Rob's Adventures in Musical Theatre

Gardens were Gardens…

I’ve had this great idea for a new musical! I was inspired by Mack and Mabel but instead of being about movies it’s about gardens.

 Picture the scene. Jack, ageing gardener (now a shadow of his former self) is paying a visit to his old garden and is disgusted by its new appearance.

Talking about the good old days of gardening he rants: “Whadda ya gonna do in five years time when they’re tired of gravelled patios, whadda ya’ gonna give ‘em then? Decking? or a new size gazebo? or nude statues and chinese water-features? Go on, try all the tricks you can think of but it’s still not gonna be worth one yard of a well-tendered lawn, not one foot of a well-trimmed hedge, not one eight of a quarter of an inch of my (bird) table…”

After pronouncing: “What do they know about looking after gardens? …like I told you, not a goddam thing” he launches into the first number “Gardens were Gardens”.

The idea’s still taking shape but I’ve started writing another song to be used a bit later in the first act. It’s called “I Won’t Prune Roses” and it starts like this:

I won’t prune roses

Or mow the lawn

My old green wellies

No longer worn

My garden’s overrun with moles

Damn greenfly killed my marigolds

Those slugs and snails, kid

Won’t stay away kid

Forget my borders

They’re full of weed

My fruit and veg patch

Has gone to seed

And I can’t start again you see

I’ve lost my hoe

I won’t prune roses

As they refuse to grow…

It’s early days but I’m proud to say it’s coming along nicely. Plus, I’m thinking of approaching Alan Titchmarsh to play the lead. Dunno about you but I’m thinking I’ve got a hit on my hands! 

Excellent Mack and Mabel review posted in the Durham Times

Click HERE to read the review written by Michael Hinks — the president of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

Click here to see my profile on the Durham Musical Theatre Company website, lovingly created and managed by long standing member and top guy — Derek (Dirk) Smith.

A Hobby for Lunatics…

“How’s the play going?” people at work would ask. “Are you still doing that pantomime thing?” was another. After a while I’d gave up trying to explain that it was a stage-musical. I’d long since given up talking in depth about it due to the glazed expressions that would inevitably follow. Hobby? More like an obsession!. And only the people involved with the production who attend most, if not all of the rehearsals can truly understand that.

Yes the rehearsal schedules for Mack and Mabel were punishing but the rewards of show-week made it all worthwhile, leaving you with a fantastic sense of achievement and the knowledge you’d just been a part of something really special — magical even! The experience leaves you feeling physically and mentally exhausted yet at the same time high as a kite. You don’t want it to end but only because it’s a long way back down and the strange depression that follows leaves you feeling empty and numb.

I myself am playing catch-up in this game which makes me wish we could start rehearsals after — oh I don’t know — a nice long two week break so it continues to frustrate me that we don’t start with the next production until April. APRIL!!! THAT’S A LIFETIME AWAY! I need the buzz, the structure, the singing rehearsals, the expert direction from Fred Wharton dished out in his own inimitable way. (Can I just say — if you don’t already — learn to love and respect him because the shows wouldn’t be as spectacular or as professional without him.) 

Long live DMTC and it’s fantastic production team! I feel proud and privileged to have been involved in the event that was Mack and Mabel (it’s going to be a hard act to follow) but here’s to many many more!