All Set to Shoot the 60s!

This weekend I will be brushing out my 1930s finger waves and moving forward in time to the 1960s. For those of you who have been following me will know last weekend I was filming at the Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury, creating a 1920s and 30s showreel. This Sunday I’m in Stony Stratford at the photographic studio having some of my 1960s dresses photographed for my web-site. If all goes to plan I hope to use a couple of the photos in the next issue of Vintage Fair magazine. I have a few ideas I wish to explore and it’s important to do these things now while I have a little down time. Next month I’m fully booked with shows and Normandy with much of my July and August sold out too. I wont be able to start filming again until September so it’s important to get all these little jobs done now before I start on my Summer season.

On Sunday I will be working with photographer Colin Aldous. Colin has known me since my dancing days when he was the lighting engineer at the Leighton Buzzard Theatre. I’ve known him for years and back in the day before I turned professional I worked with Colin as a choreographer on a couple of productions he directed.

Getting CDs Ready for D-Day!

Together he helped me create my web-site with his photos so I was keen to keep the style and consistency for this shoot. Colin documents all my dresses in the studio and it’s from his photos we create the cut-outs which is a theme which runs through-out my site. I often use his photos for Out-fit of the week which as I’m sure many of you already know I run through my Facebook pages.

Apart from putting away my 1920s and 30s dresses from last weeks filming and getting ready for the 1960s shoot. This week I’ve been busy packaging up all my CDs for France. I still have to pick up the post cards from the printers for my Liberty CD – but all in all I’m nearly there!

Well must dash as I have e-mails to answer and dresses to iron.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

All Set to Sing the 1920s!

Hello every-one as you can see I’m back in my office after a busy week of prepping and performing “Happy and Glorious” shows. This Sunday I was filming a 1920s 30s showreel at the Limelight theatre in Aylesbury with film maker David Pustansky. This is my second film in the series and some of you may have caught my first showreel which featured music from the 1950s and 60s. I shall be back again in September to record the 1940s although I haven’t decided if I shall be mixing glamorous songs from the 40s with the 50s or just sticking with the 1940s. Trends are moving away from the home front British 40s style and far more towards the American crooning sound. I have a couple of numbers in production at the moment which are classic crooning tunes from the 40s which I’ve been wanting to sing for a long time and choose with the showreel in mind.

Backstage at the Limelight Theatre!

While I was with Richard in the recording studio last Monday we experimented with a couple of different keys. In this next film I’m keen to show off my crooning voice which not many people know I can do. Most people think that a soprano voice can only sound operatic but by dropping the keys the voice can take on a completely different dimension. Julie Andrews did this when she played Victor Victoria – another one of my favourite films. You can’t beat a good musical!

When ever I make a film or do a photo shoot a great deal of thought goes into it’s planning. On this occasion I was keen to show a wide variety of music from “Putting on the Ritz”, “There’s a Small Hotel”, “If I had a Talking Picture” to “Me and My Girl” and “Anything Goes” to name but a few. Perhaps I did have Julie Andrews in the back of my mind when I performed Marlene Dietrich’s “Falling in Love

Falling in Love Again!

Again” in my tails. I have to confess the song came as something of an after thought, but I thought it would add a healthy contrast to the proceedings not only vocally but visually and make a change from dresses. If you click-through to my facebook page you will be able to see a short behind the scenes video of my singing “Falling in Love Again”. A little taster of what’s to come!

On Sunday I had the pleasure of working with my friend Kim as I needed not only a sound engineer but a hair dresser too. Kim can very cleverly do both so I was straight round to her salon first thing on Sunday morning having my hair styled for the shoot. The 1920s and 30s is all about finger waves which takes a great deal of skill. fortunately Kim had some original metal clips from the 30s which are needed to clamp the hair in order to create the waves. Once the style is clamped it was then a case of me drying off under the Climazone before Kim was able to curl my hair up at the back to create that 20s 30s look.

Under the Climazone at Kim’s Salon in Quainton!

