A Day Out at Waddesdon!

It wont come as any surprise to learn I’m now in full swing with Easter Bonnet shows as I play through to 13th April. “In my Easter Bonnet” is one of my favourite shows and it’s proving to be the perfect platform for my newly commissioned Mary Poppins Medley. It’s great to sing so many of the old seasonal favorites from “April Showers”, “Apple Blossom Time”  to “Tulips from Amsterdam”. They never fail, and as the vintage time lines move forward these songs seem as popular now as they ever were. They are warm and cosy and it’s a bit like slipping my feet into a comfy pair of old slippers.

I like to be busy but it has been very intense in the office of late as I’ve had a lot of dead lines to meet and the current economic climate is proving tough to negotiate. It reflects in peoples attitudes and there’s not much love especially when

Waddesdon Manor!

every-one is trying so hard to save money and make ends meet. Despite this I’ve been working on a new business card design with my web-designer Karen. I’m keen to appeal to a wider market and choosing the right photos to sell the message can be brain boggling.

Fortunately I have a very good photo library I can call upon but even so it can be difficult finding the right shot with so much choice.

Inside the House!

I’m thrilled to announce I’ve launched two new videos in the last couple of weeks. “Puppet on a String” and “My Myself”, a classic Judy Garland power ballad. To see my videos click the links below :-

The Gainsborough Lady!

I’m very proud of both of these videos and I hope in time they will generate a lot of new customers  along with my new show-reel which I featured in my last blog.

I spend far too much of my time prepping for shows and thinking about work which is why I made the conscious decision to take a day off on Saturday to visit the stately Rothschilds mansion Waddesdon Manor. I had the pleasure of visiting a few years ago with my friend Fay, not long after the pandemic so it was delightful to see the house again in all it’s spender.

Waddesdon Manor is owned by the National Trust and managed by the Rothschild Foundation, it is one of the National Trust’s most visited properties, with over 463,000 visitors a year

The Games Room in the Bachelor’s wing!

The house is a Grade I listed building in a mostly Neo Renaissance style, copying several French chateaux, between 1874 and 1889. Baron Ferdinand had the chateaux built as a weekend residence for entertaining and to house his collection of arts and antiquities. As the manor and estate have passed through three generations of the Rothschild family, the contents of the house have expanded to become one of the most rare and valuable collections in the world. It’s quite breath taking to wander through the house as it’s exquisitely furnished and it

Beautiful Chandelier!

brought back so many happy memories when I visited with Fay.

In 1957, James de Rothschild bequeathed the house and its contents to the National Trust, opening the house and gardens for the benefit of the general public. Waddesdon is one of my favourite Stately homes, not only for it’s beautiful gardens but because of it’s many treasures. I enjoyed my visit immensely and for the first time I was able to visit the bachelor’s wing. On every occasion when I’ve visited the house before the bachelor’s wing has been closed to the public so this was a real teat.

Another one of the highlights was visiting the treasury. Some of the jewelry on display is breath taking and it’s incredible to think one family had so much wealth. I often imagine when I visit grand houses what it must have been like living in them

Beautiful Vintage Drapes!

back in the day. I’m particularly fond of victorian fashion especially dresses with bustles and that style is reflected in the home furnishings at Waddesdon Manor. Although ruched, swags and tails “Gone with the Wind” style curtains might be out of fashion today I adore this style and it’s lovely to see them in situ at Waddesdon often finished off with beautiful tassels.  

The walls are bedeck with gorgeous paintings including a couple of familiar Gainsboroughs and dutch masters

The Garden Elephant Statues!

When I visited on Saturday the gardens hadn’t as yet come into full bloom as we are still very early in the season, but never the less there are no shortage of lovely walks and I enjoyed visiting the avery and seeing the elephant statues.

I shall leave you with a few of my favourite photos from the weekend.

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Enjoying the Gardens!

Chichester Cathedral!

I’ve just returned home from a week away performing a series of shows in and around the Chichester area. March marks the beginning of Spring and it’s good to get away from the office after spending so much of the early part of 2024 e-mailing clients. The world is in flux and it’s going to be a tough year. Sadly so many of the venues which were flurising before the pandemic have since closed and I can feel a change in the air.

