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! 😉