TV Today’s second anniversary passed last month without much fanfare. A year ago, we compiled some geeky stats about which articles had been the most popular and the such.
There was a particular reason why we didn’t repeat that this year: one group of people has completely dominated the comments section of TV Today. Whereas most of our posts are lucky if they receive comments reaching into double figures, some have had comment threads with well over a thousand entries — so many that, on occasion, I’ve had to close the threads to avoid our web server going into complete meltdown.
The origins come from TV Today’s blog reviews of last year’s theatre casting show, Any Dream Will Do. A number of the contestants amassed fan followings, but perhaps unsurprisingly the ultimate winner, Lee Mead, acquired the largest fanbase. One particular grouping of Lee’s fans coalesced almost excatly a year ago — and tomorrow sees the anniversary of the name they acquired for themselves.
Yes, it’s a year since the birth of the Loppy…
For the etymologists amongst you, the word “Loppy” was first used in this context in a comment from Carol on June 14:
I don’t know why I feel this way - my friend has started call me LOPpy (Lee Obssessed Person)
And things took off from there. I then use the term in a subsequent blog posting, which then got quoted on Lee Mead’s Wikipedia entry. And once something goes on Wikipedia, it rapidly gets taken up elsewhere, most notably on BBC Radio 4’s Midweek, where presenter Francine Stock used the term to describe all of Lee’s fans (many of whom, it must be said, prefer the term ‘Lovelees’). Even Lee’s girlfriend Denise Van Outen was heard to have described herself as ‘a chief Loppy’.
When we started The Stage’s blogging platform, we always thought there was a possibility that it might acquire a band of regular readers, some of whom might comment occasionally. We never dreamed that one group with such a specific common interest would end up posting over 25,000 comments to the blog.
A happy birthday to all the Loppies — who, for some reason, decided to mark the occasion by sending chocolates, flowers and a bottle of bubbly to The Stage offices. They’re all much appreciated.
Thank you Scott!!!!
and should have also said - you are very welcome, your gift was in appreciation of being such a lovely landlord to us.
Thank you Scott for our new, very special page.
Hello Scott - our way of thanking you for being such a wonderful Landlord - and here I am still posting one year on from my original Loppy comment! Who would have thought it!!! We Stage Loppies are very very grateful to you for allowing us to continue in our "slightly" bonkers world here!
Hey me first here wow wow wow. Happy Anniversary us.....
thank you oh lovely Scott for such a lot of touching comments.
Came back form printers with Go of course and his ADWA playing on the way there and back CED repeated about 3x
anyway the results are not as good as I wanted it the colours are pretty close but not so subtle as the painting, it looks great though. I would have liked the prints bigger format but was advised against it. ggrrr. Still after over an Hour playing with the photos and comparing with the original my mind was going round so took all the samples back and now up to ploppy to decide.
maybe rephotograph the painting but time is running out, painting has to be deivered to gallery next tuesday. sniff sniff sniff me will be like all of you !!!!
xxx
Hi Carol, (dear chief lush loppy)
Fame at last, and truly deserved I might add!
Thankyou Scott, glad you like our small way of marking this momentous occasion! Thankyou also for this lovely page all our own!
Happy Birthday everyone. And they said it wouldn't last!
25,000 posts. Don't tell my boss!!
Right I am off out shortly, going to Sloppy first then off to meet a friend for something to eat and then to see a show. Joseph? YES, West End NO! It is of course the touring production, which should be good and interesting as Tara is the narrator and has had great reviews. Thank goodness it is not the Teeth! Anyway will be late back, but will let you know what I think asap. Funny I bet you are not bothered as to when! Well another funny thing is I am for some reason not quite as excited as when I go to the Adelphi! Odd isn't it.
So the Tardis is all ready to take us to Spain and will be doing shuttles (as I won't be here early!!).
Scott thank you for our very special new home! Glad you liked the pressy!
I am going away this weekend so I might not be around again till Sunday - I'll miss the Tardis, but could someone send DT back for me?
Carol - have a wonderful holiday!
Karen2 & Geri - enjoy your drinkees
Ali B I'm another one that grew into hayfever
Chantale - well done getting those prints sorted out!
Bye for now Loppies - have a good weekend!
Do read the page Scott has linked at the top (geeky stats). It's interesting in it's own right but there are also some stats re ADWD and Lee.
Jo, hope you've had a good trip. When you have time I think we need an update on your stats.
Scott, thank you for putting us up (or should that be putting up with us?) for the past 12 months. Glad the advance on the next 12 months rental went down well.
Go to the Home page - there's a small pic of the GO in relation to this page as well as link to IDA podcast
Thank you Scott for our special new home and for the past year.
Hold the front page! Wow we are famous:-) Glad you enjoyed the pressies Scott. And a new word for the loppy dictionary to boot - A Loppyversary - well done!
Thank you Scott, for our new home (how many homes have we had now?)
It's because you have been such a lovely landlord, and have allowed us free use of your stage blog, we loppies have been able to form great friendships with each other.
I’m glad you liked the presents
I didn't find you as quickly as other Loppies but have certainly enjoyed your pages Scott and love reading the comments by all the Stage Loppies.I am a second-hand Loppy, having joined LMAS first. Your presents seem very well deserved to me and I'm sure that Lee would appreciate your contribution to his enormous following. And no it isn't the loin cloth that attracted me, just the wonderful voice and performances and the unassuming manner.
Incidentally, I found you through Google alerts.
Hello all you stageloppies!
It was wonderful to meet some of you Saturday 7th (and who was a leper like me and smoked during the interval?)!
Took me a while to track you down (well the correct thread anyway!).
I did pass on saying hi to anne on the forum but she hasn't replied yet! *snort*
- Anita (of www.lee-mead.nl)
Somewhat belatedly, but no less meant for that, THANKS SCOTT! Oue own special Loppy page - wow! Little did we realise a year ago quite what we were beginning. Glad to see you've managed to keep the servers up with their workload, or should that read, keep the big box thingy working!
