Let Meeeeee Entertain You.... Up Hanley Duck Crew Styleeee!

As the show starts we notice there is something different… the guitarists are running about like crazy on the stage – look ma, no wires!! Everyone is encouraged to stand up! Well as if we needed any encouragement!! The atmosphere is bouncing despite the show only running for 3 minutes – we know we are in for a good night.


Let Me Entertain You (as the show is called) is totally blinding tonight – a little different to previous shows that we’ve seen, if not a little more bouncey… we like :)
The first half of the show is a lot more upbeat, and with the usual favourites like Millennium, Hot Fudge and Monsoon from back in Knebworth, and some new tracks like Old Before I Die and A Place to Crash! Love it!! Personal winner from the 1st half has to be Make Me Pure… just brilliant. Oatcake T-shirt on show, as designed by a certain someone who we shall meet later in the evening was a nice touch to make the show more Stoke-y!

Interval – and those who know me will know that I’m always nosey as to the feedback during the interval. This show was no exception…
"Amazing!"
"Wow it’s so good!"
"Love the guitarists!"
"Really takes me back to a Rob gig!"  All good then…

Grab a drink with the girls after a quick pit stop and head back in for round two…



2nd half is always blinding – with swing to schwiiiiing to, the fabulous version of Bodies and Video Killed the Radio Star as featured by Robbie at the Roundhouse during Electric Proms. So glad that JK included both those versions in the show.
Wardrobe changes afoot... JK hits the stage with something the Crew like - the SHABBA ("It's only a f&*king medium!") t-shirt from Blackpool! Tidy! Peppa Pig decides she wants to get a bit of the limelight and jumps on stage yet again with JK - who takes it all in good oinking fun and parades around with Peppa! More from the fabulous set and before we know it - it's time for the montage of Eight Letters with all 5 of Take That. Shortly followed by JK then singing The Flood; which was yet again spot on!

Knowing that we are in Rob’s home town, we kind of guess that there is going to be some sort of announcement at the end like last year. As the VT of the Donna Louise Trust rolls, you can hear a pin drop. It’s a very powerful video, narrated by Robbie and it certainly hits home that this charity is so worthwhile and so necessary. Then JK makes an announcement – that he is going to train and run the London Marathon for Donna Louise in 2012. What a fantastic commitment and gesture for an amazing charity.

At the end of the show, it is closed with Angels, a fitting tribute. It certainly wasn’t too early for it this night!



As the theatre emptied, we gather the gang… same bat time, same bat channel as last time? Oh go on then if you insist! So we head over to the take away & Unicorn pub across the street for more fun and games! I get the kitty going and join the queue in the bar whilst the girls grab some chips!

Sat outside the pub is Pete – Rob’s dad. What a lovely guy he is. Turns out he went to the show again and really really enjoyed it… well that’s what he told us anyway! Saying that he could watch that lad up on that stage all night is a serious compliment for JK! Showing him the pics on my camera – a couple of which are from last year – he jokes as he’s glad that he didn’t wear the same shirt tonight! Pete takes time to pose with Peppa, well if its good enough for Mark Owen! Love it!!
The beers are flowing and we see some other familar faces – Paul and his gorgeous wife, Mick the Drummer, and then we spot Herrrribieeeeeee… good job he is game for a laugh bless him, straight in the Crew Corner there mate for some pics and Crew love! Hehe!

The beers are flowing and it is past closing time – once again we manage a lock in and get introduced to Gail & Sam who are also partaking in a beverage or two… the banter is well and truly in full force and the shoes are OFF! Louise hi-jacks the Bar Manager and thrusts the Take That / Rob CD into his hands and before we know it the tune-age is of the highest standard… cue lots of singing and bouncing from the Crew complete with JK, Mick, Paul and the girls as we are partying like our lives depended on it! We run out of vodka not once… but TWICE! The Bar Manager is happy to run around Hanley begging, borrowing and stealing vodka for us to keep partying – excellent work!

In the absence of vodka thou we make do with Corona, Bulmers, Baileys, Tia Maria and literally anything else we can get our hands on! Oh we are awful…. Naughty but nice thou ;)

The night carries on into the wee hours… well what I really mean is the morning hours! We swap stories with Sam & Gail about all sorts – gigs, shows and previous meets; and promise to friend on Facebook when home – as you never know when we may meet them again – that’s if we haven’t scared them off of course ;) The Crew are having a reet good catch up, celebrating Cary’s birthday the way it should be – with lots of laughs, lots of drink and lots of good music!

The night is drawing to a close - last women standing – Paula (even in my heels!), Jac, Louise, Sue, Kay and me head back to the hotel in a taxi – its getting light outside which is always a good sign of a Crew Do and a Crew first – Sam misses breakfast the next morning… oh dear what has become of me!! #epicfail but yet another cracking Crew do! Thanks to all concerned for a great couple of days xx