Both courtesy of www.markgoucher.com. Please click above to zoom on picture one.

There is also the possibility that there will be an Oh Doctor Beeching! DVD Boxed Set available to buy soon. Again, further info as it becomes available.

Rachael Stirling interviews actress Su Pollard about starring in the first UK tour of the 60's musical "Shout!".  The show is currently on at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, then moves on to theatres throughout the UK.  The last performance is at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham between 16th and 21st June.

NB: This can be listened to again online (please click on the Loose Ends logo above) at the Radio 4 website. It is available until around 6pm this evening.

Su had briefly left the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, to appear on the legendary programme which is hosted by the well known television host, Clive Anderson.

Currently starring in the 1960s musical, Shout, before it goes to the West End, Su chatted to listeners and other guests about how her positive attitude towards life had helped her survive the rigours of show business.

She began her career in Nottingham working men's clubs as a teenager and has lent her Labrador-like enthusiasm and distinctive personality to a bewildering variety of TV and stage roles.

Her latest part sees her transported back to the heady days of her youth in 1960s-themed musical Shout! The show is set in a swinging London hair salon and follows a group of ladies on a journey that captures the rebellion, liberation and free spirit of the time. 

"It was such a fabulous time. It's nice to have been a part of an era that was so exciting," she enthused, "There was so much freedom, you had girls taking the pill for the first time, hippies and the ban the bomb business. There were lots of life-changing things going on really."

Perhaps unsurprisingly given her own unique take on fashion she confesses to being fond of the bold retro prints and bright colours the actors wear in the show.

"I remember wearing all the so-called kinky boots and the peaked caps. It was marvellous. It was so much better than wearing the boring 50s stuff. Colourful clothes brighten up the streets up a bit and cheer people up.

"In a way it was quite daring and rebellious. Suddenly you had a bright green or orange mac that nobody had seen in their life before. It was great to be able to walk down the street and to be able to shock and the men on the building sites would whistle. It was fabulous."

Su, 58, is equally fond of the show's groovy soundtrack and says she remembers many of the songs from her youth.

"We've got Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark, all the old classics. It just shows you how the songs have stood the test of time. Even people who have never heard them before because they weren't even born then say 'oh, I love that music'. Because it's so feel good and so up beat."

l Shout! runs from now until Saturday February 16 at The Churchill, Bromley. Tickets are priced from £21 and are available by calling ticket sales on 0870 060 6620.

This is an affectionate, high-energy, musical reminder of the Swinging Sixties. Along with the 32 songs from that decade are memory-jogs of hippies, sit-ins, the Beatles, man on the moon, Top of the Pops, Carnaby Street, World Cup, the twist, fashions, and laughable TV ads.

Judging by the response of the first night audience, Those Were the Days indeed.

It is obligatory for all themed musical shows to finish with a reprise of the night’s big numbers and here, with the whole cast singing and dancing, the rest of us are invited to join in.

No invitation necessary - everyone stands, sings, claps on the beat and applauds. It must be a delight for the artists.

Since those 32 songs are the sole purpose of the production, the story-line is necessarily on the thin side but works reasonable well - three girls seeking fame, love, and sixties London lifestyle head for a Peckham hair-dressing salon run by Su Pollard.

She is nothing like her TV chambermaid Peggy, and along with her footwork, is surprisingly good at selling a song. One belter earns an ovation.

Howard Jones will never have it better. He’s the sole man in the company of five eye-catching girls and apart from putting up a good show for us males he charms, amuses and most definitely does his career prospects no harm. Ideal casting.

Claire Sweeney heads the girls and while all get their solos, she has more singing-and-shaking spots throughout and handles them with punchy confidence.

Shona White may play the inevitable geek but triumphs with her singing, the strength of her voice overcoming the weakness of the character.

And Donne Steele, as the would-be Twiggy, Louisa Maxwell, and Julie Stark complete the gorgeous five. When not strutting their stuff, they are out there vocalising.

Yet amid the short skirts, beehive hair-dos and fun, the songs such as Shout, Downtown, Let’s Twist Again and Big Spender are the stars. And Yesterday When I was Young will register with some.

Since making her start in show business singing in Nottingham working men's clubs as a teenager she has lent her Labrador-like enthusiasm and distinctive personality to a bewildering variety of TV and stage roles. 

