Meeting the Horses Before the Show!

Jess and I All Ready to Go On Stage!

It’s been a busy bank holiday of shows with two birthday parties back to back. One to celebrate Hilary’s 80th at the lovely family home of Norcott Court in Berkhamsted and the other for a special 100th birthday celebration in Milton Keynes. On Saturday night Paul and I were performing at The Equestrian Center in Slapton songs from the 1940s with fellow artist Jess De Giudici as the village turned out to raise money for the church bells. I expect many of you have already seen my photos on Facebook as we all enjoyed a fantastic night of 40s nostalgia. It was great to see every-one dressed up in their 1940s out-fits as Jess, Paul and myself took every-one back in time with our favorite tunes from the 40s.

Saturdays show turned into a long night as I didn’t get on stage for my final set until gone 11 pm and played through to 12.00 am. Jess had to get back to London as she had another singing engagement first thing on Sunday morning so I kept the music high with a fast 40s swing set which got every-one up on the floor dancing. Of-course no 40s night would be complete with-out the “White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again” with this being

Paul and I On Stage at Norcott Manor!

After Our Show in Milton Keynes!

Vera’s 100th birthday year and by the end I finished the night off with “Land of Hope and Glory” which never fails. What can I say by the time Paul and I had packed up and got home we were both ready for bed!

I big thank-you goes out to Jayne who worked so hard to make the night such a success and to all the volunteers who helped to decorate the room so beautifully. I was even given a pair of silk stockings off the washing line which feel so lovely on by the way – and ones I shall be keeping for very best! No doubt I will be wearing them this June when performing in Normandy. The French always notice these things and that attention to detail as do the Italians!

To-day I performed the first of my new shows “Thank-you for the Music” as I move my repertoire forward a little more into the 1970s. This last month I’ve been learning new songs which have included numbers by The Supremes  and The Jersey Boys so it’s been good to sing something a little different. To-day I included the theme from Mahogany “Do You Know Where You’re Going to” and “Oh What a Night”. I’m still learning “You Can’t Hurry Love” although “Stop! In the Name of Love” has been going down very well. I sung it for the first time last Wednesday which can always be a little nerve racking. When you are performing in musical theater you have so much rehearsal time to get a song right with your fellow cast watching on. Unlike in cabaret where you don’t have that luxury. You have to learn a song and step out straight away before a paying audience which can be a little like a sink or swim experience. It often takes a while for a song to fit which is why rehearsals are so important.

I’m fully booked again this week with shows every-day so Toodle Pip Keep Watching!