Sunday was an extremely long day. I’d recorded 14 numbers and booked the theatre from 2pm to 8pm which perhaps was a little too long. However despite everything I was able to film 12 songs in total. I think it might be better in future to record less and film over two days as the camera is the first to pick up on tiredness. I wont get to see the rushes until the 25th May so I’m keeping my fingers crossed all will be well. I like to set myself high standards and after a full day on Sunday I was very glad to fall into bed.

So a big thank-you goes out to Kim and David for all their hard work and I’m looking forward

Backstage with my Shoes!

very much to getting this showreel up and running. My next project is to produce a 1940s one and then a Music Hall showreel.  The final project will be a film which shows everything I do from opera to Rock and Roll using a selection of footage from all of the above videos. So much to do and plan for.

In the meantime it’s fill steam ahead this week as I get set for Normandy. I’ve just orderd some more CDs for France and on Sunday I’m at Saracen House photographic studio in Stony Stratford. When I get back from Normandy I want to start work on refreshing

On Stage as Evette the Spivette!

my 1950s 60s page. Now the show reel has been done it needs to be added to my 1950s and 60s web-page along with a few new cut out photos.

That’s about all my news for now other than Kim and I went out on Monday evening to Bicester to see the film Florence Foster Jenkins. What can I say – wonderful! She had a voice like no other and was probably the least gifted soprano to ever sell out Carnegie Hall!

Well must dash – Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip! 😉

Stepping Out in my Top Hat and Tails!

Hello every-one I’m sorry to say I will only have time to write one blog this week due to the fact I’m out performing “Happy and Glorious” shows much of this week to tie in with the second wave of the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations. It’s important I set some rehearsal time aside. I need to go over my songs in preparation for Sundays film shoot and I still have quite a few costumes to sort out in between times. This evening I had an appointment with Judi my dressmaker as I had a few last-minute alterations which needed to be done in preparation for Sunday shoot. One of my gowns I’ve not worn for 23 years so it’s lovely to see it again after all this time. It’s a black and white satin dress I designed for a show I did back in 1991 and I will be wearing it for “Putting on the Ritz”. On this occasion I have commissioned film maker David Pustansky to capture my songs from my 1920s and 30s repertoire so I’m looking forward to stepping out in costume and recording some of my favourites.

Behind the Scenes in the Recording Studio!

The 1920s and 30s is one of my favourite periods in musical history and on Monday I spent most of the day in the recording studio with Richard laying down my tracks. I’m particularly looking forward to filming “If I had a Talking Picture of You” a wonderful Charleston tune from the 20s and “Lets Do It” which is Cole Porter at his best.

On that note I must leave it here tonight as I need to get on with prepping my costumes making shure everything is spit spot for Sunday. I wont have the chance to blog again this week but I will catch up with you next week when I will be getting ready to record some of my 1960s dresses.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

We’ll Meet Again!

As I’m sure many of you already know it’s VE Day on Sunday and this week I’ve been out and about performing 1940s ATS “We’ll Meet Again” shows to tie in with the anniversary. On Sunday I’m booked to perform in Beaconsfield and I have so much to sort out this weekend what with one thing and another so I can’t be too long with my blog tonight.

I have to confess I have been a little tied since returning home from Suffolk  so I’m determined to get an early night tonight and start a fresh tomorrow.

I’m back in the recording studio on Monday and I need to make sure I have all my show plans in place for Normandy. I can’t belive it’s just over three weeks before we set sail and I’m also laying down the tracks for this next set of filming. I’ve booked The Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury again which will give my finished showreel constancy when we come to linking up all the different musical periods. Many of you have already seen my 1950s and 60s one so on the 15th we will be recording my 1920s and 30s songs along with a few Music Hall numbers. I have to confess I’m still trying to make up my mind which songs to include so watch this space and all will be revealed in a week or two.

Caught on Camera Outside Ollie Vees!

I’ve been busy putting together my outfits and making sure I have a lovely array of colour. The costumes have to be right for the songs and express the right imagery when the showreel to edited together. I think I’m more or less there as a great deal of thought goes into it all. Some of my dresses move beautifully when I dance and I have chosen them with that in mind.

