News Happy Birthday Murray Melvin

Murray Melvin as you may be aware played Bilis Manger in two episodes of Torchwood – Captain Jack Harkness and End of Days, and appeared in the story Twilight Streets by Gary Russell.

Last year we had the opportunity to interview Murray about his role as Bilis and his many other roles on television, stage and screen.

http://projecttorchwood.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/interview-with-murray-melvin.html

Happy Birthday Murray,

Did you know on this day in 1968, Episode 1 of Dominators was broadcast?  It starred Patrick Troughton as the Doctor with Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury as his companions  Jamie and Zoe.

Writer was Norman Ashby which was a pseudonym for Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln.  Director was Morris Barry.

Sadistic Dominators and their robot Quarks threaten the pacifist planet of Dulkis*

Other birthdays today are: Antonio Banderas and Ashley Jensen.

Have a fantastic day today Murray from everyone at Project: Torchwood

Sources:

Campbell (2000) Doctor Who Pocket Essential*

©BBC Doctor Who 1963

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-The-Dominators/dp/B002SQ78YA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407682674&sr=8-2&keywords=Doctor+Who+Dominators

Articles Murray Melvin aka Bilis Manger

Bilis Manger first appeared on our screens during episode 12 ‘Captain Jack Harkness’, Series One.  Bilis is the caretaker of the old dance hall in Sage Street due to be demolished, reports of strange noises coming from inside, bring Captain Jack Harkness and Toshiko Sato to investigate and soon they find themselves in a temporal time shift which sees them in 1941 at the height of the Blitz, and the upstairs of the dance hall is alive with singing and dancing, and young airmen ready to go off to war.  It’s also when we see Bilis Manger, just as he’s seeing Jack and Toshiko out of the door for the first time, realising that they’ve been taken back to the past. 

Of course Bilis is aware of this, for he too has been able to move through time, in the time it takes to turn a page of a book.  On his way through time however, he’s made a lucrative business in time pieces, but there’s more than just clocks that are keeping Bilis busy. 

When Gwen investigates the dance hall after Jack and Toshiko go missing she enters Bilis’ office, where all manner of occult items are sitting on desks and behind the chair and on the wall.  Also as Ianto discovers, the name of the caretaker is the same name as the man mentioned in the newspaper at that time (1941) it doesn’t take Ianto long to realise that this could be an elaborate trap and instructs Gwen to get out.

We see Bilis again in episode 13 ‘End of Days’ when after Jack and Toshiko are returned to the present day, Bilis begins to make his appearance to Gwen, someone he feels he can manipulate in order to open the rift.  First he sees her in the police cells and after episode 12, Gwen knows who the old ‘timer’ is.  Snapped out of her sudden moment by Jack, she again sees Bilis at the shop when Jack and she decide to bring him in for questioning, but as he disappears again, he re-appears after Jack leaves the shop.  Gwen unable to leave, is given an insight into the future, her future with Rhys, and after being able to leave, runs home to find Rhys very much alive, but needs to get him to safety and takes him to the one place she knows is safe, The Hub.

Bilis unperturbed, and using his time travelling expertise locates Gwen’s partner Rhys in the cells after he trips the security alarms and unlocks the cell doors.  He kills Rhys!

It’s at this point and during the entire final episode that each member of the team are forced to realise that in order to bring back the ones that they love, they have to open the Rift.  Jack is the only one who knows that this is a trap set down by Bilis, but as more and more sick people fall through the Rift bringing every disease known to man, the world starts seeing it as the end of days.

After Jack is shot and killed by Owen who is ‘tired of being doubted’, and all that has happened, the death of Rhys, the creatures in the cells, the death and judgement day are finally erased, a very large threat looks set to erase the human race for ever. 

“All hail Abadon.”

Bilis Manger knew that if by manipulating the Torchwood team he would be able to bring out the ‘Great Devourer’ Abadon, imprisoned beneath the Rift.  How Bilis Manger unleashed Abadon is found in the book Twilight Streets.  But what happened to Bilis after the Great Devourer was defeated after killing Jack Harkness, we may never know.  Perhaps he is still out there...somewhere.

