An Evening With Jimmi Harkishin

(Reposted from the Bluenose Corrie Blog with permission)

It was a rainly night in Halifax, Nova Scotia but at the Westin Hotel Commonwealth Room, there was a bum on every single seat in the house. Jimmi Harkishin aka Dev Alahan on Coronation Street was in town and they were all there to see him. I was unable to be there but I sent my lieutenant Denise to report back about the night and provide a few photos. With her help, here's how the evening went:

Jimmi had arrived on Sunday and did some touring around our fair city.  He visited a few museums, traveled across the harbour to Dartmouth on the ferry for dinner at the Wooden Monkey.  Recognized by the ferry Captain, Jimmi was permitted to "steer" and was given the honorary post of "Ship's Captain".  He was also inducted into the "Order of Good Cheer".  Sounds like a lot of fun and Jimmi certainly said how much he enjoyed his time here and hanging out with us Canadians.

On Tuesday night, the Commonwealth room at the Westin looked great decorated with various street terrace houses, store fronts and the Rovers itself.  A large screen was set up to play various scenes featuring the star; Jimmi Harkishin who plays street romeo Dev Alahan!  Let's see, Dev has romanced:  Amy, Geena, Dierdre, Sunita, Natalie, Tracey and Mad Maya.

Dawn Sloane performed the moderator duties and even produced a short movie and skit that was played out later with audience participation. Tom and Amy from CBC opened the show once again and introduced a pop quiz.

Then Jimmi arrived onstage in formal attire, handsome in a dark suit complete with tie and waistcoat.  Given the intensity of the lights, and how nervous he was,  after the break, that outfit was ditched for a plaid shirt and jeans.

The first half of the show was an informal chat between Dawn and Jimmi. There was some reminiscing about "Dev's" time on Coronation street.  Since 1999 when Dev first appeared, all his woman have been, and I quote Jimmi, "Every woman I meet is a homicidal maniac"!

He was born in Versailles, outside of Paris and he is a middle child with an older and younger brother.  One is a social worker and one is a systems analyst.  Jimmi always wanted to be an actor, however, his parents wanted him to get a "real" job, like a doctor or shop keeper.  After 7 years on Corrie, his Dad saw him in a scene in the corner shop and commented he always knew Jimmi would end up in a corner shop! After graduation Jimmi, spent 5 years in theatre and plays the clarinette and saxophone but we were not treated to any solos tonight.

His comments related to Corrie:
 - What do you think of Peter and Tina?  He thinks it should be Peter and Dev!
 - Will Dev find love or remarry ? -  Jimmi sings "all by myself" with some cheek.  Maybe Dev and Mary ?
 - His favorite love?  Ken of course, with a nice imitation of Deidre's voice.
- Dev is a bruised romantic in Jimmi's estimation and is unlikely to feel "rosy" happy, because it's a soap.

A short video entitled "Short Snappers" was played where Jimmi had to select his preference. 

• Bistro or Rovers?  Well Rovers. 
• Most conniving? Todd 
• Baddest Boy? Rob
• Rekindled romance? Deirdre 
• Most likely to cause trouble? Lloyd
• Who would you like to see come back?  Fred Elliot  I second that, I say I second that!
• What advice would you give Liz about Tony?  Don't do it! (I think we can all agree on that!)

After the break it was time for a raffle. The Downeast Streeters traditionally offers a raffle for breakfast for two with the star, providing the star agrees. They always have done. This year's winner was our own fearless volunteer Darlene who won breakfast with our star.  Congratulations Darlene!! Darlene has volunteered at all the events and has contributed to many pings over the years as well.

Second Half of the show after the raffle included questions from the audience.  Jimmi was very engaging speaking to the question authors and many times roamed among the audience.  He even sang happy birthday and performed a wonderful on stage script written by Dawn.  A lucky lady from the audience was selected to be the "lady in the bar". Jimmi walks in and decides she is the one he must "have".  Funny stuff and all enjoyed.

A brief sample of audience questions:

• Jimmi's Favorite stories - The gentle ones like the "gym one".
• Who do you want your next love interest to be? - Michelle Keegan (Tina, but he was kidding), really...Sally or Leanne.
• Which Corrie actor is least like a character - Dev is nothing like Norris!
• Is it real alcohol at the Rovers ? - Nope, Dev's scotch is apple juice.
• Family? - Jimmi has 4 children ranging in age from 27 to 17.

Jimmi and the Downeast Streeter committee

Before we knew it our time was up.  Standing ovation and thunderous applause :)

Jimmi graciously signed autographs and engaged everyone with a big smile for photos.

Thanks to the Downeast Streeters and Jimmi Harkishin for a great event.

And thank you Denise for your great report! Another success for the Downeast Streeters and another treat for Halifax Corrie fans. Jimmi will be in Toronto this weekend for the British Isles Show.

