Lucy Maunder - A Very Talented Young Aussie

[poppy]

Hey giz I have had a closer look at your drawing and I would have gone nuts doing her jumper!

I commend your patience!

[gizelmo]

antlove: I do think that anyone can draw. It really is just a matter of patience and practice. I haven't studied fine art, though I did take a few art and design subjects back in highschool, but nothing too technical.

jeni: thanks! Looks like I will have it done by this weekend so I'll be sure to make you a copy!

@evealle: thanks, glad you like them

poppy: haha, that jumper did drive me nuts! I actually fudged a lot of the details which becomes apparent when you compare it to the original photo reference (so don't). Having said that, it still took aaaages

[jemasjottings]

Hey Giz - you're a treasure - can't wait!!!! Thank you SO much.

I have a little something that I've written about DZ so I'm bringing you a copy of that in exchange. I originally wrote it for AW as a personal going away present but then decided to give it to a few of the cast as well as the creative team I'm in contact with to honour a wonderful piece of work - as well as anyone else who loved that show and would like a reminder of how special it was. It's simply a synopsis of the last Aussie show in Brissie from the cast and audience's perspective.

Really looking forward to meeting you!

(And I'm with Poppy - the work you put into that jumper was amazing - you sure have a lot of patience as well as a fine talent!)

[jemasjottings]

@ Giz - you are such an incredibly generous woman - thank you so very much. It's now sitting in pride of place on my desk - along with two other photos - and will inspire me to keep up with my writing! Thanks for the inscription on the back too - didn't find it until I got home.

[scuffa]

I got my CD which I ordered from Lucy's website today. Cannot wait to listen to it and I hope to go to the show she is putting on in Melbourne.

[jemasjottings]

It's the best one-woman/man show I've ever been to - her diction is so clear and her voice is just exquisite. Man, can she sing - anything! It's a fabulous show - I'm sure you'll love it. I've already been to her Brissie show and am also going to the one in Sydney - and maybe the one in Melbourne if I'm down there again at that time to see my daughter and grandson (and as long as my job doesn't get scuttled by our new Premier - grrrr!!!)

[Fredus]

I hope the CD is good, Scuffa. You'll have to let us know!

And I do wish I could see her show, but not going to happen at this point. Not so soon after Annie!

... everything okay, Jem? Job issues?

[jemasjottings]

Hi Fred, yep, looks like it thanks to our illustrious Premier who has decided that he will probably have to break all the rules and scuttle 20,000 public service jobs to get us out of the phenomenal debt Anna Bligh(t) got us into when she was in power. The State Reporting Bureau looks like it might be one of the first to go according to the papers for the last couple of weeks - they're talking about contracting it out to a private company so over 200 of us will be out of a job. The judges and barristers aren't happy at all - hopefully they'll go in to bat for us.

The worst thing is that our immediate bosses have been saying they don't know a thing about it but in the paper on Wednesday there was another article with a link to a draft press release which has been signed off by the very bosses who told us they don't know anything and they signed it nearly three weeks ago!

As you can imagine we're not happy little Vegemites at the moment, especially as most of us are in our 40s and 50s which means it's a lot harder to find a job in this financial climate, as well as the fact that our job is a speciality area and there's not much call for court reporters anywhere else!

Oh, well, looks like I'll have to make sure my novel sells...

And back to Lucy, just so this post stays on track - thank goodness I've got her great CD to listen to, to take away the blues

[Fredus]

Oh, Jem, that's awful! I really hope it all works out! Is there any chance that it will all come to nothing and you'll all still have your jobs?

And your novel has to sell - how else am I going to know a famous author?

[jemasjottings]

Thanks Fred - we had a meeting the other day and we find out on the 11 September (9/11 - ironical I think).

Hopefully my novel will sell. It's off to the publisher in the next month - the lady who's editing it for me (who is a seasoned editor and thinks it should sell) is just doing a final run-through and then it will be "out there" for approval - scary!!

