Today is a big day for Joan as her highly successful tour of 'Unscripted' hits the WestEnd in London as it plays the Legendary London Palladium.. The iconic venue has played host to every major star for over 100 years, all the greats from Sinatra to Garland.. It has always been a dream of Joan's to headline world famous venue and I am thrilled to be attending this evening to remember .. Watch this space for updates! For last minute seats to this once in a lifetime event.. See links!!
A packed audience at the Lyceum in Crewe were treated to an
unforgettable evening of entertainment with Hollywood icon Joan Collins,
writes Claire Faulkner.
British superstar Dame Joan was in Crewe with her one woman show ‘Unscripted’.
Joined on stage by her husband Percy Gibson, Dame Joan looked every inch of the star we know her to be.
Sparkling with sequins and dripping with diamantes and looking
fabulous, she claimed the stage as her own by sitting in a remarkable
golden-coloured chair.
Short film clips from Dame Joan’s career were played throughout the evening interspersed with questions from the audience.
She talked openly about her life and career in Hollywood, charming
the audience with tales of growing up in London to her time on the
classic TV show ‘Dynasty’.
Questions from the audience at The Lyceum included; why she turned
down a date with Frank Sinatra, what are her top beauty tips, whether
she had ever met Elvis and what makes her happy?
Dame Joan was warm, witty and wonderful throughout the show.
I think that most of the audience left the Lyceum loving her even more than when they first went in
The audience at The Town Hall in Birmingham were treated to a night of glamour and pure Hollywood as Joan played to another sellout audience on Monday night... One of Joan's more ardent admirers Kent O'Callaghan was thrilled to have a front row seat and the opportunity to meet Joan after the show.. Joan was thrilled to recieve these fabulous flowers from Kent.. Also in attendence was my good friend Glen Chevannes... Joan's highly successful tour stopped of at The Lyceum Theatre in Crewe last night with a short break before Joan takes to the stage of the iconic London Palladium on Friday night.. Certainly a night to remember!
Joan poses before her performance at The Festival Theatre
Joan fresh from her trip to Edinburgh for her performance of 'Unscripted' on Saturday evening, is all ready to do it again tonight at Birmingham's Town Hall.. For last minutes tickets click the following link! JOAN COLLINS UNSCRIPTED AT BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL : BOOK HERE!!
Joan backstage in Edinbugh with my good friend Glen Chevannes
Joan & Percy doing the Highland Fling by the looks of it!
Joan thrilled an adoring audience at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre with her sellout show 'Unscripted' on Saturday night. Here are some backstage shots with friends & fans. Joan will continue her tour at Birmingham's Town Hall tonight. Thanks to Alyn Waterman for the super main photo collage and the stunning shot of Joan...
Joan reflects before the show at The Festival Theatre
Joan with Christian & Thomas who came from Cologne for the show
Joan resumed her sellout tour 'Unscripted' this evening at The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh and as you see Percy dressed to the kilt for the occasion! Joan's next stop is at The Town Hall in Birmingham on Monday night.. For last few tickets see here! JOAN COLLINS UNSCRIPTED AT BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL BOOK HERE!!
As it was the first anniversary of the passing of the much missed, Fabulous Jackie Collins on Monday19th ... Here is a lovely tribute from her editor Suzanne Baboneau that I had to share to remember a truly unforgettable lady.
Jackie Collins : Queen of Hollywood Glamour Remembered ...
Few authors make have had such an impact on the world of
popular culture as the Queen of Hollywood glamour, Jackie Collins.
Here, her editor, Suzanne Baboneau, talks about what it was like to work
with such a legend. Suzanne has worked in publishing since 1980 and
knew Jackie Collins from the very beginning of her publishing career.
She is currently Managing Director of the Adult Publishing Division at
Simon & Schuster UK.
“Monday 19th
September is the first anniversary of Jackie Collins’ death. Can a
whole year really have passed since we heard the news? Here we are, in
the autumn of 2016, with no new Jackie hardcover gracing the bestseller
lists, no visit from our wonderful author, wowing television, print and
radio audiences across the country, wowing her loyal readers with
another fabulous story of Hollywood, Las Vegas, New York. Jackie had
been writing and publishing for nearly fifty years and it is still
near-impossible to absorb that her reign has ended.
