RAPIERS ARE GO!

Made in Britain in Eastbourne

Found! More proof of life before The Beatles. It's called Made in Britain, an early '60s Brit Pop experience featuring singer Craig Douglas, who fashioned a British Hit Parade career covering American Top 40 hits by the likes of Dion, Sam Cooke and Gene McDaniels, plus live tributes to Billy Fury and Cliff Richard—the whole musical melange supported by The Rapiers.

Your next chance to experience "over two hours of pure nostalgic toe-tapping tunes" comes at the Winter Garden Theatre in Eastbourne, Essex, Friday, 7 August.

Rapiers and Mike Berry Fly to Finland

M-m-m-more motorbikin' exhaust just in from my overseas Rapiers pal Tapio Väisänen, who forwards the following flyer for Saturday's Oilers MCC 20th anniversary party in Honkala, Aitoo, Finland, featuring Mike Berry and the 2009 Rapiers, erm, not the 1984 lads pictured on bikes.

Wondering what kinda beat The Beetle Crushers are bringing to the party.

2009 Rapiers Datebook

Me and My Shadows/Back in Our Rock 'n' Roll Days/Made in Britain/In the Image of Cliff Richard and The Shadows

• 1 March 1 2009
  Me and My Shadows
  Jet Harris, Billie Davis, The Songbirds, The Rapiers
  Princess Theatre
  Hunstanton, Norfolk
  01485-532252

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• 17 May 2009
  Me and My Shadows
  Jet Harris, Billie Davis, The Songbirds, The Rapiers
  Medina Theatre
  Isle of Wight
  01983-527020
• 24 May 2009
  Me and My Shadows
  Jet Harris, Billie Davis, Kytsun Wolfe as Cliff Richard, The Songbirds, The Rapiers
  Broxbourne Civic Hall
  Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire
  01992-441946

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• 7 August 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Winter Garden Theatre
  Eastbourne, Sussex
  01323-412000




• 14 August 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Marine Hall
  Fleetwood, Lancashire
  01253-771141

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• 4 September 2009
  In the Image of Cliff Richard and The Shadows
  Kytsun "Cliff Richard" Wolfe, The Rapiers
  Assembly Theatre
  Tunbridge Wells, Kent
  01892-530613
• 6 September 2009
  Back in Our Rock 'n' Roll Days
  Mike Berry, Tony Rivers, Billie Davis, The Rapiers
  Regent Theatre
  Christchurch, Dorset
  01202-499199
• 17 September 2009
  Me and My Shadows
  Kytsun "Cliff Richard" Wolfe, Tony Rivers, Billie Davis, The Rapiers
  Ferneham Hall
  Fareham, Hampshire
  01329-231942
• 18 September 2009
  Back in Our Rock 'n' Roll Days
  Mike Berry, Tony Rivers, Billie Davis, The Rapiers
  Towngate Theatre
  Basildon, Essex
  01268-465465
• 23 September 2009
  In the Image of Cliff Richard and The Shadows
  Kytsun "Cliff Richard" Wolfe, The Rapiers
  Regal Ballroom
  Ripley, Derbyshire
  01773-570500, 01948-840080

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• 2 October 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Wyllyotts Theatre
  Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
  01707-645005
• 16 October 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Victoria Hall
  Stoke-on-Tent, Staffordshire
  0844-8717627
• 17 October 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Congress Theatre
  Cwmbran, Wales
  01633-868239

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• 5 November 2009
  In the Image of Cliff Richard and The Shadows
  Kytsun "Cliff Richard" Wolfe, The Rapiers
  Regent Theatre
  Ipswich, Norfolk
  01473-433100
• 28 November 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Villa Marina Theatre
  Douglas, Isle of Wight
  01624-694456

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• 11 December 2009
  Made in Britain
  Craig Douglas, Michael "Billy Fury" King, Steven "Cliff Richard" Halliday, The Rapiers
  Theatr Brycheinlog
  Powys, Wales
  01874-611622

Solo Rapiers Shows

• 6 February 2009
  Cricket St Thomas Hotel
  Cricket St Thomas
  Chard, Somerset

