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Post by IndieMacUser on Dec 9, 2019 12:29:45 GMT
Out now just in time for Christmas Matthew Holness, best known for TV series Garth Merenghi’s Darkplace and his critically lauded debut feature Possum, has penned a new audio ghost story for Christmas: an updating of the classic M.R. James story The Ash Tree. The modern-day full-cast adaptation stars Amanda Abbington (Sherlock), Reece Shearsmith (Inside No 9) and John Sessions (Stella Street). It will be released on CD and download on December 6th 2019, from www.bafflegab.co.uk. SYNOPSIS Following the death of her parents, Rachel Fell (Amanda Abbington) invests her inheritance in Castringham Hall, a derelict Tudor house in East Suffolk. Rachel and her husband Simon (Reece Shearsmith) embark upon a project to renovate and restore the ruined house - once the family home of Rachel’s distant ancestors - to its former glory, and hire a local historian, Mr Crome (John Sessions), to research the Fell family history. But Crome’s accounts of her relative Sir Matthew Fell’s strange and untimely death, and of the ‘Castringham sickness,’ a disease afflicting the surrounding wildlife, fall on deaf ears. Tensions rise as Rachel antagonises locals with her decision to unearth an unhallowed grave bordering the estate, and as her strained relationship with Simon deteriorates, the couple grow further apart than ever. Despite Simon’s attempts at reconciliation, Rachel moves into the room where her cursed ancestor, Matthew Fell, was discovered one morning, ‘dead and black’. Our review from Ian McArdellindiemacuser.co.uk/2019/12/09/audio-review-the-ash-tree-bafflegab-productions/ |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2019 13:06:57 GMT
An absolutely brilliant adaption. Congrats to all concerned. These Bafflegab horror excursions are among my favourite things. Highly, highly recommended.
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Post by BHTvsTFC on Dec 15, 2019 10:35:22 GMT
I took a leap with this and found myself really enjoying it, despite perpetually suffering from the 'can't take 'comedy actor' seriously in straight role syndrome. As great as Reece was I kept seeing The League throughout. Special mention for Amanda Abbington who made an awkward character likeable and John Sessions who always shines.
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Post by gregm on Dec 15, 2019 19:48:56 GMT
I took a leap with this and found myself really enjoying it, despite perpetually suffering from the 'can't take 'comedy actor' seriously in straight role syndrome. As great as Reece was I kept seeing The League throughout. Special mention for Amanda Abbington who made an awkward character likeable and John Sessions who always shines. I try to treat each character in anything as the character not the actor playing them, and try to only think of the actor until after listening. It gets harder and harder with the same actors being used, but worth trying. I try to avaoid reading cast lists before listening to help this |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2019 12:54:41 GMT
To me, Reece Shearsmith is a terrific actor and lifts anything he is involved with. I'd recommend seeing A Field in England, in which he plays a character who goes through a whole swathe of emotions and situations. Along with other things he's done, it has been more than enough to prove to me that he's more than his turns in League of Gentlemen.
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Post by BHTvsTFC on Dec 16, 2019 14:38:31 GMT
^ I didn't mean to imply anything else. I meant from my own preconceptions as a listener. I'm the world's biggest Rik Mayall (still much missed) fan and like Reece, he was versatile enough to do 'serious' work, but at the same time I'd be there watching him, somewhat distrustful, waiting for him to start rolling his eyes, etc. I had the same thing with Catherine Tate in DW, and she did do it on occasion! As an aside I think it's why I love a lot of actors regardless of what they are involved in. They have that glint in their eye and an approach to their work that borders on the unpredictable - you only have to watch The League of Gentlemen to know that Reece, Mark and Steve can be every bit as serious, melancholic and devastating as they can be grotesque and outright hilarious.
To clarify, I thought Reece was wonderful in this, and I think Blood on Satan's Claw will get a purchase sometime between now and Christmas Day!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2019 14:41:12 GMT
^ I didn't mean to imply anything else. I meant from my own preconceptions as a listener. I'm the world's biggest Rik Mayall (still much missed) fan and like Reece, he was versatile enough to do 'serious' work, but at the same time I'd be there watching him, somewhat distrustful, waiting for him to start rolling his eyes, etc. I had the same thing with Catherine Tate in DW, and she did do it on occasion! To clarify, I thought Reece was wonderful in this, and I think Blood on Satan's Claw will get a purchase sometime between now and Christmas Day!! I'm sure you'll love it! Reece is playing a role originally played by Anthony Ainley in the original. I think he channels a few 'Ainley-isms' in there. See what you think! |
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Post by BHTvsTFC on Dec 16, 2019 14:44:50 GMT
Ironically, Anthony Ainley was another one of those actors where you never knew quite what you were going to get! I might do a double bill and get the blu ray as well!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 10:36:47 GMT
not really being up on Bafflegab and only recently buying Scarifyers CDs and a big MR James fan...I thought I would give it a try and absolutely loved it so much I played it again and then again nice way to spend a cold evening.The acting was superb and most especially by John Sessions I love the original story and normally adaptations that contemporarise normally fall flat for me but this took the story and ran with it in a very positive way especially the curse aspect and Rachel Amanda Abbington as the doomed heiress and Reece as her partner.Simon Barnard directs the proceedings excellently and the sound design and music were simply brilliant.What surprised me most was the price and the speed of delivery too so much positive feelings around a story I sent off for Satan’s Claw and The Hammer tales and the Vince Cosmos one too well at that price I wasn’t going to argue.The quality of the production definitely equals and perhaps surpassed BF on this one,and yet another tale to add to the I Am in the mood for a spooky tale group.
totally loved it Top marks Matthew Holness and the Bafflegab team
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Post by johnhurtdoctor on Feb 20, 2021 10:53:21 GMT
Haven't listened to this one yet but Blood on Satan's Claw & The Hellbound Heart were brilliant.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 12:13:52 GMT
Haven't listened to this one yet but Blood on Satan's Claw & The Hellbound Heart were brilliant. Yes am not sure about Hellraiser I found the films disturbing haha...way back in my youth I was all horror,Clive barker,Stephen king ,James Herbert you name it but nowadays they have lost their appeal BUT Ash Tree is excellent |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2021 7:11:49 GMT
I have played this so many times now...just the right length of tale to fit in during chores and I love it all the more...am not sure about Blood On Satan’s Claw which am waiting to arrive but look forward to hearing it
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