Her latest part sees her transported back to the heady days of her youth in 1960s-themed musical Shout! The show is set in a swinging London hair salon and follows a group of ladies on a journey that captures the rebellion, liberation and free spirit of the time. 

"It was such a fabulous time. It's nice to have been a part of an era that was so exciting," she enthuses, "There was so much freedom, you had girls taking the pill for the first time, hippies and the ban the bomb business. There were lots of life-changing things going on really."

Despite nearing 60 Pollard still speaks with the wide-eyed excitement of a child on Christmas Eve and gesticulates like she has just downed 9 double espressos each containing 4 sugars.

Perhaps unsurprisingly given her own unique take on fashion she confesses to being fond of the bold retro prints and bright colours the actors wear in the show.

"I remember wearing all the so-called kinky boots and the peaked caps. It was marvellous. It was so much better than wearing the boring 50s stuff. Colourful clothes brighten up the streets up a bit and cheer people up.

"In a way it was quite daring and rebellious. Suddenly you had a bright green or orange mac that nobody had seen in their life before. It was great to be able to walk down the street and to be able to shock and the men on the building sites would whistle. It was fabulous."

Pollard is equally fond of the show's groovy soundtrack and says she remembers many of the songs from her youth.

"We've got Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark, all the old classics. It just shows you how the songs have stood the test of time. Even people who have never heard them before because they weren't even born then say 'oh, I love that music'. Because it's so feel good and so up beat."

Despite being most widely known for her role as the ditzy chalet maid Peggy from 1980s sitcom Hi-de-Hi the actress is no stranger to the stage and has starred in successful runs of countless musicals and plays.

"I started in theatre and musicals so it's always been a part if my life really.

Actually, I could have been better known for musicals. Elaine Paige and I both used to go for the same auditions but I got my break in a sitcom and she got hers in a musical.

"I'm really pleased I can do musicals because they are a special part of me. The ideal is to do a musical with singing, dancing and a good story to make people laugh and make them cry a bit and I think there are a few elements of that in this. It's good stuff."

With the rehearsals in full swing the actress has plenty to keep her busy but says she is itching to get out there and do what she loves best - performing.

"It's quite intense. I learned a dance yesterday and I've got another to do this afternoon so it's full on. You have to focus and I haven't really got any time for anything else but all the tunes are good and I do have fun singing them so I'm enjoying it all.It's great to work with some younger girls with all their enthusiasm and stuff. They are all so talented there are some great voices and I can't wait to get cracking now."

*Shout! runs from Friday February 8 to Saturday February 16 at The Churchill, Bromley. Tickets are priced from £21 and are available by calling ticket sales on 0870 060 6620.

Su, alongside Claire Sweeney and cast, are in residence at the theatre all week before the show moves to Liverpool next week. Due to personal reasons Su won't be appearing in Liverpool or the following week in Cardiff but she will be back for the fourth week of the tour in Edinburgh.

Friday 8th - Saturday 16th February - Churchill, Bromley - 0870 060 6620 
www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 

To give you a taster of how Leisure's encounter with Hi De Hi star Su Pollard went, let's just say the conversation started with the actress mistaking News Shopper for Happy Shopper.

"I've obviously got the wrong bloody thing, the wrong end of the stick," she laughs when I explain News Shopper isn't a supermarket-owned magazine.

On hilarious form, Su was in Bromley to promote her new show Shout, also starring stage starlet Claire Sweeney, which opens at The Churchill theatre this week.

Just like her legendary character Peggy Ollerenshaw in holiday camp comedy Hi De Hi, she's bubbly, talkative and very funny.

Tell me a little about Shout, Su. 
It's great to acting in something that's really feel-good, for the performers as well as the audience. It's lovely as well because loads of people can identify with the 1960s. Even the younger ones have got some sort of story which has been passed down from their aunty.

I actually play an aunty. Aunty Vonnie, Claire's character Ruby's aunty.

Ruby just wants to try her luck in London. She gets restless and wants to have a new adventure. So she rings her aunty Vonnie and asks, can I come and stay with you until I get sorted'.