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• 18 March 2009
  Seacroft Holiday Village
  Hemsby-on-Sea, Norfolk
  01493-733610

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• 26 April 2009
  Vauxhall Holiday Park
  Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
  01493-857231
• 27 April 2009
  Seacroft Holiday Village
  Hemsby-on-Sea, Norfolk
  01493-733610

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• 9 May 2009
  Return of The Rapiers, Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club
  Amersham, Buckinghamshire
  01494-874916
• 15 May 2009
  Newbury Racecourse
  Newbury, Berkshire
  01635-40015
• 23 May 2009
  10th Anniversary Weekend, The Wild Bunch Rock 'n' Roll Club, Tivoli Amfi
  Moss, Østfold
  Norway
  4792606134

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• 4 July 2009
  Pontins Pakefield Seaside Village
  Lowestoft, Suffolk
  0844-5765924
• 21 July 2009
  Searles Leisure Resort
  Hunstanton, Norfolk
  01485-534211
• 31 July 2009
  Pontins Holiday Camp
  Brean Sands, Somerset
  0844-5765943

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• 1 August 2009
  Pontins Holiday Camp
  Brean Sands, Somerset
  0844-5765943
• 8 August 2009
  St. Joseph's Social Club (private booking)
  Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
  01623-552387
• 25 August 2009
  Searles Leisure Resort
  Hunstanton, Norfolk
  01485-534211

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• 19 September 2009
  Golden Sands Holiday Park
  Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
  0871-2310884
• 26 September 2009
  Festival Surforama
  Gruta 77 Club
  Madrid, Spain
  0034 914712370

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• 3 October 2009
  Thorpe-Le-Soken Sports & Social Club
  Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
  01255-861259
• 10 October 2009
  Empire Theatre
  Totton, Southampton, Hampshire
  Booking: Ann Green, 02380-863356. No tickets on the door.
• 24 October 2009
  Sandy Bay Leisure Resort
  Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
  0845-8800211
• 31 October 2009
  Richmond Holiday Centre
  Skegness, Lincolnshire
  01754-762097
• 31 October 2009
  Gunton Hall (lunchtime show)
  Lowestoft, Suffolk
  01502-730288
• 31 December 2009
  Wickhambrook Memorial Social Centre (evening show)
  Newmarket, Suffolk
  01440-820542

Other Shows

• 3 April 2009
  The Rapiers with Kytsun Wolfe as Cliff Richard
  Memorial Theatre
  Frome, Somerset
  01373-462795
• 18 April 2009
  Jet Harris and The Rapiers
  Memorial Theatre
  Jacobi Theatre
  Utrecht, Netherlands
  020-5060055

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• 6 June 2009
  The Rapiers with Kytsun Wolfe as Cliff Richard
  Roses Theatre
  Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
  01684-295074

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• 5 July 2009
  International Jet Harris Fan Club Hosts Jet's 70th Birthday Celebration
  Featuring The Rapiers
  Winter Gardens Ballroom
  Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
  01258-821341, 0117-9850654
• 25 July 2009
  Mike Berry and The Rapiers
  Oilers Motorcycle Club
  Honkala, Aitoo
  Finland

Rapiers Storm Ton-Up Day at Jacks Hill Cafe Sunday

Rock 'n' roll, fry-ups, cafe racer movies, record stalls, a DJ with "Rocketeer" for his moniker, tea and chips, "real cafe atmosphere", The Rapiers on hand—crikey, it all sounds like an utterly blissful summer Sunday in Towcester.

NB: Despite the flyer spelling, I'm told it's properly Jacks Hill Cafe, not Jack's Hill Cafe, for pedantic grammarians and paid-up Apostrophe Protection Society members everywhere. Meanwhile, find a report from our lads' last visit, July 2008, to JHC.

More upcoming Rapiers gigs here.

(Up and) Down the Cavern Staircase

Known Beatleholic Neil Ainsby won't mind The Shakers opening for The Rapiers on 9 May in Amersham: "Wow, that's fantastic news, Greg! They're great!"

