WC April 19
It’s always nice to find a story on your own doorstep. Gary Plumbley, a highly acclaimed saxophone player, now lives on the Isle of Wight and he has a great history that includes The Four Tops, The Cure, Swing Out Sister, Terry Callier, Gary Barlow and Sax Appeal. On Tuesday I undertook an interview at his home to help promote his forthcoming Meta4 gig at the Apollo Theatre, Newport, on Sunday May 30.
Also working hard at promoting my new CDs. Radio interviews are being arranged and a story is likely to appear in the County Press.
It was such a pleasure to see Wayne Child back on the stage following his serious car crash. He came in to replace an actor who could not get back to England due to the flight problems of the past week or so. The Cowes AODS can feel pleased with the success they are having with Beginners On Stage at the Trinity Theatre, Cowes.
On Wednesday I went to the funeral service for Barbara Walter, one of the nicest ladies I have ever known. Barbara, who began in Cardiff around the same time as Shirley Bassey, actually loaned her stage costumes to the Tiger Bay superstar, who was then unknown. Barbara was a well known local singing teacher and performer. In her younger days she appeared in West End cabaret and sang in opera. Several of her Island pupils have ended up in the West End, with Laura Michelle Kelly, currently on Broadway, being her greatest success. It was so nice to see old friends who had travelled from the mainland, including Tony Adams, looking even more handsome than he did as Adam Chance in Crossroads, comedian/actor Kim Smith, who was brilliant as Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl, back in the 90s, at Sandown Pavilion and Shanklin Theatre, and our own James Pellow, now a pro actor based in London. It was such a wonderful service with some inspirational singing from several of Barbara’s local students and friends, including the First Act Choir. All the singers and Viv Russell, who read a poem, were so good. The Rev Christopher Etherton did a superb job. Although sad, it was the perfect send off for Babs. Laura Michelle, unable to get leave from starring on Broadway, was represented by her three brothers, Paul, Nathanael and Joram, who are such a credit to her family.
My week finished at the Bembridge Village Hall where the South Wight Youth Theatre proved they certainly have another group of very talented young actors coming through.