One More Dance

When I was young

You held me in your arms

We moved around the dance floor

Like no one else was there

We both smiled

Are eyes captured our love

I never wanted you to let me go

Chorus

But that was then and this is now

I want you back but don’t know how

You’re in my heart

You’ll always be

I close my eyes

You’re all I can see

I want to go back

To the times before

I want to dance with you once more

As we grew older

We continued to dance

We moved a little slower

But the love was still there

The hold became tighter

I held you a little closer

Our eyes still captured our love

Bridge

No one will ever know how that dance felt

No one will ever know how much love I have for you

The dance floor is now empty

I’m standing all alone

I wish you were here next me

To hold me one more time

We’d dance around

Like no one was watching

Our eyes would capture our love

Let me try

I know that you’ve been hurt before

You’re not looking for anyone anymore

Too busy to start something new

But love and happiness you are overdue

On the outside, as always, you show a strong face

You don’t need the hassle of a relationship chase

Chorus

But let me try and bring you what you deserve

I won’t do anything to make you hurt

Let me try and bring that smile to your face

Let me try and take you to a happy place

I won’t lie and I won’t cheat

When I see you my heart skips a beat

Let me try

Let me try

Why not let me try?

We may have only met once or twice

But dreams of you are my guilty vice

Your positivity to encourage is inspiring

Your endless charity work never tiring

But you need sometime for yourself

I believe I can be good for your health

Chorus

But let me try and bring you what you deserve

I won’t do anything to make you hurt

Let me try and bring that smile back to your face

Let me try and take you to a happy place

I won’t lie and I won’t cheat

When I see you my heart skips a beat

Let me try

Let me try

Why not let me try?

Bridge

Tell me what I need to do to make you happy?

Tell me what I need to do to give it a try

Chorus

Wizard of Oz!

Wizard of Oz – St Helens Theatre Royal - Darren Partington

I booked again to see this show after last year’s success.  My initial thoughts were ‘This will probably be the same show as last year’.  I thought about churning out the same old review as last year and just changing the date but I’m glad I didn’t.

Everything I like about a theatre is in this wonderful venue.  It’s an old theatre with a modern twist.  They have a new box office, which gives the theatre a great new look.  Inside the theatre, you feel it is big enough to create an atmosphere yet small enough to be intimate.  When I go to the theatre I like to see the actor’s faces on the stage as you get to see all the little side looks and silly looks when something goes a stray.  This performance certainly has all that and more.

The story itself never really changes with the same characters doing the same things along the famous yellow brick road.  What I like about this story is the added twists along the way.   From the very beginning we had a lovely rendition of ‘Pure Imagination’ – great song choice as children of all ages (Yes including me) instantly new they were being taken somewhere special!

The cast, with some new additions, gave the audience exactly what they wanted to have – Fun!  Yes this sounds simple but I’ve seen many ‘Pantomimes’ that forget to have that one ingredient.  There is warmth on stage and a sense of togetherness as the cast make their way through the story.  The best bits for me are when the cast members get a line wrong or fall over when they are not expected.  It is always good to see the reaction of their ‘friends’ as they continue to try and set each other up over a slight mistake and then of course cue Claire Simmo to start the laughing! 

Charlotte Gallagher is a wonderful Dorothy who has it all: Stunning, can dance and can certainly belt out a tune, especially singing the main song ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’.  Her voice carries across the theatre with ease and I would like to see her in more challenging roles in other musicals, as I think she has the talent. 

Now I’m not a huge Eastenders fan since Angie Watts left the square back in the late 80’s so I didn’t know what to expect from Cheryl Fergison.  What I got was a fantastic performance from someone who ‘owns’ that stage when she walks on.  Cheryl has a natural ability to connect with the audience, which not every actor can do.  The audience loved her as the Wicked Witch of the West and who knew she could sing…RESPECT!

