Memory Lane April Update

And so we hit April. Another very very busy month, and as we are so far behind in writing the blog, here is half of the month in one go, and with some special entries from more of the cast.

Wednesday 6^th April. Middlesbrough Theatre.

Hi Everyone, Colin here, and it's my turn to keep you up to date in the blog. I'm so pleased that I got allocated Middlesbrough to comment on, and soon you will see why.

Our day starts with a bit of a shock. We are surprised to find out when we get there that the regular Stage Manager, Andy, is nowhere to be seen. We find out that he had a serious back injury, undergone surgery and is currently on the sick. Purely by chance he pops in to drop a sick note off and so we at least get a chance to see him and have a chat. He is currently on the mend and everyone at Timeless wishes him a speedy recovery.

Like I have said on stage at every show this season, we are so lucky to have met so many fantastic people in the last six years. From 'Tech' guys to Theatre Managers, Box Office staff, and of course audience members. With Andy missing its kind of like having a part of the normal team missing. His replacements were absolutely spot on, and helped with the set up with great speed and professionalism. No doubt Andy will claim he taught them everything they know!!!

This is an easy travel for us. Middlesbrough is only 45mins from home.

So why is Middlesbrough special for me I hear you ask??? Comedy is the answer. We have something like 70 theatres booked this year, and for me as a comic everyone is different and has its own 'pros and cons'. Sometimes comedy can be very difficult, and sometimes a piece of cake. Only two things determine the outcome of this. Firstly my own performance (I am human after all, and there are times such as last March when my mother passed away, it is a little bit harder to be funny), and secondly, audience reaction. Reactions can differ for so many reasons, but for some reason I have always had an amazing reaction from the audience at Middlesbrough. It then becomes exciting before the show and you get that 'let me get out there' feeling.

The show starts and as we get towards the end of the 'Movies and Musicals' section I am getting ready for my first 'patter' break. As expected, the audience is as per usual, and my job is so easy from then on in. The strange thing is that as a solo performer I used to hate working Middlesbrough, and would often 'die on my butt'. I'm sure most readers will understand that phrase.

After the matinee show I make a grave mistake, and after promising Steve Paul I would take him to the local shops with me for food. I jump in the van with Bill and leave Steve looking for me around the theatre. 35 apologies later I think he has forgiven me. I did manage to find him at the local 'Subway' and give him a lift back. That did help.

On the way home, Nina and Steve come with me in the van. I'm craving a Chinese meal, and stop at the nearest take away. With a beef and mushroom curry with egg fried rice in my hand we are ready for the short journey home. Within minutes Marie rings to announce that she has left her purse at the theatre.........FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!! We double back, almost reach the theatre when Marie calls back to say she has found it....... ******** ********* ******!!!!!!!! Work that one out for yourself.

Oh, and while I remember I've lost a prawn. Yes, a prawn!! Out of a prawn sandwich!! Well, I actually lost it about two years ago in the van. Common thought is that it is living off any crisp crumbs we drop. I know it has to be there somewhere.........

Next stop a very busy and unusual day at Stanley and Consett which Steve Paul will tell you all about. His local venue, and to say he is a tad hyper about it would be an understatement.

Thursday 7^th April. Lamplight Arts Centre Stanley and Consett Empire

Hi everyone Steve Paul here

Today is very exciting one for me as I'm in my home town HAPPYDAYS!! you'll probably hear me say that a lot, the cast say I do anyway!!

So we started the day with an early get in to Stanley I had the luxury of walking to work but got to admit after the road miles we total up, it was very weird...but the sun was shining so I knew it was going to be a good day!!!

The cast and everyone were really good at putting me at ease on the day of reckoning although a few drinks wouldn't have gone a miss too mind!! It was really strange to be back at the Lamplight (formally know as Stanley Civic) as last time i was here was age 12 to 15 doing pantos..and funny enough the place has never changed really!!..

So we went around doing our normal routines (Steaming and ironing costumes)..girls went out got the brekkys in!!...whilst I walked around in and out the theatre like a headless chicken as nerves were starting to kicking in!!

