Cary's Cracking Birthday Craic... when we let JK as Robbie Entertain Us in Stoke!

As soon as we heard about JK as Robbie returning to the home of Robbie with Let Me Entertain You we were on it like a car bonnet.
Now considering it was Princess Pearce's birthday soon-ish we decided to make it a flipping mahoosive dooo and cram her 40th celebrations into what was gonna be an eventful couple of days.
Plans are well under way... phone calls, messages and emails are on the go to make this one of the best weekends EVER!

Arriving in Stoke, the girls meet up at Stoke Train Station and grab a Subway - yes it's still the official food of the PV Crew! I'm on my way and trying to sort one or two final surprises.
After a stressy time with the jewellery company about Cary's group birthday pressie - a gorge watch picked out by Kriss, I'd received a message from Paula to say that it had arrived in one piece earlier in the week... Lou had sorted out the group card to Cary, I had done the Crew card for Geoff... Kriss had also played a blinder in sorting a Peppa Pig cake for Geoff to present to him later that evening - but little did the Crew know that they would be seeing him before the show...

I was texting Lou with the deets... we were en-route but stuck in traffic... the lovely Lady who had made the cake was on her way to the George to deliver it (thanks to Debbie for a fab job and to Keith at the Vale for recommending her) and where was I? Yes, where was I? Stuck on the blinking A500 in a van in Friday afternoon traffic... after heading from the train station to the Regent to meet Geoff prior to his sound check I was now in hiding from the girls online as I was keen to get to the George with Geoff ASAP! And as they didn't know that he was coming to deliver said cake I knew that they were wondering where I was...

Upon arrival at the George, Geoff beeped his horn as Louise, Kay and Jac were outside. Cheers Geoff!! Talk about blowing your cover! I went over to meet Debbie and to settle up for the cake - wow it was actually fantastic. What started as a chat with the girls, some screen shots from "A Place to Crash" video, photos of Cary's wabbit ears and a picture in my mind that looked fantastic but sounded shit when I tried to describe it to Debbie - actually ended up amazingly good! Debbie was a little bit speechless as Geoff came over to the cake from her and looked down at the Robbie on the cake she had just made; then back up at Geoff to see that he was looking a bit like Robbie too!
Lighting the candle and shielding it from the breeze, we headed up the familiar steps of the George Hotel and into the bar where Louise had got all the girls together....

Singing Happy Birthday, we well and truly surprised the Birthday Girl, not only with her cake but also the Delivery Man too! Big thanks to JK as Robbie Williams who took time out of his very busy day to come down to Burslem and do the honours!

It then seemed appropriate to give Geoff his cards and cake from the Crew - cue PV Peppa on a plate (and a recycled candle, well we're environmentally friendly of course!) and another chorus of Happy Birthday! Of course, Peppa loved it, she's a right naughty little piggy!! Geoff took it all in good spirits, and after promising to meet us later headed back to the Regent to finish setting up for tonight's show. All going well, so far so good and everything is going to plan! Happy days!!

5 minutes later, the last of the Crew arrived... Rena bounded in and it was great to see her! And here we all were - Kriss, Louise, Anne, Shelley, Sue, Hayley, Kay, Allison, Jac, Rena, Paula, the Birthday girl Cary and myself - unlucky for some but not for us - 13 of us mad heads ready to party! After getting the beers in, we provided Cary with some more surprises - cue cards and gifts galore...Have to say was a little overwhelmed with all the effort everyone went to myself for my birthday so can only imagine how Cary felt as this was Birthday surprises in TURBO mode! The Crew were well and truly on it like a car bonnet!!