As usual I was in a bit of a dash today needing to get to the bank before heading off to my “We’ll Meet Again” show. On my way I got snapped out-side Ollie Vees in Leighton Buzzard so I shall leave you with this photo.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Singing the 40s at Glasswells Ipswich!

Firstly I’d like to start my blog tonight by thanking every-one who came to see me sing at Glasswells this bank holiday weekend. I can’t tell you how lovely it was to see you all. I often wonder when I write my blogs if anyone really reads them and I’m often surprised when I go through my stats with Rachel just how many of you do. It’s always lovely when people come up to me and tell me they follow my blog and career with interest. I love to travel and I’m always interested in your views on various events. Your views and opinions do matter and it’s important for me to stay on trend within in the world of nostalgia which is why I like to

Hair By Kim!

listen to your points of view. The scene is changing and it’s always important to move forward and not allow ones self to become stale. I’m so pleased so many of you have been enjoying my new 1950s and 60s show reel. It’s true “The Swinging 1950s and 60s” is now one of my best-selling shows so you may well be seeing me do far more of this style of music in the next few years.

If you haven’t seen my showreel yet, click onto the follow Fiona tab on the right hand side of this screen and then click the You Tube icon. It’s the first video you come to.

As for this month I have so much to plan for and today I was out bright and early to Kim’s salon as we tried out a few ideas for my next film shoot. I’m shooting again on the 15th May this time music from the Music Hall era and songs from the 1920s and 30s so we wanted to make sure we would get the style just right before we film. Now I’m

Me with the Miss Nippies of Glasswells!

back home from Suffolk its full steam ahead prepping costumes and I shall be out and about this week performing “We’ll Meet Again” shows with the run up to VE Day for the 8th May. Paul and I will be sailing to France on the 1st June and this year I have been invited to perform in Arromanches on the 4th and 6th June. I need to start on my show plans and make sure everything is in place this month for Normandy plus I’ve squeezed in another photo shoot but more on that later.

It was lovely to be in Suffolk this bank holiday and I’m pleased to say that on this occasion I

On Stage with Paul at Bury St Edmunds!

got it booking right with the Cameo Hotel in Copdock – Thankgoodness! I didn’t want a repeat of Tilbury and The Stifford Clays!

The Cameo Hotel offers an excellent value for money stay and it is situated on the Old London Road which makes it easy to find. The staff were all very helpful and professional and they couldn’t have done enough for us which made our stay delightful. I had booked a three night stay due to the fact I had a show in Ipswich on the Friday and I had been engaged by Glasswells furniture store to sing at their 70th anniversary events in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds

On stage with Another Singer!

on the Saturday and bank holiday Monday. Paul was able to join me on Saturday evening after my show and sang for Sundays performance in Ipswich and also at Glasswells on Monday which went down very well with the Bury St Edmunds store. At Glasswells in Ipswich all the waitresses had dressed up as Miss Nippies which added to the nostalgia as I performed nine x 20 minute sets of songs from the 1930s – 40s to tie in with the companies birthday on both days.  A big thank-you goes out to Andrea, Linda, Brian and the Miss Nippies and all the staff at Glasswells who were so very kind and helpful. It was

1940s RAF Sweetheart Brooch!

a pleasure to sing for you all and be part of your birthday celebration. Heres to the next 70 years! 😉

Between shows Paul and I were able to make it along to The Cameo Hotel’s Antique fair on the Sunday morning where I was able to pick up two beautiful vintage brooches. My favourite being a 1940s RAF sweetheart brooch which I wore with pride for Mondays shows at Glasswells

As for this week I’m in London tomorrow and I need to have a look at my ATS uniform and make sure it’s spit spot for tomorrow show.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

All Set For Glasswells!

Once again I’m afraid I can’t spend too long on my blog tonight only because I’m off to Suffolk first thing tomorrow morning and I still have quite a bit of packing to do. This weekend I have a run of shows which will be taking me to Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. I’ve been engaged by the furniture store Glasswells to sing at their 70th anniversary event which I’m looking forward to doing very much.