We are now a Google news alert so stay out of the gutter!
Google News Alert for: Lee Mead
A Loppyversary
Stage - London,England,UK
A number of the contestants amassed fan followings, but perhaps unsurprisingly the ultimate winner, Lee Mead, acquired the largest fanbase. ...
See all stories on this topic
by my reckoning this post should also become a Google news alert ...method to my madness!
Scott dear,- I am really touched by our anniversary present, a whole article in our honour, and so glad yours reached you before you left today. I know the right day is tomorrow, but we couldn't risk the office being closed and you all having the weekend off. So enjoy! You so deserve it! (P.S. Do you think you'll be promoted to editor now? See, I don't give up.)
I have already saved this page to my Favourites, and I think I'll keep it there even after you have to move us again. Thank you for being a super landlord, a good friend and a first class journalist!( Anyone who can pull off an interview with Lee as good as the one you did, is first class!)
Oh, thanks Scott - what a lovely welcoming place this is.. glad you liked the choccies etc.. you're the best Landlord.
Hi Anita, lovely to see you here - I missed seeing you on the 7th - but then I don't smoke.
And thanks Diana.
Yep, this made Google!!!
We'll be celebrating the Loppyversary in America as well (I've been brewing some honey)
Been nice chatting with y'all, even if I can't keep up most of the time :)
Thanks to Scott for putting up with all this,
and congratulations Lee for having a prolific fan base!
A new home - thank you Scott and I assume you were including the loppies, as well as the chocs,and flowers in comment "they're all much appreciated" :)
Hi Anita and vickiS - looks like we could get lots of visitors thro google alerts.
carys - your creativity and techie know how put to good use in your latest oferrings - thanks
Carol and jane E _ i had forgotten about the charcters of the play within the play. Knowing ploppy he would rather play wall (he is obsessed with building - i blame his uncle who gave him a minature building set, complete with miniature bricks, mortar etc, when he was young) but we will see which is easier. thanks for those ideas.
Carol - where do you get books to download - good idea for hols. speaking of which have a brill hol.
Off to concert in church tonight ( i know on pub night - i hope you are impressed - ploppy isnt) so see you tomorrow
HAPPY LOPPYVERSARY EVERYBODY!
Love the term Scott and love our very special new home. Thank you so much. I hope you have had many laughs along with us over the last year!
Well, my tickets for 14th July arrived today - wooohoooooo!! That was quick! I've booked the train and the hotel today so am now getting excited. We decided to go down on the Monday so Ploppy gets his golf comp after all but I get to spend my birthday watching DVD's of the GO and then I get to spend the GO's birthday watching the GO in the flesh, so I am a happy Loppy.
We've decided on Hairspray for the other show so I'm looking forward to that too.
Pauline2 - enjoy touring Jo. Glad you won't be subjected to the Teeth as Jane and I were.
Jane - enjoy your weekend away.
Carol - have a good holiday. I'll see that the lushloppy standards are kept up whilst your away.
Wine anyone? See, started already.
Thank you Scott for our new home so glad you liked the pressie! How cool we are a Google Alert!! Hooray its now hometime and I hope fellow sneezers are feeling better (my nose is throbbing!)
Hi Anita, welcome - do drop in again. I also didn't get to meet you last Saturday but visit your site now and again. Hi again Vicki S and Ringer - I enjoyed the write up of your recent visit.
Have a nice weekend and happy anniversary/birthday to everyone.
I had my first Google alert for The Stage comments several weeks ago, when I'd Do Anything first started. My alert is for blogs as well as news items. You will be pleased to know that this link is a cut above the others!
Thanks for accepting the interloper.
Hello ladies
I have put captions to the loppie pictures from the 7th
There are one or two that I have not done due to the number of bodies, I'm sure you know who you all are
BUT if I have missed anyone, please let me know.
Are the two Karens Siamese twins? they seem to be stuck at the hip, where you find one, there is the other, mind you it is easy to remember your companion's name if it's the same as yours, especially if there is a large "incahol" intake.
Looks like you all had fun.
HAPPY LOPPYVERSARY! What a great word Scott, and thankyou for hosting us over the past year, it is much appreciated. Enjoy your pressies.
Carol have a great holiday, you too AliB. Very envious of you both, but will be with you in a virtual sense.
I'm off to work shortly so behave if we're likely to have some house warming guests, wouldn't want to put them off now!!
May see you later, depends what time I get home?
Btw Karen how did you talk ploppy into Hairspray? any tips gratefully received as I'm still trying to twist my ploppy's arm.
Hi Anita,- waves! We did say hallo last Saturday (after you had indulged in that filthy habit outside! Don't worry, I was on 30 a day until I stopped 15 years ago.)
I've just listened to the podcast with the girls from IDA. The sound quality isn't too bad. If you turn down the sound a bit, it's easier to listen too.
Dear me,- we are on Google Alerts again. If we're not careful we'll be famous!
Now to RIII,- I've finished the book, and I'm still somewhat bemused. If the truth was as clear as the book makes out,- that Richard III didn't have his nephews killed, why on earth haven't historians and History cottoned on before? I know the Tudors sounds a nasty bunch and obviously did what they could to blacken RIII's reputation, but they didn't rule forever, did they? Why didn't the Stuarts rewrite the story, or the Hannoveranians for that matter? I'll bet you a fiver that RIII will still be the big, bad wolf in the school curriculum 50 years from now, no matter what the facts say! (It's a safe bet, because by then I won't be here and can't pay my eventual debt!)
Well I know i'm supposed to have gone but our friends haven't arrived yet!
Karen - I'm proud of you! You get on that train - think of the GO and you'll be fine!
Vicki S - naturally I agree, but the loincloth does help...
Hi Anita! Sorry I didn't see you either! Again another non-smoker.
Carys - us? gutter?
Oh Scott, thank you so much, just what we needed, how cool to be a google alert. Glad you liked the gifts, they're 'because you're worth it'
Not caught up on the blog yet, arrived here from the G alert.
