Saturday 20 February 2010

A Charming Man

Hubby and I recently went to see Ian Mcmillan, The "Bard of Barnsley" at the newly refurbished Barnsley Civic Theatre. It was a brilliant evening. Ian is a truly charming gentleman, a great peoples poet, and the most wonderful story teller. He still lives in the pit village where he was born, and his observations of the people of Barnsley are spot on but relayed with the greatest of respect.



He told intricately woven stories of where he was when JF Kennedy was shot - this was hilarious as it involved 2 shopkeepers who were ex marines, cross dressers and lived together as man and wife - not so shocking these days, but can you imagine that in a pit village in Barnsley in the 60's!! I loved his story about when his mum dragged him into town to buy his Grammar School uniform on World Cup final day 1966 - as town would be quiet! And I would have loved to have seen him being driven off to University in 1973 in his dads "Cortina". The audience loved him and were literally crying with laughter. He is doing a few tours, so if you can catch him I highly recommend it. If you need a translator for his dulcet "Barnsley" tones, you know where I am!!!



I was also out on Tuesday evening (look at me, I'm never in!!). A friend and I went to the Lyceum to see Pasion de Beuno Vista .

The colours of the dancers costumes, the rhythms of the songs, and the heat of Cuba was just the thing to warm our cockles on a cold Yorkshire evening. Exceptionally enjoyable.

15 comments:

Twiggy said...

He's great isn't he. We went to an audience with Ian Clayton one evening, another fantastic Yorkshire bloke :)
twiggy x

Michela said...

..he looks like George Clooney...
xxxxx

Lx @ Twelve said...

Hello You -

He's a clever man. Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself!

Loved the YSP posts - we went last year with the small things - will have to go again soon!

Did you get snow today? The 9 year old was bike racing out near Great Longstone - poor lad!

Lx

JP said...

I love Ian too - long ago he was poet in residence here at Padgate library and often came here for his tea! - he came to my school to work with the chidren many times - when he came to Frodsham with Circus of Poets he did an evening session and lots of poems about the miner's strikes and many of my parents walked out!!!! so i know you must have had a brill evening

Rosie said...

I've seen him on TV a couple of times and thought how good he was - I bet a live evening is excellent! Glad you had fun at both events:)

Jennyff said...

He's great, I could listen to his voice all day long.

Joanne said...

I love his voice.
Thank you for your comment, I took your advice and had lots of fun on Saturday with a great friend, shopping, pictures and then for a meal. It was what I needed, now just need to make a few right decisions and I shall be ok. Thanks again.

Joanne x

Karen said...

Loved hearing about your theater outings. Thanks for telling us a few of the stories! So glad you had such fun!

Anonymous said...

He sure is handsome! You must live near my family, Yorkshire is very very very beautiful!

harmony and rosie said...

Isn't it refreshing to find a celeb with his feet still firmly on the ground! Sounds a really fun evening - love the story about the footie!

x

BadPenny said...

It is quite an art to be able to hold the audience like that - glad you enjoyed yourself

Anonymous said...

The Bard of Barnsley sounds like a wonderful character, wish i'd been there.
Sorry I've not been over here for a while, have had a nasty lupus flare and it's held be back a fare bit, am gradualy starting to feel better though.
Catching up on Your blog is a good tonic too :o)

Hugs xxx

Sumea

Purrfect Haven said...

Hello Diane, Thanks for visiting me at my blog, and for your comments and for telling me about your experiences. I have so much to learn about dementia and am doing my best. I know not to question but to instead try to trigger memories. I also never contradict. I have power of attorny and am looking after her house and gardens although she will never return. I can stay there now without feeling sad, and my husband has helped me a lot in doing the place up again and clearing the garden (an acre of flower borders and an orchard) Lovely but a jungle til recently. Am enjoying your blog. Helen

noelle said...

Hi Diane, sounds like you have been having a fine time!! I work most evenings so when i'm not working i would rather stay in!! It makes for a bit of a bore i'm afraid, but i did go to the 'Hoof It Ball' at Tregenna Castle a couple of weeks ago, we had a right old knees up, all in posh frocks, something i dont do very often!! I might blog about that actually, although after all we drank its all a bit hazy!!!!speak to you soon x x x x Oh and we ate the potatoe!!!! x

BadPenny said...

Your comment about me looking like one of my chickens made me laugh - I certianly was as wet as they looked !