Glasswells have two stores and on Saturday I shall be at their Ranelagh Road, Ipswich branch and on Monday in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket Rd singing from 11am – 4pm, 20 minutes on 20 minutes off all through the day. It should be a good event so if you are in town do pop along to see me as it would be lovely to see you. I belive I may well be singing in a period setting so I can’t wait to see what furniture Glasswells have chosen to represent the years they have been in business. While I’m in town I’ve also shows to do in between times. A 1920s and 30s one tomorrow afternoon on my way over to Ipswich and another one on Sunday too so busy busy!

This week I’ve been out and about performing Pearly queen shows and next week I start on a run of “We’ll Meet Again” ATS shows to tie in with VE Day and the 8th May. This week I also had a long dress fitting appointment with Judi to check on my gowns before I start filming on the 15th and I’m back in the recording studio on the 8th.

I must dash now but I look forward to catching up with you all when I get back next Tuesday.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

All Set to Go On Stage at The Ellis Theatre!

Gosh what a week it’s been! This week I’ve sung my way through an entire century of music in “From Cobbles to Rock” at The Ellis theatre in Tilbury. Dashed straight back to perform my “Happy and Glorious”show for the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations in Marlow on Thursday and then it was straight into Pearly Queen shows with 4 performances back to back for St Georges Day. Phew!

Today I’ve been performing in Aylesbury my Best of British Pearly Queen show and I have a morning show first thing tomorrow at 11am in Berkhamsted. I’m also trying to sort out my costumes and catch up on my paper work and e-mails. I love to be busy and I’ve so much to tell you about the last few days. However I’m off this Friday to Suffolk for a run of shows which this weekend will be taking me to Glasswells furniture stores in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. I’ve been engaged to perform 20 minutes on 20 minutes off all through the day from 11am – 4pm to

On the Road with Kim at Orsett Hall!

commemorate Glasswells 70th anniversary. So I belive I will be working in a period setting and singing for their customers which I’m looking forward to doing very much. So as I’m going to be away for 4 days I need to make sure I sort out something glamorous to wear.

In the mean time what about this week just gone? If you caught my last blog you will know I had employed Kim to work with me as my sound engineer for “From Cobbles to Rock” in Tilbury. I had booked some over night accommodation from booking.com only to find our cosy little farm-house B&B was not fit

Our Room at Orsett Hall!

to stay in. The letter box was tied up with wire and we were presented with skips of rubbish in the front garden. We could bearly open the front door and inside we were greeted with bare plaster walls with electrical wires hanging down, plastic sheets and a wobbly stair case. No lock on the bedroom door and although the bed linen looked clean and the bathroom modern as two women travelling alone we wouldn’t have felt secure staying in such a place. I had booked a twin room only to be told they only had a double and their usual clientele were lorry drivers and Foren contractors. As you can imagine I decided to get a refund and Kim very quickly set about finding us a alternative hotel on her smart phone.

At the Greyhound Inn!

From one extreme to the other  we were lucky enough to get a room at Orsett Hall which is a popular Wedding venue. Also it’s wasn’t far from the theatre and although it was twice the price and some it was worth every penny.  So ladies be warned don’t stay at The Stifford Clays Farmhouse, North Stifford, not unless you don’t mind the above and you are not too particular. I’m sure in time when the building work has been compleated it will be a splendid place to stay only that time isn’t now and I was jolly pleased Kim was able to find Orsett Hall!

Me with the Morris Men!

After all that I’m pleased to say my “From Cobbles to Rock” show went really well as I had been invited to a special gathering of the Essex WI hosted by Bulpham WI who had highed the Ellis theatre for their special event. It took me quite a while to prep all the costumes as this show has 11 costume changes so there was much to remember. It’s a show which tells the story of 100 years of music from 1900 to 2000 and during the show I sing it all from Opera to Rock and Roll. It’s a big sing but fun to do even though I’d not played the show since 2012.