See you later
Hi all. Just popped in to wish us all a happy birthday for tomorrow, but see Scott's beaten me to it! Thanks for such a lovely article Scott. I'm loving the new word "Loppiversary". Hope you enjoy your pressies. You deserve them.
Wow, what a lot of catching up I've got to do. You've moved on 3 whole threads since I was last here! To be honest, I don't think I'll do more than skim through (except for Geri's story of course, i'll make sure I read that properly) so apologies if I've missed anything important.
Hope those of you that went enjoyed Tearfest. I was thinking of you all & was there in spirit.
Right, I'm off to try & catch up a bit. Hopefully I'll make it back later.
Hi there Lindsey! Great to 'see' you again!
And now I'm really going! See ya later Loppies!
Martin - ah I see you have the Kar'ns sussed out! Trouble is, after the imbibing of incohol I have a tendency to forget my own name (might explain why I was calling K2, Fred all evening!!).
Ali - I just told Ploppy I'd prefer to see Phantom knowing full well he'd choose the other one!! Only joking! Actually I told him Hairspray came highly recommended by my Loppy friends and as you all obviously have great taste in musical theatre and know your onions he went for it! Of course, that does mean if he doesn't like it I can also blame you lot - sorry!!
Jane - I was shaking just booking the train tickets so goodness knows what I'll be like when it comes to actually getting on it. Still, at least I'll have done that first journey before ours in August so I might not have to squeeze your hand quite as tight (don't count on it though!!).
Hi Stage Loppies
You must have blisters on your fingers - 25,000 entries !
Happy Loppyday and thanks to Carol for the 'naming ceremony' that changed so many of our lives !
Proud to be a Loppy !
Are you all still basking on a foreign beach somewhere, or is summer in the UK enough to keep you at home ?
Owlie Sue
Happy Loppyversary everyone.
Can't believe it's been a year simce I first read the blog about Lee and finally joined in. My IT and typing skills have improved greatly since then. Although I haven't actually met any Loppies I feel I've made many new friends and received support and Ohms when they were needed. So thank you Loppies and Scott.
Hi Owlie Sue,- we are in the UK at present and haven't been away for quite some time, so tomorrow DT will be manning the Tardis and we're off to Spain for a couple of weeks, only in the morning of course, as we return to our daily lives after breakfast!
Thankyou Scott for giving us a home for a year and for coining the term Loppyversary, very good.
Is it really a year since we all became afflicted with this sweet madness? It's strange to follow the 'Carol' link and see how it all began.
Here's to the next year of Loppydom.
Managed to get tickets to see the man himself last week. I've never known 2 hours to go soooooo quickly. The show was fabulous!!!
Have a brilliant holiday Carol and you too AliB.
Are we going to have a special chapter Geri to celebrate this event?
Oh I wished I had not been so stupid and missed the first round of badges now have to wait for second one, silly me.
must go to bed now
Hope you are all on week end break and not working.
ninite dear Loppies xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
sweet Mead all chantale
Goodness me,- we are quiet tonight! Where are you all?
Carol,- after watching the news I think you'll be wise to pack some food to take with you to Spain. The supermarket shelves are empty because of strike, so a few packs of Jaffa Cakes and tea might be a good idea!
I got the Musicals leaflet and stickers. Yes, I've had two McDs today - children's portions! The leaflet has one page on Joseph with 3 pics and a bit of blurb plus the pic of Joe crouching down singing ADWD at start. There's also a SOM page and 2 stickers, Chitty Chitty BB with Michael Ball sticker, amongst others.
Just listened to the IDA podcast - definitely worth a listen.
Good night, sleep tight and see you sometime tomorrow.
Forgot to wish you a happy holiday Carol and ploppy.
Might be able to join you all before breakfast one morning. Last time I went to Spain, we went to Ibiza for our honeymoon, before it was quite so popular.
Just caught up with yesterdays posts, agree with the general opinion about Aragon, VM knocked him into a cocked hat, but then he was my very favourite in the films.
I watched two of them back to back, and then the third the next day, with my godson to explain things to me, having never read the books, some of the action was a bit fast for me. Mind you I'm the sort of person who records things so I can wind back and check who's who!! BTW, I loved the actor who played Pippin in the show
Oohhh, I want a DVD of the Dutch CED. Geri, how nicely did you have to speak to Anne?
I know I'm very late with this, but never mind the hand under the cheek, give me sliding off his boxers any day, and I thought my love of Lee was pure!!!!!
Karen, I really feel for you with your train phobia, I just love train travel. Is it the actual train you don't like, or the whole station/train thing? I used to have a fear of getting on the wrong train, or falling asleep and missing my station.
Carol, have a lovely holiday, that'll be two of us looking for an internet cafe then!!
It's taken me all night to read up and post this, so I'll just refresh (after I've clicked submit, wouldn't be the first time I've lost a post by refreshing first!!)
Oh btw, I'm at my old lady's tonight, and she is so excited because her son and his partner, who live with her four days a week, and in Poole the other three days, got married today without telling anyone.
Back in a bit.
It is our birthday!!!! GEFELICITEERD!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Scott thank you for housing us the past year and I hope you will enjoy your gift.
Sue1,- are you going on holiday too, since you'll be looking for an internet cafe?
I'm watching a repeat of Frost and the Romanian girl from HDYSAPLM, I can never remember her name,- plays a pole dancer! This is an old episode, so she must have been around for some time before she joined the television show.
Wow! That took some time to get through and, alas, I must admit I only skimmed. Happy anniversary, Loppies, thanks for the new home & the hospitality over the past year, Scott. I'm working on a little something for you, but I probably won't post it till tomorrow (a glass or two of vino has absolutely nothing to do with my ability to sentence a string!) Can't let our special time pass without a HUGE thank you to Carol & her friend who named us. Thanks for that, ladies! If it wasn't for you, we'd probably just be something stupid like Lee Fans and carry little red fans with us everywhere...
