WC JULY 25.
Enjoyed Spamalot for the second time. Caught it at the Mayflower, Southampton, and was delighed to go backstage to catch up with Todd Carty, who I interviewed a few weeks ago in Wimbledon. A real gent – and nothing like the evil Gabriel Kent, the former murdering copper he played in The Bill.
Met an old friend in London on Tuesday – Chas Hodges, Chas from Chas ‘n’ Dave. He’s written a book called Chas Hodges and his rock ‘n’ roll allotment. Great fun, informative for new gardeners and quite ‘earthy.’ I’m looking foward to the final Chas ‘n’ Dave tour next year. Dave, who retired when his wife died, last year, is keen to say goodbye to the fans via the tour. There will be no more comebacks – unlike some other singers.
I was most impressed with many young Islanders in the cast of I’ll Be Seeing You at the Winter Gardens, Ventnor. It’s another story based in and around Ventnor and laced with music from the 40s and 50s which help to reveal the inventive story. It was fascinating to see a guy who had made huge national headlines, a few days earlier, in the audience.
I am delighted to accept an invitation to interview Lawrie McMenemy, in public, at a forthcoming Island event.