Jackie leaves an extraordinary
legacy of over thirty novels, all of them in print and standing quite
beautifully the test of time. When I started my publishing career, at
Jackie’s paperback publisher Pan Books, one of my duties was to forward
fan mail to her Beverly Hills address, a huge daily postbag as you can
imagine. Over time, I became her UK editor. Jackie set the bar high.
She delivered, each year, the most gripping and complete of stories,
needing the lightest of edits which we tended to do over the phone.
She was utterly professional and committed. She knew the value of a
deadline, and she simply loved what she did. Jackie gave her all to
her readers year after year after year, never short-changed them, never
stinted. Each cast of characters, familiar and new, each twist and
turn of storyline, might have looked effortless and simple to craft, but
so much thought and imagination and risk-taking went into her writing.
Beware those who dismiss the kind of fiction that she wrote as
lightweight, throwaway, superficial, easy to write. Jackie was a
clever, clever writer. She knew how to entertain, to intrigue, to take
her readers into a world that she lived and breathed, but she was never
patronising or arrogant. Her fiction in many ways defined her – and,
to know and love Jackie, she was one incredibly strong, upright,
compassionate, wise, astute woman.
I can see her now, a broad smile
on her face, a glint in her eye, her sense of fun and the absurd shining
through. Standing tall and elegant, natural and relaxed, putting
everyone she met at their ease and remembering their names, stylish and
gorgeous, belying the myth of beyond-reach Hollywood glamour. As her
novels are totally approachable and mesmerising, so was Jackie.
Here at S&S we long for one
more novel from Jackie, for one more conversation with her, for one more
meeting together. We long for the chance to say to her a heartfelt
farewell and thank-you. Yet we know how fortunate we were – and still
are – to be Jackie Collins’ UK publisher, with an entire oeuvre to take
to a whole new generation of readers. Lucky, lucky them. What a world
they have yet to discover.”
Joan had a busy day yesterday as she paid a visit to The Shooting Star Chase charity shop in Guildford where they unveiled a new selection of items donated by Joan to benefit the Children's hospice charity.. Joan then paid a visit to the charities Christopher's Hospice to cut a 15th Anniversary cake and have dinner with the children and their families assembled.. Joan then performed to a sell out crowd at Guildford's popular G Live! venue, with her sensational 'Unscripted' show. The tour continues at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Saturday night. Watch this space ffor more tour updates!
One of Joan's fabulous outfits on sale at the Guildford store
Karen Sugarman, Director of Fundraising at Shooting Star Chase, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Dame Joan to Christopher’s and such a
thrill to see the delight on the families’ faces as they enjoyed a meal
with a Hollywood superstar..
“Dame Joan has been a fantastic supporter of Shooting Star Chase for
many years now and is always keen to show her support. Her latest
donation to our shops has caused a great buzz and we’ve had enquires
from fans all over the country who want to get their hands on one of
Dame Joan’s fabulous items. The awareness this brings and the money it
raises for the charity is so important in helping us fund our vital care
service – we can’t thank Dame Joan enough.”
Joan sits down to an early dinner with the kids and families at the hospice
Dame Joan Collins said: “Arriving at Christopher’s hospice, I was
greeted warmly by its caring and charming staff and the colourful and
friendly surroundings. It’s so special to spend time with the children
and their families. I am honoured to be Patron to Shooting Star Chase
whose charitable work really does change the lives of so many children.”
Joan spent a most glamorous day with a group of ladies who won the recent Marks & Spencer competiton for a makeover with Joan and her highly successful 'Timeless Beauty' range of fabulous products now available at
selected M&S stores around the UK & in Ireland.. Joan busy as ever resumes her sell out tour of her brand new show 'Unscripted' at Guildfords GLive tonight. For last tickets see here! Book Tickets For G Live! Here!
It was an adoring and devoted audience
that took their seats at Norwich's Theatre Royal last night for an
evening with Joan Collins Unscripted. Whilst not themselves sporting
trademark shoulder pads or the huge hair styles of the 1980's, these
fans of the iconic star obviously still remember her with great
affection for her rôle as super-bitch Alexis Carrington in the defining
television drama Dynasty.