So showtime commenced had a great show and seen some familiar faces in the crowd!! including my parents, my sis Vicky, and my little nephew Rhys.. who was asleep when he came in but shot up bolt right in the chair (when i sang Buble) what can I say he has taste and he is our youngest fan..

and everyone enjoyed the show so HAPPYDAYS!! (see I told you I say it all the time ) ;)

............................................................................................................................................................................................

So we packed up and were off to our next destination CONSETT EMPIRE THEATRE for the evening show...and the lads and stage hands have there work cut out so its all hands on deck to get out and go up to Consett...

Whilst this was going on myself and Nina ran down to Greggs to buy the place out of food!! I swear that girl can eat just as much as me if not more haha!!

So we got to Consett and the nerves were definitely kicking in now as I had what seemed like the whole of Consett coming to see me tonight. Family again and all my friends included....

Weird for me because my friends have never seen what i do for a living..and guess where they were sitting (front row) ARRRGGGHHH!!

We were going around the normal procedure when the fire alarm went off so everyone had to evacuate the building!!.. it was nothing to worry about though just false alarm!!..

Pretty much after that it was showtime!! and it was a fab show!! I have to say Consett has one of the best atmospheres (thanks to my family and friends lol) and best sound I've ever heard so happydays all round...

We went out to the foyer to do some signings with the cast so that was fun!! and signed my mates chest who I'm still not sure if he has washed it off yet!! Dirty boy!!!

Well happy reading and see you all in Stirling for more fun and games!!.........

HAPPYDAYS!! Steve Paul x

Friday 8^th April. Albert Halls Stirling.

Hello Blog readers... this is Helene here. I am writing the blog for Stirling. Today we have an evening show so all the cast have plenty of time to make their way up to Scotland. Me, Siobhan and Fay have stayed with Bill Bill so we decide to set off earlier and take the lovely scentic route through the countryside. On our way we have a stop at 'The Last Cafe in England' I was very excited about this moment and took some pictures and we also stopped again at the border between England and Scotland to take in the views. We finally arrived in Scotland 4 hours later feeling slightly travel sick due to the windy roads so we are all ready for a cup of tea. The rest of the cast arrive, the boys unload and Marie n Jenni have a cheeky scone at the theatre.

Everyone is set up and the first half of the show goes well. In the interval Fay calls the dancers onto the stage and reveals some mini chocolate chickens and lambs that have been given to us from a lovely lady at the theatre called Eileen (thank you). Very excited we take our mini chocolates and scatter them around the 50's set ready to start the second half of the show. I was very excited to start the section so that once Marie and Jenni sing their duet I can eat my chocolate chicken. The rest of the show goes smoothly and everyone packs up fast so that we can go and buy some grub from the takeaway. A few of us head into the town to get the casts food.

We are all back on the road now ready for our 3 hour journey home and looking forward to 2 days off before shows in Runcorn and Tamworth next week.

A footnote for Stirling has to mention not only the fantastic support we get from the Theatre staff there, but also the excellent dancing skill of some of the staff at the back of the theatre during the show. Especially Eileen, who also very kindly made us even more welcome with a gift pack of chocolates. They did of course come back with instructions that some had to be taken back to the office for Joanne to enjoy. We did comply with this request.

The Brindley, Runcorn, April 12^th,13^th, 14^th

Three days in one place is a bit of a luxury for us and Runcorn is one of our most popular venues. Over 1100 tickets sold, and the cast are already planning some nights out, and what to do with all the spare time we have while we are here.

Graeme and the other tech guys are there to greet us, except for Jim who is enjoying a day off. Most blog readers will be aware of Alex our previous dance captain, who is here today with some of the children she teaches. It's always great to see her and she is really enjoying her time leading a normal life. After all there has to be life after being on the road.

On the first night after finishing our matinee show, the girls are getting ready to paint the town red in Warrington. OK, so not the most famous place in the world for night life, but still its a great chance for the dancers to let their hair down. They visit Colin, Marie and Jen in their room before they go out, and they look absolutely stunning. Steve Paul is going with them, and off they trot looking better than a Wags party. Not long after they have left they text to say that Warrington is closed, there is nobody out partying, but still they manage to have a great night to themselves.

