2002 NEWS

"Beauty of soul, menace of mind"

December 16, 2002
Here's a new pic of Alan from the set of Love Actually:

December 10, 2002
The Television page has some major updates today and is finally almost finished.  There are new pics from The Benefactors, From Sleep and Shadow, Victoria Wood and all the Trimmings, and European Film Awards 2002.  Thanks to Claudia.

December 6, 2002
Alan will be a presenter at the 2002 European Film Awards tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 7th).  There will be a live online broadcast as well as coverage on the Sundance Channel (USA) and Channel 4/BBC (UK).  Here's the website for more info-- http://efa.tiscali.com/liveshow2002.html

December 5, 2002
From today's Daily Mail:

"The aloof Alan Rickman, currently to be seen as the sinister Professor
Snape in Harry Potter And the Chamber of Secrets, tells me he has
recently finished work on Richard Curtis's new feature, Love Actually, starring
Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon.

'I didn't get to kiss Martine or Hugh,' whispers 56 year old Mr. Rickman
dryly when I bumped into him at a BAFTA screening thrash at the
Pharmacy in Notting Hill. 'But I did get to kiss Emma Thompson, which was a
consolation.'

Also,  the Dec. 2 issue of People magazine features Alan as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" under the "surprisingly sexy" category.  Are we surprised?  Hardly!  In fact, we're wondering what took them so long.  Here is the brief article and photo:

Age:  56 Height: 6'1"  a.k.a.: Harry Potter's nemesis Professor Severus Snape; the droll and urbane Elyot Chase in this year's Tony-winning revival of Private Lives. First Impression:  Rumpled yet elegant.  The X-factor:  "He has a very sexy voice.  it's dark and yummy," says model Heidi Klum, who appeared last year with Rickman in the comedy Blow Dry.  Adds long-time friend Ruby Wax, a London-based American comedian whose 1980 Off-Brodway show Desperately yours Rickman directed:  "He knows how to turn on some sex ting onstage or on film that just wipes out an audience."  At ease:  A veteran of some 50 plays and films, Rickman lives in London with economics lecturer Rima Horton, his companion of more than 30 years.  "He has a lot of charm," notes Klum.  "He's very polite and respectful.  At the end of the day, that's what a woman wants."
 

December 4, 2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has been added to the Films page, complete with a review, movie trailer (including Snape!), and photo still.  Hope you like it.

November 11, 2002
There's a new article written by Alan in 1988 regarding his role as Jacques in "As You Like It."  Thanks to Kimberly for posting it.

November 7, 2002
Today I added a new page to the Photo Gallery, which brings the total AR photos up to 168 now!  I hope you enjoy looking as much as I did loading them! 

November 5, 2002
Here's a quote from Chris Columbus, director of HP&COS about Alan:

"The first movie, I wanted more Alan Rickman," Columbus said. "The second movie, I wanted more Alan Rickman.  But we focused on the story, which follows the kids."

You can read the entire article from the LA Times, which compares Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter, HERE
 

November 4, 2002
The premiere for Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets was in London yesterday, so here is a new, hot-off-the press photo of Alan!

Thanks to Lisa for this photo!

October 30, 2002
I want to wish Happy Halloween to everyone since I won't be online tomorrow.  There is a new film clip from Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets, with a new Snape scene, check it out here:

http://www.countingdown.com/theater/trailers_clips/detail/2623603

Here are some screen captures I made of Snape for your enjoyment--

October 21, 2002
Alan attended yesterday's celebration of the National Film Theatre's 50th anniversary in London.  Here's a pic:

Here's another gorgeous pic of young Alan sunning himself, from Ruby Wax's autobiography, "How Do You Want Me?":

(Thanks to Kimberly for this scanned photo)

Also, Hans Gruber (Die Hard) has been named the fourth best villain of all time.  The winner was Darth Vader (Star Wars), followed by Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal) in second, and Norman Bates (Psycho) in third place.  Go Alan!

October, 16, 2002
Thanks to Claudia for more screen caps from Therese Raquin on the Television page.

October 14, 2002
A big hand for Jana, from Germany, who has made some great music videos with clips from AR films.  But beware... watching these can be addictive!  Here are the links, so enjoy... (they open in Windows Media Player)

Video 1 - Nott.wmv

Video 2 - RotN.WMV
 

October 11, 2002
I added a new page to the Photo Gallery!  Also, some new screen caps from "Busted" (1982) on the Television page thanks to Claudia.

