BRRRR

The coldest winter for 30 years was fun when it first snowed. I am not, however, sure that arriving at work in Wellingtons will raise my street cred. Still, function over fashion....

On this page you can learn what has been going on in Broodland in recent weeks.

The panto season has been upon us and now left us. We could say "It's behind us...."

Our panto stars this year were Gary Lamont, playing Aladdin at Arbroath in Scotland, alongside "River City" hairdresser colleague Pamela Byrne, who plays Hayley, next to his Robbie. Both were very sweet and adorable, as they are on TV, of course, and David Van Day was a suitably villainous Abanazar.

Blake Scott was Peter Pan in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, flying all over the stage in tights, as you might expect Peter Pan to do! The children loved it, and it is a role that Blake was surely born to play. The Brood office team's getting drenched with a water pistol gun didn't matter as we loved the production (by Paul Holman).Co-star Christopher Villiers made the show as Captain Hook.

Over at the Theatre Royal, Stratford, in London, opposite the Olympic site, Aladdin's buddy/brother changed into two people, Wishee and Washee. Wishee was our Chloe Allen, a female half of a split character. On the press night when we saw it, a fire alarm forced an evacuation of the theatre before the show started, and Chloe and the others carried on their warm-up act outside, setting the tone for one of the most fun and friendly panto's of the year.

Mark Kane's run of "Stick Man" has culminated in a season at Soho Theatre. The show, by Scamp Theatre, has attracted excellent reviews. Its national tour was followed by dates in Dubai before coming into London.

Another Christmas/New Year production has been "The Importance of Being Earnest", in which Canon Chasuble is played by Barrie Wilmore. This classic English play has been packing them in at Greenwich Playhouse, and it is always good to see Oscar Wilde done well. The re-imagining in the 1930's has been an interesting angle.

At the King's Head in Islington, "Scouts in Bondage", has been causing a stir, Christopher Finn has been playing one of a group of boy scouts who are marooned in hostile territory after a plane crash. This comedy production has attracted a great deal of press coverage and a loyal audience.

Other shows;- Grant McAlister is currently touring with Derbyshire company, Brief Candle, in the play/workshop production "4-Ever?", for young audiences.

Hanna Kass has been working with the Y Touring Theatre on a national tour of "Starfish". The production has proved so successful it is extending its dates for early 2010.

On screen;-

Ursula Campbell is appearing in a North American "Weightwatchers" commercial.

Scott Virgo is currently on TV in the Harvey's furniture adverts.

Whilst on the Soaps;-

Robbie thought he had killed a customer at the haridresser's in "River City". The narcoleptic lady had fallen into a deep sleep in the chair and Gary Lamont's comic portrayal of Robbie in that story was TV gold, in our opinion.

In "Eastenders", Roxy and Ronnie have been coping with the demise of their father on the floor of the Vic pub on Christmas Day. "Eastenders" was wonderfully exciting all over the holiday period, and we hear the show has won another Best Soap award. We are continually proud that our Rita Simons is part of such a fantastic team and we can't wait for the imminent 25 year anniversary.

Come back to this page for more updates soon.