WC DECEMBER 2
It’s been quite a week – OH yes it has!! The Panto season is back. I have at least 12 to see before Christmas. Saw the First Act production of Puss in Boots for the County Press on Monday night – and, as ever, my eyes became a little waterlogged. This sort of show, from the adults with learning difficulties, makes theatre so worthwhile. No stars, no telephone number wages and no egos. They all work for each other and the improvement I have seen over the last near-20 years with this company has been nothing short of fantastic. Well done to them all.
On Thursday I interviewed Danny Taylor who has been playing Sammy, on and off, since 1999 in the touring version of Blood Brothers. I have seen him on stage a few times and it was great to meet him in person, thanks to Jan Jones from Sandown, during his visit to the Island for four gigs. Nice guy and I love his song The Party Is Over. He is playing Tommy Cooper over Christmas in Liverpool.
In the evening we went to the Apollo to see London Assurance. Not one of their most memorable nights.
On Friday it was hectic. Three lunchtime interviews in Waterstones with former Southampton stars Jim Steele, Hugh Fisher and Mark Dennis. This was fun and footballers from their era were more friendly and human. There were not many agents and PR people. The Saints trio are a pleasure to chat to. Then it was a quick trip to Ryde to open the new kitchen at Haylands Farm. This was sheer joy and they were all such pleasure to meet. I have been a regular visitor to this centre over the years. My much-missed friend Reginald Marsh did such a lot for Haylands Farm and MENCAP. There was no rest and it was off to Totland to see Peter Pan in the village hall, in the evening. Great to see such a young company on stage and many showed real promise. It finished off a most enjoyable day.
No lie-in the next morning. I was off to Ringwood to review a Forest Forge professional company production of Anne of Green Gables for The Stage. A Stunning show from the company of just four. Far superior to many costly huge pro shows I have seen. Sadly, this one is not coming to the Island.