Liam Mellor, Simon Foster and Phillip McGuinness provided us with the comedy courtesy of the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin man.  I had seen Liam in previous pantomimes (My niece has worked with him at Liverpool Empire and will again this year – proud uncle moment) and he is very at ease talking to the audience one on one.  His interaction with the children, who with the Golden Ticket, is wonderfully sarcastic and he knows where the line is between funny and aggressive.  Simon is a natural comedy performer and I adore his ‘mess ups’.  He doesn’t try and hide the fact he has made an error but embraces it with the ‘courage’ to have another go, all to the amusement of the adults and fellow cast members.  One skills I hadn’t seen from him before is his ability to use a ‘Super Soaker’.  He can hit adults or children from 20 yards away!  He then turned on his fellow cast members to the amusement of the audience.  Phillip McGuinness was the Scarecrow last year and I was interested to see what he would bring to his new role.  He didn’t disappoint.  What Phillip does that other actors don’t do is think about the role; the movement, the voice and how he interacts with others on stage.  He is a very talented actor and I am certain he will go on to big things within the industry. 

Last but certainly not least is the every sparkly, every smiling Claire Simmo.  What I enjoy about watching Claire’s performance is that she is having so much fun on stage ad this is then mirrored by the audience.  She has an excellent singing voice and can be relied upon to laugh along with the audience watching her fellow cast members.  I think she sometimes forgets she is in the show!!!!!

My favourite part of the show by far was the cast playing two or three roles during one of the songs.  This involved getting changed off, or sometimes on stage, while singing and doing actions.  This was the ‘Super Soaker’ moments!

One part I found slightly lost on was the illuminating teddy bears.  While I fully understand that sometimes you need a ‘filler’ scene while something else is happening, for me it just didn’t fit. It was fun to watch and sometimes in panto that’s fine.

So what am I saying?

Get along to see this brilliant production of The Wizard of Oz (On until Sunday I believe) and support local talent in a beautiful venue. 

They finished the show with ‘Oh what a night’.  It should have been ‘Oh what an afternoon’. 

Thanks Coach

My love for the game started when I kicked my first ball

There I was in my back yard kicking it off the broken wall

I was alone in the sunshine with a smile on my face

Itching to move on and play in a bigger space

My parents brought me to the park all dressed in my kit

We started running around, kicking a ball, while getting fit

All the parents left and it was just you with all these kids

When the post was offered to all sadly there were no bids

We were there every Tuesday and Saturday mornings too

All having fun playing this beautiful game, just us and you

Parents would come and go, trusting you with our care

You would coach us the rules and treat everyone fair

The summer came and went and our season had began

Parents shouted but we only listened to you our number one fan

Rain battered our games and parents would sit in their car

You stood their alone next to us never moving too far

When one of us had a problem we could always talk to you

Your advice and support made sure each one of us grew

You challenged each and every one of us to be the best we could be

We all had our roles that only you could really see

As the season ended you talked about going on a tour

The cost would be minimal so all children went, rich or poor

You taught us more than just the game but how we should be

Morals, manners, sportsmanship and all for a two pound fee

So thanks coach for giving me the opportunity to play the beautiful game

I now have a team of my own and I coach them just the same

You taught me ability with the right attitude can take you all the way

You did all this for free without wanting any pay

You gave a child a chance

It started all those years ago when I wasn’t wanted any more

My biological parents gave me away and never returned though the revolving door

What was to happen to me?  How would my life pan out?

