Diary of a (teenage) Diva!

August 1985

As Penny’s Mediterranean adventure draws to a close the ‘Mystery of the Missing Snog’ is finally solved! August’s guests, musical theatre stars Amber Scates and Ethan Jones, bring a unique insight into The Pirates of Penzance, and we welcome a raft of new characters to the podcast as the Wallingford Corn Exchange becomes the center of the universe. Meanwhile what horrible catastrophe can possibly lead the ever positive Penny to give a day her first 0/10 rating? Recorded in December 2021, the closing night of Cinderella, extremely noisy birds, trains, and the Fremantle Doctor all getting in on the act.

September 1985

ABC Radio’s Drive Program host, Geoff Hutchison, is Penny’s guest for September; as Embryo Youth Theatre’s performance of Pirates of Penzance continues and show-business tightens its grip on our diva-in-waiting! School recommences, opera rehearsals begin and despite having ‘nothing to prove’ Penny is determined to get off with someone, anyone, as soon as possible. Recorded at home, any attempt to sound professional is ruined by Otto, noisy frogs and pesky crickets.

October 1985

Penny turns 15 and gets her first heady taste of being a groupie as she watches Neil’s band play at the “Harvest Piss Up”. The phone, shared between all the family, won’t stop ringing and is triggering Penny’s PMT making her hate everyone. Worried she is in the friend zone she tries to convince Neil that she is not like other girls…will her plan work? Read with Sass, friend of the pod and easily excited 1980s Catholic school girl.

November1985

Penny flies to the UK and persuades Tracey, her old rival, to be November’s guest! So many questions in this episode. Will Neil ever call? Does God exist? Who will lose their virginity first? Penny stars in her first ever opera, The Trappisberg Murders, and there is a cameo appearance from Penny’s future husband, Jack. CONTENT WARNING - much giggling. 

December 1985

Christmas Parties are the perfect hunting ground for Penny and her friends, so many boys to G.O.W, but who’s keeping count? That’s right…everyone. Join Penny and musical theatre star Morgan for the season finale, recorded at the Quarry Amphitheatre, with a little surprise at the end, Penny on vocals, Finn on guitar. Enjoy!

January 1986

Series 3! Penny is joined by her long suffering Mother and her own teenager; 15 years and 3 months at the time of recording, exactly the same as Penny in January 1986. What could possibly go wrong?

Recorded in noisy rural Oxfordshire, complete with passing helicopters, squeaky shoes and bonking fish. Recollections may vary.

February 1986

February! The winter weather is too cold to play lax but perfect for tobogganing, gliding and gossiping as school goes a bit 'Meangirls'. We find out how girls learnt to French Kiss in the 80s; (it’s not what you think!) and for the first time some names have been bleeped out to protect the guilty. If you know you know…

Recorded with legendary musician Bourby Webster, on a boiling hot day in ‘Woop Woop’ with occasional noise pollution from husbands making Limoncello on the terrace.

March 1986

Finally some genuine teenage angst as Penny realises her 'main character energy' is on the wane, she never gets the parts she auditions for and unrequited love rears its ugly head. Penny and old school pal Marie, revert to their worst teenage selves, have one too many drinks and giggle. You have been warned.  March 1986 is dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Martin.

April 1986

Disastrous Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, toad rescue, and unsupportive parents all conspire to distract Penny as she obsessively prepares for her all important audition for Jesus Christ Superstar. Read with musician and cabaret collaborator Joe Louis Robinson at home in South Freo. Theme music by Finn Pearson with some added tinkling on the ivories by Joe.

Cabaret tickets!

May 1986

Radioactive strawberries, creepy anonymous letters and a futurist fashion show...but mostly May is about scandal! As previously suspected, 15 proves to be a dangerous age for nice young ladies. 

Recorded with fellow cabaret artist, journalist and fashionista Glynis Traill-Nash.

Cabaret Tickets!