Sandra Dickinson will perform at the Lincoln Theatre Royal from the 14th – 18th September in the forthcoming production of Murdered to Death as part of the theatre’s repertory season.

LoveLincoln.co.uk caught up with Sandra as she was enjoying a cup of tea with the play’s Miss Marple, Elizabeth Williams, to discuss the tour and to find out what’s next in store for her.

1) Murdered to Death sounds like a fun and exciting play. Tell us a little about your character and the plot.

I don’t want to say much about my character or the plot because it will ruin the surprise but it’s based on a classic Agatha Christie, set in a country manor house in the 1930s. Norman Pace is fantastic as the inspector! It’s a brilliantly funny spoof and I’m really looking forward to performing it in Lincoln. The response we’ve had so far from around the country is that everyone loves it and it’s going really well.

2) You’ve had such a varied and successful career – what do you think has been the key to your success?

Luck! I’ve been very lucky. I started out as a bit of an oddity as an American in the UK with a very distinctive voice but I had the good fortune to meet the right people and I think my individuality took me far. I did six years’ training to back it up though. I think it’s a combination of both: you need the luck to kick start your career but you need to have the ability to keep it going so I was well prepared and the lovely English people seem to have taken to me. I consider myself a Brit now!

3) What was it like working on such classic cult programmes such as Doctor Who and of course The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?

When one’s making those programmes you don’t know that they will become these popular cult show, you just feel lucky to be working on such a nice job at the time. Playing those roles was fantastic and we’ve all stayed really good friends. Simon Jones who played Arthur Dent lives in New York now so when I’m there I go and visit with him and his wife which is lovely. It was truly a delight.

4) What’s been your favourite role?

I understudied for Jessica Lang in A Street Car Named Desire and I got to perform the character on Thursdays for the students! I’d like to do that one on my own before I’m too old! Also there was a show I did called The Clairvoyant which I loved.

5) Is it true you run a drama school?

Yes with my husband Mark Osmond. We’ve run it for six years now and have branches in Shepperton and Ealing.

6) What do you miss when you are on the road touring with a play?

My husband, my daughter and my grandson. But the cast is great and we get to see the country and I’m in very good company. The weather has held out for us too so we’ve been able to enjoy the different places that we’ve visited. Except for Swansea! Swansea was under water!

7) What’s next after you finish touring with the play?

I’m doing a panto later this year which my husband will also be performing in – he plays my henchman! We actually met eight years ago in a panto for Aladdin. After that the plan is to do another stint of Murdered to Death and take it touring again because the response we’ve had has been so incredible. We’ve had full houses and audiences rolling around in the aisle laughing – which I’m assuming is a good sign!

8 ) Are there other specific roles that you would still like to play?

I’d love to work in America again at some point. My family is in LA and I’ll be going over there after the tour for my parents’ birthdays in October – they’re both turning 92!

9) Who would be your ideal leading man?

My husband. No question. He really is very handsome and lovely – a delightful chap! He’s my ideal leading man.

10) Finally, it’s hard to believe you are a grandmother as you look fabulous. Can you offer us some beauty tips?

Thank you! I’m a consultant for a beauty range called Arbonne which I would highly recommend to anyone. It’s a Swiss formulated skin care range – very pure. It’s done wonders for me and keeps time at bay. I don’t believe in all this surgery stuff, it’s just creepy and I think it can make you look ghoulish.

11) Are you excited about visiting Lincoln?

Absolutely. Lincoln is a really beautifully town, I can’t wait.

Paul Dutnall, Sakura Manager,met up with LoveLincoln.co.uk to discuss Lincoln nightlife and to find out what’s coming up at Sakura.

• How did you get into working for Sakura, what were you doing before?

I was a student at University of East Anglia in Norwich reading English Literature and Creative Writing. During my time at university I put together an events company running club nights and a DJ agency as well as providing event management and print and design services for clubs. I worked with Po Na Na nightclub in Norwich, a venue operated by Eclectic Bars who also own the Sakura nightclubs. I came onboard with the team at Po Na Na on graduating from UEA as Promotions Manager and worked up to Deputy General Manager. After two years of learning the trade an opportunity arose to move into a new role at Sakura, and here I am!

• What’s a typical day (or should I say night) like, what are the highs and lows?

It changes every day (which is definitely one of the highs of the job!), but is essentially a process of securing the main business aspects of the venue: the stock, the money, maintenance and standards; planning and preparing for the immediate and mid-term future with my management team. I am also continually networking, meeting new customers, improving service to existing customers and promoting our forthcoming activities.
It’s long and dedicated hours, with high expectations in a results-based industry which can be quite stressful, however you learn a lot (very quickly) about managing the entirety of a business and in a fast-paced, exciting, people-orientated industry which I love.

• What’s the best club you have ever been too?

Most of the world-renowned super-clubs – Fabric, Ministry of Sound, Matter, Pacha and so on – are up there for a reason and are fantastic venues with absolute attention to detail on music, production, standards and service. However I had the privilege of going to this incredible venue in Menorca two summers ago called Cava d’en Xoroi, which was build into the side of a sheer cliff-face, with walkways and platforms hanging out over the Mediterranean. The main venue was built into the cliff with a balcony on the dancefloor looking out to sea. On a clear night you could make out Mallorca across the bay. That was pretty special and hard to beat!

