Great news and a once in a lifetime...

It's all been under wraps so far, but it has just been announced in our local newspaper The Bolton News, that the B.B.C are giving our old local Palais de Danse (yes, it's spelled with an "s") a facelift and doing three documentary shows from there to be shown next year some time on B.B.C Two. The first show will be from folk who remember the fifties and sixties there, the second from the next generation and the third show will be about trying to get today's youth back dancing. All terrifically exciting.

The once in  lifetime bit is because as an ex member of the Palais rock and roll team from way back, and together with some two dozen old faces and friends, yours truly will be donning the blue suedes and taking part in the show. We're currently doing three weeks of rehearsals, (three hours a day, five days a week) and interviews, and Friday we are all off to Blackpool for the day, including a visit to the mecca of dance itself, The Tower Ballroom. It's absolutely great fun (if xxxxxx hard work at our ages), but we're all loving it. Our main teacher/choreographer is Jack Murphy who has worked on dance for films like Young Victoria, Bridget Jones, Vanity Fair and Pride and Prejudice, and his assistant, a lovely girl expert on movement and dance, Heidi Ashton.

Exciting? Well, just somewhat........you betcha.....

Hi Mr T

Wow - what an opportunity - must be brilliant. Our very own celeb!
I really look forward to seeing the finished article on the telly box next year.

Hi Mauve, fantastic isn't it? The only sad note is that some old faces have sadly passed on. We're all just hoping we can hang on long enough to see the show on T.V. Most of us were around when Bill Haley and Elvis arrived on the mystery train.

You'll be there!!! And hopefully longer that Bill Haley and his train!!!

Wow. How fantastic. Look forward to hearing about the build up. Who knows, you may bump into The Strictly crowd at the same time

wow

Oh my that is mega exciting Mr T! How wonderful for you. You will have to wear something to give us a sign like a purple handkerchief in your pocket so that when we tune in so we can claim celebrity knowledge!

Still no real idea what's happening as it's undisclosed except our part will come shortly. Working hard right now but changes are afoot constantly. I'll let you know when I do.

I do hope ITT invites you all to appear let's start a campaign now ☺

saxonsiren wrote:I do hope ITT invites you all to appear let's start  a campaign  now ☺

Still under instruction to keep it off the media Sax. All very hush hush. Next week will reveal a little. The B.B.C. Media Centre featured this, this week so I'm giving nothing away here.:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/dance-hall-days

Lovely news - bet you're having a wonderful time (I was going to say ball, but...).

Can't wait to see you on the telly...

Hi Vonee. Yes, I'm bursting to tell about the great adventure.......but I can't, yet...

Wow, that sounds brilliant Mr T! I can't wait to watch it next year. Hope the training is going well, it sounds like a lot of hard work as well as a lot of fun.

Well, I was out there living the birthday dream last night. Believe it or not, we did a jive at Bolton's Macron Stadium in front of fourteen and a half thousand folk at half time in the Bolton v Sheffield Wednesday match. It was brilliant and the crowd response amazing. One happy dancer this morning.

Looks like Anthony might be learning the Jive. He might need a lot of help! Give him a ring! Congratulations on events so far. Look forward to the big reveal

Sounds a great experience Mr T. Would you be willing to partner Miss Bennett now at the Assembly rooms

saxonsiren wrote:Sounds a great experience Mr T. Would you be willing to partner Miss Bennett  now at the Assembly rooms

She is tolerable, I suppose, but is she handsome enough to tempt me? .....

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.” 

Oh Mr Darcy

Here's something a bit unbelievable. The music choice for our jive (bearing in mind the average age of the group is 70,) sort of made us say...whaaaat?  This is it..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1UWEMmJkzE

Good luck with THAT speed!

Don't know what to expect in total, but Saturday it's "lights, camera, action" time at the Palais. Last rehearsal Thursday then butterflies time.This is the big one. Wish me luck...

Loads & loads of luck.  
Go show em how it's done. As Tristan said to Jamelia, if it's your last dance, give it your best shot, and enjoy it. Tip - cross your eyes or fingers but not your legs!!

MrT

Wishing you all the best for Saturday.

TANGOLERO wrote:Don't know what to expect in total, but Saturday it's "lights, camera, action" time at the Palais. Last rehearsal Thursday then butterflies time.This is the big one. Wish me luck...

Best wishes,lots of luck and enjoy it! Knock em dead Mr T and do us proud.

Best of luck, Mr T