Another update !!!!!

Hi, Everyone

Well, apparently things are going quite well regarding 'Pattie-shop Diaries'.

Mike got in touch with me today, and said that, not only does Albany Theatre want the production for 2 weeks next year, but Oluwatoyin @ Harrow Arts Centre has now confirmed interest and has made a firm offer of hosting & partnership.

Not only that, but Broadway Theatre (Barking), and Hackney Empire (!) have now expressed an interest in hosting the piece, and have arranged an imminent meeting with Mike & Gerrard.

This is aside from the ongoing dialogue with Contact Theatre (Manchester), and Nottingham Playhouse ......... watch this space.

Mike and Gerrard have also got imminent meetings with a set-designer, and the London Theatre Officer @ The Arts Council (in respect to starting an application for funding the tour).

It looks like Mike & Gerrard are slowly getting an 'army' of people round them.

But the most exciting thing to have happened recently was that Mike got to perform one of the 'Pattie-shop Diaries' songs @ 'Black Gay Pride 2010'.

Apparently, Uncle Seymour says that this is a ......... "big, big sumpting !!!"
It happens every year, and is a 'festival for the celebration of black gay, lesbian, and cross-gender people'.
It took place in Regents Park on 14th August 2010, and Mike was asked to perform one song with Khadijatou Doyneh (a fine songwriter/performer).
He agreed to do so (for free) on the proviso that he got to perform a song fom the musical, thus publicising 'Pattie-shop Diaries'.

Apparently, it was raining at the time that he performed (which was early in the afternoon), and there were not that many people in the crowd, but he managed to get through the song 'satisfactorily' and Gerrard was able to record the performance.

N.B.
They posted it up on 'facebook' ....... it's not Mike's best performance, but it's ok, and it sounds like it was a big deal to have been on the rosta.

Anyway, after having come off stage, Lady Phyll ( the organiser of the event) came up to Mike and congratulated him on both the performance, and the song: 'Colour me Black', commenting on what a great song it was.

Since then, Mike has contacted Lady Phyll and inquired as to whether (through her contacts) 'Pattie-shop Diaries' could get a 'write-up' or expose in 'The Voice' , national Black newspaper;
she said that she would mention it to the reporter-in-question quite soon and get back to him.

HOW EXCITING !!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, the RasConrad-created 'interview-showcase promo' has now been completed, and is available for viewing (as well as newly-uploaded pics, and songs from the soundtrack)
on 'Pattie-shop Diaries Webite':

www.pattieshopdiaries.co.uk

I've seen it ......... IT LOOKS FABULOUS !!!!!!!

As well as this, Mike & Gerrard have asked an old friend/colleague ('CJ') to revamp their 'myspace' page .......
check it out on:

myspace.com/biggerthanme productions.

Mike also mentioned other people 'coming on board', such as a lighting designer, an experieced Musical Director, and also creating videos for 'Colour me Black' and 'As I watch you sleeping' (from 'Rage ......& Breathe') and showing them @ next year's 'Black, Gay, & Lesbian Film Festival', as well as Black Gay Pride 2011 (in support of 'Pattie-shop Diaries' tour).

Well, it all sounds amazing ..... I don't know how Mike & Gerrard can keep up but, as & when they tell me what's happening next ...... I'll let you know.

Much Love.

Lillian xxx