After presents, we did the usual and headed over to the George for a swift one before getting ready for the evening. And again - as usual, we were on the last minute for the limo - not just any limo but a shiny deluxe Hummer fit for a Crew Do! Back to the George. the lovely barman from last time remembered us; well I mean how could he forget...?! Never Forget!!
No time for grapes - the virgins will still be virgins until Chrimbo - but there was time for a couple of swift bevvies and some pics... lots of laughs with the locals yet again and we asked ever so nicely for a bit of Rob and Take That tuneage so we could practice our bouncing. Andy behind the bar was happy to oblige. Thanks again :)

Shizer - is that the time? Drinking up, we scoot back over to the George, following the usual trail of feathers, stopping traffic on Scotia Road, beep beep from the cars. It's like we were never away! We head up to our rooms to change and the evening is looking really good as we are all in great form and cannot wait to have a good bop later.
The hummer arrives - complete with 6 bottles of fizz. Yes, 6 bottles. Posh Limos are a local firm who had done a great job of looking after us before so I was straight onto them once I knew we would be heading back to Stoke. Lou provided the tunes and with us all in the back we are OFF - up Hanley Duck, and ready to be entertained. With lots of laughs already that day, we had a feeling that tonight was gonna be a good night!! And how appropriate that JK kicked off the show with a version of that very song!!

The hummer was fab, really enjoyed the spin and as usual the Crew stopped traffic! Arriving at the Regent, it is always funny to see everyone having a nosey at who is getting out... tis only us, the Port Vale Crew...! The driver is happy to take some snaps for us... we wave him off but not before Paula tries to get on it like a car bonnet - LITERALLY!! PMSL!!
Heading over to the Box Office to collect the tickets, we are a little against the clock. Again no change there, there ain't no party like a Crew party and the party won't start without us! Pit stop at the bar on the way in; we head to the door we are told to go to but then get told to go to another door... whatever! We just want our seats love! Eventually we find our seats and apologising to the people behind us in advance for what is going to be very much an "audience participation" row, we take our seats for what would probably be the only time that night!!

Stoke gets Crewed!

I left Cork bound for my flight to Birmingham, looking forward to the weekend. Since meeting Jonny Wilkes after his show in Bristol in October, the girls and I waited patiently for news of Soccer Aid to be released into the public domain and to try and secure tickets… so as soon as I heard they were on sale, we bagged ourselves a couple on the front row. Sweet.

The girls were all en-route. If you’re meeting us for the 1st time – hellllo! We come from all over the place. To give you an idea, we are talking: London, Leeds, Norfolk, Port Talbot, Runcorn, Rutland, Stafford and finally Cork in Ireland. Meets are often difficult to arrange where everyone can go due to travel, timing, kids etc so this one was extra special as everyone would be on board the party train at some point during the weekend. So here I introduce Randy Rena, Dirty Debbss, Kinky Kriss, Lusty Lou, Pervy Paula, Shexy Shelley, Curvy Cary, Minxy Mandy and me, Scrumptious Sam.

The Meet...
Meeting at Stoke train station was a breeze. For once, trains were on time for everyone; and despite my half hour delay (cheers Aer Fungus!) I managed to get the time back somehow. Shelley, Kriss and Paula were already at the station and we said we would wait on for Louise to occur an hour later! Kriss kindly offered to give us a spin in her batmobile to the hotel, where Cary, Mandy and Rena had already landed. The George Hotel is ace. It’s like faulty towers, but it’s our Faulty Towers and we love it. There is always a warm welcome and a brekkie in the morning (juice but no glasses!) and it’s across the road from the Red Lion – a regular haunt of ours when in town.

Popping to Subway to get a sarnie (Subway – the official food of the PV Crew!) and downing a swift half passed the time… Louise was here and with a “Whatssss Occuringggg” shouted across the road we were off and on our way.

At The George, there were hugs a plenty. That’s the thing with the Crew, you wouldn’t think that we had not seen each other for the last 6 months or so. There’s never an awkward silence when the Crew are in town! Sorting the rooms, we headed upstairs to unpack. As per usual the bar was set up 1st, well it wouldn’t be a PV Crew Party without our sponsors!

Swapping gifts, hugs, and t-shirts; whilst having a cheeky drink we got into our Laydee Lympics tops and head for the Red Lion. Home colours of course - Black & Gold seeing as we are in Burslem!

Grapes for Kriss, Cary and Mandy… and Bob’s Bingo was on the cards for everyone where we were playing for the deep fat frierrrr and the sodaaaa stream! (and a few Robbie goodies of course!) Ordering a round in, we were sure to get ice in that duck! The barman thinks we are a little bit nuts! Spooky that “And Through it All” is playing on the telly so we ask the nice barman to replay the DVD and he’s happy to indulge us… I had arranged for a few Port Vale bits and bobs to be sent to the hotel from Port Vale FC (Thanks Andy in the Club Shop!) so the PV Crew could have their very own pens and badges! The whirlwind that are the PV Crew swept through the pub, and getting a few more signings on the banner we headed back to the hotel after an hour so we could get ready for our night at the theatre….! The “minibus” was collecting us at 6.15 so we had to get a move on.

