Broadway Babe

Regular readers will have heard me sing Julie Barker’s praises before.  I have written about her talents as a choreographer (in Melabeau Productions’ Cinderella) and actress (in Melabeau Productions’ Vagina Monologues) and she shared her Hot Holidays! with us last year.  Well, as well as working as a choreographer and actress, Julie is also the principal of a large stage school – Tip Toes.

Julie has always been supportive to all her students and has actively encouraged them to audition for professional productions in Essex and the West End.  For years she has put troupes into professional and charity shows.  … Read the rest »

Super, Satisfying Saturday

When I got Saturday mornings back a couple of weeks ago, I decided not to waste them.  After all, one of the reasons that influenced my decision was the fact that if I used the time productively on my writing, that I could write another book in a short space of time.  So, I got up early this morning and spent two hours working on my next novel, which has the working title, The Banjo.  Then I went and got the paper, prepared my vegetable smoothie and took my place in the armchair, from which I have had to be … Read the rest »

Whirling Around and Watching Wimbledon

Well!  It’s been a funny old week and a half at what is almost turning into Wimblegeddon.  After all the injuries and shock-exits of last week – drum roll – Serena Williams out in the fourth round!  Who would have thought it?  I know that Sabine Lisicki is a good player; she’s put out big names in previous Wimbledons, including Sharapova and Li Na.  But Serena?   The list of quarter-finalists would probably have got you odds of 5000-1 before the championship started.  And it’s a bit like that in the men’s draw, too, although at least there the No 1 … Read the rest »