February 2008

Drew McAdam: FEBRUARY 2008 NEWSLETTERTel: 01506 873013
www.mindplay.co.uk

Hi, how are you? In fine fettle and bursting with energy, I hope. Anyway, here’s what’s been happening in my strange little world this month… Oh, and I have included some definitions as some of you seem to really like ‘em.
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Mentioned in dispatches…
DR SUNIL SHARMA PHD
SCOTT CUTHBERTSON
FRANK ROBB
BOB BURNS
JAY TAILOR
RON McMANUS
MALCOLM ALLSOP

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BASKET (N): A SHORT NAP IN THE SUN.

I had a cracking little gig at the exclusive 1 Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow. That gave me the opportunity to meet up with DR SUNIL SHARMA PHD, (author of “From Here To Happiness” and a new TV personality – well done, mate!) We had a great little meeting with lots to discuss, and the possibility of working with him on a future project. A few nights later I was back in the Glasgow area for a charity bash at the Glynhill Hotel. It was a roaring success, due in no small part to the hard work and dedication of top magician SCOTT CUTHBERTSON.

ASSASSINATION (N): AN ARRANGEMENT TO MEET A DONKEY.
And then it was on to Falkirk where I had the really great pleasure of meeting, and performing alongside, the amazing FRANK ROBB – a funny, funny man. “…the most original and truly different act in Scotland just now” says The Stage. Suffice it to say, I’m glad I didn’t have to follow him!

DICTATOR (N): HILARIOUSLY SHAPED, EDIBLE TUBER.

I was back at The Dalmahoy Hotel AGAIN for a private after-dinner gig, and I must say it was one of the most enjoyable I’ve had in a long time. Dunno’ why, but sometimes everything just works out sweet, and you know you’ve had a really special time… And, more importantly, so have those who attended. I was also at Gleneagles in the company of my fine manager, where I met top chef Andrew Fairley. (Long story.)

INNUENDO (N): ITALIAN SUPPOSITORY.

I was up in Aberdeen this month where I gave a lecture to a bunch of some of the nicest people I’ve met in a long time (you know who you are!) Thank you for your hospitality… it was fun, wasn’t it? While there, I stayed with fellow exponent of the Dark Arts, BOB BURNS and his wife, LEIGH. Great company. Great conversation – and a lot of laughs. Thank you for your overwhelming hospitality.

DIPTHONG (V): TO WASH A LADY'S UNDERGARMENT.

I seem to have been in Glasgow a great deal this month; not that this is a bad thing. But one of the real pleasures was a night off and a great meal with friends including DAVE, MARTHA, SUNIL, and KENNY. The whole thing was organised by JAY TAILOR. And what a very special person he is. Besides running a very successful medical company, Jay is also the driving force behind a remarkable charity called the U Foundation which works in Zambia. It was he who talked me into cycling the 300 miles to Paris from London last year. … And while we are on the subject. If you visit www.theufoundation.org you will see a photograph of several cyclists pushing on along the road.. the one who is obviously struggling is me. Nice one! And while you are on the page you can click on the section labelled “click here to view the full brochure” and give serious consideration to pedalling from London to Paris this year. It IS possible, you’ll enjoy it (when it’s all over and you’re drinking beer under the Eiffel Tower) and you’ll be doing something good for a very worthwhile cause. I recommend it!

PROPAGANDA (N): A WOODEN SUPPORT FOR ONE-LEGGED MALE GEESE.

I was interviewed by a lovely fella’ called RON MCMANUS for a feature in The Weekly News. Ron is fascinating company, who has a wealth of knowledge about everything, a great sense of humour, and more stories to tell than you can shake a stick at. By the way, the article is, I am reliably informed, to be published this week. You’ll be able to read it by picking up a copy of The Weekly news from Thursday onwards. I only hope he has been kind to me!

DUMPLING (N): SMALL LUMP OF EXCREMENT.

I rarely mention my family or personal matters (mine or anybody else’s) in these newsletters. However, my youngest is off to Australia for five months before settling down into the real world. Now I always thought that backpacking would be arduous and challenging… so how come I keep getting stories of surfing and sunbathing along with photographs of cocktails and swimming pools overlooking incredible scenery? Still, it was hard to wave goodbye for that length of time.

GASTRONOME (N): SMALL PERSON PRONE TO EXCESS WIND.

I had a great meeting with a fascinating guy called MALCOLM ALLSOP, executive producer of the ever-popular Trisha Goddard Show (did you know that besides Channel 5 it also goes out in Australia, New Zealand and throughout Africa? No, neither did I.) Anyway, the upshot is that I will be filming as one of the team’s “specialists” on a couple of episodes next month. I am SO looking forward to this project, I can’t tell you. They seem like a lovely bunch to work with.

However… the production company is based in Norwich. So, I was driven back to Norwich airport and dropped by the driver at the terminal building. On entering, I was greeted by a huge queue at the ticket desk. Uh-oh, that can’t be good… All flights cancelled due to fog.

BMI, give them their due, organised transport to a local hotel, where we would be picked up the following morning. However, I checked on the web and discovered that the thick fog which had caused all the trouble was unlikely to lift for AT LEAST 24 hours. So, smart little me, I went and rented a car to drive back to Edinburgh.

Anybody spot the flaw in all of this?

Yeah, if the fog was bad enough to ground all the aircraft, then the roads were likely to be foggy, too. In fact, it was so bad that I only found the car in the car park by wandering around with the remote key fob, pressing the unlock button till I could make out the amber indicators flashing at me. I felt like I was the only person in the world; though there was probably a bunch of us doing the same thing.

Eighty eye-straining miles in thick fog (and -5c temperatures) where I would have been quicker getting out and feeling my way along the white lines (not recommended) before the fog thinned. The result? It was 4.30am in the morning before I made it home.

…and of course MY car was still at Edinburgh Secure Airpark.

Seen the film Trains, Planes and Automobiles? I’ve lived it, mate!

AND NEXT MONTH…

As already mentioned there is an interview and feature in The Weekly News (due out on Thursday) and two episodes of the Trisha show. Dave and Martha are getting married (‘ray!) Other highlights include Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond. I’m back in Glasgow for another gig, and a lecture in West Lothian. There is also a private gig at the Avonbridge Hotel and another in Renfrew and another in Edinburgh.

It’s hotting up to be another cracking month. I hope yours is, too.

And remember, it would be lovely to hear from you, with YOUR news. It’s the only way I can keep in touch these days.

Best wishes to you,

Drew
www.mindplay.co.uk