However despite all this unsurety I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new show-reel. For those of you who follow me may remember back in January I went up to Manchester to film at Streetstar Studios https://streetstarstudiosuk.com/. It was a wonderful opportunity and I really enjoyed working with a new set of people which is often the best way to find inspiration. My showreel was a year in the planning and it’s great to see it now, it’s finished. I’m very proud of it and it’s already generating a lot of interest on

Between Shows in Emsworth!

line which I hope will attract a new set of clients moving forward.

I owe a big thank-you to Dom Sabine and his Streetstar team who made my vision a reality. You were all terrific!

To see my showreel just click the link below  – Enjoy Watching!

Inside the Lady Chapel!

I confess I’m currently looking for a new musical adventure and it was fun to include some Postmodern in my showreel. This is just one of three videos I made while I was up in Manchester and later this week I will be launching my next video which is “Puppet on a String”. A classic Sandie Shaw number from the 1960s. It was only ever my intention to feature it in my main showreel but as I was having such a good time at Streetstar I decided to record the song in it’s entirety – So keep watching this space and I will keep you posted!

The Piper Tapestry at the High Altar!

It’s good to work different areas and while I was down in Chichester it gave me time to think. I had shows which took me along the coast to Lyndhurst and up to Pulborough. I’m always working but on this occasion I made a conscious effort to walk into Chichester every day and to take some time out to visit the cathedral and museum. The museum mostly focuses on Chichester’s Roman history although on this occasion they did have a special visiting Starwars exhibition. A must see for Sci-fi fans.

Roman Style Helmets at the Museum!

Personally I loved the Cathedral best. It’s very impressive and dates back to 1108 when the seat of the bishop was moved from Selsey. The Cathedral has fine architecture in the Norman and Gothic styles, and has been described by the architectural critic Ian Nairn as “the most typical English Cathedral”. However despite this, Chichester has two architectural features that are unique among England’s medieval cathedrals, a free-standing medieval bell tower (or campanile) and double aisles. The cathedral contains two rare medieval sculptures, and many modern art works including tapestries, and the Marc Chagall stained glass window which was installed in 1978.

The famous Chagall Window!

While I was there I visited the cathedral twice and sat quietly in the Lady Chapel  which is set aside for prayer and quite Contemplation. I particularly liked the Piper Tapestry which is located at the High Alter. I shall leave you with a few of my favourite photos taken while I was in Chichester.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks with International Women’s Day, Mothers Day and St Patricks Day coming up this Sunday. Tomorrow I have a Pearly Queen show to perform in Hemel Hempstead and then it’s full steam ahead for Easter.

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Working Hard in the Office!

February is rapidly drawing to it’s close and we are only a day or two away to welcoming the Spring and moving forward into March.

I don’t have a huge amount to write about largely because it’s been business as usual for February. I’ve been out this month performing romantic songs for the Valentine season while working hard in the office selling shows for the year. Office work can dive me a bit potty and I’m longing to get back out on the road again as I head off to perform along the south coast at the start of next month. I usually open at Hurstpierpoint but this time will be a little different as I begin in Farnham and continue down to Chichester. I have a mixed bag of music to perform with no show like another as I mix post modern with the 1970s and musical theatre with Spring time favourites.

All Set for Blackbushe Open Day!

It’s hard to get a handle on the theme for this year, apart from every-one is going all out for D-Day. Like busses everything seems to come at once and everybody seems to want me for the same dates which is frustrating. That’s the snag with anniversaries and commemorations you have to play the exact dates, days either side often wont do and it can be difficult getting the balance right.

I’m thrilled to announce I’ve been booked to sing for Blackbushe Airport’s Open day on the 15th June which is just after I come back

I’m On My Way Now!

from Normandy. I’ve been booked to preform 3 shows daily covering songs from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

Blackbushe Airport has an interesting history. It started life in 1942 as RAF Hartford Bridge, and it was used by RAF squadrons throughout the remainder of  the second world war for reconnaissance, defence and strike operations using Spitfires and Mosquitoes. It was also the home of the Free French Squadron (Lorraine).

I’ll Be Delighted to Perform for you in the 15th June!

A number of important people landed at the airport including King George VI  and Queen Elizabeth, Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery.

RAF Hartfordbridge was also the home of a new system known as “FIDO”(Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation) built by the Airforce Construction Unit. Pipes were laid down both sides on Runway 26, and fed with fuel. The pipes had small holes, and if the airfield was shrouded in fog, the fuel was ignited. The heat created would cause the fog to rise and disperse.