October 7, 2002
Click here for lots of great new pics of Alan on the set of Love Actually!

Here's a sample--

More news:  Alan is expected to attend the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets premiere in London on November 3rd.  Also, HBO will be airing a COS behind-the-scenes special throughout the month of November, so check your TV listings.

September 27, 2002
Here are some new AR photos from the upcoming film, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets:

September 17, 2002
Click here to visit the website for Alan's new film, "Love Actually."  You should be able to see on-location pics eventually, bookmark this!

Today I added a few pics from BBC's "The Preacher" (1986) to the Television page.  Thanks to Claudia for making them and giving me permission to use them here.

September 13, 2002
I checked my local listings and the program "Stage and Screen:  Beckett on Film" will be airing next Friday (Sept. 20) at 9:30 p.m.  So if you want to see Alan in the short film, Play, don't forget to check your local TV guide because the dates and times may be different.  Here is some info on the program from my local PBS station:

"Jeremy Irons hosts this showcase of works by Nobel Prize-winning Irish playwright Samuel Beckett.  It features a selection of seven of his short plays: Catastrophe, Ohio Impromptu, Come and Go, Breath, Play, Act Without Words II and What Where.  These plays are directed by some of today's most notable directors and feature such talent as John Gielgud in his final screen performance."

I added some new Snape links to the Links List.

September 12, 2002
Tonight on the the WB network (Warner Brothers) will be a new long trailer for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets during the show, "Family Affair."  In the meantime, here is a new short preview for COS (thanks to Yvonne).  Also, don't forget that Beckett on Film will be presented on PBS this Sunday night at 10:00 p.m.  This is a rare short film (15-20 minutes) in which Alan plays an unusual role.  Juliet Stevenson also stars.  Please check your local TV listings, as times may be different in some areas.

Today I redesigned the Links page and added a couple new pics to Photo Gallery 4.

September, 9, 2002
More new Private Lives wallpapers, with quotes from the play!  Relive the memories and put these on your desktop.  Also, I've been playing around today with lots of stuff, so you may notice a new photo on the From His Lips page, a few new pics mixed into the Photo Gallery, some new stuff on the Theatre and Television page and even the Films page.

September 6, 2002
I made a new Sheriff of Nottingham wallpaper, hope you like it.

September 5, 2002
Private Lives is finished and Siobhan has provided a review and photos from the final curtain call in Close Encounters.

September 4, 2002
More new stage door reports on Close Encounters page.

August 30, 2002
Linda B. has graciously provided me with yet another stage door report from last weekend in Close Encounters.

August 29, 2002
I made a new "Farewell to PL" wallpaper to commemorate the close of Private Lives this coming Sunday, Sept. 1st.  For all of us that were able to go to New York this summer and see Alan in the flesh -- we got some priceless memories.  I hope that those of you who couldn't go have enjoyed vicariously through reading the encounters on my page.  As the play winds down, I've become a bit wistful and melancholy thinking that Alan will no longer be on our shores in a few short days.  Good luck to all who are going this weekend and bid him a fond farewell from all of us.

August 28, 2002
Another stage door report from my friend, Linda B. has been added to the Close Encounters page.

August 26, 2002
I'm back from NY and now you can read my stage door reports, see the photos, and my autographs on the Meeting Alan page.  Hope you enjoy them!  Alan put to rest the rumor about appearing in a production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf."  He said he won't be doing it, but will be working on a film next, which we know is "Love Actually" and also the next Harry Potter movie this winter.

August 23, 2002
Well folks, I'm leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow for New York to see Alan again.  I've got tickets to both shows on Saturday and hope to get some good photos.  Watch for my stage door report next week with all the details.

August 19, 2001
There is now a trailer for TMD on the Films page.  Also, a video of the Conan O'Brien interview from Dec. 1999 is new on Hear The Voice, as well as a new full version of the Shakespeare sonnet.  I added a new photo to the From His Own Lips page, you have to scroll down a bit to see it.  And I changed the photo for John Gissing on the Films page and changed a few more photos in the Photo Gallery.

