Dick Whittington – Liverpool Empire

I was a bit sceptical going to watch the pantomime this year, as I felt last year’s wasn’t great.  Thankfully I did, as this year Dick Whittington has everything you want in a panto and more!

Right from the start it hit you with a song we all know and hands were clapping and feet stamping as Leanne Campbell, with ease, talent and enthusiasm, sang the first hit song.  Leanne had great chemistry on stage with the leading male Kurtis Stacey, not being a soap fan wasn’t sure who he was.  After watching him today I can tell you who he is and what he is.  He has great stage presence and has a fantastic voice and threw Leanne around, in the dance routines, like he should be next on Strictly Come Dancing!  Kurtis and Leanne complimented each other perfectly.  Eric Potts provided wonderful entertainment, as the traditional male dame and managed a few add libs, which is always a winner for me in panto.  His side kick Jack, not sure of real name, was perfect for the role.  He interacted with the audience with ease but did get upstaged by a young local boy called AJ, who told the audience all about the titanic disaster, cue the soundtrack from the orchestra and ‘Jack’ miming the boat scene, beautiful!  Sally Lindsey was very good in her role and seemed to enjoy the sponging ‘Jack’ a little too much!  Peter Price provided his usual strong performance and can still belt out a tune, although forgetting a line was quickly pounced on by Eric Potts and it was a joy to see the cast laughing at Pete’s expense.  The rat character created the perfect ‘baddy’. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the cast enjoy themselves on stage.

The dance routines were very well thought out and cleverly had enough slap stick in one dance routine to make children and adults of all ages laugh.  Having said all that, the person who thought of doing the 3D part of the show should be given the freedom of the city.  This was a fantastic idea and had children around the theatre gasp in amazement. 

In conclusion, this has been the best pantomime I have seen for a number of years.  Traditionally poor jokes that the cast delivered with the usual ‘I know it is poor but laugh anyway’.  Enough innuendo to keep the adults amused especially during the sausage scene!  A great family day out and I couldn’t recommend it anymore.  If you haven’t seen it yet you must go.  I’m hoping to go again after Christmas.

Frank Sinatra 100 years celebration event:

What promised to be the event of all events, celebrating an icon in the music industry, sadly started 30 minutes late.  We were given no real explanation except that it was a situation ‘beyond our control’.  The organisation of this event was bordering on the ridiculous.  I have never seen so many people queue to get a drink! 

Thank goodness for the acts and the very talented and amazing vocalist Alan Cross.  I’ve not come across him before but I certainly will again.  The man oozes class and his vocal range caresses each note without hesitation.  Just when you thought the entertainment couldn’t get any better on walks a man who I watched on a TV show at the beginning of the year, George Gallagher.  This guy truly is has a voice ‘Old Blues Eyes’ would have been proud to have.  I would certainly pay good money to watch these two gentlemen perform their own ‘Rat Pack’ show.

The dance troop, who popped up from time to time were good but felt that the layout of the room didn’t do them justice.  The dancer, who performed Mr Bo Jangles with Alan Cross was very good but felt she needed to have on a suit and a hat to give it that bit of extra class.  The ‘Burlesque’ dancer was fine but coming on for a second time seemed pointless, as we had seen all her moves the first time.  The accompanying quartet was good, producing some very good harmonies. 

To sum up, a great night of entertainment that could have easily been ruined by the organisation of the event.  The rendition of New York, New York is still ringing in my ears.

Don’t run away

Don’t be scare of the past

Look to the future

I know its hard now

But it will soon be over

Take what you have

Be proud of who you are

Listen to the advice

You’ve come so far

Chorus

Don’t run away don’t you dare

There are people around who really care

They’ll show their support, they’ll be by your side

Holding your hand, beaming with pride

Don’t run away it’ll turn back the clock

Search for that someone that will unlock

What ever you need you can borrow

Don’t run away you’ll always have tomorrow

Everyday a challenge

Sinking below the line

Don’t want to escape

Don’t have a choice

Try and move on

Where are you going?

Life behind the smile

We’ve no way of knowing

Bridge

You life is tough no one is denying, your life is rough but no more crying

Please don’t run away, save your strength for another day

Tears of Joy

From the moment I laid my eyes on you I knew what love meant

I held you close to my body and smelt your perfect scent

I put my hand behind your head and you slowly peeked at me

The most beautiful girl in the world, know one could disagree

A bundle of joy, a miracle, quite simply the definition of happiness

An overpowering emotion that I never thought I could express

My eyes filled up, a tear was shed, and my heart did exactly the same

Now the most difficult part of all, giving you the perfect name

I never believed in princesses until I saw you that special day

Let me take you to our castle and only a prince will take you away

I will gladly sacrifice everything I have to give you the very best

When I look back on my life, with you, I know I’ve been truly blessed

I’ll be here

In the coldest night I’ll keep you warm

I’ll be your shelter in the wildest storm

When you need to talk I’ll listen to you

I’ll be here waiting, right on cue

When you’re feeling weak I’ll be your strength

I’ll keep negative energies away at arm’s length

If you need to get out we’ll go for a walk

I’ll be here, if you need to talk

 When you are tired and you’ve lost all hope

You won’t be alone as together we’ll cope

We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, we’ll shed a tear

I won’t let go, I’ll always be here

Rise Up

A movement that started many years ago

When the world seemed defeated, at an all time low

They struck unknown and attacked the innocent crowd

Silence tore the world apart; the message was clear and loud

Chorus

Rise Up, stand up, don’t be scared

We all have a voice that needs to be heard

Rise Up, stand up, don’t be scared

No one owns this planet, it should be shared

Can we all just get along I’ll continue to plea

One voice is needed, solidarity is the key

What is the answer to yet another innocent attack?

