It's Showtime in Birdwell

IT'S SHOWTIME!

As you can see, we all had lots of fun at the Academy Theatre in Birdwell, putting on the play, Up The Resistance, last week. We were directed by David Wrightam, who also wrote the play. The pictures speak for themselves.

 I played the part of Madam Dustere, the cleaner in a French brothel. 'Alo, Alo' She's a bit dotty, but saves the day, when the German's discover secret plans, and end up capturing an English officer and his accomplices. 

Now, see if you can spot the scarecrow - My David stood in at the last minute, as we were a member of cast short. He made an excellent scarecrow. Back row, third from the end, right.

And of course we ended the evening off in true Barnsley style, with bread and dripping. There was, of course, lots of other yummy nibbles on the buffet, all washed down with a pint of John Smiths from the bar.

And now it is on to the next David Wrightam play, another Sun, Sea, Sand and Crabs, this time set in Morocco (I think). Watch out for it in October. Before that I am going to be rehearsing for Act Your Age, a musical, also at the Academy Theatre, to be staged in June. It keeps me out of mischief.

Talk again soon, have a good week, all,
Love and hugs,
Jane x

Greek Voices

Greek Voices, one of the four poems I read out at the Sheffield Poet-a-Thon on Saturday, when a group of 50 Yorkshire poets got together to raise money for Asylum Seekers. Over £10,000 was raised. Not only did I get to hear some fantastic poetry, but I also got to meet Helen Mort, one of my favourite poets. Well done everyone!



And today I am learning my lines for Up The Resistance, the play I'm in at the Academy Theatre, Birdwell, next Wednesday and Thursday.

It has been a lovely sunshiny day, the bushes in our garden are blossoming, and our little seedlings are pushing up through the soil. It's enough to make you want to write poetry.

Have a peaceful week, everyone,
Love and hugs,
Jane x

ALLO ALLO IT IS UP THE RESISTANCE!

IF YOU WANT A GOOD LAUGH GET YOURSELF TO THE THEATRE IN BIRDWELL ON 6TH OR 7TH OF APRIL. 

Yes, I am the one with the feather duster, I'm keeping it clean, as they say. We're a motley crew, but I'm sure we will make you laugh. Set in a French brothel during WW2, the plot involves, German Officers, escaping Englishmen, and a cow. Spot the cow, it is in fact hovering above my head in the above photo, that is it's open mouth, imagination needed.

I have been busy learning my lines, so not had time for any big walks lately. I am sure that will be rectified soon. I have had a trip to London, and even a day out in Scarborough, so have not been idle. I had never been to Scarborough and was surprised to see that there was a castle there. It is a very impressive site, well worth a visit.

I have also joined the Poetry Society Stanza group at Sheffield which meets every 3rd Monday in the month. It has only just been formed so is feeling its way as to a programme for each month. This month we all read one of our own poems to introduce ourselves. I'm not sure humorous poems would go down too well, we'll see.

I am to be part of the Sheffield Poet-a-Thon on the 2nd April, where I will read for 8 minutes. I think my slot is about 12.15pm. It is to be held at the new Arts Centre in the middle of Sheffield. About 50 poets are reading in a day long event which has been organised to raise money for the refugees. Please donate if you can: Jane Sharp Poet Click the link to go to my Just Giving page.

My dear hubby, David, has been busy in the garden. He has planted several strawberry plants, and prepared beds ready for summer plants that are, at the moment, germinating on our kitchen window ledges. The daffodil bulbs he planted just after Christmas have sent up a lovely display of yellow trumpets, or misshapen smilies, as I like to think they are.

As I write this blog the news is full of the bombing in Brussels that killed about 30 people, yesterday. It was a terrorist attack, suicide bombers at the airport, and also on the underground railway. Earlier this week there was an attack in Turkey, and there have been others. Now the whole of Europe is on high alert. I say my prayers every night for a peaceful world, knowing that a solution to all this violence will not come overnight.

On a brighter note, the Queen is coming up to her 90th birthday, and I am looking forward to some wonderful celebrations. So, April 21st is a date in my diary.

Before that, of course, it is Easter. This coming weekend, in fact. So, I wish you all a very Happy Easter break, whatever your religion. And if you don't believe in God, then enjoy the holiday and lots of chocolate. And above all, spread the love.

Jane x

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!   I knew the minute I saw him...

Yes, the sun was streaming in through the bedroom curtains, porridge was in the pan before I had time to think smoothy, toast, or anything otherwise, and that happy Valentine's greeting of 'do you want me to clean your boots,' melodiously fell on my waking ears. And when I got downstairs, there he was in his walking regalia, rucksack at the ready.

Valentine's Day - a walk in the countryside, who could ask for anything more. Then when we stopped for a cuppa and a bacon butty, it was, have you got a tenner love? I ask you, where's the romance in that. But, just as I had resigned myself to that, ah, bless, I know he loves me without red roses, excuse that more women than me have told themselves, the situation was in sight of redemption.

We had reached Elsecar, and the Antiques Fair. This is it, I thought, this is where he says, if you see a little something you like I'll treat you. Not! But I did end up buying a tin mop bucket as a prop for the play I'm in at the Acadamy Theatre in April. And, he did carry it all the way home, which was sort of gallant, if you know what I mean. Not quite a Knight in armour, but close.
Such is love!

Other news - I had a little trip out with my drama group friends on Thursday evening. We went in a minibus, to the theatre in Cleethorpes, where Up The Resistance was on. Now, as this is the play which we are rehearsing for at the moment, it was fun to see what the other am dram group made of it. So, it was a bit of a spying mission, but fun all the way. They were really good, so I think we shall have to up our game. I've never been to Cleethorpes before, but in the dark we could have been anywhere. I couldn't see the sea. On the run in we did pass a huge industrial site, all lit up for miles, but it wasn't exactly illuminations.

I've prepared my A Poet in Crete for Kindle this week, too. It will be available any day now.

My lovely man.

Well, I do hope your Valentine's Day was as wonderful as mine. (Or even better). Talk again soon.

Love and hugs,

Jane x