Feb 262013
Simon Le Bon as Matthew.
SPOILER ALERT: If you are a fan of the smash Masterpiece Theater series Downton Abbey and have not yet seen the conclusion to Season 3, you would be wise to go no further…unless, that is, your desire to cast the rock musical being made based on Downtown Abbey, retitled Downtown Abbey. If you don’t care about having the season-ending episode spoiler or if you’re up to date on recent developments and know already, proceed to the next page, where your chance to cast this rock musical extravaganza follows!
Keith Moon — has to play Mr. Bates
http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/M/Keith-Moon-246075-2-402.jpg
Neko Case as ex-pat hot mom.
Is there a part for Leon Russell in this thing?
How about Morrissey for Carson? I’m thinking eyebrows and melancholy.
Maybe Leon Russell as the village doctor?
How about Ray Davies as PaPa? Maybe we can slide Friend of the Hall Martin Newell into a role also, even a female one (he played one of the lady booksellers of the Wivenhoe Bookstore in a video about the Arts in Wivenhoe)
I’m liking Ray in that role, and I can definitely see keeping Newell in the mix, even as a woman. I do have one male rocker in the lead – in my mind – to play one of the key female roles. I’m waiting to see if anyone suggests this match…
Joanna Newsom as the left-most sister there, I guess she is the youngest?
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m68sldfWC61qczpspo1_1340743949_cover.jpg
Adam Lambert as the sneaky gay manservant.
Scratch that — too obvious. I now suggest the ZStyle Council-era Paul Weller for the role of the sneaky gay manservant. This Look:
http://www.shakedownrecords.com/images/A/PLP_2135.jpg
How about Honey Badger as 2000 Man, who just doesn’t give a fuck!
Ian Gilliam from Deep Purple as PaPa
http://www.thehighwaystar.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ian-gillan-press-pic-04-500px.jpg
Elizabeth McGovern, lead singer of Sadie and the Hotheads as the Ex-pat Mom: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2155918/Downton-Abbeys-Elizabeth-McGovern-REAL-passion–gigging-pubs-barnstorming-band.html
Gilliam may be in the lead for this role!
I am hopeful that we can find a role for Weller. This is a good start!
Dear, departed Sybil…
Joe Walsh as Carson: http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/35104116/aview/SCAN0004_107.JPG
Amen. I refuse to disrespect the memory of my beloved Sybil by having her portrayed by that flavor of the month.
No, not Sybil, the one writing the newspaper column.
Oh, she’s now youngest by default. I’m pretty sure she was the middle sister, the Jan Brady of the bunch.
Do you guys really watch this show???
My wife watches it, sometimes I’m in the room, usually doing something else.
We’ve not missed an episode, it’s such a historical car crash that it’s quite unmissable. Coincidentally, our daughter is the absolute spit of Lady Edith, a quite uncanny resemblance.
I’d nominate Marianne Faithful as the Dowager, what about Leonard Cohen as Bates?
Indeed! How about you?
Faithful is a good one. She may give my nominee a run. I’m holding onto sharing my suggestion in hopes that someone else will hit on it and make this key casting call a 2-horse race.
I watch it but only if there is no sports on tv and I’m all done weight lifting.
Bingo!
I watched most of season one, bailed after an episode of season two, and [SPOILER ALERT!!!] saw about three total hours of season three (including the last hour where Simon — err Matthew — gets it in the end.
Jimmy Fallon’s got it about right as far I’m concerned.
http://youtu.be/zFEabHQWntg
Grace Slick?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GraceSlick2008.jpg
Randy Meisner?
http://www.rockhistorybook.com/Images/title_pic_large/eagles_randy_meisner.jpg
Van Morrison as Carson, as seen here:
http://cdn.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/multimedia/dynamic/00714/Van__The_Man__Morri_714606g2.jpg
I don’t know. I was sort of thinking Bryan Ferry for Thomas.
Ah, Stan, so nice to hear from you. I am currently in your fair country, and am having a hard time thinking of good entries to this contest because I’m surrounded by people who look like the characters. Just today, I had lunch with my Mum’s childhood friend who is the spitting image of Mrs. Crowley…
Scott Walker is Carson.
And how about Clare Grogan for Daisy?
A mini Carson, perhaps.
Good call on Clare Grogan!
You could probably cast all of Franz Ferdinand in this thing.
And One Direction for all of the downstairs male staff.
Alison Moyet for Mrs. Patmore?