It may be a while since Dame Joan trod
the boards of the Norwich stage, although she was here in 1979 with
John Gielgud to film an episode for Anglia Television's Roald Dahl's
Tales of The Unexpected. However what may not be widely known is that
her father, the theatrical agent Joe Collins, was once co-owner of the
Theatre Royal itself. He and business partner acquired the lease in 1956
and switched to screening films before selling on to Essoldo, who then
applied in 1965 to convert to a bingo hall. That move was blocked by
Norwich City Council, who then acquired the building and managed to
secure its existence as a live theatre.
As we await the start of the evening a
montage of old home movie clips of Joan and family are projected onto a
screen above the stage, which is bare save a pair of gold armchairs and
a gold carpet. As the projection switches to a shot of present-day
Joan, still looking glamorous and gorgeous, we realise that this is live
hand-held footage, and she arrives on stage to rapturous applause. She
introduces her husband, Percy Gibson, co-host for the evening, who then
lays out the ground rules for tonight's show.
Certain subjects will be off-limits,
starting with the obvious – politics and religion, but then extending
into a comically never-ending list that scrolls onto the screen to the
strains of the Benny Hill Show's Yakety Sax. Instead we are encouraged
to ask questions from a much briefer selection that includes safer
options like 'Philosophy of Live' and 'Dynasty'. Those in the stalls
take advantage of two roving mikes (managed by two young ladies
appropriately known as Alexis and Krystal) to pose our questions. Those
in the circle are given the option of tweeting, using #askdamejoan, or
by completing a card in the foyer.
Dame Joan is composed and relaxed, no
doubt reassured by having hubby acting as compère, moderator, and memory
prompt should a film title or actor's name ever threaten to hover in
recall. This is a slickly-produced show, with a host of photographs and
film clips available with seemingly instant access to accompany each and
every anecdote and story. So slick, in fact, that initially one wonders
if the entire evening has actually been scripted in advance using
'planted' questions.
However, you cannot 'plant' an entire
audience, and it soon becomes obvious, if only by the fumbling and
unfamiliarity in the use of radio mikes, that these are genuine Norfolk
folk getting a chance to talk directly to the great lady herself.
Many of the questions are of the
predictable mix - “Who was your favourite leading man?” (Answer – Paul
Newman), “What is your favourite beauty tip? (Answer - “Moisturise”),
but others are a little more curve-ball, and elicit approving 'oohs' and
'aahs' from elsewhere in the audience. One of my favourites came via
Twitter from Jason, who asked “How did you enjoy your rôle on Star Trek,
and did you know what it would develop into later?”(Joan Collins
appeared in an episode from the very first series, City On The Edge Of
Forever, where her character is rescued from the 1930's in a tale of
time-travel). Another wants to know whether Dame Joan still has all her
engagement rings (as well as five husbands Joan Collins was once engaged
to Warren Beatty). This question is answered with a smile, good grace,
and also a candid reply.
A brief interval is preceded by an
affectionate pick of television advertisements in which dame Joan has
appeared, including the legendary splash of Cinzano with the late
Leonard Rossiter, and the more recent 'Don't be a diva' for Snickers. A
popular piece of nostalgia that also underlines the star's sense of
humour and talent for self-parody.
The second half contains yet more
clips and stories, and more questions from the audience. We are treated
to further fond memories of Paul Newman (and his salad dressing),
secrets from the shooting of the infamous cat fights with Linda Evans in
Dynasty (and advice from Gene Kelly about putting stunt actors out of
work), and we are reminded of the legendary one-liner delivered to
Arthur Loew Jnr. (son of the president of MGM Studios) – When he
reportedly once whispered into her ear, “You're such a fucking bore”,
Joan Collins instantly and coolly hit back with the immortal put-down,
“And you are such a boring fuck”. Yes, we got to hear the great Dame
Joan Collins use the F-word twice in one sentence. That has to be worth
the admission price on its own, and certainly puts the more recent “Zip
it, Shrimpy!” firmly in its place.
