Review: Jamie Baldwin's new Manchester pub

Manchester is an amazing city, it lacks the pretention and anonymity of the capital, and there is a down to earth quality to the people and the places where we eat, drink and find our entertainment. I moved to Manchester in 2000, and I am proud to call it home. 

One new gastro pub/restaurant which marries the arts, with somewhere special to eat or drink is The Rivals, which is owned by Rupert Hill, who played Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street.

How often have you attended a theatre restaurant or bar and heard the bell go for the play you about to see? You're there, ticket in hand and the staff seem surprised at the volume of people they have? And yet, this must happen every day at this time? 

This is where The Rivals excels, as the staff are intuiative, they ask you questions and the first one is "are you seeing the show?" Why? The Rivals shares its space with the iconic Royal Exchange Theatre. 

I dined here with three friends, and the food was exquisite. If you are veggie or vegan, you are catered for and I mean beyond a quiche, or a salad. If you have a food allergy, you can dine here. And if you love meat, fish and chicken, you can eat here. Perfect, as no-one feels left out. 

I had the sea bream and it was beautiful, one friend had duck and said it fell off the bone and everyone said they had an amazing meal. The staff are attentive, even when it's dead busy. You never feel like you are being rushed. But if you are seeing the show, your bill comes over at the speed of light, to allow you to enter the main space, opposite. 

If you don't fancy dining but you want a quick drink, sorted! You can drop in for a pint. if you want cake and coffee, you leave satisfied too. And if you hate theatre, or simply want to go The Rivals and make that your destination for the evening, you can do. It is sound proofed, so you do not have to whisper when a show is on. 

Where is the Corrie connection? Julie Hesmondalgh is a regular performer at the Royal Exchange and she returns in the New Year, and currently former Coronation Street star Ray Fearon is treading the boards in the brilliant Guys and Dolls. If you live in Manchester, see this show, it is fantastic! 

Also, Rupert Hill (he used to play Jamie Baldwin) runs The Rivals with his brilliant business partner, Goska Langrish. These two are grafters, so you will see them showing people to tables, and serving you behind the bar, as opposed to pretending to dust the surfaces, and as a result the staff here are bloody brilliant, they care about your experience. 

The Rivals has established itself in the city mighty quick. And like Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr's Annie's, which is round the corner, this is not a celeb playing at running a place with intimidating menus, this is good grub, and it happens to be run by someone who had a day job on the street. 

If you're in Manchester, drop by - you'll be sure to get a warm welcome!

by Glenn Meads

Guest blog post by by Glenn Meads who is on Twitter and LinkedIn
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Corrie's Jamie Baldwin opens restaurant in Manchester Royal Exchange

Rupert Hil, who played Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street, is opening a new restaurant and bar in Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre.

The restaurant, called The Rivals will open at the venue in September.

Rupert starred as Jamie Baldwin on the soap between 2004 and 2008.

Since leaving Corrie he has since carved out a successful stage and screen career and said it was a dream come true to get his hands on the space.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “Every time I’ve come here to watch plays I’ve always just thought ‘I really want to get hold of this place because I think it could be amazing’. “The building is so stunning, the quality of shows is so great, it really is one of the best theatres in the country and we really want to come up with something that reflects the quality of the theatre and the beauty of the building with what we do.”

Rupert also co-owns The Castle Hotel and Gullivers in the Northern Quarter and the Eagle Inn in Salford.

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Coronation Street Blog Interview: Rupert Hill

 

Rupert Hill played popular Coronation Street character Jamie Baldwin between 2004 and 2008, briefly returning in 2011. Rupert was involved in many memorable storylines during his time in the Street, working with the likes of Bradley Walsh, Jane Danson and the legendary Johnny Briggs. Rupert very kindly agreed to answer my questions on his time in Coronation Street as well as finding out more about other aspects of his career and what he has been up to since he left Corrie.

First of all, I'd like to ask why and how you became an actor in the first place?

I was in a play at school when I was three years old. I was playing an innkeeper and after the show had finished I told my mum "I want to do this", apparently. I knew I wanted to be an actor very early on!

What was it like to join the cast of Coronation Street back in 2004?

