July 2024 to January 2025
Diane Langton (1947-2025)
Veteran actress Diane Langton has died at the age of 77, her agent confirmed. Shane Collins announced the news in a statement, saying: "I am sad to say that Diane Langton passed away this morning."
Somerset-born, Diane had a career spanning more than six decades in British television and film. Diane's portrayal of Nana McQueen became one of her most enduring roles, with the actress appearing in Hollyoaks for 18 years. Her career in entertainment began in 1959 with her debut role as a schoolgirl in the film Carry On Teacher. Her early work laid the foundation for what would become a prolific career in British entertainment, spanning multiple decades.
I must have first met Diane whist still a performer myself, we were both in The End of the End of the Pier Show made by Southern TV, she played Mrs Channing.
Somerset-born, Diane had a career spanning more than six decades in British television and film. Diane's portrayal of Nana McQueen became one of her most enduring roles, with the actress appearing in Hollyoaks for 18 years. Her career in entertainment began in 1959 with her debut role as a schoolgirl in the film Carry On Teacher. Her early work laid the foundation for what would become a prolific career in British entertainment, spanning multiple decades.
I must have first met Diane whist still a performer myself, we were both in The End of the End of the Pier Show made by Southern TV, she played Mrs Channing.
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Around that time, I became the resident choreographer for The Trevor Baker All Weather Show which went out live each week on a Saturday tea time, directed by Bryan (Izzard) also produced by Southern. Diane was part of the resident team and, as I recall would sing the big number each week.
I do remember choreographing her big number 'Don't Rain On My Parade' from Hello Dolly. I remember because I was mildly terrified it would all go horribly wrong, that I'd over-stepped the mark in the routine I'd given to a local band of cheerleaders who were to dance around Diane whilst she was singing on a cloud platform. Diane was an absolute trouper covering for the inadequacies of the cheerleaders and the number was fantastic, it went down well with viewers. |
Don't Rain On My Parade sung by Diane Langton, Conductor Harry Rabinowitz
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When Southern lost its franchise and we formed Bright Thoughts, Diane stayed in touch particularly with Bryan as they had become good friends through having a great working relationship.
We had intended to work with Diane much more, and particularly if were we going to do more monologues. We are however lucky to still have the three she did perform for us:
In the same show, Diane gives us a brief yet amusing appearance in 'My Word! You Do Look Queer' with the now legendary Barry Cryer. |
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It is so, so sad to have lost Diane and I know viewers of Hollyoaks will miss her very much. She was great fun and easy to work with, wholly dependable and a 'one-take-wonder'.
We will miss Diane also because we were hoping she would be involved in the remake of the Monologues, but sadly not now. Neil Anthony,
16 January 2025 |
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DCP - Digital Cinema Package
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Bright Thoughts is pleased to announce a new project to make our full catalogue of programming available as Digital Cinema Packages (DCP), as we look to offer our productions for theatrical screening.
DCPs are now the universally accepted way of delivering film and television for cinematic purposes, and are being created for this purpose in-house. The first of our programmes to be available theatrically are Here's A Funny Thing and Macready!!, both recently restored and remastered to HD quality. We aim to announce the first of these screenings in the near future, hopefully in 2025. Neil Anthony
02 September 2024 |
Benjamin Luxon CBE (1937-2024)
The Opera world is sharing sad news of the death, on Thursday, of the legendary Benjamin Luxon. He was 87.
A Cornishman from Redruth, Ben was considered one of the nation's greatest opera singers and performed at the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, Paris Opera and a fixture at English National Opera for two decades. Making more than 100 recordings, many viewers will remember Ben as one of our regular guest stars in Top C's & Tiaras. Whilst it was sad that due to hearing loss Ben had to retire from singing in the 1990s we are so thankful to have captured many aspects of Ben and his style when he was possibly at his peak in the 80s.
A Cornishman from Redruth, Ben was considered one of the nation's greatest opera singers and performed at the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, Paris Opera and a fixture at English National Opera for two decades. Making more than 100 recordings, many viewers will remember Ben as one of our regular guest stars in Top C's & Tiaras. Whilst it was sad that due to hearing loss Ben had to retire from singing in the 1990s we are so thankful to have captured many aspects of Ben and his style when he was possibly at his peak in the 80s.
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Ben first joined the Top C's team for our Bank Holiday Special in 1982 when his one-take-wonder of 'Ol' Man River' was utterly spell-binding, but not only that, he seemed perfectly at ease to be joining in the fun with the less dynamic pieces, a softer, romantic duet, or the ensemble songs.
