One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Mike Power talked through his life. This included drama school followed by being a director at a TV production company making Saint & Greavsie for Ladbrooks betting shops.
On a trip to Morocco to film a video for a Moroccan pop star he has kidnapped! He produced a West End play about the Falkland’s conflict. Working for Bill Kenwright, Mike was running Ken’s theatre in Letherhead and producing West End and touring productions. His full length production of Hamlet was one among a number of very successful plays. He told a number of amusing and revealing anecdotes about some of the actors he had worked with and known. Mike went on to work at the Old Vic and Chichester Festival Theatre. Here he started going to evensong at Chichester Cathedral and “fell in love with cathedral ministry”. As a very young child he had loved attending worship at St. Cutherbert’s Rye Park. Now he felt he had come full circle. Training for the ministry as an older man in Cambridge had felt a great privilege. Recalling his time in the theatre, Mike said, “there were times when I was king of all I surveyed and others when I hit rock bottom. What I do know now is that God was there with me through the good times and bad, and that he has taken me on a journey, the result of which I hope and pray has made me a better person.”. Mike feels the skills he had learnt in the theatre help him now in his role as C of E Archdeacon of Southend.
Playlist
Billy Joel – My life – 1978 UK no 12, USA no 3. The album – Piano man – The best of Billy Joel – is no 63 this week in the UK album charts.
Rae Khali – Is it worth it? chosen by last week’s guests Marie and Clare who are swimming the artic in aid of Essex & Herts air ambulance.
Spandau Ballet – True – title track from 1983 album. Single no 1 in UK, Canada and Ireland. USA no 4 and Top 10 in 8 more countries. Mike chose this track as he described it as “the backdrop to my time at Drama School.
Olly Alexander – It’s a sin. This recording was used as the theme tune of the Channel 4 series with the same title. Mike knew Dursley, on whom the main character in the series was based.
Elaine Page – Non, Je Ne Regrette Rein. The song was featured in the production of the play Piaf which Mike produced firstly in Straford-upon-Avon, followed by runs in four different London theatres.
Birthdays competition
Tom Jones – Lord help the poor and needy – from the 2010 album – Praise and blame. UK no 2, Top 10 in 2 more countries, Top 20 three more. Sir Tom Jones, OBE is 84 years old.
Tony Hadley & The Military wives choir – Come home to peace. 2022 charity release to make the 40th anniversary of the Falkland’s war. Tony is 64 years out.
Junior – Mama used to say – 1982 UK no 7, Top 20 in 2 more countries. USA no 30, USA Soul no 2, Dance no 4. Junior Giscombe is 67 years old.
Thanks to Chris and Bob, this week in Harlech, Mike in the studio, last week’s studio guest Moira in Chalkwell, Chris in Guildford and Rene and Patrick both in Ingatestone for taking part. The winner today with 6 points was Chris in Harlech, followed by Patrick with four points and Rene with three points.
Patrick requested Billy Rae Cyrus – Achy breaky heart – 1992 UK no 3, USA no 4, Australia no 1.
Jody & The Jerms – Unravelling – released on 19th of June. On the new PhoenisFM A list for June.
Nathaniel Bowden – I don’t know you – new release.
Chart this week in 1978
No 1 Boney M – Rivers of Babylon/Brown girl in the ring. No 1 in 15 more countries. One of the ten best selling singles in UK of all time. Global sales of over 10 million 45 rpms. Lyric adapted from Psalms 19 and 137.
No 6 Bee Gees – Night fever – No 1 in UK, USA & 4 more countries. From the soundtrack of the film – Saturday night fever. The film the popularised disco.
No 11 Ian Drury & The Blockheads – What a waste – UK no 9.
Booker T & MGs – Time is tight – 1968 UK no 4, USA no 6. South Africa no 1.
London Grammar – Bittersweet symphony – from 2017 UK & Belgium no 1 album – Truth is a beautiful thing. Playing on the Park Stage at Glastonbury on Sunday 30th June.
Next week my guest is Richard Pusey, tour guide at Ingatestone Hall.
