See You There!

Once again I’m burning the midnight oil to try and get everything done before I head off on tour. I’ve sold over 40 dates for December and I’m just running out of days to cope with the supply and demand. Apart from a few days, I’ve nearly sold out for the year and many of my prime dates for 2022 have already sold. I just don’t have enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do.

I’m fully booked this month and I’m heading off on Friday to perform a series of shows along the South Coast. I’m opening on the 24th September at 7.30pm with the “Magic of the Musicals” at Portchester Castle. My performance is taking place inside St Mary’s Church and tickets are priced at £8 and are available from the Church Tea Room, Parish Office, and after services or you

Dressed in my Pearly Queen Costume!

can contact the Parish Office, Assheton Court, Portchester, PO16 9PY  by telephone on Tel: 02392 321380 or e-mail Emma at  stmaryoffice@btconnect.com 

I’m looking forward to the show very much. I have a wonderful program planned and I will be including songs from My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Grease, Les Miserables, Oliver, Disney, Aladdin and more. So if you happen to be in town do pop along – it will be delightful to see you.

This week I’ve been continuing with “Battle of Britain” shows, “We’ll Meet Again” ATS and Pearly Queen. In many cases I’ve been so busy I haven’t taken as many photos as I would normally but today I was able to stream live my “We’ll Meet Again performance in Chesham which if you are friends with me on facebook you will be able to see.

This week I was thrilled to get my photos through from my Peaky Blinders photo shoot with Angela Adams. All these

The Peaky Blinders Look!

shots are for a music video I’m working on which I plan to release later in the year. When I get back from tour I’m straight into the recording studio which is all very exciting I would tell you more but I really must get to bed as I have another early start tomorrow.

I shall leave you with a few of my photos. Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Ready for Action!

A Little Bit Naughty!

Down By The Canal!

Dressed for Action in my WAAF Uniform!

I’m afraid it’s just a quick blog tonight as I’m battling against the clock to get all my paperwork done in between shows. I’d like to begin by thanking every-one who can down to the Kings Arms to see my show in Newport Pagnell last Sunday. The booking came it that morning due to the weather improving over night and it turned into a lovely afternoon. I sang songs from the 1940s, 50s 60s & 70s and it was lovely to see you all, with a special thank-you to Catherine for inviting me.

I’ve continued to remain busy. I’ve been out every day this week performing  WAAF shows to commemorate the “Battle of Britain” and this coming weekend I’m moving forward and combining popular songs from the late 1940s and 50s to fill the brief for a couple of private vintage

Getting Set Up at The Kings Arms!

tea parties I have booked in the diary.

I’m fully booked for September and next weekend I’m heading off on tour to perform a series of shows along the South coast. I’m opening on Friday night 24th September at 7.30pm with the “Magic of the Musicals” at  Portchester Castle. My performance is taking place inside St Mary’s Church and tickets are priced at £8 and are available from the Church Tea Room, Parish Office, after Sunday services or you can contact the Parish Office, Assheton Court, Portchester, PO16 9PY  by telephone on Tel: 02392 321380 or e-mail Emma at  stmaryoffice@btconnect.com 

I’m looking forward to the show very much. I have a wonderful program planned and I will be including songs from My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Grease, Les Miserables, Oliver, Disney, Aladdin and more. So if you happen to be in town do pop along – it will be delightful to see you.

Snap Shot from Today’s Show in Chapel Brampton!

From Portchester I’m heading along the coast to Brighton  and on Monday night I will be at Danny House at Hurstpierpoint performing my Battle of Britain Show before heading back along the coast and finishing my tour in Fareham. I’m then straight into the recording studio on Saturday as I lay down my harmonies for my new song “Babies of the Blitz” and record my tracks in time to start filming on the 14th.

Phew – so much to do and I almost forgot to mention Proms in the Park. Last Saturday I had the pleasure of singing at Priory Park in Dunstable before the big screen went over live to the Royal Albert Hall. Once again we had

Sound Checking for Proms in the Park!

fantastic weather and I put together a wonderful program of Opera, popular war tunes and favorites from the Hollywood movie musicals. The park was packed and it was lovely to see people out and about enjoying themselves again after lock down.

Getting the timing right for Proms is essential as my shows have to tie in exactly with the Royal Albert Hall and it’s important not to run over.  Fortunately I had made careful notes and I was pleased I got it just right. I shall leave you with a few shots. Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Checking Out The Big Screen Stage!

On Stage at Robert’s Party!

Robert with Family and Friends!