Very exciting and very daunting. I'd already had a stint in channel 5's Family Affairs prior to joining, so I'd had a small taste of what a little fame can be like but nothing prepared me for being on The Street! Fortunately the cast and crew and all the producers etc made me feel very welcome and I had a blast throughout my four years there. 

 

Bradley Walsh made quite an impact as Danny Baldwin. Was he fun to be around on the set?

He is a VERY funny man. It's in his bones. He was also a great friend and he looked after me. I loved acting with him actually, when the scenes got quite feisty, we'd both really go for it. It was exciting.

You worked a lot with Jane Danson who plays Leanne. What was she like to work with?

She is a delight and very talented. I'm pleased to still call her a friend to this day. I was very lucky to have so many storylines with her.

You worked closely with Johnny Briggs during his exit storyline in 2006. What was it like to be part of that particular story and work with Johnny?

It was very moving. Both my grandparents suffered with dementia before they died so it held particular resonance with me. Jonny was a legend and I loved working with him. The day he left he gave me his "warm coat" which is what actors wear when they're filming outside in the cold. I was very touched. 

 

You went back to Coronation Street briefly in 2011. Would you ever consider another return?

Absolutely. I left when I did because I'd spent the best part of a decade appearing in two different soaps and I really missed the theatre. I also felt like I wanted to have a crack at film acting too. I've done a fair bit of both now and feel stronger as an actor because of it. It would be nice to revisit Jamie one day with a new approach.

I understand you're also a bit of a musician – can you tell me more about that?

I have been in many bands and my proudest achievement was with Biederbeck (Spotify, iTunes). We were a seven piece that were very nearly signed but the music industry is more tricky than the acting one! We made two records that I'm very proud of. I sang and played guitar. More recently I have scored music along with some friends on my directorial debut feature film Leatherbird. I adored writing music for film and hope to do some more in the future.

 

From 2014 you toured with the play of The Full Monty – I bet that was quite an experience. What was that like?

It was a blast. We had so much fun and every show was pretty much sold out. I'll never forget the sound of approximately a thousand women screaming at us. It was terrifying and sometimes deafening. All the cast really got on well and I'll remember the job with very fond memories. I did miss my family though so I was glad to return home in the end and get back to reality again.

I've read you have also gone into the pub trade since you left Coronation Street – how did that come about?

I probably picked the worst time ever to leave a job like Corrie. After we left, my wife and I went to Mexico for a well deserved break. When we returned it was all across the news that we were in a recession! The auditions started to dry up a bit and it became clear my career trajectory might slow down for a while. Funding for projects was being pulled from everywhere it seemed. I was quickly becoming skint (but also I was still very recognisable from Corrie, and people assume you're a millionaire! Far from it). I knew I had to do something, so when my guitarist (biederbeck) Jonny asked if I wanted to take over The Castle Hotel with him, I thought, I need another source of income. Let's give it a go. Fortunately it turned out well and we now have 5 premises. It's another labour of love for me and I'm so proud that we've rejuvenated some oldschool pubs and made them popular once more.

Can you tell me more about your involvement with the Manchester Independent Collective?

This is my production company. I am very interested in becoming a filmmaker myself and I pooled together a crew of likeminded people who all work professionally in the industry. To date we have made three short films, a music video and a "super-low" budget feature "Leatherbird". We are currently sourcing funding for a new feature film project.

If you had to choose a favourite medium to work in, would it be theatre, television or film and why?

There's a ying and yang effect to this work for me. It's like being in a band, it's great recording songs in a studio and taking your time making it as perfect as possible which is what TV and film is like, but then you start getting antsy and need to get out there and play live so you can feel the energy of an audience in a live setting, which is obviously what theatre is like. The truth is they are all different mediums and they all have their pros and cons. There is something particularly magical about theatre though, when it's going well it's euphoric and what makes it more special, is the knowledge that most other people will never experience that feeling. That makes it extremely poignant for me.

What's next for you?

Last year I shot a teaser for a Italian gangster film called "Il Bracciante" (The Harvester) in southern Italy. It was such good fun and I got to realise a schoolboy dream of mine, to one day play an Italian-American gangster like the ones seen in Scorsese films! The producers have now secured funding for the feature, which we will hopefully be shooting this summer. Very excited about that.

I'd like to thank Rupert for taking the time to answer my questions. I hope we see him back in Coronation Street one day soon. 