 The "Walk of Fame"

 The merchandise table

MC Dawn and committee member, Jackie

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Jimmi Harkishin will be meeting Canadian Fans this week

Jimmi Harkishin has arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada and is looking forward to meeting Corrie fans at the Downeast Streeters' show at the Halifax Westin hotel tonight. 

Jimmi has been playing Dev Alahan on the show for over 15 years now and spoke with the Chronicle Herald about Being Dev Alahan.

Jimmi describes Dev as a "bruised romantic" and he enjoys playing his character. “It’s fun to play. I don’t buy into cheap notions of machismo and our hero.”

As do most of the actors, Jimmi feels it's a real privilege to be on Coronation Street. He also remembers that infamous scene where Dev and Deirdre Barlow ended up under the sheets together, a total suprise but one that was a delight to film.

“People loved that storyline. She’s brilliant, highly professional, word-perfect; there’s an ease in her. She’s effortless and knows her character inside and out, and doesn’t go through hoops the way I do sometimes. When it became so popular, it was nothing to do with me and all about her in the best possible way.”

Jimmi was born in Paris and currently lives in London, commuting to Manchester. He loves movies and is doing more cooking these days, especially Italian and Indian dishes. It seems Jimmi is planning a four month break from the show in early 2015 to do some traveling with his daughter who will soon be heading to university so expect Dev to be off screen into the late spring.

There may still be some tickets left for tonight's event. Tickets are $33 plus fees through Ticket Atlantic and the event is at the Halifax Westin Hotel in the Commonwealth Room at 7:00. He will be in Toronto at the British Isles Show over the weekend.

Later this week we'll be back to tell you all about the evening from one of the guests attending the show tonight, with a few of her photos. 


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Canadians can meet Jimmi Harkishin (Dev Alahan) in April

This just in from Canadian Coronation Street fan group "The Downeast Streeters".

The Downeast Streeters proudly present An Evening with Jimmi Harkishin, Coronation Street’s Dev Alahan

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 at 7pm
Doors open at 6:30pm
Venue: Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, Halifax, NS

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 5th at 11am at all Ticket Atlantic outlets and online at www.ticketatlantic.com $29.50 plus service fees

Click here for a list of all Ticket Atlantic outlets:
http://www.ticketatlantic.com/en/home/customerservice/superstoreoutlets.aspx


This means that Jimmi will be the guest at the British Isles Show  in Toronto (Mississauga) from April 11 - 13.


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An Evening with Marc Baylis

Marc Baylis wowed Coronation Street fans in Halifax at the Westin Hotel last night in a production from the Downeast Streeters Non Profit Society. As always, a top show!

Watch a video clip of the night here and read our exclusive interview with Marc here.

Marc might have been a bit nervous before stepping out on to the stage but he soon relaxed and spent the better part of two hours answering questions prepared by host Dawn Sloane and submitted by fans in the audience. He joked, laughed, charmed and kept the audience of nearly 300 enthralled. In the end, he thanked the fans for their hospitality and support which made his job easier.

He is a very personable man, well spoken, professional, funny, genuine and humble, with none of Rob Donovan's brashness and cockiness. He's also very good looking with a big, wide smile. He chatted about his pre-Corrie days in drama school and work in films and in theatre but the focus was on Coronation Street and his experiences there.

He likes to tell the story of how he'd promised his Nan that he'd do his best to get a part on Coronation Street as it was what she'd love to see him in and he also mentioned that he glibly told his girlfriend on New Year's Day that he would be in Corrie that year. That was the year he made it to the cobbles!

He is thrilled to be working with Alison King, Chris Gascoyne and Kate Ford and all four of them are good friends. He's also great mates with Lisa George (Beth) and meeting and working with David Neilson is another of his dreams come true. There was a lot of joking about him playing Stanley Kowalski (A Streetcar named Desire) some day and using the tag line "STELLAAAAA" in the show. Marc says he just might do that on set, between takes at least.

Marc also said some of his favourite work to date was the storyline over the stolen Silk, when Carla busted him and a lot of their past history was thrown in their faces. He and Ali were really excited to play that and he thinks that if that storyline hadn't happened, Rob might not have developed much further. He is sure there will be more layers to Rob and Carla's relationship yet to be discovered.

I really enjoyed the evening and got to meet Marc up close and personal, both in the autograph signing line and later, with the Downeast Streeters organising committee when we all hung out together, post-show. Full disclosure: I used to be a committee member and still maintain their website and participate in the pings (fan get togethers) regularly. I also have volunteered for every event they've ever put on even when I wasn't on the committee. I have to say all the events were great but this was one of the most enjoyable guests yet.

There are so many more things to tell about, and it's best left up to you to read a full report here.

A full photo album is here.