It's funny but as I'm writing this a friend of mine who is an author of children's books is currently illustrating one I wrote about six years ago which has been sitting on the backburner until I could find the kind of illustrator I thought suited it. Sooooo, hopefully it will sell too - and then I'll feel a lot more comfortable if I lose my job...

At least we've been promised a redundancy package if it does fall through so I'll be okay for about a year - enough time to get my next novel up and running hopefully - already got the synopsis worked out. Now just to put pen to paper ... well, fingers to the keys!

[antlove]

Wow that's pretty exciting Jem! - have you published much before this? You'll have to tell me where i can purchase a copY!

[Fredus]

Ick, that's a bit long to be sitting and twiddling your thumbs in worry though! I always figure it's nice to find out the bad news quicker; get it over and done with, then move on to recovery.

Books all over the place then. That's so incredibly exciting! And I really mean that, too. I'm incredibly excited for you - it's possible that I'm easily excited, but at least you don't have to hear me when I'm all excited and can't stop talking and giggling and bouncing around like a loon. (I just realised that the last sentence changed what I was talking about half way through, but I'm way too tired to work out how to fix it. Hopefully you can decipher what I actually meant).

Meanwhile, if (and when) either of your books get published, I'm so buying a copy and demanding you sign it for me!

[jemasjottings]

Antlove - no these are my first novels. About 12 years ago I wrote the school anthem for the primary school I was working at and only just found out the other day that they still sing it every morning on assembly And I was part of a duo many years ago, and I've also written the lyrics to some of the songs we used to sing in a few coffee shops on the Sunshine Coast. Wouldn't mind getting back into lyric writing again, but would need a composer as I'm not as good with writing the melody...

Fred - yeah, I'm like that ... it's awful waiting to hear what's going to happen. Oh well, just gotta suck it up!

And thanks! They've both been a labour of love - one to be dedicated to my girl and my grandson - she's the one who inspired me to write the children's book...

And the other - well, we have a certain Mr Warlow and Ms Maunder, along with Carly Simon, Amy Powers, Michael Korie and Michael Weller to thank for it now becoming a reality on my computer. Their brilliant portrayals and creativity were the catalysts for me writing that novel. Can never thank them enough for inspiring me ... or for their encouragement!

And thanks for being so excited, Fredus! Now that I've met you I can just imagine what you mean! It was so nice to finally get to spend time with you and walk back to our hotels together. (And I meant what I said when we were saying goodbye!) If it does happen will definitely sign a copy for you ... with the beautiful scribe pen and ink Jayko gave me especially for that purpose!

[Fredus]

I'm trying to remember if I was my crazy, over-excited, semi hyper-active self at any point when I met you, or if I was acting like I'm all calm and sedate. I do put on a good act, but it fails sometimes.

It's always awesome to meet people from Unexpected Song. It's the only website I'm on where I actually know people in real life, and I know so many people from here! It's great, 'cause you're all actually friends, instead of just random strangers that I'll never meet.

And it's great that you've got a pen especially for signing. Yay for Jayko and her cool ideas!

[jemasjottings]

No, you were really nice and friendly! And excited and stoked to have seen him again!!! But cool, too

I have met people through US and also through Dr Zhivago Fans - A New Musical on FB, in fact I'm meeting one of them on Monday night for dinner! And also through Brisbane Musicals Club on FB - been to a couple of shows with them as well.

So great to have contact with people who feel the way you do about special things. And yes, the pen from Jayko is very special - just like her!

Oh, and for something about Lucy - she and Luke Joslin are appearing together in "Lucky Stiff" put on by Neglected Musicals at Darlinghurst Theatre on 29 October 2012 for two shows only - 2 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. Steve and I have tickets in the second front row - so looking forward to seeing these two work together again. I'm combining it with her "Songs in the Key of Black" the following Sunday at Riverside Theatre, Parramatta - so two shows with her in one week - reminds me of when I saw both Annie and Dr Zhivago shows two nights running.

Here's the link for those interested. It's only a small theatre so could sell out quickly.

www.neglectedmusicals.com.au/what-next.html

[Fredus]

With Luke Joslin?! Nooooooooooooooooooo! I won't be able to do it!

... sniff.

it sounds really interesting, too.