Karen2 dragged me to see Sex & the City. We were doing fine till one of the characters took a shower & K2 said the immortal words, 'soapy rivulets' and then much hilarity ensued. Can't imagine why...
Eva, you have to remember the Tudor reign lasted more than a century and by the time it was over no one wanted to give the past much thought. However, prime minister Horace Walpole did write a book in the 18th century titled Historical Doubts in which he disputes the Tudor line, and other writers even earlier (such as Buck) raised questions about the subject. But conspiracies tend to survive: can anyone say for certainty who shot JFK?
Before I left this morning I wrote a couple of pages of the story & I just need to finish it up & I'll post it. Chantale, your idea of a special chapter is a good one, but it will probably need to wait till tomorrow for me to get my head around it. (Definitely nothing to do with red, red wine...)
Lovely to see so many long-absent loppies come back and visit us again. Hang around, ladies. This is where all the real fun is!
HI Aunty Eva - yes I saw the news on Spain! Ah well I could come back slimmer than when I went! As long as there is incohol on the shelves I shall survive. Perhaps you can bring supplies across on the Tardis for us!! Oh Sue that's lovely for your old lady! Fi, there are a couple of sites for books one is i-tunes if you have an apple or one calle audiobooks (I think) but today I downloaded from audio books on cd that I had already bought but not listened to. Just sitting watching Frost at the moment. Diana, so next London Loppy meet will be in Macdonalds will it? OK signing off for the evening as need to get into the lazy holiday mode! Sweet Meads and I'll see you all in the morning!
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
He was surprised to find the sun high in the sky when he awoke. He yawned and stretched to his full length, lithe and supple as a cat, and rolled out of bed. He had a quick shower and dressed in a brown suede jerkin laced loosely over his otherwise bare chest and skin tight hose. He belted Cric on and went out to attend some urgent matters.
“Do you have any idea what time it is, Lee-my-love?” the sword sang. “Still, you needed the rest so I won’t scold.”
“Uh, thanks, Cric,” King Lee said, amused.
“But you are going out with damp hair – you’ll catch your death!”
“It’s a bright, sunny day, Cric. My hair will dry in no time. Now, be still a while; I need to think.”
The Kar’ns were standing sleepily at their post when he opened the door. “Poor darlings,” he said. “You must both be exhausted.”
“Lots of spiders,” they said, and shuddered. Together, naturally. “Oh, and Sir Boyz and Prince Charming were looking for you. We wouldn’t let them in, of course.”
“I shall see them later,” he said. “There are a couple of other things I must do first. Ladies, it’s a long walk to the loppies’ wing. Why don’t you both climb into my bed and get some sleep.”
“Ooh!” they said. “Don’t suppose you’d care to join us?”
He giggled, kissed them both and headed down the hallway. They stood and watched him, admiring the movement of the rear of the year, until he turned the corner out of sight, then they broke all speed records (easy, actually, since they hadn’t been invented yet) in getting into his bed. They snuggled down with deep sighs of satisfaction, inhaled the King’s unique, manly scent from the still warm bedclothes, and fell asleep to wonderful dreams.
King Lee wanted to talk to Trice, but he decided it was best to wait another hour or so, until the prime suspect was wide awake. Instead, he made his way outside to the fountain, where Lady Jane was sitting watching the waters with a very sad look on her face.
She was so engrossed, she didn’t even notice his approach and he had sat on the fountain wall beside her before she glanced up.
“Oh, sorry, King Lee,” she said. “I was miles away.”
“I could see,” he said.
She bit her lip and continued to stare at the waters. “I keep thinking if I just stare at the water long enough one of my visions will come. But it’s no use.”
He studied her in silence. She was so sad it hurt him and he longed to make things right for her and all the loppies. He shifted slightly and put his arms around her. She leaned against him and began to weep. He could feel her tears run down his chest and he was near to tears himself.
He rested his cheek upon her head and stroked her hair. Slowly she calmed and he waited till her tears completely stopped before kissing her forehead and handing her a crisp white handkerchief from the front pocket of his hose (they do too have pockets!)
“I haven’t returned your last handkerchief yet,” she said.
“That’s all right,” he told her. “You keep it. Feel better?”
“Much,” she said, smiling shyly at him.
“I suppose it’s difficult for the rest of us to understand what it’s like for you and Dot. We’ve never had your particular gift so we don’t know what it’s like to lose it.”
“I just feel so helpless,” she explained. “You’ve lost your coat and our magic is fading and I wanted so much to help you and I can’t. Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Lady Jane,” he said. “It’s the fault of the thief who stole the coat.”
“I meant sorry for using three ‘ands’ in one sentence,” she said. “But I am sorry about the coat too.”
“Tell me how you think Dot is feeling,” he asked. “Is he feeling as helpless as you?”
“Oh worse,” she said. “Much, much worse. After all, Dot doesn’t just have Oracle abilities, but he’s a magical master. And now he can’t even work the slightest bit of magic and he must be devastated. I feel so badly for him. And it will get worse before it gets better.”
He furrowed his brow and said, “Why do you say that?”
She gazed into his troubled grey eyes. “Because the magic is fading,” she said. “And the more it washes away, the less of the loppies will be left, the less magic, and we’ll all fade away.”
“Is that why Diva didn’t appear last night?” King Lee asked.
“Yes,” Lady Jane said. “It’s only the little magic that’s left that’s enabling her to appear at all. As the magic fades, so will her ability to appear to us. And like the prophesy says: the colours faded into darkness; I was left alone. That’s the future, King Lee. The colours of the loppies will fade away and you’ll be left alone.”
“We’ve lasted this long,” King Lee said. “A whole year, in fact. And I will never let us fade away.”
Sue1, just email me very nicely.
ooh an anniversary comment!! Thank you Geri!! Suspect the Graphics Department will enjoy this chapter! Was about to go to bed and popped back on to tell Sue1 that I liked Billy Boyd as Pippen too, and there was today's chapter!! Auds will you take this as a an email pretty please? OK really am off to bed now!!