Now when I say minibus that’s what I told the girls. In reality I ordered a platinum limo so we could arrive at the Regent Theatre in style, along with 2 bottles of champers to get us in the party mood! Imagine when Shelley and Kriss went outside the hotel and tried to hop in an actual minibus that was parked over the road… PMSL! Only to then see the limo at the side of the hotel… I could hear them shrieking and laughing upstairs in the room! Classic! All into our dresses, I look at my friends and see we scrubbed up really well.

So we are in the limo and on our way… I’ve Got a Feeling; that tonights gonna be a good night! Arriving at the Regent, a number of heads turned as the limo pulled up. Needless to say as us rabble piled out they realize it’s not the VIPs they thought LOL! Heading into the Regent we take a couple of pics, score a drink at the bar (4.70 for a wine – what are you thinking people?) and head in to take our seats. The place was packed and everyone was in good spirits.

As the band started, we knew we were not going to be in our seats for long… standing up, cheering, clapping, “one hand in the air-ing”, bouncing… all part of the show. Well it was for us. Paula decided to stay in the aisle seat and of course when Rudebox came on, the shoes were OFF and she was busting a move or two! 99% of the people in the theatre were up and participating – sure that’s what Rob’s music is all about! You always get the odd one though who refrains and that’s cool as long as they don’t expect us to refrain with them! If you want to read a full review of the show, check out my last post HERE!

and if you are thinking of going to see it,  DO - becauseyou won’t be disappointed.

Later than scheduled (because JK was staying up on that stage for the whole night!) we head out of the theatre and decide on our plans for the rest of the evening. Well the night was still young…

I spotted a bar across the street, tables outside and a chippy opposite. PERFECT. Chips and alcohol. Just what we needed. Heading across the street and straight for a couple of empty seats, we rested our weary tootsies and took turns to get food. Who would’ve thought a night at the theatre would have been so exhausting!

Inside we pop to get a round of drinks and we settle on a table outside to set up camp! On the table next to us, there’s a friendly looking older guy with glasses. A couple of the Crew are asking each other if it’s Pete Conway, Rob’s dad… We can’t decide and are too shy to ask directly. Yes that’s right, we are shy and retiring types us lot!

As Pete gets up to leave with his friend, who is smartly dressed in a suit, I shout “See ya Pete” down the street – at which point he turns around, looks at us and replies “I’m coming back in a minute!”
So that settles that, it’s either a guy called Pete who looks like Rob’s dad or it’s a guy called Pete who is Rob’s dad… Upon his return we found out he was the latter. And what a gentleman he was. Not wanting to intrude on his social time, we asked was it ok to chat for a while and Pete agreed. Asking us what brought us to town, we told him about the show, and about the Port Vale Crew… How we got together, why we got together, our travels etc. We said that it was his son’s fault and he laughed! Pete is happy to chat about footie, cricket, Britain’s Got Talent, Wales, Stoke and the show we had all just seen. We ask him is he off to Soccer Aid and he replies that he was going to watch it on the telly, but that Rob had been taking it seriously and has been training for 4 weeks. The following day when we saw Rob getting off the coach tanned and in great shape, we knew that Pete was telling the truth!

Pete’s friend, “Herbie” I think his name was, was also a gent. He soon got into the swing of things with the Crew and was a right larf… took a bit of persuading to get him to lend Paula his jacket mind you, but eventually we were on to a winner! Pete is stood in the street at this point, and when we look up, we see JK running towards the pub from the theatre. Pete threw open his arms to gesture to JK and they gave each other a right big bear hug. Now if you hadn’t been aware of the show that night, it was a proper double take moment as from afar it looked like Pete and Rob together!

