I've been singing along to Abba songs at home with a hairbrush as a microphone since I was ten years old (and I know Andy Comfort still does).Ìý
 | | Amanda Thomson as Shirley Bassey |
So it was a bit of a dream come true to be out there on stage, wobbling on those fabulous sparkly platforms and struggling to keep that very short dress from edging up ever higher. I absolutely loved it! One of my best moments of the night was down in the bustling dressing rooms in the basement of Hull New Theatre. We were all gathered round the TV monitor showing what was going on up on stage. The Von Trapp Family singers (aka the Open Centre team) crouched down at the front, Bing and Frank (Mike and Gwilym from the sports team) standing in the dressing room doorway, Olivia Newton John bobbing down to give Elvis a better view of the screen.
 | | The Von Trapp family |
Meanwhile up on stage, Judi Murden was doing a brilliant impression of Liza Minelli when her black bobbed wig flew off mid performance.Ìý All of us downstairs looked at each other in horror then an almighty cheer went up as Judi picked up the wig and carried on, bringing the house down upstairs while us lot backstage stamped our feet and cheered. That was the spirit of the night.ÌýEveryone supporting each other and willing each other on - Amanda Thompson (Shirley Bassey) lending Agnetha and myself sparkly eye shadow, someone elseÌýsticking on Andy Comfort's Bjorn-like beard, Dave Reeves (Rod Stewart) offering to help me on with my costume.
 | | Carl Wheatley as Elvis |
They're a great bunch and what a fantastic way to spend Saturday night! Four thousand pounds was raised for Comic Relief. If you came along, thank you so much for cheering us on. A big thank you also to Steve and Tony who made us all feel like stars with those wonderful costumes, and to the brilliant backing band who made us amateurs feel like professionals (well almost) for just a few minutes on stage and all the backstage crew. Can't wait for the next one. Gwilym and I are already talking about doing Sonny and Cher. I think we should start rehearsing now… | 
