Don't Deny the Pretty

I'm hoping for lots of feedback, here.

Recently, I have been considering auctioning off part of my Merlin/Colin Morgan memorabilia collection. Specifically to benefit a charity to support UK Theatre creatives.

For example, I have the entire hardbound Merlin book collection as well as all the annuals. I have an official Merlin backpack, and some marketing materials. I also have plenty of hard to find magazines featuring Colin as well as theatre programmes.

But I also have some rare things that I would be willing to part with for this cause if I knew there was interest. Some of the things I might be willing to part with would be things like my official Merlin crew jacket and official Merlin Moleskine notebook that I bought from a charity auction from Dale McCready (the head of photography for Merlin), a First Series Merlin DVD signed on the case by Colin, programmes from the plays The Tempest and Translations autographed by the whole cast (acquired via charity auctions).

I also have a wonderful Merlin poster I bought from a former Shine employee that was fully signed by the Merlin cast at the official launch party at OXO Tower in 2008. Signatures of Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, and Colin Morgan all as big as your forearm in gold and silver metallic Sharpie. I love it to bits, but might be willing to rehome for a fair price.

Anyway, the point of this post is to determine whether there would be enough interest in the rarer items to make the effort of setting up auctions worth it.

“i don’t know what to draw”

“i always mess up”

“BUT I SUCK”

Because a friend of mine had to cancel her trip to the UK last minute, I have several single tickets available throughout the next two weeks.

Here’s the list of the available tickets:

Wed 29 May (matinee): Stalls H-13, paid £65, asking £50

Thu 30 May: Stalls H-13, paid £65, asking £50

Fri 31 May: Stalls H-22, paid £65, asking £50

Sat 1 Jun (evening): Dress Circle A-28, paid £55, asking £40

Sat 1 Jun (evening): Stalls U-5, paid £16, asking £10

Mon 3 Jun: Stalls H-13, paid £65, asking £50

Wed 5 Jun (matinee): Stalls G-19, paid £65, asking £50

Wed 5 Jun (matinee): Stalls J-22, paid £90, asking £50

Colin Morgan fist-bumping one of the kids who play Bert in All My Sons.

Colin Morgan reminds us that he is simply one of our best young stage actors. He projects with great clarity, yet remains real as he drives the action. — The Times

Morgan once again proves himself to be one of the outstanding actors of his generation, conveying all Chris’ warmth and honesty, making their loss unbearable. When he cries, “I know you are no worse than most men, but I thought you were better,” it is both the heartrending cry of a son, and of a generation that has been betrayed. — WhatsOnStage

Colin Morgan captures perfectly Chris’s mixture of survivor guilt, intuitive awareness of Joe’s mendacity and love for his brother’s fiancee. — The Guardian

Morgan here does gauche yet ardent, assertive yet inhibited, in fascinating combination. — The Telegraph

Morgan does an excellent job of the conflicted survivor. — The Independent

[Colin Morgan] perfectly captures the shaky-voiced, painful pose of a boy confronting a father he loves, body and soul. — The Upcoming

Morgan’s physical awkwardness is brilliant: his arms hang by his side as if he were uncertain what to do with them…touchingly clumsy — Financial Times

As Chris finally confronts the truth about his father, the highly impressive Morgan’s visceral reaction is so strong it seems that this confident, physically compact man might actually explode. — Hollywood Reporter

Colin Morgan captures the servility of survivor’s guilt as the Keller’s second son Chris, letting his voice drop as his initial idealism gives way to his father’s pragmatism. — Variety

As Chris, Colin Morgan combines passion and wit with moments of glazed bewilderment. — The Standard

Thank goodness for a quietly blistering Morgan, who finally lands the production’s tragic force, as a young idealist forced into an explosive reckoning with the betrayals of an older generation. It’s going to send his wattage of the charts. — Metro

…brooding intensity in spades… — Daily Mail

As Chris, Colin Morgan transforms, too. From the sprightly boy convincing his parents to bless his marriage to Ann – Larry’s widowed girlfriend – and bring his family together, to the blubbering madman baying for answers from his secretive family. He is superb, as he plays the cool son demanding answers, to a vulture circling the garden in anger. — London Theatre

Morgan gets Chris’ mix of moral fervour and gaucheness just right. — Stagedoor

Morgan gives a spirited performance; his flashes of anger…elucidates the swirl of hurt and affection he feels for his father. — Secret London

Colin Morgan…delivers some good gestures of spontaneity and passages of genuine anger. — The Arts Desk

Colin Morgan impresses too up against these US heavyweights, his wirily intense Chris tearing hungrily at a truth he too can scarcely acknowledge. — There Ought To Be Clowns

Colin Morgan brings a tightly-sprung anxiety to Chris. — Culture Whisper

Today, not long from now, a supposed “fan” of Colin Morgan will begin posting video clips from his brand new film Benjamin, despite my–and others’–request not to do so. 

This is not some big budget cinematic Marvel universe blockbuster we’re talking about. Benjamin is a small, independent LGBT film.  Keep in mind that, while it is available to rent on streaming services in the UK, the film was literally released in cinemas two days ago, and is still actively in theatres, trying to earn back the investment that the production company gave it so that it could be made. 