Geri,- I know I want to fade a little, but there are limits!
A tight hose, eh? What a thought to take with us to bed! No mystery novel tonight, Geri? At least I couldn't see any.
Anne,- I've already sorted out Sue 1. Did I tell you I've played it at least 10 times?
Geri,- I'm too tired now to discuss RIII. My brain needs to rest after all that intellectual activity over the last couple of days, so I'll relax it with a Dick Francis.(One of the books I got from Barnardos this morning.)
So it's good night from me, sleep tight, have wonderful dreams (remember the tight hose!) and wake up happy.
Eva, yes, to Padstow, so shouldn't be too difficult to find an internet cafe, can't say I've ever used one before though, how easy is it? In words of one syllable please!
Anne, Eva has just emailed me, won't know for a couple of weeks if that works, if it doesn't I will email you, thank you.
Fi, try the library, I get all my talking books from there. Great when you're doing the ir****g.
Oh Geri, lovely, a still warm bed.
Jane, love the art work.
Hi just back from church concert - well Ok we went to pub afterwards. did anyone else have torrential (and I mean torrential - we thought church roof would collapse) rain tonight
Lovely to hear from you again lindsey as was just looking at pics of stratford on martin's album and wondering where you were -and then you appeared. Wonder if it works same way fro the GO?
had too much white wine to read story or look at pics and expect anything to make sense. Will save fow tomorrow (well a,most today)
Nite nite
Happy holidays all those off tomorrow.
Morning and Happy Anniversary everyone!! Up to start forcing, I mean putting everything in the suitcase! Sue1 have a lovely time in Padstow and AliB if you have gone before I get back, have a lovely time. I will do my best to make sure there is still some incohol left! Morning BHB, my usual coffee and I think a bacon and mushroom waffle with maple syrup please. Looks like a nice day at the moment, why don't you join me outside before the others arrive - after all I am going to be away for two weeks and I'm hoping you might miss me!!
Sorry, Carol, you have to learn to share. I know Eva is trying (very!) but I think you'll grasp the concept much more easily. Still, as you're going away for a little while, you can have the BHB sit beside you while I work on a little something special for Scott. I wouldn't mind some pancakes with maple syrup and some tea before I start work though, BHB -- aw, bless. The way he jumped up you'd think he didn't want to sit beside you, Carol. You weren't misbehaving, were you?
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HAPPY LOPPYVERSARY GRATULERER MED DAGEN GRATULERER MED JUBLIEET
Morning all. Why aren't you making everything ready for the Tardis? I've been up half the night making lists! We don't want to starve when we get there, do we?
Hello sweetheart. They've sent you into the kitchen to make breakfast for them? OK, if you make me my usual leaded (although the way the petrol pricecs are going, we soon won't be able to afford neither leaded or unleaded! Yesterday I went to fill up Goldie and it cost £1 23p a litre !!!!! I'm glad the Tardis doesn't use conventional fuel, or we would be stuck here!) and some toast, I'll do the packing:
Jaffacakes
Tea
Coffee (leaded and unleaded
Diet Coke (for Jo4)
2 loaves for toast
Butter
Selection of cheese
Garlic and plum chutney (Geri and I bought it last week at the mearket in Rye)
Fruit
Crackers
Some nice M&S fishcakes
Peppered smoked mackerel (Lovely in salads)
Eggs (for omelettes)
That should set us up nicely for lunch. We'll trust the Lushes to see that sufficient incohol is provided.
Now, if we pack that in cases, we'll be ready when DT turns up. I'd better toodle off to have my shower and get dressed properly. We don't want to scare the natives, do we?
Geri,- I do try to share, but when I do, they aren't very grateful!
Didn't get back last night, laptop battery gave up. Just quickly dropped in to say will try to visit while I'm away, but if not see you in two weeks. I'll miss you all.
Just to say, some of the emails I've replied to lately have come back to me, don't want anyone to think I'm ignoring them. So just in case Carol, thank you for the card.
Really going now. xx
Geri - misbehaving?? Moi??? Are you sure you have the right person????? Aunty Eva if it is any consolation the BP garage near us is £1.31 per litre - cheapest is £1.27! Chutney sounds lovely!! OK back to the packing and Sue1 your email did arrive thank you!!
As you know I love my little lists, so I've made one for you, Carol, to make sure you get your priopities right when you get to Spain.
1. Land safely and go through passport control, get your
luggage and find a bar.
2. Fortify yourself with a nice bottle of Rioja.
3. Get yourself, Ploppy and Sloppy into town.
4. Find a bar,- have another Rioja.
5. Find an Internet cafe, do your posts.
6. If necessary find another bar, or go back to the first
one.
7. Go to hotel, check in, unpack.
8. See how many bars in hotel,- if necessary, check them
out one by one.
9. When you fall asleep, make sure you're in your hotel
room.
10. Dream about GO.
If you follow them, you are sure to get your priorities right. HAVE A LOVELY HOLIDAY!!!!!!
GREAT SCOTT
Within their natural habitat
The loppy likes to feed
Upon a diet of GO-news and
A supply of tasty Mead.
The loppy come in lots of types,
There are tame ones and there are lushes;
But all are tended by a kindly host
Who supplies their meals & hutches.
Now, you’ve no doubt heard of Randolph Scott
And perhaps Scott Bacula too;
And obviously Sir Walter Scott
But only one Scott will do.
The first, the best, the Greatest Scott
The loppies’ Muse and Mage,
Is the lovely Mr Matthewman
The Star of the loppies’ Stage!
Thanks for everything, Scott!
Brilliant Geri!! and a Hear! Hear! and three cheers for young Scott - landlord extraordinaire! Aunty Eva - thank you for your instructions......fine with me, except we are in a villa so will need to stock up on our own wines etc., but I think I can manage that!!!
Morning all, wow Geri how on earth am I supposed to follow that! All I can say is Happy Loppiversary all, a whole year, fantastic and here is to many more.