Murray Melvin who plays Bilis was born in the same year that the Ritz Dance Hall was built. 

He is an actor who has had a very busy career in theatre, in films and on television and has also penned two books titled “The Art of Theatre Workshop (2006) and The Theatre Royal, A History of the Building (2009). 

Last year we interviewed Murray about his career and his role as Bilis Manger, which you can read by clicking on this link - http://projecttorchwood.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/interview-with-murray-melvin.html

Murray was born on 10^th August 1932 in Hampstead, London.  During an extended lunch break from his job in the Ministry, he applied to Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop company at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and between 1957 – 1962 was actively involved in many performances and productions.  Over the years he has worked for many directors but its Joan Littlewood for whom Murray mentions during his interview, and the one person he has campaigned for in order to have a statue erected outside the Theatre Royal in Stratford East, a statue that is requiring a considerable amount of fundraising. 

From theatre work where Murray played Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey, that opened in February 1959 at the Wyndham’s Theatre, he went on to play the film version directed by Tony Richardson, a role for which he won the Prix de Cannes as best actor at the Festival in 1962.  He was also nominated for a BAFTA for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ award.

Murray went on to work with Ken Russell and appeared in Diary of a Nobody, his first film with the director.  From there he went on to play Father Mignon in Ken Russell’s the Devils (1971) where he plays the catalyst in the horror film, which also starred Oliver Reed. 

In television Murray appeared in the first episode of the cult series The Avengers in 1960.  In 1998 he appeared in the Christmas Special episode of Jonathan Creek called “The Black Canary.”  In 2007 he became popular and well known in Torchwood circles as the creepy caretaker Bilis Manger, a name that strikes fear in many, because his character was never killed off, and so he might, just might appear anywhere in the Torchwood universe. 

In 2011 Murray played the Professor in a 15 minute short comedy/drama called The Grey Mile.  It was about a couple of ex master criminals who were confined to a care home.  It co-starred the late Paul Shane as Terry ‘the Taxman’ Tempest and Maggie Tulip as Miss Match.  The entire film was shot on location at Wolterton Hall in Norfolk.  

Much of the information on Murray can be found on Wikipedia, and trust me, there is an extensive list of credits to this talented Englishman.  One day I may have the chance of meeting him, and indeed to see the statue outside of the Theatre Royal in Stratford East.

Information source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Melvin

©BBC Torchwood 2006

Interviews Murray Melvin by DJ Forrest

You starred in a role as the Professor in The Grey Mile with the late Paul Shane, a comedy/drama about two ex master criminals, who lived in a care home.    I can imagine with this great northerner it was a barrel of laughs and not a dry eye in the house, do you have any memorable moments you can share with Project: Torchwood about that shoot?

Murray: It was a short film. 15 minutes. Filmed in a week. There was only time to learn lines! Remember comedy is very serious work.

Bilis appears in two episodes of Torchwood, but also in the book Twilight Streets, his face on the front cover, was this photo taken for a separate photo shoot or was this taken from the series you appeared in?

Murray: Must have been taken by the stills photographer on set

When the casting director contacted you over your role as Bilis, had you been involved in any other role similar to that character?

Murray: No. But I suppose its antecedence must have been Father Mignon in Ken Russell’s ‘The Devils’

Are you currently working on any new projects?

Murray: In my theatrical voluntary work I have for the last seven years been campaigning for a Memorial statue to Joan Littlewood (my Alma Mater) in the square in front of the Theatre Royal Stratford East.  This has now been sanctioned and I am in the midst of fund raising and hopefully the statue will be unveiled on her birthday this year the 6^th. October.

When you’re not working, what do you do to relax?

Murray: 23 years as the Theatre Royal’s voluntary archivist!! Perhaps an occasional visit to the Opera or Ballet.

What jobs did you take prior to becoming an actor?  And were you ever involved in stage plays if you were in the services? (I’m judging by your age, you may have been in active service?)

