steverogerson ([info]steverogerson) wrote in [info]blakes7,
@ 2006-12-11 18:06:00
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Blake's 7 audio plays
I have just received the following press release from B7 Productions:

For Immediate Release

REF: B7P PROD BLAKE’S 7 AUDIO_UK06
DATE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2006

BLAKE'S 7 REBORN
www.blakes7.com

LONDON, December 11, 2006: UK-based independent media production company, B7 Productions[1], has announced the return of the cult television classic, BLAKE’S 7 as a series of original audio dramas.

Taking full advantage of BLAKE’S 7 (circa 1978-1981) cult status and enduring popularity, B7 Productions has produced a series of original audio adventures based on the format and characters created by the late Terry Nation. The broadcast platform is currently under negotiation.

In what the producers promise to be a radical new re-interpretation of Terry Nation’s original series, DEREK RIDDELL (No Angels, Doctor Who) heads an all new cast as the eponymous rebel leader, Roj Blake. COLIN SALMON (best known for his film roles in James Bond, Alien vs. Predator and Resident Evil), assumes the iconic role of Kerr Avon with DANIELA NARDINI (This Life) as the rebel’s arch nemesis Supreme Commander Servalan.

Other cast members include CRAIG KELLY (Queer as Folk), CARRIE DOBRO (Babylon 5); MICHAEL PRAED (Robin of Sherwood), DOUG BRADLEY (Hellraiser) and INDIA FISHER (Doctor Who).

BLAKE’S 7 will be produced as a series of all new 36 x 5-minute audio dramas based on the original cult series broadcast on the BBC in the 1970’s. The audio adventures were recorded last week and will debut in spring 2007. A special ‘extended’ CD edition will be released for retail the month following broadcast.

Ben Aaronovitch, Marc Platt and James Swallow wrote the audio plays based on the format and characters created by the late Terry Nation, one of Britain’s foremost television writers of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Simon Moorhead, Executive Producer, B7P comments: “Representing the best traditions of the original television series these all-new audio adventures will be a fresh and dramatic interpretation of this much loved cult classic. Whilst they are intended to appeal to fans of the original series, equally we hope they’ll capture the imagination of the next generation of fans who love science fiction and enjoy compelling radio drama”

Audio Director, Andrew Mark Sewell believes that radio is an ideal medium for reviving a show that represents the best traditions of the genre. “In the 1970’s, BLAKE’S 7 heralded a new creed of television science fiction. Radio represents the ideal medium to re-introduce BLAKE’S 7 and to remind people what a rich and imaginative world Terry Nation created.”

Sewell adds: “With the superb cast we’ve brought together we’re set to deliver a compelling but very different take on the original show, with the added benefit of no wobbly sets or dodgy special effects.”

About … Blake’s 7

In the original series (circa 1978-1981), Terry Nation, one of Britain’s foremost television writers of the 1960’s and 1970’s, gave the world a vision of the future, a future where the galaxy is ruled by the iron fist of a galactic federation, in which freedom and justice are things of the past. Into this vision he cast a small band of outlaws, who by pure chance found themselves in control of the most powerful space vessel in the known galaxy – the Liberator. Led by the enigmatic Roj Blake this group of rebels would strike at the very heart of the Federation and change the face of science fiction television forever.

To this day, BLAKE’S 7 retains a cult following second only to “Doctor Who”.

About … B7 Productions

B7 Productions is a creative partnership that develops and produces original programming and formats for radio, television and film. Following its debut feature “Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont” (UK Producer for Claremont Films) B7P is currently working on its next feature, the psychological thriller, “Twisted Love”. Future projects include the one-off factual documentary “Best Evidence”, a radio sitcom “The Victorians” and the much anticipated live action revival of the cult SF classic “Blake’s 7”. For more information, visit www.b7media.com



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[info]serenasnape
2006-12-11 06:16 pm UTC (link)
But can Avon ever be Avon without the delicious voice of Paul Darrow?

