WC JUNE 5.
Saw a very long (3hours) Ryde School Production of thoroughly Modern Millie on Monday night. How great to see so many young men on stage in the company numbers – and looking to be enjoying it. Local amateur companies are always on the look-out for young men for many shows.
On Tuesday it was a real thrill to interview one of my favourite TV and movie actors – Phil Davis. He’s scared me a few times on screen – but in real life he’s a true gent. It was a great double with Honeysuckle Weeks, Sam from Foyle’s War, also recording an interview for a future JH Meets. More news when broadcast dates are finalised.
Saw brilliant West End star Rebecca Caine at the Quay Arts Centre on Thursday night. This light-lyric soprana is a gem and it was a pleasure to have a J2O with Rebecca, her excellent pianist, James Chuch, local actor Viv Russell and my girlfriend, Roberta, after the show.
My Friday’s normally include food shopping in Sainburys. This one proved even more exciting. I shot up to the West End to interview Karl Jenkins, the composing legend, who had been on TV’s Breakfast that very morning, and one of my favourite singers, Hayley Westenra, who has enjoyed world success in both the classical and pop charts – a rare achievment. That was not the end of it. I took the underground to Oakwood to meet up with the legendary Neil Innes, often called the seventh Monty Python member. He was also in the Rutles, having been a great personal friend of the Beatles. It’s an interview to look out for. He was also the lead singer of the Bonzo Dog Doo Da Band.
The week ended with a Sunday night visit to the Hilary Hall School of Dance annual showcase at the Medina Theatre, Newport. I was happy to miss the World Cup Final, which was almost like some Premier League games, with 22 foreigners on the field. Apparently, so were many others. The theatre was not far off full.
Looking forward to a new week with a couple of fascinating interviews.