You can find out more about Manchester Independent Collective here 
And you can follow Rupert on Twitter @RupertHill 

If you are so inclined, you can also follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82

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Brian Capron in new sitcom Staff Room

Corrie fans seeking a Brian Capron fix will be delighted to hear he stars in a brand new online sitcom, Staff Room, which is available to view here, as well as on the Comedy Central website and Wildseed Comedy channel, from today.

Comprised of five episodes of between 8 and 10 minutes long, the sitcom revolves around the teaching staff of a Northern Secondary School, and in particular best friends Ian (Ryan McDermott) and Julian (Adam Brown) who spend a considerable amount of time getting into scrapes and failing to dodge their arch-nemesis Principal Kipling (Brian Capron) despite their best efforts and those of Ian’s love interest, the delightful Lucy Lucas (Zoe Lister).

The series is written and produced by Ryan and Adam, both from Manchester, and best friends in real life. Ryan, who also directs the series, and is a winner of the BBC 3 Funny Hunt award, and Adam, who DJs on Capital FM, are clearly a talented pair, and the series is a credit to both who also offer brilliant comic performances throughout.

Brian shines as panto villain Principal Kipling, a superficial, arrogant, self-perceived master manipulator whose vendetta against both Ian and Julian, and attempts to exert control over any situation possible, make for hilarious viewing. There are glimmers of Richard Hillman’s menace, but its exaggeration in a comedy context is a great source of humour.

The strong supporting cast includes Rupert Hill, who Corrie fans will recall played the part of Jamie Baldwin; Tina Malone and Rebecca Atkinson (Shameless); Alice Barlow (Benidorm); Archie Kelly (Phoenix Nights); and a cameo from Pat Sharp as himself.

One might envisage that the short format could be something of a challenge for any programme maker, but this has certainly not posed any problems for Ryan and Adam who have managed to pack an impressive amount of content into each episode, and have succeeded in appropriating all the great features of a modern sitcom, including a grounded thread of continuity across the entire series. Indeed, the depth of character is such that I found it quite remarkable how well I felt I knew each of them after just a few minutes. Ryan and Adam have embraced the episode lengths by ensuring they are suitably fast paced and snappy, and this, combined with great performances, and a sharp script which offers genuine laugh out loud moments, makes this very enjoyable viewing and is a promising indicator of the quality to be found in fresh, new comedy.

(You can read my full review of Staff Room here) 

By Emma Hynes

Twitter: @ELHynes

www.emmahynes.wordpress.com

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Wanted: Extras for film with ex-Corrie stars

We've been contacted by a friend of a friend who is producing a film with ex-Corrie stars Grahame Hawley and Rupert Hill (John Stape and Jamie Baldwin).  Details of the film are here - it's called Leatherbird.

The producer needs voluntary extras for a bar scene next week. It's in the Northern Quarter area of Manchester.  It's for Monday 26th May (the bank holiday) and they are shooting a couple of scenes of Rupert performing upstairs at Gullivers bar in the Northern Quarter and we need to get some extras to be in the crowd. Graeme Hawley is also in the scene.

It's likely to be 2-4 and they're looking for good, sensible people aged 18-45 who can follow simple instructions and behave themselves appropriately.

If you're interested, contact Leatherbird on facebook.

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Guess who's moved from the cobbles to the moors in Wuthering Heights?

Two of our favourite ex-Coronation Street actors are starring in the stage version of Wuthering Heights from next week.

Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin) and Gaynor Faye (Judy Mallett) are treading the boards as Kathy and Heathcliffe at the Hull Truck theatre company in, er, Hull from 7 October.

See them looking moody and buy your tickets here.

Ex-Corrie couple have a lickle baby

It's all over the web but I'm linking to it here. Ex-Coronation Street actors Jenny Platt (Violet Wilson) and Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin) are celebrating the birth of their baby daughter. The couple, welcomed baby Matilda - weighing 7lb 10oz - on Sunday. Congratulations to them both.

Have you read our exclusive Coronation Street blog interview with Rupert Hill?

It's here.

Blog Exclusive! We interview Rupert Hill

Following on from my earlier blog post about his starring role in the stage version of When Harry Met Sally, currently touring, Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin) was kind enough to chat to me on the telephone this afternoon. He is thoroughly enjoying doing the play, which is closely adapted from Norah Ephron's 80s screenplay, and describes it as really good fun with lots of laughs. He says the reaction of audiences has been great.

