Olly Murs at Newbury Racecourse 2017

Olly Murs

Ladies Day

Newbury Racecourse

Saturday 19th August 2017 

The horse racing at Ladies Day at Newbury racecourse is always topped off with a gig by a well known artist. 

In recent years we have had Will Young and Meatloaf to name but a couple.

This year, blessed with a rain free day, the honour went to ex X-Factor contestant Olly Murs.

OK he may not have won the 2009 talent competition but you could argue that he has seen more success than the eventual winner Joe McElderry.

Certainly his predominantly female loyal fans could not care less whether he won or not because this cheerful, very talented, singer had no problem in attracting a capacity audience to stick around for his gig after the racing. Part of the reason for this is that Murs does come across as being a down-to-earth normal bloke who can make a mistake like any "normal" person. You only need to look back at his goof in presenting X Factor in 2015. Where many a star would have been slated by the public for making the competition result look fixed Murs instead gained massive sympathy for what was after all an honest mistake by a really nice guy. I'm really glad he bounced back from this event which does not appear to have harmed his career in the slightest.

Observing at the age range of his adoring female fans in Newbury I got the feeling the younger ones love him whilst the older ones would be quite content mothering him. 

Olly knows how to keep his audience interested and if it means resorting to ripping your shirt off to make sure everybody is still paying attention towards the end of a gig that is what he will and indeed did do.

Fortunately Murs does keep fit and judging by the cheers his adoring ladies (and a few guys) seemed to rate his physique as highly as his music. I'm not convinced the partial stripping and a heck of a lot of crotch holding really adds anything to the performance but it does seem to be the in thing to do these days and I didn't hear anybody complaining.

What can't be critisized is Olly Murs incredible energy, his rapport with his audience and his enviable ability to keep his fans entertained by belting out his incredibly catchy hit songs flawlessly whilst bouncing across a stage.

I have to say I was really impressed with his performance and enjoyed him performing all his well known hits, which of course included "Troublemaker", "Dear Darlin'" and "Wrapped up". The audience singing along enthusiastically to every track.

I heard many comments as we left Newbury raving about Olly's performance and I have to say I agree that he does put on a darned good, thoroughly entertaining show from beginning to end.

I'm pretty sure the majority of the Ladies Day racegoers thought likewise

Friends Of The Devonshire Park Theatre Summer Garden Party 2010

I am delighted to present here many highlights of The Friends Summer Garden party held at Charleston Manor just outside Eastbourne on 7th August 2010.

On the left is actress Louise Jameson who has not only appeared at the Devonshire Park Theatre many times but is also keen to support the theatre.

She made a surprise appearance at this event to give her support.

I am kicking off the rest of the media with my pics of the wonderful Sea Gypsies, Eastbourne's popular belly dancers.

Next I move on to Richard Curtis and his wonderful K9 Freestyle dancing dogs display. Here is a slideshow of the stills I took on the day.

Part 3 arrives in the shape of the worlds finest ventriloquist (in my view anyway) Steve Hewlett and his wonderful Friends. Hope you enjoy these stills.

OK we move on.... general stills now from the event at beautiful Charleston Manor, Litlington, Eastbourne includes more of Louise Jameson's guest appearance.

OK We move on to video highlights. Here is my offering on the Sea Gypsies. It's a mix of HD and standard definition footage. I made a clips production rather than posting any full track/dance sequence as I think the full performance is best appreciated live and doing this way it is more of a promotional video yet still entertaining.

More video with Richard Curtis and his K9 Freestyle Dancing Dogs. I thought I would be doing just one video. However Richard's presentation is educational for dog owners as well as entertaining. Taking this into account and with the amount of footage we shot I decided to produce individual videos of each dog.

I should point out that on YouTube many videos of Richard have ended up completely silent because users have uploaded video with Richards background music playing. The copyright owners have objected and YouTube have censored accordingly. This has effectively ruined all such videos as dialogue is cut also.

Where the dogs dance to a background track I have substituted the original music with a fully licenced Smartsound track. I have tried to use music of a similar genre and tempo and although I had doubts as to whether this would work I am actually pleased with the end result.

So here is the first video. Please welcome Richard Curtis and Whizzy....

Next up was cute and tiny Betty

Not finished yet..... here's Pogo

Finally from Richard Curtis we had a bit of a Disco

Last but not least I leave you with the amazingly talented Steve Hewlett.

Steve's had a busy year in 2010. Whilst still undertaking performances around the country he has been starring in the long season variety show Hooked On Laughter at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne. At the time of writing this he's still there until early November so don't miss it.

Steve has also been busy supporting the friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre. From my other videos you will know Steve entertained at their Spring Fair and here he is at the Summer Garden Party held at Charleston Manor Litlington, Eastbourne.

We had the whole routine on video but I don't think it benefits the artist duplicating the whole act, especially if you are going to see him live.

So, instead, I've produced a 10 minute highlights video. It's ended up being a nice little Steve Hewlett promo video.

In his routines Steve is always very complimentary about other well known ventriloquists. However I truly believe this guy beats them all hands down both by way of skill and personality.

It's not just the ventriloquism but the spontaneity of his act that makes him stand out. Many artists abide by a script no matter what. Not Mr Hewlett he seems to be able to use things going on around him to benefit the act.

His 'voice throwing' skills are amazing and his variety of 'friends' all makes for an act that always leaves you smiling.