Marc and host Dawn Sloane

Me and Marc

"STEELLLAAAAAA!!!!"

Watch a video clip of the night here and read our exclusive interview with Marc here.

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Coronation Street Blog EXCLUSIVE: Marc Baylis interview

Cross posted from our sister Canadian Bluenose Coronation Street Blog, with permission, and written by our blogger Diane (tvor) in Canada.

Watch a video clip of Marc at the event here and read the full write up of Marc's visit here.

Tonight in Halifax, Canada the Downeast Streeters are welcoming actor Marc Baylis for An Evening With...

Marc plays Carla Connor's brother Rob Donovan who's been creating havoc on the cobbles pretty much since his arrival. He's currently keeping company with Tracy Barlow and running a business with her. He and Carla are on the outs but that will probably change.

I was able to interview Marc via the chair of the Downeast Streeters Non-Profit Society (Thanks, Connie!) and I must say, it makes me look forward even more to seeing him tonight and hearing all he has to say. With no further ado, here's the interview:

Hi Marc, I am a contributing editor for the very popular Coronation Street Blog and its sister blog, the Bluenose Corrie Blog. I live here in Canada.  The fans in Halifax are very excited to see you when you are here in November. I understand you have some family here? Presumably you've visited before. What do you think of Canada and in particular, Canadian winters?

I've only been over in the summer before whilst seeing my family and absolutely fell in love with the country. The main thing I found was how friendly everyone is. I've not braved a winter as yet but believe me... I've brought my thermals!

Do you read the Coronation Street Blog and social media fan sites?

I have read the Coronation Street Blog and especially when I was preparing to start filming on the street. With the show's rich and lengthy history it was impossible for me to know EVERYTHING so I used as many resources as possible for research. It came in very handy to say the least. With regards to social media, I tend to stay away as no matter how many positive comments you may have with regards to the performance there will always be some negatives. It's the nature of being in such a popular show. The negatives can unfortunately be the comments that can stick in actors' minds and therefore throw you off the job in hand. And if we don't concentrate on the job in hand then there will be less positive comments... Vicious circle. Ha ha!

I've enjoyed your portrayal of Rob Donovan and find the dynamic between Rob and his sister, Carla very interesting. There's a lot of history there and we've already seen some of the sibling rivalry, the hurt, the regret, the resentment and the underlying caring. Is the show going to pursue that some more?

Its great to hear that you find the dynamics interesting. Alison and I are having a lot of fun playing them and without a doubt there is still a lot more to be revealed and unravelled when it comes to their history. This will be discovered from particular circumstances that arise over the coming months where we get to see them being closer than since the 'Silk' situation.

Rob seems to be in much the same position as Tracy's ex, Charlie Stubbs, who also could recognise Tracy for who and what she is but who was also one to avoid committment and step-parenthood. Rob is much nicer than Charlie, of course, but if he doesn't want that committment, do you think he could fear for his own life as well?

I think that Rob's arrogance steers him away from being fearful of history repeating itself. Also, there is a lot of trust in the relationship stemming from them both feeling at times in their lives as outsiders, or, in prison term 'Insiders'. Forgive the pun! This has helped to create a  natural bond which enhances their love of fun and danger in life which can be troublesome for the other residents of the street.

Changing the subject away from the show... when you were first finding your feet as an actor, was there someone who mentored you or inspired you?

I have been fortunate to have a few mentors at crucial stages through my life who I can't thank enough for their investment in my aspirations. I think that no matter who we are, or where we come from, we all need support and encouragement. There are a lot of fine actors out there that inspire me. The dream I guess is to work with them.

Actors find it difficult to get that first break. What was yours and do you have any advice for people trying to get into the business?

One reason that we find it so difficult to find that first break is that there are so many actors and so few opportunities. From a personal perspective I have always looked on every job as an achievement and a break. From a viewer's or public point of view then Coronation Street is without a doubt my  first break. However, without any of my previous work I may not have even landed the role of Rob. Thankfully... I did. So I guess my advice for any budding actors would be that if you work hard and be professional then more opportunities will come your way and then it's up to you to take them. Oh.. Also, please, have a sense of humour!

Thanks very much for taking the time to answer my questions! I'll be posting the interview on both the Coronation Street Blog and the Canadian timeline sister site, the Bluenose Corrie Blog, most likely the day of your appearance here in Halifax! I will be there and look forward to meeting you in person! 

Watch a video clip of Marc at the event here and read the full write up of Marc's visit here. 

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When Steven Arnold met 700 Canadian Corrie fans

Steven Arnold, better known as Corrie's Ashley Peacock, was in Canada recently where he was guest of honour at a meeting of Coronation Street fanclub, the Downeast Streeters.

You can read all about Steven's visit from one of the fans who met him, Diane Johston. Diane's write up and fantastic pictures are on her website right here.