tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51022503810556993162011-11-28T00:10:17.054Zand don't you forget it_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.comBlogger871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-35845658915477523912011-11-20T12:55:00.002Z2011-11-20T12:55:55.910Z

So were you expecting Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pluto? So were we - but they were merely the warm up act with this year's Disney on Ice going from strength to strength from beginning to end. Despite being firm favourites they only set the scene for a series of superb set-pieces which proved much better than previous years' efforts. And what's more there was something for everyone, with the

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-48003736306951887352011-08-10T14:53:00.000+01:002011-08-10T14:53:06.305+01:00

INFECTIOUS and addictive: half an hour after leaving the theatre you're guaranteed to be whistling a reprise of the Lonely Goatherd out loud – even if it does surprise the passengers on the bus home. Direct from the West End, it says, and this realisation of a wonderful and timeless classic demonstrates how the legacy of Julie Andrews' film role is in very safe hands. The tomboy nature of a

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-61277494954240020702011-08-10T14:51:00.002+01:002011-08-10T14:51:38.319+01:00

For a man whose band’s big No1 was sandwiched between The Wurzels and Demis Roussos at the start of that long hot summer of 1976, Eddy Amoo is a very chipper man. The Real Thing recorded You To Me Are Everything at the start of the year after it failed to excite record bosses in London – and it kick started a career that’s lasted until the present day. The soul trio perform at the Theatre Royal

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-28854141746349576912011-08-10T14:50:00.000+01:002011-08-10T14:50:29.551+01:00

JAMIE 'Afro' Archer is the latest star to join the line-up of the first Rasen Rocks summer concert at Market Rasen Racecourse. He’ll bring the band Archer to the races in a show that includes headline performer Aiden Grimshaw as well as Paije Richardson. Already an accomplished performer, he wowed all four judges with his energetic rendition of Kings of Leon's 'Sex on Fire' in the first round

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-76198830819961688032011-06-30T21:40:00.001+01:002011-06-30T21:42:05.962+01:00

by Patrick Astill It really is no surprise that the TV show Mrs Brown's Boys divides opinion like Marmite. It certainly isn't one for the faint-hearted. The programme has proved a surprise ratings hit for the BBC despite going down faster than the Titanic with the critics. It's a traditional comedy staple in that the leading lady is Brendan O'Carroll in drag playing who is now – in the

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-37699484664483793762011-05-16T08:32:00.001+01:002011-05-16T08:33:04.079+01:00

A galaxy of stars from stage and television visited Lincoln’s Theatre Royal for the comedy drama, Five Blue Haired Ladies Sitting on a Green Park Bench.The hilarious – and moving – story by John A Penzotti, concentrates on five wonderful women and is guaranteed to make you laugh ... and cry.One of its big stars, popular actress Lorraine Chase, says she loves Lincoln and its theatre and is looking

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-64355001518704350962011-05-04T08:42:00.002+01:002011-05-04T08:43:23.548+01:00

by Patrick Astill Dan Clark is one of the country’s brightest comedy stars, best known for his portrayal of loveable rogue Don Danbury in the BBC3 hit sitcom How Not To Live Your Life. He writes and produces the show, and you might also have seen him as Johnny Two Hats in The Mighty Boosh. There’s a chance to see him in the flesh at the Drill Hall, when he visits Lincoln with his new stand-up

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-68211321639258288612011-05-02T09:55:00.000+01:002011-05-02T09:55:59.881+01:00

Dave Sharp from The Alarm (68 Guns, Where Were You Hiding) is on the road, performing his own acoustic solo gigs around the UK. He says the events rail against the commercial and engineered music that he feels is thrust upon the public. “More people are saying they are fed up with it,” he said. “It’s understandable that music doesn’t seem to be reaching out to people how it should be. “There

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-38488591170746776522011-04-27T09:16:00.000+01:002011-04-27T09:16:21.090+01:00

Acoustic singer-songwriter Jon Gomm has been hailed as one of the world's “most gifted and inspirational” guitar players. He actually laid hands on a guitar aged two, wrote his first song at six and went on to accompany his father to watch gigs in his home town of Blackpool. Touring musicians would often stay at their family home, which meant he regularly enjoyed expert tuition from some of the

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-3755479823107876022011-04-26T12:15:00.001+01:002011-04-26T12:15:34.968+01:00

by Patrick Astill What will you be doing on the big day then? Maybe a nice breakfast in bed, followed by an easy morning pottering around the house and then settling down for the greatest show on earth? It’s plain that the great British public seems distinctly under-whelmed by the prospect of a royal wedding. Even David Cameron did his bit this week with a rallying call for anyone who wants