I wondered how he mastered the required New York accent, but he said he had little difficulty partly because he has always been a big Woody Allen fan.

Rupert has another project in the pipeline. His band, formerly known as Yellow Dog, are making their first album which will be coming out in July. Following that, there will be a tour. Rupert says the band have expanded with two new violin players, and are about to change their name, but it isn't yet decided what that will be. Rupert really enjoys doing a diverse range of work.

There was no word of him returning to the cobbles, worse luck. It looks like the demise of the Baldwin clan could be permanent. Nevertheless Rupert holds Corrie in high esteem and described his time there as "an education in acting for camera". One of his best memories of his four years there was working with Bradley Walsh, who played Danny Baldwin, with whom he had a great working relationship. A particularly emotional storyline for Rupert, was Mike Baldwin's dementia, as his grandfather suffered similarly.

Rupert wasn't a regular Corrie viewer pre-Jamie Baldwin, however his mum was a long-time fan, so from a young age he was aware of the regular characters on Coronation Street. He said it was a strange feeling walking on set for the first time, with all those familiar faces around him.
He thinks Corrie's backbone is its comedy, and the sense of continuity from old-timers like Rita and Norris. He remembered Maggie Jones with great affection, but sadly could not help me out with my query about who delivered the line: "Oh, here's Oedipus". He reckons it sounds like a Blanche line, but could not confirm. Drat!

Well, a massive thank you to Rupert for sparing the time to talk, and for bearing with me - I've never interviewed anyone before in me puff! He's appearing tonight and tomorrow night in the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, Guildford. Other tour dates are here.

Rupert Hill touring in When Harry Met Sally

Readers may well have already spotted Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin) as he tours theatres in the 80s comedy classic When Harry Met Sally. He stars in the play alongside former Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn. Norah Ephron's famous wisecracking screenplay has been adapted for the stage by Marcy Kahan, and the Cullum brothers have provided the music.
Not having seen it myself, I can't say for certain, but I'd bet a wine gum to a barm cake the stage adaptation includes the: "I'll have what she's having" restaurant scene. Best of luck to Rupert, with the tour - dates and ticket info. are here.

Rupert had the not inconsiderable privilege of being, if me raddled old brain cells are firing on all cylinders, and correct me if I'm wrong, last man standing Baldwin-wise. As well as great storylines with Mike, Violet and Sean, he also had an interesting one with screen step-mum Debra Stephenson. Does anyone remember who delivered the line: "Oh, it's Oedipus", in the Rovers? For the life of me, I can't. It's bugging me, so please help out if you can.
Anyone else like to see Rupert driving for Streetcars again? I know I would. Happy days!

Update on Rupert Hill and Charles Lawson

Two former Corrie star updates for you today. Charles Lawson, Big Jim McDonald, has signed up to do a play. It's called The Blue Hen and will be put on in a local theatre in Rutherglen, Scotland next spring. The young director really lucked out getting a well known name for his play. The character of John, that Charles will be playing, is one of a pair of men who are down on their luck, hard drinkers who come up with a scheme to make money by raising chickens. Meanwhile, we look forward to Charles' return to our screens later this summer for another limited run as Jim!

Rupert Hill, formerly Jamie Baldwin, is going to be in a play called Deceptions at the Richmond Theatre, a psychological drama between just two characters. The other is played by a former actor from EastEnders, Michelle Collins. Rupert recalls his days on Coronation Street as giving him a good grounding. He's been busy since he left, on stage and on telly.

See Rupert Hill's band in London

Rupert Hill, who played Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street, is in a band called Yellow Dog.

Catch them at The Boogaloo Club in Highgate, London on Sunday 10th May at 6pm. And listen to them online at their Myspace Site: http://www.myspace.com/theyellowdogband

Rupert Hill takes over classic Manchester pub

As Coronation Street's Jamie Baldwin he broke a few hearts, most notably his step-mother Frankie's in Corrie's bizarre family-lurve story. There's another one coming up too. Anyway, actor Rupert Hill left Corrie in 2007 and is now running a Manchester pub, says the MEN.

So, if you're in the area, why not pop into newly revamped Castle Hotel for a quick pint?