Having just recovered from performing in one revival of an 80s sitcom, there’s another on the horizon. I don’t usually audition for the plays which SADOS produces each November, preferring to wait for the Spring musical. But when I heard they had decided to do Hi-de-Hi!, I couldn’t resist.
For all those youngsters out there, Hi-de-Hi! is a comedy set in 1959/60 at Maplins holiday camp. Following my success in Acorn Antiques as Mrs Overall, the loveable old cleaner, people thought I might audition for Peggy, the over-enthusiastic chalet maid who is desperate to become one of the entertainers, the Yellowcoats. However I didn’t want to be typecast as a frump in a pinny and couldn’t for the life of me get her Lancashire accent right. I did rather fancy the role of Gladys, the Welsh Chief Yellowcoat,
 |
| Nicky Kelly as Sylvia Garnsey |
but that wasn’t to be. I have, instead, been given the role of Gladys’ arch enemy, Sylvia Garnsey, who, according to the director’s notes is ‘tall, attractive and sporty’ with a nickname of ‘Legs’. Couldn’t be further from my Mrs Overall character and Dougie is quite delighted about that. I think he’s hoping I will be strutting round the house in a pair of white shorts, a yellow blazer and sporting a blonde wig: anything to take away the memory of the varicose-veined tights, pinny and hairnet.
I don’t have many lines so not too much to worry about. Instead I’m looking forward to being with my pals once a week and enjoying the fun of the rehearsals.
So, what else have I been up to?
Mum came for a visit around the time of my birthday so we had another glorious day on the North Norfolk coast, watching the boats at Burnham Overy Staithe before having a delicious lunch outside on the decking of Briarfields in Titchwell. Highly recommended.
Rory has now broken up from school. We took him and his girlfriend to see a National Theatre Live (encore) performance of Macbeth, starring Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston, screened at our local theatre/cinema from a recording at the Manchester International Festival. We kept meaning to book to see one of these live screenings (should have booked to see Frankenstein and The Audience) and eventually got round to it. It didn’t disappoint. If you get the chance to see this at your own local cinema, do go and see it. Breathtaking.
Now packing for our holidays. Off to Austria soon and will therefore be having a blogging break. I’ll be taking an old-fashioned notebook and pen, scribbling down our adventures and will write them up when we get back.
I hope you all behave yourselves whilst I’m away. Will catch up with all the gossip when I return.
Hi-de-Hi campers!
You will be fabulous as 'legs'….and Austria will be great, I'm looking forward to the tales on your return..have fun.
Best tone these legs up a bit – some walking in Austria might help!
Wow, your acting career is certainly varied, congrats on the new part. Have a great holiday in Austria, look forward to hearing all about it. x
It's varied, though not exactly cerebral!
Excited about the trip now – not as busy as our Swedish holiday, plenty of time to relax.
Much much more glamorous, but just as much fun to play I expect. I never did like Gladys anyway! 😀 Have a wonderful time in Austria! Wave when you fly over! xx
Ha! Yup, glamorous and not much to say – that'll suit me fine this time.
I promise to wave xx
Just got back from a holiday at Filey. We rented a cottage at "The Bay, Filey" which is on the site of the old Butlins Camp. I worked at that Butlins over my university vacations in the mid '70s but it later closed (co-incidentally, not due to my labours), fell derelict and was then razed to the ground leaving no traces.
Having regrettably missed your Acorn Antiques production will now focus on getting to see Hi Di Hi in November. I love nostalgia, although it ain't what it used to be!
What a lot of coincidences. I'm most impressed you were a redcoat! I bet you have some tales to tell.
You're more than welcome to come and soak up some nostalgia although, as my role is quite minor, you'd need to be really keen on getting your Butlins fix to travel all that way!
Am very jealous. Alex Kingston in the flesh? You lucky things!
She was a superb Lady Macbeth – all steamy and sexy and then, of course, completely mad. She wasn't exactly 'in the flesh' but the screening was as near as dammit.
I do not know this show either but I am sure you will be fabulous! Perhaps you will find the perfect white shorts and yellow blazer in Austria!! ;o)
Glad you had nice family moments and wishing you a fantastic holiday! Oh, and looking forward to reading all about it of course, especially the rude sounding names… ;o) xx
I think we are getting the costumes as a job lot so I just need to find ones that fit! Maybe we will get them early and I can give Dougie a wee treat at home 😉
Will try and find more rude names for you but they will never beat Klitterhus!xx
Never mind you in your itsy-bitsy shorts, can't wait to see the holiday pics of Dougie in his lederhosen!!
I think you will make a most fitting glamour-puss coz you're one already, you lucky duck! Happy hols to yoos.
That photo will be reserved just for you, Nana! Hope you can contain your excitement 😉
Hello campers! That will be fun.
Have a great holiday. x
It will, I hope!
We are here already. Probably won't FB much – it's nice leaving it all until we come back. But it's hot hot hot which I didn't quite expect. Xx
Have fun and remember…don't mention the war.
We'll probably do that one next year. I bagsy Michelle in the trench coat.
Hi de Hi sounds like great fun! Have a great holiday too.
We're a week into the holiday. Bloody hot! Don't think I'll be needing those jumpers I packed…
That sounds terrific fun. Good for you!
I hope you enjoy your holiday in Austria. We loved what we saw on our motorbike trip there last year.
It's great so far, Sarah. Beautiful scenery everywhere you look.
Have yourself a fabulous time in Austria and I'm looking forward to reading what you find there. Good on your for auditioning. I remember this (NZ got all the best of Brit TV) wow when you look at that photo again that shirt is really rather unbuttoned, innit?
I noticed that about the shirt too 😉 Think it didn't escape Dougie's eye either.