“My 2nd son” Pete says to JK and everybody laughs. At this point the pub is pretty crowded and a good time is being had by all! It’s been roughly 2 hours since the show, and there’s a great buzz around. Pete is still there chatting away and Herbie is getting to know the crew better too. We stop to chat to a Police Sergeant patrolling the area and nab him for a quick photo… ‘ello ‘ello ‘ello what do we have here?!? Thankfully he didn’t arrest us; well we are good girls, honest!
Pete and Herbie say their goodbyes but not before posing for a couple of pics with us lot. It was really lovely to meet them both and a pair of gents they were… The pub was closing, but in true PV Crew form we scored a lock in and headed inside with JK, the band, and some friends of the group. Sitting round the table, we reviewed the evening’s antics so far, chattering about the show and laughing at what had just happened outside. Lots of cameras around snapping pics, JK settled in for a few snaps too… Rosie and Jim… Hear the Drummer get Wicked… too many laughs to mention.
Calling it a night just after 3, a minibus was ordered to take us back to The George… where upon arrival a couple of us think that Cocksucking Cowboys were in order and carried on with a few shots before hitting the hay. Just another ordinary Saturday night in Stoke for the girls!

JK as Robbie with the PV CREW!

Well what a weekend it was! The PV Crew were in town and what fun we had...
Headed to the Regent Theatre, Stoke on Saturday to see JK as Robbie on Saturday and then to Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday to see Soccer Aid

FANTASTIC WEEKEND!
Full report to follow, but for now I'd like to share a review I did of the theatre show... One Night of Robbie... If you get a chance to see it you should, the whole evening was a really enjoyable!


Review – One Night of Robbie Williams. Regent Theatre, Stoke. 5th June 2010.

When my friends and I booked “One Night of Robbie Williams” at the Regent Theatre, Stoke were we a little unsure of what to expect. A Robbie tribute… at the theatre? Having seen JK perform at a Christmas Party Night in a hotel last year, we knew that the guy could sing and move – but how was that one man show going to migrate to the big stage?
In the lobby before the show, other patrons were just as curious about what was going to happen during the next 2 hours as we were. After about 45 seconds of the show, our curiosity was quashed as it was blatantly obvious what was going to happen… we were about to have a feast of Robbiness bestowed upon us and be well and truly entertained!

As the band started up with “Let Me Entertain You” and the stage became visible you could clearly see that this was no ordinary “tribute show” and looking down at my ticket I was reminded that this was “An International Stage Show”. This introduction was not selling the show short.

The backdrop had been carefully chosen to reflect the pinnacle of Robbie’s live career – Knebworth – and for JK you could see this night meant as much to him as that did to Rob. With a blast of fireworks, strobe lighting effects and some carefully timed visuals on the big screen above JK and his band; the audience looked in amazement to see that every attention to detail had been covered!

“Good Evening Stoke on Trent!” JK cheered. Around me, I could see that 3 minutes into the show the whole theatre were on their feet. All 1200 of them. Clapping, chanting and bouncing along to Let Me Entertain You as if their lives depended on it! Like Robbie, JK had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.

Moving through the show, the cream of Robbie’s career had been carefully chosen, to be recreated as a celebration of his music. Old and new hits were belted out, with the charisma and charm that fans of Robbie know and love. From the new album, we were treated to Bodies, Morning Sun and You Know Me… where JK referenced Robbie’s memorable appearance on Loose Women. The opening to “Bodies” was as I remember it; from being in the Roundhouse that night at Electric Proms – the band totally together and the 3 backing singers made sure that the “Bodies” and the “Look good naked-s” were note perfect! However…it wouldn’t be a Robbie gig without the obligatory forgetting the odd word or two, and during “Morning Sun”, the audience were more than happy to help JK out as he fluffed one of the lines! “That’s our Rob!” I heard someone next to me say – showing that even a minor faux pas are all part of an evening with Robbie Williams!

If you have been to a Robbie concert, you will know that Rob loves a bit of audience participation and JK was no different. Reminiscing back to the time when I saw Rob in Leeds, “Strong” was greeted by the audience in the very same way! Looking up at the big screen, we could see the words projected for the theatre to join in this big karaoke session – and they did with gusto!
Judging by the expression on JK’s face throughout, he was enjoying every second and at one point later in the show, he asked staff to throw on the house lights so he could see everybody! A sight for sore eyes; JK beamed with delight as 1200 people smiled back at him! Cheeky banter spattered the show; the “gift of eloquence” is certainly part of JK’s DNA. It was as if he had just kissed the Blarney Stone!

