Martin in The Bill!
A quick glance at the Radio Times this evening revealed that the fine actor the webmasters (and everybody else for that matter) like to call Martin Barrass, was appearing in tonight's episode of The Bill entitled "For Better For Worse". He played an ex-convict called Georgie Pye (a YTR panto name, if ever there was one!). More details when we can be bothered to put them up but at the moment we're a bit pre-occupied with planning the finer details of our pilgrimage to the panto on Wednesday. We can't wait, wooooo!
The panto is under way.....
The YTR panto began in earnest yesterday evening (12th December). We're awaiting the review from the Yorkshire Evening Press but the lady sitting behind the webmistress on the bus this morning said it was "marvellous". Not that the webmistress was ear-wigging or anything.....Please check back for further details as the panto season continues!
They're back!
Yey!! Apologies for the poorish quality of the photograph, still we think you get the general idea....it's Martin! (third from left, as if you didn't know...the clue was really in the arrow!)
*This picture was taken from the York Star newspaper, if it infringes any copyright please contact us and we will remove it immediately.
The Big Coppergate switch-on....
Martin and Berwick Kaler were the guest celebrities who switched on the Coppergate lights in York on Thursday 22nd November. The webmistress' friend was present at this glorious event and we're awaiting further details from her. Early reports indicate that Martin was dressed as some kind of elf (a tantilising clue as to this years panto plot...yes, apparantely there is one). Anywhooo, the webmistress is extremely hacked off as she was going to go but as it was meant to be just Berwick she decided her english language coursework was more pressing. Now, if she'd have known Martin was going to be there it would have been so different.......
More details on the way of this wonderful sighting!
Rehersals Start Today! 19th November 2001
Well, rehersals for this years Panto 'Jack and the Beanstalk' today started in-house at the Theatre Royal in York. Martin will no doubt be there getting back into the habit of skipping everywhere!
2000 and counting!
Today is a happy day for Martin Barrass Mania, as we have broken the 2000 hits barrier! I think we deserve a slap on the back! (Ow, not that hard, that hurt!) Oh, and in other exciting news, our friend Michelle at the Theatre Royal has told us that she will "tie down" Martin if necessary to get him to contact us! Isn't that nice! In-house rehersals for this years 'Panto Extravaganza' begin on November the 19th. We are all excited! Other than that, all is quiet at the moment on the Barrass News front, but be sure, we will keep you updated on any developments!
Pantotime is here again! Wooo!
If you haven't already booked your tickets for this year's panto extravanganza (okay, so we know the script will be the same as last year but isn't that why it's so great?) then where have you been? You have greatly displeased the webmasters by your obvious lack of interest in the social event of the year. Anywhoooo, we've included all the information you need if you haven't already booked your tickets! The information is taken from York Theatre Royal's website, www.theatre-royal-york.co.uk.
Wednesday 12 December 2001 to Saturday 2 February 2002
Theatre Royal Company presents
Berwick Kaler (and Martin Barrass) in
Jack and the Beanstalk
Written by Berwick Kaler
Directed by Berwick Kaler & Damian Cruden
Designed by Nigel Hook
Lighting Design by Richard G. Jones
Take a few genetically modified beans, a giant created by Dr Evilstein, add mayhem and madness in the shape of our very own dame and her son; plus wacky songs, dance, slapstick, spectacle, and you have just a few of the ingredients that guarantee to entertain the whole family.
The legend of the Theatre Royal's pantomime grows and grows!
Dick Whittington 2000
"An evening of daft songs and inspired silliness...I haven't had so much fun in the theatre for weeks" The Guardian
"The Kaler instinct for comedy wins again" Evening Press
Beauty and the Beast 1999
"Essential viewing for adults as well as children" Evening Press
Aladdin 1998
"The incomparably brilliant Berwick Kaler" The Guardian See It First Nights on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 December - £2 off full price and £1 off concession prices - with extra discounts for York Card holders! (price varies on Best Dress Circle).
For Sign Language Interpreted and Audio-Described Performances, see Diary below.