They you appeared with your loving hearts and suddenly my future was never in doubt

A perfect partnership with loving parents giving me unconditional love

We fitted together perfectly like a loving hand in a open glove

You showed me what was right and wrong and at bedtime told me a story

Every time we read it, Batman would always receive the glory

There were ups and downs throughout my teens; I must have tested your strength

You let me discover who I am but were always there at arms length

Guiding me, not telling me, knowing I’d make mistakes along the way

Giving me an understanding of morals that I still keep to this day

And now as I sit by you side dad, watching you, praying that you’ll recover

I can’t wait to tell you the news; you have a new grandchild to discover

Mum couldn’t be here; she’s taken Frankie to play on the slide

When we are out I notice you staring at him, a grandparent beaming with pride

I sometimes look back at my life and how it might have been

I thank God for you two wonderful people for the life that I have seen

When you two arrived at the home you gave me a loving glance

I promised myself when I was able I too would give a child a chance

This is my time

The journey started a long way from here

I’ve overcome challenges

I’ve overcome fear

There have been times when I wanted to quit

But with passion inside

The flame to succeed was definitely lit

Chorus

This is my time

My time to show you all of me

This is my time

I have the chance now you will see

I know where I’m heading

I’m going right to the top

This is my time, my time to shine

There have been dark days I’m not going to lie

Tears have flowed

An opportunity I couldn’t buy

I kept on believing and had the strength deep inside

I now I’m here

I’m not going to hide

Bridge

Too many times I’ve been on the wrong track

And now ‘m here I’m not going back

Chorus (x2)

This is my time

My time to show you all of me

This is my time

I have the chance now you will see

I know where I’m heading

I’m going right to the top

This is my time, my time to shine

What Could Have Been

It seems like only yesterday when we decided to go our separate ways

In truth, it has been years but I still think about you most days

I hear that you’re doing well in your new life you have created

Could I have given you more, that could be debated

I wonder if you think of me when you hear someone of the same name

Sometimes wish I could go back to the beginning and start this game again

Things were different way back then we were young and wanted different things

I remember one night we sat underneath the stars and I told you everything

I sill remember the drive home that wet and windy night

Your favourite song playing on the radio, the timing wasn’t quite right

I said that’s it, it’s over, as tears began to fall

You didn’t say anything but your silent reply without question said it all

You walked up to your door and didn’t look back

The once bright blue sky above had suddenly turned black

The drive home for me horrendous, the rain kept pouring down

Remembering how I made you laugh and now I have tears of a clown

Bridge

I often think what it would have been like if our paths had crossed again

Maybe the sun would have shone once more instead of this thunderous rain

Chorus

It could have been me

Making you happy all these years

It should have been me

Holding your hand through all your fears

It could have been me

Waiting for you as you walked down the aisle

It should have been me

I’ve lived with these feelings for a while

It should have been me

Moving On

I’m tired of telling people I’m happy with what I have

But one thing is missing

There is one thing I haven’t got

I know exactly what it is

But don’t know who

I only know that once

I thought it was you

But then you hurt me with your lies

You told me what I wanted to hear

You don’t talk to me for weeks

Only call when it’s something you need

I wanted more from you

I thought I’d planted the seed

You played with my mind

Making me question my heart

Keeping me awake night after night

I don’t know if you knew what you were doing

I don’t know if you cared

But the feelings you left behind

Had me running scared

Every night the darkness falls

You are the light in my head

Analysing everything you did

Analysing everything you said

I’ve tried to ignore you

I’ve tried to let go

But something keeps dragging me back towards you

A wave of emotion

A fight between my angel and devil

Every night a different winner

How can I stop this hurting

This hurting deep inside

Seeing you with other men

Makes my emotions collide

Bridge

Is it time to say goodbye

Is it time to move on?

