2013 proved to be another memorable, exciting and successful year for Faye.
It started in snow covered Canterbury where she played Princess Aurora in the hilarious 'Sleeping Beauty' panto. Quite simply the best panto ever and such a treat to see Faye and Gareth sharing a stage again after their obvious chemistry during the Legally Blonde tour.
The summer was spent in Regents Park at the wonderful and unique setting of the Open Air Theatre where she played the role of Liesl Von Trapp in the award winning production of 'The Sound of Music'. Faye was kind enough to arrange tickets for me to see the final show and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my year.
As you know she's ending the year performing three roles in Victoria Woods big-hearted and nostalgic Manchester love story 'That Day We Sang' at the iconic Royal Exchange. I'm so looking forward to seeing the final show in 3 weeks time.
It wasn't just her stage performances that made it such a special year. 2013 also saw Faye make her TV debut in the hit prime time show 'Atlantis' on BBC1. Although there is nothing like seeing her live it was great to sit back and enjoy her performance from the comfort of my own living room.
However probably the biggest, most important and exciting news of the year came in August when Faye and Gareth confirmed they're a couple. Nothing compares to finding your one true love and I have a feeling these two are for keeps.
2014 has a lot to live up to but something tells me it's going to be another magical year for Faye and as always you'll be able to read all about it here on her #1 fan site.
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Here is another glowing review of 'That Day We Sang' written by Nikki Cotter for Manchesters Finest:
Primarily set in 1969, we meet some of the original children who’ve been reunited by Granada TV for a special documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Manchester School Children’s Choir’s 1929 recording of Henry Purcell’s Nymphs and Shepherds. We’re introduced to two of the original children in the choir, now in their fifties, PA Enid (most definitely NOT a secretary) and insurance clerk Tubby (a fan of threp’ny bits but not of yogurts), who soon begin to realise despite their beige and lonely lives that the best may be yet to come.
Running alongside these scenes we’re transported back to 1929 to enjoy the thrill and excitement of featuring in the choir which is beautifully brought to life by the 25-strong children’s choir featuring youngsters from across the Greater Manchester area. Special mention must go to the excellent William Haresceugh, who takes on the role of Jimmy, the young man destined to become warm-hearted Tubby in later years. These scenes are nostalgic and humorous, with the hilarious bible quoting Mr Kirkby (Craige Els) doing his utmost to control the children for firm but fair choir mistress Gertrude Riall (Kelly Price).
Award-winning writer and all round national treasure Victoria Wood stays true to her wonderfully witty, warm hearted humour and offers up laugh after laugh in this moving piece. The affection you feel for the characters is immediate. Moving effortlessly between 1929 and 1969 the two stories are beautifully entwined. The production sits well in the unique setting of the theatre with Royal Exchange artistic director Sarah Frankcom using her skills and knowledge to ensure this special space is used to its full potential, the intimacy of being so close to the action adds more uplifting sparkle to this nostalgic treat.
As you would expect Victoria’s Wood’s script offers up opportunities for some delightfully comedic acting, largely coming from Sally Bankes who takes on two roles, Dorothy Brierley, former choir member who’s ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ is second to none, and Pauline, Enid’s gossipy work colleague who’s always on a diet, (hot water and lemon today with potted beef and water biscuits tomorrow) Bankes is perfectly complimented by a strong performance from James Quinn (Frank Brierley/Mr Stanley) whose near explosion at the disappearance a box of mint Matchmakers has the audience howling.
The songs penned by Wood feature her instantly recognisable comic rhyming and are pure perfection, charming, clever and brilliantly delivered, after all there’s not many people who could come up with the line “Would you like to grapple with gammon and pineapple”. Wood also gifts our leading lady Enid (Anna Francolini) with a totally tantalising opportunity to unleash herself from the constrains of her girdle and reveal to us her innermost wants and desires with the help of a tall, dark and handsome Tango dancing stranger.
Dean Andrews (Tubby Baker) and Anna Francolini (Enid Sutcliffe) are perfectly cast, meek and mild yet instantly likeable you desperately want things to work out for them, from trips to the Wimpy to a slightly awkward lunch on a bench at Piccadilly Gardens their love story is fascinating, tender and as Enid would say, totally ‘joyful’.
Showing at the Royal Exchange until 18th January, That Day We Sang is an absolute must see, this superb show will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling that even a triple layered Berni Inn Black Forrest Gataux couldn’t compete with.
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