Once again I’ve had a very busy week with non stop shows over the weekend and much to prepare for with The Last Night of the Proms all set for this coming Saturday.

I’d like to begin my blog tonight by thanking Robert Bailey for inviting me to perform for his 21st Birthday party last Saturday in Wheathampstead. It was a wonderful occasion as Robert decided to go with a 1940s theme, and many of this guests came dressed in costume to celebrate.  I performed two sets of 1940s favorites over the afternoon which included Sing-along, Big Band and Swing to the best of 1940s Hollywood.

We were so lucky with the weather as Robert’s party took place in a beautiful garden and he had his collection of 1940s artifacts on display for us all to enjoy.  Robert even arranged for vintage party games which included guessing the article in the bag which in many cases proved to be much harder than originally thought.  I was completely thrown by the fir-cone as I was so sure I was feeling a plastic man made object through the bag and not a natural item from a tree.

Friends Together!

It was a lovely afternoon and afterwards we were all given a wonderful piece of off ration cake to take home which was delicious.

The next day I had a tight turn around as I was booked to perform for  Shuttleworth’s Vintage Air Show . Once again it was a lovely day and we couldn’t have wished for better weather. I had been booked to perform music from the 1920s through to the 1970s over three sets with costume changes. I always enjoy performing at Shuttleworth as there is so much to see and it’s lovely to witness the air craft flying and the

Between Sets at Shuttleworth!

vintage vehicle’s being driven. Most museums don’t move there exhibits which makes Shuttleworth unique as everything on display has a life of it’s own and is regularly flown or driven.

Apart from the Shuttleworth collection a lot of people bring their own vintage vehicle’s and display them at the show.  I was thrilled to meet up with Andy and his 1926 Moris Oxford again. Some of you may remember Andy very kindly allowed me to be photographed with his car when

I was doing my Peaky Binders shoot a couple of weeks ago. As yet I haven’t seen the photos but I spoke

Posing with a Real Gypsy Caravan!

with Angela the photographer last week and I hope to get them though the early part of next week, so I can’t wait to see them.

I also met up with a couple who had the most beautiful Gypsy caravan which would have been perfect for the Peaky Blinders shoot. Another time perhaps!

This week it’s all about Proms and tomorrow I’m in Northamptonshire performing my “Happy and Glorious” show before getting ready for the last night. This year I’m performing in Priory Park, Dunstable from 7pm before we go over live to the Royal Albert Hall at 7.30pm. I’m also performing during the interval which is at 8.15pm and then after the concert we finish with a fantastic firework display which is all very exciting. Click the link below for more details:-

https://www.dunstable.gov.uk/whats-on/events-and-attractions-2021/

Getting Set For Battle of Britain Day!

Next week it’s all change with it being “Battle of Britain” Day on the 15th September and I have a run of WAAF shows before singing the 1940s and 50s for a couple of Vintage tea parties at the end of the week. On the 24th September I will be heading off on tour which opens with my “Magic of the Musicals” show at St Mary’s Church Portchester Castle. Tickets are priced at £8 and are available from St Mary’s parish office on Tel 02392 321380 e-mail stmaryoffice@btconnect.com

More news on that and my South coat tour in my next blog.

Meeting Up with Veterans!

Oh I almost forgot. Over the last week or so Karen my web-designer has been adding more of my press cuttings to my web page “What the Papers Say” To see all my news click the link below:-

https://www.fionaharrison.biz/what-the-papers-say/

That’s all my news for now. Keep Following Toodle Pip!

Setting Up On Stage at Sompting!

I’m afraid I can’t spend too long on my blog tonight as I have a pile of contracts and e-mails to get through and much to prepare for with an extremely busy September ahead of me. Dates are selling fast and I only have a few days left for 2021. Most of my prime dates have already sold for 2022 and it’s good to be getting back to some sort of show normality.

I’d like to begin tonight by thanking every-one who came to see my WAAF Battle of Britain Show in Sompting at the weekend. I had been booked to perform for a community event on Sompting’s

Meeting Up With a Jolly WW2 Giant!

playing field which attracted lots of up and coming acts from the local Brighton area. The theme was the 1940s and my show had initially been rolled over from last year due to the pandemic.

It was lovely to see the sunshine especially as last weekend was a bank holiday. While I was there I also had the pleasure of meeting up with 1940s enthusiasts on the Living History Double Decker Bus and a jolly WW2 giant on stilts. It’s amazing the people I meet when I’m out and about and we couldn’t have wished for better weather. For this show the organizer had brought in a  professional sound company which always makes things easier when there are a lot of acts on the billing.