Perchance Merseyside stars foretold the spring pairing.

"When I was playing in Liverpool the other week," Neil adds, "I was strolling up the stairs of the new Cavern (having had a drink or two) and who was strolling down the stairs with a hi-hat cymbal clutched in his hand? Tony from The Shakers!

"We immediately arranged to meet in The Grapes (famous twixt-set haunt of The Beatles, with a famous corner preserved from the original Cavern era) and sat being Beatsters of no small repute!"

Beat This: Shakers Join 9 May Amersham Celebration!

Now we're talkin' Mach schau! in all its Star Club glory.

For at last I've secured the extra cream for the birthday pudding, as I can now delightedly confirm adding the pride of Merseyside—The Shakers, who might as well be Tardis-transported from the 1962 Hamburgh Reeperbahn—to the Return of The Rapiers bill on the second Saturday night out in May, at the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club, Amersham.

Disclaimer: I've never seen these lads live.

But based on word-of-mouth, long-time correspondence with Shaker drummer Tony O'Keeffe and tres sharp images like the samples below (who isn't a sucker for leather waistcoats on a rock 'n' roll combo?) I'm dead cert these Liverpudlians breathe and ooze "Maximum Merseybeat", the real deal stuff practised and sweated down the Cavern and Iron Door by The Big Three, Searchers, Remo Four and Pete Best's Silver Beetles back in the day, not Las Vegas-style recreationists. 

Book now, please. I've got confirms from Rapierswatchers from Scotland to Spain to Holland to St. Albans for this supah double bill.

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SHAKERS BEAT: Go ahead, judge a band by its cover.

Amersham Awaits

Yeah, so who's coming to my birthday party on 9 May 2009?

As you know, I'm booking the best rock 'n' roll USD and GBP can buy, namely Colin, Neil, Dave, John and Nathan J. These lads promise a Saturday night (and hopefully a Sunday morning) to remember at the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club, also known as White Eagle Hall, also known as the Polish Club, on lonely Raans Road in Amersham, North London.

How do you order tickets? Read on.

Start at the ARNRC website. A caveat: All tickets must be paid for in advance. The Club does not hold tickets for payment on the door, "as our shows are now regularly selling out and it is a case of first paid, first served".

• Pay by credit card. Contact The Record Shop Ltd, 5 Woodside Road, Amersham, Bucks HP6 6AA. Phone: 01494 433311 (Graham or Rich).
• Pay by check. Make payable to "The Polish Club" and send your order for tickets with a stamped addressed envelope and your phone number in case of queries to: Ian Hamilton, Manager, The Polish Club, Raans Road, Amersham, Bucks HP6 6LX. Phone: 01494 727173.
• Pay by cash. Over the counter ticket sales are available from both The Record Shop Ltd and the Club.

Finally, contact Maestro Ralph Gowling on 01494 874916 if you have any problems or questions about tickets.

What Amersham Says About "The Return of The Rapiers"

Tix ain't available yet, but that hasn't stopped the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club going whole hog with its Return of The Rapiers night on 9 May 2009, posting a fair fusillade of pix and promo to lure punters to its Buckinghamshire address.

Can't say I disagree with the sentiment, as I, blush, concocted the lot. After all, it's my party and I'll hyperbole if I want to. 

Amersham Saturday Night Out: Rapiers 05.09.09 (US) or 09.05.09 (UK)

Right. I'm officially in the concert promotion biz this spring. For one night only—9 May 2009.

Hurrah, that's my birthday. To celebrate, I'm booking (surprise!) The Rapiers for, well, an all-Rapiers night at the Amersham Rock 'n' Roll Club, in Amersham, North London, way out on one of the termini of the Metropolitan Underground.

The cheery 250-seat club, which feted The Rapiers' 25th Anniversary celebrations last spring, has treble the usual slogans to entice you there:

• "We're bringing on back the good times!"
• "The last bastion of '60s and '70s live music starring original hit artists!"
• "Drinks at club prices instead of high theatre prices!"