Paul Looking Very Smart!

Kim and I dashed home after the show on Thursday morning which I’m sure as many of you know was the Queens 90th birthday as I was booked to perform that afternoon. As soon as we reached home Kim and I did a quick turn around and re loaded my van. For Cobbles I have to borrow my brothers van as it’s just that little longer than Connie and takes the Cobbles screen which is an important part of the show. On Friday I had two Pearly queen shows and on Saturday too, to commemorate St Georges day. On Friday afternoon Paul joined me on stage for the Order of St George luncheon which took place at the Holiday Inn in Aylesbury and then we were in Aylesbury again on Saturday afternoon before heading on up to Coventry to Sutton Stop and The Greyhound Inn for their big St Georges Day celebrations. Saturday night was fantastic and Paul was a big hit with the ladies as he wowed them with his singing. We also saw the Morris men who danced between my sets. The pub was packed and we will be back there again on the 18th June for their Last Night of the Proms Night.

Speaking of which I must leave it here tonight. Keep Watching and Toodle pip! 😉

Between Sets at Ollie Vees!

I have so much to cram into tonight’s blog and so little time to write. I still have show plans to do and words to learn not to mention costumes to prep for Wednesday so I really must crack on. Firstly I’d like to thank every-one who came along to support me on Saturday night at Ollie Vees in “The Good Old Days”. Ollie Vees is a very intermit venue and it was lovely to see so many friends. Thank-you every-one for your support it was much appreciated especially Robert and Sylvia who came in costume and won the prize for the best dresses. Don’t worry your CD is in the post ! I’m so pleased you all enjoyed

Happy and Glorious in Datchet!

the music as it’s easy to forget in to-days world just how important these Music Hall songs were back in the day. So much of this music has been kept alive by the Pearly Kings and Queens of London Town. Speaking of which I have four Pearly Queen shows to do this week alone to tie in with St Georges Day on the 23rd.

Today I was performing in Datchet the first of my “Happy and Glorious” shows for the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations. Most of my “Happy and Glorious” shows will be taking place in June but today I had been asked to

A Royal Tea!

add in a few extra songs from the 1940s and 50s which went down really well with the audience. It’s given me a few ideas for my future show plan as those 40s & 50s numbers worked so well with the traditional British songs of Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. The WI Hall had been beautifully decorated in red white and blue. I was asked to stay for tea, as we all sat down to hand cut sandwiches and Her Majesty The Queen cup cakes, which were delicious!

It had been my intention to go to Hammersmith Vintage Fashion Fair on Sunday as there were a few things I would have liked before I start filming again on the 15th May. However after Saturday nights show we were still very tired so Paul and I decided to go out for lunch at the Bell in Woburn. When I’m in town I always like to visit the Antiques centre and Minchin and May the beautiful home and gift center.

Paul and I Shopping at Minchin and May!

On Wednesday I’m off to Tilbury and the Ellis Theatre as I’ve been booked to perform my “From Cobles to Rock” show a 100 years of music and costume. Kim is working with me as my sound engineer and we shall be using my brothers van. Connie is just an inch too short to take my screen as she has been boxed out. The screen is very nessecialy for this show as its fast moving. I have 11 costume changes which I do on stage behind the screen while narration is going on and telling the story of the changing decades from 1900 – 2000. In many cases I have less than 20 seconds to change in so all my costumes are velcroed

A Top Hat – Just Like Mine!

and it’s very demanding not only vocally but physically. Kim and I will be coming back first thing Thursday morning as I have to dash straight off to Marlow in the afternoon for a “Happy and Glorious” show. I’ve two shows daily on Friday and Saturday with my final show taking place at The Greyhound Inn, at Sutton Stop, in Coventry. I’ve been booked for a Best of British Pearly Queen Music Hall show to mark St Georges day so busy busy!

I must go now as I still have so much to do. Once again due to my work load I will only get the chance to blog once this week but I will catch up with you all next week. I will try to keep you all up to date with photos through my Facebook pages.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