In her heavy prime she is a serious contender. A quick Google search reveals she’s cut way back on the shepherd’s pies and hit the gym.
Nancy Wilson: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m89rsdk5tb1qaebaio1_500.jpg
as Mrs Hughes, the main housekeeper: http://liambluett.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Phyllis-Logan-8.jpg
Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood: http://www.nonesuch.com/files/imagecache/section-artists-image/media/images/jonny-greenwood.jpg
as sinister and vindictive maid O’Brien: http://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/images/char_lg_obrien.jpg
80’s bubblegum singer Tiffany: http://popdose.com/wp-content/uploads/tiffany1.jpg
as disgraced the rehabilitated maid/prostitute/cook with-a-heart-of-gold Ethel: http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q313/LS26Old/AmyNuttall.jpg
Wow, young Mrs. Hughes is HOT under that bun!
Nancy Wilson could also serve as Lord Crawley’s sister or cousin or whatever (?), the woman who lives in London and occasionally looks after one of the daughters or the young party girl cousin.
Tramp Maid 1, as I refer to Ethel! I nominate short-lived, mono-named UK singing sensation Duffy to play the short-lived temptress of Branson, Tramp Maid 2,
http://www.celebritiesheight.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Duffy.jpg
Looking good!
Excellent call.
I was thinking Lita Ford for Anna but I can’t find a picture of Ms Ford where she isn’t making some stupid-ass “rocker” face.
Susanne Vega as the former-tramp-now-maid-servant-to-Mrs-Crawley:
http://cdn.partyearth.com/photos/ef3268503ffc98b4797cb7e3687891a4/suzanne-vega_s345x230.jpg?1295064151
I’m still hopeful that someone will hit on my nomination for the Dowager, because should that casting suggestion appear it may win top prize…as determined by our celebrity judge, of course.
At the risk of claiming a prize myself, I will put forth a suggestion for the ex-pat hot mom, Lady Crawley. Here she is, in fact, with a strong nominee for Lord Crawley:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbdcspOWu91r8dbrio1_500.jpg
Because he’s not important enough a character to snag a top prize, I will recommend Undertones bassist Michael Bradley to play the part of O’Brien’s nephew, the oversized footman Alfred. Bradley is the Undertone in the middle, wearing the too-tight denim jacket:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uB-0D-gV8mY/SKOXGXIj4NI/AAAAAAAAK9o/hOujLEiGKc4/s400/upix28.jpg
I am concerned we’re getting our tramps mixed up. Suzanne Vega is the Rock doppelganger for Ethel. Whoever nominated Duffy needs their head examined!
I’m concerned about your getting confused by your own nominations. Didn’t you just nominate Vega for the Ethel slot (ie, the former tramp maid turned maid servant to Crawley, it should be mentioned – she was shipped off to another family closer to her bastard son). That’s Ethel.
I nominated Duffy for the role of Tramp Maid 2, the blond who showed up in the Season 3 finale to tempt Branson back to his downstairs roots – and her downstairs quarters to boot. Did you miss the finale? I’m talking about this maid (SPOILER ALERT!):
http://25.media.tumblr.com/e58e2a16b4fd6583d05e15df5fe64c31/tumblr_mg18agONR21rjtpooo1_400.jpg
Take back your insult regarding my suggestion of Duffy. Provide a better casting suggestion, good sir!
My apologies. Your nomination for Tramp Maid #2 is seconded, by me. I hope you can see your way clear to co-sponsoring my Ethel/Vega nomination.
Hold on there, Bub. Before you try to railroad Suzanne Vega into the Ethel role, I suggest you review the links I provided above and you will have to acknowledge that Tiffany is the clear winner.
I’m glad we’re back in each other’s good graces. This means a lot. I need to intensively study the photo of Tramp Maid 1 in her modern-day outfit before weighing in further. Thanks to both of you.
What about Carnie Wilson for cook?
http://media.philly.com/images/carnie-wilson.jpg
Chrissie Hynde as the Countess Grantham — American in England.
Amy Winehouse as Sybil — both dead.
Nick Cave as Thomas.
Meat loaf as Bates
Those are the only characters I know.
cdm, I admire and respect you. But it is patently unfair to compare the bosomy, made-up actress who plays Tramp #1 to your rock star of choice. One must stay true to the character, and this:
http://cdn.partyearth.com/photos/ef3268503ffc98b4797cb7e3687891a4/suzanne-vega_s345x230.jpg?1295064151
…looks more like this:
http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/downton-abbey-ethel.jpg
… than Duffy does.