August 1, 2002
Here are more new pics of me and Carrie meeting Alan on July 27th.  They have been up for a few days now, sorry I've been negligent in not mentioning it.  Also, I finally added my stage door report from that day on the same page.  Believe it or not, Carrie and I have already made plans to go back to New York again next month on August 24th!  I will ask him then what he thought of the scrapbook after he has had a chance to really look at it.

July 30, 2002
Here's more details about Alan's new project, "Love Actually":

LONDON (Variety) - "Four Weddings and a Funeral" screenwriter Richard Curtis
has added Alan Rickman, Rowan Atkinson, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson to
the cast of his directing debut, "Love Actually."  Actors already announced for the romantic comedy include Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson. The Universal/StudioCanal-backed project, which will start shooting Sept. 2 in France and London, boasts 10 partially interrelated stories.

Grant plays the newly elected British prime minister. Martine McCutcheon, a
cockney soap starlet who played Eliza Dolittle to huge acclaim in the National
Theater's recent staging of "My Fair Lady," will play the tea girl with whom he
falls in love.

Thompson will feature as Grant's sister, and Rickman will play her husband.
Neeson has a story of his own involving his relationship with a young stepson.
Atkinson has a two-scene cameo.

The title, "Love Actually," is short for "Love Actually Is All Around," a jokey
reference to the Reg Presley-written theme song from 1994's "Four Weddings
and a Funeral."

Also cast are Colin Firth ("Bridget Jones's Diary"), Bill Nighy ("Still Crazy"),
Keira Knightley ("Bend It Like Beckham"), and Martin Freeman ("Ali G
Indahouse").

July 29, 2002
I'm back from New York!  Carrie and I gave Alan the scrapbook after the show on Saturday afternoon and his reaction was very appreciative.  He looked nice in a yellow shirt, with a white T-shirt underneath and black jeans.  I will post my photos in a few days when I get them, but I do have two photos of us with Alan, taken by Carrie and her husband that evening. The show Saturday night was fabulous and I got autographs from all four of the actors on a Private Lives poster.  Lindsay was delightful and chatty, I liked her very much.  My son loved the play and he also got a photo with Alan, shook hands with him twice, and got his autograph, too.  It was a perfect weekend, full of magic.

Also, here's some breaking news from Ananova:

Alan Rickman, Colin Firth and Rowan Atkinson are the latest names to be added to the cast of Love Actually.  The film is Richard Curtis's directorial debut.
The cast also features Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney and Liam Neeson.  Love Actually is a romantic comedy comprising 10 separate, though interrelated stories.  According to www.variety.com Atkinson has a two-scene cameo.  Filming is due to begin in September.

Still more news:  PBS will be airing Samuel Beckett's stage plays on film in two installments on Sept. 15 at 10:00 pm (EST) and Jan. 1 at 9:30 pm (EST).  All Beckett's short films will be shown, including "Play" starring Alan!  Mark the date and set your VCRs.

July 24, 2002
Today is my daughter's birthday, she's 5-years-old.  Happy birthday, Abby!  I think you guys will like this change I made today... 18 new Alan quotes, a new pic, and a new name.  Quick Quotes is now called, "From His Own Lips."  Check it out!
Also, the scrapbook is FULL and finished.  Please do not send any more text or photos.  Thanks to everyone who contributed.  I'll post Alan's reaction on this page next week, for those who are interested.

July 16, 2002
Today I added a new page with some cool new AR cartoon drawings by L. Minco called "Fan Art".  I feel honored to be able to display her artwork here--I think she has great talent and humor.  Enjoy!

July 15, 2002
New: Read April's close encounter with AR backstage (with photos!) HERE.  We now have about 30 people participating in the scrapbook.  We would like to thank everyone for participating and remind those who want to contribute that there is still time before the July 22 deadline.  To send your message to Alan and photo, click here.  Only one more week!

July 9, 2002
Added another new Alan Encounter today.  Also, there are now photos of Alan (thanks to Jenn!) with the Charlie Rose Interview.  The scrapbook is coming along nicely.  Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far.  As of this moment, we only have 13 submissions, so please send yours now if you haven't already, and don't forget your photo.  We want to make this "book of appreciation" truly unique and memorable for him, thus the request for short bios and photos of fans.  I mean, you have lots of photos of HIM, don't you?  It's only fair he has one of you, too!

