Vicki Michelle- Only Once!

An Evening with Vicki Michelle- “I will say this only once!”

Holborn Pizza Express Live Tuesday 17th September 2019

Vicki, interviewed by her daughter Louise Fowler gave a sold out crowd a Great night of fun and chat with clips from an amazing career- from early TV appearances in “Dixon Of Dock Green” and “Softly Softly” through Film and Stage roles ending with her long running success as Yvette Carte Blanche in “Allo Allo” from 1982 to 1992- a staggering 85 episodes still airing on TV channels today.

The list of the great and good in both Comedy and Drama that Vicki has appeared with is staggering- from Ava Gardener, Laurence Olivier and Geilgud (Not forgetting Judy Dench!)Dame Joan Collins, Leoanard Rossiter, Dennis Waterman,  to the Giants of comedy Ken Dodd, Les Dawson and The Two Ronnies, with comedy sketches with Kenny Everett and Dick Emery thrown in for good measure!

Vicki with Gorden Kaye

Vicki’s early stage career (guided by Aida Foster’s Agency- I was with Anita Foster’s agency way back too!) led to a West End run with Dudley Moore, and The West End was to see her in several musicals as well as the long running “Allo Allo” theatre shows at the London Palladium and The Prince Of Wales. The Stage version toured the UK and Australia, New Zealand.

Along the way we had clips from shows, from Pantomime- a very Wicked Queen in pantomimes- her next one will be at The Opera House York this Panto Season- and lots of anecdotes- prompted by Louise about the antics on the “Allo Allo” set!

A great evening in the company of Vicki’s family- husband Graham was filming the show, and Sisters Anne & June with their family were there to support.

Many chums from “Show Biz”were there to join in the fun. It was great to see Mark Curry- Andrew Ryan and I toured with Mark in “Billy Liar” a good few years ago, and I did Wimbledon Panto with him shortly after. Good to see Matt Pallant, a very talented musician with his family that includes John D Collins from “Allo Allo”.

Patti Boulay was there celebrating her Anniversary, and lovely to catch up again with Linda Reagan and husband Brian Murphy. Linda is known as a best selling Thriller and crime novelist today, and for her long running appearances in “Heidi Hi!”, and Brian of course for “George & Mildred” and “Last Of The Summer Wine” – just a small selection from their joint careers in the West End and Television.

Ben Stock & Helen Power

Francesca Gonshaw from “Allo Allo” was there, along with Avril Gaynor (Avril was in the very first play ever staged at the Kenneth More Theatre when it first opened!). Ben Stock was there-with Helen Power- Ben taking a break from his rehearsals of “Mame”- Thanks for the use of the show photos Ben!

Among the Sold Out House was singer Rosemarie, Actress & Impressionist Debbie Arnold, and Dwina Murphy-Gibb, of the Robin Gibb charity for The  RAF Bomber Command Memorial- one of many charities Vicki is involved with- here are some of them:

President of Lady Taverner’s Regional Branch

President of The Heritage Foundation –London

Ambassador for Soldiering On Awards

Member of Grand Order of Lady Ratlings

Executive Committee Member of The Royal Variety Charity

Patron of The Gordon Craig Theatre

Patron of Blackfish Academy

Patron of Talent Time Stage School

Patron of The Dream Factory

Patron of Haven House Children’s Hospice

Patron of AA Dog Rescue

Patron of Essex Women’s Advisory Group

Vicki received the MBE from The Queen in the 2010 honours list for her charity work.

The Evening ended with Vicki telling us about her appearances Emmerdale, and  in Ray Cooney’s farces ,including the long running “Run For Your Wife”, and in the “Don’t Dress For Dinner” farce (along with Mark Curry) and her journey from Essex into “The Jungle” to appear on “I’m A Celebrity, Get me Out Of Here!”.

An incredible career- and a joy to hear it first hand from a very lovely lady – let’s hope she says this MORE than once and this show goes on the road to a town near you soon!

 

Advertisement