Murray: No not active service but National Service. I started as an office boy in a shipping office in the City of London. Then became The Secretary to the Director of Sports at the Air Ministry after National Service, from there to a student at the Theatre Royal Stratford in the Theatre Workshop Company of Joan Littlewood.

What was the last book you read?

Murray: Richard Dawkins.  The Magic of Reality. Wonderful. Full of the most amazing facts and figures

You have worked with a lot of people over the years, who have been your favourite actors and actresses you’ve worked beside, and who has been the best director?

Murray: Impossible. If you have read my Wikipedia entry you will realise there have been so many. Impossible to chose from that list. The best Director has to be Joan Littlewood. Who gave me my theatrical training plus dance education in the Laban technique

Have you ever written, produced or directed any films for television or cinema? (quite a few actors seem to do that these days, I wondered if you’d had the opportunity in your long career)

Murray: Refer to Wikipedia

Doctor Who celebrates its 50^th Anniversary this year, do you have a favourite memory of the show, or remember what you were doing when the series launched back in November 1963?

Murray: In 1963 I was in the stage musical of ‘Oh What A Lovely War’ so could not watch television

Fans Questions

Mel Purplemonkeydishwasher Bennett: Bilis Manger appears to be a rather complex character. He's evil and manipulative, with the ability to both see and move through time, yet he doesn't express much emotion. What were the challenges with playing a character like this, and what did you enjoy about playing him?

Murray: One cannot play emotion. That is for the audience to feel. Challenges were to expand him from a one dimensional character

Kirsty Price: Does he do any preparation for his role on Torchwood as Bilis?

Murray: The same preparation any actor does in approaching a new part

Christine Oswin Liddle: What happened to Bilis? They just let him get away. Where did he go?

Murray: Good question. He was the one ‘evil’ character that didn’t get killed off. Thought they were saving him for a comeback ! but it didn’t happen. I remember at one time there was a ‘Bring back Billis’ campaign.

Annika Gabriella Brink: Does he prefer to play good guy or bad guy? And has he got a dream-role yet to play?

Murray: These days it’s the bad guys. They usually stand still. It’s the goodies who run around (see Torchwood)

Mickie Newton: What was it that drew you to the character of Bilis Manger?

Murray: What actor wouldn’t be interested in such a character ?

Nikki Forrest: Why is he so scary?

Murray: Perhaps because he is so unpredictable

Hazel Stanton: Do you have any advice for aspiring actors and actresses?

Murray: Would not presume to give advice at my stage!  If you really want you just keep going. Perhaps a tip would be if you are not working then you study everything related. Dance. Movement, Voice, Music, Art. Read as many plays as you can. The more strings to your elbow the more useful you will be. Best of Luck.

Special thanks to Murray Melvin for the interview and signed photo. 

Wikipedia for the links and Google for the photographs.

If you would like to help raise money for the Joan Littlewood Statue, please keep reading

Articles Murray Melvin aka Bilis Manger by DJ Forrest

Murray Melvin aka Bilis Manger

Bilis Manger first appeared on our screens during episode 12 ‘Captain Jack Harkness’, Series One.  Bilis is the caretaker of the old dance hall in Sage Street due to be demolished, reports of strange noises coming from inside, bring Captain Jack Harkness and Toshiko Sato to investigate and soon they find themselves in a temporal time shift which sees them in 1941 at the height of the Blitz, and the upstairs of the dance hall is alive with singing and dancing, and young airmen ready to go off to war.  It’s also when we see Bilis Manger, just as he’s seeing Jack and Toshiko out of the door for the first time, realising that they’ve been taken back to the past. 

Of course Bilis is aware of this, for he too has been able to move through time, in the time it takes to turn a page of a book.  On his way through time however, he’s made a lucrative business in time pieces, but there’s more than just clocks that are keeping Bilis busy. 

When Gwen investigates the dance hall after Jack and Toshiko go missing she enters Bilis’ office, where all manner of occult items are sitting on desks and behind the chair and on the wall.  Also as Ianto discovers, the name of the caretaker is the same name as the man mentioned in the newspaper at that time (1941) and as Gwen describes the large photograph of Bilis wearing a cravat it doesn’t take Ianto long to realise that this could be an elaborate trap and instructs Gwen to get out.

