Old News Archives

Update December 27th 1999 (5:10pm est)

Suppliment 6:20pm est The Multimedia/Images page had an overhaul done. It's now a nice place to go. As opposed to being a den of sin where mortal men dare not tred.

Update December 17th 1999
I just received a most exciting email. A woman by the name of Dominique (Webmaster of Richard E. Grant's Website) has asked us to, on behalf of Richard E. Grant, post this press release. For those of us who missed the chance to meet Mr. Brown at the Aliens Convention in October this is the perfect chance to rub elbows with our Hero. Furthermore it's for a great cause. I have taken the liberty of e-mailing all of our UK fans with this information. Please people, if you have the means, support this program. Even if you don't go to the viewing of the film.. you can still donate. I personally will be purchasing a ticket. I leave it in your reliable hands. We will keep you posted with updates as soon as we get them. Questions can be addressed to this site or to Dominique at her site. This is our most desperate hour.. Thanks.

Press Release (For Immediate release)

"Withnail for Waterford"

WHAT IS IT?:

Richard E. Grant, star of the film "Withnail and I" is organising a fundraising screening of this classic cult movie, to raise funds for the Waterford-Kamhlaba school.

WHEN IS IT?:

Monday February 7th, 2000

WHERE IS IT?:

Odeon West End
40 Leicester Square
London West End
Greater London, WC2H7LP
ENGLAND

Website: http://www.odeon.co.uk
Booking tel: 0870 505 0007
Online booking: Yes
Outside the UK: Dial country code then above #

WHO WILL BE THERE?:

The original cast (Including our Mr. Ralph Brown), director and writer will be present as well as a plethora of stars and celebrities. Already confirmed: David Bowie and Iman, Naomi Campbell (who works with the Mandella children's charity trust already) Ben Kingsley, Bob Geldof, and Richard Attenborough, plus as many 60's icons as Richard E. Grant can pursuade to come.

Check the "Withnail for Waterford" site for a confirmed list, as it's sure to grow every day. http://www.grumpyfish.com/REG/waterford

WHAT WILL HAPPEN THERE?:

There'll be a screening of the film "Withnail and I" followed by a question & answer session with the cast and crew of the film, and after show party. You'll also get free booze and fags, plus there'll be an auction of Withnail and I memorabilia, so bring your cheque-books!

WHY IS IT HAPPENING?:

To raise bursaries to finance academically gifted but cash strapped African children, so that they can attend the Waterford-Kamhlaba school. The school was set up in Swaziland in the early 60's by a visionary Englishman called Michael Stern as a direct response to the apartheid regime in neighbouring South Africa. It was the first multi-racial co-ed school on the continent and has consistently aimed and achieved, at educating academically gifted kids, many of whom have no financial means of support. Richard E. Grant attended the school in the seventies, along with Nelson Mandella's daughters. It's a school that aims to create an academic-intellectual 'elite', which is needed even more urgently, now that the brain-drain from Southern Africa has been so severe. The need for highly skilled, University trained leaders in every field will decide the future of the region. It is a cause to which Richard E. Grant is totally and utterly committed.

£10 equals the buying power of $100 in the local currency, at the current exchange rate. It costs about $10,000 US dollars to fully bursary fund a student through a year's schooling. We aim to try and raise £500,000 in the next year which is the equivalent, in local Swaziland currency, to $5 million!

The school has a website: http://www.waterford.sz

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME?:

There is a three-tiered ticketing system. Pay £100 to sit up the front with all the celebs. £50 to sit in the middle and look at the backs of their heads. £25 to sit up the back with all the Withnail and I die-hards. There are 900 seats available, so it's an intimate venue and tickets are sure to go fast!

HOW DO I GET A TICKET?:

Tickets are rumoured to be available from all UK Odeons as of Monday 20th December, 1999. It might pay to ring first. You can also book online. http://www.odeon.co.uk

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?:

Ralph Steadman, illustrator extraordinaire, who did the original poster and video cover art for Withnail and I, has agreed to do the artwork for the invitation to this event. He's also found never before published pre-shooting stills he took of Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann on a 60's Pentax that he is going to have developed into a set of twenty prints. They'll be signed by all of the cast, and will be auctioned off on the night.

WHAT IF I CAN'T ATTEND?:

You can make a donation to the charity anyway.

Cheques (in any currency) should be made out to 'Waterford School Trust' and sent to:

The Treasurer
39 Grovehill Road
Redhill
Surrey RH1 6PJ
England.

Richard E. Grant guarantees that all funds raised are solely for bursary funds and will not ever go to finance the headmaster's wife's fur coat demands!

Look out for online auctions of Withnail and I memorabilia, as we plan to organize something in the near future

Hope to see you there...chin chin!

Update December 11th 1999
I've found and added the Phantom Menace script to the misc. section. It's a good read. It contains some parts that weren't used in the film. Very exciting. Also there's a new layout to the news pages. It's alot easier to find things now.