Now I’m no seasoned theatre-goer, but have been lucky enough to see a number of amateur shows locally, musicals in regional theatres and a few massive productions on both the West End & Broadway. Throughout all of these, there is one thing in common… you can always tell how the show is being received by the gossip in the “facilities” in the interval! This show was no different. People of all ages were spilling over to talk about the last hour…

“Amazing! He’s just too good” and “I can’t believe he sounds just like him” could be overheard.
“I only came to bring my mum for her birthday, but I’m so glad I did” chirped another.
“Are you sure he’s just a tribute?” another man questioned as he headed back to his seat.
“I wonder when he’s coming back here?” asked another lady….

So far, all was good at the Regent – but little did we know what was in store for us in the second half…
After the interval, JK rejoined us in a dapper suit and a grand piano was centre stage… you knew it was Swing Time! The screen above beamed out “One Night of Robbie Williams recreating Live at the Albert Hall” and true to form, it was certainly recreated. Classics like Mr Bojangles, Things and My Way were delivered with identical style and character that only Robbie can add to these classic tracks. Joined by one of his female singers (from Stoke of course!) for “Things”, JK took front of stage and told us the same cute and romantic story through the performance of Things; that we saw Rob do with Jane Horrocks at the Albert Hall. As the band started to play the first few bars of My Way, we were graced with shots of the original showman himself, Mr Frank Sinatra, adding to the ambiance and atmosphere that was already in the building at that point.

Other highlights of the show (in no particular order) included a local dance troupe break-dancing to “Rudebox” – a tribute to Rob’s local footie team, they were all dressed in Port Vale FC strip…

“Back for Good” – the moshing version. Some of the audience dressed up for a demure night at the theatre; were bouncing around as if at Glastonbury in a muddy field! Others had glow sticks that were cast aloft high into the air in time with the frantic drum beats.

“Kids” – with not 1 but 3 Kylies! Joined by the girls, the trained eye could see that this was taken from one of Kylie’s live shows… where she is Rob-less! JK certainly has his Kylies with him this night!

“Better Man” – not an easy song to sing; and not often performed in live shows; but delivered perfectly and with true emotion.

And we knew when the screen above displayed the “twinkly-twinkly stars” that “Millennium” was on the cards. All around the theatre, the audience stood up and joined in to show JK their best twinkly twinkly fingers!

Other Robbie favourites like Feel, Come Undone and Rock DJ were not forgotten and the crowd reciprocated the energy of each performance by getting on their feet & clapping every single time! JK said he had waited 5 years to play Stoke-on-Trent and it was obvious that he did not want to end this performance prematurely. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was past the 10pm time slot as stated on the ticket. Other patrons commented that they were having such a good time; they didn’t even notice it passing them by.
As the evening drew to a close (and half an hour later than scheduled), the stage went dark and projected into the theatre was a beautiful and emotional clip, showing children and parents whose lives had been enriched by the Donna Louise Trust Hospice in local Trentham.

“Hello, I’m Robbie Williams” boomed out of the PA, and we were in no doubt that this was actually Rob on the voice over. He was “here” to deliver a powerful message about the charity of which he is a patron. As JK came back onto the stage, he delivered a bit of a shock to all in the crowd – one of which was Pete Conway, Rob’s dad - who was there to see the show that night. “As a tribute to the fantastic work that is carried out at the hospice, JK would like to donate 2000pounds to the charity.” The audience were on their feet, to deliver a well deserved standing ovation. There were shocked gasps and a few watery eyes in the crowd. JK and his band then went on to close with Angels, dedicating it to the charity; at which point there was not a dry eye in the house.

The show was over. As people were leaving the chatter was on top note. Compliments could be heard in the lobby about the costumes, the dancing, the band, the visuals and the fitting ending to the night… but most of all, 2 letters could be heard - JK… Stoke’s new adopted son!
To quote a well known ad campaign, Carlsberg don’t do tribute stage shows… but if they did it would be this one. Bravo.