After the last show on Wednesday we pack the van, say our goodbyes, and travel to Tamworth. Just one matinee show to do on Thursday, and then we get a chance to go home for a few days.

Thursday 14^th April, Tamworth Assembly Rooms.

A normal day at the office for this one. Set up, do the show to a full house, pack the van ready to go, and then get a parking ticket on the van. This being after one of the theatre staff had asked the local traffic warden if we needed an official ticket on the windscreen of the van. The appeal is still in the process, and I'm sure that common sense will eventually get rid of the £60 fine. The cast now disperse themselves to various parts of the country for a few days well earned rest. Next stop Skegness, Whitley Bay and a lengthy stay in Scotland.

Memory Lane Theatre Tour continues

Tuesday 29^th March. Broadway Theatre, Catford.

Wow, wow and wow again. This has to be one of the best results we have had in a long time.

Regular readers may remember in our blog for last season was that we had the second best ticket sales for a matinee at this theatre, only beaten by Val Doonican. Well Val Doonican, sorry and all that, but we have now beaten your record. With an amazing 730 seats sold for just one matinee show. Fantastic. Special thanks go to all at Catford, and thanks for a great day too. With a great atmosphere from the very start, even some major technical hitches couldn't spoil the day. Poor Bill Bill had one of those nightmare days. It happens, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. We all have major blonde moments, today just happened to be Bills day. Bless him!! Fortunately most of the gaffs are ones which the audience would not even spot. We hope.....!! In the meantime here is a word from one of the cast

I’m Siobhan, one of the dancers and I’ll be reporting from our show in Catford. I live just round the corner so this was an easy one for me to travel to, just 5 minutes on the bus! I met the others at the theatre and of course we went for our ritual of tea and sausage sandwiches before setting up for the show.

I had 4 friends watching today so I was a little nervous. The show was also sold out so there was a great atmosphere. After the show we went to sign programmes and CD’s and meet some of the audience and I got to grill my friends on which were their favourite parts!

Once we were all packed up from the show we were all ready for food so headed to a local Chinese restaurant to eat. Everyone had been raving about this place since the tour started so I was very excited to try it. We all ate huge plates of noodles and sweet and sour chicken. It was delicious but we could barely move at the end! Then it was back on the road and on to our next venue… 


Look out for a very special entry next time courtesy of Penni. Watch this space.

There, that didn't take long. Here is that space.

Hello there ! This is Jenni (sometimes known by the cast as Pen), and I volunteered to write the blog for our visit to Salisbury this week.

Things went really well, in fact, so well there wasn’t really a great deal to write about that you haven’t heard already on previous blogs (audience was nice, Show went well, Colin and Bill ate Bacon Sarnies etc etc etc).

I have therefore decided that you (as an interested blog reader) may like to find out a little more about our Cast and am today posing as an intrepid interviewer and will do some backstage interviews and dig out some gossip !!!!!!

One of the most interesting things I discovered was that all of the dancers said that the Tom Jones section of the show was their favourite, in particular they all said they loved dancing the ‘just help yourself’ routine, not as I first thought because of Colin’s sexy moves, but because they all love the red costumes and the latin style routine. Colin however said it was one of his favourites because he got the chance to be sexy !!!!!

Marie had so many favourites in this show, she found it hard to choose her favourite but she eventually said the same as myself – the Eurovision section. (though I like 50’s too) Steve also likes a few sections but decided upon the 70’s section and the Michael Buble song as his favourites (mainly because he likes the suit he wears in that song).

Everyone was asked who they felt got in trouble the most backstage (ie who did things wrong etc) and not surprisingly the most common answer was ‘Colin’ even Colin voted for himself on that question, but added that he never actually does anything wrong. Sad when someone is in denial isn’t it?

Almost everyone stated that Ironing was the part of a show day they would gladly miss out. Which is no surprise because every costume that is worn on stage has to be ironed (or Steamed) before the show and as you may have seen, there are a lot of costumes so this can take a while. The only person that didn’t agree was Marie who quite likes ironing but said she doesn’t like it enough to do everyones ironing for them, so we will continue to do our own.

