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08 Jun 15
14:57
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05 Apr 06
Actor Alistair McGowan has admitted he had misgivings before agreeing to play Jimmy Savile in a new play.
Written by journalist Jonathan Maitland, An Audience with Jimmy Savile focuses on the decades of abuse carried out by the late presenter and how he managed to cover up his crimes.
McGowan told the BBC's Andrew Marr he had had "third, fourth, fifth and sixth thoughts" about doing the play.
But a lot of abuse victims thought the play was 30 years too late, he added.
Since his death in 2011, it has emerged that Savile was one of the UK's most prolific sexual predators.
Once a beloved TV entertainer who raised £40m for charity, he is thought to have exploited his status to prey on hundreds of people in television dressing rooms, hospitals, schools and children's homes.
The play's synopsis, describes how Savile "groomed the nation".
When asked by Marr if he had had second thoughts about the role, McGowan answered: "Third, fourth, fifth and sixth thoughts, yes".
He described the play as "very controversial", adding: "Its a very strange experience letting this person speak through me."
However, he continued: "A lot of people have said, 'Is it too early to do this play?,' but if you talk to the victims, a lot of them say it's thirty years too late."
McGowan said he was just one of the millions of British TV viewers who was duped by the disgraced star.
"I was so duped by him that, just after he died, BBC North wanted me to do a tribute show about him because I'd done an impression of him on my show. They asked me to talk about him and his voice and how much affection he was held in and I did it.
"So subsequently, I feel very pleased to be able to redress that [with the play].
An Audience with Jimmy Savile opens on 10 June at the Park Theatre in London, yet no images of McGowan in character have been released to the press.
Writer Maitland said that was a deliberate move as "it's very distressing for victims and survivors and other people to see images of him".
He continued: "When a story about Savile is on the news, you have to [show pictures] but I thought if people are paying to see a play where Savile is a character that's fine, you can have someone portraying him but we don't want to cause people unnecessary offence by having an actor dressed up as him."
Written by journalist Jonathan Maitland, An Audience with Jimmy Savile focuses on the decades of abuse carried out by the late presenter and how he managed to cover up his crimes.
McGowan told the BBC's Andrew Marr he had had "third, fourth, fifth and sixth thoughts" about doing the play.
But a lot of abuse victims thought the play was 30 years too late, he added.
Since his death in 2011, it has emerged that Savile was one of the UK's most prolific sexual predators.
Once a beloved TV entertainer who raised £40m for charity, he is thought to have exploited his status to prey on hundreds of people in television dressing rooms, hospitals, schools and children's homes.
The play's synopsis, describes how Savile "groomed the nation".
When asked by Marr if he had had second thoughts about the role, McGowan answered: "Third, fourth, fifth and sixth thoughts, yes".
He described the play as "very controversial", adding: "Its a very strange experience letting this person speak through me."
However, he continued: "A lot of people have said, 'Is it too early to do this play?,' but if you talk to the victims, a lot of them say it's thirty years too late."
McGowan said he was just one of the millions of British TV viewers who was duped by the disgraced star.
"I was so duped by him that, just after he died, BBC North wanted me to do a tribute show about him because I'd done an impression of him on my show. They asked me to talk about him and his voice and how much affection he was held in and I did it.
"So subsequently, I feel very pleased to be able to redress that [with the play].
An Audience with Jimmy Savile opens on 10 June at the Park Theatre in London, yet no images of McGowan in character have been released to the press.
Writer Maitland said that was a deliberate move as "it's very distressing for victims and survivors and other people to see images of him".
He continued: "When a story about Savile is on the news, you have to [show pictures] but I thought if people are paying to see a play where Savile is a character that's fine, you can have someone portraying him but we don't want to cause people unnecessary offence by having an actor dressed up as him."
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If not Celtic strip he could say your own but in a Celtic strip saying your own 
No doubt I will be shouted down, but I think this is in shockingly bad taste, and I can't believe how anyone would want to get involved with it!
I hope it is a box office flop and shut down within two weeks!
I hope it is a box office flop and shut down within two weeks!
I agree. No way should the sicko be portrayed in any way, shape or form.
How can you make a judgement on a play you haven't seen? Obviously if you're a self righteous dick that doesn't apply.
No good reason why Savile cannot be portrayed on stage. That nice Mr Hitler is, after all, and the victims will have had to put up with Savile himself on telly for the last couple of decades.
But what I don't understand is why anyone -- anyone at all -- would want to see this play, so Aunty Post may get his wish that it flops and closes within a fortnight.
But what I don't understand is why anyone -- anyone at all -- would want to see this play, so Aunty Post may get his wish that it flops and closes within a fortnight.
Ramruma • June 8, 2015 6:13 PM BST
No good reason why Savile cannot be portrayed on stage. That nice Mr Hitler is, after all, and the victims will have had to put up with Savile himself on telly for the last couple of decades.
