Jackie, the Musical, Gardyne Theatre

Jackie, the Musical Cast

Well actually, Jackie the Musical – isn’t really based on the teen mag, although it does feature prominently in the plot.  It’s actually about a woman called Jackie who's on the verge of divorce, clearing out the family home and finding a stash of her old Jackies.   

This leads to the appearance of her teen self who tries to give the “good advice” from Cathy & Claire, the “how to tell if he likes you” quizzes and other articles from the Jackie about how to handle “boys”.   Of course, the advice isn’t as relevant to her older, more cynical self, but is a great reminder to the 40+year old audience of how naive and innocent we once were.   
 
It’s a great ensemble piece, with lots of charm, wit, pathos and fun.  I particularly liked the toyboy/cougar number and the madness of This Town Aint Big Enough. For the performance I attended, the audience took a panto approach from the start as our teen idols pop up on the backscreen – David Cassidy, Donny Osmond, David Essex, Rod Stewart, Marc Bolan, etc.  I assume each night a different pop star will get the biggest whoop of appreciation.  The audience contribution is reminiscent of the Rock Horror Show with lots of whooping, aahing, and hissing of baddies, as well as joining in with the songs.  Great, great fun with a find yourself and your own confidence message that Cathy & Claire would be proud of. 

 

Like Mamma Mia, there’s a foot-stomping, lung bursting singalong encore that leaves everyone on an absolute high.

If Sunshine on Leith and Mamma Mia made it to celluloid it’s only a matter of time before Jackie, the Musical does as well.

See the BBC newspage for much more info

Doors Open Day 2013

Isn't Doors Open Day (or should that be weekend) a great idea.  A chance to see behind the doors of places that we regularly pass by and get a sneaky peek into.  For this year's tour behind the scenes, I chose:  

Verdant Works - not the standard factory tour, but a chance to get personal with some of the historical artefacts and hear about how they acquire these.  Like a lot of Dundonians there's the personal connection with the mills and facinating to hear it's the everyday stuff such as the weavers' aprons that are so rare - they only have one of these most common items.  Were also treated to some of the Discovery collection too and it was wonderful to actually touch things like the billy cans used on the expedition.   We also got to handle (with the white cotton gloves provided) the photo albums detailing the building and launch.   Never knew that all these photos have now been digitalised and are freely available on the Dundee Heritage Trust website: www.dhtcollections.com.

Central Mosque - Dundee's first purpose-built mosque that  I've driven passed and wondered whether it was like the touristy versions in holiday destinations, but never a 'workaday' version.  Of course, it is - why wouldn't it be, only less pretty!  The imans took time to explain and demonstrate what they do, aiming to dispel the some of the myths about Islam.  A very friendly experience, that was a bit spoiled by an evangelical young guy as we were leaving - not necessarily trying to convert, but still too full on for the kind of day it was.


Morgan Academy - I was never a pupil, but thought it would be interesting to see how they blended a new school behind the orginal facade.  We were taken on a tour by one of the 6th year pupils, who was a credit to the school and very proud of it.  It's certainly a far cry from the kind of large, formal classrooms of my day.  I could almost imagine school being fun now!!  The views from the tower over the Stobswell and Dens Road area were more than worth the climb up the spiral stair.

Doors Open is a terrific experience.  Everyone is sooo proud and enthusiastic about wanting to share their 'place' with the public it makes for a fascinating and different day out and I'm already looking for 2014.

2013 Flower & Food Festival

Well that was an interesting first visit.  The sun shone and the crowds were out.  Had a brief glimpse of Great British Bake Off's Paul Hollywood's hand on the overhead screen in the mobbed food tent before I decided I get a better view on the telly an home.  Instead, of telly heroes, went off to find some local food heroes.  
 
As a cheese-a-phile, were lots of types to try - cranberry and other fruity varieties were my favourite, although there lots of smoky and chilli blends too.  With nibbles of cheese, organic chocolate, oatcakes/crackers with preserves, and spicy dips - no lunch was needed.  All this was washed down with a few tots of declicious fruity ciders, wines and whiskies - trying to figure out how many tots make a unit was impossible - honest Mr Constable, I've not been drinking, hic!

There were lots of pretty, flawless flower blooms that people must have spent a bonkers amount of time perfecting.  

There was also the over-sized veg section ... ooh resist the temptation to ask if that's a giant marrow in your hand or are you really pleased to see me? 

 
Lots of non-food stuff too - craft tent had lots of pretty things that tempted pound notes from my wallet. As a novice gardener, there was advice a plenty on improving soil, encouraging worms and attracting wildlife.
 
 
 The musical entertainment was varied with the Rock Choir and Havana Swing.  

A big cheer to the marshalls for the car parking arrangements - I was dreading long tailbacks in/out, but compared to some other events, it was so easy to arrive and leave with barely a queue.

A big boo to the organisers though, for not giving any timetable information.  I missed a couple of musical acts I would have like to see because I didn't know when they were on - and inside the tents you couldn't hear the PA announcements.  There was a map at the entrance, so would it have been so difficult to add a schedule there as well!

Dundeecake - Protected Status

What better way to start a blog about Dundee - My Way than a celebration of my Blog Name.

An application is being lodged to gain European Protective Indication status for Dundee Cake.  It's distinctive recipe began development in the city in the late 1700’s to the kitchens of the marmalade inventor Janet Keiller, making it a thoroughly Dundonian delicacy which deserves European recognition for its unique characteristics and long association with this city.  

People want to know they are buying the real deal and achieving PGI status will ensure people at home and abroad will know Dundee for its nutty, fruitcakes!!!

 

http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/A-slice-of-recognition-3cf.aspx