[scuffa]

Just wondering if anyone in Melbourne was going or considering going to see Lucy at Chapel off Chapel mid October?

chapeloffchapel.com.au/melbourne-comedy-theatre-art/melbourne-events/melbourne-theatre/irving-berlin-in-the-key-of-black/

[jemasjottings]

First time back in a v-e-r-y- l-o-n-g time!! Writing novels, going to work, heading off on great holidays and doing other things keeps you very busy

Just thought I'd update on three shows I've seen recently with Lucy - everyone on here should know she's my fav

Had the best time in Sydney and Melbourne in October/November 2012 and my hubby and I ended up seeing Lucy in three different shows in nine days in two different States. Firstly, she and Luke Joslin were just brilliant in "Lucky Stiff". Haven't laughed like that in ages! They really are two very talented actors, along with the others who starred in the show. The audience was nearly rollling on the floor in several places, but most especially when "the stiff" who was on stage the whole time, in a wheelchair - D-E-A-D - fell out of the wheelchair (part of the script) and the rest of the actors' lines were so funny that the cast were cracking up, along with the audience and the poor fellow playing the stiff, even though his eyes were closed the whole time, started laughing himself at everyone else's reaction and this "dead body" had a belly that wouldn't stop shaking! One of the funniest things I've ever seen and something I'll never forget!!

Lucy was fabulous as a very prim young dog welfare worker, managing to keep her "primness" while the rest on stage were having a raucous time (except for "the stiff" of course). She really was a joy to watch. And nice to see she got her fella in the long run - and her own fella at that!!!

Luke was his exceptional self - one of the best character actors I've seen. His facial expressions reminded me of a combination of the different ones he gave in all his different roles in "Annie" and he was perfectly suited in the role.

Interestingly enough, I was surprised to read that despite appearing in two big productions together - Dr Zhivago and Threepenny Opera - this was the first time they’ve actually appeared in a scene together, and this was the smallest production they could possibly be in seeing it only had two performances on the same day. It was great seeing them together on stage, complimenting each other's strengths, along with just having a great time doing what they love best.

Here's a link to an article about the show and them appearing together for the first time.

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/insider/love-at-first-scene-for-lucy-maunder-and-luke-joslin-who-star-in-lucky-stiff/story-e6frewt9-1226499915845

Six days later it was "Songs in the Key of Black" that had me mesmerised for the second time - albeit in a much bigger theatre forum instead of the intimate "dinner-style" atmosphere of the Brisbane show - but her presentation and stage presence were just as captivating. I think I said it last time but I'll say it again - she has a voice like liquid chocolate, warm and sweet, that oozes into every pour of your soul. This performer truly is perfection when a spotlight holds her captive.

Afterwards her dad and mum convinced me that seeing we were heading to Melbourne the next day we just had to go and see her for "Side by Side by Sondheim" at the Geelong Performing Arts Complex - as her dad said, "I'm not biased but it's truly a show not to be missed and seeing you're going to be down there…"… along with some other things I'd better not say here or she'll get very embarrassed if she reads this!! Suffice to say, it was heartwarming to hear the love and devotion - and cheekiness - he feels towards his girl!!!

So three days later we were in that "far away from home" complex, totally astounded at the brilliance of this young woman as she once again had the two of us enthralled. She didn't skip a beat - nor a word - despite only having one day of rehearsals with three other stars who had been in the show for months. The only hiccup was a "small" prop/wardrobe malfunction that had all of us in stitches at her quick adlibbing - another sign of a true professional.

And to top it all off, out of a hundred or so shows that S-B-S-B-S had put on over 18 or so months, the one night we chose to go was the only (from what I've been able to find out) time a Question and Answer session was put on at the end for the audience to ask the cast members questions about the show, their life etc. So after most of the "older" audience members left to get home as it was after 10 p.m., about 50 of us stayed behind to quiz them. I managed to restrain myself for about 30 minutes but eventually couldn't help myself and had to congratulate Lucy on three different shows in nine days and ask how on earth she can remember the songs to over 40 different very complicated songs without skipping a beat. She gave me her secret and I'll share it here - she writes out by hand every single song 15 times each in order to get them into her soul. Now, that's dedication for you!

