It’s been amazing the feedback from FCTers, the support, the love and the joy as things have gone from bad to better for Jenny.

And it is better, much better, but it’s not over yet, despite all the good news, so Jenny still needs your support, love and friendship.

Compared to ten days ago Jenny is in a much better place but it’s a tough road to complete recovery.

From next Wednesday Jenny will be undertaking a six week course of radiography and that isn’t going to be easy so please keep Jenny in your thoughts.

Wish her well and say the odd Oggy Oggy Oggy to passing strangers in the street, because she likes that sort of randomness.

The strength and determination she has shown has been nothing short of remarkable but with phenomal support from Rene, Alan and David.  I’m also told the collective spirit of FCT has really touched her.

But to be out of hospital only four days after a major operation is thrilling.

Apparently she is driving everyone nuts in the hospital with her chat and wind ups, so all seems very much back to normal.

As Rene said to me on the phone this morning…

“She said to me, Mum, I just want to see the final of Strictly at home. “

“The Final of fecking Strictly.” says Rene.  “That’s all I feckin’ need.”

Anyway.  Strictly it is.

Enjoy guys…

Unbelievably, Jenny was up and joking with the nurses and family, after a four hour operation that started at 8am this morning, and she was reported to be putting Rene firmly in her place.

(Well, somebody has to.)

Jenny thanks everybody for their support and well wishes.  (And we know she’s reading our website.)  As does Rene who has been really humbled by the outpouring of love and good wishes she has received from all of her friends and family.

Whilst there could well be some ups and downs along the road to a full recovery she’s off to a phenomenal start.

What a girl!

Jenny Hogg, as some of you will know, was taken ill, in fact she hasn’t been well for several weeks as it happens, at the weekend.

She has to undergo an important operation on Wednesday morning and I think we need to all be with her, and Alan and Rene,  for this.

We all know how witty, chilled, funny, cool and sorted Jenny is.  The great thing is that she is exhibiting every one of these qualities in hospital right now.

But we need to give her a big Uggy, Uggy, Uggy, Oi, Oi Oi,  just for a wee following wind.

Jenny.  We all love you and are thinking of you.

xxx

PS.  Just like the rest of you she hates having her photo taken but a certain photo man always gets her.

Kirsty Harrower also kept her Parent’s Representative position for a further year .

Claire Stewart ended her termas Secretary to be replaced by Roy Carter (an ex cast member).

We are extremely grateful to the immense amount of work that Claire has put in in her role as secretary and she will continue as a member of the Artistic Committee and is directing our Festival show which was also announced at the AGM.

The show will be Once On This Island and here’s a number from it from 1991 when the show was nominated for a Tony.  (Sorry but the quality is not good)

After an extended debate it was voted almost unanimously to increase the  cost of membership from the current level of £3 to £10.

It’s been a smash hit on Broadway and is full of fantastic numbers like these ones.

This is the title track

And a few more…

The production team will be led by Ronan Radin, MD’d by Andrew McDivvit and Choreographed by Katie Renton; all three making their production debuts for FCT but all three ex cast members.  A lot of fun is guaranteed.

AUDITIONS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

We’re all very excited about the auditions on Sunday.

Please be there, at Bangholm, prompt at 10am as we want to crack into the fun workshops we have planned!

If people have problems making the full day then please do get in touch as there may be a way to get round it!

We’d really appreciate it if you could all let your friends know about the auditions as it would be great to have as many people as possible. Please share this link on facebook (we’ll be checking to see who has actually done it).

http://www.facebook.com/events/258159827560162/

If you have any questions then please get in touch with our director at ronanradin@hotmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

The production team x

Young people that are given their spotlight and moments, sometimes turning into years and careers of fame or, at the very least, recognition.

But it’s not all about that.

Today, we need to turn our eyes to another dimension that is so, so important to this company.

The back room, the quietly wonderful contributors that never ask for thanks, that turn up year in year out to add the underscore to what makes this company what it is.

Fiona Pirie was one of those people.

Quiet, unassuming, unbelievably talented.

Lovely.

Dedicated.

One of us.

But she died last Wednesday, yet another victim of cancer.

We will all remember her many many contributions to FCT; her last being Chess Game.

I captured her with Neil’s band during Ragtime as she proudly showed off not only her Clarinet, but her Soprano Saxaphone too.

I hope we will all remember her unsung contribution with great respect.

She was, unquestionably, an FCT legend and our deepest sympathies go out to her husband Bill.

Her funeral is on Thursday 17th November 2011 at Warriston Lorima Chapel, Edinburgh with an internment at Aberlady, East Lothian afterwards.  Bill has requested Family Flowers only but has said that all are welcome.  Sadly I am on holiday and so will be unable to attend.

Fiona.  We love you.

You can see it here.

What’s more Alex Bathe and Ellie Henderson have both been cast in a commercial for the Mental Health charity See Me’s next ad campaign.

Have a wee look.  Great performance from Emma I’m sure you will all agree.