On 18 November 1944, the airfield was renamed to RAF Blackbushe, due to confusion over a similar area in Norfolk. On 15 November 1946, the RAF had moved out, and the airport was handed over to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, becoming Blackbushe Airport.

I’m looking forward to their event very much and it will be great to play somewhere new.

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My Funny Valentine!

The start of the year can often be the hardest, for no other reason than it requires a considerable amount of behind the scenes work, selling shows to potential clients. Things don’t really start moving properly until Valentines week and it’s important to have the bulk of the year sold and mapped out by this point. It can be mundane, but essential and I always look forward to being back out on the road again once the calendar comes round to Valentines.

This year has been a little different because I’ve been out today performing for Chinese New Year. Apparently 2024 is the year of the dragon and never was it more important to have “Puff the Magic Dragon” in my repertoire as it was today. Sadly I have yet to acquire that backing track so I just had to make do with songs that referred to the lunar new year instead, of which there are many. I have no shortage of songs that mention the moon

On Stage performing Fever!

which became the main focus for today’s show although another song I would really like to have in my repertoire is “Chinatown my Chinatown”. I remember hearing this number years ago as the opening song in the pantomime Aladdin and I thought to myself  I’d like to sing that one day. It’s a great number and it’s hard to believe it was written way back in 1910.

Next year is the year of the snake. I’m not particularly fond of reptiles and neither are songwriters and lyricists but I expect something will suggest itself should I be called upon to do another Chinese New Year show in 2025.

I’m now full steam ahead with Valentines week and I have a lovely selection of romantic songs I’m looking forward to singing. I’m booked through to the 19th although times are hard. The bottom has fallen out of the 1940s and reenactment market with entertainment at an all time low. Every-one is trying to save

Going out with Paul for Lunch!

money and more events are turning to aspiring local amateurs rather than touring professionals. It’s no wonder foot falls are dropping and perhaps the whole 1940s scene has had it’s time. It’s tragic to see as this is a scene I care about greatly. I hope things will get better but perhaps not.

It’s important to adapt and to find new markets and the private sector who are booking for weddings, anniversaries funerals etc seems to be much more lucrative. I’m not sure where the future lies but with this being the 80th Anniversary of D-Day I’m super excited to be returning with Paul to Arromanches to sing for their D-day Commemorations. More news on that later but in the mean time I shall leave you with a few of my favourite photos.

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Stupid Cupid!

Back Stage at Streetstar Studios!

It seems these days I live my life in the fast lane dashing from show to show and always looking forward as I perfect the past through my many musical shows. Last week the moment had arrived as I made my way up to Streetstar Studios in Manchester with my friend Angela to start work, and shoot my new showreel. It had been a year in the planning and it’s wonderful to see a plan when it comes together.

I’m a Libran and I have terrible trouble making up my mind. I cover such a broad range of musical styles it’s difficult to hone everything into just five

All Set to Film My First Number!

numbers, so in the end I decided to shoot seven songs for the show-reel plus an extra Judy Garland stand alone power ballad “By Myself”. It’s important to show musical diversity which isn’t difficult but getting all the different looks right is where the time goes and it requires a lot of work and a huge amount of patience behind the scenes.

Streetstar are experts in the field and they have a whole team of people who are able to help make your vision a reality.

I was thrilled to meet Dom whose business it is,

Angela and I Between Takes!

camera men Bailey and Danny and photographers Jamie and Mark who made both Angela and I very welcome. They offer an amazing studio package which includes recording, still photography and live filming all under one roof, which couldn’t be more convenient especially as the studio is situated on the first floor of The Birch Hotel in Heywood. Perfect for us as we had driven up from Bedfordshire and also gave us a convenient place to stay.

People fly in from all over the world to film at Streetstar Studios and it’s hardly surprising because they have everything you could possibly need.

I knew it was going to be intense and I had set three days aside which also included our travelling. Fortunately I had my friend Angela with me who helped me enormously zipping me up into my dresses and getting me in and out of my costumes which in some

On Set for the 1970s!

cases can be really tricky. Angela is a phenomenal hairdresser and she was able to create all the different looks I needed to represent the musical decades.

It’s hard to believe, but I had fourteen costume changes in two days and I’m very pleased I brought a couple of spare out-fits too. This turned out to be just the thing when Mark surprised me and allowed me to record my opening sequence in his beautiful vintage car.

