhopkins.com • Twitter

SUPPORT ARTISTS…

Equity Benevolent Fund – https://www.equity.org.uk/about/benev…
You can donate to me here – http://ko-fi.com/davemcclelland

Brewdog – Hope you like the product placement… Want to sponsor the show?

Mockdown! Ep. 3, Panto & Theatre

Acting, Actor, Blackpool, comedy, Covid-19, Manchester, Mockdown, Politics, stage, , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello m’dears!

Hope you’re all keeping safe and well in these strange times.

Had another episode of MOCKDOWN! on Sunday night, with my lovely guests Chris Clarkson and Ian Fox.

The link to the recorded show is below, join us for lots of chat about theatre and pantomime  – and what the future may hold for live entertainment in a post-Lockdown world.

Stay safe my pretties!!

Dave x

Mockdown! Episode 2

Acting, Actor, Barry Pigeon Protects, BBC, Celebrity, comedy, Covid-19, Filmmaking, History, ITV, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Mockdown, Politics, Radio, stage, theatre, TV, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hi folks!

Hope you’ve all survived another week, well, let’s face if, if you’re reading this, you HAVE survived, but, of course, it may have been a bit of a shit week.

This Government-led Shitshow rolls on… excess deaths, the collapse of the economy, right wing thugs on the streets… but at least I found a socially appropriate way to unload with 3 mates over a chat.

Yes, it’s Episode 2 of MOCKDOWN!

My guests this week are:

Kurt Brookes – Head of Development at MIM Productions and the producer of the upcoming BBC Radio 4 comedy series “The Likely Dads“. He is also the creator and co-everything of the webseries “Barry Pigeon Protects“.

Marie Friend – a born & bred scouser who’s now dead posh and living in Chester. Marie has trained with many acting practitioners across Manchester over the last 6 years , she is a Broadcast Journalist , experienced in Voiceover and TV presenting… and was last seen at the Hope Mill Theatre in Welcome to Shangri La…. along with myself, and my final guest…

Robyn Moore – a London born, British actress of Belgium and Polish decent. She has over 30 years of experience in theatre, film and television… including “Family Affairs” and playing Shirley Benson in “East Enders”. She also has over 20 years of experience teaching actors and professionals in acting and performance techniques.

A few links for you…
GET SCENE – the link that Marie mentioned.
Follow me, ROWE DAVID McCLELLAND on Facebook for future shows
Help arts freelancers through the EQUITY BENEVOLENT FUND
and if you want to help me, donations are appreciated at PayPal.me or Ko-fi

Thanks for checking in, thanks for watching the show, and stay safe!

D x

 

I’m Live Streaming – MOCKDOWN! a new weekly show!

Acting, Actor, Canada, Coronation St, Covid-19, Emmerdale, History, ITV, Sheffield, showreel, stage, theatre, TV, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hi folks!

Hope you are all keeping well and retaining sanity during these strange, strange times.

I was delighted to help friends set up the technical side for a couple of Live Streaming shows over the last few weeks, so taught myself to use StreamYard, an amazing bit of free Chrome-based goodness that allows you to broadcast to the world.
And so decided that I too wanted to add to the self-broadcasting scene.

I hosted a lot of radio when I lived in Canada, so I love the buzz of hosting a live show, though this is all very different, clicking on the computer to add guests, sources and images…. I could do with a studio crew.

The first show went live last Sunday… there’s a link to view it on YouTube below. But if you’d like to keep up to date and receive notifications and links to future shows, please follow my actor page on Facebook, ROWE DAVID McCLELLAND. The show will air Sundays at 8pm  on Facebook, and I will put them on YouTube after the event.

Here’s the show from the weekend… three lovely guests, Jo Swain – Sheffield actor, known for the Full Monty, now running Hello Velo, a super B&B/Bike hire place in the wilds of France, TV Director Neil Alderton in Manchester – if you love a TV soap, chances are he’ll have had a hand in it – and Phil Yarrow, a Northumbrian exile now living in That London. Actor, Puppeteer, Improviser and dad, with a passion for Theatre For Young Audiences.

______

Many freelance artists are struggling during these Covid-19 days.
If you are able to donate a little to the EQUITY BENEVOLENT FUND, or any of the links mentioned in the show, please do.

Another streaming show you may enjoy is hosted by my lovely friend in Canada – actor, writer, director (and so much more) Charlie Rhindress.
The Charlie and Heather Show airs 8pm on Sundays in Canada (that’s midnight here in the UK), so if you’re a night person, please tune in, there’s a lovely mix of chat, stories and songs. I was a guest on the show May 31st/June 1st, so check it out on the show page or below….

 

And finally, I’ve taken some time to update my acting showreel…. Take a look…

Stay safe folks… and don’t trust the Tories….
D x

 

April Lockdown Update

Acting, Actor, Barry Pigeon Protects, comedy, Covid-19, Dogs, Film, Filmmaking, Humour, Sheffield, Short Films, , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello my dears

I hope you’re all well and staying safe during this pandemic. I don’t know how it’s impacting on you, but for me, I seem unable to concentrate on computer stuff, hence the long wait since my last post. I just don’t have the willpower tou sit at a screen. I’ve had to force myself to write this today.

Similar tale with TV. I can sit to watch a show and I’m constantly pausing to check for phone updates. And I fall alseep a lot in front of the telly, despite sleeping well at night. It’s different ways of reacting to the state we live in I guess.

I’m trying to be creative, done lots of garden work, tidying, weeding, planting. I make lots of videos, dog walks, bird song, etc. More of that further down.

A couple of things I’d like to promote though… 5 years ago, I worked on a web series called Barry Pigeon Protects, all about a night security guard sharing his life via webcam. Lovely project written/directed and produced by Kurt Brookes and Andrew Birtwell.

My old mate Doug Thorp asked if I could rekindle Barry as a guest for his Broken Biscuits  Online Cabaret.

I asked Kurt and Andy, and within a week we had it written, shot and edited. Due to lockdown, I shot at home with a green screen, and my old security cabin office magically appeared in editing.

Here’s Broken Biscuits Online No. 2. Barry Pigeon is the final artiste in the show… It’s well worth the watch as an alternative to the assault of information we have these days.

For those who want just a dose of Barry Pigeon, here’s the new episode….

And good new Pigeon fans, more Barry is likely to be forthcoming 🙂
I’ll update when I can.

Other bits of creativity overcome me. The opening of David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs album, the spoken track Future Legend, is something I committed to memory at age 16.
The words kept coming back to me recently, so here it is, performed as a monologue…

I have another favourite song committed to memory that I plan to make a video for. A more complicated production, but hopefully coming soon.

As mentioned earlier, I’ve been filming my daily dog walks, and sharing on my Facebook feed as Virtual Dog Walking for Shut Ins. I also post my daily Twitter Feeds… the sound of bird song captured in the park.

I’m putting these on to my YouTube Channel now, so here’s a link to my Virtual Dog Walks Playlist….

Norfolk Park Twitter Feed

Okay, hope you enjoyed the walkies and the birds. I’ll keep adding to the Playlists so keep checking back.

Stay safe, love your friends and family – and tell them you do.
We all need it right now.
I hope to update again soon.

D x