NewsRevue - Guinness World Record

NewsRevue erected its first knob-gag at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1979. It gained the Guinness World Record in 2004. The award was presented in Edinburgh and London on its 25th birthday.

Edinburgh:

The weather may have festival-goers feeling like web-footed bog creatures from Duddingston Loch (writes Lea Harris from Edinburgh), but the only liquid you’ll find on the floor in C Central is spilt beer .

It’s hot. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s raucous. Punters line the walls expectantly. Bar staff gird their loins for the onslaught. Even delightful bar-girl Kate Duncan has a glint of anticipation in her sultry eyes. Everyone checks and re-checks to make sure their tickets haven’t been nicked. C’s head of press, Sheridan Humphries looks chic and unflustered in a long crimson top over damp jeans; elegantly draped over her tall, slim frame is a pale charcoal-grey Dior J’Adore wrap.

The doors open, everyone goes down to C Central to be met by NewsRevue’s producer, ever-lovely Emma Taylor. Glasses of fizz are handed out to everyone; there are party blowers on the seats. The audience is a mixed bunch of excitable young things and lads like guest of honour Graham Frost, who appeared in the first ever NewsRevue in 1979 – though he doesn’t look old enough. Whistles reverberate off the red and gold walls - is that really flock wall paper? There’s a hush.

Scott Christie from Guinness World Records presents the Guinness World Record - Longest Theatrical Run to a very proud Emma Taylor. She thanks all those involved over the past 25 years, obviously sad that Mike Hodd is unable to attend the Edinburgh or London presentations. Everyone toasts the continuing success of NewsRevue – and it’s straight into the show.

Tonight onstage there’s blond Gunnar Cauthery, delivering an athletic Blair, and a randy bishop in mitre and purple. There’s tall, boyish Marcus Garvey who wages TWAT (The War Against Terrorism) as George Bush. Sexy lasses Beth Vyse and Lorna Watson are charladies in Totally Shit Modern Art, among many other parts.

Behind the scenes is beautiful director Katy Bartrop. And though you can’t see him, at the piano is the most gorgeous, charming and utterly brilliant musical director, Pete Smith.

London:

NewsRevue continues a well-established trend by reducing the War against Terror to a Marks Brothers sketch at tonight's party to celebrate the Guinness World Record at London's Canal Café Theatre.

NewsRevue gained the Guinness World Record in July for the longest theatrical run - comedy. Producer Emma Taylor arranged formal presentation of the certificate at simultaneous events in London and Edinburgh on the show's 25th anniversary - 18 August.

NewsRevue runs year-round in London, with a second show running 3 weeks in Edinburgh for the fringe (writes John Park from London). Emma Taylor asks me to present the London certificate and we sit in easyEverything, Rose Street, Edinburgh writing my speech. It's to be in front of some London's best comedy writers and performers. We avoid jokes:

'The award celebrates the foundation of NewsRevue by Professor Michael Hodd and Jack Thorington, and its support by Peter Atkinson; and in particular the consistent bearing of its flame by Mike Hodd.

'NewsRevue flourishes because of its loyal and devoted cadre of writers, and the expertise of its producers, directors, actors and musical directors. Many of you are here tonight and in Edinburgh at the simultaneous celebration there.

'Mike Hodd is unable to be at either party tonight. Louis Brownhill is collecting the London certificate on his behalf.'

Guinness World Record - Longest Theatrical Run – Comedy. Issued 1 July 04. Citation:

'Since first opening at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe UK, on 18 August 1979, NewsRevue has the longest theatrical run for a comedy with the show continuing to run at various venues over the years, including its current home at the Canal Café Theatre, London, UK.'

Louis Brownhill - NewsRevue Assistant Producer - makes a lively speech. Angela Hodd (married to Mike Hodd) is in the audience looking lovely and delighted. The current London cast of NewsRevue do 25 minutes from their show: Simon Balcon, Laura Checkley, Jennifer Page, Steven Tagg; musical director Tom Carradine, director Christopher Hale; technical director Rebecca Maltby, Ross McGivern, producer Emma Taylor, assistant producer Louis Brownhill.

There's an enormous amount of drink and food organised by adorable Tracy who runs The Bridge House pub (attached to the theatre). Guests tonight include: Alex Dower, Angela Hodd, Barry Grossman, Bea Holland, Ben Pheazey, Cecilia Holmes, Chad Lelong, Christopher Hale, Ian Harris, James Harris, Jennifer Page, John Park, Laura Checkley, Libby Curly, Louis Brownhill, Marc Blakewill, Mark Keegan, Odette Abbott, Paul Jones, Peter Styles, Philip Lunn, Ross McGivern, Rupert Keenlyside, Samantha Sanns, Simon Balcon, Simon Ounsworth, Steven Tagg, Tom Carradine.

NewsRevue started its London residency at the Kings Head Theatre in 1979. It moved to the Gate Theatre 1980-85. Since then it's been at the Canal Café Theatre.

Producer Emma Taylor: 'It's a phenomenal achievement for NewsRevue. One of the main reasons for its long-term success has been the constant updating - with new faces and new material. The writers are the unsung heroes.'

NewsRevue writers over the last year (2003-2004) include (alpha order): Alan Stafford, Albert Black, Alex Constantine, Alex Dower, Alex Silverman, Alex Woodhall, Alun Maxwell, Andi Osho, Andrea Sadler, Andrew Byron, Andrew Camichel, Andy Fleming, Antonina Lewis, Barney Power, Barry Dunstall, Barry Grossman, Ben Pheazey, Ben Wright, Beth Vyse, Carol Kentish, Caroline Adams, Caroline Bainbridge, Chandrika Chevli, Chloe Summerskill, Christopher Bryant, Christopher Hale, Chris Petrus, Colin Stutt, Damian Kell, Dan Davies, Darren Lee, David French, Derek Thompson, Director and Cast, Elizabeth Bower, Emma Bentley, Emma Leon, Frances May, Geoff Aymer, Gunnar Cauthery, Halli Cauthery, Howard Boswell, Jake Wilson, James G Fain, James Harris, James Lamont, James Marson, Jason Oscar, Jason Peck, Jason Smart, Jeff Halls, Jeremy Rommer, John Cowan, John Hodiak, John Random, Jon Dixon, Jon Kirk, Jonny Hurst, Josie Melia, Julian Caddy, Katy Bartrop, Keith Henderson, Laura Solon, Lise Cervi, Liz Bower, Lorna Watson, Marc Blakewill, Marcus Garvey, Martin Baum, Matt Bates, Matt Malone, Menno Kuijper, Michael Schipper, Mike Tier, Neill Ellis Roy, Nick Murphy, Nicola Willett, Noel Christopher, Odette Abbott, Patrick Bland, Paul Jones, Paul Millard, Peter Styles, Philip Lunn, Rich Hough, Rick Edwards, Ron Winkworth, Rupert Keenlyside, Rupert Wainwright, Sara Cogan, Sarah-Louise Young, Sean McSweeney, Schipper, Simon Balcon, Simon Carter, Simon Ounsworth, Stephen Bessant, Stuart Piper, Subvertigo, Tanya Tier, Terry Newman, Thomas Garvey, Tom Bodell, Tracy Ingham, Uncredited, and many others.

END

Lea Harris (Edinburgh/C) & John Park (London/Canal Café) / 18 August 04

Review of NewsRevue Edinburgh August 04

Review of NewsRevue London August 04

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2011