Evening all, and here's my report on last Saturday night’s great event!
At the cinema museum London, I arrived at about 5:45 pm by train and tube, and was greeted with the sight of 2 immaculate MK1 Granadas, a bronze saloon owned by one of our 43tv Members (not sure of his username - Mopar Man previously I believe), and a metallic blue Ghia coupe R reg. A minute or so later, 43TV member Mikyosan, (I think that's the username!) came round the corner and greeted me, and after we walked past the ground floor cinema room where Sweeney! the first film was being shown (Most of us didn't book separate tickets for that which was advertised later separately. Sadly I didn't pick up when that advert went live by which time, the tickets were sold out).
After checking in, our pre booked tickets, we made our way upstairs to the hall where the meeting would be and shortly after bumped in to Vienna. Not long after Steve Austin had arrived with "Mrs Austin". We had a good catch up, natter and a drink or two first, before taking our seats where we were joined shortly after by Peter Picard. Just behind us was "Granada owner/Mopar man" and 2 more familiar faces, of "Carter" and the member formerly known as "Dave Clayton" on the "old forum" had arrived! And although not a 43TV forum member, a mate of mine from my town who I helped with "nicking" on the "Thieves and Weirdos" fan film, had arrrived too! (His character was "Mickey Harris" in that production). Cracking stuff to see everyone!
Our guests we were priviledged to have join us were as follows;
Dawn Perllman (Linda Rix from Messenger of the Gods)
Geroge Sweeney (Tim "Cookie" Cook from Taste of Fear and On the run)
Diane Keene (Bianca from Sweeney!)
Judy Matheson (Kibbers girl in Selected Target)
Cheryl Kennedy (Judy Collier in Golden Fleece)
and finally David Wickes, Director.
They were given a rousing introduction from actor Gary Shail (who had appeared in many productions himself) who then handed it over to Misty Moon "Compare" for the evening, the brilliantly 70's style dressed "Michael" (Arggh! Forgotten his surname!, I'm sure someone can remember!) who took charge of proceedings. He did very much sound like a Sweeney fan too and knew episodes and dialogue which we knew - which I thought helped tremendously -
It was announced that sadly Norman Eshley (Hargreaves in Taste of Fear), had to pull out at the last minute due to being unwell, so get well soon Norman!
We all were treated to an 18 minute clips montage shown on a large screen from the eps that the guests appeared in as well as other memorable clips, then it was time for the Q & A session from the audience which again was interesting with comments on how the actors were contacted and offered the part, the first day on set, how they got on with the other actors (which was pretty complimentary from what I recollect).
David Wickes stories and input was also interesting with firsthand stories how they started work at "an old school building" and the types of characters that were in The Red Cow!
Also in attendance were authors Mike Kenwood and Robert Fairclough who did The Sweeney Companion book, and mentioned a few points, and announced an auction from some Sweeney memorabilia for charity which took place.
I'll just leave the story there........
But postscript, I will finally say that we certainly did appreciate the 6 guests giving up their free time to join us at an event which was a great success with us, the fans that attended. All very polite and kind people who looked like they were happy to be there.
It was such a resounding success with sell out tickets sales, that it was announced by Michael the Compare, that a "Sweeney 2" reunion is being planned for March 2020! "Well that's what they called it...." - whether that means cast members from the 2nd film will attend remains to be seen but I'm sure a showing of the 2nd film is planned too!
It was over all too soon (the 2 + hrs hours or so, shot by) and it was time for home, for some of us. Gone midnight by the time I got home, and back to hotels for those that were staying over.
Cheers!