• What’s your idea of the ideal night out?

It’s old cliché but it really is more about the atmosphere than where or when you are out. The people you are with are most important of all; the people around you, the buzz of that one night whether it’s a mellow and intimate bar or big-room club environment. Ultimately it doesn’t really matter whether so and so from Ibiza is playing, but whether you and your friends are having a great time. But it helps!

We try to make sure our standards are high in every area: is the music right for the people who have chosen to party with you, is the service exceeding expectations, is it too hot or too cold, are people having to wait long for drinks and are they being served at a consistent quality. If we can remove any possible disappointments whilst giving people something special to talk about this goes a long way to creating that unique environment you want to tell everyone about the next day.

• What, if anything is Lincoln’s nightlife missing?

The variety of entertainment will always follow demand in any city. It seems to me that most tastes are catered for, perhaps without quite enough choice in niche areas. For instance, we endeavor to provide a West End standard venue and service, whilst other clubs are geared towards underground and niche music fans and that is their area. There are some fantastic ideas and performers coming out of the bigger cities like London and it is good to see many of these individuals performing in Lincoln, at Sakura or elsewhere. Industry leaders should continue to be innovative, bring in new ideas and showcase what is out there, whilst supporting local performers and giving the regular party goers exactly what they want.

• Any sneak peeks for upcoming events at Sakura?

We’ve got some incredible artists lined up over the next few months and into 2011, although we are trying to keep Freshers’ Week and our student headliners under wraps until a big release in the very near future!

I can definitely highlight the next Hed Kandi event, our second in a three-part series, which takes place on Friday 24th September. It features DJ Sam Cannon and the very talented Steve Lewis on live percussion. If the Bank Holiday party was anything to go by this should be an absolutely incredible night!

We’re also celebrating three years of Sakura on Saturday 11th September. I’m hoping anyone and everyone who has been fans of the club over the years will be able to come and celebrate with us and eat a piece of our giant chocolate birthday cake! I’m hoping LoveLincoln.co.uk will be able to join us too!

• How do you source your DJs and other entertainment?

We work with a number of national and international booking agencies. I like to keep in touch with what our customers are listening to and are excited by and keep up-to-date with the music world and what styles and artists are breaking through. We also have the advantage of some very talented promotions managers across the Eclectic Bars estate and we swap ideas and knowledge as much as possible.

• What do you do in your spare time – favourite place to hang out in Lincoln?

Spare time is like gold dust at the moment! In order of priority I try and fit some sort of sleeping schedule in, go to the gym, and socially I’ve visited pretty much every coffee shop and bar within walking distance of Sakura! The Bailgate is beautiful, and I like to head down to the Brayford when the weather is good. I’m on the look-out for a football team to join so if anyone’s recruiting let me know.

Michelle Rudd, Owner of birdy’s boutique and Ring Ring Accessories, met with LoveLincoln.co.uk to talk designers, and what we’re going to be wearing this winter.

When did you first start your business?

Birdy’s Boutique was launched in May 2008 as a small boutique in the Mall Shopping Centre in Lincoln. Thanks to the feedback from customers and the demand for our goods we opened up a larger store six months later.

What inspired you to start your own business and later to open up your second shop Ring Ring?

I’ve always been very passionate about working for myself, working my own hours (being a workaholic!) and creating products and a brand I’m proud to promote and sell. Being a graphic/web designer by trade I decided to use my love of fashion and design to create Birdy’s Boutique.

Ring Ring Accessories, which opened recently, stocks a wide range of different types of jewellery, shoes, scarves, bags and more! In Birdy’s we can only stock so many products and this seemed a great way to include other brands and items.

Who are your favourite designers and why?

Designers I love at the moment include Lulu Guiness, Mark Jacobs, Luisa Beccaria and Chloe. Luisa Beccaria’s autumn/winter 2010 Collections shown in Milan were stunning with soft colours and feminine details.

Within the boutique we exclusively stock Sugarhill Boutique, which has recently been seen in Grazia and Look Magazine. Jameela was recently seen in their tie-dye dress which is in stock at Birdy’s. Their designs are unusual and different and fit the body perfectly.

Are the clothes and accessories in birdy’s and Ring Ring a reflection of your own style and fashion favourites?

I would definitely say it reflects my personal style, but I always keep in mind my friends and family, as you’re buying for so many people not just yourself! Although there are so many gorgeous items in the boutique, it’s hard not to order extra items for yourself.

What will we be wearing in the upcoming autumn/winter seasons?

With the colder months approaching, there will be a fabulous array of autumn colours mixed with navy and dark petrol blue. Long maxi skirts will be on trend, mixed with loose chunky knits. Stick to luxurious materials for dresses and blouses, but think simple in style with lots of embellishments, especially jewels, which is fabulous news if you love anything that sparkles.

When purchasing autumn/winter arm candy, again think simple in colour, with tassels or quilting.

Look out for our more detailed fashion reports at www.birdys-boutique.co.uk.

What are your favourite places in Lincoln?

As Revolution is located behind us, we are always in there grabbing some yummy pizza! I also love the Oxfam bookshop near the market – I love reading – and by purchasing a book you’re helping to support a fantastic charity. My Pug-Chihuahua Gus, who is usually with me, loves to walk near the river and waterside area.