Well, my dear old thing. If you're after one outrageous story after another, then this is an event to appeal.
It's always interesting listening to old raconteurs reliving their finest hour... and other people's too.
But what, more than anything else, made it a choice evening was the eloquence and mellow tones of Test Match Special commentator Henry Blofeld who, if a little muddled with his words now and again, has still seen more than enough to fill an evening chatting on stage with his old radio producer Peter Baxter.
An Ashes Test venue twice in the next few years, Trent Bridge came in for high praise, as did local hero Derek Randall.
Surprisingly, it was an audience filled not with chaps, but mainly chaps with their chap-esses, making it a lovely event from start to finish.
If you've never heard the tale about that quaint church on the hill looking out towards West Bridgford, then (yes, it's not a church, is it...) you'd have roared with laughter at Blowers' recollection of his commentary when he saw a plume of smoke from the "churchyard" and surmised that the vicar was having a barbecue for his parishioners.
Of course, the knowledgeable audience second- guessed the punchline, made on air "in all innocence", according to the broadcaster.
We remembered CMJ, Jonners and John Arlott – all now sadly departed – discovered what a Boycott curry is, travelled the world's top cricket grounds and learned the truth about "The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey". Howzat?
Monday, February 25
Friday, February 8
Strictly Come Dancing Live, Capital FM Arena
It really was a truly A-MAZ-ING show.
And it was refreshing to, at last, see all of the dancers, celebrities and pros from Strictly Come Dancing in the flesh after a winter of building anticipation.
The judges, who are also the stars of this glitter-ball of a show, were Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and the show director Craig Revel Horwood.
All lived up to their billing – even if we were denied the famous "Seven" cry from good old Uncle Len.
This was the first of three shows at the Capital FM Arena and they weren't afraid of dishing out a good hiding with their scores, despite it being a glitzy gala night for the celebrities and their partners.
For the record, we were treated to Artem Chigvintsev dancing with Fern Britton, James Jordan with Denise Van Outen, Karen Hauer dancing with Phil Tufnell (who first competed in 2009), Natalie Lowe and Michael Vaughan, Ola Jordan with Louis Smith, Robin Windsor dancing with Lisa Riley and Pasha Kovalev with Dani Harmer – so a couple of changes from the TV partnerships to digest. It'll be an open secret who won – and there was really only one contender.
Gymnast Louis, although joint second on the judges' scorecards, came out on top in the final shake-up.
Although the judges were inevitably scripted for large chunks of the night (something that presumably can't be avoided on a show that's running almost every day in one part of the country or another) there were plenty of histrionics and a pantomime atmosphere with cheering, booing balanced with applause and admiration for the talent on show.
The biggest cheer was reserved for Olympic hero Louis, who won this season's TV show, and for Denise, whose signature Charleston was simply amazing.
Fern hoped to raise her score – and a few pulses – by stripping Artem's top half, while cricketer Phil played it for laughs trailing what looked like toilet paper out of his trouser leg!
The format was for each couple to dance a ballroom and a Latin number, punctuated by some stupendous routines from the professionals.
Kate Thornton, who was an able MC for the night, celebrated her special birthday with the crowd wishing her well in traditional style with a rousing chorus to kick-start the fun.
The evening closed with the ensemble – including judges – hitting the dance floor and those within touching distance had to hold themselves back as Bruno got carried away enough to swing his shirt around his head!
But everyone was close to the action here in Nottingham for a truly FAB-U-LOUS show (... that's one word, three syllables, begins with 'F').
And it was refreshing to, at last, see all of the dancers, celebrities and pros from Strictly Come Dancing in the flesh after a winter of building anticipation.
The judges, who are also the stars of this glitter-ball of a show, were Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and the show director Craig Revel Horwood.
All lived up to their billing – even if we were denied the famous "Seven" cry from good old Uncle Len.
This was the first of three shows at the Capital FM Arena and they weren't afraid of dishing out a good hiding with their scores, despite it being a glitzy gala night for the celebrities and their partners.
For the record, we were treated to Artem Chigvintsev dancing with Fern Britton, James Jordan with Denise Van Outen, Karen Hauer dancing with Phil Tufnell (who first competed in 2009), Natalie Lowe and Michael Vaughan, Ola Jordan with Louis Smith, Robin Windsor dancing with Lisa Riley and Pasha Kovalev with Dani Harmer – so a couple of changes from the TV partnerships to digest. It'll be an open secret who won – and there was really only one contender.
