Spring is sprung - Grass is ris, I wonder where EZRA is? New Spring EPS of 'JoJo & Gran Gran'!

 

Well that went quickly! Seemed like only yesterday that the WINTER EPS of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' were announced!! Although it doesn't feel much like Spring at the moment here comes 11 ALL NEW SPRING EPS of the Award-Winning series.

Proud as punch (as ever) to be involved. Once again in these new episodes ... EZRA is back playing his DOUBLE BASS and helping 'JoJo & Gran Gran' when they visit the opticians in TODAY'S EPISODE unsurprisingly called 'It's Time to Visit the Opticians' ... Tune in at 5.35pm on CBeebies.

The NEW SERIES actually started last Monday with a SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY episode .. You can catch up with all the latest episodes and the enitre series so far over at the BBC iPLAYER here https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000ghpx/jojo-gran-gran?seriesId=m001khf4

ENJOY!!

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com 

New Voice Representation ANNOUNCEMENT!!

I'm delighted to announce that I am now represented for voice work by Natalie Edwards at Excellent Talent. Onwards and upwards! 

Here's a direct link to my new agency profile at Excellent.

https://www.excellenttalent.com/voice/sean-connolly/

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com

OUT NOW!! Classic British Sci-Fi - 'Star Cops: The High Frontier 1' from BIG FINISH!!

STAR COPS is a British science fiction television drama series first broadcast on BBC2 in 1987. It was devised by CHRIS BOUCHER, a writer who had previously worked on the science fiction television series DOCTOR WHO and BLAKE'S 7 as well as crime dramas such as Juliet Bravo and Bergerac.

In 2018, Big Finish continued the story, with original cast members DAVID CALDER, TREVOR COOPER and LINDA NEWTON joined by new characters played by RHAKEE THAKRAR and PHILIP OLIVIER.

I was delighted to be asked to be a part of it's latest BOXSET: 3A - 'Star Cops: The High Frontier 1' comprising of THREE interconnected episodes.

3.1 Dead Air by Roland Moore

When Sonia Garrett dies during a routine moonwalk, the Star Cops suspect that her suit was sabotaged. As part of the investigation, Devis and Paul travel to an ancient space station to interview XANDER O'BRIEN (played by my good self in a guest lead role!). But the reclusive meteorologist has a surprise in store. He knows exactly who killed Sonia Garrett. Aliens!

I also turn up in the two other episodes of the boxset:3.2 Hostile Takeover by Rossa McPhillips and 3.3 Death in the Desert by Sarah Grochala playing a Moonbase Worker and a Soldier respectively!

It's cracking stuff here, great fun to record and extra special to work with some of the original stars of the show and all wonderfully directed by HELEN GOLDWYN ...

Here's a full cast list for the three episodes:

3A - Star Cops: The High Frontier 1

David Calder (Nathan Spring)

Trevor Cooper (Inspector Colin Devis)

Linda Newton (Acting Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy)

Philip Olivier (Inspector Paul Bailey)

Sean Connolly (Xander O’Brien / Soldier 1)

Billie Fulford-Brown (Kathy Marshall / Clare Jones)

Sarah Lawrie (Dr Kay Jones)

Lynsey Murrell (Alice Okoro)

Jason Nwoga (Professor Sani Habib / Sergeant Hamza)

Graham Vick (James Winfield / Torsten Arthurton)

Becky Wright (Sonia Garrett / Chef)

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com

NEW YEAR - NEW 'Winter' Episodes of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' with EZRA - AVAILABLE from THIS MONDAY 16th Jan 2023!

 

I'm delighted, as ever to announce the transmission of a new mini-season of 10 WINTER EPISODES for the Award-Winning animated series 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' ...

Again, beyond proud to be part of this landmark children's show ... 

Series 2 Winter episodes of 'JoJo & Gran Gran' launch on CBeebies this coming Monday 16th January at 5.35pm! All 10 episodes will then also be available on iPlayer on the same day.

You might've noticed a jaunty looking EZRA with his grandson JAXON in the background on top of the snowy hilltop, you'll be seeing a fair bit of him in the coming weeks as he pops up in 3 EPISODES and crackers they all are too!! Look out for the following episodes:

• It's Time to Play in the Snow
• It's Time to Remember Grandad
• It's Time for a Tea Party

I can't wait for you all to see all of the new episodes, as ever it'll be beautiful!

Credit where credit is due - all the voice actors, directors, producers, audio production, animators, script writers .. soooo many talented peeps involved. Especially the BBC CHILDREN'S PRODUCTION TEAM and A PRODUCTIONS ...

ENJOY!!

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com 

'You've Got A Friend' - James Taylor in concert - 14th October 2022 at Resorts World Arena Birmingham ...

 

It was 8 years (almost to the day!) when I saw my beloved JAMES TAYLOR for the first time at the then named LG Arena in Birmingham. I had the most wonderful time then – how could anything top that! Well, firstly this time I was accompanied by lovely wife Bella to experience the full wonder that is James. 

He was again joined on stage by his world-famous All-Star Band, all the usual suspects were there; Larry Goldings on piano, keyboards and accordion, Michael Landau on guitar and Jimmy Johnson on bass. Legendary drummer Steve Gadd was back too, now a mere 77 showing the crowd he can definitely still ‘groove’ with the best (arguably he still IS the best!). He’s played with pretty much everyone and that’s no exaggeration, look him up! Stalwart vocalists Arnold McCuller, Kate Markowitz and Andrea Zonn were also in attendance, and they were joined on vocal duties by the only addition to 8 years ago … Dorian Holley and wow what an addition. He’s worked with an impressive roster of legends including touring with Michael Jackson’s live shows and with Rod Stewart, to name but two! Of course James himself (now 74) is front and centre leading proceedings in his own inimitable style. 

