Altrincham trip day 3: Lord Tod Wadley

The reason for our visit to the UK, to see the premier of my brother's short film No Ordinary Joe, based on the extraordinary life of Joe Carstairs  -  a speedboat champion, cross-dressing lesbian, heiress to an oil fortune, and the 'Queen of Whale Cay'. She loved many but could only commit to one - her puppet Lord Tod Wadley! Barry, my brother, managed to pack all these nuances into a 15 minute film  - with live action (Lindsey Duncan) and stop motion (Lord Tod, above). I am in awe of his mind and vision! The evening went down brilliantly and I think he even managed to enjoy himself- amazing as the film was only finished on Wednesday!  If you look at the extra, that's Barry on the left followed by Glenn his producer, Ben Keating (voice of Toddie, and one time Father Austin Purcell in Father Ted), Nigel Hesse, composer and Barbara Biddulph set designer and maker of Toddie. About 150 people turned up and what an interesting gang - pale and intense animators, flamboyant actors and rather stunned family from Ireland! Well done that man!