Do we just stand bye or do we regroup and fight back?

They hurt us all on that fatal day, a day we will never forget

We can’t go on living in this terrorism roulette

Bridge

One world we need to unite

Change the attitudes with no more fight

Tonight we hold on to our loved ones a little while longer

Keep them in our hearts as the world becomes stronger

Searching for that hero to stand up and make a stance

If the world and humanity is to win then this is our only chance

Hurt

I may not be bleeding but inside I feel pain

You said you would be there but you’ve let me down again

Another broken promise, another careless lie

I try and move on but my mind keeps asking why

Do you know what you are doing? Is it simply a game?

Your excuses keep coming but they’re becoming rather lame

I gave you my time when you needed it the most

But when I needed you, you suddenly became a ghost

Chorus

You hurt me inside

But you won’t see me cry

Your words are empty promises

Why can’t I say goodbye

The feeling won’t go away

It’s stays for while

The heart wants to give you chance

But my head is in denial

Bridge

Something you said last night suck in my mind

I saw who you are, why was I so blind

You didn’t know I was listening when you said those words about me

If someone had have told me I would have had to disagree

How could you be so hurtful after everything I’ve done?

My mind was so alive but my body had gone numb

Fly Away Child

You’ve found your wings and now you have flown

The bravest little boy we have ever known

A struggle you should never have had to fight

No more pain now you’re on your eternal flight

You’ve touched so many hearts in your short stay

You will always be remembered each and every day

Many tears will be shed throughout the land

People rallying round to offer a supporting hand

You smiled and laughed until the very end

You’ve lost your battle but won many new friends

Know doubt you’ll be making friends above

Looking down on us with nothing but love

Why was someone so young taken away again?

Tears from heaven will bring the pouring rain

Be safe tonight child above the moonlit sky

Our love, tears and thoughts with you as you fly

NQT

A dream you had since you were a little kid

To have a job that you adore

Everyday you count your lucky stars

But teaching is much much more

From day one at Uni it was all about a file

Will you get all the standards met?

The stress, the workload and the time

And you haven’t met the class yet!

At the end of Uni you get your first job

Think storage and head off to Ikea

The excitement builds for the first day

What to do now?  You have no idea

Six weeks in and the marking is piling up

Your social life has taken a dent

School work constantly on your mind

From the everyday planning to the assessment

Christmas arrives with the madness that it brings

The children are all up the wall

Your looking forward to your two week break

 You’ve survived the Autumn Fall

Back after the break and not much changed

The hours are wasting away

Working non stop from dusk till dawn

Always working and no time to play

Workload increases as reports to write

Saying the same thing on everyone

Looking back, how did you survive?

Because you don’t know where the year has gone

Does it get easier you ask yourself?

As the summer sun finally comes out

You have to reapply for your own job

What’s that all about?

You luck is in and you have another year

You now know what to expect

The year is basically all the same

You are delighted with the planning you kept

It does get easier the old timer says

You just learn how to prioritise

Seeing those children grow and learn

Now that’s the ultimate prize!

Love on the dance floor

The dance floor is calling you move to the beat

You can hear the sounds pumping in the middle of the street

The music pulls you closer and it opens the door

Your body is moving to the beat on the dance floor

Chorus

Feel the beat

Hit the floor

Show your love on the dance floor

Hold on tight

Turn around

A long lost friend you have found

A gentle kiss

You’re on track

Feel her hands caress your back

Keep her close

Don’t let go

She’ll be the one don’t you know

The dance floor is filling the crowds are moving in

The moves you are performing are surely a sin

You look left, you look right, you look to the air

Your eyes meet the one and you can’t help but stare

The room becomes dark with the occasional light

Our bodies embrace and the kiss feels so right

People all around yet we feel all alone

My heart is racing like an unstoppable cyclone

Nan’s Ghost

I had a dream about you that I’ve never had before

You were walking towards me, pointing towards a closed door

Your smile was warm and I longed for your embrace

You wrapped your arms around me and I was in a happy place

You whispered in my ear and told me everything would be ok

Telling me you were with me every single day

Just to hear those words spoken filled my empty heart with love

I knew that everything would be ok, as you looked down from heaven above

I hope I dream about you again tonight, as I miss your loving smile

My wish is to be reunited with you but that won’t be for a while

I know I was only ten when you died but you left a whole in my heart

Our life together cut short, it was far too early for you to depart

I hope I’ve made you proud, as my journey has taken many directions

The mistakes that I’ve made, I’ve turned them into positive corrections

You last saw me as a loving boy and now I am a man

It’s sweet dreams for me tonight and I hope to see you later Nan

Somebody’s Child

I cried when I saw the picture flash upon the screen

A picture that should never ever have to be seen

A child lying lifeless, washed up upon the shore

Know one could have known what his life was like before

His parents unknown trying to escape from a war torn land

Something many of us will never understand

Desperately praying their child finds a new peaceful life

The husband shaking, consoling his devastated wife

An electric shock to the system meaning we all have to act

The world should unite to form a revolutionary pact

No more blaming immigrants and asylum seekers too

Pawns in a political game played by the political few

Goodbye little one you will have changed the human race

Unfortunately your precious life we can not replace

Sleep tight up there and look down from heaven above

The world stood still in mourning showering you with their love