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-48934613024783883782011-04-26T12:06:00.001+01:002011-04-26T12:10:16.512+01:00

by Patrick Astill He's probably best known now for that hit charity video with Peter Kay miming to his music, but that’s only part of the story for Tony Christie. Its seven weeks at number one serves as a reminder of Tony’s longevity. Celebrating 50 years in the business, he’s done the lot. He’s also woven his career in and out of the public eye, and only last year achieved a long-standing

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-43793702539488807792011-03-25T15:20:00.000Z2011-03-25T15:20:04.957Z

Jenny Eclair has been an accomplished stand-up for more years than she’d care to remember. She started out with a first gig at Manchester Poly, moved to London to seek her fortune and ended up being the first woman to win the coveted Perrier Award, scooping the accolade in her 13th appearance at the Edinburgh Festival. Among her early TV work was Packet Of Three, which she wrote and acted in

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-55031170925733039272011-03-22T14:37:00.002Z2011-03-22T14:38:09.455Z

Tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games went on sale this week. But will you be splashing out on the spectacular? For one thing, you’ll need a Visa card to pay – as they won’t accept anything else online. Secondly, the money will go out of your bank account before you know what you’ve been allocated, so if you’re trying to second-guess what might be popular and over-book as an insurance

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-61387682072254891372011-03-22T14:35:00.000Z2011-03-22T14:35:57.157Z

Art rock band 10cc visit The Embassy Centre in Skegness on Friday, March 25. Founder member Graham Gouldman spoke to Patrick Astill ... Were you propelled to stardom with 10cc? 10cc just kind of evolved. We were like the house band at the studio, working on different projects. When the studio wasn’t working we wrote and performed together. We recorded a B side, Donna, and that was that! I

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-20969532810019152242011-03-02T14:22:00.000Z2011-03-02T14:22:52.736Z

Ex-burger van owner Angelos Epithemiou is part-way through a national tour, on the back of his role as scorekeeper on TV’s Shooting Stars. Patrick Astill caught up with him on the road … Q: You were driving when I rang. Have you parked up the van? A:I’ve parked up the van. No, the van’s gone! That’s all gone, that’s out of the window; that part of my life is no more. My van was blown up by

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-77374226603994060072011-02-28T13:07:00.000Z2011-02-28T13:07:31.091Z

Lover of sport, keen observer of politics - and someone who has an insatiable interest in people and places: that’s Mark Steel. When I spoke to him in advance of his Lincoln gig,  he’d just been “prostituting” himself listening to England losing in the 20/20 cricket, and I interrupted his enjoyment of the post-match analysis. As he stirred his morning cuppa, he explained how the idea of his new

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-47378631435329258332011-02-28T13:05:00.000Z2011-02-28T13:05:42.305Z

It might have been the right time for Sheffield’s finest synthesiser entertainer John Shuttleworth to instruct the nation in moral matters. But instead, thanks to his  agent Ken Worthington’s mistyping, his tour is now A Man with No More Rolls. But as the man responsible for bringing his character to the stage, Graham Fellows, reveals, Shuttleworth is more than happy to wax lyrical on the new

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-43874486814089624672011-02-27T13:09:00.001Z2011-02-28T13:11:36.563Z

He was the man who urged us to come up and see him sometime in the 70s, and he’s rocking Newark next week. Steve Harley talks to Patrick Astill about professional musicians and self-confidence. The Steve Harley tour promises an intimate and atmospheric performance, so there’s probably no better venue than the plush surroundings of Newark Palace Theatre. He’s fresh from a massive tour with full

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-88284433318397260542011-02-15T17:09:00.001Z2011-02-15T17:09:42.010Z

How can you or I make a real difference these days? With less than half of the electorate turning out to the last by-election, the ballot box might not always be the right answer, writes Patrick Astill. What really grabs attention seems to be the ubiquitous Facebook “fan” group, or a page online declaring support for your cause or a request to the authorities. There’s also somewhere on the

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-31010304896206876952011-02-15T17:03:00.001Z2011-02-15T17:04:52.428Z

By Patrick Astill "Famous Grouse? What did he do?" The triumphant reprise of Punt and Dennis's World of Wine sketch from the 90s provided a perfect end to the evening, if a little untypical compared with what went before. Steve Punt and "TV's Hugh Dennis" were at the Playhouse and back in Nottingham for the first time in four years. This show packed them in for an absolute sell-out. And it

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-40200907183124032712011-02-14T09:25:00.003Z2011-02-14T09:25:56.855Z

I’ve been persuaded to write about Valentine’s Day. It’s today, in case it’s passing you by. That’s not likely to have been the case, though, with every high street store (perhaps with the exception of shoe shops), urging you to spend money there to commemorate the first century life of an early Christian martyr. As I understand it, he was somehow linked with romance about 1,400 years later,