A couple of my out-fits were made especially for

Jamie’s Rock and Roll Shot!

the shoot and it’s interesting to see myself on camera now. It’s important to choose costumes which are right for my age and sometime you can stumble upon a look which will inspire the next stage in my career moving forward.

I was passing a charity shop just before Christmas and I bought a mans gold sequin rock and roll jacket I saw in the window. It was a spontaneous purchase and fortunately my dressmaker Judi was able to cut it down and tailor make it to fit me. I took it along to Streetstar as a spare out-fit

By Myself – Judy Garland Number!

and boy didn’t it look good in Jamie’s photos – Rock and Roll here I come!

I also love my new Judy Garland dress which Judi was able to make for me based on an early 1960s pattern and  https://shesdynamiteclothing.com/shop who made my black and gold 1950s “Fever” dress

A huge thank-you to Dom and every-one at Streetstar Studios. I can’t wait to see my show-reel once it’s been edited. It takes about four weeks so something to really look forward to.

On Set with the 1940s!

Tomorrow I’m going away for a few days but I’m back next week as I get into the swing for Chinese new-year and Valentines. I shall leave you with a few of my favorite photos. If you would like to find out more about Streetstar Studios here is a link to their web-site.

https://streetstarstudiosuk.com/

If you work in show business they are well worth a visit!

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All Set to Record My Opening Sequence!

All Set to Head off on my Travels!

I hope it’s not too late for me to begin my blog tonight by wishing you all a Very Happy New Year. I’d also like to say a very big thank-you to everyone who booked me in 2023 and here’s to a terrific and prosperous 2024!

I’m sorry I’m weeks behind with my first blog of the year – which isn’t like me at all! But after performing 49 shows in 33 days and completing 295 shows during 2023 it’s taken me a little longer than normal to get ship shape. I came back from working on the South coast on the 4th January and not without drama, when I discovered the diesel I filled my van up with  was contaminated. It involved me having to get my tank pumped out, a flat tyre, plus a mountain of emails and paper-work I’m still ploughing my way through now!

You could say I’ve hit January running and it’s already been an amazingly engaging one. I’ve performed 10 shows this month

On Stage at Milestones Museum!

so far which is unusual because January is when I’m often in the office planning the year. Next week I’m up in Manchester making my new show-reel and needless to say I’ve a lot to organise. It’s been a year in the planning and it’s great to see everything coming together. In recent years I have invested in a lot of flicker book videos incorporating still photographs. However I felt it was time for a fresh showreel which would showcase my versatility and some of my new Postmodern repertoire, not to mention a few vintage favourites.

Dressed for the Festive Season!

I’ve already we-transferred my backing tracks on ahead plus I’ve had a couple of new dresses made for the occasion. Each gown has been meticulously designed to go with the songs and I’m super excited to have the opportunity of working with a new team of people. I don’t want to give too much away just yet so keep watching this space and once my films are made I will share them with you on this page.

I confess I haven’t been on facebook quite as much as normal as Christmas was an extremely busy season. I performed a number of shows in

The Room is Set for Danny House!

Oxford, Northamptonshire, London and then I was down to Hampshire and along to West Sussex with a special New Years Day Concert at Danny House, one of my favourite venues.

I thoroughly enjoyed singing for Milestones Museum where I was engaged to perform 3 x 45 minute seasonal shows daily which took me through to the end of the year. My new Mary Poppins Medley came through just in time and fitted well within my “Fairytale Christmas Spectacular” brief. It has all the right ingredients for “Twixmas” due to it’s Disney content and has

Relaxing with Poppy on Christmas Day!

been proven to be a real hit with family audiences.

Today I have been busy packing for Manchester and rehearsing my music. My friend Angela will be coming with me as I need a dresser and more importantly a hairdresser who can help me recreate the different historical periods. Some of my dresses are really difficult to get in and out of with awkward fastenings so an extra pair of hands will be a really helpful.

That’s all my news for now as I need to get back to my paperwork. I shall leave you with a few of my favourite photographs from Milestones thanks to photographer Sean La Plain and a few more I took over Christmas and New Year. I look forward to catching up with you all again soon.

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Paul, Poppy and I at Milestones!

Merry Christmas to You All!

I’m afraid it’s just a very quick blog tonight as I’m dashing between shows to get my blog out before Christmas. I’ve been performing shows back to back and it’s the same again tomorrow as I head off up to Northampton and Buckingham. I’m traveling down to Portsmouth after my show on Christmas Eve to be with Paul and Poppy for Christmas day although I still have a very busy diary ahead of me which will be taking me through to New Year.