What does your character get up to? 
It's set in a hairdressing salon, because Vonnie's a hairdresser. Her salon is called Best Cuts, which makes me laugh because it's off her husband Bert, who's a butcher.

Aunt Vonnie decided when she was Ruby's age she didn't want to kick her heels in Mansfield, she wanted the bright lights.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, she met her husband who persuaded her to stay in London. Basically that's the premise of the whole piece. We're just having a celebration really of the sixties and how innovative it was.

Are you a fan of the music? 
Oh, very much so. I was so lucky because I remember nearly every single number. So of course, it was great for me because I had memory tunes in my head.

It was fantastic to listen to all these numbers and think I remember that, I love that song'. The nicest thing is even if you didn't know this kind of music there is no reason why you couldn't like it. It's not complicated; they're good tunes and feel good.

And the show has great choreography because it's all the 1960s stuff. And it's fun. A lot of it is quite quirky. I've already lost about 4lb.

Do you like the outfits? (Our interview takes place straight after a photo shoot and Su is dressed in full 60s gear) 
Yes, I must admit I do. Although poor aunty Vonnie has to wear slacks and a tabard in the salon. But the she goes on her holidays and she transforms. I can't keep wearing these, it would do me head in.

Just look at the colours. You saw so many colours in the streets in the 1960s but now you look at people and, it's really for practical reasons, but they're nearly all in black.

Look at those lyrics in Colour My World, it's a Petula Clark song and even the lyrics are full of colour. It was a fabulous, fun era to be a part of. It was a great decade, the 1960s.

Do you get to wear your trademark specs? 
I've had to really wear all these type of things (inspects her huge, zebra-print specs). It's like secretary glasses, that sort of shape. So I do have to stick to the period. Yyou can't match the 1960s with something from 2008.

Claire admitted to accidentally calling you Peggy in rehearsals. How does this make you feel? 
I don't mind. Because the thing is if you've been associated with something which people have really liked and was popular then I don't think there is any reason why you shouldn't embrace that. It's nice. And people still watch it now.

It's no good stamping your foot and thinking oh god, I've done all sorts of other things'. It's like Michael Crawford He doesn't mind talking about Frank Spencer because it was very good to him.

Do you have fond memories of the Hi De Hi years?
Oh fantastic. I remember just laughing so much. Every single day we laughed and laughed. The camaraderie of it, it was such a good team. It was a team effort and it was just lovely to do such quality work. The writing was all spotless.

My mum and dad would watch the show sometimes with me and I would love to see them rocking back and forwards. How lovely. Fan-bloomin'-tastic.

Are you still in touch with your cast mates? 
Oh yeah. I saw Ruthy about two weeks ago, saw Paul, went to Jeff's wedding. So we're all good mates, which is nice.

You went through so much together. I mean I remember Ruth's children were only about two and they're 30-odd now, married with kids. So you go through life together. We'd confide in each other. Friendship binds you together.

And none of us, and we could have if we'd wanted to, never spilled the beans on each other. Could you imagine if I was to say something like, So and so had five affairs'. No. We always vowed that we'd never. There are a lot of things, what we got up to when we went out and had a few bevies for a start. We all do whatever job we've got.

All I remember it was the most fantastic fun of the whole era. Fantastic.

Do you feel you've been lucky career wise?
I can't grumble. I've been very fortunate to work with some very good people whose standards are very high. So they teach you there's nothing wrong with the diamond standard, either. I've had good fun always doing it and hopefully I will carry on in the same vein.

Anyone in particular?
I liked Simon Cadell when he played Mr Fairbrother; he taught me a lot about cameras. He was extremely helpful. There are lot of people along the way you learn from. But really, a lot of people don't know about directors, but there are so many good directors who really help you when they see that you've got potential.

So I suppose you learn from each person. I've been dead lucky.

Have you had chance to work with any of the Hi De Hi cast since. 
We've done a couple of sketch shows together and some charity work. And then of course a few of use went on to do You Rang M'Lord? But mostly we don't work together so much now we just socialise really. It's really nice we can still do that. We've done pantos together.

Did you do panto this year? 
Yes, I was in Malvern playing the Wicked Witch in Snow White. Unfortunately, I don't get asked to do principal hall any more. I've moved on, darling.

What is it you look for in a role? 
If I feel a script's good and I like what I've been offered, I think yeah great that sounds nice. I'll give that a go.