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-90284626701226390712011-02-13T09:32:00.001Z2011-02-14T09:36:08.702Z

Best known for their hits in the 1970s, The Three Degrees are a group whose music is instantly recognisable. Their biggest international hit, When Will I See You Again, from 1974, is just one of many highs for the American trio. The Runner, My Simple Heart, Giving Up Giving In, Take Good Care Of Yourself and Woman In Love were all high charters in the UK. And they are in the Guinness Book Of

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-10824278761117234622011-01-20T10:48:00.000Z2011-01-20T10:48:27.027Z

He served under legendary managers Brian Clough and Sir Bobby Robson and won a record 125 caps for England. And now the evergreen Peter Shilton will take to the stage at Lincoln Drill Hall next week to recall some key moments from his incredible career. Starting out at Leicester City as a teenager in the 1960s, he’s probably best remembered for his time in the Midlands, with spells at Derby

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-70278816207449858922011-01-20T10:46:00.001Z2011-01-20T10:47:40.723Z

You may have picked up on the news last week that a glitch on the iPhone caused problems after the alarm device failed to wake people at the pre-ordained time, writes Patrick Astill. But do we really need an alarm any more? Is it just because our sleep patterns are so irregular that we need shaking out of bed in the morning? I’m not so sure. I tend to wake up at the same time each day whether

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-5181070805224365762011-01-19T20:06:00.002Z2011-01-19T20:08:53.284Z

by Patrick Astill Ichthyotherapy is a word to conjour with. It’s the latest buzz-word in the world of pedicure, where you let your feet swim with the fish. You’ve probably seen the publicity – salons setting up right, left and centre to offer fish therapy. The scaly creatures don’t sit down and listen to your troubles … rather they nibble away at them, via your feet. Stick your feet in a

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-21028396194575659212011-01-13T20:03:00.002Z2011-01-19T20:09:05.692Z

by Patrick Astill We’re into the heart of the sales season already and it’s only just the New Year. The tired old adverts for toys and food on the telly have been replaced with shiny new ones for sofas and holidays. There are a lot of tempting offers online too – and some ungrateful people have already been bold enough to stick their unwanted Christmas presents on Ebay. But what to buy… and

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-49638484216995463192011-01-12T08:58:00.002Z2011-01-19T20:09:55.984Z

by Patrick Astill The witty lyrics of a light opera from more than a century ago often need a little updating to ring true with the modern audience of today. And a couple of excerpts from this production made the evening worthwhile. It was a little disappointing that as a "semi-staged" production, there was no scenery, no costumes and precious little movement on stage. The voices of the vast

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-56448936420281917472011-01-05T08:49:00.002Z2011-01-19T20:12:53.551Z

by Patrick Astill There was a report earlier this week about how a postman had been injured in a snowball attack. He was set upon by two grown men, who must have thought it was a great laugh. But it was clearly an unsavoury event, because they pushed him off his bike first. What was really going on here, though? Did the culprits imagine for a fleeting moment that they were enacting a scene

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-9641481978310612672011-01-04T08:47:00.002Z2011-01-19T20:13:06.672Z

by Patrick Astill I noticed the chemists are all full of people holding tissues to their noises and looking for their first cold cures of the season. We get the first bit of cooler, wetter weather and people are claiming flu, coughs, colds and head colds. All that wind and rain last week surely can’t have wafted bird flu in from paradise? I really don’t think they can all be ill. Perhaps it’s

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-16746065250649444262011-01-03T12:02:00.001Z2011-01-09T12:03:01.388Z

by Patrick Astill Yes, it’s the season to be jolly, but it’s also a time when stresses and ailments can take their toll. Why not give a thought to surviving winter and the festivities, as we ask some experts how you can alleviate those pressures for yourself. The first step, of course, is to accept that Christmas time will bring additional stresses. That means that you’ll have to work harder

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-62147915455620216892011-01-02T11:56:00.000Z2011-01-09T11:57:03.004Z

by Patrick Astill This was a panto that had it all. Big name stars, a comic that really got the crowd going, and – unlike some other big pantos in the area this year – some fantastic set-pieces that everyone loved. We were treated to a comedy wallpapering sequence, some fun with getting kids from the audience up on stage, the traditional face-off between the dame and a ghost – and much, much

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-63050401884915330262011-01-01T11:51:00.003Z2011-01-09T12:08:50.932Z

by Patrick Astill You might not spot Princess Jasmine if she walked past you in the street, but that’s something actress Michelle Hardwick has become used to over the years. Fans would certainly recognise her in her 60s gear as ever-present character Lizzie Hopkirk from TV’s The Royal, who she’s played for six years. Now resident at the Lincoln’s Theatre Royal for the next five weeks, she’ll

