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Fri 30th Dec 2016
RICHARD DIGANCE PLAYS TO A PACKED HOUSE IN PETERSFIELD
This December, Write Angle didn't stick to its usual format. Instead of an open mic and guest performer, the 'Write Angle Christmas Special' provided an evening of entertainment, starring the legendary comedian/folksinger, Richard Digance, TV and Radio Star. Richard was BAFTA nominated as TV Entertainer of the Year, and winner of the 'Gold Award for his services to music from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors'. He's well known and respected in the field, having done movies and TV shows, including his own, 'Abracadigence', 'Digance at Work', 'Richard Digance' and 'How's Business'.
The room was packed to standing room, with not only some of the regular group, but also Richard's fans who came from near and far to see their favourite performer and share in 50 years of nostagia. Richard surprised everyone by bringing Tom Leary, a fine and accomplished violinist with him.
Tom has an endless list of credits and formed a new duo with P J Wright, having worked with Lindisfarne and The Gary Fletcher Band. A humorous and interesting man, there's not much Tom hasn't seen or done within the music world. He's a beautifully tender player with a great gift for writing melodic tunes. Famous for his laugh among other things; his mirth is highly infectious.
Between Richard's guitar and Tom's deft hands at the violin and mandolin, songs going back to the 50s & 60s, brought back many memories. The room was alive with the audience singing or humming along as Richard went from song to story to song. At one point, Tom 'deliberately' played out of tune and with Richard kiddingly trying to control him, they had everyone laughing. Songs such as 'The Hour Song', 'I'm Coming Home', Jack of All Trades', Searching (a lovely song sung with Tom Leary) about how we search for our mother's milk and continue searching, never finding the answers. Tom also played some jigs with Richard, a song 'Toy Box (we're flopping round and round)' and Washerwoman, about his mother.
Richard was surprised when three members of his family he hadn't seen in years, turned up to see him. He was clearly overwhelmed and emotional about the reunion, and shared some stories with the audience. 'My father was a bigot'. 'So was his brother' came a shout from one of his family. Richard agreed.
He told several stories of his life including being in Memphis, drunk and not expecting to perform, when he heard 'Richard from England' being announced. At first, he thought, '.. another Englishman with the same name'. Realising it was him, and suddenly ushered on stage, he groped for something to say, remembering that country and western were all about broken love. He didn't know what to do, so proceeded to make up stories about his relationship with his father. It went over much better than he expected! (The sign of a real showman)!
Richard's a well seasoned performer. He can hold an audience in the palm of his hand with the most simple of stories. His rendition of the 'Twelve Days of Christmas', performed as a 'thank you letter from a woman to George', stopped only as a story or song intervened...then started again, finally ending in the second half of his performance – thanking 'Darling George' for all those lovely gifts – birds, more birds – filling sinks, bathtubs, then cows, Lords a 'leaping, drummers and pipers, until the house was so full, she finally gave up and suggested George end their relationship.
Richard's hatred for Trump was pretty clear. He wished someone would shoot him and, with all the security guards front and back, wouldn't it be great if one of them called out, 'Hey, Donald' and as he turned around, followed it up with 'Donald, then….duck!' On the subject of politics, Richard said he didn't mind people having differences of opinion but he wished they wouldn't fight because of it.
Richard announced that in 2017, he will be writing the music for the new West End show, 'Elephant Man', along with Tom Leary. We wish them both luck in their new project.
Meantime, there were lots of cakes - very few of which were eaten, (is everyone on a diet?) and one of our audience won the raffle for two free meals at Cote restaurant, Chichester. We know they will enjoy the French style food as well as the wonderful service. (It happens to be one of our favourite restaurants).
Here's wishing you all a peaceful and harmonious New Year and we look forward to seeing you in January when Justin Coe is our guest and our Open Mic is back in service!
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