I’ve just returned from after dinner speaking for the The Lady Taverners Club. Had a terrific time, and loved the whole ambience and atmosphere of the day. The Hotel where the luncheon was held is the Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa – what a BEAUTIFUL place it is – and I’ve been promised a day’s pass for the Spa, so can’t be bad!
I was released from rehearsals to go and strut my stuff. Ray Cooney has written and is directing STOP DREAMIN’ – a musical which encompasses the music of Chas and Dave. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was struggling. Never sung with a band (except for panto), never done a musical (except for Rep a million years ago, or college when they were ‘stretching’ you)… the character is lovely, Doris… good old East End salt of the earth, moral, matriarchal… A really terrific cast – it has all the ingredients of being a huge success, and indeed we are promised the West End as a carrot at the end of this mini tour. Watch this space is all I can say. Personally, am feeling a tad under-rehearsed… but then I always do… but I do feel privileged to be working with this company.
We open at the Theatre Royal in Windsor (www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk) in a week Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! And then two weeks later move to Guildford (www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk). Hopefully I’ll feel more confident by then.
Whilst playing, I shall be directing ACID BATH MURDERER for the performances at the Arundel Jail House (www.arundeljailhouse.co.uk) and SPOOKY STORIES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE – a play for 4 – 9 year olds that I have also written, performing for one day only at Trinity Arts Centre, a Halloween special (www.trinitytheatre.net) with Jennie Goossens and Kate Dyson performing.
My short tour finishes on Nov 6th and then I start to tour PULLING FACES – a one woman show encompassing the problems of face lifts, hot flushes and toy boys… if you enjoyed Vagina Monologues or Calendar Girls this is for you. Bridget Jones 30 years on. Tour dates thus far are listed on the Tour page but they are being added to every week, so keep an eye if you would like to see it, it may be coming to an Arts Centre near you….
In the middle of this little tour I am off to Chicago for a Doctor Who convention and Thanks Giving. Very excited about the whole trip. Chicago has the best art gallery in the world, and (I am told) one of the best jazz clubs, so can’t wait!
And my brilliant students from The Sunday Drama College will be performing twice on Jan 9th at Trinity Arts Centre, Tunbridge Wells, a brand new musical of THE SNOW QUEEN – a family show – written by Nigel Fairs, music by Adam Rood, choreography by Elizabeth Bellinger
All other info will be on www.tlcproductions.co.uk
Thank you for taking the time to read all these dates/times/venues… I hope I see you at one of them, please do introduce yourself if you come.
Love L x
21 aug 2010