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-31237294666123647482010-11-25T16:33:00.001Z2010-11-25T16:34:16.223Z

by Patrick Astill Legendary space rockers Hawkwind play at Lincoln Engine Shed on December 6, and while founder member Dave Brock is pleased to be back on the road, he’s equally proud of the band’s first studio album for five long years, Blood of the Earth. Listening to the work of art, it’s clear that the brand new tracks meld well with a couple of tried and tested – if re-worked – numbers

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-17755053109014622982010-11-18T09:57:00.002Z2010-11-18T09:58:47.481Z

by Patrick Astill The cheeky fox himself answered the phone when I called Basil Brush to find out more about his show at the Theatre Royal later this month. With a string of dreadful, quickfire one-liners and terrible puns, it was soon clear that he’d lost none of his sharpness in 40 years of entertaining. Resting in a “rather splendid foxhole” in deepest Surrey while on tour, he confessed

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-76663173997493700572010-11-13T09:28:00.003Z2011-01-19T20:13:22.851Z

by Patrick Astill Tomorrow the nation will come together in an act of remembrance. Some people might not agree with what they see as glorification of war and a celebration of conflict. But that’s not why we stand in silence to remember the millions who perished in two world wars and many subsequent conflicts. We wear our poppies not just an act of remembrance – but as a warning, to ourselves

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-8065785332992001712010-11-12T19:54:00.002Z2010-11-18T09:59:29.340Z

by Patrick Astill Anyone who has ever been bullied at school, whether on a one-to-one basis in the cloakrooms or in full public view of the class, will know the effect it can have. The victim might feel isolated, because so many people ignore their plight – or they may simply be too scared to stand up to the bully. They might feign illness to avoid school altogether, or develop other symptoms

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-25413924273214739052010-11-05T10:18:00.002Z2010-11-05T10:25:08.111Z

by Patrick Astill A new report suggests that the age-old mid-life crisis is affecting people not in their late 40s and beyond – but more commonly between 35 and 44 years old. It doesn’t necessarily mean that men will go out and buy a fast sports car, or start an affair with someone 20 years their junior. But what it does mean is people are yearning after something they haven’t got … or

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-47210792016430360202010-10-08T11:10:00.001+01:002011-01-19T20:13:36.441Z

I noticed that the chemists this week were all full of people holding tissues to their noses and looking for their first cold cures of the season. We get the first bit of cooler, wetter weather and people are claiming flu, coughs, colds and head colds. All that wind and rain last week surely can’t have wafted bird flu in from paradise? I really don’t think they can all be ill. Perhaps it’s

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-31023454549123535622010-10-08T11:08:00.002+01:002010-10-08T11:08:46.367+01:00

If you're a fan of Disney's favourite stories, this was the night to get out with the kids to see the best of the last 100 years – yes, 100 years – of magic. Full of memorable music and lyrics, this show brought the usual two-dimensional experience to full-colour 3D life. It's a hit because all of the children can sing along, and so can the adults. We enjoyed a whole host of Disney legends,

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-5999866392366660492010-09-16T09:00:00.002+01:002010-09-16T09:04:50.752+01:00

Four couples sharing their beds on stage gives scope for something for everyone in this gentle comedy about our private lives. I say our private lives because what Alan Ayckbourn wrote when he put pen to paper for this one really does reflect what we get up to in the privacy of our own homes. Of course, the stakes are ratcheted right up the scale when other people invade that space - and that's

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-55460814955913557612010-09-13T19:13:00.000+01:002010-09-16T09:13:55.595+01:00

When two Oxford students require a chaperone at short notice so they can lunch with their sweethearts, the non-arrival of a millionaire aunt sets a trail of mayhem in motion. The nearest they can get to a stand-in is a (male) student friend, so he togs up in ladies’ garb and the deception begins … Nick Waring as Lord Fancourt Babberley is reluctantly called upon to be the imposter aunt by the

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-87003349717952271582010-09-10T13:57:00.002+01:002010-09-10T13:58:48.404+01:00

As we catch up with Darius Campbell, star of stage and small screen, we find him trapped slap bang in between interviews. He’s busy promoting a musical tour which he’s producing himself, The History of the Big Bands, which visits Lincoln next month. My slot was scheduled for 5.30pm, then tomorrow, than 4pm, 3pm, 2.30pm and 2.15pm, after he’d done a live broadcast. We settled for 3pm. It sounds

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-91000058144754131312010-09-08T14:01:00.000+01:002010-09-08T14:01:03.547+01:00

Perhaps best known for Scooby Snacks in 1996, they’re well and truly back, with a series of concerts and a new single We, The Three. After some tricky times in recent years the boys are all friends and all happily settled and at one with the world. And they’ve all relocated to this country, despite their New York connections. Their album Classic Fantastic is testament to their new verve and

