Tag Archives: mental health

Farewell 2024 – Welcome 2025

Acting, Actor, Christmas, comedy, Family, friends, stage, theatre, Voiceover, , , , ,

Hello 2025

Here we are, the final day of 2024, and looking ahead to the new year. 

I’ve had some great times this year, but 2024 leaves me rather sad as some of the fizz and pop have gone flat in these last weeks. 

A nagging pain has caused health concerns recently, though recent tests and scans look hopeful. More investigations to come in the new year. And my relationship has entered a “on a break” phase, just short of two years, which had me feeling quite low over the Christmas period. So there’s been lots of comfort eating. My traditional Christmas tarts disappeared quickly. Diet and steady walking begin next week.

I’ve been lucky to have some travel in 2024. A wonderful short trip to Essaouira in Morocco in April. An amazing place and I hope to return some day. 

And more recently a trip to Canada in October to be part of Esther Fest in Amherst, Nova Scotia, thanks to my wonderful friend Charlie Rhindress. We had a reading of Guilty! The Story of the Great Amherst Mystery, a play I was in over 30 years ago. It was a delight to catch up with so many old friends whilst I was there.

With Charlie at Harvey’s… best burgers
At the Anne Murray Centre
Cast of GUILTY! reading
Charlie on Amherst Ghost Walk

And I had a more local, but equally delightful, trip this past week. Went to visit Jon near Skegness, with Kim and Linda, and we caught up on over 50 years of friendship. 

Work-wise, I finished the year with a nice voice job, reading a smashing story for the GeoStories app, Professor Graveling’s Last lecture. Download the app and see if you can find me within some of the other episodes. 

In the new year I take to the stage again – I was in The Boys are Back In’t Tarn as aging Rock Guitarist Briggsy in March – and we return as part of a double bill evening at The Lamproom Theatre in Barnsley on February 7th. Tickets and details here…

So, it’s almost time to hang the new calendar. With one last look back…
Today marks 14 years since my Dad passed away. A lovely, generous, friendly man who I see every time I look in the mirror. He loved Christmas and New Year celebrations, though his loss leaves an annual sadness over mine. 

So, tonight I will raise a glass to him, something alcoholic – though I mainly drink 0% beers these days.
And I will raise a glass to you too. 

May your New Year be full of joy and goodness, despite all the bad stuff going on in the world. 

And please, let’s have Peace in Palestine.

 

Another Film Premiere

Acting, Actor, Blackpool, Film, Filmmaking, Horror, Sheffield, , , , ,

Coming up – Second film premiere in a week.

How often can I say that? Never.

Delighted that BLACK DARUMA has a World Premiere Friday night at Spirit of Independence Festival in Sheffield.
From filmmakers Fionn and Toby Watts, this movie has Maximum Wattage!

A really unique horror film, I hope you can see it!

Black Daruma Tickets Here

Struggling with unemployment and a lack of purpose in life, Ryan impulsively buys a Japanese ‘luck’ doll at a local emporium and takes it home to his girlfriend, hoping his fortunes might change. Reluctant to entertain his wishful thinking and annoying pranks with the Doll, Louise finally persuades Ryan to throw the Doll away. But somehow the Doll reappears and tension in the house grows as circumstances for Ryan go from bad to worse.

Cast : David Castleford, Julie Higginson, Louise O’ Leary, Madeline Percival, Richard Galloway, Rowe David McClelland, Ruth Langrick

This follows the Premiere of CHANGING TIDES in Blackpool last weekend.

Beverley and I watching Changing Tides

A lovely evening with the crew who made it, and a very appreciative audience for a very emotional film. I cried at myself.

CHANGING TIDES has two more Cinema screenings coming up… Please check it out if you can.

CULTPLEX, MANCHESTER • Tickets here
50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
8 October at 12:00-14:00

ARTHOUSE CINEMA, LONDON • Tickets here
159A Tottenham Ln, London N8 9BT
19 October at 20:00-22:00

Voiceover – Everyday Life with IBS

Acting, Actor, Animation, health, Sheffield, Short Films, Voiceover, , ,

Last year I did some voice work for an animation, Everyday Life with IBS.