Gymnast Louis, although joint second on the judges' scorecards, came out on top in the final shake-up.
Although the judges were inevitably scripted for large chunks of the night (something that presumably can't be avoided on a show that's running almost every day in one part of the country or another) there were plenty of histrionics and a pantomime atmosphere with cheering, booing balanced with applause and admiration for the talent on show.
The biggest cheer was reserved for Olympic hero Louis, who won this season's TV show, and for Denise, whose signature Charleston was simply amazing.
Fern hoped to raise her score – and a few pulses – by stripping Artem's top half, while cricketer Phil played it for laughs trailing what looked like toilet paper out of his trouser leg!
The format was for each couple to dance a ballroom and a Latin number, punctuated by some stupendous routines from the professionals.
Kate Thornton, who was an able MC for the night, celebrated her special birthday with the crowd wishing her well in traditional style with a rousing chorus to kick-start the fun.
The evening closed with the ensemble – including judges – hitting the dance floor and those within touching distance had to hold themselves back as Bruno got carried away enough to swing his shirt around his head!
But everyone was close to the action here in Nottingham for a truly FAB-U-LOUS show (... that's one word, three syllables, begins with 'F').
Monday, February 4
Madagascar Live, Capital FM Arena
If there was ever a show that was all-singing and all-dancing, then Madagascar Live fits the bill perfectly!
An energised audience also managed to let off their steam by dancing in the aisles at the end of a perfectly balanced show at the Arena.
Encouraged by the lively cast, we needed little encouragement to get on up and "move it, move it" to one of the animated film's catchiest tunes.
Dazzling costumes and amazing sets took the production way above the usual fare for children's stage-show entertainment.
And having a familiar story worked to the show's advantage as it retold the tale of the group of New York zoo animals who seek a little adventure on the other side of the bars.
The action-packed musical follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo on their unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar.
The crack-a-lackin' adventure slows a little at times but then so does the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation movie.
Fortunately, there are some nicely-worked set-pieces to keep us hooked, especially the cheeky, plotting penguins and a pink-haired love-starved newscaster.
Both leave the stage for a little interplay with individual members of the audience, bringing their characters to life up-close and personal.
The dance numbers are well choreographed and it's a relief to hear real singing.
With no voice track or miming, it's a pleasure to appreciate the talent of the "animals" performing in front of us. They're clearly enjoying themselves, which is infectious in the amphitheatre created by using just half of the Arena.
We're treated to 25 characters in all – which is no mean feat in a touring production where everyone has to squeeze themselves into costumes that really do reflect the characterisation of the animals they play. Neat stage tricks help transport us from zoo to the subways of New York, then on board ship and into the jungles of Madagascar.
The show-stopping numbers come right at the end and it's something of an abrupt stop when the story finally draws to a close.
But wait... maybe the show doesn't stop there for the youngsters: You know it's worked out well when you spot kids of all ages singing the best-known songs on the way out!
An energised audience also managed to let off their steam by dancing in the aisles at the end of a perfectly balanced show at the Arena.
Encouraged by the lively cast, we needed little encouragement to get on up and "move it, move it" to one of the animated film's catchiest tunes.
Dazzling costumes and amazing sets took the production way above the usual fare for children's stage-show entertainment.
And having a familiar story worked to the show's advantage as it retold the tale of the group of New York zoo animals who seek a little adventure on the other side of the bars.
The action-packed musical follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo on their unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar.
The crack-a-lackin' adventure slows a little at times but then so does the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation movie.
Fortunately, there are some nicely-worked set-pieces to keep us hooked, especially the cheeky, plotting penguins and a pink-haired love-starved newscaster.
Both leave the stage for a little interplay with individual members of the audience, bringing their characters to life up-close and personal.
The dance numbers are well choreographed and it's a relief to hear real singing.
With no voice track or miming, it's a pleasure to appreciate the talent of the "animals" performing in front of us. They're clearly enjoying themselves, which is infectious in the amphitheatre created by using just half of the Arena.
We're treated to 25 characters in all – which is no mean feat in a touring production where everyone has to squeeze themselves into costumes that really do reflect the characterisation of the animals they play. Neat stage tricks help transport us from zoo to the subways of New York, then on board ship and into the jungles of Madagascar.
The show-stopping numbers come right at the end and it's something of an abrupt stop when the story finally draws to a close.
But wait... maybe the show doesn't stop there for the youngsters: You know it's worked out well when you spot kids of all ages singing the best-known songs on the way out!
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