Jeremy Nicholas (writer)
Jeremy Nicholas (born 20 September 1947) is an English actor, writer, broadcaster, lyricist and musician. He was born in Wellington, Shropshire, raised in Stafford and educated at Wycliffe College (1957–65) and Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art (1966–69).[1] He is president of the Jerome K. Jerome society and music director of the Deanery Church of St Mary the Virgin in Braintree, Essex.[2][3] He is an authority on the piano, pianists and Leopold Godowsky in particular.[4]
Actor
Nicholas began his career with the Prospect Theatre Company (1969–70) and the Citizens Theatre (1970–72). He performed his own solo adaptation of Three Men in a Boat at the Edinburgh Festival (1980) and May Fair Theatre (1981-82), which won him a nomination for an Olivier Award as Most Promising Newcomer. Nicholas has also performed on television in roles such as Inigo Jollifant in The Good Companions,[5] Mr Winkle in The Pickwick Papers,[5] John Maddingham in Crossroads,[5] Lewis Lake in Wish Me Luck,[5] as well as voicing Lionel in all 39 episodes of Budgie the Little Helicopter. He has also composed the music for several stage and television plays, among them Quartermaine's Terms and A Month in the Country for BBC Television.
Radio
Nicholas has written and presented over sixty radio features for BBC Radio. In 1996 he won a Sony Gold Award for England's Green and Pleasant Land.[6] He has read and / or adapted more than twenty books for radio and spoken word recordings. From 1977 to 1991 he wrote the lyrics and music for nearly 150 songs for BBC Radio 4' Stop the Week chaired by Robert Robinson. He played Dr. Watson to Peter Egan's Sherlock Holmes in Second Holmes (Radio 4 series). In 2000 he dramatised and appeared in The Fast Gentleman by Keble Howard, also for Radio 4.
Writer
Nicholas is currently a regular contributor as critic and feature writer to Gramophone and International Piano, having previously written for Classic FM Magazine, Classic CD, BBC Music Magazine, Piano and International Record Review. He is the author of four reference books on classical music and the biographer of Leopold Godowsky and Frédéric Chopin.[7]
Television
- The Good Companions (1980–1981), Inigo Jollifant[5]
- The Pickwick Papers (1985), Mr. Winkle[5][8]
- Wish Me Luck (1990), Lewis Lake aka Antoine[5]
- Outside Edge (1994), Bob Willis[5]
- The Duchess of Duke Street (1977), Nick Somers[5]
- When The Boat Comes In (1981), Frank Truett[5]
- Birds of a Feather (1990), Gerald[5][6]
- Heartbeat (1999), Prof Talbot Booth[5][6]
- The Upper Hand (1990), Simon Bellamy[5][6]
- Crossroads (1988), John Maddingham[5][6]
- Budgie the Little Helicopter (1994– 1996), Lionel (voice)
Bibliography
- Raspberries and Other Trifles – Tales for Discerning Delinquents (1984) ISBN 0-09-156780-7
- A Beginner's Guide to Opera (1993) ISBN 0-517-10324-9
- Funny You Should Sing That – The Songs of Jeremy Nicholas (1993) ISBN 0-85360-157-7
- Victorian Curiosities, editor (1995) ISBN 0-316-87587-2
- The Classic FM Guide to Classical Music (1996) ISBN 1-85793-760-0
- The Classic FM Good Music Guide (1999) ISBN 0-340-75042-1
- Chopin – His Life and Music (2006) ISBN 1-84379-115-3
- The Great Composers (2007) ISBN 1-84724-182-4
- Idle Thoughts on Jerome K Jerome, editor (2009) ISBN 978-0-9562212-0-9
- Godowsky – The Pianists' Pianist, 2nd ed. (2014) ISBN 978-1-84955-128-1
Recordings
- Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf. Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor Ondrej Lenárd, narrator Jeremy Nicholas. (Naxos Records 8.550499)
- Camille Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals. David Nettle & Richard Markham, pianos (with ensemble). Verses written and narrated by Jeremy Nicholas. (Netmark NEMACD600)
- Francis Poulenc: Babar the Elephant. David Nettle & Richard Markham, pianos, Text by Jean de Brunhoff, narrator Jeremy Nicholas. (Netmark NEMACD600)
- Toccata Giubiloso. Kevin Bowyer, organ. (NPC007, Alto ALC1187, Forum 8103)
- Quiet Peace No.1 (arr. 2 pianos) David Nettle & Richard Markham, pianos (MCD 65, Carlton Classics 30366 01052, NEMACD200)
- Place Settings (words & music, Jeremy Nicholas) Sarah Walker & Roger Vignoles (Hyperion CDA66289, Helios CDH55422)
- Musical Chairs (alternative version of Place Settings) (words & music, Jeremy Nicholas) Jody Karin Applebaum & Marc-André Hamelin (Albany TROY744)
- Usherette's Blues (words & music, Jeremy Nicholas) Sarah Walker & Roger Vignoles (Hyperion CDA66289, Helios CDH55422) Jody Karin Applebaum & Marc-André Hamelin (Albany TROY744) Nicy Roberts & Paul Roberts (TTB CD02)
- Pretty Plain (words & music, Jeremy Nicholas) Jody Karin Applebaum & Marc-André Hamelin (Albany TROY744)
- Maternity (words & music, Jeremy Nicholas) Jody Karin Applebaum & Marc-André Hamelin (Albany TROY744)
- Valentine Card (words & music, Jeremy Nicholas) Stewart Collins & Andy Read (FEST CD231)[9]
- Blaythorne Suite (arr. Farr), Grimethorpe Colliery Band, conductor Ray Farr (PRL 004)
External links
- Official website
- Jeremy Nicholas at the Internet Movie Database
- Jeremy Nicholas in BBC Radio (Genome)
References
- ↑ Homepage JN
- ↑ Jerome K. Jerome Society
- ↑ Deanery Church of St Mary the Virgin
- ↑ International Piano magazine (rhinegold.co.uk)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Who's Who on Television, Boxtree (2000), page 218
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Hyperion
- ↑ Author Books Database
- ↑ The Tablet, Volume 239. Tablet Publishing Company. 1985. p. 68.
- ↑ "Home | Jeremy Nicholas. Founded 1947". Jeremynicholas.com. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
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