Comic Relief Live

Louise Gold was involved as a Spitting Image puppeteer, at The Shaftsbury Theatre, on 4, 5 and 6 April 1986, first broadcast (as part of Omnibus) on 25 April 1986

 

Cast

Appeared on  the broadcast

Afrodiziak, Rowan Atkinson, Chris Barrie, Frank Bruno, Kate Bush, Billy Connelly, Angus Deayton, Adrian Edmondson, Ben Elton, French & Saunders (Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders), Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, Louise Gold, Howard Goodall, Lenny Henry, Howard Jones, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Raw Sex (Simon Brint, and, Rowland Rivon), Cliff Richard, Christopher Ryan, Spitting Image, and, Midge Ure

 

Took Part, but Not On the Broadcast or video

George Carlin, Graham Chapman, Ronnie Corbett, John Craven, Paul Eddington, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, and, Theophilus P Wildebeaste

 

Production Team

 For Comic Relief

Rowan Atkinson, Mike Agnew, Alex Armitage, Will Bowen, Philip Chard, Carol Curtis, Tim Foster, Stephen Fry, Paul Greener, Nick Harris, Mark Henderson, Colin Howes, Sophie Macbeth, Lise Mayer, Charlie Peacock, Godfrey Pye, Anthony Pye-Jeary, Sunetra Sastry, Richard Sparks, and, Andy Stinson

 

For BBC TV

Camera Supervisor – Frank Hudson

Engineering Manager – Geoff Taylor

Production Team – Cassie Braban, Paula Leonard, and, Fiona Seatter

Vision Mixer – Susan Brincat

Sound – Barrie Hawes

Lighting – Peter Webb

Videotape Editor – Ed Woodan

Produced by – A BBC TV Co-Production in association with Comic Relief Ltd

Director – Geoff Posner, Paul Jackson, and, Philip Chivers

Producer – Roger Graff

 

For the Video Release

Videotape Editor – Robin Doelly

Co-ordinated by – Paul Jackson, and, Lise Mayer

Produced by – Ed Bye

Comic Relief wishes to thank “Rushes” for the extensive use of their facilities when making this cassette

Directors – Philip Chivers. Paul Jackson, and, Geoff Posner

Producers – Richard Curtis, and, Roger Graff

 

It is well known that Louise Gold and Chris Barrie were performing as Spitting Image voice-artistes. It is also known that Louise Gold was doing her bit as a Spitting Image puppeteer. It does not seem to be known who else was operating the Spitting Image puppets, could it be possible they might have let Chris Barrie have a go? or did someone else do it. Your webmaster does not know.

Adrian Edmondson also worked on Spitting Image as a writer and voice-artiste, and Richard Curtis was also involved with the programme.

Louise Gold went on to perform Spitting Image’s The Queen for a charity FUNdraising event concocted by The Company Of Mary Poppins.

Ben Elton, and, Richard Curtis had helped with the Spitting Image Pilots.

In the middle of doing the three performances, at least four cast members had to, literally, fly up to Edinburgh and back (on 6 April), to attend a friend’s wedding (at which one of their number was being an usher).

Afrodiziak, Rowan Atkinson, Chris Barrie, Frank Bruno, Kate Bush, Graham Chapman, Billy Connolly, John Craven, Angus Deayton, Adrian Edmondson, Ben Elton, French And Saunders, Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, Louise Gold, Howard Goodall, Lenny Henry, Howard Jones, Rick Mayall, Michael Palin, Nigel Planer, Raw Sex, Cliff Richard, Christopher Ryan, Midge Ure, and, Theophilus P Wilderbeate  feature on the show’s album Utterly Utterly Live Comic Relief, which Lise Mayer, and, Richard Curtis also helped with.

Louise Gold went on to appear in A Time To Start Living, and may have taken part in Dear Ralph both at The Shaftsbury Theatre.

Rowan Atkinson had previously starred in BlackAdder, for which Howard Goodall wrote the theme tune, and which Geoff Posner, and, Richard Curtis also worked on.

As Spitting Image  voice-artiste Chris Barrie and Louise Gold both feature on the single Da Do Run Ron, which Richard Curtis also helped with.

 As Spitting Image performers Chris Barrie and Louise Gold feature on the album Spit In Your Ear. They have also appeared in the TV documentary Spitting Image – Must See TV.

Chris Barrie, and, Louise Gold also helped out with the Fall Out group’s shows.

Billy Connolly, and, Jennifer Saunders appeared in the film Muppet Treasure Island.

Adrian Edmondson worked on Rita Rudner.

Stephen Fry may have taken part in Will Aid.

Rick Mayall appeared in A Kick Up The Archive.

Nigel Planer went on to appear in Man Of La Mancha, and at Shopping With The Stars 2009, his recording credits include The Greatest Musicals Of The 20th Century.

Christopher Ryan has appeared on television in Rachel And The Roarettes, on the stage in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and on film in Alice In Wonderland.

It is not known whether the Mark Henderson who helped on the production team of this show is the same person as the lighting designer on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or not.

Ronnie Corbett has since appeared in Kids At Heart. He may have taken part in Thing A Thon.

Ronnie Corbett, and, Michael Palin have since taken part in A Celebration Of The Life And Work Of Dick Vosburgh.

Michael Palin may have appeared in Comedy Tonight.

Tim Foster went on to do the sound design for The Little Sister.

 Rowan Atkinson has gone on to star in Oliver! and features on the show’s album Oliver! (Recoding).

Rowland Rivron appeared in the documentary I Love The Muppets.

Bob Geldof appeared in the documentary Best Ever Spitting Image.

Angus Deayton, Michael Palin, and, Sir Cliff Richard appeared in the documentary ITV’s 50 Greatest Shows.

 

Critics Comments

 

 

Links about Comic Relief Live (1986)

Official Website for Comic Relief: http://www.comicrelief.com/

IMDB Entry: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284008/

BFI Page about the broadcast: http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/301727

Wikipedia page about Comic relief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_Relief_(charity)

 

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