Dear
Everyone, Firstly,
a very belated Happy 2003. I do hope it's
wonderful in every way for us all.
Secondly, a million
apologies for not communicating this letter
earlier. Honestly, I had intended to start it
during week three of the panto, to keep you up to
speed with the show etc., but the schedule was so
hectic any "interruptions" would have
made it impossible to concentrate on being a
"Queen"! Speaking of which, I had a
ball. It was my first time playing a "baddie"
and Snow White is the perfect vehicle for
any female who wants to tackle this sort of role.
Chris Monero, the producer, also wrote the script
and co-wrote the songs, which were very "show"
tunes. A joy to do. I must have been fairly
realistic at being evil as one child threatened
to chop me head off at the stage door, with his
special "magic sword"! Anyway, the show
sold out and became the biggest selling show in
the theatre's history, so, of course, everyone
was ecstatic, the producer, cast and audience.
All in all, a great experience. By the way, I can
recommend a FAB shop in Lincoln. POUNDLAND! I
find it extremely orgasmic. If you're a bargain
fiend, you'll never leave. I fed the crew with
cakes and goodies every day. And, my dears, the
household goods are T.D.F. Who needs Harrods?
For those of you who
keep up-to-date visits to the website, you'll be
aware of the great success of Annie - the
Tour. We all had a ball and it was really
emotional at the end of each performance to see
the audience cheering and being generally moved
by the show. The producer is currently "in
talks" with a management who want to take
the show to the Far East and Dubai. I'll keep you
posted, but it's definitely on the cards. I've
been in Dubai before, courtesy of Piers Nimmo, in
a play called Habeus Corpus. Dubai is a
great place - hot, gorgeous hotels, fabulous
food, interesting culture, men in those long,
flowing white robes - jalababs they're called. I
remember going to a disco with Melvyn Hayes and
I was the only person on the dance floor - mind
you, I luv a bit of space to strut about -
wondering where all the other ravers were. I
later found out the ladies were in the upstairs
bar discussing their fees-per-hour. Most of the
girls, apparently, come from Russia - with love?
I am currently enjoying
a few weeks off and having a fabulous time. My
ethic has always been "work hard, play hard".
If I play any harder I shall have to be
hospitalised! In between revelling, I am still
recording voiceovers for Little Robots,
which, according to the producer, is proving very
popular, now beating Bob The Builder.
Success, indeed!
Currently, 'UK Gold' are
re-running Hi-De-Hi!. I still get 4th
generation young fans knocking on my door asking
for Peggy. It's a ceaseless joy for me to know
the show is a perennial favourite and something I
will always be especially proud to have been
involved in. I never forget that it was a
springboard for me, a fabulous break that all
actors would kill for.
I have recently turned
down several TV projects, such as Dom Joly
on BBC3, as I felt they were not right for me,
but will keep you posted on the TV score.
The Hexagon Theatre,
Reading, is my host for panto this year - another
Snow White. Christopher Lillicrap, what a
fantastic name, is producer and Dame and we are
currently "in talks" with regard to
script, music etc. Preparation is very important,
as the rehearsal period is somewhat "limited"
- she says, tactfully! It's a bit of a sixties
dinosaur, building-wise, but a well-respected
venue and the crew are very welcoming and co-operative.
Last time I played there, as Ruth in The
Pirates Of Penzance, we made each other cups
of tea, and I remember performing the "Opening
Ceremony" of their refurbished ladies'
toilets! I do like to diversify!
The tour dates for Annie
are almost finalised. I really enjoy performing
in this uplifting musical. I honestly love the
way the audiences are genuinely moved by what
they see. In today's climate of doom and gloom,
people do seem to want good, old-fashioned "I-enjoyed-that-show"
feelings.
I do want to THANK ALL
OF YOU for your emails, letters etc., and I do
try to reply to you all. It's very important for
any artiste to have loyal fans, old and new. You
all give tremendous support and that's what
encourages us to continue to give the best
standard we can, in order to give you value for
money.
I had a luvly Sunday
lunch with Gary Wilmot. His roast potatoes are T.D.F.!
Better than Hilda's!, but don't tell her. It was
nice catching up and having a good goss. I do
have great respect for Gary - a talented artiste
and "good bloke". Also I had a great
meet-up with my mate, David Griffin - Clive in Hi-De-Hi!
and Emmet in Keeping Up Appearances - We
both appeared in The Good Sex Guide Revue
in New Zealand. When you've experienced an
adventure like that, nothing else matches up!
Just before I sign off,
I want to extend a personal, heart-felt thanx to
Davie, who is responsible for my website. I think
he does a truly magnificent job, and have been
told so constantly, especially by people in the
media. No mean praise coming from those who are
constantly in touch with other websites. The time
and effort he puts into it are really appreciated
- thanx Davie.
Finally, thanx to all of
you for "logging-on" - is that correct?
I'm afraid I'm a bit of a virgin when it comes to
terminology - and I do hope you continue to tune
into the website and to the forthcoming 'Su's
Snippets'.
Much love to you all -
Su.
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