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-34420108691208161672010-09-06T18:56:00.002+01:002011-01-19T20:13:51.090Z

The national press has been full of some good news about how this wonderful, dry summer has revealed the best showing of aerial photos of archaeology for years. Pardon? The last time I looked out of the window there were big black clouds and it was on the verge of tipping it down. It seems to have been like that since the first week of July – when, incidentally, I got back from a fortnight in

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-2661633366876745432010-08-27T16:19:00.004+01:002010-08-27T16:25:23.272+01:00

Life is something of a numbers game for Buddy Greco. He’s just turned 84 and this is his 60th visit to the UK.He’s on a run of 33 dates around the UK, on the back of his 70th album.The big draw is that he’s no tribute act. The Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis were his best friends in the 60s and a quick search of the internet throws up dozens of images of them all having fun

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-16556392348374755302010-08-27T12:34:00.003+01:002010-08-27T12:40:50.545+01:00

Stroll across the High Peak and you’ll always enjoy some of the country’s finest scenery.Wander only a few minutes away from the main paths and – if you know where to look – you’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring, time-travel moment, where you can see and sometimes feel the ghosts of the past.For scattered across an area from Glossop to the west and Sheffield’s borders on the east are almost 70

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-38643095878150070752010-08-23T11:42:00.006+01:002010-08-27T12:43:19.414+01:00

Chick-lit author Wendy Holden has hit on an unusual marketing ploy for her latest novel, Gallery Girl.It's set in the "high-octane world of art, sex and money" – wonderful ingredients to transform into her latest page-turner.Wendy made time to take on the persona of her bad-boy artist character and launched an art exhibition which opened in London for a single night earlier this week.It showcased

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-76099077718147875502010-08-02T23:59:00.001+01:002011-01-19T20:14:07.087Z

How long is a piece of string? More importantly, how long are those apron strings that you should keep the kids attached to during the summer holidays? I had an unusually liberating experience recently. I sent my kids off on a nature trail – and out of sight for ten minutes – at an open day at a local attraction. Normally this might set palpitations in motion, as they are only six and four.

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-30702028766526347932010-07-13T23:59:00.000+01:002010-08-16T22:27:59.744+01:00

On the television he's an unassuming observational wit.But as Reginald D Hunter puts it: "That's business, this is art!"And as he said, people come in to gigs like this with "hope and expectation" after enjoying his telly routine, but leave with shattered dreams and crushed hope after seeing the stand-up.Of course, that's just one of his gags. But it is material that would make anyone blush and

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-88448711011749584262010-06-17T13:52:00.002+01:002010-06-17T13:59:12.231+01:00

One thing about a potential career change is that it brings into sharp focus a lifetime spent in journalism.And it’s the formative years that stick with you.I remember the first war in Iraq, the Gulf War, when hundreds of casualties were expected among the allies trying to restore the world order in the Middle East following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.In fact so many American troops were expected

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-91925270864942889262010-05-25T18:18:00.001+01:002010-05-25T18:18:59.389+01:00

It cannot be easy to bring a well-known film to the stage and make it work so well.On the big screen, the actors can shoot, re-shoot, use camera tricks and all kinds of devices to tell their story.On the stage at Newark, Julie Fox and Matthew Hewitt get this Stephen King tale spot on and manage to make us smile and squirm in equal measure, as they make an easy connection with the audience.They

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-16213592586769305972010-05-21T12:04:00.001+01:002010-05-21T12:08:43.080+01:00

With days at the office now potentially numbered, I'll miss the little gems of knowledge teased out during the working day.We play the birthday quiz from time to time, and Judge Reinhold (Beverly Hills Cop IV etc) was on the list today."Isn't he the voice of Garfield?" says one."No that was Bill Murray."Well I wouldn't know either way, as I never liked Garfield on television. But I did like the

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-38180446129726540782010-05-11T13:52:00.000+01:002010-05-11T13:54:27.624+01:00

Perfectionist twitcher Roy Tunt is ready to catch a rare species on film and tick another box on his list of British birds, the most important, which will complete his set and make him one of the elite.This is the premise of The Sociable Plover (Vanellus gregarious and a wader in the lapwing family of birds, which is critically endangered).Gnome collector, scoutmaster and with a broken marriage

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-80608033644449474072010-04-29T11:21:00.002+01:002010-05-11T13:52:02.521+01:00

The ice dancers put absolutely everything into their performance in a rip-roaring extravaganza by the TV stars on tour in Nottingham.And although there was only one real slip-up, the judges were predictably harsh, reminding us that they see the same routines night after night – and judge them according to improvement or worsening of their ice dancing.Cheeky Andi Peters was our host, and got

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-72499605501187140242010-04-29T11:17:00.000+01:002010-04-29T11:19:45.548+01:00

