Samuel West and Joanna Lumley 2007

Another talk hosted by Samuel West and another visit by me to the great city of Sheffield. An area where my maternal grandmother was born (in Loxley). This time the reason for visiting wasn't just because I really wanted to see Sam again, no. It was to also see the wonderful Joanna Lumley who was starring in a show at the Crucible called the Cherry Orchard. Now Joanna and I have met before when I was a kid. I used to live for a time in an area near to Crouch End in North London and I learned from a friend that Joanna lived a few streets away. Think we were only about 12 at the time and Joanna was Purdey in the New avengers on TV so us friends decided to knock on her door to ask if Purdey was there. haha. I remember chickening out at the last moment and watched from behind a parked car as my friends were sent their marching orders from a very peed off looking bloke who was standing in front of the silhouette of Joanna as she waited just inside the door. Poor woman. It was funny at the time but we soon got bored and moved onto fresh adventures elsewhere.

So anyway back to the present day and me now entering the Crucible theatre where I met a friend who was also attending the same event. We were given on arrival a pencil and a slip of paper and asked to write down a question we wanted Joanna to answer in the Q&A bit in the second half of the evening. We then had to drop it into a small white bucket that was positioned on a table closeby. I had previously thought of mine already, which was about a tv programme Joanna starred in when I was a kid called 'Sapphire and Steel'. An epic show of its time. And my question was asking how did they make her eyes glow blue (LX or SX question) I didn't expect anything else to happen so in the last part of the evening I was gobsmacked when Joanna mentioned my question and wanted to know who had asked it! I bravely raised my hand in response but couldn't speak because my mouth had dried up. Sam pointed me out by saying something like "There she is!" to a roar of laughter from Joanna, the audience and myself who by now was trying to hide behind my hand. hehe! Joanna explained to me how her eyes glowed blue which was really interesting...but sadly I didn't write it down so I can't remember all that was said. *doh* But anyway it was a really great event for me...my 2 mins of limelight and to be honest it was pretty cool.

Samuel West and Michael Palin 2007

I went to Sheffield to see Sam West hosting a talk with the multi talented Michael Palin. I've been a big fan of Michael's ever since Monty Python so for me there was a double reason why I wanted to attend this event. He's a friggin legend. Earlier in the day I was surprised to stumble upon a sectioned off area of the pavement. I went over to investigate and found out that Michael Palin was standing there to officially open something. At the same time I took a phone call which was a big mistake. I looked up to see Michael very close to me greeting fans. My hands were full so he withdrew his outstretched hand after saying hello. Damn it. Can't believe I missed an opportunity like that. I must be mad. I did take photos though and a few of the many pigeons that were trying to drown themselves in the nearby fountain round the corner. Strange town this. Later on I went to the talk event and was intrigued by everything. Michael's many adventures...and Sam's insights too that are equally as eye opening. So pleased to learn that Sam loves trains. My dad was a 'fireman' on the old steam trains in Cumbria during the 50's and 60's. He still loves trains with a passion and often visits Carlisle station to view them and some of his old colleagues who used to work with him. I love watching all the Michael Palin travel programmes. I especially liked the Himalaya and the Sahara series. He makes it all look so easy. I would love to go those places myself, but not sure I could cope with the food or the heat/cold...or the creepy crawlies.