Excellent!
Mod, I dont know if Bette Davis ever sang, but she was one for a quip, so I would nominate her for the Dowager Countess.
Crystal Gayle IS Lady Grantham.
I hold you in the highest esteem as well, but just to be clear, I maintain that it’s Tiffany, not Duffy, who looks like Ethel.
Please note that I do not feel as strongly about this as I do about the Joe Walsh/Carson connection, or the Ian Gilliam/Papa connection.
And a Fleetwood Mac 1-2 punch:
Christine McVie for Anna Bates
Stevie Nicks for Ethel
Muse frontman Matt Bellamy http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3vh5axRBD1r0kf20o1_400.jpg
as Irish Tom the Randy Chauffeur
http://www.gpb.org/files/imagecache/340×255/season2_characters_slideshow_branson_07.jpg
These are promising!
Kemal Pamuk, the Indian-born (?) aristocrat who deflowered Lady Mary and nearly brought a lifetime of shame on Downton Abbey:
http://www.gcmarketingservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Kemal-Pamuk-downton-abbey-20689441-539-359.jpeg
… should, of course, be played by Dave Navarro:
http://grungereport.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/davenavarroshirtless.jpg
I believe Mr. Pamuk was Turkish. Regardless, this submission is astounding!
A brief detour – Just finished watching season 1 of Game of Thrones. Wilco Johnson of Dr. Feelgood has a small part where he plays some kind of court enforcer who can’t speak because his tongue was cut out. He’s a scary looking dude.
I didn’t know he was an actor until reading that he
diedwas very sick a month or two ago. I wonder how many people on the set with him had any idea who he was, what he meant to music.Whoa there Mod. Wilko has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer but is still raging against the dying light. He has refused chemo & intends to fulfill the sold out farewell gigs in March. It has, of course, taken this terrible news for him to be recognised as the National Treasure that he has always been. His reaction to his condition has been quite inspirational.
Through a lucky hitch-hike I became good friends with Dr Feelgood & especially Wilko, on their rise from the pubs. Life got in the way but last October we were able to catch up & shoot the breeze about some good old times. Wilko’s illness makes me even more grateful that we were able to have this time.
My nephew, who enjoyed the gig, just wanted to talk to him about Game Of Thrones !
Sorry, I got my facts confused. It’s good to know he’s still among the living!
You’ve got a wealth of great tales, loosehandlebars. It’s always fun reading your posts.
A little more than 24 hours remain in our contest to cast Downtown Abbey: The Musical. Some key characters still need a definitive casting, including the Dowager. Remember: I’ve got the PERFECT musician to play her, and I will claim that prize if need be.
I’m going on the record to say that at least one of machinery’s selections has locked down a spot!
Ah, Reba McEntire is the spitting image of Lord Grantham’s sister (the one who lives in London and almost got stuck with the philandering maid sampler).
And in a reversal of type casting, Sandra Dee has been lined up to play Rose, the Scottish niece.
My other submission for Anna Bates would be Olivia Newton John. Same wholesome character.
AND, in another reversal of type casting, Meatloaf for Mr. Bates.
I’m changing my mind: Freddie Mercury for Thomas.
Mr. Royale just suggested Klaus Nomi for the Dowager Countess.
I’m pretty sure machinery already suggested him in that role. I feel at liberty to say that Meatloaf has a LOCK on that role!
Ooh, that’s a good one!
I take it the English let you leave their fine country? Hope you had a great trip.
It’s getting HOT in here!
Dowager Countess: Klaus Meine of Scorpions:
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/5198/klausinterview2sz4.jpg
Not bad!
Nomi could figure into the mix in some role.
Ooh, I didn’t see this nomination until just now!
Isobel Crawley = Keef Richards?
http://tinypic.com/r/oavf2t/6
Ha, right actor, but not the part I have in mind for him!
I think I see where you’re going with this. I approve.
Are you thinking the Dowager Countess perhaps? I don’t think I can imagine Keef in a high collar.
He Who Hates Litterbugs hopes to announce his winners this weekend!
Yeah, but what does she who calls it maize have to say about it?
YES!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuOlD0JZhM4
Or as Jan Hoeks (the travel guide at the Alamo) reminds us in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, “Yes, there are thousands and thousands of uses for corn, all of which I’ll tell you about right now.”
One of my favorite lines in the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR93L8sUMNg
On the strength of this song along, I believe she clinches the role.