Jan Leeming - The Official Website

Royal Visit

12th December 2007

Just before curtain up yesterday at the 10.30 am performance, the Assistant Stage Manager asked us if we would meet with some members of the Royal Family after the show. The Royals turned out to be Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, and little daughter Louise. Initially Louise was rather shy but soon began to enjoy meeting us all. However the star of the show for her was Rupert Bear. I was very surprised because, although a perfect replica of the Rupert character, he is a good six feet tall and very large but she absolutely adored him and kept running up to kiss him. It was uncanny the similarity between little Louise and Her Majesty the Queen at a similar age. Prince Edward and Sophie were very relaxed and friendly and we stayed chatting for quite some time.

Got a day off today as we are working on Sunday this week. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself and finding it quite a challenge dealing with the different audiences. They are so unpredictable - I think the best is a reasonable mix of adults and children. The children love the innocent slapstick and the backchat with the stage characters and the Adults enjoy the double-entendres.

If any of you are now tempted to come and see Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Windsor, I'd advise you to leave a little time to walk around the town. It is a lovely town and with all the Christmas finery, it is looking particularly splendid. It is also a wonderful place to shop for Christmas with just about every shop you could think of.

I'll be away from the Internet for a week now, so won't be able to update anything but as soon as I'm re-united with my Computer, I'll give you an update.

Bye for now. Jan

P.S. Had some lovely pictures taken of yours truly in my Fairy Frock - I'll see if I can get permission to use it on the Website.

What do you think? Send your feedback to contact@jan-leeming.com.

Panto opened on Wednesday

9th December 2007

I am absolutely thrilled with my new Website and can't thank enough Stuart Valentine and his colleagues for doing such a fantastic job. If any of you are needing a Website and want a truly professional job done then contact Stuart at sav.co.uk.

Well the Panto opened on Wednesday and is proving to be great fun. We've had a few little glitches but the show is getting stronger by the day. We had a fabulous Saturday with three shows and three super audiences. It's great for me to be back on stage again. Theatre was always my first love but, needing to earn a regular living, I turned to television many years ago. I know it's Panto but it's lovely to have a live audience and to have the ability to improvise when things go wrong. In my transformation from old woman to Fairy Godmother - as the disguising cloak is pulled off, I have variously had my tiara knocked askew and my wand tangled up in the departing cloak - but I somehow found the lines to cover. This is my fifth pantomime and I think I can safely say it's my favourite. The Company is a very happy one, the theatre is a delight - small and intimate - and I love feeding the ponies every day. Yes we really do have live ponies to pull Cinderella's coach. They contribute a bit of a pong backstage but they are really lovely.

Wayne Sleep as Buttons is excellent and what a performer - you get a comedian, a ballet star and a superb tap-dancer for the price of one.

The Ugly Sisters are the best I've worked with.

Ed Stewart is a popular Baron Stoneybroke

And our young stars - the two boys from the TV Programme 'Any Dream will Do' wow the young girls in the audience every night.

Carly Day- our find - was picked out of over 200 hopefuls in a 'Find Cinderella' Competition - she looks absolutely gorgeous in the Transformation Scene and is making an excellent job of her first starring role.

Our Dancers are superb with some excellent numbers very well choreographed.

And our Musical Director has created near miracles in a short space of time

Hilary - the Wardrobe Mistress - has created some spectacular costumes and mine is stunning.

I could go on and on - all the backstage staff, management, everybody is so pleasant and helpful.

It's hard work but so rewarding.

Must go now as I'm only home for half a day and once I go back to Windsor (staying with my sister) I'm off the Internet. So you won't get any more info. for a while.

I'm not clever enough to be able to send you all an Electronic Christmas Card so I'll just say

HAVE A LOVELY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

Yours with affection, Jan

What do you think? Send your feedback to contact@jan-leeming.com.