October News

Just back from Woman Magazine’s party celebrating 10 years of Loose Women. What a glitzy do! The lovely Sherrie Hewson was there, who I have known since 1969. We shared a flat whilst at RADA and I since toured with her in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.

Also today, I had a meeting with Matt Evenden who is taking over responsibility for my website, and has promised to nag me into monthly updates, so here is the first one! With apologies to those of you who tune in to hear the latest goss and it is missing! A new monthly leaf is turning!

I have cleared the decks until Christmas in the keen anticipation that a marvellous telly job will turn up. The beginning of February I am going to appear at Sonning in a new play written by Jill Hyem (of Tenko fame) which takes me through to being nearly 59 in April.

My eldest is now no longer emigrating for far too personal reasons to broadcast here. But there’s a small part of my heart that is dancing with the knowledge he won’t be living the other side of the world. My other boy is on the threshold of moving out, and then I feel my Act III will really begin with a mixture of sadness, release, anticipation and trepidation.

The Sunday Drama College (www.sundaydramacollege.com) brings me ENORMOUS pleasure. My new friend Janet Dibley told me it’s where she feels my heart is, and she’s probably right. 37 teenagers in all. One group in Tunbridge Wells doing a new musical called THE THREE LIVES OF PRINCESS CARABOO, and the other group in Eastbourne filming a satire called BIG SISTER, whilst the grown-ups are producing a Murder Mystery just before Christmas. I am surrounded by brilliantly talented people who seem to be non-stop creating.

Tune into The Lamb’s website in Eastbourne and check out the new fringe theatre and Murder Mysteries that are happening.

Also collaborating with John Telfer on a new musical for primary school age......... it’s all flowing, and I’m grateful for every last tiny bit of it.

February News

O my Lord, we’re nearly into MARCH! I’ve had a couple of months out in order to concentrate on The Sunday Drama College (SDC) and writing. Both of which are coming along brilliantly.

January saw the first ever production of the SDC called I GOT HERE FIRST directed by the wonderful Nigel Fairs. I was so proud of them, they really couldn’t have had more commitment and energy. Nigel allowed their individual talents to shine through. Bloody marvelous.

I’ve been editing ROMEO AND JULIET for an open air production this summer with them, which will be an R & J like you have never seen. Adam Rood is on board to be the Musical Director. All very exciting.

The series that Lou’s Crew has been writing has now been pitched. Those of you that love me cross everything, pray to your deity, hold your breath… Ten of us have argued, laughed and fought over Episode 1, and six of us over Episode 2. My agent loves it, he’s taken it to the producer of his choice, and now we WAIT. ’Twas ever thus.

Needs must with the bank balance so I am about to go out on the road again with a moving and funny play called WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF HRT. You’ll find the tour dates and other members of the cast at the end of this blog.

Family is just dandy. Many changes abound. More of that next time. If you can, come and see the show. Also keep an eye out for the DR WHO DVDs, now with additional interviews… recorded them last week.

I may see some of you in Barking next Saturday, where I shall be interviewing Mary Tamm. I look forward to that.

Very belated but have a brilliant 2009 and I’ll blog again when on the road.

Love Louise x

p.s. I was recently featured in an article by Sarah Sturt in Kent Life Magazine. To read a PDF version, click on this link: kentlife_feb09.pdf

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF HRT
Louise Jameson
Janet Dibley
Adan O’Neill

2009 Tour dates

March 31 – April 4 Harrogate
April 6 – April 11 Inverness
April 13 – April 18 Dundee
April 21 – April 25 Truro
April 27 – May 2 Wimbledon
May 4 – May 9 Cheltenham
May 11 – May 16 Darlington
May 18 – May 23 Winchester
May 25 – May 30 Southend
June 1 – June 6 Preston
June 8 – June 13 Poole
June 15 – June 20 Eastbourne
June 22 – June 27 Salford
June 29 – July 4 Coventry

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