Apex - Latest News

<Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Radio Interview - BBC Radio Northampton 104.2 FM
Garry Bushell was interviewed on BBC Radio Northampton 104.2 FM. Garry answered questions about his book 'Bushell On The Rampage'.

<Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Book Feature - Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine
Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine feature 'The Official Queen of the South Quiz Book' compiled by Chris Cowlin and Kevin Snelgrove.

<Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Radio Interview - BBC Radio WM 95.6 FM
Garry Bushell was interviewed on BBC Radio WM 95.6 FM. Garry answered questions about his book 'Bushell On The Rampage'.

<Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Radio Interview - BBC Radio Surrey 104 FM
Chas Hodges was interviewed on BBC Radio Surrey 104 FM. Chas answered questions about his book 'Chas and His Rock 'N' Roll Allotment'.

<Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Book Feature - Borehamwood & Elstree Times
Borehamwood & Elstree Times feature Chas Hodges' book 'Chas and His Rock 'N' Roll Allotment'.


From Rags to Gags: The Memoirs of a Comedy Writer
By Vince Powell
 
- - Newspaper & Website Reviews
FROM RAGS TO GAGS
The Brit (Madeira Newspaper)
~
VINCE POWELL
The Independent
~
FROM RAGS TO GAGS
The Self Publishing Magazine
~
FROM RAGS TO GAGS
South Wales Argus
~
Whilst you may not be familiar with the name Vince Powell, you will most certainly know of his work. Nearest and Dearest, Love Thy Neighbour and Mind Your Language have all sprung from this productive comedy writer. Much of his early work was penned with the late Harry Driver, a remarkable character who managed to conjure fun and laughter from a life of severe disability.
Vince’s poor but largely contented childhood was enlivened by illicit visits to the local fleapit during school hours. Radio comedy also exerted a powerful draw. The world of laughter that beckoned from beyond the glowing valves of the wireless awoke in the young Powell a desire to perform, strong enough even to conquer parental doubts. With likeminded chum Harry Driver on board they embarked on the rollercoaster ride of delight and disappointment that forms the life of a professional comedy writer. Together they experienced the tactile thrill of that first hard-earned pay cheque followed swiftly by days bereft of comic inspiration with a blank sheet of paper in an impotent typewriter; a vignette familiar to most comedy writers over the years. Vince even enjoyed a valuable diversion penning early episodes of Coronation Street; the ideal place to sharpen a keen sense of northern humour.
This autobiography is as much about Vince’s personal journey as it as about the larger than life characters that inhabited television during it’s golden age. It reminds us of the rivalry between the BBC and ITV and the regional programme contractors within ITV itself as contractors Thames, ATV and London Weekend Television jostled for position in the schedules. The book provides a fascinating insight into the way sitcoms were commissioned in the 60s and 70s: The more enlightened Heads of Comedy knew which writers they could trust and had the tenacity to persevere with a show even when it didn’t immediately take off; a way of thinking all but extinct in today’s schizophrenic multi-channel maelstrom. We’ll never see an era like it again, and this book is an engaging glimpse of a life dedicated to laughter.
Nottingham Evening Post
~
FROM RAGS TO GAGS
Greenock Telegraph
~
FROM RAGS TO GAGS: THE MEMOIRS OF A COMEDY WRITER
The Weekly News
~
Bless This House is just one of the many classic television shows created by Vince and his late writing partner Harry Driver. This book is a must read for fans of the golden age of television!
www.blessthishouse.net
~
A fascinating and humourous insight into the life and work of one of British comedy's most successful and prolific writers.
www.sitcom.co.uk
~
An excellent book!
Bill McBride, The Weekly News
~