It would appear that the general concensus is that Helene and Nina are the most chatty and amusing backstage, they seem to make everyone smile or laugh the most, Fay and Siobhan are the quieter ones (well not that quiet really) and Marie is the best at sorting out emergency costume issues (she can sort out a dodgy zip in less time that it takes Steve to Velcro up a waistcoat !)

It was mentioned in my probing backstage interviews that Blog readers may be interested to know that myself and Marie talk rather a lot, in fact it has been noticed that we have been known to finish each other’s sentences sometimes too and that people sharing our dressing room don’t get a word in, it was also mentioned that we were both probably the most accident prone (well Maisy the Greyhound is more accident prone than us) . It was also accurately pointed out that blog readers should be made aware that in every show this season, the dancers and Steve, are always ready in costume and on stage, well before Colin, Marie and I, something that will probably never change to be honest!

Other interesting facts (well that is probably a matter of opinion) that we thought you loyal Blog readers would like to know are as follows……..

When Colin was a teenager he wanted to be a footballer and actually had spells playing for both Bolton Wonderers and Sunderland (he was stopped by an injury – otherwise he may have been invited to the Royal Wedding instead of David Beckham)

Nina’s favourite hobby (out of work) is attending Spinning classes. Her current food of choice is ‘Crisps’ though it used to be chocolate until Fay and Siobhan converted her during this season.

Fay loves Indian food and loves the Poppadoms and pickle tray in Dyce. She has two lovely dogs ‘Mia and Jack’.

Colin loves cooking and gets frustrated by the fact that myself and Marie never want Indian food so whenever Fay stays over in rehearsals, they try adventurous food together whilst Marie and myself stick with delights such as Cheese on Toast, Eggs on Toast or Beans on Toast.

Steve loves Football, supports Sunderland and can eat loads, he loves his food so much that Colin says he has two bellies !!!!

Siobhan brings her knitting on tour with her and is often found in the Travelodge continuing with her latest knitting project. She also is working on copying Nina’s accent and can already do a fairly accurate impression of Helene.

Helene still has a good tan which has lasted since she got back from working in Egypt. (Marie is very jealous of this) She loves singing in the Carpenters section in some shows and has a very infectious laugh.

I talk in my sleep. Helene has started taking a footspa on tour. Fay massages her feet with a golf ball, Siobhan is so obsessed with Cheryl Cole she bought a special can of hairspray that has her picture on and Nina wants a gnome for her garden this year!

Bill-Bill was unable to be interviewed due to matters of national security and the official secrets act (well he was too busy) but blog readers may be interested to know that he enjoys keeping fit (he goes running when he isn’t working) and he works constantly backstage from the minute we arrive until the minute we leave – even during the interval he is building and moving props, loading the van etc. He also hides bars of chocolate in the van for him and Colin – he doesn’t know I know this!

Well that’s about it, on to the next venue now.

Thursday 31^st March, Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool

Nina's Blog for the day

So we are in my home place of the North East. The girls cant wait to see the Angel of the North which amuses me and Bill as we think of it more as the tin man. We have two shows today and I'm looking forward to it as my Mam is coming today with my Aunty and Uncle. After a fitting of our knew white feather packs and silver bikinis for our Viva las Vegas routine we are ready to go. Our dressing room now looks like a plucked chicken but Colin is on hand to clean it up. The show goes down really well and my family loved it. Time for a quick break before show number two. Marie manages to get her beauty sleep even with a loud tap dancing class upstairs. This is our last show before a nice few days off and all ends well after another fun performance.

And so March has now gone. April is another busy month with 13 venues to get through. For now we enjoy a short break until Middlesbrough next Wednesday.

Memory Lane Theatre Tour

Thursday 24th March. Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham

Hello all, it’s now my turn to write the blog! I am Fay and I am the dance captain, which means keep everyone in check for all movement and dancing aspects of the show and I also rehearse all the Memory Lane Juniors before the show at each of the different theatres. Oh, it’s such a hard job!!