July 1, 2002
Lots of new stuff today!  I added another page of Photos to the gallery.  Also, I added a whole page of pics from Linda B.'s first Alan encounter.  There's a new page about a fan scrapbook that Carrie (ARASK) and I are making, which we will present to Alan on July 27.  We thought it would be nice to show him how much we appreciate him and thank him for being so kind to the fans.  Please click here to read about how you can help!

June 27, 2002

Today I added a link to the new full-length trailer for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which opens in theatres on Nov. 15th.  You can find it on the Films & Reviews page, or just click here.

June 26, 2002
I've added another lovely Alan encounter with photo, to read it click here.  Also, there is a new page for my pics and autographs of Alan and I've finally written my little "Alan encounter" story, to read it click here.

June 25, 2002
I'm back from New York and have some big updates!  Check out my pics with Alan and my autographs on the Close Encounters page.  Also another stage door report from Linda B. (who I met on June 15).  And you can read the Charlie Rose interview official transcript.

June 3, 2002
The results of the Tony Awards are in and unfortunately our Alan didn't win (he lost to Alan Bates again).  However, Private Lives did win for Best Play Revival and Lindsay Duncan won for Best Lead Actress in A Play, as well as Tim Hatley for Best Scenic Design.  Alan was present and looking fabulous with a woman who appeared to be his sister.  Lindsay gave a great speech, giving Alan much credit for her win, and rightly so!  Here are a few pics from last night's show:

Here is a transcript of Lindsay's acceptance speech at the Tony Awards:

"Thank you so much.  If only this job had more to offer: I'm playing Amanda in a fantastic revival of Private Lives on Broadway.  I've got fantastic costumes, I've got hats and I've got Alan Rickman.  I mean, somebody shoot me!  Thank you to everyone who works at the Richard Rodgers.  Thank you to the rest of the cast for watching this on TV with my son, and if you can't say that when you've won a Tony, what can you do?  Also, to Howard Davies who is quite simply a brilliant director. And the person with whom I've had a perfect acting relationship twice--I could not play Amanda without Alan Rickman as Elyot.  I can't ever thank you enough.  This is what acting should be.  And by the way, I abandoned my husband and my child to play this part because that's the kind of girl I am.  And because I've got this tonight, my husband and my child and I are in the same city on the same day.  So for that and for that, thank you!" -Lindsey Duncan, Best Actress in a Play, Private Lives

More PL news:  According to Playbill, Private Lives may extend the show on Broadway another month due to it's popularity.  This depends upon the actors' schedules, especially Alan's commitments to the filming of Harry Potter.

Updated today:  The Photo Gallery has a new page of pics for your enjoyment!

May 28, 2000
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is released on video today in the USA.

Our man won at the Third Annual Audience Awards on Broadway.com!
"Best Leading Actor in A Play - Alan Rickman, Private Lives"

To see a monthly TV schedule of AR's movies in the US -- CLICK HERE

May 20, 2002
The Annual Drama Desk Awards were held last night in New York and unfortunately, our man didn't win.  But his co-star, Lindsay Duncan, did win Best Leading Actress in a Drama and Tim Hatley won for Best Scenic Design (Private Lives).  Our Alan lost to another British Alan (Bates), in "Fortune's Fool."

Wanna hear Alan say "I love you"?  Then download a new interview videoclip with Alan about his nomination for the Tony award, HERE!  Or go to Hear The Voice page and click on the last link.  Enjoy!

May 14, 2002
Click here to cast your vote now at Broadway.com for Alan Rickman (Best Leading Male Actor), Lindsay Duncan (Best Leading Female Actor), and Private Lives (Best Play Revival).

May 6, 2002
Private Lives was nominated today for 6 Tony awards!  They are in the following categories:  Best Revival of a Play, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Scenic Design, Best Director, and Best Costumes.  Don't forget to watch the ceremony on PBS or CBS on June 2 to see if our MAN wins.

Added another review to the Private Lives Reviews page and another new encounter with the MAN himself on the Close Encounters page, complete with photo.

May 2, 2002
Added a new review from the Village Voice, the first negative one we've seen so far.  You can read it at the top of the Private Lives Reviews page.  Also, you can now view a video clip of the play on the Private Lives in New York page.

