Published Date:
15 May 2009
What a star-studded week. I went to see Felicity Kendal in a play which is causing a bit of a sensation...
Named "My Last Cigarette" it's a complex little three-handed play where the actors effectively do the lines and tell the story. Oh it's too complicated to explain – just go and see it - it's just by Trafalgar Square. Anyway I put the tele on the next morning and there she was staring at me on Andrew Marr's sofa. I think she's stalking me.
On Tuesday's show I had the stars of the upcoming mega production "We Will Rock You" which begins at The Sunderland Empire on June 10.
Jonathon Wilkes, Kevin Kennedy and Brenda from the X-Factor dropped in and were brilliant fun for 8.15am after arriving from Manchester over night.
On the opening night in Manchester Jonathon's pal Robbie Williams had turned up and Brian May came on stage to play Bohemian Rhapsody live. I asked if they had any similar plans for Sunderland and although they wouldn't reveal any secrets – watch this space.
Kevin Kennedy recalled having been at The Empire in 1984 and was looking forward to seeing all the changes that have been undertaken. It's still weird looking at him and calling him Kevin when Curly comes more naturally. Although when you see him in character in the show it'll be more like Lank.
Maureen Lipman is in the charming musical "A little Night music" she is starring with Hannah Waddingham and Jessie Buckley who came second in "I'd do anything". Maureen revealed that they call her Bessie Juckley for some reason. I then finished the interview saying thank you to Maureen Lipman and Haddah Wanningham – Oh I was embarrassed.
Then it was the lovely Kim Wilde on Thursday's Show – she's so much fun and very much a mum now talking about Rose her daughter who hopes to follow her mum's footsteps. In the pop world - not down the garden.
On Friday I was chatting to the guy who is coming to The Sage May 28; Graham Gouldman. Known mainly for his brilliant songs with 10cc – but he was involved writing so many of the 60ss' top hits – he was involved in a band who would warm the crowd up before Top of the Pops went live. No-one in the audience really knew who he was and he had a strange feeling when The Yardbirds were introduced singing "For your love" – his song. The crowd were going wild and he was wanting to jump on stage and tell everyone "I wrote that". I asked him about "Bus Stop" another of his songs which The Hollies had a major hit with. He was working in a tailor's at the time and took the bus to work and devised the song around meeting someone who got on the bus every morning. It brought back memories for me os Susan Bebb who use to get on the 549 bus every morning.. don't ask, it ended in heart break when she started two-timing me with a hairdresser. Maybe I should write a song...
I'm off to watch my brother drive fast cars this weekend at Mallory park in Leicester. It was a birthday present we bought for him last year. He's been so busy this weekend is the only time he can do it. Unfortunately the weather forecast doesn't look good for there but hey look at how Lewis Hamilton drives in the rain. Maybe it'll be a good thing. And he can take over driving the car for McLaren this year. Now that would be interesting – my brother winning the Monaco Grand Prix! I'll wake up now – it has been a long and busy week
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Last Updated:
15 May 2009 10:35 AM
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Source:
Sunderland Echo
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Location:
Sunderland