While I was down on the south coast I was also able to tie my show in with a couple of other performances which took me to Fishbourne just out-side of Chichester and I will be returning to perform “The Magic of the Musicals” at St Mary’s Church

On Board the WW2 Double Decker Bus!

Portchester Castle on the 24th September with more details to follow soon. So keep watching this space.

In the mean time you can catch me this Sunday performing at Shuttleworth’s Vintage Air Show on the 5th September. I’ve been booked to perform three shows daily covering different periods in musical history. This include :-

11.00am – 11.45am – 1920s & 30s, 1.15pm – 1.45pm – 1940s 3.00pm – 3.45pm 1950s 60s & 70s so I hope you can all make it along. You can find more details about the event by clicking the link below:-

https://www.shuttleworth.org/product/vintageweekend/

Life on the Home Front Bus!

I’m going to have to leave it here tonight as I have a lot to get ready and show plans to write. I’ve been performing every-day this week such a variety of different styles sometimes I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I also have a 1940s party at the weekend which I’m looking forward too very much and a Proms concert in between.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and bye for now!

Dark and Dangerous!

This week so much has happened it’s a little like all my Christmases and Birthdays have rolled into one as I start to see the fruits of my labour take shape.  Today we were able to up load my new flicker-book video “Long Ago and far Away” to my You tube channel. This video documents my performance at Bletchley Park last month when I opened the concert series on 31st July.  I employed H100 – Photography to record my performance using still photography and I’m thrilled with the results.

Despite Bletchley Park only being just down the road, it took me a long time to get the booking

The Peaky Blinders Look!

and I’m pleased I’ve been able to preserve the moment forever.  I’m a great believer in taking every opportunity when it appears and this will be something I will be able to look back on when I’m an old lady. On the day we had to change location from the oval lawn to the ballroom due to rain. However photographically this worked in our favor as it gave us another perspective and more visual variety. I think Harry’s photos are super and he’s captured the day splendidly.

To see the video please click the link below:-

Angela, Joe and I on Location at Stoke Bruerne!

Yesterday I was working on location at the Milton Keynes museum with another photographer Angela Adams. I’m currently putting together a 1920s inspired video which will be combining still photography with moving image. For this video I wanted to break away from my usual lady like look and do something a little bit dark and dangerous so I’m combining that British gangster Peaky Blinders feel with Chicago.

I’m really far too lady like for Peaky Blinders having to learn on the job how ruff common people held and smoked their cigarettes back in the day. Even so my little finger still had a habit of

Getting into Character!

poking up so I hope somewhere in there there will be a selection of shots which will look ruff and tough enough for the video.

Yesterday was such a busy day as we had so many shots to capture. I knew time would be tight so I kept my costume selection simple. I also arranged for a 1926 Morris Oxford Bull nose car to be part of the shoot thanks to car owner Andy Wilson. I met Andy when I performed at the Luton Festival of Transport show back in June and he very kindly agreed to be part of the shoot on this occasion. A lot of work goes into getting these shots just right and yesterday we were fighting with the sun. You often want it to be over cast when shooting out-side so I’m keeping my fingers crossed we have enough of the right shots to make the video.

Hair by Kim Finger Waves!

Before the shoot I had my hair done in the 1920s style thanks to my friend Kim who is one of the few hair dresses to-day who can do 1920s finger waves.  To create this style you need clips and Kim still had a few original clips from the period as she used a combination of pomade and hair spray to get my hair to set. A style like this takes a lot of skill to create and it’s fascinating to see it take shape in the salon before a shoot. They don’t call Kim the “Hair Hitler” for nothing as Kim hates to see a hair out of place!

My friend Joe also joined me on the shoot as I

The Finished 1920s Finger Wave Look!

needed a gun man. Photographing this type of subject matter can be a little sensitive especially when walking around with an Enfield rifle. We finished our shoot at Stoke Bruerne as we wanted to get some canal shots  and I think when the photos are done they will look terrific.

In the meantime Richard sent through a new arrangement of the song “Babies of the Blitz” last night which is nothing short of fantastic and I can’t wait to perform. Tomorrow I have a show in Letchworth and then on Saturday I’m performing a Battle of Britain WAAF show just out-side

Tools of the Hair Trade!

of Brighton in the village of Sompting. I’m opening the show at noon and then the following week I will be at Shuttleworth’s Vintage air Show  performing three shows daily but more on that in my next blog. I shall leave you with a few photos and I look forward to catching up with you all next time.

Keep following, Toodle Pip and bye for now! 😉

Between Shows at Stonehurst Farm!