But what I don't understand is why anyone -- anyone at all -- would want to see this play, so Aunty Post may get his wish that it flops and closes within a fortnight.
The same comments were made about Responsible Adult. That was the play about Fred and Rosemary West.
It centred, as the title suggests, on the responsible adult who accompanied Fred West at all his interviews as he was considered to be of very low intelligence.
It was a fantastic portrayal which skirted the reasons for their arrests and focussed on the aftermath.
The Savile play from what I can gather is focussing on how he managed to get away with it rather than his actual crimes.
Not sure why you make that comment Ramruma? Do you think we should bury our heads in the sand and kid on it didn't happen.
No good reason why Savile cannot be portrayed on stage. That nice Mr Hitler is, after all, and the victims will have had to put up with Savile himself on telly for the last couple of decades.
But what I don't understand is why anyone -- anyone at all -- would want to see this play, so Aunty Post may get his wish that it flops and closes within a fortnight.
The same comments were made about Responsible Adult. That was the play about Fred and Rosemary West.
It centred, as the title suggests, on the responsible adult who accompanied Fred West at all his interviews as he was considered to be of very low intelligence.
It was a fantastic portrayal which skirted the reasons for their arrests and focussed on the aftermath.
The Savile play from what I can gather is focussing on how he managed to get away with it rather than his actual crimes.
Not sure why you make that comment Ramruma? Do you think we should bury our heads in the sand and kid on it didn't happen.
It sounds like it will be a very strong and thought provoking play. The clip shown of Alaister in rehearsals looked excellent. Saville's voice and mannerisms were spot on.
I see no reason why it should not be shown. It's not focused on his crimes but on how he managed to lie,dupe and cover them up.
If effected people see no harm in this play ' it shoukd have been shown 30 years ago ' then why should it be an issue. I don't think it will be a flop.if I lived in London, I would definitely want to go and see it.
I see no reason why it should not be shown. It's not focused on his crimes but on how he managed to lie,dupe and cover them up.
If effected people see no harm in this play ' it shoukd have been shown 30 years ago ' then why should it be an issue. I don't think it will be a flop.if I lived in London, I would definitely want to go and see it.
Does the play examine the bbc and all their mates who diligently covered up the pedophilia, while the NHS supplied young helpless children to be abused?
Meanwhile the pedo bbc and NHS continue to exist and draw billions in mandatory taxes.
Meanwhile the pedo bbc and NHS continue to exist and draw billions in mandatory taxes.
Could be a surprise success or one massive flop, I would have said the latter, because who would want to go and see a play about Savile. I do think even the idea of a play about him is very bad taste.
The play's synopsis, describes how Savile "groomed the nation". I can't see how they can make this vile creature interesting or entertaining enough for a play. But of course, haven't seen it, and maybe it will work on some level. But a flop more likely.........(?)
The play's synopsis, describes how Savile "groomed the nation". I can't see how they can make this vile creature interesting or entertaining enough for a play. But of course, haven't seen it, and maybe it will work on some level. But a flop more likely.........(?)
How many of these 'top people' were Freemasons
Judges, Police, Royal Family, MPs, Judiciary, Savile ....should be investigated.
Judges, Police, Royal Family, MPs, Judiciary, Savile ....should be investigated.
Savile was the tories friend.
So don't vote Tory.
Vote Labour - Get Rotherham
So don't vote Labour.
Cleggy is a moron.
So don't vote Lib-Dum.
Vote UKIP, you know you want to.
So don't vote Tory.
Vote Labour - Get Rotherham
So don't vote Labour.
Cleggy is a moron.
So don't vote Lib-Dum.
Vote UKIP, you know you want to.
What has happened to UKIP ?
They have vanished off the media.
They have vanished off the media.
People really want to put their fingers in their ears and shout 'la la la' whenever Savile is mentioned?
Good luck with that one.
If you only want art that is entertaining, then maybe stick to repeats of Peppa Pig (assuming you're not members of PETA or vegans).
Personally this sounds a really interesting and challenging project and I'd definitely be up for watching it, on what I've heard so far and hats off to McGowan for taking on what could well be a career-limiting role.
Good luck with that one.
If you only want art that is entertaining, then maybe stick to repeats of Peppa Pig (assuming you're not members of PETA or vegans).
Personally this sounds a really interesting and challenging project and I'd definitely be up for watching it, on what I've heard so far and hats off to McGowan for taking on what could well be a career-limiting role.
If you only want art that is entertaining, then maybe stick to repeats of Peppa Pig (assuming you're not members of PETA or vegans).
Or a muslim.
Or a muslim.
Child abuse is on the news pretty much every day, what difference is a play going to make???
It's only set to run for one month but it looks like it will be a sell out.
Tonight is already sold out, and other dates are looking to be filling up nicely.
Tonight is already sold out, and other dates are looking to be filling up nicely.
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