WC October 13
Monday was rather special and I was invited to the press launch day for the Mayflower, Southampton, pantomime Cinderella. Robin Hancox had done a brilliant job in organising everything. Due to the rain I caught a taxi and arrived early. That meant I also got to chat to the Ugly Sisters, a couple of nice hunky guys actually, and this was fun and very impromptu – and a good time was had by the three of us. Martin Ramsden and David Robbins were great fun. After the interview I found out that David had worked for my daughter on a few occasions. Currently he’s touring with Brian Conley in Barnum.
I was also delighted to get 30 minutes with the very popular Gok Wan. What a fascinating guy!! We had fun but it also got very serious at times and this will interest listeners to my radio show. His early life was full of problems. Gok will be on IW Radio’s John Hannam Meets on Sunday October 26. I had a quick hello with my old friend Brian Conley and he will be back on my show during the run of the panto.
Former jockey and racing broadcaster Brough Scott also turned up at the Mayflower. He came for an interview with me en route to his Surrey home from the Island, where he still has a home. I am presenting the story of the Island’s most famous horse ever, Warrior, who survived 4 years in France during the First World War. The Island-born horse was lucky to survive. The owner of the horse was Jack Seely, Brough’s grandfather. Brough has just written in the new paperback book on Warrior, as written by Jack Seely back in the 30s. It’s an amazing read and the story of a real War Horse. Brough will soon be on John Hannam Meets.
I have seen two shows this week that will be considered for nominations for next year’s IW Amateur Theatre Awards. One was called Star Prize, presented by the Origins Theatre Company at the Shanklin Theatre. This is the first time Origins have produced a musical. This one had the theme of country music and was written by Mary Collis and Kevin Wilson. I loved the first scene in the London underground. Two nights later I was in Totland Bay to see two one-act plays from the Curtain Up company. They were vastly different in more ways that one. In the first, Ghost Night, there were some comedy moments to savour. The second, The Signalman, was not a bundle of laughs. It was hard to get away from Kevin Wilson – not that I would wish to. He co-wrote and directed Star Prize, which got an interesting review from Jon Moreno in the CP, and appeared in The Signalman.
On Saturday night I witnessed quite an emotional evening. It was probably the last-ever performance from Island-born Craig Douglas. He appeared at the Shanklin Conservative Club, with a couple of guests – Pat Reader and yours truly. Have no fear – I didn’t song!!! Craig won his Newport Medina Cinema talent contest back in 1957 and has been a real credit to the Island since then. He has enjoyed world fame – no mean feat for a boy from Pan Estate. He has not been in good health for the last few years and his lack of mobility limits his stage appearances. He got a great reception and brought the house dowen with his encore song – My Way. Plenty of moist eyes in the full house. Craig still sings as well as ever. Pat Reader was also in fine voice and I rate this her best Island peerormance for years.