I look for good dialogue. You've got to say the same thing twice a day for X amount of weeks. It's got to be well written. It's got to be a good story.

And when you know you've got the basic things to start from then it's marvellous to take off and create something within that piece. Otherwise, you're only as good as your tools, you see. If you've got something you feel gives you something back, that's half the battle.

Do you ever get the chance to collaborate or offer your input?
Yes, especially on something like Shout which is not a play, not really a musical, it's almost like a revue. If you wanted to suggest something for your character or say to the writer, I've just had a thought, can I run this by you please?'. They may say yes we'll use that, it's not bad' or they might say thanks for the offer darling, but it's not going to quite work'.

Certainly in panto they welcome your input. Because it sounds more natural if you say it in your own speak, as it were.

Have you got any exciting work in the pipeline? 
I think Shout is exciting because I think they want it to come to the West End and I've also got a couple of things I've been asked to do but I don't want to say too much.

Go on
We're not allowed. We can't. I haven't signed on the dotted line yet.

Once I got in terrible trouble. It was a TV thing we were doing, it was a game show and all hush-hush.

And I just happened to blurt it all out and of course the producer called me into the office and said excuse me, we've not even done the pilot yet, so what do you think you're doing?' I got cleaned which, in theatrical speech means I really got into trouble.

That's a good term, cleaned
Yes it's good. Cleaned. Wiped the floor with somebody.

Have you been offered any reality TV shows? Will we be seeing you on I'm a Celebrity?
I've been offered five times now, I'm a Celebrity. But I'd be no good. I'm the wimp of the world. I've only got to look at a grub I'd be no good.

I'd never get any meals. I'd be starving within a day.

I think you'd be great. 
But you'd have to try and be bubbly to get through, however long you're on there, a bloody month or however long it is. She gasps No make up, no eye shadow, no mascara, I'd go mad.

You could always smuggle some make-up in? 
I would. I'd have to shove it in one of my orifices in my body.

You'd get cleaned for that. 
Yes, I'd get cleaned. Ha ha.

Did you know both you and Claire are Rear of the Year award winners?
In that case we've got to be pictured with our bums. That was about 20 odd years ago. It was marvellous; you get a nice free pair of jeans. It's great, fabulous fun.

And you get this little plaque with an outline of your bum on. This gold-plated plate, like a tray. So when you offer guests a drink you can say here's my bum on the tray'. Ha ha. I'll mention it to Claire. Show us your bum, darling'.

Any parting words of wisdom?
The only thing I want to add is about this show. You'll come out and however fed up you are or depressed life is for you, you'll come out and a great cloud will be lifted. You'll have a fantastic time.

Shout, starring Su Pollard and Claire Sweeney, opens at The Churchill, Bromley on Feb 8 and runs until Feb 16. Box office 0870 060 6620. 

Former Chicago actress Claire Sweeney and Hi-de-Hi! favourite Su Pollard are due to appear in the show, which has come direct from New York. 

Unforgettable singers from the era, including Petula Clark, Lulu and Dusty Springfield will all be celebrated in the performance which runs from February 8 to 16 at The Churchill, Bromley. 

To book tickets, call 0870 060 6620.

NB. Su and Claire Sweeney attended a Press/Photo Call, from which the above picture is taken, at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Friday 18th January.

Look out for more press reports and pictures, online and in print, over the coming weeks.

Friday 8th - Saturday 16th February - Churchill, Bromley - 0870 060 6620 
www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 
Monday 18th - Saturday 23rd February - Liverpool Empire - 0844 847 2525 
www.liverpoolempire.org.uk 
Monday 25th Feb - Saturday 1st March - New Theatre, Cardiff - 029 2087 8889 
www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 
Monday 3rd - Saturday 8th March - Edinburgh Playhouse - 0870 606 3424 
www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk 
Monday 10th - Saturday 15th March - Theatre Royal, Norwich - 01603 63 00 00 www.norwichtheatreroyal.co.uk 
Monday 17th - Saturday 23rd March - New Wimbledon Theatre - 0870 060 6646 www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk 
Tuesday 25th - Saturday 29th March - Theatre Royal, Glasgow - 0870 060 6647 
www.theatreroyalglasgow.com 
Monday 31st March - Sat 5th April - Manchester Palace - 0844 847 2275 www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk 
Monday 7th - Saturday 12th April - Connaught, Worthing - 01903 206 206 
www.worthingtheatres.co.uk 
Monday 14th - Saturday 19th April - Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent - 0870 060 6649 www.regenttheatre.co.uk 
Monday 28th April - Friday 2nd May - Congress Theatre, Eastbourne - 01323 41000 www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk 
Monday 5th - Saturday 10th May - Birmingham Alexandra - 0870 607 7533 
www.alexandratheatre.org.uk 
Tuesday 13th - Saturday 17th May - Bradford Alhambra - 01274 432000 
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk 

