Nancy’s tales from the casting couch

Aug 26 2009 by Gregor White, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING’S Off the Page book festival kicks off on September 12 with a line-up that includes famous names like Ian Rankin and children’s favourite Jeremy Strong.

In a major coup, however, the main event will be preceded by a visit from one of Hollywood’s top behind-the-scenes talents in the shape of casting director Nancy Bishop.

Appearing at the Tolbooth in Stirling next Thursday (September 3) her CV reads like an A-Z of Hollywood blockbusters as she oversaw casting on the likes of Casino Royale, The Bourne Supremacy and Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Running one of Europe’s best known casting agencies from her base in Prague, where she has been since the early 1990s when the city emerged as one of the continent’s premiere film locations, most recently she has been working with George Lucas of Star Wars fame on preparations for his film Red Tails, about the first African-American fighter squadron in the Second World War.

With an Emmy award nomination also under her belt for a version of the Anne Frank story, Nancy is in real demand as a speaker at a whole host of events, previously appearing at both the Edinburgh and Dublin International Film Festivals.

Library and archives manager for Stirling Council Libraries, Robert Ruthven, called her appearance “a huge coup” and said: “We are thrilled that she has been able to make time in her busy schedule to visit Stirling and hope that film fans take advantage of this very rare opportunity.’’

Talking about her work Nancy will also be discussing her new book, “Secrets from the Casting Couch”, which will be available to buy on the night.

Tickets for the talk, priced £8/ £6, are available from the Tolbooth on 01786 274000 or the Albert Halls on 01786 473544 between 9am and 5pm.

l History man’s festival launch: Page 12.