So, after a lovely day off in Newcastle, (which Helene, Siobhan and I spent at Nando’s in the sunshine) we travelled down to Altrincham. I especially was looking forward to this performance as my mum and dad were coming to watch me for the first time this season! Helene’s parents, grandma and boyfriend also came to watch, plus our dance supervisor Alex complete with notepad and pen ready to write notes and corrections! No pressure then! Hehe! However, nerves aside the performance went well, no problems and our families all enjoyed the show. And as our male singer, Steve Paul, would say ‘Happy days!’

Thursday 23rd March 2011

HI everyone, this is Marie writing the blog for this weeks tour (mainly because I am frustrated at losing my voice and decided writing was a better option.) Thankfully my voice is returning to normal and I am on the mend which is great news for Jenni as she can return to singing her normal parts in the show.

This week we have three shows in Scotland which makes for a very very early start on Monday morning as we drive up to Rutherglen for two shows. The drive wasn’t too bad thankfully, though Nina probably does’t remember much of it as she slept (and snored) nearly the whole way.

It is Nina’s birthday today so we have had a little collection and bought her a card and a few bits and pieces. Jenni spent most of Saturday baking a cake for the occasion too.

Rutherglen was great we had two sell out houses and the audience were fantastic, singing in all the right places (which seeing as my voice is still a little sore I was grateful for).

After two shows we had quite a drive to contend with as we were staying the night in Dundee ahead of a matinee show on Tuesday. It was Jenni’s turn to sleep on the back seat of My car because she had a nasty migraine, but thankfully Helene was on hand to talk to Me and keep me going on the drive. Strangely upon arrival at the Travelodge myself, Jenni (who was coming round by now) and Helene found that we were locked inside my car. Now I know this sounds very odd but it’s true – somehow the car had locked itself with us inside ! We turned the engine back on and the doors opened so we did get out eventually.

Tuesday morning and after a good nights sleep (although not long enough in bed!!!) we were up and ready to go to the Whitehall Theatre in Dundee – this of course means a visit to Clarks 24 hour Bakery which Nina and Siobhan are looking forward to as they have never been before.

We unfortunately however, came up against a little problem in the car park of the Travelodge. It would appear our little problem of getting locked in the car last night was the start of a slightly bigger problem. My car seems to have developed an internal locking issue and this time wouldn’t let us in !!!!!!

Now not only did we need to get in the car in order to get to the theatre for our matinee show – but more importantly we had to go get our bacon sarnies from the 24 hour bakery!

I tried pressing the key fob from all angles and pointed it at various areas of the car – it didn’t open.

Jenni tried pressing the key fob from all angles and pointed it at various areas of the car – it still didn’t open.

Helene tried pressing the key fob from all angles and pointed it at various areas of the car – it still didn’t open.

Colin (who isn’t always too cheerful in a morning) got out of the van with that ‘girls are pathetic’ look on his face, grunted and took the key fob off us – he tried pressing the key fob from all angles and pointed it at various areas of the car – it still didn’t open – he got back in the van to watch as he didn’t have any further suggestions !

The only part of the car that would successfully unlock was the boot – and don’t ask me how but Jenni somehow knew that by climbing in the boot you could unclip the armrest that sits in the middle of the back seat.

Next thing we saw was Jenni trying to squeeze herself through the tiny gap in the back seat, reach over and put the key in the ignition, start the car and ‘bingo’ unlock the car doors.

That sorted we arrived at the bakery, parked the car and decided (very wisely I thought) to leave the car unlocked whilst we went in to get the bacon sarnies, just in case there was a problem unlocking the car again.

Bacon Sarnies successfully purchased we returned to the car to find a bigger problem, the car’s internal locking issue had further advanced to deciding (presumably for security reasons) that it would lock itself (seeing that we hadn’t) and we could now not get in again.

Yes you guessed it – in the middle of the car park we had to empty the boot and yet again Jenni had to climb in through the boot, squeeze through the hole in the arm rest and start the car in order to let us all in. !!!!! There were a few interesting looks from passers-by I can tell you.

The show itself went very well in Dundee – a good audience again and other than Steve thinking he had finished his song (when in fact he hadn’t) and randomly going to sit down, the show went without a hitch and we were soon packing the van and preparing for the four hour drive home and a day off before a show in Altrincham. Jenni is hoping that my car is fixed before then as she is getting a little bored of climbing through the boot every time we stop.