Panto Diary
R = Premium
m = Peak
n = Off Peak
SIF = See It First
A = Audio Described Performances
S = Signed Lanuage Interpreted
Wed 12 Dec 7.30 m SIF
Thurs 13 Dec 7.30 m SIF
Fri 14 Dec 7.30 n
Sat 15 Dec 2.30 n 7.30 n
Mon 17 Dec 7.30 n
Tues 18 Dec 7.30 n
Wed 19 Dec 7.30 n
Thurs 20 Dec 7.30 n
Fri 21 Dec 2.30 n 7.30 n
Sat 22 Dec 2.30 n 7.30 n
Mon 24 Dec 10.30R 2.30R
Tues 25 Dec no performance
Wed 26 Dec 4.00R 8.00R
Thurs 27 Dec 2.30 n 7.30 n
Fri 28 Dec 2.30 n 7.30 n
Sat 29 Dec 2.30 n 7.30 n
Mon 31 Dec 2.30 R 7.30R
Tues 1 Jan 4.00 R 8.00 R
Wed 2 Jan 2.30 n 7.30 n
Thurs 3 Jan 7.30 n
Fri 4 Jan 7.30 n
Sat 5 Jan 2.30 n 7.30 n
Mon 7 Jan 7.30 m
Tues 8 Jan 7.30 m S
Wed 9 Jan 2.30 m 7.30 m
Thurs 10 Jan 7.30 m A
Fri 11 Jan 7.30 n
Sat 12 Jan 2.30 n S 7.30 n
Mon 14 Jan 7.30 m
Tues 15 Jan 7.30 m
Wed 16 Jan 7.30m
Thurs 17 Jan 7.30m
Fri 18 Jan 4.30 m 8.00 n A
Sat 19 Jan 2.30 n A 7.30 n
Mon 21 Jan no performance
Tues 22 Jan 7.30 m
Wed 23 Jan 2.30 m 7.30 m
Thurs 24 Jan 7.30m
Fri 25 Jan 4.30 m 8.00 n
Sat 26 Jan 2.30 n 7.30 n
Mon 28 Jan 7.30 m
Tues 29 Jan 7.30 m
Wed 30 Jan 2.30 m 7.30 m
Thurs 31 Jan 7.30 m
Fri 1 Feb 7.30 n
Sat 2 Feb 2.30 n 7.30R
TICKETS: visit the Box Office for information and prices or phone 01904 623568.
The webmasters will be there, we'll be the ones wearing martin barrass mania t-shirts attempting to storm the stage. Hopefully the marvellous safety curtain won't spoil our attempt to get backstage access...
 ...yet again!
It seems that the date of Martin's appearance in Heartbeat is different to the date previously published. Although, the webmistress' maths is slightly precarious, this time it is not technically her fault. Granada Plus are now only showing series 5 three nights a week which means that Martin's episode will now be screened on Wednesday 19th September on Granada Plus at 2pm and 7pm. Pencil it in your diaries (it'll be easier to change for when next the schedulers decide to toy with our emotions). Hmmph.
We have had contact!!
Good news Barrass fans!! We have had another email from the lovely Michelle at the Theatre Royal, and this is what she had to say...
"I have told Martin about your site, he is delighted and has not yet looked
at it so please don't worry about it - all will be fine. He is really easy
going and will not be phased by anything."
So, that looks promising then doesn't it?! Michelle, we salute you!
Great News on the Heartbeat Front
After the recent disappointing display from UK Gold schedulers, we now have good news on the the Heartbeat front. As of yesterday, Granada Plus will be showing series five onwards. Episode 12, entitled "Unfinished Business", in which Martin appears, will now be shown on 11th September at 7pm (that's if the webmistress has got her maths right, which is highly unlikely...just watch the whole bally lot, it's great!) Thank you Granada Plus, we owe you our sanity! Boooo! No, David Leonard isn't in the house, that was directed at UK Gold. Shame on them!
Martin in Theatre Royal Production...
Our favourite actor is currently playing King Louis XIII and Grimaud in the theatres production of 'The Three Musketeers'. Hurry on down, as the production finishes on September 1st! For the full 'This is York' news story go to: http://www.thisisyork.co.uk/york/whatson/YORK_WHATSON_THEATRE6.html
Bad News on the Heartbeat Front...
In their infinite wisdom, the schedulers of UK Gold have decided to end the current re-run of classic Heartbeat episodes with the series four finale. This means that series 5, in which Martin appears, will not be shown "for a while". Whilst the webmasters prepare to chain themselves to the UK Gold offices to protest at this outrageous abuse of scheduling power, I'm sure all Barrass fans will be delighted to know Heartbeat has been replaced by the glory of television known as "Harbour Lights". That statement contained a hint of sarcasm by the way. Thanks UK Gold, we really love your channel...(oh, there I go again).
1000!
Today on June 8th 2001 we celebrate our 1000th hit! Thank you all for visiting Martin Barrass Mania, it is a truly amazing thing!!
From www.thisisyork.co.uk - Yorkshire Evening Press Readers Letters. The webmasters thought this was quite touching, Martin is not only a brilliant actor, but also a really nice person who does a lot for charity.
Panto Hero
by Reader's letter
I WAS delighted to see the tribute to Martin Barrass given by colleagues and the Evening Press (May 7).
For a number of years now, Martin has worked with young carers in the area offering drama workshops and activities. Young carers are children who are caring for someone, normally a relative, who has a disability, chronic illness, or who need extra support for other reasons.
A few years ago we at The Carers Centre were trying to obtain funding in order to provide a more dedicated service for these young people. Martin worked with young people from the group to encourage them to have the confidence to make a presentation to potential funders and service planners.
You cannot imagine how delighted and proud these young people felt to have a local celebrity offering them support and encouragement.
We did obtain our funding. Thanks to local champions such as Martin, City of York Councillor Shan Braund and North Yorkshire Councillor Shelagh Marshall, the profile of young carers has been raised and their needs acknowledged and I for one will always be grateful.
Dawn O'Rooke,
Carers Centre Manager,
Clementhorpe Health Centre,
Cherry Street, York.
The Webmasters will try to obtain a copy of the May 7th Yorkshire Evening Press, so we may be able to do a feature on the tribute.