Naturally, some of the big ballads are highly memorable - for example 'Stand Up & Fight' from Carmen Jones - for the virtuosity and that also being the aim of the composer. Ben never failed to deliver. Also and by contrast, Ben had a smooth-velvet romantic quality always at-the-ready, for example as performed in 'Paradise For Two' in Top C's 'One Night of Love' (ep.3). During rehearsal however and sometimes in recording, the cast and crew will no doubt also remember the some of the lesser know, some of the comedy numbers 'Two Little Sausages' from The Girls of Gottenburg (set in his pyjamas whilst having breakfast), or the risqué 'Mayor of Perpignan' (with Julia Migines & Peter Morrison) and other titles. In the song 'Kings New Clothes' (originally performed by Danny Kaye) Ben was game enough to do a walk-on wearing his long-johns along with crown, medals as the King (the fool). Following the main series of Top C's & Tiaras at Wrotham Park, Ben was set to do more Top C's with us were they to be commissioned. Meanwhile and with a hacked-back budget, Ben performed some more unusual numbers mostly with just piano in the Fifty Fingers Show which could only be achieved by someone with such finesse and whilst appearing completely at ease. To have worked with Ben on a number of shows was indeed a privilege, not only because his calibre of professionalism, but also the personable way in which he put others at ease and always fantastic fun. Neil Anthony,
30 July 2024 |
Tubi enters the UK Streaming Landscape with a free, diverse and massive collection of movies and TV
The US and Canada’s Most Watched Free TV and Movie Streaming Service Launches in the UK with Market-Leading Content Library of over 20,000 Movies and TV Episodes.
Fox Corporation’s ad-supported streaming service, today announced its launch in the UK. Tubi has built exciting momentum in North America by engaging viewers with a free, personalised streaming service that offers an extensive library of blockbuster movies, popular TV series, and exclusive Tubi Originals. With nearly 80 million monthly active users, Tubi has emerged as the fastest growing U.S. streaming service since its debut on the Nielsen Gauge just over a year ago.
Fox Corporation’s ad-supported streaming service, today announced its launch in the UK. Tubi has built exciting momentum in North America by engaging viewers with a free, personalised streaming service that offers an extensive library of blockbuster movies, popular TV series, and exclusive Tubi Originals. With nearly 80 million monthly active users, Tubi has emerged as the fastest growing U.S. streaming service since its debut on the Nielsen Gauge just over a year ago.
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“Tubi has spent the last decade honing our approach to vast, free and fun streaming in North America, and we feel that now is the perfect time to bring that recipe to UK audiences,” said Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi. “We are launching with one of the largest and most diverse content libraries in the UK, designed to indulge viewers in everything from blockbusters to original stories to hidden gems. Most importantly, we’re committed to listening to what resonates with UK fans, and bringing them more and more of what they love.”
Tubi will launch with over 20,000 movies and TV episodes on-demand, featuring curated content from major global distributors such as Disney, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures Entertainment as well as a robust slate of exclusive Tubi Originals. Tubi’s content library in the UK pairs some of the best Hollywood films with modern British classics, and offers series with well-known UK TV franchises alongside new areas of discovery – from Bollywood and Nollywood to Arthouse Cinema. |
“At a time when traditional programming feels homogenous and when finding what to watch feels like a chore, Tubi has been effective at delivering delight beyond the monoculture with content that appeals to diverse and vibrant fandoms,” said David Salmon, EVP and Managing Director of International at Tubi. “We believe that we can build a brilliantly broad, culturally ambitious offering that puts UK audiences back at the centre, and makes it fun and easy to enjoy great entertainment from around the world.”
Tubi is purpose-built to help audiences find the content they love. The platform uses sophisticated machine learning to deliver personalised experiences that make content discovery both surprising and delightful. Tubi is also committed to a 100% free ad-supported model that offers viewers frictionless onboarding and a low ad load. In the coming weeks, Tubi will be available for UK viewers to access as a free application on every major connected TV platform, iOS and Android smartphones, and on the web.
Tubi has established itself as a bold challenger brand in the U.S. where it most recently tied Disney+ in total viewing time according to Nielsen’s The Gauge Report and continued to be the #1 AVOD player. Tubi will bring its playful personality to the UK with a creative marketing campaign launching on 15 July. The campaign, “Watch what you actually want to watch” aims to combat entertainment snobbery and traditionalism – Tubi believes in taking the guilt out of guilty pleasure viewing.
Tubi is purpose-built to help audiences find the content they love. The platform uses sophisticated machine learning to deliver personalised experiences that make content discovery both surprising and delightful. Tubi is also committed to a 100% free ad-supported model that offers viewers frictionless onboarding and a low ad load. In the coming weeks, Tubi will be available for UK viewers to access as a free application on every major connected TV platform, iOS and Android smartphones, and on the web.
Tubi has established itself as a bold challenger brand in the U.S. where it most recently tied Disney+ in total viewing time according to Nielsen’s The Gauge Report and continued to be the #1 AVOD player. Tubi will bring its playful personality to the UK with a creative marketing campaign launching on 15 July. The campaign, “Watch what you actually want to watch” aims to combat entertainment snobbery and traditionalism – Tubi believes in taking the guilt out of guilty pleasure viewing.
Press Release, London
01 July 2024
01 July 2024