There is a deserved standing ovation
at the end of the evening – even those of us who were not committed fans
have been won over by a legendary performer. She leaves us with these
parting words resonating in my head -
“Live every day as though it is your last. One day it will be!"
Joan enjoyed another sell out sensational show tonight at The Theatre Royal in Norwich, with an excited audience including
longtime friend Barry Langford and his partner.. Joan also took time to sign for fans before leaving for dinner... Thanks to Barry and Helen Nichols Buck for sharing these super shots.. Joan's next stop is The Apex in Bury St Edmunds which is also a sellout!
It's not often you get to create clothes for a bona fide Hollywood
star, but that's something we're proud to announce that we can now check
off our bucket list! Dame Joan Collins - star of Dynasty and The Bravados among goodness knows how many other films and TV programmes - is performing her one-woman show, Unscripted, and the My Printed Clothing team have just delivered an order of these fab custom T-shirts especially for the occasion.
Thanks to Dame Joan and her team for the order, and we hope that
everything goes swimmingly for the tour! The Unscripted tour will take Joan to twelve other UK locations between now and early October; click here for a full list of tour dates, or visit our Custom T-Shirtspage to order some custom-printed clothing of your very own. Get yours at a theatre near you!!!
As Joan resumes her exciting new show at Theatre Royal Norwich tonight, here is the cover from The Apex in Bury St Edmunds, where Joan will be appearing on Monday evening and delighted to say the show is completely sold out!
Joan spent the afternoon catching up on some welcome retail therapy and whilst on a visit to Marks & Spencer in Marble Arch she came across a most wonderful display of beauty products! How lucky shoppers were to have the ultimate beauty expert on hand to recommend the fabulous range!
There are rare occasions in life that arrive and make us feel truly suspended in the moment, awestruck with excitement, elation or joy – from weddings, milestone birthdays, to the perfect Christmas morning, or a once in a lifetime trip to foreign climes … but for me, one such occasion was the fine September day that I met actress, author and show business legend, Dame Joan Collins.
Two gilded armchairs and matching tables neatly dressed with candles, books and framed photographs set the stage for an intimate evening in the company of a true cultural icon, and as guests filed into The Lowry, Salford, for Joan Collins Unscripted, a large projection screen played rare and unseen personal cine, VHS and digital film footage from the megastars own personal collection whilst a very pleasant recording of Joan singing, lulled away the wait for ‘curtain up’.
“I made a record at the end of my marriage to Tony Newley, and it was called ‘And She Can Sing Too’ which was rather full of itself… and I sang eight of my favourite songs… and we discovered it a few years ago. There are many clips and home movies”
As a filmmaker this couldn’t have been more up my street. I think that what we capture on film, in an candid and unforced manner with family and friends – it captures the essence of people as pure to character as possible, and as the years pass by, they become more treasured. Joan never looks more stunning and radiant than when relaxed in the company of those who she is closest to, and what a smile she has. It felt like a generous treat that Joan would share this beautiful and personal imagery with her guests. Gorgeous footage from her wedding reception, where she and Percy took their first dance, to holidays, family meals and get-together’s spanning the decades of her life, you know, the usual family archives… aside from the fact that THIS was Joan Collins.
Then Joan stepped out with Percy to a rapturous applause from a packed theater of fans and admirers. I felt enormously lucky, it was just fantastic to be seated front row with my partner, and I think it’s safe to say that she had a few mega-fans in the house, because the energy and excitement was electric and everyone around me was thrilled… even emotional.
Percy took to the mic, to host and compère the evening. It worked so, so, well. They are brilliant together. It’s great that she has such companionship. Nothing can beat being in a unit that works. Anyway, he let us know what topics were understandably off limits in the lengthy open questions situation that was to follow, and my heart raced like a cornered rabbit at the very thought of speaking to Joan directly, in front of the entire theater, but I am an Aries and I never let my nerves override my enthusiasm – even if there’s a strong chance of my lips sticking to my teeth.
Percy sets the tone of proceedings.
Joan has lead a remarkable and unique life and the questions were wide ranging and often delivered with great northern humor. Joan covered much ground – from early Hollywood through to present day. Through working relationships, freinds, family and the odd piece of advice and many interesting and impressive anecdotes from a career that has seen it all and shows no sign of stopping, having just wrapped a new feature film which is due for release in spring 2017 – THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES
.
