jack and the beanstalk at darlington - l'm not guilty

Another night - another recent theatre trip. This time for Jack and The Beanstalk at Darlington. I can't say it was one of the highlights of my life, but it wasn't me that delivered the hate mail, as even l'm not that sad.

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old plays in richmond

Being the culture vulture that l am, l've been to many plays over the years, at The Georgian Theatre in Richmond, as well as elsewhere.  I've just been looking at some of the old programmes etc and have scanned a few of them below. Try to spot anyone who became famous afterwards!

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top hat - darlington hippodrome

Another night out a the theatre - this time for Irving Berlin's Musical 'Top Hat'. It was pretty good for me as l hadn't seen the musical or film before, so didn't know the story, even if it was obvious how it would pan out after the first few minutes. I did however, already know a lot of the songs, as most of them have become standards, so it turned out to be a most enjoyable evening, despite the fact l was one of the youngest people there (for a change).

Here's some of the songs







Plus an old favourite of mine - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band covering 'Cheek to Cheek.



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recent trips to the theatre

Some recent trips to the theatre - Darlington Hippodrome to be precise. 

The Travelling Wilburys was pretty good, but the worst one of them was 'Bob Dylan', the person l wanted to see the most. However, it was pretty surreal, and had many moving moments, especially watching 'George Harrison' singing My Sweet Lord. I must be getting sadder in my old age (if that's possible).

As for Aladdin - it was just what you would expect from such a show, some moments of hilarity, nothing particularly outstanding, but everyone went away happy, so job done.

I think the next visit there will be for The Meat Loaf Story, even if l will probably be hassled for autographs.

Stone me - what a life.

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this is elvis at darlington hippodrome 25 june 2018

I went to see 'This is Elvis' at Darlington Hippodrome on Monday, and l have to admit, it was pretty damn good, with Steven Michaels doing an excellent turn as Elvis Presley. It started with the '68 special black leather recording, and finished with a white jump suited Las Vegas performance. 

I've been to Gracelands in the past, but this is as close as l've ever got to seeing him, and much better than previous Elvis impersonators l have seen.

Despite the attendants trying to stop people taking photos etc, l also managed to film a bit, including a bit of funny banter from the audience.

Enjoy!

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priscilla queen of the desert

Had a gay old time last week at Darlington Hippodrome watching the 'Priscilla - Queen of the desert' musical. It was actually quite fast paced, loud, and pretty bright, and a lot better than l was anticipating. Often, I've often seen enough when it comes to the interval, but not in this case. Recommended, even if like me, you are not even bisexual (worst luck!).

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the wizard of oz pantomine

My first ever visit to a pantomime - The Wizard of Oz, starring Bobby Davro and Dani Harmer (from Tracy Beaker) at Darlington Civic Theatre.
Can't say it was the best thing l've ever seen, but it was a lot more risque and enjoyable than l anticipated.
Plus, Bobby Davro was a lot funnier than l expected, and had the crowd (children everywhere) eating out of his hands (or the other way round, as he was nicking their crisps etc).
Well worth the money.

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old theatre programmes from the garage

 

Some of the old theatre programmes from the garage sort out.  I've always been a man of style and taste.

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hancock at the georgian

Just got back from the Georgian Theatre in Richmond after watching 'Hancock's finest hour' starring Paul Henry (Benny from crossroads) who was excellent as Hancock (and l have high standards). He actually looked a lot like Hancock and carried off the roll superbly. I was not that bothered (I should say enamoured if l had an education or was middle class) with the other two performers, but it was an enjoyable evening. It was a good performance and l did enjoy it a lot, but l was maybe expecting a bit more from it, so l was slightly disappointed at the end. I was surprised to see young Scall's missus there, and we had a chat at the interval. Rather sadly, she said she has now been a barrister for 12 years. Brilliant stuff, that made me and the FPO feel old. She then went on to talk to her friends about the FPO and myself being on TV, so they therefore wanted to talk to us about the experience. Damn! I was also surprised to discover that young Scall (John) is a trained up solicitor, but is living as a house husband to their kids. What a jammy bastard! I do not want kids, but once they have been packed up to school, surely the day is your own to prat about in/with. Six years the lad has been unemployed! Bastard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, a very pleasant evening was had. A meal beforehand at the Turf, loads of drink (in homage to Hancock of course), and l was pleasant to the people next to me in the theatre (and wound them up by saying l was at the Sunderland Empire when Sid James died on stage).

Time to listen to the radio shows again (much better than the TV ones). The FPO will have to suffer during the next week or so (more than usual).

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