April 30, 2002
"Private Lives" was nominated yesterday for 7 Drama Desk awards in the following categories:  Best Play Revival, Best Actor (Alan Rickman), Best Actress (Lindsay Duncan), Outstanding Director (Howard Davies), Outstanding Set Design (Tim Hatley), Outstanding Costume Design (Jenny Beaven), Outstanding Lighting Design (Peter Mumford).  The Drama Desk Awards ceremony will be held 9 PM May 19 at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Rue McClanahan will host.

April 30, 2002
I've been working on the Alan on Stage page, and more photos have been added there.  Also, the Private Lives Reviews are pouring in and you can read many of them (some with photos) on this new page.  It's been redesigned for easier reading, and I will be adding more fan and critic reviews as I get them for the entire run.    I'm also working on another new page about fan meetings with Alan in NY, since some interesting stories have surfaced already.  Enjoy!

April 25, 2002
In the Daily Mail today, April 25:

"Men who are fabulous after 50
by ISOBEL FOX

Life may begin at 40 - but for many men it's fabulous after 50....

To celebrate the men who are fabulous after 50, we've got together a selection of gorgeous guys who are still sexy even if they are approaching 60.

He might appear as if he's not a day past forty, but Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves star Alan Rickman celebrated his 56th birthday in February. His cool image and suave looks are probably why many of his female fans are truly, madly, deeply in love with him..."

Other sexy men over 50 mentioned are Slyvester Stallone, Robert DeNiro, Jeff Bridges, Gabriel Byrne, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tommy Lee Jones.

April 19, 2002

In New York magazine, April 22:

"Tony-handicappers are anxiously awaiting the opening of Noel Coward's crisp romantic comedy 'Private Lives' on April 28. Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman (pictured - same picture as we've seen), who last performed on Broadway together in 1987's 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses', won West and awards last fall for their performances as sparring divorcees who fall violently back in love while honeymooning with their new spouses.  No small accomplishment, considering the two are following in the footsteps of a cavalcade of celebrities, including Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Tallulah Bankhead, Laurence Olivier, and Coward himself, who starred in the 1930 premiere. Previews begin April 19."

April 16, 2002
Yesterday I added another page to the Photos section.  Hope you like them!  Also, I'm currently working on the Stage page.  Please check that out too.

April 9, 2002
"Prof. Snape takes a holiday"-- There is an announcement about Private Lives on AOL's Local Guide for New York, click here to get a description of the play, ticket information and read reviews (after the play opens on April 19).

March 14, 2002
From Variety magazine this week:
"Hugh Jackman, star of The X-Men and Swordfish, will team up with Alan
Rickman, Michael Gambon and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in a short film
about theatre queues called Standing Room Only. Miramax's Harvey
Weinstein will part-fund the project, which is due to start filming in London on
Sunday."

March 4, 2002
Newsflash!! Tickets for Private Lives will be available sooner to the public: March 6, at 10:00 a.m. on http://www.ticketmaster.com.Also, I just scanned the Advertisement for Private Lives from the New York Times, dated Feb. 24, 2002.  It covers a full page, so I had to scan it in two parts, top and bottom.  There's also a color photo of AR and LD from the Theatre section.  You can click the link above or access these files via my Alan on Stage page.

Also, I heard from the grapevine that AR (along with the rest of the HP cast) will be filming beginning March 11 at Durham Cathedral in England.  Evidently the public is allowed to go watch.  Here's your chance to see Snape in the flesh for free!

February 28, 2002
Today I added movie trailers to the Films & Reviews page.  Enjoy!  Also, just a reminder that Private Lives last performance in London will be this Sunday, March 3.  After that we have to wait until April to see AR in New York.  Tickets for Private Lives in NY go on sale March 10 at 9:00 a.m. for the general public.  Those who possess American Express Gold cards can purchase advance tickets right now at ticketmaster.com or by calling 212-307-4100.

February 22, 2002
Tickets go on sale for Private Lives in New York tomorrow (special internet pre-sale).  To purchase by credit card, go to ticketmaster.com.

Also, don't forget to watch King of the Hill this Sunday night at 7:00 p.m.  Alan will be a guest voice on the show, so set your VCRs!