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[info]alinewrites
2006-12-11 06:26 pm UTC (link)
Definitely *not*. And what's the fun if we can't see Blake gnawing at his fingers?

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[info]spintrian
2006-12-11 06:27 pm UTC (link)
Yeah I thought that... but if you're gonna do a new version it has to be all new not piecemeal.

I'm praying for a Battlestar-Galactica-alike tv re-imagining, that would be great.

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[info]sallymn
2006-12-11 08:00 pm UTC (link)
I seem to recall the production company's original idea for TV (many, many many moons ago) was a modernised post-GP revamp. Unfortunately (from everything they said) it also promised to be godawful...

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[info]hafren
2006-12-11 06:26 pm UTC (link)
Oh shit. I hate wishing anyone ill but I seriously hope something happens to stop this.

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[info]getawaywithit
2006-12-11 06:28 pm UTC (link)
As it's already been recorded, that's probably a distant hope...

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[info]sallymn
2006-12-11 07:57 pm UTC (link)
At least - being 5 minutes radio plays - they'll be as easy to ignore if necessary as the Beeb ones were (I have one. I listened to two-and-a-half minutes and the interviews).

And it does sound like the TV proposals, both animated and acted, have gone the way of all bad things...

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[info]steverogerson
2006-12-11 06:58 pm UTC (link)
I queried whether they were really only five minutes long and got the following reply:

They are indeed 5-minute episodic instalments but will be released as 3 x
60-minutes on CD. When you hear them you'll see that the format works well
in both durations and the pacing is terrific.

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[info]raspberryfool
2006-12-11 06:59 pm UTC (link)
I was hoping the revival was forgotten, but obviously not. At least they won't be making the threatened B7: The Animated Abominations. Will they?

Oh well, bring out the flithercopters...

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[info]sallymn
2006-12-11 08:04 pm UTC (link)
At least they won't be making the threatened B7: The Animated Abominations. Will they? Well, the plans keep getting smaller and smaller each time they announce something...

I'd guess they couldn't get the finance.

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You can count me out on this on too ...
[info]quarryquest
2006-12-11 07:19 pm UTC (link)
I loved (and still love) Blake's Seven for what it was and who was in it. I don't CARE about wobbly sets - and I LIKE chalk pits if anyone hadn't noticed.

They wouldn't think of remaking The African Queen or Casablanca so it shouldn't happen with B7. Blake will only be Gareth Thomas and no-one else can do it like he did. Same with the rest of the team.

SO THERE!

Why couldn't they just pick up the story where it left off (oh I forgot about Paul Darrow leaving them ...)

Stamps off in a huff.

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[info]amyheartssiroc
2006-12-11 07:21 pm UTC (link)
Nice...

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[info]amyheartssiroc
2006-12-11 07:24 pm UTC (link)
Oh, wait, skimmed the article too much and didn't realize it was a remake, not a continuation. Hmm. This could either be very good or very terrible.

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[info]hafren
2006-12-11 08:49 pm UTC (link)
"Based on": worst of both worlds. I fear it'll be worse than the film of HHGTTG, and I didn't think anything could be.

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[info]matildabj
2006-12-11 09:21 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for posting Steve. This does Not Bode Well.

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[info]mab_browne
2006-12-12 12:49 am UTC (link)
Who the heck listens to radio plays based on old tv shows except the converted - vide the Sapphire and Steel audio plays. And if the converted are anything to go by here, not a hope. Besides which, given that it was presumably this bunch's shenanigans which delayed the launch of the dvds, they have no love from me.

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[info]frankymole
2006-12-18 06:07 pm UTC (link)
"Taking full advantage of BLAKE’S 7 (circa 1978-1981) cult status and enduring popularity, B7 Productions has produced a series of original audio adventures based on the format and characters created by the late Terry Nation."

Yes, they've certainly "taken full advantage" :(

So, no involvement by the original cast, writers, story editor etc, then?

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