So you think I'm Scottish

[emraldeyedauter]

I just watched this documentary on David finding out more about his heritage. 


I found it very interesting, not only because of David but the history that is revealed as he finds out more and more about his ancestors.  I've heard of things like Bloody Sunday of course and the violence and bitter fueds of Northern Ireland but it's not something that I remember learning about in history at school.  Perhaps because I'm Australian I guess.  David gets quite emotional at times as he deals with the views of some of his ancestors.  Bears himself proudly, trying to keep an open mind.  And yes makes us love him just that bit more :)

Many of you have probably seen this but honestly if you haven't seen the documentary, you can watch it on youtube.  I believe it was part of a series involving other British celebrities.  I think I'd like to go find the rest of them.  The youtube link takes you to part one but you can easily find the other five.

Comments

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

I always thought the skull pic had something to do with Hamlet so it's interesting to see what it's really from. It was good.

Did you see the special with John Barrowman?

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

Ooh no. I'll have to investigate. Lol oh yes that skull. I expected him to start speaking lines from Hamlet and then David's like oooh maybe I shouldn't be touching this lol.

[helygen.livejournal.com]

The 'Hamlet' connection is that Greg Doran saw the programme and rang David afterwards to say "I saw your audition for Hamlet" - that's how David ended up doing the play (and LLL) for the RSC in 2008 :)

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

really??? that's amazing!

I love David's Hamlet. I bought the DVD and thought it was really, really wonderful. I'm a connoisseur of Shakespeare, I've seen a lot, lot, lot of Hamlets (plus my husband, who is an actor, was on the couch next to me reciting along with practically every line!) and I think David's is truly one of the best, if not THE best I've seen.

Plus, of course, Patrick Steward totally rocked Claudius. He was amazing. :D

[helygen.livejournal.com]

I've seen a lot of Hamlets, too, and David's is - beyond doubt - the best ever. The DVD production is fabulous, but even that couldn't fully capture the mesmerising quality of his performance on stage.

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

I never thought I'd sit through a 3 and half hour film of Hamlet. I'd like to say I was proven wrong. It was an amazing production and I hope David does more Shakespeare that can be filmed because it will not only be great for us but for children of this generation to have someone they can identify with in the main roles. I think I would have loved Shakespeare a whole lot more as a teenager if I'd been able to watch the likes of David Tennant.

[helygen.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. I've loved Shakespeare since being introduced to his work in high school, but seeing the plays (and sonnets!) brought alive so brilliantly by someone like David, who really inhabits the characters and the language, is something to treasure. The RSC do film most productions, I believe - they're kept in the archives, if I'm not mistaken - but I wish that all such productions were more widely available.

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

Lol that is so cool.

[glory_jean]

Yeah, There was UK and US version of Who Do You Are? I believe the US version is still available online on the NBC website (in NA only no doubt :( ) but I have no idea about the UK version.

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

I'll see if can find them on youtube or maybe on a torrent site.

[glory_jean]

*Think. ;)

They are out there somewhere, no doubt.

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

Lol i'm in no real hurry. I'll put it on my list of things to do.

Hey do you know that in two days time it will be one year since you started the petition. People are still signing it. 13519 signatures.

Was thinking could you please update the blog and post about the download at digital theatre and give a link just in case some don't know about it. And ask people to pass on the info. Hopefully that might inspire the company to release that dvd eventually.

[glory_jean]

Oh, I've been meaning to that. That Big Bang was eating my brain.

All done now!

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

Great thanks Glory!

[helygen.livejournal.com]

"Who Do You Think You Are?" is one of my favourite programmes, and David's episode is (of course) my favourite of the lot ;)

You can find out more about the series, and supporting magazines, books, etc, here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t575
http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

thanks for those links helygen. I'll go check them out.

[helygen.livejournal.com]

You're welcome :)

Cute icon, btw ;)

Re icon

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

Credit for the icon must go to humansrsuperior for the original artwork and amberfocus for making the icon. It's one of my favourites.

Re: Re icon

[helygen.livejournal.com]

It's adorable. Both humansrsuperior and amberfocus are geniuses, imho

[develish1]

I'm sure I have a copy of this somewhere as hubby recorded it for me when it was last on TV, think I'll try and find it tomorrow for a rewatch

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

I just realised that this is where the picture of David with the football scarf is from. I thougt it was a Man u scarf but I think its actually Derry City because he went there during his search.

I could definitely watch this again. So moving and David's behaviour was inspiring and showed him to be beautiful inside as he is outside.

[fannishliss.livejournal.com]

That was an amazing documentary. It really brings the conflict in Northern Ireland down to a personal level for David, who was brought up Protestant in Glasgow, and then to hear how his Protestant relatives in Derry behaved along Sectarian lines.... really an amazing story. I'm grateful for the link and feel like a learned a huge amount from watching the documentary and delving into the lifestories of these folks who happened to be related to David. I'm grateful to him for sharing such a complicated story.

PS, In the US, I was able to watch the whole thing on youtube from Em's link. Thanks Em!!

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome Liss!

[chloris.livejournal.com]

I saw this a few years ago and it is a great episode. It makes me wonder just what might be hidden in my own genealogy. I know a couple of generations back but before that no clue!

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

yes it is quite inspiring. One day in the future I might. I don't know much past my grandparents really.

[susanb03.livejournal.com]

This is part of a series called WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?. I've seen this quite a bit ago. Fantastic show and wish I could get a copy.

Did laugh at the 'Hamlet audition' story when I read that article from Greg Doran when they were doing Hamlet

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

I managed to watch the whole of Davids episode on you tube but I'm checking up on the rest. The Hamlet story was so funny but I'm so pleased they chose him.

[julesndairyland.livejournal.com]

I just watched this in the last couple of weeks and I too found it fascinating. And a bit voyeuristic as David learns some details of his family history that he wasn't quite expecting.

It has actually motivated me to do some digging into my family tree, as I can really only talk about my own grandparents (on my mom's side) before things get murky. Also I believe I am Scottish (as well as Bohemian) and I'd like to find out more about that.

[emraldeyedauter.livejournal.com]

oooh sounds exciting Jules. I don't know much about my family either. Once I get past my grandparents and great grandparents its pretty sketchy.

David got a few little shocks about his past didn't he but he handled it so beautifully. Such a wonderfully decent human being.