We see Bilis again in episode 13 ‘End of Days’ when after Jack and Toshiko are returned to the present day, Bilis begins to make his appearance to Gwen, someone he feels he can manipulate in order to open the rift. 

First he sees her in the police cells and after episode 12, Gwen knows who the old ‘timer’ is. Snapped out of her sudden moment by Jack, she again sees Bilis at the shop when Jack and she decide to bring him in for questioning, but as he disappears again, he re-appears after Jack leaves the shop. 

Gwen unable to leave, is given an insight into the future, her future with Rhys, and after being able to leave, runs home to find Rhys very much alive, but needs to get him to safety and takes him to the one place she knows is safe, The Hub.

Bilis unperturbed, and using his time travelling expertise locates Gwen’s partner Rhys in the cells after he trips the security alarms and unlocks the cell doors.  He kills Rhys!

It’s at this point and during the entire final episode that each member of the team are forced to realise that in order to bring back the ones that they love, they have to open the Rift.  Jack is the only one who knows that this is a trap set down by Bilis, but as more and more sick people fall through the Rift bringing every disease known to man, the world starts seeing it as the end of days.

After Jack is shot and killed by Owen who is ‘tired of being doubted’, and all that has happened, the death of Rhys, the creatures in the cells, the death and judgement day are finally erased, a very large threat looks set to erase the human race for ever. 

“All hail Abadon.”

Bilis Manger knew that if by manipulating the Torchwood team he would be able to bring out the ‘Great Devourer’ Abadon, imprisoned beneath the Rift.  How Bilis Manger unleashed Abadon is found in the book Twilight Streets.  But what happened to Bilis after the Great Devourer was defeated after killing Jack Harkness, we may never know.  Perhaps he is still out there...somewhere.

Murray Melvin who plays Bilis was born in the same year that the Ritz Dance Hall was built. 

He is an actor who has had a very busy career in theatre, in films and on television and has also penned two books titled “The Art of Theatre Workshop (2006) and The Theatre Royal, A History of the Building (2009). 

Murray was born on 10^th August 1932 in Hampstead, London.  During an extended lunch break from his job in the Ministry, he applied to Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop company at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and between 1957 – 1962 was actively involved in many performances and productions.  

Over the years he has worked for many directors but its Joan Littlewood for whom Murray mentions during his interview, and the one person he has campaigned for in order to have a statue erected outside the Theatre Royal in Stratford East, a statue that is requiring a considerable amount of fundraising. 

From theatre work where Murray played Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey, that opened in February 1959 at the Wyndham’s Theatre, he went on to play the film version directed by Tony Richardson, a role for which he won the Prix de Cannes as best actor at the Festival in 1962.  He was also nominated for a BAFTA for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ award.

Murray went on to work with Ken Russell and appeared in Diary of a Nobody, his first film with the director.  From there he went on to play Father Mignon in Ken Russell’s the Devils (1971) where he plays the catalyst in the horror film, which also starred Oliver Reed. 

In television Murray appeared in the first episode of the cult series The Avengers in 1960.  In 1998 he appeared in the Christmas Special episode of Jonathan Creek called “The Black Canary.”  In 2007 he became popular and well known in Torchwood circles as the creepy caretaker Bilis Manger, a name that strikes fear in many, because his character was never killed off, and so he might, just might appear anywhere in the Torchwood universe. 

In 2011 Murray played the Professor in a 15 minute short comedy/drama called The Grey Mile.  It was about a couple of ex master criminals who were confined to a care home.  It co-starred the late Paul Shane as Terry ‘the Taxman’ Tempest and Maggie Tulip as Miss Match.  The entire film was shot on location at Wolterton Hall in Norfolk.   

Much of the information on Murray can be found on Wikipedia, and trust me, there is an extensive list of credits to this talented Englishman.  One day I may have the chance of meeting him, and indeed to see the statue outside of the Theatre Royal in Stratford East.

Information source –  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Melvin