Sorry I didn't get back last night but I was quite late! The review you are all waiting for:
Tara was absolutely fantastic as the narrator, she belongs on the West End stage on that showing. She has a lovely and very powerful voice and her acting was good as well.
Anthony made an adequate Pharoah, but he really hasn't got the experience to get the fun out of it that Dean does, his voice was much stronger than on ADWD though. However it should be a real scene stealing part, and it really wasn't.
Plenty has been said about Craig, but for me it was like watching a pale shadow of the real thing! Nobody will be surprised that I didn't think he could match Lee, but the friend I was with, who has also seen Lee but is sadly not a Loppy (such a nice person too, shame), said that she was disappointed in his performance as she didn't think his voice as good as on ADWD and his acting a bit wooden. So a bit damning but the audience, which included lots of kids, loved it, and gave the whole thing a huge ovation. So I feel you really need to see this before the London show which apart from one or two minor things is a better production for me, even taking the restrictions of a touring version into account, and it's star is just that a real Star! Surprisingly Tara is the star of this, and I didn't like her on IDA!!!!!!
Right have bought lots of cases of champers to join Evas food, and all the ingredients to make a wicked Sangria, well it is Spain it would be rude not to.
Must just go and see Sloppy then will catch up on the blog! Real life huh!
Morning, happy Loppyversary - that is a lovely word. Great to "see" you Lindsey. I wish Fi!
"bare chest and skin tight hose", Geri, you do have a way with words. I'm green at the thought of the Kar'ns in King Lee's warm bed.
Sue, hope you too have a lovely holiday. Good luck with the internet cafe - I've not had problems, other than slow speed.
Geri, that really is brilliant. Hope you're going to do something with it.
When are we leaving? Have I got time for another Happy Meal? (only joking!!)
Morning All
Beautiful sunny day here, hoping to finally get my garden up to scratch. I've never been this late with it (hangs head in shame) do you think loppiness has anything to do with it???
Love the poem Geri, far from the red red wine affecting your ability to "sentence a string", I'm inclined to think you get more inspired! Well, its a perfect excuse to keep up the habit!
Scott - as has already been said, we really hope you enjoyed your pressie and we really do appreciate you!
Totally concur with Geri on the "soapy rivulets" moment in Sex & the City, it really was a loppy moment, very funny!
Just loving the Kar'ns curled up and sleeping peacefully in the King's bed mmmmmmmmmmm (maybe if we sleep long enough, because we are very tired you know, it will be bedtime again for him)
Happy Holidays all TFL's, (sorry Carol, was a bit early sending you off yesterday!)
Ok, I see we have food, champers and sangria mix. BHB and I will just spend a little time checking the storecupboards for suncream and other first aid necessities.
See you later.
Pauline, Tara is interviewed in the Stage Nancy podcast and explains her voice was poor in IDA because she was ill throughout.
Morning all
Geri - The Kar'ns LOVE YOU!! Is it any surprise I didn't want to get out of bed this morning - King Lee's warm bed, that is. Thank you Geri. I was laughing and having hot sweats at the same time!!
Loved the poem for Scott too - you're so clever.
Eva - love your lists too, especially the one for Spain. My kind of list.
Hope all holidaying Loppies have safe journeys and a wonderful time.
Pauline2 - thanks for the review. I agree about seeing the touring show before the London one. I didn't, I saw the London one first and, of course, you can't help comparing and there just is no comparison! As, you say, not just for the star attraction but the whole production.
Well, I knew I could rely on Pauline2 to bring plentiful supplies of incohol, see Carol you have trained the lushes well.
Carol, just emailed you. It wouldn't open so I'll have to wait until Monday in w**k, thanks anyway.
Bon Voyage!!
I see the Loppies are gathering around for the mornings outing.
DT,- you can open your doors and we'll do the loading up.(That is,- I'll tell everybody what to do, as per usual!)
Geri,- Scott dear's poem is inspired! Clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap !!!
Pauline2,- thank you for the review. I think all future viewings of Joseph without GO will be second class to us. Interesting about Tara being so good. It's a pity about young Anthony. I think he wants too much too soon. He should have stuck with his training, because the potential is there. He has a very powerful voice, but it does need careful cultivating.
I'm off Up North (again not your kind of North JaneE and Karen), but South London. Going to stay with my Shirley where there is no Internet connection. Behave yourselves while I'm gone and I'll see you tomorrow evening.
Thanks for the review, Pauline2. I was, as you know, subjected to the delights (not!) of KMcT but fortunately I saw the show before the REAL one. Mind you, there are things in touring Joe that are better in terms of direction. The relationship between Joseph & Benjamin is emphasised and Joseph protects Ben from the bullying of the other brothers. It explains why it is Ben's sack he puts the cup into: he wants to see if the brothers are still bullies. It's really the one thing the West End version does poorly, making Ben just as culpable as the other brothers. Shame about Anthony; he has a pretty face and a nice voice, but he's a bit to self-absorbed to make a good actor. Well, in my opinion, anyway.
Glad you all liked that little homage to our landlord. Nice of him not to increase the rent (though I suspect we must be good for revenue). And Eva, I'm trying hard to restrain making comments about you giving me the clap...I did love your packing advice and lists, though.
Right, I have to do a little shopping and price a certain birthday item. Speaking of which: if anyone isn't aware of these plans & wants to participate, can you please e-mail me? Back later.
Good morning Ladies
There are more photos on the Loppie Ladies album from Carol and Maureen.
Back again! I must just add to my earlier review that Anthony played one of the brothers as well, not sure which, sorry! I thought he did that very well, goood dancing and fitted in very well. That is what he needs I think lots of practise, as he has chosen to leave the school. I agree Geri there are one or two things this version do better, I like the ragged loincloth...... sorry just had a vision of Lee in a ragged loincloth...... sorry. It really gives an idea of Joseph being in jail 20 years.