Paul and Poppy!

Firstly I’d like to begin my blog by thanking every-one who came to see our shows at the weekend at Stonehurst Farm’s 1940s event. Paul and I performed eight shows over the weekend and it was lovely to be out, catching up with friends and performing the music of the 1940s. Paul and I always enjoy this event as it attracts all sorts of people, not just 1940s enthusiasts but families of all ages too.

It was a busy weekend as somebody told me there were twelve 1940s events going on due to all the rescheduling which has taken place in recent months.  Stonehurst Farm has so much to offer not just for children where they can get up close and feed the animals  but it also has a terrific motor museum, which is always a delight to see. The weekend also attracts lots of re-enactors who bring their military displays and vintage vehicles.

So often with these events I have to stay fairly close to the stage area as I have costume changes and a lot to do in a day. A great deal of thought goes into all my shows and I was pleased to perform a couple of my new arrangements which went down well with the audience. Poppy came

On Stage with Paul!

with us too as she is learning to be a showbiz dog although I think she enjoys being a sleep in her basket best of all. She never likes to be too far away from Paul when he’s on stage and she often likes to peep around the corner when he’s singing.

As you can see I’m much later with my blog this week than usual but this month I’ve been extremely busy. I’m often working well into the earlier hours of the morning just to get everything done. I’ve been out performing every day and this week I’ve had press interviews, meetings, dress fittings, recording sessions and a new video to master in between shows. I also

Opening the Weekend with my WAAF Show!

picked up a beautiful 1920s microphone I commissioned from Wendover Wood which I will be using in a film I’m recording in October.

I’m currently working on a new flicker book video of the Cover Girl song “Long A Go and Far Away” with my web-designers Karen and Peter. This video will be documenting my performance at Bletchley Park and Peter very kindly sent over the rushes last night. I employed H100-Photography to take the photos and I have a wonderful selection to choose from. It takes a while to go through everything but the video is

Bed Time for Poppy!

coming together beautifully and it will be great to have a new addition to add to my video channel.

Next week I’m heading over to Milton Keynes Museum to do a Peaky Blinders photo shoot. Initially I had hoped I could have used the Black Country Living Museum but due to copy right restrictions that wasn’t possible.  I’ve been learning a lot about men’s pattern cutting over the last few months and how men’s clothes of this period go together. Naturally I’ve had to have the trousers and waist coat made, cut in the mannish style to fit my figure. I had a fitting last night and once again Judi my dress maker has done me

On the Sunny Side of the Street!

proud.

I’ve also been lucky and managed to find a couple of important pieces on Etsy. I was thrilled to pick up the perfect over coat cut in the mannish style to fit a woman’s figure on line and also the right period fox fur. All my furs are from the 1940s where 1920s furs have a different shape. When I get it all together I think the results will be impressive as we are going for a dark and dangerous look rather than the lady like image we have done so many times before.

My new 1920s Microphone!

Once again these photos are for a music video I will be shooting in October which will be combining the Peaky Blinders look with Chicago hence the vintage 1920s microphone.

I’m going to leave my blog here as I need to crack on and get ready for my show this afternoon. In the meantime I will leave you with a few photos from Stonehurst Farms 1940s event. Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for now! 😉

All Set and Ready to Sing!

Rule Britannia – Singing the Best of Proms!

Once again I’m fighting the clock to get everything ready in time for tomorrow when Paul and I will be heading off to perform for Stonehurst Farm and Motor Museum’s 1940s event, but more on that in a moment.

I’ve had an extremely busy week performing and squeezing in phone calls, paperwork, dress fittings along with the daily stress and strains of getting to my shows on time. At the moment so many roads seem to have roadworks on them with an endless array of  confusing detours. Yesterday I was on my way to Banbury and they had closed the road just outside of Brackley. It took me ages to find my way through thanks to a friendly work-man who recognized me and who was able to give me directions.

This morning I was up and out early as I had to dash over to the recording studio to record a new song for my Bletchley Park flicker book video. Those of you who follow me on face book may have already seen some of Harry’s beautiful photos. They arrived earlier this week and I have over 600 shots to go through. Harry has taken some wonderful shots as I engaged him and Suzanne to document my performance. It had

Dancing in the Street!

been  my intention to stream the show live but sadly the Wifi at Bletchley Park can be intermittent so I thought a collection of still photos would be a better option. As it happens I couldn’t have wished for more and I look forward to sharing the video with you soon.