Please come, please enjoy, please book. "Quality costs," as I'm wont to say, but expect tickets at only £10 or so from the ARNRC, with details on the venue's site in the next fortnight.

As a special FAB bonus, besides two all-out rockin' sets, I'm hoping The Rapiers double up on the rhythm front by engaging both Dave Lawes and Neil Ainsby to make appearances.

Double Dose of Motorbiking Beat

Going overseas for more 2009 dates, The Rapiers barnstorm the Wild Bunch Rock 'n' Roll Club 10th Anniversary Weekend on 23 May 2009 at Tivoli Amfi in Moss, Østfold, Norway. Other acts include Norwegian rockers Built for Speed and Twang Gang.

In high summer, they accompany Mike Berry to the Oilers Motorcycle Club Rockin' Rally on 25 July 2009 in Honkala, Aitoo, Finland. Details as they roar in.

Anyone Know the Italian for "at the Gallop"?

La Dolce Vita Cont.: Just gleaned that The Rapiers headline the ninth presumably smash edition of the BUS 1 Beat Festival—"A very hot Rock 'n' Roll & Rhythm 'n' Blues Party"—at the Fillmore Club in Cortemaggiore PC, Italy, on 7 December.

For those considering making the trek, point your compasses to Northern Italy. Swinging Cortemaggiore lies about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Milan and 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of Bologna.

Sorry, I haven't a clue what "BUS" signifies. Any and all enlightenment welcome. Are you listening, Miss Martini?

Rapiers Rock, Definitely

They came (to Soundflat Records' Ballroom Bash), they saw (The Rapiers roll), they raved ("Amazing")!

"Nice show at the Ballroom here in Leipzig! YOU ROCK, definitely!"
—André Schirmer, Leipzig, Germany

"Your gig in Leipzig was amazing and it was a plesure to hear and enjoy you. Keep on surfing!"
— Haensgen, Sachsen, Germany

"Amazing show in Leipzig! It was an honour to meet you (and thanks for the picture)."
—Miss Martini, Piacenza, Italy

SHAKEN AND STIRRED: The Rapiers straight up with the fabulous Miss Martini.

Dress Up in Your '60s Gear! for Joe Meek Tribute Concert

Rapiers Remember Joe Meek in His Hometown

Were I gadabouting the Gloucestershire countryside on 15 November, I'd bop down to the 2nd Annual Joe Meek Festival in the late producer's Newent hometown for a tribute concert with one of his original Hit Parade stars—John Leyton backed by The Rapiers.

But then—Whoa!—I'm so single-minded about my pop music. I didn't grow up on pre-Beatles BritPop; therefore, I'm continually making up for lost listening by indulging in mega classics like Johnny Remember Me and Wild Wind. Truth be told, both were blaring from my car stereo this weekend on the hills of San Francisco.

How to Book

Meekdom happens at the Newent Community School on Watery Lane. Tickets are £10 from the Newent Tourist Information Centre (01531 822468) or Newent Initiative Trust (01531 820245).

Last year's inaugural festival saw The Tornados perform, talks and exhibitions.

Totton Triumph

"It was a great Saturday night again, with a bit of variety," writes Bournemouth's Barry Gillam, describing an annual Rapiers night out this weekend at Totton's Empire Hall, near Southampton, organised by tireless Rapiers enthusiasts Ann and Colin Green, now old hands at packing out their favourite venue.

From the images provided, looks like local jivers had a ball, too. 

Adds Barry: "Colin played his Burns 12-string for a couple of Searchers songs, including Love Potion No. 9. For something different, they also played a Ricky Nelson number after working out the chord progression during the break."

And to send everyone home? More rock 'n' roll aerobics.

"For the third time this year (and I've seen them all), they closed with the mighty William Tell Overture. What a great number to finish on!"

Super Weston-super-Mare Birthday Bash for Jet in 2009

Believe it or not, original Man of Steel Superman turned 70 this year. In 2009, it's original Man of Twang Jet Harris—who boasted his own faster-than-a-speeding-bullet rep as a teen—entering the Septuagenarian Club, with The Rapiers serving the musical toast.

