Christmas Eve 2021
Greetings from Plague Island this Christmas Eve.
I hope you are well, and stay well, as you celebrate the season with those you hold dear.
Here is my 2021 version of A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the night before Christmas), by Clement Clarke Moore.
Watch for me on your telly in January… some Coronation St coming up 🙂
And here’s the link to my recent episode of Doctors.
Wishing you love, health and happiness.
And the tories out in 2022.
Dave x
My first update of 2021, and we find ourselves in a situation even more dire than December.
New strains, more cases, sadly many more deaths,. No going out, no physical contact, no idea when any degree of normality will return. Not this year I fear.
On today’s No 10 Briefing, featuring the very evil, and the letter G incapable, Home Secretary, Priti Patel, a reporter asked the question – as people must be desperate for a holiday after all we’ve been through, can they think about booking a summer holiday?
BOOK A F**KING SUMMER HOLIDAY!!!! Are you mad?
Be grateful to still be breathing.
It will end when it ends, it will be safe when it is safe.
Remember that DISASTROUS “Eat Out To Help Out” cheap meal/mass-killing scheme.
Too early Rishi!
One good thing in the world is that that Orange Trump Stain has been removed! I watched the Biden/Harris Inauguration yesterday, hated much of the schmaltz and flag adoration, but loved Amanda Gorman and her wonderful poem – here’s Barack Obama’s link to it
One can only imagine the Big Orange Baby sulking in Florida.
Obviously life is quiet here. Good news is my Mum has had both Vaccine injections, so let’s hope she is safe(r). I await my turn.
Just before Christmas, I was lucky enough to have a small role in a TV ad, which is apparently airing so often that people keep telling me they saw me on the telly!
Here it is….
I’m happy to be working on an Audiobook narration at the moment, and loving the book. It’s called CRONIES, by Robert Craft. I’ll let you know when the audiobook version is finished and available.
If you fancy a bit of Audio Fun, I am co-host of Write Radio (Comedy edition) on Sheffield Live. The Christmas Day show was a special one, where yer old pal Dave goes full on Scrooge, so take a listen – Go to the SHEFFIELD LIVE site, and click on Dec 25, Hour 1 and Hour 2.
And that’s about it. I carry on with my Daily Lockdown logs, recording the dull monotony of Lockdown 3. Posted on my Twitter and Playlisted on YouTube (and below).
Stay safe you Beauties, I look forward to lifting a glass with you some time in the future! Contact me via form below if you fancy a video catchup!
Dave X
Coming up Sunday Aug 23 on Mockdown!
You need HOPE in this time of global pandemic – and this week I have Bob Hope, Emmerdale actor TONY AUDENSHAW, here to chat about how his shed kept him busy during lockdown…
I have actor, writer, singer, social media star, and Lockdown SitCom creator FANNI COMPTON…
And we’ll travel to France to chat to my friend DOMINIC RAINFORD – he’s done panto, opera, Scooby-Doo and Shakespeare – now he’s entertaining the crowds at Disneyland Paris.
They’ll be here to chat about their lockdown experience – and what they have coming up next…
Join us on Sunday night at 8pm.
WATCH HERE – LINKS TO LIVE STREAM ON SUNDAY 8pm:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2696242707145898&extid=eEoemMEnPp4Ky5nH
YouTube – https://youtu.be/XwM7XDIsGHs
MOCKDOWN AUG 23 TRAILER:
GUEST LINKS:
Tony Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonysTrials
Tony In The Shed YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTzmZ05_P-3yK6PGUbR-Lyg
Fanni Music website: www.fannicomptonmusic.com
Fanni YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCJU6ZsSSC22CyM2hQ43B7Dw
Dominic Twitter: @DommyPoppins
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 contains video clips which are not owned by myself, they are found from YouTube and used during the show to demonstrate my guest’s work. No infringement is intended.
Hello lovelies!
Had a lovely chat last night with my Mockdown Confidential guest, Andria Hill-Lehr.
Actor, Writer, Educator, Traveller, I met Andria in Nova Scotia – now she’s in Old Scotia – Edinburgh, Scotland.
Our chat covered, theatre, the arts, a WW2 hero, Andria’s books, future projects, Canada, mice, and living through Lockdown in Edinburgh.
Andria Hill-Lehr is a freelance writer and author of two non-fiction books: Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, from Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe (Nimbus Publishing, 2017) and A Mother’s Road to Kandahar (Pottersfield Press, 2008).
She is also a Registered Counselling Therapist and entertaining public speaker offering informative workshops on a variety of topics, including mental wellness in the workplace, pre-retirement preparation (not a finance workshop), humour, conflict, change, and stress.
GUEST WEB – http://andriahill-lehr.ca
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. Mockdown Confidential is an occasional one-to-one show.
Previous shows are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube
Stay safe shipmates!
D x
Hi Shipmates!!!
Coming up this weekend, join me and two special guests as we chat about the world of entertainment during these strange pandemic days…
This week, two actors, each with over 40 years experience in the business….
First up, CHARLES DALE, he’s done it all, English Shakespeare Company, West End, Broadway. Coronation Street (Dennis Stringer), Casualty (Big Mac) and many other bits of general TV shouting. Several films that have disappeared without trace… He’s now become a Lockdown Poet…
And KATE RUTTER, actor in Theatre, Film, TV and Radio. Films include Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake, Mike Leigh’s Peterloo and The Full Monty. She’s appeared in many television dramas including His Dark Materials, Scott and Bailey, Cold Feet, Affinity, Silent Witness, DCI Banks, Clocking Off, Fat Friends, Queer as Folk and many more. She’s appeared in all the major continuing dramas, most recently as Coronation Street‘s tough cop, D.S Sam Beckett.
We’ll chat about the impact Lockdown has had on their lives and work, and what they’re up to now.
GUEST LINKS
Charles Dale Twitter
Kate Rutter Twitter
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.
Previous shows are on my Actor page, and are also available as a Playlist on YouTube
Stay safe my darlings!
D x
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.
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
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…)
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
Hello shipmates!!!
I hope you’re all keeping well, wearing masks, and working to overthrow the Tories.
Been a busy week here… I was in a live streaming show in Canada Friday night – an online show for Live Bait Theatre, a company I had the privilege of working with for 20 years, as part of Live Bait’s 3rd Annual New Works Festival.
Here’s the show… Grandma’s Bubble Trouble, written and directed by the wonderful Charlie Rhindress. I played an ageing Punk Rocker by the name of Max Libido! And I play my Uke!
And coming up on Sunday 19th July at 8pm, it’s the latest episode of my online chat show, MOCKDOWN! I have three guests from the world of Comedy, to discuss if we’ll still be laughing once the pandemic is over.
Here’s a preview…
So, I may still be isolating at home, but I’m getting out there online!
Enjoy your weekend, and please wear a mask!
Stay safe, D x
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?
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