I’ve been booked to perform at The Foundry Arms in Poole in Dorset for Boxing Day for a Birthday come Christmas Party and then I’m in Basingstoke performing at Milestones Living History Museum.

I had the pleasure of performing at the Museum earlier in the year for their 1940s event and this time I’ve been engaged to sing for “Twixmas Tidings”, which will be running through for five days from Wednesday 27th to Sunday 31st December. I’m currently

Twixmas Tidings at Milestones Museum!

finalising my show plans and I will be performing 3 x 45 minute non repetitive shows daily at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. My shows will be featuring popular Christmas and New Year favourites and classic songs from Disney fairy tales. Please click the link for details.

https://www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/event/twixmas-tidings-milestones

Merry Christmas!

Last Saturday I was able to squeeze in a lightning visit to the recording studio where I was able to pick up my new “Mary Poppins” arrangement. Once again Richard has excelled himself and his arrangement has been going down a storm. I’ve been including it in my “Fairy Tale Christmas Spectacular” shows this week and I can’t wait to sing it at Milestones.

I’ve had the Mary Poppins  medley in production for a number of years but due to music priorities we’ve had to push it back, so it’s thrilling to have it at long last. It makes for a fabulous addition to my repertoire especially as it includes a “Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, two numbers I’ve been wanting to sing for ages.

This will be my last blog for 2023 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all, my friends and customers for  your fabulous support over the year. I won’t be returning home until the 4th January. I have a special New Years Day concert to perform at Danny House, Hurstpierpoint on the 1st and then I’m in Enfield on the 5th January.

Here’s to a Fantastic 2024!

January is going to be a very busy month. I have a run of Postmodern Jukebox shows and I’m filming towards the end of the month up in Manchester as I start work on making a new showreel which will better represent my current work.

Have a Wonderful Christmas and New Year and I look forward to catching up with you all when I get back in January.

Toodle Pip and Here’s to a Fantastic 2024! 😉

On Stage for Jambusters!

It wont come as any surprise to hear I’m now well into my Christmas season. My new songs are going down a treat. You can’t beat a Richard Whennell arrangement and it’s a delight to have some new numbers, for this Christmas. I’m loving Richard’s arrangement of the  John Rutter song “Candlelight Carol”. It’s truly beautiful and a perfect match with my voice type.

I also have a gospel arrangement of the Victorian hymn “Oh Holy Night”. For many years I never liked this song but by adding a gospel beat, it’s suddenly come alive for me and works really well within my festive repertoire. Another one of my favorites is “The Perfect Year”. It’s from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Sunset Boulevard” and although I’ve been singing this song for many years it comes fresh to my 2023 Christmas show.

Last Sunday Paul and I were performing for the Jambusters

Merry Christmas Every-one!

Christmas market in Woburn. It was a lovely event and I had been booked to perform a selection of Vintage Christmas Songs and 1940s favourites. The event took place at Woburn village hall and there were some wonderful items for sale. Needless to say I was able to do a little bit of Christmas shopping between sets while Paul performed a couple of popular swing tunes too.

I had been looking forward to this event very much because the event organiser Zoe does things so well. It’s important to be versatile and for the second half of the show I added in a lot

Shopping at Bella Blooms Stall!

more 40s favourites. You can’t go wrong with the classics and there is something about the music from this era which just makes your toes tap. My friend Harry was able to take photos and I hope to have a lovely array of shots which in time will be making there way into another flicker book video. I find this to be a wonderful way of recording the day and always makes for a great momento.

Speaking of which it give me great pleasure to launch my new flicker book video from Milestones Museum. This selection of photos

In Full Christmas Song!

were taken by photographer Sean La Plain in May when I performed for the museums 1940s event and I hope you all enjoy watching!

https://youtu.be/hWiQPnLL7lk?si=01FG-PS6Vhoilakt  

I’m going to be returning to Milestones later this month as I’ve been booked to perform for their “Twixmas Tidings” event which runs through from Wednesday 27th – Sunday 31st December. I will be performing 3 x 45 minute shows daily at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and featuring popular seasonal classics and songs from Disney fairy tales. To find out more please click the link below.

https://www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/event/twixmas-tidings-milestones

I shall leave you with a few of my favourite photos from this week

Merry Christmas from Paul, Poppy & I

as I continue to perform shows through to mid January.

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Santa Baby!