At the audience's gasp to hear she had been so busy in such a short space of time with only one rehearsal for this performance, it was great to be able to encourage all of them to head along to attend one of her "Songs in the Key of Black" shows. Even nicer was Lucy's embarrassed but grateful response that I'm her most devoted fan!

We finished the night having a fabulous chat afterwards and promises of more exciting things to come this year, along with her gratitude that we had been in the audience for so many of her shows. As I replied, "We wouldn't have missed seeing you for the world, especially after your dad's fabulous recommendation!"

So we left the theatre and drove all the way back to Hurstbridge listening to her CD, along with a copy of her and Taneel Van Zyl singing "It Comes as No Surprise" from the 2011 Helpmanns which the PR lady there kindly sent to me, as well as the two beautiful tracks from Doctor Zhivago so it really was a night filled with the exquisite voice of Lucy!

And as an added bonus, it was lovely to attend two of these shows with Cynthia from this site, along with catching up with Lucy's mum and dad a couple of times to chat about their girl. It's no wonder she's so fabulous as her parents are just lovely and always friendly, welcoming and extremely encouraging.

Oh, and for the icing on the cake. On 5 January 2013 a package arrived in the mail from our own resident artist extraordinaire, Giz, and inside was another of her works of art - this time a commissioned piece she had offered to do for me, of Lara and Yurii sitting at the table (the one of Lara smiling up at him). My Christmas present to me!! The likeness is absolutely phenomenal and now sits in pride of place beside the one she gave me of Lucy from a picture of her from her website. Now they are the inspiration for me to continue putting my fingers to the keyboard for my next novel seeing it was her portrayal of Lara that was the catalyst for my penning my first one. And as Lucy commented when she saw both of them the other day, "They're scarily alike!"

Gee, I'm a blessed woman - with great friends and being entertained by some of the best in the business.

And on a serious note, major apologies for taking up so much room - but sometimes writers just can't help themselves

[Fredus]

I ... don't know how to respond to such a detailed post!

I'm really glad you had an awesome time and thank you so much for that link! I couldn't have gone to see any of them, but it's great to hear about them at least! Thank you.

[jemasjottings]

You're welcome Fred! And again, apologies for the length but it was so lovely recalling such special times so wanted to share it on "her" page. (Love your kittens, too!)

[Fredus]

Don't worry about the length! I like to read stuff... even if I can't line my brain up enough to come up with a proper detailed response.

(And thanks! They are pretty awesome. Don't suppose you want one? )

[jemasjottings]

Feb 13, 2013 10:54:54 GMT 9.5 Fredus said:

(And thanks! They are pretty awesome. Don't suppose you want one? )

Love them, Fred, but don't think it would be practical with all the travelling we do - but thanks anyway!! (Sorry only just got back on here after another busy time in my life )

[Fredus]

That's okay, I was pretty sure you wouldn't. Just hunting for kitten homes now! I could just sit back and let the rescue do it, but I'm trying to be proactive about it so I've got more chance of finding an awesome home for them, preferably with someone who'll never let them outside and will give me updates for their entire life.... it's possible I'm being a little optimistic.
But I'm spreading their photos via some cat groups, something will turn up eventually... it'll break my heart when they go though, I love them so much!

And no worries! I know everyone drifts in and out of here whenever it fits around real life.

[Injeanious]

Was just looking at the cast for Grease and I see that Lucy will be playing Rizzo. And one of my favourites from Jersey Boys, Stephen Mahy, will be Keneckie. Oh dear, this means another trip to Australia to see this show.

[Fredus]

When's Grease happening?

[Injeanious]

It looks like Brisbane around May/June, then Sydney then Melbourne. Have checked out the airfares for Melbourne and I might have to change my mind. It won't be on when I fly over for my nephews wedding and the fares in January are horrific!

[Fredus]

I guess January would be peak time, makes sense that it's more expensive... but that makes things more difficult for you! So which would you go to if Melbourne is out for you?