Linda on Vera Lynn tribute and the power of musical memories

She and her colleagues have been travelling all over Ireland with their unique brand of concert where they celebrate, in song and story, the lives of movie and musical Icons.

To date, they’ve delved into the amazing stories of people like Doris Day, Judy Garland, Jim Reeves, Nat King Cole, Connie Francis and Bobby Darin among many others.

Linda’s favourite show is ‘We’ll Meet Again - the Story of Vera Lynn’ which tells the singer’s life story set against the emotional backdrop of the Second World War. She is hoping to bring this show to Northern Ireland in the New Year. The audience reaction to the Vera Lynn show has been overwhelming and Linda is really excited to be exploring options to bring it to Northern Ireland.

“Of course, now it is even more poignant with Vera Lynn’s passing. She will always be close to our hearts,” said Linda.

Here, she answers our questions:

Q. What is your favourite song/album?

A. I couldn’t possibly isolate just one song or album as I have lots of songs that appeal to me for different reasons. So, I will say when we are having people to dinner, I love cooking up a storm to the strains of the Buena Vista Social Club or The Gypsy Kings. They instantly put me in a good mood. And I love eating to the strains of some gorgeous Spanish guitar, or sexy classic jazz a la Ella, Myles Davis. Glass of vino and some tapas while listening to French café music. I recently came across this sensational vocal group called Les Itinerantes. Anything by Shirley Bassey or Barbard Streisand!

Q. What is your favourite film?

A. My absolute favourite movie of all time was The Dead Poet’s Society, made in the 80s, in which Robin Williams played an inspiring and free-spirited English teacher. It popularised the term ‘Carpe Diem’, seize the day.

Q. What is your favourite piece of classical music?

A. I’m not the biggest fan of classical music but, if I had to choose one, it would be The Flower Duet from Lakme.

Q. Who is your favourite artist?

A. Again there are so so many to choose from. Vocally any of the following - Streisand, Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Doris Day, Nat King Cole, and my favourite Vera Lynn.

Q. What is your favourite play?

A. I am one of those play goers that generally comes home feeling not entirely satiated only to realise it was because there were no songs! So, I guess from a theatrical point of view (and my own personal penchant for song and dance routines aside!), my favourite play was a one-man show about Tom Crean: Antartic Explorer which I’ve seen about four times.

Q. What is your favourite musical?

A. There are SO many musicals that I adore - Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Phantom, Les Miserables but, I would say that Wicked has probably been my favourite to date. Not only for the witty lyrics and clever storyline but the costumes, the spectacle and the amazing songs!

Q. What is your most special moment in the arts?

A. The most special moment for me was when we were performing We’ll Meet Again: the Story of Vera Lynn at the National Concert Hall. One gentleman in the audience sang along throughout the show. At the end, when I went down to say hello to everyone, he started bantering with me. I complimented him on his singing and he said ‘you weren’t bad yerself!’

He was in terrific spirits. Next to him, a lady sat with the tears streaming down her face incapable of saying anything to me except smile. It turned out that he was her father and had disappeared from her due to the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease, and she got him back momentarily at that concert. It just showed the power of music!

Q. What ‘classic’ just doesn’t do it for you?

A. I just don’t get the fuss about the Mona Lisa. It leaves me underwhelmed.

Q.What have you been reading/watching/listening to/revisiting during the Coronavirus period?

A. Reading: American Dirt . It is such a stunning novel. I haven’t been this impacted by a book in years. The subject matter is touching to read but the writing is sublime.

Listening: Supersoul Sundays by Oprah Winfrey and the David Williams Podcast while out walking.

Watching: Succession on SKY and The Homecoming on Amazon Prime. I’ve also just finished The Loudest Voice on Amazon Prime. All are compelling viewing.

I’ve also decided to vocally finesse a few Sondheim classics just for my own personal delight. I adore the music of Stephen Sondheim. He is the ultimate composer for singer/actors. Send in the Clowns, I’m Still Here, Gotta Get a Gimmick are some of his better known compositions.