Feting the Kingsbury, North London native who introduced the electric bass guitar to British teens, Jet's Fan Club with support from Shadows music retailer Leo’s Den is throwing a 70th Birthday Celebration Party at the Winter Gardens Ballroom, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset on Sunday, 5 July 2009 (technically the night before Jet hits the big 7-O).

The Rapiers open the shindig with their own set then (no surprise) back Jet, no doubt already preparing cracking, whip-smart one-liners for the occasion. Besides an expected menu of Diamonds, Scarlett O'Hara, Nivram and other delicacies, your £30 includes an awfully tempting "fork buffet", notes long-time Jet fan supreme Dave Holbrook.

How to Order Tickets

For credit card orders, visit Leo’s Den or call 01 258 821341. For all other payment types or queries contact Dave at jetharrisfanclub@hotmail.com or on 0117 9850654.

"Me and My Shadows" @ The Wash

CONCERT ALERT: The Rapiers, Jet Harris and Billie Davis bring their Me and My Shadows show to Hertford's Castle Hall, self-described as "the heart of entertainment", this Friday, 5 September, 8 p.m.

Love the succinct venue directions to the veddy-English address: "At the County Hall roundabout turn left into The Wash."

By the way, from the Information Britain website comes this "rather interesting Hertford fact": The first paper mill in Britain was established there by one John Tate in 1494.

An utterly noble undertaking, Mr. Tate.

"Nivram" Like It's 1999

Since 1998, flipping over the August calendar means Shadowmania is nigh; in fact, 20 September this year. On that Saturday at the Lakeside Club in Frimley Green, The Rapiers trod the stage with their Fiesta Red Stratocasters for the 10th time at Bruce Welch's Shadstastic shindig. A better Best-of-British experience you won't find anywhere.

And as surely as the Surrey leaves are thinking about turning, bet maestro bassist and BritPop legend Jet Harris offers Nivram, his jazzy, loose-as-a-goose signature instrumental, all the way from The Shadows' debut album, 47 summers ago.

For your pre-show pleasure, here's a Nivram variation—venue uncertain but perhaps the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, circa 1999, says its YouTube poster—presumably with the Neil-Brad-John-Colin Rapiers in support.

Nice sound quality, too.

Rapiers Meet the Flamin' Lamborghini

Who wouldn't plump for go-go girls, wild DJs, frenzy-inducing combos like The Waistcoats, Imperial Surfers, Cecilia & Die Sauerkrauts, Titty Twister Orchestra and The Rapiers, not to mention a chance to behold "the most shocking cocktail the world has ever known"? 

It's all happening 24-25 October at McCormacks Ballroom, Leipzig, Germany—about 150 kilometers southwest of Berlin, by my metric reckoning—at Vol. 2 of Soundflat Records' Ballroom Bash. 

In Rapiers lore, Soundflat are the clever Deutschland moguls who issued a vinyl version of our lads' Spotlight on The Rapiers "best of" collection. And for that I'm grateful.

Datebook 2008

Update

The Rapiers and Jimmy Jemain celebrate "50 Years of Cliff" by kicking off a Monday night residency at the Isle of Wight's Shanklin Theatre on 28 July. For four straight weeks, you might ferry over to Shanklin...

... a town of great character and charm with many interesting small shops and a variety of hotels and apartments in former Victorian country houses. Sheltering cliffs provide the ideal suntrap position for the seafront Esplanade, where there is safe bathing from a sandy beach, water sports, car parks, hotels, amusements and a host of pubs and restaurants. The first week of August is traditionally Carnival Week with carnival parades in the town and sports and fireworks at the County Ground. —Iwight.com

For ticket reservations, contact the Box Office on 01983 868000.

In the Spotlight

Leading Rapiers fans Ann and Colin Green are throwing another all-Rapiers rave at their favourite jiving venue, Totton's Empire Hall, on 18 October. By my count, this makes four R-related shows the Southampton couple have hosted over the past couple of years, including bills with Mike Berry, John Leyton and Jet Harris. Highlights here and here.