Two solid performances from the leading actors endeared a packed Theatre Royal audience to them as they recreated this famous film for the stage.Coronation Street's Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin) played opposite Sarah Jayne Dunn, (Mandy from Hollyoaks), as Harry and Sally, who met in New York when she needed her flat decorating - and were then thrown together again five years later, and another year

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-27839384997671043882010-04-25T13:59:00.003+01:002010-04-25T14:02:08.529+01:00

Nottingham-born author, the novelist Alan Sillitoe has died aged 82.The writer, who became popular as one of the angry young men of British fiction, is hailed as one of the modern literary greats.His novels included Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, made into a film starring Tom Courtenay.I had the honour and pleasure of interviewing Mr Sillitoe for

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-82175683564302200502010-04-24T17:06:00.000+01:002010-04-24T17:08:07.232+01:00

I thought I could remember The Barron Knights from way back.Well, the 70s is way back isn’t it, when they hit the charts with A Taste of Aggro and Live in Trouble?It turns out they’ve been going strong since 1959, and although I knew they’d had some “straight” songs in their repertoire too, I had no idea these 60s covers were the ones that get the crowd going.Harmony forms a key part of the group

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-51031491688297536072010-04-20T08:58:00.005+01:002010-04-20T11:18:11.563+01:00

If you’ve never done a ballet before then this is the show for you. Better than panto and a pacy production to entrance children of all ages, it's a world away from what you might be expecting.It crackles into action from the off with the Darling children going through an animated bedtime routine as Peter Pan’s shadow watches on.Such is the slick quality of the show that when Peter finally sails

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-28186600259605337212010-04-01T09:51:00.000+01:002010-04-06T09:54:26.743+01:00

There's often a feeling that Disney's live shows are a little too saccharine-sweet for the discerning palate.If the all-pervading scent of candy floss and popcorn that hits you as you walk in the Arena doors takes your mind off the commercial opportunities as you find your seat, you can sit back and enjoy a show that's really rather good.But when it's £9 (minimum) to have your photo taken and

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-3027937942997923552010-03-24T09:44:00.000Z2010-04-06T09:54:44.250+01:00

IT must be something of a daunting prospect for an actor to tackle a 120-year-old classic, and one that's been translated into English at that.Perhaps more daunted were the audience for the opening night of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, who may not have known exactly what they'd taken on.Without a doubt, this was a showcase for the talents of Bond girl Rosamund Pike – as the leading lady - and Robert

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-71897810079994626832010-03-18T20:24:00.002Z2010-03-18T20:27:02.051Z

On the face of it, Enjoy is a straightforward tale of a woman continuing to live in her slum-like back-to-back while it is rebuilt into a living museum of the past.We find the prime mover behind the development is her estranged son, returning home as a daughter, seemingly to protect his child-like parents against a future they are clearly not ready for.The ageing couple, convincingly played by

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-88808120945963056202010-03-04T16:31:00.002Z2010-03-04T16:35:09.368Z

Dating from 1939, this Noel Coward play could have provided something of a challenge for both the audience and cast alike.It proves to be complex, multi-layered and ultimately rewarding.Bringing the past to life was effortless for the company and after the scene-setting of the first act the audience lapped up both the increasingly chaotic situation comedy and the in-jokes for the aficionados of

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-3939790985268757152010-03-03T13:52:00.005Z2010-03-03T13:59:35.803Z

Remembering the politician Michael Foot, two main images come to my mind - from when I was a child growing up in Thatcher's Britain.Of course, we recall his well-publicised appearance at the Cenotaph in a 'donkey jacket' (pictured right) and the disastrous 1983 General Election loss following his publication of what Gerald Kaufman labelled the longest suicide note in history (the 700-page

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-19990537247930102582010-01-31T12:00:00.001Z2010-02-01T10:21:59.295Z

Entertainment was the name of the game for this sequined extravanagza - even if the ladies' costumes were a little daring for a Tuesday night in Hockley.But the risqué was nicely balanced with some beautiful floaty numbers, and both Austin Healey and Mark Ramprakash also flashed the flesh, maybe in a bid to win the all-important vote!The feeling you get from seeing Strictly unfold live in front

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-37846253692455995482009-12-17T14:34:00.001Z2009-12-17T14:36:45.242Z

The well-picked bunch of performers hits the mark at every turn in a fairy tale couple of hours of festive fun.Naomi Slater was the perfect Cinders. Everything you could hope for – and more, with a winning smile and just a hint every now and again that she was really enjoying herself.And Darrock and Howe, billed as Britian’s ugliest sisters, really are.But Martin Platt from Corrie, or should I

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-4339587922018855462009-12-11T21:22:00.003Z2009-12-11T21:29:28.355Z

