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Barrymore to play Spike Milligan | Barrymore to play Spike Milligan |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Michael Barrymore is to return to the limelight playing Spike Milligan in a stage drama about the comedian's life. | Michael Barrymore is to return to the limelight playing Spike Milligan in a stage drama about the comedian's life. |
Surviving Spike, at Windsor's Theatre Royal, is the latest step in the former TV host's comeback. | Surviving Spike, at Windsor's Theatre Royal, is the latest step in the former TV host's comeback. |
He took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 and played the lead in Scrooge The Musical in the UK later that year. | He took part in Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 and played the lead in Scrooge The Musical in the UK later that year. |
Barrymore's career collapsed after a man was found dead in his swimming pool seven years ago. No-one was charged in connection with the death. | Barrymore's career collapsed after a man was found dead in his swimming pool seven years ago. No-one was charged in connection with the death. |
Surviving Spike, which runs for 12 days from 5 February, will be Barrymore's debut in a theatre drama. | Surviving Spike, which runs for 12 days from 5 February, will be Barrymore's debut in a theatre drama. |
"He will take you on an hilarious and emotional journey as the legendary comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright and creator of The Goon Show," the show's website said. | |
Spike Milligan's comic genius was blighted by private depressionTerry Lubbock, whose son Stuart died at Barrymore's Essex home, said: "The shine has gone off Barrymore. | |
"I don't think he has got any hope of resurrecting his career - although I think he'll keep trying." | |
The story of Surviving Spike is told through the eyes of Milligan's former agent, manager and confidante Norma Farnes, played by ex-EastEnders actress Jill Halfpenny. | |
The production has been written by Richard Harris, whose TV credits include A Touch of Frost, The Last Detective and The Darling Buds of May. | The production has been written by Richard Harris, whose TV credits include A Touch of Frost, The Last Detective and The Darling Buds of May. |
It promises to reveal Milligan's "tormented character that hid behind the public facade". | It promises to reveal Milligan's "tormented character that hid behind the public facade". |
Milligan, who died in 2002, is regarded of one of the greatest writers and performers in 20th Century comedy. | Milligan, who died in 2002, is regarded of one of the greatest writers and performers in 20th Century comedy. |
He is best remembered for seminal 1950s radio comedy The Goons and surreal TV sketch show Q, but in private had a number of nervous breakdowns and suffered from manic depression. | He is best remembered for seminal 1950s radio comedy The Goons and surreal TV sketch show Q, but in private had a number of nervous breakdowns and suffered from manic depression. |
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