You only realise what’s good for you when it’s finally gone

Chorus

So I’ll say my final goodbye

Wish you luck on your journey

Hoping that you’ll meet the guy

I simply couldn’t be

He’ll be your prince in shining armour

And give you the life that you see

I’m here, you’re there

Although we may not see each other as often as we’d like

Sometimes I feel you are standing there right next to me

Our unconditional love, our unconditional friendship

It would be easy to quit and go our separate ways

But this has never entered our minds

Together we have always stayed so strong

Chorus

You know I’m always there just a phone call away

Distance never in our heart

Some advice needed or just a talk to hear you voice

We always know where to start

We both have busy lives we won’t ever deny that

Times can be tough but I’ll be there

I’ll never feel alone knowing you are by my side

Showing the love we both share

There have been times I questioned my decisions in life

Not knowing which path to take to change my future

After a brief or long conversation I knew what to do

Life seems so much easier when I’ve talked things out

We seem to have a telepathic bond

Together we have always been so strong

Bridge

Good friendships last no matter the circumstances

With you around I an take all life’s chances

I never really told you but you mean the world to me

A thank you just doesn’t seem enough for what you’ve done

As I stand back and let your dreams become a reality

I can’t help but be proud to tell people we are best friends

Continue your journey whether it’s far or near

If you ever need me I’ll simply be here

What is happening?

What is happening to the world we live in?

Another shooting reportedly linked to race

It shouldn’t matter if you are black or white

Racism of any kind is a world disgrace

What is happening to the world we live in?

It seems the world leaders don’t know what is best

Mums, dads, brothers, sisters and children all dying

In war torn countries to countries of political unrest

What is happening to the world we live in?

Hatred for other races, cultures and beliefs continues to spread

Once innocent young lives now filled with evil poison

People searching for peace but crammed up with dread

What is happening to the world we live in?

No longer can you have a different view from others

Leaders becoming dictators and closing people’s minds

We should all stand in harmony as sisters and brothers

What is happening to the world we live in?

The world’s broken down; all the great leaders have gone

This is not a time to give up; solidarity is the key

We must stand together, we must stand as one

That's Entertainment Review

That’s Entertainment! (Liverpool Empire)

Friday night at the theatre is a perfect night out for me but unfortunately for so many others it’s not.  A half filled audience (and I’m being generous with that) clapped and sang along to a very good toe tapping night. 

The show began with a tap dancing number (a personal favourite of mine) that had energy and enthusiasm.  Three song and dances down and we were introduced the main ‘attraction’ of the night, The Overtones.  I had not heard or seen them before so I was interesting to see what they would bring to the show.  The answer – not much! Five male singers trying to be as slick and as tuneful as some previous well known male groups from that era but unfortunately fell flat.  Luckily for me, they only did three songs.

Back to what I considered the main attraction.  Eight wonderful dances weaving their way around the stage demonstrating flair, grace and energy accompanied the main quartet, a foursome of two men and two ladies.  Both the men and ladies had strong stage personas and had talent oozing out of the bodies.  My joy was soon stopped with the introduction of the Overtones again!

Now, I may be doing them an injustice and they might have had sound problems but if they were on the poster to sell tickets, I think the fact the theatre was less than half full spoke volumes.  They weren’t all bad, of course.  One or two held their own and all demonstrated great moves in between the beats of the songs. 

A return to the stage by the dancers and we were back on track.  I particularly loved the tribute to ‘Singing in the Rain’ with the fantastic dance routine to ‘Good Morning’. A wonderful rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ finished the first half and I was ready to tuck into my bag of nearly confiscated sweets.

Second half was very much the same.  Great singing and dance routines interrupted by ‘The Overtones’.  All in all a show that was very good but cold have been better if they had stayed with the original format of song and dances.  

What have we done?

Today, more than ever, I question the world we live

We’ve created an unbalanced world were people think it is wrong to give

Instead trapped in their own bubble not wanting to give aid

Are we going to stand back and let the light of the world fade?

Where did it go wrong? Are we all connected to the blame?

We are all different but people seem to continue to want us to be the same

Hatred fuelled by the media who only report what they want us to see

People who are different belittled because they don’t always agree

Another shooting and some more violence plastered across our screens

Is history just repeating itself and was this hatred passed down in our genes?

Something in this world has to change; someone has to take a stand

Just like we condemned the past, our future children won’t understand

I don’t know the answer and I’m not looking to solve it on my own

We need to change our attitude before it’s too late for the seeds to be sewn

 Accept change with open arms and embrace difference with love in your heart

If we don’t, then I’m afraid, more deaths and wars will tear this world apart