Other fans on this site have posted ways in which international fans could legitimately access the film so that they could also financially support it. Many of us fans that do not live in the UK have availed ourselves of these means in order to both view and financially support the film. 

Therefore, it frustrates and incenses me more than I can accurately put into words that someone would find it MORALLY ACCEPTABLE to pirate a rented video stream (because Benjamin is not available for purchase at this time, only for rental) for a film that just opened ffs! and post otherwise unreleased scenes online before even most people in country have been able to see it.

Spoiling the film so soon after its release literally takes money away from the film’s creators and, if there were profit options in Colin’s contract, it literally takes money away from the person you supposedly support! 

Make no mistake, this isn’t about supporting Colin’s work. Because, if it were, the “fan” would instead be trying to amplify the ways that more people could legitimately support the film. No, this is about gaining attention for oneself by being the first to post something, even at the expense of the project and the people involved in it. 

This is not the first time this particular “fan” has spoiled Colin’s projects in what I consider to be an inappropriate manner. Just a couple of months ago, she was posting audio clips from The Worldship Humility that contained spoilers just a few days after the book became available. Certainly, it was not enough time for most people with access to the audiobook to have completed their listen, and yet, she took it upon herself to determine that it was fine to spoil a few choice key moments from the book in order to gain more clicks and followers. 

And while I am upset with this specific person at the moment, sadly I know she won’t be the first or the last to do something like this. 

Make no mistake that it is more that I have issues with this sort of “fan” in general than just one person. 

Colin has said in more than one interview in the last couple of years that there isn’t enough support for the really good stories, that there isn’t enough financial support being given to them. And here you guys are, pirating his stuff and sharing it willy-nilly just after it’s released without even a thought to these very issues that Colin is trying to fight against by the projects he chooses. 

Do not call yourself a “fan” if Colin is simply “eye candy” to you or a smooth voice to listen to but you don’t give a shit otherwise. Do not go around calling yourself his “fan” when you disrespect his beliefs and his life’s work for your own selfish needs. With “fans” like that, who needs enemies?

I will going to London to see Colin Morgan in the show ‘All My Sons’ in May 2019.

Now, we know how much effort Colin puts into every piece of work he does, and we know how passionate he is.

Of course, he doesn’t use social media, so he probably can’t see (compared to other celebs) just how much we love him.

Which is where my idea comes in.

I intend to buy an A4 scrapbook and to make a “Dear Colin” gift.

And this is where the fans come in.

I’d very much like to fill this book with letters to Colin from the fans. Each person can have an A4 spread (or a double A4 spread depending on the content).

I am not charging anyone anything for any of this. I just ask for your time, so you can write up a letter to Colin in a document to send me. I will print this and stick it in the book with some funky as hell washy tape.

So here’s a breakdown of what I’m looking for:

A letter from Colin’s fans (signed by your name/pseud, age if you want, and city, country of where you live)

Any fan art. If anyone has drew any Merlin/Humans/The Living and the Dead etc. fan art, I would be happy to print it and stick it in (I will dedicate a separate page for an artwork of your choice and would ask that you watermark it. I will add your name, age, city etc. if you so wish)

I am happy to attach a picture to your letter. E.g. if you have met Colin, I have no problem attaching a picture of you with him.

There are also rules:

I will not be including anyone’s personal information in this scrapbook. No email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, twitter names… none of it. I am happy for you to sign with a pseud if you so wish, and I am happy to include your age and city but that is all.

I will not add any art or letters likely to make him uncomfortable. That includes anything offensive and anything that includes Merthur related content.

As much as I love Merlin, and you all do to, I would ask that you try to construct the letter so that you talk about Colin’s acting talent etc. Not just his work in Merlin. As much as he is grateful for the role, it is common knowledge that he also doesn’t want that role to define him so please if you’d like to write a letter, talk about other things too. By all means talk about Merlin, but not just that.

This is an opportunity to show Colin how much we love him and I’d love as many fans as possible to get on board with it. It will cost you absolutely nothing and I will personally take a picture of every single page and send them all to you so you know it’s in there.

I will give this to him in London, or to a member of the theatre staff should he decide not to greet fans. 

I’d ask you to all please reblog and share this far and wide and tag as many Colin fans that you know of. I really want to do this for him, as I’m sure it will bring a smile to his lovely face.The book will have LOADS of pages to fill so the more fans on board, the merrier!

If you’d like anymore information, sling me an ask or a message.

I will also tag some fans that I’m sure would love to get on board.

@das-alien-vom-planeten-wooh

@everythingido-isforhim

@thegreymoon

@serendipitoushearts

@tinylilemrys

@iamcaledonia

@merlinsprat

@sincerelyleon

@arthurpendragonns

@angelmariesstuff

@avalonprat

@blue-sky-and-sunny-day

@navybluetriangles

Merls Mugs presents:

The Fierce Mug

just ordered this for myself. Can’t wait to dunk my chocolate hobnobs in him (cheers for that image, LFB 😉)

Yes, I basically draw mugs, don’t I?🤔