'Curse of the Daleks', an audio play starring Michael Praed
and produced by Big Finish, will be released in late November.

Michael to star in audio version of Dr Who play

July 25, 2008 - Big Finish announced today that three audio presentations will be made of early Dr Who theatrical plays. The plays are 'The Seven Keys to Doomsday', 'The Ultimate Adventure', and 'Curse of the Daleks'.

'Curse of the Daleks' is the earliest of the three stage productions having been originally performed in London in 1965. There is no Doctor in this adventure. The lead character is a convict called Ladiver and for the new audio version the starring role will be played by Michael Praed.  In the original stage version, Ladiver was played by John Line and he is cast as Professor Vanderlyn in the audio version.

The audio play was recorded 23-24 July. The release date is 30 November 2008. The 2 CD set is currently available by pre-order here.  Links will shortly be added to the Fanfare Merchandise page.

Michael previously portrayed Professor Slyde on the Seventh Doctor audio 'The Dark Flame' by Big Finish.

Thanks go to Rita for bringing this to our attention!

'Robin of Sherwood' The Complete Collection released.

'Robin of Sherwood' complete set
released in North America

July 24, 2008 - Acorn Media is releasing 'Robin of Sherwood' The Complete Collection on July 29th to Canada and United States.  Like the British version, the North American release comes with many extras. 

The DVD set is currently on sale on the Acorn Media website.  It can also be preordered on various DVD sites, some at reduced prices (Amazon, for one).  Once it is released, you should be able to find it at Best Buy, Borders and other stores where television series sets are sold. 

Please view our Merchandise page for links to order directly from Acorn Media.

'Book of Knowledge', a repository for SAJV fanfic, has been revived.

'The Book of Knowledge' revived

July 24, 2008 - 'The Book of Knowledge', an online repository for 'The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne' fanfic, has been revived after the story archives were partially destroyed in a hacker attack.  If you are long-time visitor, you'll notice that the site format has changed from a forum layout to a wiki. 

'The Book of Knowledge' could use a little help yet, so take a look and see what you can contribute.  If you've got new SAJV fanfic, consider sharing it on the website.  You'll find an intelligent and appreciative audience.

Thanks go to SAJV fanfic author Annie for bringing this to our attention!

Nottingham's Theatre Royal will present 'An Ideal Husband'.

Nottingham added to 'An Ideal Husband' tour

July 10, 2008 - Nottingham's Theatre Royal was added to Bill Kenwright's tour of 'An Ideal Husband' this fall.  The theatre recently started selling tickets for the week of 15-20 September, the dates that the Kenwright organization stated were to be confirmed.  Apparently, this has been done.  Please view our venue database here for contact details.

Thanks go to Gordina for spotting this for us!

New Encounter with Michael

July 10, 2008 -  A new Encounter has been posted to the Encounters section.   In this case, it is a long-time 'Robin of Sherwood' fan who has been collecting items since the very first episode.  Who is the mystery fan and how did it happen?  Read about the Encounter here.

Last bows for 'Sleuth' will occur onstage at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle.

Last chance to see 'Sleuth'!

June 29, 2008 - This is it.  This is the last week on the schedule for Anthony Shaffer's brilliant 'Sleuth' starring Michael Praed and Simon MacCorkindale.  The play will be presented at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle from Monday 30 June to Saturday 5 July.  If you haven't already seen it, please go.  If you've seen it before, you already know you want to see it one last time!  Please view our venue database here for contact details.

The plot begins when Milo Tindle (Michael Praed), the son of an Italian immigrant, arrives at the home of snobbish Andrew Wyke (Simon MacCorkindale), the aristocratic author of Agatha Christie-style manor house mysteries. What begins as a playful game between rivals turns sinister in this classic thriller.  The critically acclaimed Bill Kenwright production was directed by Joe Harmston.

'Sleuth' appears at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen.

'Sleuth' appears in Aberdeen

June 22, 2008 - With the tour nearing it's end, Anthony Shaffer's 'Sleuth' will be appearing at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen from Monday 23 June to Saturday 28 June.  Please view our venue database here for contact details.

