For a while now I had been thinking of setting up an official Richard E. Grant page on Facebook, however a chance contact from Melanie last week led me to check out a recently created page for fans of REG. I was suitably impressed with the page and asked Melanie, who co-admins the page with her friend Kate (who created the page in the first place), if she would mind if it became the official Facebook presence for Richard. Melanie said “Sure, why not” (or words to that effect), so then I put the idea to Richard.

Well, I’ve just received word from REG and he’s given the go-ahead for this to happen so, without further adieu, please click the link to check out the Official “Fans Of Richard E. Grant” Facebook Page.

Richard was in the Sydney offices of Radio 2UE to chat about My Fair Lady, Wah-Wah and other stuff with Steve Price. You can listen to it by clicking the link below.

Steve Price Interview – October 2008.

You can listen to Richard’s Triple J radio appearance with hosts Robbie, Marieke and The Doctor here:

Triple J Radio Interview 10/21/08.

October 28, 2008

Yasmine Reza’s new comedy, God of Carnage, that is. According to the Sunday Times, and confirmed recently by Richard during his Triple J radio appearance on October 21, a new London production is being put together. Plans are for God of Carnage to run a brief regional tour before it starts in the West End.

God of Carnage previously enjoyed great success during its six week run in the spring at the Gielgud Theatre, with a cast led by Ralph Fiennes. The producers ended its limited run on a record breaking high ahead of a planned Broadway premiere in 2009.

The London production led by Richard will provide a second opportunity for London theatre-goers to see the play.

The story line of God of Carnage revolves around two sets of parents who meet to discuss a playground incident between their eleven year old sons.

Australian Idol’s Marcia Hines answers critic Richard E Grant

From The Herald-Sun Online, October 21, 2008

CONTESTANTS on Aussie Idol always bring out the soft side of judge Marcia Hines, but she’s shown another side responding to criticism from mentor Richard E Grant.

She flew to the defence of her brood after comments ring-in mentor Grant made to Sydney Confidential last week.

Hines slammed the British actor, currently in Australia to play Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, for telling her charges Idol was likely to lead them into careers at KFC.

“That’s vicious. That’s totally vicious,” Hines said.

While Grant has received accolades for his career on stage and screen, Hines said he was in no position to comment on the Australian talent show.

“I don’t know who he is and I don’t really care who he is,” Hines said.

Last week Grant told Confidential he thought the show was “brutal”.

He also said he felt for the young talent from the show who often went nowhere after having their hopes raised so high.

“They get this instant fame and it can go away as instantly as it comes,” he said.

“I think the hardest thing is that the finalists get all this exposure but then usually go back to working at KFC or something.”

It’s not been all seen-once-and never-heard-from-again for all former Idol stars.

While none were up for any gongs at the country’s premier award night – the ARIAs on Sunday – that didn’t stop one former Idol runner-up from making a stunning appearance.

Jessica Mauboy, who two years ago lost out on first place in Idol to Damian Leith, was at the event following the success of her single Running Back with US rapper Flo Rida which has been in the top 10 ARIA charts for the past month.