Loving the last chapter, has the Graphics Department fainted trying to draw that? The verse is so good, and I think all of us gave a cheer for you Scott on reading it.
Without wishing to prolong the Richard debate Eva, but I will, I think that most historians who have researched the story do at the very least throw up serious doubts about the Tudor version. I think that the WS play is so strong as a litery work that is firmly fixed in peoples minds as fact and so poor R3 is condemned to be the villian in the minds of the majority.
Sue have a lovely holiday and hope you get some reasonable weather.
Carol I know you'll get the weather, but hope you get some food as well!! We know you'll manage the incahol. Have a wonderful time.
Now I think the Tardis first trip should be at about lunch time is it Eva? We can then have a nice afternoon on the beach, where I believe they make fresh paella every day, and huge jugs of Sangria made to my own special recipe, you'll love it. Ok I suppose there will be a supply of freshly squeezed juices for those who would rather.
Byeee - see you in two weeks!
Staggered home with a new chair for when I'm on the PC. I've been using a dining room chair which is OK for short, occasional spells but my back gets very painful after long or frequent sessions. Hope it'll be a lot more comfortable with the new chair - once I've assembled it.
Thanks for the explanation of Joseph & Ben's relationship, Geri. Shame the London production doesn't cover that better. I've only seen that version and felt something didn't quite fit re Ben.
When I heard Anthony had left Mountview I thought he was making a mistake. I know experience counts for a lot but to have a long career, you need good training in the first place.
Thanks Martin.
Ploppy's out all day golfing and won't be home till 10.00 ish so got the house to myself. Think I might spend the evening watching DVDs, I mean there's nothing on telly now. In the meantime an afternoon on the beach, in the sun, with good company and a couple of glasses of sangria (no more as it sends me to sleep) sounds perfect.
Well, I just managed to negotiate my way through the Saturday mob and do my errands. I was pleasantly surprised in my scouting expedition: I'll e-mail you more details.
Pauline, yes the tattered loincloth is a fabulous touch and really adds to the pathos of Joseph standing 'Chained & bound, afraid, alone' before Pharaoh. I thought so at the time and I've been hoping the West End production would do likewise (I'm sure plenty of loppies would volunteer to give the loincloth a suitably worn and torn look. I was going to say soiled, but I know what minds you lot have!)
Oooh yes please Geri I voluteer for that job! Think it would be my sort of work.
So I think we have got the first Tardis to Nerja. A quick tour of the place. Nerja is famous for its Balcon de Europa, this is where an ancient Moorish castle was built and now is the site of many cafes retaurants and BARS (yaaay). It has sweeping panoramic views across the bay. There are 16k of beaches so plenty of room for us all! More information can be found here:
http://www.andalucia.com/nerja/
Right I now have my ipod and book Carol lent me about R3 so big jug of Sangria and I'm all set for the afternoon. BHB says he will have a look round and would we like a BBQ later? Sounds good to me!
Happy Loppyversary Everyone!! Carol - I think our planes will cross in the skies as I am going in exactly a fortnight!! Thats 10 working days and trust me i will be counting them down!! Completely changing the subject, hayfever is a funny thing - I sneezed non stop yesterday and today I haven't sneezed at all. Maybe I am allergic to the office!! (now theres a thought!!)
Happy loppyversary one and all.
A jug (sorry meant glass) of sangria in nerja sounds bliss pauline. Nerja looks gorgeous and could just do with a lie out in sun as have aching back after weeding (why oh why do weeds grow so much faster than flowers). As we are holidaying in scotland and northumberland and Uk forecast for late July Not good i will have to seize my opportunity for sun where I can get it. Tho of course always sunny dublin to look foward to.
I havent seen touring Joseph but agree geri that relationship betwen Ben and joseph not drawn at all in W E version. Scottish loppies including Lynn having a meet today to see Evita (with Seamus). Has had excellent reviews so wonder how they are getting on.
An afternoon on the beach with a jug of Sangria and I missed it!! You can't blame me though - I was still curled up in King Lee's bed having oh so sweet meads!
Better make up for it now though so off to get a large V&T.
Oh no why didn't sue1 say she was going to Padstow tis only half hour from us poohooo if she gets in touch tell her to email me maybe we could meet.
xxx Ok back to reading the blurb
HAPPY LOPPYVRESARY ALL xxxx
Karen, curled up in King Lee's bed having sweet meads? That's a sentence that shouldn't be examined too closely by anyone with gutter tendencies. That would be all the loppies, then...Oh, and what's this I hear about the Kar'ns peeking through the keyhole while he was slipping off those boxers?
I saw a lovely turquoise bag today & thought of a certain loppy friend. Shame it was too much on the pricey side for it to be a pressie...
Hoping to hear a review of Evita -- the Dublops are going in September. Woo-hoo!
Right, I've been goofing off watching ADWD (who said again?) so I've got a bit more of today's chapter to finish up. Should be ready to post it shortly.
HELLO a TFL is back. Needless to say, not caught up at all.
(Left magic key to laptop at home so couldn't log in while away, except at w**k. doh, idiot. That's what you get when packing at 3am.)
I would put a link here to MSN site, where dvo has some quotes, but I can't get to it.
Well, Scott dear, I see we have a lovelee new home, with our name on it!! Glad you got the pressies. The least that could be done for you after all the time you have given us over the year.
While I was away I read a book which made me cry about 4 times, smile lots, made me sad, made me happy, made me go ahhh at the end. I was so wrapped up in it I left the dinner (and the wine/beer/icecream) early so I could finish it. I think at least one Loppy has also read it. I'm no writer, Geri, but a clue. mmmm, not too obvious. 'woooooshhh bang.'
Geri that was a lovely poem thank you . Me too Karen missed the beach can always sneak in to have a sangria i used to make a mean one when parents had restaurant in Fuengirola in the mid 60's, golly very different from now.
Met my ploppy there he was my english teacher in the Berlitz school I attended oh that was so so lonfg ago and still only 27 ahhhhhh.( got certificat signed by him as well...)
