Another Five Star Review!

May 25th, 2019 Our second show, another full house and everyone was with us. The feedback and response from last week were exceptional, which meant we could enjoy this one more. Monday last was Marie’s 96th birthday. It was great to celebrate with her and also to debrief, and take-in how good we felt aboutContinue reading “Another Five Star Review!”

Show Day

May 18th, 2019 What a brilliant success, nerves were running high, but of course, everyone surpassed their expectations of themselves. It never ceases to amaze me how much the women rise to an audience! True professionals and troupers, never shrinking violets. Marie danced as the audience entered, June led everyone in a seated dance andContinue reading “Show Day”

Preparation To Preparation

May 13th, 2019 “Our show rehearsals are in full swing, and it’s the last of our Mondays in which to work through and rehearse everything. The texts are written and run through with our host and MC Paul Hudson. It’s great to have Paul on board as he knows the women so well and theyContinue reading “Preparation To Preparation”

Dyspraxic Dancing

February 18th, 2019 Another good tap lesson today with Euan and Laura, our brilliant and dedicated ‘pupils’, and I finally mastered the the time step! As a dyspraxic dancer, tap is a massive challenge for me, and of course I haven’t practised. But by breaking the step down into tiny incremental components, I have atContinue reading “Dyspraxic Dancing”

Nobody Loves a Fairy When They’re Forty

July 16th, 2018 “End of season party before our summer break, as usual, we invited folks who have joined us over the year, so had a very merry crew, including the folks from Glencairn Care home for whom we’ve now hosted a few workshops, Heather Marshall from Creative Electric, Martin O’Connor our book editor, andContinue reading “Nobody Loves a Fairy When They’re Forty”

Betty Joins the Troupe

June 18th, 2018 Celebrated June’s 91st birthday today, it is hard to believe that it is a year since her 90th. Paul Hudson from Festival Theatre gifted her with three framed prints of her father, Roy Don’s drawings that are part of the Festival Theatre’s archives. June was delighted and regaled us with the taleContinue reading “Betty Joins the Troupe”

Reunion

May 21st, 2018 Marie’s 95th birthday celebration, and while she says she doesn’t want a fuss, we choose to ignore that (she secretly loves a fuss!). Her family arrive in the afternoon to celebrate, bringing Marie’s suitcase of memorabilia with them, including the white tap shoes from her Raymond Sister days.  She has been askingContinue reading “Reunion”

Waltzing in the Clouds

February 5th, 2018 We ‘discovered’ Deanne Durbin today thanks to Marie singing and “Waltzing in the Clouds” is brilliant for an energetic chair ballet. Also chatted about the possibility and skill involved in dancing at different speeds to the same music. The final edit of our book was today, ready for the launch on 27thContinue reading “Waltzing in the Clouds”

65 Years Later

January 15th, 2018 The first Monday gathering of 2018 and we are joined by Hannah and Paul from Festival Theatre. We watched a video that had been sent to me before Christmas by dancers from Skånes Dance Theatre in Malmö, Sweden (I had been invited to work with them in December to mentor three ofContinue reading “65 Years Later”

Style, Grace & Elegance

December 4th, 2017 “The highlight of today was Paul Hudson from Festival Theatre presenting Marie with her framed fully conserved Raymond Sister’s playbill. Usually kept rolled up in her suitcase of memorabilia this bright yellow hand-painted playbill, of which there is only one that we know of, was a total surprise for Marie. We hadContinue reading “Style, Grace & Elegance”