Awards, Witches and Wonders

Trying to look relaxed and forget I had burnt a big hole in the back of my top just beforehand!

Awards, Witches and Wonders November started with a pinch me moment and then just gave me some of the best and most extraordinary experiences I’ve ever had.

If you haven’t seen on social media I was lucky enough to be awarded Runner-Up in the Self-Published category of the Comedy Women in Print awards. It was a funny night in all senses. For example, I spotted someone who looked like Alison Steadman across the room, who turned out to be the actual Alison Steadman. Same happened with the actress Michelle Collins and the author Nina Stibbe, who I love. I also met some warm, funny authors who were such a pleasure to chat with.

After that excitement it was back to my new book which was supposed to be finished. Done. Glad to see the back of it and all that. However, two people who kindly read the draft had the same thoughts on a plot point and it is now being amended. AGAIN.

During this month, I was lucky enough to be at the theatre several times, partly through my reviews for Northern Arts Review and from friend’s suggestions. The plays in order were Big Ange, at Live Theatre – an impressive play about a dinner nanny who helps tackle racism through football.

Then, at the Theatre Royal, it was soccer on a different level with Dear England, the play about Gareth Southgate’s leadership of the England football team which was brilliant. It was full of huge drama, great insights on fighting your demons (penalty shootouts as it happens) and teambuilding. There was a running gag about Everton’s goalie Jordan Pickford (from Washington) getting radgie, which was hilarious.

After that it was black tie and feathers for Top Hat at the Sunderland Empire. What a lovely bit of escapism that was, with mesmerising tap dancing to fill your boots with – no pun intended!

It was followed by a return to Sunderland Empire for Fiddler on the Roof which was one of the best musicals I’ve seen, topped only by Hamilton. Definitely try and see it if you can. The story was gripping, the music and dancing perfectly done and everything about it stayed with me.

Capping off the cultural month was a one-woman show at The Stand, Newcastle. Nicola Mantalios explored womanhood, witchcraft and sexuality in Scathed. It was powerful, funny, feminist and made you think. She did one of her early gigs when I was also starting out doing stand-up and full credit to her staying the course and now flying high.

Since the nights are dark I’m bunkered in and have read Zoe Richards new book Tell it to the Bees. I found it very heart-warming and relatable. Perfect for Autumn.

TV also has excelled itself over the past month. Celebrity Traitors was a brilliant and probably caused the whole country to drop its collective jaw for the first time. If you didn’t watch it, that’s a shame and definitely do so the next time.

Apple’s Slow Horses based on Mick Herron’s books was amazing. Now I’m watching On Cemetery Road from his other novels. It’s also gripping and keeping me guessing.

This November is also the time I’m having nightmares as Stranger Things is back and I find this sort-of family viewing terrifying. I love the characters and story but oh my, the Upside Down, an alternate world, is so dark in all senses.

My view of it is also slightly coloured by listening to Lily Allen’s new LP West End Girls. It is very clever and visceral account of her marriage to David Harbour, who is in Stranger Things. The album is worth a listen. Catchy and punchy.

Also worth a look is Celebrity Race Across the World. The South American scenery is awesome and the kindness and care the stars are giving to each other’s travel companions is a treat to watch.

Thanks very much for reading this. Good luck with your Christmas plans. My idea this year is to remember to buy less and rest up more!