I discovered the final version last week, and here it is…  A fascinating insight into the life of those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

 

Many thanks to Dead Earnest Theatre, Fettle Animation, and University of Sheffield.
And cast mates Melanie Crawley and  Nadia Emam.

There’s more voice work to come…. Another animation – and an audio soap! Stay tuned.

https://runthemonthme.prostatecanceruk.org

2021 almost done…. here’s to 2022! Starting with a Challenge

Cancer, Christmas, Family, friends, health, , , , ,

Hello there!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Covid impacted on many of us again, restricting gatherings. Thankfully technology helps keep us in touch.

So, it’s the final week of 2021. And looking forward to the New Year, I decided to start 2022 with a challenge.  Run the Month: Marathon Edition

Earlier this year, I found out one of my oldest mates has Prostate Cancer.
It was discovered late and has spread.

That inspired me to try a bit of fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK.

In my mid 20’s I ran quite a lot, I did half marathons and 10k’s. I’m no longer that fit though. So – I’m going to be walking, jogging, or staggering, 26.2 miles throughout January to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

This will be distance covered just for this Challenge, not including my regular dog walks.

Prostate cancer now affects 1 in 8 men in the UK. That’s thousands of dads, partners, brothers, grandads, uncles and mates.

I’m raising money to help fund lifesaving research and support for men and their families affected by prostate cancer.

Please help me with a bit of Sponsorship at my page – Run the Month: Marathon Edition

I’ll check in again before 2021 ends… see you soon

D X

Busy week video editing…

Acting, Film, health, Sheffield, Short Films, , , , ,

Hello m’darlings!

Just a quick update… Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been working with Flippin’Mental Theatre to provide the final video element to an online Drama Project, Drama For The Mind 2021.

The participants have developed their own work, and have then performed their monologues to camera.  There’s 8 lovely pieces, funny, moving, emotional… a fantastic job by all involved.

I’ve assembled it all to in to a video to Premiere online this Saturday evening at 7pm (UK). Please drop by if you can. https://youtu.be/t72A6-RtVeo

Meanwhile Lockdown continues.
As does my Lockdown log. We’re now at Lockdown 3, Day 74 – can you believe it?
And still the bnuch of lying con artists we have in government continue. And now they are trying to stop us protesting. I see trouble ahead….

You can see my latest updates below….

As you can see from the updates, I’m building a garden bar, assembled from old pallets, in preparation for the March 29 Roadmap date for meeting another person in your garden – and the April 12 date for up to 6 people meeting in a garden.
Better stock up on the booze 🙂

Stay safe!

Dave X

The Suicide Monologues. Online this weekend.

Acting, Actor, celebrities, Filmmaking, health, Sheffield, Short Films, , , , , , , ,

Over lockdown I’ve been helping out with an amazing project looking at Suicide and mental health. Something that many have struggled with over the course of this Pandemic.

The Suicide Monologues are a series of thirteen short films which present the testimonies of people who have been affected by suicide and attempted suicide.

The films will be streamed this Saturday, and will be subsequently available to view online.

The project is a collaboration between Kathryn Littlewood, Penny Capper, Charlie Barnes, Brendan Stone, myself, and others. It was funded by the University of Sheffield, and supported by the mental health charity Sheffield Flourish.

The monologues are the true stories of a diverse group of people which are voiced in the films by a range of actors including Julian Richings, Cathy Shipton, Ian Reddington, Alice Barlow, Blue Merrick, Andy Whittaker, Janelle Thompson, Rachael McAllister, and Deepak Verma.

The aim of The Suicide Monologues is to challenge stigma around this complex subject, increase understanding, and create discussion.

You’ll be able to view the films at this link on Saturday 19th September at 19.00.  Please feel free to share this message, but please note that some viewers may find these films distressing.

