WC OCTOBER 1.
It’s been a fascinating week and I loved the chance to meet both David Lonsdale, who brilliantly played the simpleton David Stockwell in Heartbeat for over 16 years, and the one-and-only Russell Grant.
The week began well with a visit to 42nd Street, at the Mayflower, Southampton. I loved the show and the amazing tap dancers. The leads, Marti Webb and Dave Willetts, were in superb form.
The following day it was off to Worthing to see a matinee of a very funny play, You’re Only Young Twice, starring Melvyn Hayes, David Lonsdale and Katy Manning. Thanks to my good pal Melvyn, who was quite wonderful in the lead role, I also got an interview with David Lonsdale. Is he different in real life? You will have to listen to a forthcoming John Hannam Meets to find out.
Thanks to my daugher, Caroline, and Strictly Come Dancing’s Flavia Cacace, I was suddenly offered an interview with the lovely Russell Grant. I went to the Kings, Southsea, to meet him and loved the 45 minutes I spent in his company. I judged it perfectly – and decided to wear pink – guessing he would be in pink – as the show was Grease. The company manager, Adam Havoc, who was so helpful, took a picture of the pink double act.
The week ended on a high when I attended a brilliant Andy Fairweather Low concert at Shanklin Theatre on Saturday night. What a great entertainer and musician!!