Blog post

WC NOV 10.

Last year I went to Bournemouth to interview the Stylistics, which had all been arranged. I was due to meet them at the Roundabout Hotel, near the Pavilion Theatre. When I found the very helpful tour manager he was very apologetic. None of them were around to do an interview. I was disappointed and headed back to the Island. A 5 hour trip for nothing.

They were at Shanklin Theatre on Monday night but I had not planned an interview as I had no free time in the day – it was the Amateur Theatre Awards the very next day and I was behind schedule. I was up at the crack of dawn to work until I had to go to Yarmouth to take friends to a dental appointment in East Cowes. Then, by a stroke of luck, the dentist was suddenly not available and the appointment was cancelled – and that meant I suddenly had around 3 unexpected hours. I went to Shanklin Theatre and interviewed The Stylistics. What a change of fortunes – and this time I was just 10 minutes from home.

Tuesday was non-stop all day and evening. The response to the Awards Night at Shanklin Theatre was so positive and so it was all worth it. I was glad to get home and relax for an hour – with a cup of Horlicks. I must be old!!! I was so pleased the Island’s latest hit screenwriter Daisy Coulam could join us to present some awards. Her Grantchester series had finished on BBC TV the night before.

Apparently, there were rumours circulating before the evening that I was going to call it a day in November of next year – after the 17th Awards Night. Were they right? All might be revealed soon!

It was back to business on Saturday night with a visit to the Apollo Theatre to see the latest Red Tie production – and I did enjoy it and was so impressed with one young performer – and gave them a very high mark for this current year’s Theatre Awards.