Have to go down mother has done supper. see you all later.
xxxxxxxx
Just noticed your post from yesterday evening, Vicki S. Interloper?
Evening Ladies
Welcome home Jo4, the book sounds good, would love to read it but not getting the clue.
Geri.........you told!!! Sorry Karen, I thought she wouldn't tell about our peeking and now everyone knows..........oh I don't care, I'm sure you'd all do the same if you could!
By the way, just a warning to any poor unfortunates sitting next to lepry in the theatre in future - watch out, she has a mean left hook!
In the cinema last night I was left bruised and battered after a series of movie trailers featuring certain attractive actors which caused Geri, in her excitement to thump me each time a face she "approved of" appeared, I can't imagine what she's like at Joseph. I suppose the red red wine might have had something to do with it, good job I'd had some vodka to numb the pain.
Oh, and I stopped off at the library earlier and got Josephine Tey's book so looking forward to starting that tonight and getting up to speed on RIII
Ok, dinner to be sorted out, see you all later.
Oh oh, so we got grassed up K2. It was worth it though wasn't it!! What a sight to behold!
Geri - how did I know you would let my innocent(!!!) remark lead us into the gutter!
Hello, just a quick Hi Bye, have been asleep all day and now off to work, off Monday and Tuesday will catch up with the Tardis and Loppies then, in the meantime, don't get sunburnt on the spanish trips.
Happy Loppyversary
Hi Jo4 welcome back to our shiny new home! Haven't a clue about your book so either I haven't read it or you are waaaay to cryptic for me!
Had a lovely quiet afternoon on the beach with all the sangria to myself, hic! Very nice it was too.
Naughty Ka'rns peeking at King Lee, now I would never... ow my nose is growing, why?
Hoping to see Evita myself in late Sept I think and apparently Carousel is coming to our 'localish' theatre with Lesley Garret so fingers crossed for that too.
Karen2 goody another possible convert to R3! We're taking people one at a time but will get there in the end!
Right, just one easy novel in today's chapter -- and I still haven't got yours, Jo4. Is there a book called 'Superman Spontaneously Combusts'?
Afraid King Lee insisted on staying dressed for this chapter. I told you, he has a mind of his own!
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
He left Lady Jane an hour later (Lady Jane, you can fill in the blank any way you like) and made his way up the almost forty steps to Trice’s room. He had let the older man dictate terms for long enough. Today he wasn’t leaving until he had some answers.
To his surprise, Lynx opened the door. “My sister Sioux and I are keeping an eye on him,” she whispered. “But he hardly speaks so we haven’t learned anything yet. Except—“ she dropped her voice still further. “We’ve managed to search most of the room and haven’t found any sign of the coat. Sorry.”
“Who is it?” Came Trice’s voice. He came to the door and, seeing King Lee, said, dismissively, “Oh, it’s you.”
“I need to talk to you, Trice,” King Lee said. Without waiting for an invitation he walked into the room. “Ladies, would you mind excusing us?” he asked the loppies. They both nodded, gave an unreadable look at Trice, and left.
“This isn’t a good time,” Trice began.
“It never is,” King Lee said. “I’m afraid I must insist.”
The older man glanced at the King with surprise. “Can I get you some coffee?” he said.
“That would be great, thanks,” King Lee said, suddenly aware of the fact that he hadn’t eaten.
A few minutes later the two men sat facing each other. They each held a coffee cup and studied each other openly.
“So you want to know if I stole that coat,” Trice said at last.
“Did you?”
“No.”
A long silence followed. “I believe you,” King Lee said at last. “But I think there’s more you can tell me.”
Trice seemed to be considering. “You’re right,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about it and I talked it over with Dot and we decided you deserved to know the truth.”
King Lee steeled himself. He set the perfect line of his jaw tight (not looking at all Brucie) and waited.
“Dot and I are best friends,” Trice said. “We go back years and have always supported one another. Back then, Aus – the Evil Aus – was a friend of ours. We both liked him, trusted him. He seemed to be kind and talented and he was always telling Dot and me how wonderful we were. We believed his flattery was sincere; we were very young, after all.”
“I understand he was always rather plausible,” King Lee said.
“Yes. Yes, he was. Not that it’s an excuse, but—anyway, we both trusted him. He’d learned about the Kingdom of Adelphi and King DonnO’s abdication. He knew Dot had the power to give him that crown and he – well, let’s just say he succeeded.”
“How long was it till you and Dot discovered his true nature?”
“Not long. Almost the minute the crown was placed on his head, he began to suck the colour out of the land. It was subtle at first and for a while we didn’t realise it was because of him. Then Dot cast a spell that revealed a person’s true nature by their odour. The more evil a person becomes, the more foul they smell. That spell still exists although, like all magic here in the kingdom, it’s been weakened by the loss of the coat.”
“So whoever stole the coat should smell nasty?” King Lee asked, trying to discreetly sniff the air.
“Well, not necessarily,” Trice said. “Only Dot, Diva and Maid Marryme have the ability to detect the odour, and they learned that some people just have a natural immunity to the spell. I am told that you, by the way, smell like the most intoxicatingly beautify perfume ever made. It’s one of the reasons people are drawn to you, although they don’t realise it.”
“People are drawn to me because of the way I smell?” King Lee said, a little crestfallen. He had hoped to be appreciated for something more substantial.
“Don’t worry,” Trice said, suddenly sounding like Chief Inspector Terse. “The smell is just the olfactory evidence of your innate goodness. Just as Aus’s smell is so obnoxious it reveals him to be a vile, sorry excuse for a human being.”
“But I can smell Aus,” King Lee said, thinking about it. “We all can.”
“Because his evil is so overwhelming, it can’t be hidden. Just as your goodness is so obvious even people without Dot’s talent can sense it.”
“If I’m so good,” King Lee said. “Why have you been avoiding me?”
Trice stood up. He was very tall and made King Lee feel small by contrast. “Because it’s very hard wo