Hi all
So two weeks into rehearsals for Aladdin at the Yvonne Arnaud and it's all going rather well! Opening night is Friday 5th (This Friday!) and, apart from the odd couple of words, all my lines are learnt and dance moves (mostly!) in place. The cast are terrific and we've had alot of fun in the build up....including Mr Havers insisting on offering me a sherry every time we happen to encounter each other on stage. What a gent!
If this year, with its credit crunches, has all been a bit much, trust me this show will make you laugh and just magic you away from reality for a couple of hours.....so treat yourself!
This week, I get allotted my dressing room and the build up reaches a climax with technical runs (that's when they check if the lights and speakers work!) and dress rehearsals (that's when I find out if my "Demis Roussoss" arrangement still fits me!). I really do hope you will come and see the show - check out our local panto page for some exclusive rehearsal pics and for tickets or go to www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
Posh starts her rehearsals for Peter Pan this week too, so I'll expect we'll here some goss from her on this blog soon too.
Don't forget you can comment on our blogs simply by clicking on the title.
Ta ta for now.
PG
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Learn your lines, PG !
Well, that's the first week of rehearsals finished for Aladdin at the Yvonne Arnaud. All has gone pretty well and the rest of the cast are great fun. Mr Havers is, as expected, a true gent and will be great in the show.
There is a problem, however. Surprisingly (not!), yours truly is having a few challenges with the script. Well, not the script so much - as it's very good, and very funny - its more to do with the fact that I am completely hopeless at remembering lines! For years I`ve been used to making stuff up as I go along on the radio show, which is fine, if a little "hit and miss". But now, here I am in a situation (not for the first time in panto!) where everyone else is all read and learnt....and I'm having to resort to extreme - and slightly messy - measures in order to keep up.
You see, I have reverted to an age old mechanism that helps with remembering things like panto lines - writing them on my arm!! Yes it's true - the method that I picked up from various maths and history dates tests at school....now come in handy when I'm playing the Emperor of China!! (note of caution: I, in no way, condone this sort of scandalous behaviour whether at work or school/college - it's just that I'm rubbish!).
So there I was during the full run (as they say in the trade) of Act 1 on Friday sneaking a look at my scrawl on my arm. I wasn't proud, trust me. And the concerns don't stop there...
You see, I don't have much to say in the first act.....but that all changes in Act 2 (including a major musical extravaganza!), so quite what I'm going to do as we move onto Act 2 this week, I don't know.
Perhaps, I should get one of those brain training games to try and get my memory working better. Poor old soul!
Keep checking back for more panto news - and don't forget you can book tickets to see me and Al in our respective shows by clicking the "local panto 2008" tab on the front page of the website!
all the best
PG
There is a problem, however. Surprisingly (not!), yours truly is having a few challenges with the script. Well, not the script so much - as it's very good, and very funny - its more to do with the fact that I am completely hopeless at remembering lines! For years I`ve been used to making stuff up as I go along on the radio show, which is fine, if a little "hit and miss". But now, here I am in a situation (not for the first time in panto!) where everyone else is all read and learnt....and I'm having to resort to extreme - and slightly messy - measures in order to keep up.
You see, I have reverted to an age old mechanism that helps with remembering things like panto lines - writing them on my arm!! Yes it's true - the method that I picked up from various maths and history dates tests at school....now come in handy when I'm playing the Emperor of China!! (note of caution: I, in no way, condone this sort of scandalous behaviour whether at work or school/college - it's just that I'm rubbish!).
So there I was during the full run (as they say in the trade) of Act 1 on Friday sneaking a look at my scrawl on my arm. I wasn't proud, trust me. And the concerns don't stop there...
You see, I don't have much to say in the first act.....but that all changes in Act 2 (including a major musical extravaganza!), so quite what I'm going to do as we move onto Act 2 this week, I don't know.
Perhaps, I should get one of those brain training games to try and get my memory working better. Poor old soul!
Keep checking back for more panto news - and don't forget you can book tickets to see me and Al in our respective shows by clicking the "local panto 2008" tab on the front page of the website!
all the best
PG
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Lights go on.....
As you've probably gathered, it's a busy old time for us Eagle people at the mo. Last Thursday, Posh and I helped switch on the Christmas lights in Woking and now this week, it's the turn of Guildford. We'll be there on Thursday, look out for us on the balcony and Al will be out and about saying hello. Have a look on the lights section of Eagle Radio's website for more details. You can also see us in Farnborough on Saturday - come along and say hello!
Meanwhile the Guildford panto rehearsals start on Monday...and my first job is to learn a song which, as Emperor of China, I will be performing with Widow Twankey (Royce Mills). Now that's going to be interesting, to say the least!! I'll be posting news of how rehearsals with Nigel Havers and co. are going...and any behind the scenes goss.
Bye for now.
PG
Meanwhile the Guildford panto rehearsals start on Monday...and my first job is to learn a song which, as Emperor of China, I will be performing with Widow Twankey (Royce Mills). Now that's going to be interesting, to say the least!! I'll be posting news of how rehearsals with Nigel Havers and co. are going...and any behind the scenes goss.
Bye for now.
PG
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Are you doing it for the first time…tips to help you out.
This week on The Peter Gordon Breakfast Show, PG and I discussed an article detailing 6 things women shouldn’t do on a first date.
Today, I thought it only fair that, along with the ladies in the office, I create the equivalent for men.
On a first date men you should never...