Eager to acquire a wealthy man's wife with a means to support her, Milo Tindle (Michael Praed) agrees to put himself in the hands of wily rival, mystery writer Andrew Wyke (Simon MacCorkindale) . Uproarious comedy and devious drama ensues.

New Encounters with Michael

June 22, 2008 -  New Encounters have been posted to the Encounters section!  Two are newly "Michaeled" (Brighton and Cardiff) and one is a repeat.  Who's been seeing Michael?  Can you guess?

Michael to appear in Wilde's 'An Ideal Husband'.

Michael to tour with 'An Ideal Husband'

June 15, 2008 - After the current run of 'Sleuth' is over in July, Michael will be joining Bill Kenwright's tour of 'An Ideal Husband' by Oscar Wilde.  A list of dates and venues is already posted on the Kenwright website with more venues apparently coming.  So far, the tour starts in late August and runs to late November.  Fanfare will let you know if this changes.

More details will be appearing on Fanfare shortly.

Thanks go to fans Janet Reedman and Haze Pethick for passing the word along!

New forum and chat format for Fanfare.

New forum and chat format for Fanfare

June 15, 2008 - For too long Fanfare users have waited for Network 54 to release its next generation forum and chatroom with addition features.  With no sign of it on the horizon, we are regretfully switching hosts. 

Starting 17th June there will be a new forum and chatroom offered to fans.  The forum is hosted by ProBoards and the chatroom by AddOn Chat. 

Visitors will be able to post to most categories without a login.  Some categories  are available to members only, however.   You will need a ProBoards login for those boards.  Old Network 54 logins will not be valid. 

A link to the old chatroom will be available for archival purposes, but it will be closed to additional posts.

Those wishing to chat Sundays will need to sign into the forum first.  There is a chatroom link provided on the Forum Menu once the member is signed in.  Again, old Network 54 logins are no longer valid. 

Because participation in chat needs registration, notice of any chats with Michael will be announced to members only.   Unfortunately, moderated chats are limited to 25 people due to service restrictions.  Please do your best to avoid disappointment and register early.

Forum Theatre of Billingham bags 'Sleuth'.

Billingham bags 'Sleuth'

June 15, 2008 - Anthony Shaffer's wily whodunit will be presented at the Forum Theatre in Billingham from Monday 16 June to Saturday 20 June.  Please view our venue database here for contact details.

What happens when two highly-competitive, clever men with vastly different backgrounds enter a game where everything is on the line?  Joe Harmston directs Simon MacCorkindale and Michael Praed in the Bill Kenwright production.

Brighton's Theatre Royal sees the return of 'Sleuth'.

'Sleuth' returns to Brighton

June 8, 2008 - Anthony Schaffer's 'Sleuth' returns to the theatre where it all began.  In 1970, Brighton's Theatre Royal premiered the award-winning play that has since been dubbed "one of the greatest stage thrillers ever".  'Sleuth will be back at the Theatre Royal from Monday 9 June to Saturday 14 June.  Please view our venue database here for contact details.

Milo Tindle (Michael Praed), the upstart son of an Italian immigrant, arrives at the home of snobbish Andrew Wyke (Simon MacCorkindale), the aristocratic author of Agatha Christie-style manor house mysteries. What begins as a playful game between rivals turns sinister in this classic thriller.  Joe Harmston directs the Bill Kenwright production.

'Robin of Sherwood' sculptures by Panton Hall

'RoS' sculptures at 'Tales of Robin Hood'

June 9, 2008 -  If you missed the chance to see Panton Hall's sculptures of Loxley, Huntingdon and the Merry Men at the 'Robin of Sherwood' con 'Legend' earlier this year, don't worry. The figures will be on display at Nottingham's 'Tales of Robin Hood' this summer. There is a photograph of Michael holding Loxley, with Panton Hall and his sister Annette Furuyama looking on, in our Encounters section.