She joined staff members at the Great Malvern store to cut the ribbon and announce their relocation from next door.

Manager Anne Howard said: "The old shop was sort of divided into two which meant it did not look so inviting: We can now see from front to back which is rather nice. The reaction has been very favourable. People have commented how nice and bright it is in there."

The shop stocks assorted antiques including chin and glass ornaments, and more than 20 volunteers give up some of their time each week to serve customers.

Su chatted with volunteers before making her way next door to the old property, at 78 Worcester Road, for mulled wine and mince pies.

Anne believes the new shop will make customers aware of what they have on sale.

"Now there is nothing stopping them from seeing that we have a terrific range of stuff," she said.

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY, THE ULTIMATE 60's FEEL-GOOD MUSICAL

Direct from New York comes SHOUT! - The Musical, a simply groovy new show that celebrates the sights and sounds of the decade that made England swing!

SHOUT! follows the story of four fabulous girls as they grow up in swinging sixties London. Immerse yourself in the fashion, freedom and fun of the sixties on a non-stop journey through the infectious and soulful pop anthems that made household names of stars such as Petula Clark, Cilla Black, Lulu and Dusty Springfield.

Packed full of songs, dance and nostalgia, SHOUT! features an amazing catalogue of some of the hottest sounds of the 1960’s. It’s groovy baby!

Includes the hits: Downtown Son of a Preacher Man, I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love, I Only Wanna be With You, These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.

Stay tuned to Su Online for more news, information and tour dates.

Here are the thoughts from someone who attended the panto:

"Fantastic show my 5 year old loved it. Very professional excellent cast especially muddles. Well worth a trip from Redditch to watch. Will be booking for next year asap. Adults enjoyed it as much it must be said. Watched this Friday 14th December. Gave our christmas a special start, thanks a lot and Merry Christmas to all the cast."

A huge Thank You to everyone who went along to Malvern Theatres.

Danielle Corlass makes a neat and efficient Snow White, dressed in the outfit Walt Disney made popular several decades, so at least you know where you are when she walks on.

Corlass needs a little more practice on one or two top notes, and she needs to lose the hair grips straight away, but she has sincerity on her side.

Whatever life is breathed into the production comes from the court Jester, Muddles - the pleasantly cosy Andrew Agnew. When Agnew swaggers into view, you sit back and smile. His patter is by no means brilliant - this is not the kind of panto for that sort of thing - but he is likeable in a harmless way.

This not the production where dazzling sets are part of the ticket price. The dwarfs’ cottage looks passable, but where is the rest of it? A magic mirror doth not a palace make, but here that’s all you get in terms of queenly luxury, no ballroom, throne room or even a corridor. Su Pollard plays the queen as though she is plugged into the National Grid and she is worth the money. Yet even Pollard does not get a bling-bling outfit for the walkdown - is the budget for Frosdick and Dodd so very tight?

Snow White is delightfully portrayed by Danielle Corlass, who charms the audience with her sweet and kind nature. Andrew Agnew, of Balamory fame, gave an excellent performance has Muddles the Jester. A definite favourite with the younger members of the audience, it was clear that he was having a wonderful time. 

The atmosphere was electric and it was a joy to see so many young people enjoying the experience of live theatre. The magical sets, lighting and special effects captivated everyone through the entire show. The performance is pure entertainment in its most traditional form.

There is a wealth of audience participation and the gags come thick and fast, some whizzing over the children’s heads to the appreciation of the adults. Make your festivities special and go and see Snow White. It runs until 6th January 2008.