If you need help you can talk to someone now by phoning Samaritans on 116 123.
You can also contact the 24/7 UK crisis service Shout simply by texting the word ‘Shout’ to 85258.
For more information please visit sheffieldsuicidesupport.co.uk and sheffieldflourish.co.uk

Festival of the Mind brings together University academics and professionals from Sheffield’s cultural, creative and digital industries to bring our research to life in exciting, entertaining and innovative ways.

Watch MOCKDOWN! for Sun Aug 30th…

Acting, Actor, celebrities, Celebrity, Chat Show, comedy, Covid-19, Film, Filmmaking, Humour, Lancashire, Mockdown, stage, Technology, theatre, TV, Yorkshire, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hi there fellow detainees!

Catch up on MOCKDOWN! for Sunday Aug 30th, as I chat with my guests about lockdown life – and coping with the new normal.

This week… Film Director Jack Spring, and Star Trek Yorkshire’s Joshua Note!!

JOSHUA NOTE – Actor, writer, presenter – formed a Star Trek Yorkshire fan group that’s now helping people struggling during this global pandemic through the Sick Bay…

JACK SPRING – Film director, former hot-tub salesman and part time international warlord. Made his directional debut aged just 19 with ‘Destination: Dewsbury‘ (I was in it) – we’ll find out what he’s up to now…

[If above link not working, view video on my Actor Facebook Page]

GUEST INFO
JOSHUA NOTE

Actor, Extra, Model, Influencer, Writer / Director, Other Film & Stage Crew, TV Presenter, Radio Presenter.
Joshua Note has written children’s fiction since he was a child, and has finally decided to send his work out into the world with the help of his editor.
He used to work in tech, and still designs apps and new concepts for fun things.
He’s working on a video game design with his colleagues from Australia and The United States.
He also used to interview people across the whole spectrum of the arts on his podcast The Note Show, and has just relaunched it.
He is a mental health advocate, and supports Bipolar UK by fundraising and raising awareness of the condition.
He’s deeply interested in Psychology, Music and Games.
Formed Star Trek Yorkshire – an online fan group that is already helping people struggling through pandemic through the Sick Bay.

GUEST LINKS
Star Trek Yorkshire – https://www.facebook.com/StarTrekYorkshire
Star Trek Yorkshire Twitter – https://twitter.com/YorkshireTREK
Joshua Twitter – https://twitter.com/NoteBloom

JACK SPRING
Film director, former hot-tub salesman and part time international warlord.
Jack is one of the World’s most exciting feature emerging film directors. Having made his directional debut aged just 19 with ‘Destination: Dewsbury‘. After becoming one of WME’s youngest ever directorial signings, Spring is currently working on his second feature film; ‘Three Day Millionaire’, which is due to shoot in late 2020. He is also due to shoot his debut two TV projects throughout 2020. Spring is based in London, UK but is regularly floating in foreign bars.
An eccentric director known for his ‘big, hyper-real characters’ and ‘fast paced, all you can eat’ style, Spring’s work stands out as some of the most amusing in British Cinema.

“Jack Spring represents the next generation of superstar British directors.”
— DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD
“The humour is crass and the jokes come faster than a pubescent teens first hand job.”
— ALEX CLEMENT, CRITIC

GUEST LINKS

 

Live long and prosper shipmates!
D x

SUPPORT ARTISTS:
Equity Benevolent Fund
Equity Benevolent Fund YouTube Channel
My Ko-Fi link

MOCKDOWN! streams live on Sunday evenings at 8pm (UK) on my Actor Facebook Page and on my YouTube Channel. There are also occasional Mockdown Confidential shows on Tuesday evenings.
Previous shows are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube

SUPPORT MOCKDOWN:
My Ko-Fi Link –Ko-fi.com/davemcclelland
PayPal – paypal.me/DaveyMcC

MOCKDOWN! sometimes features video clips which are not owned by myself, they are found on YouTube, etc, and are used during the show to demonstrate my guest’s work. No infringement is intended.