Duckie's Big Bexhill Weekend

Duckie's weekend performances of singing, dancing - and so much more -explored the two sides of love.

Aimed at anyone who has been unlucky in love, Friday night's 'black hearts ball' explored the 'darker side of love'.

Duckie producer Simon Casson said they specifically chose Friday the thirteenth to, "double up as a celebration of the club's thirteen years of pop & performance", and to host their, "thirteenth anniversary do".

Throughout the show a stellar cast of talented performers delivered an outstanding variety of original material that captured the imagination and enthralled the audience from beginning to end.

Hosted by quick-witted glamourpuss Miss Amy Lam, four and a half hours of non-stop entertainment included hilarious performances from Lorraine Bowen.

Her brilliant rendition of 'Bexhill on Sea', along with a backdrop showing stills photography and video clips taken from around the area, was superb and nearly bought the house down.

Next on stage was a lady who likes to keep things nice and hot, the 'Flamme Fatale' better known as Lucifire.

Her amazing fire-eating and fire-twirling display, along with a simply stunning costume (which got progressively smaller throughout her performance) brought loud cheers, gasps of delight and rapturous applause from an appreciative audience.

In addition there were a number of mature genteel performances from talented local people, including Anne Dalton, who beautifully sang a number of tunes appropriate for the Valentines weekend '“ one of which included the line, 'love me & I'll die for you.'

'Bexhill Ballroom', was just one of a number of fabulous, high energy performances delivered by the popular Miss High Leg Kick, who, for this number, took to the stage with The Sugar Dandies, Barbara Burstow, Syd and Marian Docwra - showing everyone what strictly come dancing is all about.

After the show Miss High Leg Kick described her affection for Bexhill, and her thoughts on the diversity of the weekend.

She said: "I love Bexhill and I love the De La Warr, and it's very lovely to be here. This weekend is a very special event because we can bring together so many different generations and it's the most mixed crowd ever seen."

She added: "Duckie is very special, they have a knack of bringing people together."

During intervals from the stage performances there was the opportunity to fill in a dance card '“ a brilliant revival of a once popular dating ritual that was included on the back of the shocking pink programme '“ and take to the dance floor for one of the five 'formal dances', with music provided by DJs Readers Wifes.

Or alternatively partake in of a number of interesting sideshows for example, 'show your romantic side', and have a life-size portrait created by talented artist Robin Whitmore.

There were some truly amazing, varied and stunning costumes to be seen among the dazzlingly resplendent paying guests - many of whom had travelled some distance in order to attend both evenings - proving how very popular Duckie is, with many commenting on how much they enjoyed the weekend, and how important the event is for Bexhill.

Sandeep from St Leonards on Sea said he would like to see more weekends such as this in the local area.

He said: "This is great for Bexhill - we need more weekends like this. The evening has been fantastic, it's the right mix for all age groups; it's quiet, intimate and perfectly pitched."

Whilst Marcel & Jay who travelled down from Alexander Palace,London, both agreed that the event was, "very special."

Looking at the 'brighter side of love' Saturday night's show was billed as a, 'sweetheart's salon for St Valentine's day. Looking at real romance '“ across the ages, across sexualities, over the years.'

Aimed at an unusually mixed audience of over 60's and the younger Duckie fraternity another sell-out show, had one hundred Bexhill Senior Citizens as guests of honour.

With a similar line-up to Friday night, the show had the addition of a snazzy comedic performance, choreographed by Hewlett & Eaton, in which Miss High Leg Kick lead a ballroom dancing display with a group of nippy senior citizens.

In addition, Matthew Robins and Tim Spooner created local homespun courtly sideshow art.

The weekend was co-funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery.

For more information on Duckie and upcoming events visit the website at: www.duckie.co.uk