In the mean time I’ve been working every day and I’ve had a couple of Driveway Concerts this week which are always very enjoyable. It’s been a busy week of mixed style performances from the 1920s “Putting on the Ritz” to Patriotic Proms shows to the Swinging 50s, 60s & 70s. On Sunday I had every-one dancing in the street at

Rock & Roll is Here to Stay!

Fallowfield  and now it’s full steam ahead as I get ready for Stonehurst Farm.

This weekend Paul and I have been booked to perform 3 shows daily plus entertain at the Saturday night dance. Poppy will be joining us too and I have a couple of new songs I’m dying to try out. We have a fantastic weekend planned and this is our show itinerary for the weekend:-

Inside Bletchley Park!

Sunday -11.30am ATS Show, 1.30pm Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, 3.30pm 1940s Glamour Swing Show.

Out-side Bletchley Park!

To book tickets click the link below and we look forward to seeing you!

Getting my Costumes Ready for my Show!

Keep Following Toodle Pip and By for now!

See you there!

Dressed for Action at Bletchley Park!

On Stage at Bletchley Park!

They say if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again and I’m thrilled to say that after 24 years of trying my moment finally materialized at Bletchley Park last Saturday when I was engaged to open the museum’s summer concert series on the oval lawn. Ordinarily to be engaged to perform 2 x 45 minute sets of music depicting the popular tunes of the 1930s, 40s and 50s isn’t a difficult assignment, but when you add into the mix the years of trying and hard graft to get there it suddenly becomes a very big deal indeed.

I first applied to perform at Bletchley Park back in 1997 but it was never quite the right time and sometimes all it takes is for an opening to appear, for some-one to give you a chance, and then everything becomes possible. When I think back to how my 1940s act was in 1997 to how it is now I feel very proud of what I have been able to achieve, thanks to the skill of my musical arranger Richard Whennell and dress maker Judith Row.

In the early days my ATS uniform consisted of nothing more than a battle dress jacket, hat and skirt. Now my uniforms cover ATS, WRNS and WAAF plus US WAAC and WAVES too, not to mention my current walking out ATS uniform which Judi made for me back in 2004. I’m so

On Stage in The Ballroom!

proud of my musical and medley arrangements which are the very best and have kept my act unique.

A lot of thought goes into my shows and for Bletchey I wanted everything to be perfect. Initially Paul should have been working with me as my sound engineer but literally two days before he got pinged and had to self isolate. Although I can easily mix sound myself I was worried about the stage aesthetics but fortunately all was well and it didn’t detract from my performance.

Bletchley Park!

For my BP debut I opened my show in ATS uniform and changed into a pink 1940s suit for the second half. It’s important to bring a choice of costumes especially when performing out-doors as anything can happen and sure enough it did. No sooner had I changed costume and sat down for lunch the heavens opened and there was a mad dash to bring all my equipment indoors. What ever the weather the show must go on and thanks to my friends Harry and Suzanne we were able to resume my show in the ballroom.

I’d put together a special program which  consisted of British, American and French songs

Meeting Up With Friends in the Ballroom!

from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. These included numbers made famous by Vera Lynn, Judy Garland, Edith Piaf and the very best of Hollywood. I also commissioned two new musical arrangements of Vera Lynn’s song “Be Like the Kettle and Sing” and the Judy Garland power ballad, “By Myself”. I’d been wanting to perform these songs for a long time and Bletchley Park seemed like the perfect venue.

There’s nothing more exciting than a new musical arrangement and both went down extremely well especially “By Myself” which seemed  appropriate and I can’t wait to sing it again at my next concert.

Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree Post Bletchley!

Singing the 50s, 60s & 70s for Wendover WI!

Thank-you to every-one who came to see my show and especially to Tammy and Molly for making this possible. I had a lovely day and it was such a treat to see behind the scenes and so much of the house and grounds. I hope in the next week or so I will be able to share with you some more photos thanks to my friends Harry and Suzanne. In the meantime I shall leave you with a few snaps from my own camera.

Since Bletchely I haven’t stopped working and I’ve sold all my dates for August. It’s been a great week as I’ve been out performing every-day all sorts of different shows from “Thank-you for the Music”for Wendover WI, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” to Patriotic Royal Garden Party style performances. This coming Saturday I will be going back to the 1920s with “Putting on the Riz”and tomorrow I have two shows back to back starting in Wallingford in Oxfordshire and finishing in Milton Keynes.

On that note I will leave it here tonight . Keep Following and next week I will tell you more about my forth coming shows at Stonehurst Farm’s 1940s event 14th & 15th August.

Toodle Pip and Bye for now! 😉