MY Unfair Lady??
Andrew Campbell arriving to be my deputy editor on April 3 after months of delay. Worked with him in Wales for years and he'll be a huge asset.
He came round for dinner after work and I spent three hours spelling out the massive list of jobs/projects/dead monkeys that I need him to pick up.
We arer missing opportunities at present, both in print and on-line and Andy will plug some big gaps.
As always, he brought a fantastic bottle of red wine with him and charmed Lynne.
Great to see him and if my curry didn't do his wine justice then I'm sorry.
Had lunch at last with Coun Berni Turner, who's cabinet member for all sorts of things in the new Warren Bradley regime. She was great value, a mix of good fun and fierce determination. She has her own issues in life and still gives up most of it for the city.
Dashed from there to the Empire to see first night of My Fair Lady, celebrating its 50th year.
Lynne at work so took mother-in-law.
Show was visually amazing and Amy Nuttall as Eliza was magnificent. Fun night.
Proverbial hit the fan the next day. My Arts Editor Joe Riley gave it a poor review and the Empire people were pretty cut up about it.
Tough one for an editor, but only one route to take.
Joe is the critic, he has to tell it how he sees it. Its opinion. Even if, as with this instance, most people seem to disagree, Joe has to be free to express his view.
The Empire people understand that - they know the business - but they are trying to attract the top shows and they're pretty bruised.
Have tried to help by doing some nice pictures and interviews to run in the paper. It's a fun show and we want the big productions amid a thriving theatre culture.
Actually, no one is more passionate about that than Joe Riley.
Great game of golf with my mate Bob on Saturday then the zoo with Lynne and Morgan on Sunday.
Chester zoo terrific but pricey. Nearly £30 for the three of us - although I'll concede that caring for and conserving wildlife is a hugely expensive business.
Morgan seemed to like snake best, which is slightly worrying.
Monday night was one to cherish. Invited as guest of Radio City to watch a private concert to about 60 people given by the remarkable Russell 'the voice' Watson.
Wrote to Radio City's Phil Easton afterwards and told him, truthfully, that I felt really privileged to be there.
Lynne adored the night - pictures taken with Russell whom she clearly and irritatingly fancied like mad.
Some seriously nice people there - Nick Wainwright the Boodles MD and his gorgeous fiance Alex, and Phil Thompson, Liverpoool legend, who's superb to chat with over a drink.
Won't forget the night for a long time.
Couple of runs lately to work off the nights out. Paper full fo great stories and great ideas on the stocks. Great time to be Echo editor, I reckon.