As You Like It review February 2007

Three events. The Q&A. The play. The talkback

The month was February and once more I was back in Sheffield, this time for a few days. I had tickets to a Q&A chat with Sam West (who was directing it), the play itself, and also a talk back event (with the company) all at the Crucible theatre. The first day was the Q&A chat with Sam. And along with everyone else who had tickets, I took to my seat and awaited for Sam to appear onstage. I was wearing a jokey t-shirt at the time which Sam probably didn't notice since I was seated in the 4th row. The logo said something like "Jun66 Rules OK" on the front, and this was my insane idea of acknowledging the fact that Sam & I were both born in the same month and year. Crazy I know. When Sam eventually arrived he apologised for looking rough due to illness that he'd just recovered from, although he looked pretty normal to me. Sam began to explain all about his production of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' which was really interesting. I thought it quite sweet that he was clutching a printed out Wikipedia page of the play (bless him) as well as his notes. I really enjoyed all the insights he had to offer over a vast range of topics...and not all play related either! Sam also recommended a book to us called 'Clamorous Voices, Shakespeare's women today' by Carol Rutter, which I later bought and read enthusiastically. The subject matter reminded me a lot of the sort of material my Mother used to have on her bookshelf while I was growing up. The q&a part was very amusing and I particularly liked the way Sam showed us how different stage props worked, except for the noise and the light effects which scared the s***t out of me! (ha ha) There was a huge globe structure on a wire that descended from above Sam's head which was pretty cool. Sam explained this was the Sun. Why of course! But sadly like all things Sam related...the chat had to end and we all went our separate ways until later on in the evening.

As You Like It...

When the play began I was sat in the front row unsure of what to expect. I had seen other productions of As You Like It...but this was quite different. Namely because of the set design and the costumes. I felt sorry for that poor lonely tree that looked as though it had been run over by a steam roller. The story was sometimes fun, frequently insane and at the same time a bit sad, and those noisy lights got me time and time again! I liked all the characters, especially Touchstone who amused me greatly. It was a wonderful evening, and a really good Sam West production.

The Talk back...

My last evening in Sheffield and after my third sitting of the play, the audience were invited to stay for the talk back event with the company of As You Like It. Most of the actors attended it, including Sam. Lots of people asked questions, and the company gave us a summary of what they did to develop their interpretation of this particular Shakespeare's play. It was very entertaining. After the talk back had finished I was making my way out of the theatre, when I noticed Sam standing there on the main staircase listening to a fan. He looked very subdued like in a daze. I later found out that his good friend Steve Pimlott had tragically passed away the previous day. On Valentine's Day as well. Very sad. :(

The Soldier's Tale Review December 2006

You must not seek to add
To what you have, what you once had;
You have no right to share
What you are with what you were.
No one can have it all,
That is forbidden.
You must learn to choose between.
One happy thing is every happy thing:
Two, is as if they had never been.

My journey started very early. I was to go to Sheffield for the day. Crazy I know! The show was a matinee performance which made it possible for me to do that. When I arrived in that great city and from where on the outskirts one of my grandmothers was born (Loxley) I was greeted with a chilling wind. The place was freezing but very Christmassee. I busied myself with getting some hot drinks into my system before making my way to the Crucible theatre. I was soon in my seat and much warmer than before. Very soon Sam appeared on stage and took to his seat with his script and a bottle of water to soothe his sore throat (he mentioned having a cold) and joining him onstage were a group of musicians who went by the name of 'Ensemble 300 & friends.' The show began and I was intrigued by Sam's narrating to the music. I have never heard anything like this before, so it was all new to me. It was pretty good in it's unique kind of way. After the performance had ended I made my way into the main foyer of the theatre to find a group of musicians consisting of mainly children playing along to various tunes with their instruments. I stayed a while to watch them before having to head off into the arctic weather conditions once more in search of the train station. When I eventually got home in the early hours of the next morning, I was so pleased that I had made all that effort to go, even if the madness to be there had made it all seem like a crazy day dream.

A Number Review Sheffield November 2006

Sam and Tim West on stage

I arrived in Sheffield to see this play after a long journey from London. I also had a ticket to see Family Voices which I ended up missing due to unforseen circumstances (big regret). I made my way to the Studio Theatre which to me resembled a Victorian operating theatre. Luckily I was 1st in the queue for seats so of course I opted for the front row! This was the very first time I had seen Sam properly in the flesh. I was very nervous about going but was glad I did. I enjoyed the show immensely. Sam and his father Tim work so well together and their performances just flowed effortlessly. The most vivd memory of the evening was when Sam's character (well one of them...haha) was stood a little way from my row of seats, and he looked visibly upset. His whole body was shaking with grief as he sobbed. I suddenly got the urge to stand up and put my arm around his shoulder to comfort him. Silly me I know. Yet Sam's performance that day was so convincing that I really did believe he was upset. I developed a great empathy for him that day which still remains. Bless him.