WC MAY 2.
On Sunday’s show, that featured Ruby Bentall and Tom O’Connor, I managed to include a tribute to the memory of the late Barbara Walter. I played an archive recording of her reading two poems and closed with The Boy From Nowhere, one of her Tom Jones favourites that was played at her funeral.
Went to Riverdance at the Mayflower, Southampton. The second half, in particular, was quite brilliant and one routine, that included tap dancing, stopped the show for me.
Had a great day on Wednesday. I went to Malvern to interview Dana and Marti Webb. They were in separate theatre shows within the same complex. Dana, who comes to the Medina, Newport, on Friday May 14, was on her 40 year anniversary tour. We had first met 35 years ago at Sandown Pavilion. Marti, a long term friend, was next door in Oklahoma, which comes to the Mayflower, Southampton, from August 17 to 21. Both girls were in sparkling form.
I was so pleased with the response from the Shanklin History Society when I visited them for a talk on Friday night. It was a good turn out and I met both old and new friends. It was the first time ever I had spoken on Island Theatres and Their Stars.
I was delighted with the response to the new CDs when I visited the County Press Shop for a promotional visit and signing session on Saturday morning. Among the visitors and purchasers was Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em scriptwriter Raymond Allen. It was great to see everyone and, in particular, relatives of characters on the local CD. Ann Nobbs, the widow of Mike Nobbs, and Shane Morris, the son of Lord Ronnie Morris, were among those present.