October News

Hi my dear readers, thank you so much for coming to site to see what is going on. Everything and nothing as it happens… I am still recording RIVER CITY, but instead of the anticipated increased story line I appear to have taken a back seat. Probably the best paid extra in Britain at the moment, but don’t tell anyone because I am using the free (waged) time to do some really exciting and innovative work. I’m thrilled that at 57 I am probably at my most creative. I wouldn’t have thought that a career as a writer or as a teacher could be so fulfilling.

I am now the member of two writing groups… one I have hauled together and is (at the moment) flatteringly called Lou’s Crew. We have an idea for a new comedy drama that makes me laugh and cry in equal measure. We shall read through the first draft of the first episode on the 1st of November… and please, anyone that reads this, say a little prayer to whichever deity you believe in to bring us joy and prosperity with the project. Believe me YOU WILL LAUGH if it ever hits the screen… it has all the ingredients of a new cult series, and I am lost in admiration for the 9 people that I am working with.

The other writing group is headed by Nigel Fairs (who has written extensively for Big Finish) and I feel flattered to be seconded onto the group of 12. This time it’s a film script. Watch this space.

The Sunday Drama College has gathered a group of 22 young people. Mixed ability, extremely caring of each other, and a very creative atmosphere is forming that I am profoundly proud of. We have our first performance this coming January at Trinity Arts Centre. Anyone aged between 14 to 22 in the East Sussex/West Kent area, feel free to email thesundaydramacollege@hotmail.co.uk for further info.

Performances…. Colin Baker and I did a lovely evening at Trinity, a read play called LOVE LETTERS, to fund raise for them. The Arts Council, in their wisdom, have decided to slash the funding by 100%! And the local council have cut £30,000 from Trinity’s budget also! We raised a mere £2,000 but it’s a start. I am also doing another fund raiser on Nov 9th. Proceeds of which will be split between the Poppy Day appeal and Trinity. The Trio Lavolta (piano, cello, violin) will be playing some spectacular music (from Shostokovitch to Music Hall) and David Warwick and I will be giving you prose, poetry and quotes… all on the subject of war. LEST WE FORGET is the title of our evening, and a splendid one it will be too.

This coming Saturday (October 25th) I shall be performing at Oxford Playhouse. It is their 70th birthday. I spent many, many happy months there during the 70’s and have been asked to re-deliver one of my favourite speeches of all time. So if you live in that area, please come and support. Every theatre in the land is in need of a helping hand.

So, creativity in abundance. Most of next week I am filming in Glasgow, so no doubt one or two of you will cross paths with me at the Oram Mor… One of the best venues in Britain… Until the next blog, best wishes and love to you all, L x

Happy Valentine's Day

Can you bloody believe it? Half way through February already! Am looking out my window at a simply glorious spring day, daffs and snow drops and a clamour of birdsong.

I am currently commuting Glasgow recording RIVER CITY. My character, Viv, hits the screen in April. And I use the word ‘hits’ advisedly! Crossing my fingers that it isn’t all too over the top, but, she’s such an extreme personality, I aim to have fun with her… not an opportunity to be wasted.

The last two weekends have been spent with Big Finish. Firstly launching something extremely high tech which I didn’t quite understand. All to do with down-loading and I’m sure, if you go their website, all will become abundantly clear.

Secondly, recording a new and fabulous script by Nigel Fairs of Sapphire and Steel. Watch this space for it’s release date. I got to work with David Warner, just how thrilled am I?

Now then, some Dr Who personal appearance dates, most of these are confirmed, others a heavy pencil…

25th May, Glasgow
28th/29th June Blackpool (one of these dates)
13th July Western super Mare
23rd/24th August Glasgow
Sometime in September Coventry
15th November Newcastle

October 2009 – Florida!

So, so, sooooooooo sadly the BBC could not release me for two New Zealand gigs and one Australian gig. Hopefully the powers that be won’t cross me off their Christmas card list and I will be able to get there at some point.

If there are any teenagers who log into this blog, and who are would be performers/writers/camera operators/stage managers etc and you live in the Kent/East Sussex area you may be interested in a project of mine which is to start a Sunday Drama College for 14 plus year olds. It will be hard work, with two performances scheduled each year, and will take up most of your Sundays.

If you would like to know more email thesundaydramacollege@hotmail.co.uk. This is NOT a site for autographs, ONLY for students who are interested in taking part. I have two ‘taster’ sessions coming up in Tunbridge Wells on June 7th and June 14th, with the college proper starting sometime in September. There will be a website up and running by June.

Two other dates for your diary… Trinity Arts in Tunbridge Wells have had their funding whisked away. It is an absolutely diabolical and shatteringly stupid move by the Arts and local Councils. Please write to your MP, the Arts Council, Trinity itself and anyone else you can think of… Father Christmas if you think it will help! Anyway, Colin Baker and I will be doing a benefit on Sunday October 5th. A play called LOVE LETTERS by A.R. Gurney. It is exactly what it claims to be. A couple who write to each other from aged 6 to 66. It is funny, sad, poignant, observant and brilliantly written, I hope also, brilliantly performed. Colin is certainly fabulous!

And the second benefit will take place on Poppy Day, November 9th, with The Trio Lavolta (Sally Mays piano, Joyce Fraser violin and Felix Buser cello), and will be an extraordinary selection poetry, prose and music relating to war, from the powerful to the pacific and the horrific to the hilarious. Half the money will go to the Poppy Appeal and half to Trinity. Please do come and support either or both if you are able.

I leave you with this little personal anecdote of single parenting. My son Tom, away ski-ing in France if you please, ‘forgot’ to pay two parking fines last April. The debt collector arrived last week, threatening to take his van away for non payment as the debt had accumulated to… wait for it… £940! As opposed to the original £60! I can’t print my re-action here for fear of having the blog banned. But this works as a comment about our society on many levels.

Well that’s it for now, the filming schedule is about to step up as my story line increases, but I hope to be back here in March with an update. Anybody who hasn’t read it I recommend THE SECRET. A book to comfort and, if you allow it, to change your life.

Everything in one place… All new Windows Live!