Three distinctive voices and three very distinctive ladies here.With a combined age of about 156, it's hard for them to peddle the "girls" myth.Yet mere girls in the true sense of the world just wouldn't do this show justice. You need three strong women.Almost every number a team effort, the show also played to their individual strengths.I'm still not a fan of Lulu Kennedy-Cairns OBE (61). She's

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-45349284351911530872009-12-01T00:01:00.000Z2009-12-01T14:15:38.203Z

This was a gig to blow away the cobwebs, with an adoring crowd lapping up every second of a turbo-charged set from Blackie Lawless and the boys.Granted, he's the only original band member from the group that set up in 1982, but he carries the show, works the crowd, plays the guitar and leads the non-stop vocals.The world tour they're on is to promote the new album, Babylon – and the title track,

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-40103104696428057842009-11-29T22:41:00.000Z2009-12-01T14:16:45.111Z

An early reminder of what Christmas is all about, though not among the Chuckles' best, I'm afraid.A jam-packed house was absolutely thrilled to see the boys back in town – and with a brand new show.But there was precious little of the skits we've come to love over the years.This time there were more mini 'production numbers' with long legged dancers and singing to herald Christmas.We marvelled at

_________http://www.blogger.com/profile/07404220837266994502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-41797966438112365432009-11-25T09:40:00.004Z2009-11-25T09:45:45.726Z

In the end there are no winners or losers, just the living and the dead.Yet those who know anything at all about Spike Milligan would realise that although dead now, he was ultimately both a winner and a loser.Putting the material of four volumes of his war memoirs on stage in this thought-provoking adaptation gives a living, breathing feeling of a conscript’s life in the services.Putting Spike

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-50428473432242229502009-11-13T11:18:00.003Z2009-12-11T22:47:43.722Z

Not many people get to book three honeymoons – but we did.More than a year before our big day the church was booked, the reception was booked, the vicar was booked, and yes, the honeymoon was booked.But that year the world was plagued with terrorism and civil disturbance – especially in the places we wanted to visit.Picture this: Pharaohs and the sphinx, pyramids and camels. It all sounded like

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-17743812390922804152009-10-14T15:17:00.001+01:002009-11-10T13:49:00.469Z

A strong performance by the lead carried this story of the gritty north through from start to finish. Perfect casting saw Stefan Butler throw himself into an un-self conscious re-telling of this tale of an anguished childhood. Young Billy seems to be the runt of the litter, getting the rough end of the deal at home, at school and even on his paper round. Thieving and

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-58878282438381934912009-10-12T13:13:00.003+01:002009-11-10T13:49:33.034Z

Oldest newlyweds cancel honeymoon... from the Torquay Herald ExpressTorbay's oldest newlyweds, have had to cancel their luxury honeymoon.Les Atwell, 94, and his 87-year-old bride Sheila will instead be unpacking their suitcases when they should have been heading off for a 14-day Mediterranean cruise from Southampton.Sheila fell ill soon after their wedding on Wednesday with a tummy bug."It must

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-55782306799119245212009-10-12T12:14:00.002+01:002009-11-10T13:49:54.451Z

'Karen Carpenter, I feel so close to you'... from the Stoke SentinelA KAREN Carpenter tribute artist says she has been living the life of her idol – right down to developing anorexia.The legendary Carpenters singer died from heart failure in 1983, aged 32, believed to be a complication of her anorexia.And as professional musician Julie Roberts – who has a similar singing style to Karen – began to

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-37958897499984735862009-10-09T15:15:00.002+01:002009-11-10T13:50:42.606Z

With flame-throwers, blood, fireworks and bats, this show is something of a shameless romp through some top rock anthems, with the music of Queen, Billy Idol, Rainbow, AC/DC, Bonnie Tyler, and even good old Suzi Quatro. The show lent itself well to the talents of Meat Loaf tribute artist Steve Steinman (the man who dreamed it all up) who - apart from appearing completely bemused by a

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-70385548277001630272009-10-02T14:47:00.001+01:002009-11-10T13:51:47.079Z

I'M a convert! For more than 40 years I somehow managed to avoid the ballet but this was a magical introduction. European Ballet mixed sparkle, humour, tradition and – of course – elegant dance in this incredibly accessible production. Prokofiev's famous score was the glue that held together the much-loved tale with sparse props ensuring the dance told the story.