Although it was 8 years ago I still remember how comfortable he was on stage, effortlessly changing guitars after pretty much every song. I also remembered smiling the whole way through his concert, mostly because I was hearing his music live for the first time but this time because he was also so funny when talking to the audience in between songs and when the occasional “I love you James!” echoed around the arena! I suppose when you’ve been doing what he does for as long as he’s been doing it, that shouldn’t be a surprise, he certainly lives up to his reputation as being one the nicest men in world music.

As you'd expect the music itself was simply magical, immaculately played and rendered vocally with the support of his All Star Band. Of course the concert itself had been postponed twice because of Covid and he thanked us all for holding on to our tickets! 

Now when I saw him 8 years ago I had no idea that he often stayed on stage during his own interval to pose for photos and to sign items. This time I came prepared with a nice little 7” vinyl single hoping to grab his autograph. Interval time came and went and James didn’t appear, so I thought it wasn’t going to happen. In truth I was a quite sad at this missed opportunity but I decided to enjoy the second half despite this disappointment … 

The second half was probably better than the first ending with stunning encore renditions of Carole King's ‘You've Got A Friend’ and Marvin Gaye's ‘How Sweet It Is’ ... a perfect ending to a wonderful evening, apart from his autograph?! 

The All-Star Band with James - Left to right; Dorian Holley, Steve Gadd, Larry Goldings, Andrea Zonn, James Taylor, Arnold McCuller, Kate Markowitz, Michael Landau and Jimmy James ...

I needn’t have worried … almost as soon as the final number had finished James bounced back on stage and started signing things for the fans. Fortunately, by this time I was already at the front with the masses enjoying the last few songs up close and personal even if I didn’t eventually manage to get his autograph! I had my little JT single with me at the front and rushed over to where he was signing after helpfully forceful encouragement from my friend Nicki who I’d met at the front earlier. I politely but confidently bustled my way through to the great man, with Nicki safeguarding my bag. I finally got my single signed and Nicki shook his hands. We were both overjoyed … As we left the front of the stage it was obvious he was going to be there for quite some time, with hundreds forming a very polite mass queue. The crew was busy doing the get out behind him as he signed literally hundreds of items. I'm glad to say that his reputation for never disappointing his fans is still very much in tact!! I’m not embarrassed to say that I shed a little tear after getting his autograph – grateful that I’d got to meet one of my musical heroes and exchange pleasantries with him. I’ll never forget last Friday night and I have the perfect memento to ensure I never do!!! Thank you ol' stringbean, you definitely have a friend in me!!

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk 

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com

'JoJo & Gran Gran' WINS the Royal Television Society - West of England Award 2022 in the Children's Category ...

 

And the GOOD NEWS keeps on coming .... the enormous success of 'JOJO & GRAN GRAN' has resulted in it scooping yet another well deserved accolade ... This time it's the ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY'S - WEST OF ENGLAND AWARD 2022 in the CHILDREN'S CATEGORY! A rather splendid thing it is too!!

 

CONGRATULATIONS to everybody involved in the show .. all the voice actors, directors, producers, audio production, animators, script writers .. soooo many peeps involved. Especially the BBC CHILDREN'S PRODUCTION TEAM and A PRODUCTIONS ...

You won't have to wait too long for more BRAND NEW AUTUMN EPISODES - STAY TUNED!!!

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com

Success for Animation Shorts including the Irish based 'The Belties' for which I lent my voice!!

Delighted to share the news that a lovely Short Animation a lent my vocal chords to, 'THE BELTIES' produced by SCRIPT SIRENS, has been selected for two prestigious events to be held in the region ...

Firstly this coming weekend 'The Belties' (animated by MORGANE BILLAULT, with music from KATIE ELLWOOD) will be shown at Warwick Arts Centre in partnership with the BFI NETWORK. This screening of short films will showcase talent and stories from across the region, with a focus on those based in Coventry and Warwickshire. As well as 'The Belties', two other films have also been selected from the 'SPECTRUM' Animation Anthology created by SCRIPT SIRENS (for more details click here) .. 'SOMETHING DIFFERENT' and 'UNHOME' - great news for all three animated films. Screenings commence at 5pm on SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER .. Tickets can be booked here ...

'The Belties' (written and co-voiced by LOUISE OSBOURNE also featuring the voice of Maeve O'Reilly) is a perfectly formed TWO MINUTE ANIMATION about a kind-hearted Irish farmer, JACK, who is tasked with sending his beloved cows to slaughter, he resorts to hiding his herd instead, in increasingly ridiculous ways. I voice Jack and two of his 'Belties' ... Barry and the rather nervous Reggie, all great fun!! Producers for 'The Belties' were ALEXANDRA TAYLOR and ANNABEL BRIGHTLING with SCARLETT KEFFORD executive producing.

More great news for the 'Spectrum' Project (a series of 8 standalone animated shorts around the broad theme of ‘spectrum’) is that three of it's films (including 'The Belties') have also been selected for this years BIRMINGHAM FILM FESTIVAL.

'The Belties' will be screening on SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER at 2pm

'ZX' will be screening on SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER at 2pm

 

'Dance' will be screening on MONDAY 7TH NOVEMBER at 8pm

Tickets are free but they recommend reserving via the link below.

https://www.birminghamfilmfestival.co.uk/screenings

All screenings will be held at MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B4 7XG ...

As well as the confirmed screenings for this year's festival, all three films have also been nominated in the BEST MICRO SHORT FILM category. Fingers crossed for all three animated films at the GALA AWARDS CEREMONY on SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2022.

Linktree linktr.ee/SeanConnolly

Acting website at www.seanconnolly.co.uk

Voice website at www.seanconnollyvoices.com