27 down, 20 to go

Past the half-way point now and all going well. Playing Dolly with a slightly lower voice this year so there's not so much strain on the old chords, and I'm managing to avoid the dreaded "panto voice". A dwarf short tonight (sorry, couldn't resist that ) so one of the juve dancers has taken his/her place. A full compliment of (big) dancers for a couple of days now - they've been worst hit by various bugs etc; this confirms my theory that choreography just ain't natural and isn't good for you, which is why I've always tried to avoid it as much as possible (ever since a nasty case of Gillianlynnitis auditioning for "Chitty")
Heard a new Specsavers gag that I might try and sneak in today.

Panto Pic

Keith's Christmas card photo of

Me, Vicki, Keith (Company Manager) & Peter

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho

It's back to work we go after a lovely day off. Really enjoyed Snow White in Sheffield - Damian Williams was a triumph as Dame as ever... but enough about him. Our show's going well and we've had some nice reviews; The Stage described me as well-upholstered - in other words... wait for it... Sofa so good!
http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/26703/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs

Wednesday 16th

Two shows today at 1.30 (would have been a lovely morning off but had to do Christmas cards) and 7.00. In evening show suddenly decided to break off in the middle of making up to clean my teeth before doing lipstick, then started chatting with dresser about something or other and so did opening with no lips. Another dreaded 10 o'clock show tomorrow (the last one until 6 Jan, thank god), then short turnround for second show at 1.30. THEN... up to Sheffield to see Damian Williams' "Snow White". Hooray!

Press Night

Show went well.

Mr Holman, Theatre Big-wigs (my finale's still the biggest) and

Friends of the Theatre all very happy.

Like a Christmas tree all we need now is some trimming (ho ho)

Press Night tonight

We opened yesterday at 10am to a small audience of tinies. It was good way to gently ease ourselves into the show. Another 10 o'clocker this morning with our Press Night tonight at 7.
A lovely company meal last night at Tarentella's (good food, friendly staff) to celebrate Vicki Michelle's birthday; her husband, Graham and Lynette joined us for a fun and noisy evening.
Looking forward to my first day off on Friday - Lynette and I are driving up to Sheffield after the 1.30 show Thursday to see Damian Williams in his "Snow White". Can't wait.
Memo to self - Eye-phone gag works better if I remember to take the prop on with me!

Sunday - Day 10

In for notes at 9.15, then 2 dress rehearsals. We open tomorrow with a 10.00 am show, then another 10 o'clocker on Tuesday and press in for the evening show at 7.00.

Tuesday - Day 5

Oh dear - struggling with the dancing. How many left feet can one person have ?!?!

Sunday - 7.00pm

All blocked - v. impressive - now just got to learn it...

Sunday - Day 3

Peter Duncan joins us today so we start blocking from the top. No days off until 18th, when I go up to Sheffield to see Damian (Williams) in his "Snow White".
We open next monday with a 10 o'clock show which is a first for me - it's going to feel very strange!

First Day

A good first day's rehearsal. Ran through my song for the end of my opening spot, "Dolly Dumpling's Special Remedy" (my version of George Formby's "Aunty Maggie's Homemade Remedy") which I wrote for "Snow White" in Worthing in 2004. I was a bit worried because the Director/Choreographer, David Samuel has added in dancers and babes doing a routine, which I didn't think the song needed, but he's done a great job and I'm totally won over; I think it's going to work really well. Also worked a bit with the MD, Colin Billing, who is wonderfully relaxed and above all patient. Another relatively easy day tomorrow but it will all kick off for real on Sunday afternoon when Peter Duncan joins us (from directing panto in Oxford).
Have decided not to try and cook Christmas lunch in our flat so have just booked for The Old Manor Inn in Kewstoke instead.

Panto here I come

Off to Weston tomorrow to start rehearsing friday. All packed -just have to pick up new frock en route in Shoreham from the wonderful Pat Moss

Panto Launch 15th September

I'm really looking forward to my trip down to Weston next wednesday for the Panto Launch. Still trying to decide what to wear - at the moment I'm favouring my "Daisy" outfit - but I've sorted out what I'll be doing for the "taster" show - the Billy Balloon story.

2009 Panto Confirmed

This will be my tenth consecutive year playing Dame - in "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs" with Peter Duncan and Vicki Michelle in Weston-super-Mare for Paul Holman. I am thrilled to be playing in my Mother's hometown, where my Great Uncle, George Locke, was a popular bandleader at The Winter Gardens in the 40's and 50's.

New blog

This is a new blog I've set up for panto news, which I can update when I'm away from home.
No news at the moment as to where I'll be this Christmas, but stayed tuned...