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-70637207549804140712009-09-25T14:44:00.002+01:002009-11-12T13:12:43.563Z

Arriving at the Concert Hall for this sell-out event, our hearts were lifted by the sight of a kazoo carefully placed on each seat in the auditorium. How would it compare with last year, when we still had "Humph" in the chair, now replaced by the solemn Jack Dee? Something of a curate's egg, in truth. Yes, there were moments of inspired nonsense, and some of

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-63918824078077687352009-09-24T12:44:00.001+01:002009-11-12T13:14:36.768Z

I never imagined I'd spontaneously applaud a Tom O'Connor gag. But there's a first time for everything and this ageing comic finally won me over. You can't help but warm to him as he introduces some very well-known faces and one or two quite well-known jokes. He held the show together and hit the mark with an audience that was probably a little over retirement

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-42636093090349768992009-09-08T14:42:00.002+01:002010-04-08T08:00:32.695+01:00

Billed as a battle of the sexes this was more a battle of wits between a middle aged wife with 20 years of marriage behind her, whose head is turned by a visiting American millionaire, and her doting husband who can't live without her – despite what he says! The wife, Liza Goddard, is Hilary, the lady of the manor, with her husband Victor (former Dynasty star Christopher Cazenove)

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-34919126127538677852009-08-23T15:14:00.000+01:002009-11-04T15:15:37.621Z

THIS was a show that got the thumbs-up from all our family. That's the four-year-old, a three-year old, one who's 40 and a 30-something. Granted it was the kids who enjoyed it the most, shouting, singing, clapping and dancing along to their favourites from the Five morning magazine, Milkshake! And yes, it was the kids who were agog at seeing their favourite TV

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-44544378715817677172009-08-06T14:41:00.000+01:002009-11-04T14:42:54.134Z

With Robbie Rotten as Blackbeard, determined to rid LazyTown of all the kids - and our superhero Sportacus - this is a feast of music, costume, dance and mayhem that's the perfect tonic for the rainy school holidays. We follow the gang as they thwart Robbie's plan - with the trademark teamwork and a little extra energy from eating the so-called sports candy. Every little

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-2583533910284221272009-07-13T14:41:00.000+01:002009-11-04T14:41:53.192Z

This was Julian Clary approaching his caustic best in a sneak preview of his forthcoming national tour, Lord of the Mince. Very little was off-limits as the king of innuendo hit the stage in an intimate show which touched on life, love, sex and middle age. Clary, now a national institution, is surely the pretender to Dame Edna Everage's crown for quick-witted repartee and

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-17581182204828367072009-05-28T14:33:00.000+01:002009-11-04T14:34:35.528Z

THIS Theatreworks production proved a great antidote to the half-term blues. A clever adaptation of a well-loved tale brought puppets to life on stage to thrill the young crowd in the stalls. Perhaps 'puppet' gives the wrong impression though, because although the main animal characters were operated on stage by real people standing behind them, the artistes were so

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-32766384814357324792009-05-11T14:31:00.000+01:002009-11-04T14:32:28.917Z

You've read the book, seen it on telly at story time – so now make sure you see the play! It must be something of a challenge to turn a children's book that lasts just five minutes into a full-blown stage production. And while it only lasts just under an hour, this modern classic was brought to life with such clarity that we didn't really notice how long it took.

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-69771063579640322232009-04-30T13:01:00.003+01:002009-04-30T13:22:55.446+01:00

I'm setting up a blog as Britain prepares to buckle under swine flu.Will it rival the "three days of snow" in February, which cost industry millions and saw people from Derby fail to make it into work while commuters from father afield battled on in?Already our business is preparing for action.Everyone who wants it has been issued with Tamiflu to ward off the germs.And there's even been advice

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-76965275226142222982009-04-08T14:29:00.001+01:002009-11-04T15:21:46.117Z

WELL-WORN family favourite skits were definitely the high spots in this mixed show from TV's most famous brothers, Paul and Barry Chuckle. Perhaps it was the unfamiliar surroundings of the Starship Exercise, rather than more comfortable ground on Planet Earth, or perhaps the stop-start nature of the show, due to a couple of magic acts and a neon puppetry session being wedged in for

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-29673632647138401562009-01-12T14:28:00.001Z2009-11-04T15:22:18.797Z

I'm no big fan of TV's Strictly, in fact I only tend to tune in for Brucie. But when the nice lady at the Royal Centre said she could squeeze us into this sell-out show starring Anton du Beke and Erin Boag I was all the more intrigued. Perhaps there was nothing on the telly. Or perhaps it was the sheer power of the telly drawing the crowds to what, if we're honest, was a

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5102250381055699316.post-9181765939105189882008-12-17T14:55:00.000Z2009-11-04T14:56:36.359Z

THE scenery was sparse but the gusto and energy of the performers was exactly what you'd expect from some of the BBC's top kiddies' stars. And despite a lot of costumed characters, it was the real-life actors who proved themselves in a rather more tricky atmosphere than that of the cosy studios at CBeebies Towers. The stars of the show were the humans: Justin, Andy and, of

Patricknoreply@blogger.com0