Don't be a disappointed slowcoach! Order advance tickets from the Greens on 023 8086 3356 because none will be available at the door.

Rapiers Benefit Kirsty McDonald Fund This Fall

If you call Hucknall or Nottingham home, save 29 November for a very special Rapiers charity show in support of the Kirsty McDonald Fund, organised by Tom McDonald in memory of his daughter, who passed away in 2002 after a heart attack, only 16.

The fund benefits children at local area hospitals. Notes the clipping below:

The Rapiers' lead guitarist, Colin Pryce-Jones, said the group were delighted to accept the... engagement after hearing of the Kirsty Fund appeal.

Tom has personally asked me to appeal to area Rapiers fans. My pleasure.

The show is at the Bowman pub and restaurant on Nottingham Road, Hucknall. Tickets are £12.50. Order by calling 0115 963 0813 or 07812 160561 or the Bowman on 0115 968 0650.

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Datebook 2008

Our lads' Summer 2008 calendar sports solo gigs, Me and My Shadows theatre dates, plus a residency on the Isle of Wight. Here are the latest highlights worth repeating.

Updates

• Jimmy Jemain joins Rapiers at Isle of Wight's Shanklin Theatre in July (28) and August (4, 11, 18).
• Sixties Icons in Concert, with Colin Pryce-Jones guesting with Rockin' Horse, confirmed for 2 November at Theatre Royal Windsor. Website shows wrong date and bill.

New

• Pickering Showground, Pickering, Yorkshire, 21 September 2008.

Cancellations

• Provisional date in Cornwall, 24 August 2008.

In the Spotlight

Me and My Shadows goes to Uni when The Rapiers, Jet Harris and Billie Davis hit Coleford and the Royal Forest of Dean College Theatre on 25 July. This Gloucestershire hall "is clearly in a picturesque part of Rapierland", says gadabout Ralph Gowling, "but I don't think many people know about the show yet!"

Now they do. For your comfort, the Forest Theatre is:

... the number one venue for entertainment in the Forest of Dean. The venue plays host to professional artists, groups and celebrities as well as providing a platform for community groups and the RFDC Theatre Company (in residence).

In Demand All Over London

Shop talk: "The performance by Jet Harris, Billie Davis, guest Denny Laine and The Rapiers at the Heritage Foundation's Annual Ball went down a storm with show business movers and shakers who attend the event alongside celebrities from the worlds of music, film and TV," says a Rapiers insider.

"It has generated a lot of interest in booking the Me and My Shadows show, which is all the more remarkable because the bookers are otherwise currently being very cautious due to the economic downturn. A number of other artists have also expressed an interest in joining the show and that is a huge compliment."

When it rains it pours.

Says Colin Pryce-Jones: "After the Heritage, Billie phoned up with more news. A promoter saw the show, liked it, and wanted us on for a bill at the Royal Albert Hall—the same evening we're already booked at the London Palladium for a tribute to Cliff and The Shads [14 September]. We had to turn him down."

NB: Spoilt for choice? If you're skipping the Palladium, said Albert Hall event is the annual Songs of Praise Big Sing: "Aled Jones will be introducing some of the top names in music and a choir of over one thousand voices will help to make this year's Big Sing the most spectacular yet!" says the RAH details page. Imagine the chorus on Buckleshoe Stomp.

CP-J Goes to Windsor With Iconic Show

Not a Rapiers gig, but I hear Colin Pryce-Jones is moonlighting with the band Rockin' Horse for Sixties Icons in Concert, starring Jet Harris, Billie Davis, Mike Berry and Jess Conrad on 2 November at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, Berkshire. Note: The Royal what's on page mistakenly lists the date as 4 November and a different performing line-up.

Not that it matters... I am certain last fall I saw absolutely fabulous Jane Horrocks in Alan Ayckbourn's comedy Absurd Person Singular at the same Theatre Royal, a luverly old hall, dripping with decades of thespian charm and an actual stone's throw from the Castle.