Ian Cheeseman: Break-a-Leg

Back when we only had three TV channels, everyone watched the Eurovision Song Contest. I remember watching, with my Mum, when 18-year-old Dana won the contest with All Kinds of Everything. Fifteen years later, I used that song as my theme tune when I made my broadcasting debut on Hospital Radio. I’ve had quite the career since then. 

Just four years after that enchanting performance by the Irish songstress, I was “supporting” Olivia Newton-John as she represented the UK with Long Live Love. When Sweden took to the stage and sang the up tempo Waterloo, I wasn’t sure how to react. It was certainly different to all the other songs in the competition. The following week someone brought a radio into school and they played Waterloo. I was hooked. 

Last weekend, marked fifty years since Abba won with that wonderful song. Who’d have thought I’d celebrate the anniversary, half a century later, by watching a digital Abba concert, at a purpose-built arena in East London, called Abba Voyage? Many in the audience were wearing fancy dress. There were at least three adults dressed as Napoleon and many as Agentha and Frida. All those who attended were given a commemorative badge and a free drink from the bar.

It wasn’t the first time I’d been to the Abba Arena to watch the show; I’m nearly into double figures now. April 6th 1974 was the day Waterloo won Eurovision and launched the World-Wide career of the Super Swedes. April 6th 1999 was the date Mamma Mia! the Musical opened in the West End. Last Saturday was the 25th anniversary of that show, which has been ever present in the West End since. There were special TV shows this last weekend to mark the anniversary of both events too. 

The Eurovision Song Contest this year will take place in Malmo, in Sweden. Many are wondering if Abba will produce something special for the occasion. My son has secured tickets to the televised final, so he’ll be there in person. 

Back in mid-February my Break-a-Leg radio show was a Mamma Mia! special and featured my interviews with Stevie Doc, who plays Sophie in the West End after winning the TV audition show I Have a Dream. I went to see her on stage, just over a week ago, with the other winner of that show, Tobias Turley and I thought they were both brilliant. Stevie is something special and I’m sure she’ll be a West End star for many years to come.

The star of the show is Mazz Murray who plays Donna, the character played by Meryl Streep in the film version. Sara Poyser, who’s currently touring with Come From Away, which will be at the Lowry in Salford over the Festive Season, may have played Donna on stage more than any other actor and I recently had the chance to speak to her about her time in the show and she gives her views on why the show is so special. I ran the first part of that interview on my show last week. You can listen to it OnDemand via the tamesideradio.com website by finding me in the list of presenters and clicking on the link to last week’s show.

My other guests this week are Ashton United’s joint Chairman Jonathan Sayer who I saw on stage in the West End last weekend, as sidekick to Henry Lewis in Mind Mangler, the comedy magic act which will be at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from 15-18th May. You’ll also hear the second part of my interview with Gillian Hardie from 42 Ballooons, the new musical at the Lowry from 18th April to 19th May. Join me every Sunday from 7pm and against on Wednesday’s from 9pm for Break-a-Leg!