I loved it when Joan revealed that she and her sister Jackie watched French and Sunders ‘Lucky Bitches’ parody clips together and would laugh their heads off. One gets the clear impression that there has been a great deal of love, excitement and laughter in her life, and regardless of any lemons thrown her way, she seems to have always counted her blessings and toasted to it with lemonade. It is an outlook and strength that I admire, because life is never going to be a picnic in the park for any of us.
My own question concerned Damon Gough, the Manchester based singer who goes by the stage name of Badly Drawn Boy. Joan stared a music video for his track ‘Spitting in the Wind’ and I asked her how on earth that usual pairing had come to be, what she felt about the collaboration, because I was fascinated by this most peculiar juxtaposition of characters.
It appealed to me because I thought it was artistic and brave and she looks amazing in the video. Anyone who has seen my own work will notice that I love to film glamorous women, (I know, gay men and glamorous women is no newsflash) but I forget that sometimes actresses take on projects and move on, that perhaps they don’t remember everything too fondly – and I am laughing inside as I type because Joan really thought the whole thing ‘very very weird’, and recommended that ‘nobody look it up’, because it still haunts her…
I was a little mortified by her answer… but now, well, watching the video again after her insights, seeing her bathing in soap suds, eating ice-cream in bed whilst crying into her bathrobe before getting dressed for an opulent dinner party – all alongside this scruffy beanie hat wearing, guitar waving, harmonica blowing Manchester lad…? Well it’s just too droll to think of how she felt, so don’t go and look up the rather charming and actually very beautiful video, Badly Drawn Boy feat Joan Collins – Spitting in the Wind.
The second act started with a segment on DYNASTY. Joan came back onstage to the DYNASTY theme tune, ‘Oh god that music’ she said… but we had just watched an hilarious montage of Alexis’ one liners and the tour de force performance that Joan gave for eight years defined and personified one of the most unique decades of our times, in my opinion. She single-handedly turned a failing television program into a phenomena, and the crowd applauded with genuine warmth and affection because it has been unmatched and imitated ever since.
“That’s caviar Mark, not peanut butter” – Alexis
There isn’t a line from Alexis that I cannot quote, no mannerism or nuance that I cannot mimic and it shielded me from bullies – but I won’t bore you with all of that because I am a grown man now, that was an age ago, and as Percy said, tongue firmly in cheek, ‘Telling Joan just how young you were when you first started watching Dynasty is just plain rude’, and again great laughter from everyone. There was such humor, style and wit, and before we knew it – the show was drawing to a close. Standing ovation lasted a while, of course. I think I whooped myself horse with my “we love you Joan’s” but there are still some dates available, so do go and catch it if you can.
After the show I was invited backstage to meet Joan and Percy. Arranged by my friend, Alyn Waterman, Joan’s personal Makeup and Hair Stylist. It was an incredibly kind gesture being that Joan and he had been working all day, first in London for Loose Women TV and then via train to Manchester for the show. Long day by anyone’s standards… and to me, it meant the world. Hashtag understatement.
David V Barron and Joan Collins.
Joan is every inch the Hollywood Royalty that I imagined she would be. She has a self-confidence, energy and zeal that is remarkable to witness. Quick witted, sharp, and very aware – doesn’t mince her words of course, nor does she suffer fools to spare their blushes… all of which just adds excitement to the megawatt charm and gravitas that she radiates, and I am so relieved that I managed to speak to her without sounding like a bumbling, hyperventilating nelly, because I won’t lie, I was truly star-struck because there has been no one in the world I had dreamed to meet more than Dame Joan Collins, she is endlessly fascinating, inspiring and beautiful.
As Joan stepped her way back into her dressing room, delightful Percy holding the door, I thanked her for the opportunity to meet and share a few words. Her gaze upon me and her smile, it is something that I will remember for the rest of my life as a gift. When she smiles, smiles that natural, spontaneous and involuntary sort, well it is stunning to be on the receiving end of it, and with that flash of magic, Joan was gone.