1. Text your mate telling him about your date…you’re bound to text your date instead.
2. Dress inappropriately for the date – no suits at funfairs etc
3. Ask the lady to pay. If she offers, I’d still refuse to let her but that’s up to the individual – there are some very independent women out there.
4. Eat messily and get food caught in your facial hair or teeth - yuk - go to the toilet and check immediately
5. Talk about your ex, unless asked and only then be complimentary even if she was a witch
6. Be rude…to anyone..especially those trying to assist in making your date a success be it waitress, cinema attendant, taxi driver…you‘ll look aggressive and mad!
Gents, I welcome any feedback cos let’s face it, Men are from Mars and Women from Venus so how on earth will we know otherwise…also if you’d like to give some manly support and offer tips to your male colleagues, please do.
The original 6 things not to do on a first date for women...
1. Don’t introduce unfamiliar grooming into your routine. Never had a Brazilian wax? Today’s not the day to try it. Ditto for new miracle skin treatments. There’s also the possibility you’ll be left with ingrown hairs, or worse.
2. Don’t wear new shoes. Opt for a cute pair of more down-to-earth shoes that won’t trip you up or give you blisters.
3. Don’t get boozed up first. Guzzling martinis before you meet him is not a good idea. You probably haven’t eaten all day and the combination of stress, hunger and booze is not a good one.
4. Don’t not eat if you’re on a dinner date. Women always think they look dainty picking at a small green salad with just a lemon wedge. Wrong. They just look sad, hungry and possibly eating disordered. Order a normal human-sized meal.
5. Don’t talk too much, nor clam up completely.
6. Don’t play make-believe. When you drop lies designed to impress, it’s pretty much a given that you’re going to get busted.
Today, I thought it only fair that, along with the ladies in the office, I create the equivalent for men.
On a first date men you should never...
1. Text your mate telling him about your date…you’re bound to text your date instead.
2. Dress inappropriately for the date – no suits at funfairs etc
3. Ask the lady to pay. If she offers, I’d still refuse to let her but that’s up to the individual – there are some very independent women out there.
4. Eat messily and get food caught in your facial hair or teeth - yuk - go to the toilet and check immediately
5. Talk about your ex, unless asked and only then be complimentary even if she was a witch
6. Be rude…to anyone..especially those trying to assist in making your date a success be it waitress, cinema attendant, taxi driver…you‘ll look aggressive and mad!
Gents, I welcome any feedback cos let’s face it, Men are from Mars and Women from Venus so how on earth will we know otherwise…also if you’d like to give some manly support and offer tips to your male colleagues, please do.
The original 6 things not to do on a first date for women...
1. Don’t introduce unfamiliar grooming into your routine. Never had a Brazilian wax? Today’s not the day to try it. Ditto for new miracle skin treatments. There’s also the possibility you’ll be left with ingrown hairs, or worse.
2. Don’t wear new shoes. Opt for a cute pair of more down-to-earth shoes that won’t trip you up or give you blisters.
3. Don’t get boozed up first. Guzzling martinis before you meet him is not a good idea. You probably haven’t eaten all day and the combination of stress, hunger and booze is not a good one.
4. Don’t not eat if you’re on a dinner date. Women always think they look dainty picking at a small green salad with just a lemon wedge. Wrong. They just look sad, hungry and possibly eating disordered. Order a normal human-sized meal.
5. Don’t talk too much, nor clam up completely.
6. Don’t play make-believe. When you drop lies designed to impress, it’s pretty much a given that you’re going to get busted.
Monday, 3 November 2008
“Have you got any Quo?”
Hi all
It was good to have Posh back on the show today after a week looking after things for Chivs. But I’m not sure she was that impressed to hear the return of some
Of my old friends on the show. Listeners today (Monday) might have heard me chuck in a sneaky clip of a tune that may well be destined for the number one festive slot!
Yes, that’s right, forget X Factor winners, Gary Barlow and Peter Kay and even, if they releases it for the 100th time, Slade!! No no no – we all need to get behind the song “It’s Christmas Time” by…
Wait for it… Status Quo!!! Oh yes, what a fine piece of artistry, what magnificent use of three chords and what a supreme demonstration of no nonsense, legs apart, hair tossing boogie woogie!
I’m in half a mind to start a “Peter Gordon Breakfast Show thinks the Quo should be number one at Christmas” campaign. But I suspect Posh Al will have something to say on that (not least installing her own Take That campaign!).
But if you do agree the denim clad rock-meisters deserve a bit of a break – post your comments on the blog!!
See you at the Guildford Fireworks on Wednesday and Rushmoor on Saturday!
PG
It was good to have Posh back on the show today after a week looking after things for Chivs. But I’m not sure she was that impressed to hear the return of some
Of my old friends on the show. Listeners today (Monday) might have heard me chuck in a sneaky clip of a tune that may well be destined for the number one festive slot!
Yes, that’s right, forget X Factor winners, Gary Barlow and Peter Kay and even, if they releases it for the 100th time, Slade!! No no no – we all need to get behind the song “It’s Christmas Time” by…
Wait for it… Status Quo!!! Oh yes, what a fine piece of artistry, what magnificent use of three chords and what a supreme demonstration of no nonsense, legs apart, hair tossing boogie woogie!
I’m in half a mind to start a “Peter Gordon Breakfast Show thinks the Quo should be number one at Christmas” campaign. But I suspect Posh Al will have something to say on that (not least installing her own Take That campaign!).
But if you do agree the denim clad rock-meisters deserve a bit of a break – post your comments on the blog!!
See you at the Guildford Fireworks on Wednesday and Rushmoor on Saturday!
PG
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