Every now and again as I played the piano in hotel lounges watching people drink and chat, whilst I was confident that they had one ear on the music, I used to think how absolutely wonderful it would be if they had two ears on the music. I knew the only way that that was going to happen was if I put on some kind of stage show. Being a solo performer, a One Woman Show seemed the obvious way to go.
That thought remained on the back burner as I engrossed myself in travelling abroad and seeing the world. When I came home in 2001, the urge to be on stage moved from the backburner right to the front. I engrossed myself in writing a script and finding a director.
Finally, on 22nd September 2006 one of my dreams came true in my local town Cardigan at theatre Mwldan. The show was a complete sell-out! Here’s how it was advertised;
That thought remained on the back burner as I engrossed myself in travelling abroad and seeing the world. When I came home in 2001, the urge to be on stage moved from the backburner right to the front. I engrossed myself in writing a script and finding a director.
Finally, on 22nd September 2006 one of my dreams came true in my local town Cardigan at theatre Mwldan. The show was a complete sell-out! Here’s how it was advertised;
Hyrwyddir gan - Promoted by Amanda Painting
With all my surprise guests it turned out to be more of a local community show! I asked the headmaster of our local primary school (as my barman), a local solicitor (as a surprise guest from the audience), a budding rock singer at the local county school (along with his girly band), a salsa teacher, an estate agent ( posing as a member of our local amateur dramatics society interrupting one of my songs to collect something from her own show the week before. She was accompanied by naughty grand-kids and dog!) My band were semi-pro, a builder and a government worker. Both the director (Mike Hotson) and producer (Sue Appleton) were Community Artists.
I sang ‘Amazing Grace’ using a local choir for some beautiful accompaniment. My song ended, and there was a moment of silence. Then the tune was taken up by the bagpipes as local piper Pat Dunbar emerged from the wings and slow-marched across the stage, into the audience and out at the rear of the theatre.
Looking back now I feel sure I’d written everyone in the script to "hold my hand". But the moment I walked out onto the stage, I knew it was my new home as far as my career was concerned. I wasn’t going to have any problems drying up, more shutting up!
The revised show to be toured in 2008 will be the same, but different. It’ll be just me this time a "real" One Woman Show. It’s another one of my dreams come true.
Please keep an eye on my website for upcoming dates.
With all my surprise guests it turned out to be more of a local community show! I asked the headmaster of our local primary school (as my barman), a local solicitor (as a surprise guest from the audience), a budding rock singer at the local county school (along with his girly band), a salsa teacher, an estate agent ( posing as a member of our local amateur dramatics society interrupting one of my songs to collect something from her own show the week before. She was accompanied by naughty grand-kids and dog!) My band were semi-pro, a builder and a government worker. Both the director (Mike Hotson) and producer (Sue Appleton) were Community Artists.
I sang ‘Amazing Grace’ using a local choir for some beautiful accompaniment. My song ended, and there was a moment of silence. Then the tune was taken up by the bagpipes as local piper Pat Dunbar emerged from the wings and slow-marched across the stage, into the audience and out at the rear of the theatre.
Looking back now I feel sure I’d written everyone in the script to "hold my hand". But the moment I walked out onto the stage, I knew it was my new home as far as my career was concerned. I wasn’t going to have any problems drying up, more shutting up!
The revised show to be toured in 2008 will be the same, but different. It’ll be just me this time a "real" One Woman Show. It’s another one of my dreams come true.
Please keep an eye on my website for upcoming dates.
Vox Pop Video Clip (.mpeg4)
The question asked was "What do you think of a career as a musician?"
Vox Pop Video Clip (.mpeg4)
The question asked was "Do you think it’s a proper job?"
(original video filmed and edited by Hedley England)
(additional editing of the video clips by Jon Turner)
Can’t see the video? Then click here for free QuickTime download.
The question asked was "What do you think of a career as a musician?"
Vox Pop Video Clip (.mpeg4)
The question asked was "Do you think it’s a proper job?"
(original video filmed and edited by Hedley England)
(additional editing of the video clips by Jon Turner)
Can’t see the video? Then click here for free QuickTime download.
Feedback
"A performer who can take any situation in her stride, Mandy turned what could have been a disastrous evening, into a successful one. Despite being hired at very short notice - due to the cancellation of one of the groups - she gave a 90 min performance of songs, interspaced with quips and amusing anecdotes that captured the audience’s attention and held it. We would have no hesitation in offering Mandy another Gig as and when the occasion arises".
Festival Director - De Valence Pavilion, Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
"A performer who can take any situation in her stride, Mandy turned what could have been a disastrous evening, into a successful one. Despite being hired at very short notice - due to the cancellation of one of the groups - she gave a 90 min performance of songs, interspaced with quips and amusing anecdotes that captured the audience’s attention and held it. We would have no hesitation in offering Mandy another Gig as and when the occasion arises".
Festival Director - De Valence Pavilion, Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