Martin on Heartbeat
All being well, episode 12 of series 5 will be screened next month. In a triumph of casting, Martin plays a character called "Sapper Smith" in this classic episode. You can delight in this televisual feast on Tuesday 26th June at 5pm on UK Gold. Enjoy!
Panto star gets new character
OH YES HE IS:
Martin Barrass is a dad again, with his second child, Alex. Split-second timing has proved important for actor Martin Barrass both on and off the stage.
His second child, Alex, was born just before the start of the panto, in which Martin ironically plays a baby, named Hillary Hinnyhum.
In Old Mother Milly at York's Theatre Royal, Barrass plays the son of Berwick Kaler's character, Milly Hinnyhum, and because of his new son's good timing he can happily keep playing the part until the show ends on January 29.
Both Martin and his wife, Vicky, who live in Clifton, are delighted with the new addition to their family. Megan, their 18-month-old daughter is thrilled to have a new baby brother*.
15 years behind you, Martin
by Charles Hutchinson
READ ALL ABOUT IT: York Theatre Royal actor Martin Barrass celebrates his 15 years in the theatre's pantomime with a special edition of the Evening Press
MARTIN Barrass's 15 years as thePress
MARTIN Barrass's 15 years as the stooge in the York Theatre Royal pantomime has been marked by a party at Thomas's Hotel, in Museum Street, York.
Fellow actors, including pantomime dame Berwick Kaler, theatre staff, family and friends celebrated 44-year-old Martin's long run in the show in an afternoon event organised by Thomas's landlord Jim Melsom.
"When I took over at Thomas's, one of the first changes I made was to set up a theatre bar in January 1995 with old pictures of shows at the Theatre Royal," said Mr Melsom.
"Martin comes in here quite regularly, and although I didn't see his first pantomime in York, I'm a panto regular now - I thought his seal costume was the highlight last Christmas. "He's a funny lad, especially in his acting roles, and I just thought it would be a good idea to honour his 15 years in the show."
Martin was presented with a special Evening Press front page to mark his special anniversary.
"I had no idea this was going to happen. Jim just said: `Be there at three o'clock on Sunday', but the party is a lovely gesture," he said.
Martin is expected to star alongside Berwick Kaler in this coming winter's pantomime, Jack And The Beanstalk, but confirmation of the cast is still awaited, pending contract agreements*.
Martin's Moment
by Evening Press leader
WHERE Morecambe had Wise, Kaler has Barrass. For 15 years, Martin Barrass has skipped about the stage during the York Theatre Royal pantomime, playing stooge to York's great dame, Berwick Kaler.
A relationship that started with Sinbad The Sailor threatens to continue in much the same vein next Christmas with Jack And The Beanstalk.
Yesterday, Martin Barrass had his moment firmly in the limelight as Thomas's Hotel, just around the corner from the Theatre Royal, threw a party for him. For once it was Martin's turn to hog the stage - and he deserved every minute of the attention*.
16th October 1998
I'm not a snob, says York panto star's wife
by Lauren Flanagan
The wife of former Emmerdale actor Martin Barrass told today how she burst into tears when she read a magazine article about her relationship with her parents.
Vicky Barrass, the 22-year-old wife of York's regular panto star Martin, said Woman magazine claimed she had sensed a "huge intellectual gulf" between her and her parents since she married into fame and fortune last September.
She believes she was made out to be a total snob who drank champagne while her parents enjoyed a pint in the local pub.
Vicky, of Upper Newborough Street, now a full-time mum to four-month-old Megan, met Martin three years ago in the York Theatre Royal cafe bar where she then worked.
She claimed she had been told beforehand that the Woman article, for which she was paid £75, would be about how her marriage had changed her life.
She says she has now complained to the magazine, taken legal advice, and threatened to go to the Press Complaints Commission if she does not receive a satisfactory reply.
"I am so angry, upset and hurt. The damage has been done, but I would like a written apology," she said.
Vicky's parents, Susan Carter, who works in a laundry, and Allan, a postman, of Milner Street, Acomb, also got a shock when they came home from their holiday in Cyprus and saw the article.
"They share my feelings - it's brought us closer together," said Vicky. "My mum told me not to worry, but I can't stop thinking about it."
Susan said she shared her daughter's hurt and humiliation.
"They have no right to talk about my daughter when we are a close family like we are. It's more my family they are hurting than me, but it's a struggle going to work every day with it on my mind."
Martin, who is about to start rehearsals for Bouncers at the Theatre Royal, said: "When Vicky read it she just burst into tears - I was so furious, it was such a nasty little article.
"People will believe they are her words, whdes to her. She's totally unused to this and hasn't slept well since."
Martin said the article implied they drank champagne like water, but they could only afford to drink it on special occasions like most other people.
He said they went to the pub with Vicky's parents regularly and often introduced them to other actors.
A spokeswoman for Woman magazine did not want to comment, other than to say they had received Vicky's written complaint and were investigating*.
*These articles were taken from The Yorkshire Evening Press' Website: www.thisisyork.co.uk. If this material is breaking any copyright laws, please email us, and we will remove any offending material as soon as possible.
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