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Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: JamesH on July 17, 2025, 11:50:17 AM

Title: My other passion
Post by: JamesH on July 17, 2025, 11:50:17 AM
Was unsure whether to share this, as feels a bit self promotional. But what the hell, we’ve all got different passions and it’s always interesting to find out a bit more about other members interests outside of classic bikes.

Earlier this year I auditioned for the 40th Anniversary production of Les Miserables in Brighton - this is the first time Cameron Mackintosh (the producer and rights holder) has release the show to local amateur groups for 40 years. Probably the first and last time he’ll ever do it.

Anyway, after a pretty gruelling auction process we’re well underway with rehearsals, leading up to our performances in mid-August.

If any of you are local, these are the dates I’m performing (I’m playing Jean ValJean, the main character):

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/les-miserables-let-the-people-sing/theatre-royal-brighton

Wed 13th August (19:15)
Fri 15th August (19:15)
Sat 16th August (19:15)
Wed 20th August (19:15)
Thursday 21st August (19:15)
Sat 23rd August (14:00 matinee)

Here’s a couple of photos (amazing what a bit of makeup and a wig can do ha ha):

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250717/88ec1ca628f5bde744fd7c96729444a7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250717/09164dfd254af9a4bb124cfadd8b0bb6.jpg)
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Athame57 on July 17, 2025, 01:12:53 PM
Well done!  ;D My GF was one of the actresses in 'A Midsummer nights dream' at the Royal Shakespear company in London. Me, well I'm an artist who has lapsed in recent years, must get painting again this winter. Also a bit of a buff on the topic of late era days of sail. Here is my best known painting of the Antlered Goddess Elen of the ways , my bike is named after her. The setting is Lands end in a different time.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: taysidedragon on July 17, 2025, 01:43:15 PM
Very dapper, James!
Break a leg and all that. 😀
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Rozabikes Tim on July 17, 2025, 01:48:44 PM
Was unsure whether to share this, as feels a bit self promotional. But what the hell, we’ve all got different passions and it’s always interesting to find out a bit more about other members interests outside of classic bikes.

Earlier this year I auditioned for the 40th Anniversary production of Les Miserables in Brighton - this is the first time Cameron Mackintosh (the producer and rights holder) has release the show to local amateur groups for 40 years. Probably the first and last time he’ll ever do it.

Anyway, after a pretty gruelling auction process we’re well underway with rehearsals, leading up to our performances in mid-August.

If any of you are local, these are the dates I’m performing (I’m playing Jean ValJean, the main character):

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/les-miserables-let-the-people-sing/theatre-royal-brighton

Wed 13th August (19:15)
Fri 15th August (19:15)
Sat 16th August (19:15)
Wed 20th August (19:15)
Thursday 21st August (19:15)
Sat 23rd August (14:00 matinee)

Here’s a couple of photos (amazing what a bit of makeup and a wig can do ha ha):

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250717/88ec1ca628f5bde744fd7c96729444a7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250717/09164dfd254af9a4bb124cfadd8b0bb6.jpg)

Not sure we can accept this. Ive heard he rides a Mobylette!

Seriously well done Sir. A long way from us but will tell some friends we have down there.

How much acting have you done previously James, I take it a fair bit.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on July 17, 2025, 04:46:22 PM
Nice one Tim, I like hidden talents.
My neighbour was a big Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Opera singer for decades. As I worked with him Wendy & I used to be paying customers. Last time at Long Eaton Theater.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Athame57 on July 17, 2025, 05:18:52 PM
By the way, what are they so miserable about?  :)
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Laverda Dave on July 17, 2025, 09:42:11 PM
Well done James, I remember you telling me a while ago that you tread the boards. Playing the part of the main character is definitely something to shout about, the audition must have been a bit nerve wracking with all that dialogue to remember!
Good luck on the performance nights and enjoy the after show parties 🎬🎭
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Johnny4428 on July 17, 2025, 10:16:42 PM
Well done James! 👏👏 Dapper looking gent in them photos too!
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Bryanj on July 17, 2025, 11:49:39 PM
Nice one James, more than i would want to do
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: exvalvesetdabbler on November 05, 2025, 06:20:54 PM
I grow and hybridise agaves.

A bit of a spiky obsession. You might think nipping a bit of skin in pliers hurts. Repotting these can rip you to shreds if you don't pay attention.

Pollination can be a challenge.
[attach=2]

Had my own web site for a few years. Could do with updating now though.
http://www.aridhouse.plus.com/index.html
Regards
Dave
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on November 05, 2025, 06:37:46 PM
Awesome.

I’m a great fan. I have a “low maintenance” front garden that features lots of spikey stuff.


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Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: TrickyMicky on November 06, 2025, 10:07:03 AM
Well done James, and 'Break a Leg" as they say.  I think you may have started something here with "MY Other Passion". A few of us are now of an age where winter means may be a lot less riding/tinkering in a cold garage. So, for me, winters are spent on:-
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: florence on November 06, 2025, 01:21:34 PM
Well done James, that is excellent.

I don't usually mention to anyone that I compose and perform music, mostly for film, television and art exhibitions.  I get a reasonable amount of royalties but sadly have to have a grown up job as well.

Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: DomP on November 06, 2025, 06:12:14 PM
I've got too many hobbies!
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: taysidedragon on November 06, 2025, 09:00:24 PM
I'm not sure it's a passion, but I volunteer for a charity that take people out on the River Tay for boat trips and dolphin spotting. They also own a lightship which is slowly rusting away!

Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: exvalvesetdabbler on November 06, 2025, 09:14:04 PM
A bit more scenic around the Tay, compared to where I used to  end up when I worked at sea. Grimsby fish dock, Boston and kings Lynn docks don't compare. Nearest I got was probably the Bass Rock the into Tweed dock to jump Ship.

Regards
Dave
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: taysidedragon on November 06, 2025, 09:42:14 PM
Hats off to you. Bloody hard work for a living. I just play at it.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: DomP on November 06, 2025, 11:09:44 PM
I'm not sure it's a passion, but I volunteer for a charity that take people out on the River Tay for boat trips and dolphin spotting. They also own a lightship which is slowly rusting away!

We're staying on the east coast of Scotland in February, are Dolphins seen often?
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: taysidedragon on November 07, 2025, 01:06:37 AM
I'm not sure it's a passion, but I volunteer for a charity that take people out on the River Tay for boat trips and dolphin spotting. They also own a lightship which is slowly rusting away!

We're staying on the east coast of Scotland in February, are Dolphins seen often?

They're seen in the Tay from about May to early October but they go where the fish are so can be seen around the Forth estuary or Arbroath coast almost anytime. Further North there are dolphins in the Moray Firth all year round, good viewing point at Fortrose.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on November 07, 2025, 06:43:15 AM
Quote
…good viewing point at Fortrose.

Second that.

We went there on the way to Orkney this summer. You have to drive through the golf course. 


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Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: exvalvesetdabbler on November 07, 2025, 01:56:23 PM
Hats off to you. Bloody hard work for a living. I just play at it.

I was on a science vessel so it was 18 hour days, with 2 hours of doing nothing followed by 30 minutes of  panic at each station.  Nice in the summer but not so much fun in winter when it got a bit lumpy and all of your kit was trying to jump off the bench.

Nice looking rib you have there, though not my favourite mode if transport, used to jar my back when we went airborne and landed in a trough.

Regards
Dave

Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: taysidedragon on November 07, 2025, 05:47:06 PM
Hats off to you. Bloody hard work for a living. I just play at it.

I was on a science vessel so it was 18 hour days, with 2 hours of doing nothing followed by 30 minutes of  panic at each station.  Nice in the summer but not so much fun in winter when it got a bit lumpy and all of your kit was trying to jump off the bench.

Nice looking rib you have there, though not my favourite mode if transport, used to jar my back when we went airborne and landed in a trough.

Regards
Dave

The rib is great fun, 130hp outboard engine. It's new this year to replace a tired old rib that we had before.
That's me at the stern holding the mooring rope.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Johnny4428 on November 10, 2025, 11:15:19 AM
This is what I get up to sometimes, this is onboard one of the many cruise ships that call into Kirkwall.
I’m the one pretending to play the drums.😜
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Laverda Dave on November 11, 2025, 09:01:08 PM
This is what I get up to sometimes, this is onboard one of the many cruise ships that call into Kirkwall.
I’m the one pretending to play the drums.😜

A fellow drummer Johnny, well done for going public 8). My kit sits in the garage and gets a bit of a thrashing whenever I venture out to work on the bikes  :)
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: florence on November 12, 2025, 12:57:08 PM
excellent, might have to start a 'show us your drum kit' thread.  I have a 1960s Premier kit which I love.  It even has dampers built into the toms which I don't think anyone makes anymore.
Title: Re: My other passion
Post by: Johnny4428 on November 18, 2025, 11:33:22 AM
Great to see other people’s passions and interests/hobbies. Dave I would say drummerish! I can bluff my way through.🤭 unfortunately like bikes I also have too many drums. Self taught in most things I slaughter, my latest is a Fender Strat. No cant play it either but giving it a good shot. Never been a better time to learn a new instrument or anything else, YouTube has tutorials in almost everything. Great fun!!😜👍