Helen Wybrew Interview: Post Show Parties: Danny La Rue & David Hasselhoff
Title
Helen Wybrew Interview: Post Show Parties: Danny La Rue & David Hasselhoff
Date
15 February 2018
Description
Oral history interview with Helen Wybrew, a long-standing member of the Theatre Royal team, whose experiences at the venue include working in finance, marketing, access and administration.
What's the story?
Born in 1966, Helen Wybrew was brought up in Nottingham and currently resides in Stapleford.
She was first employed at the Theatre Royal in February 1987 as maternity cover for the evening receptionist role.
Thirty-two years later she remains at the venue, however during that time she has worked in a number of departments and so has many stories and memories to recollect.
Post-show opening night parties are a regular feature at the Theatre Royal, particularly for the annual Pantomime. In this interview Helen shares her memories of meeting David Hasselhoff in 2013 and in particular entertainer Danny La Rue in 2003, who had quite an effect on Helen’s mother.
I remember from a personal and family point of view. Now, I can’t remember which pantomime it was, but Danny La Rue was the lead in the panto and he came up for the party. I was on duty, but my mum was here that night as well, as was the mother of another colleague, and my mum and my friend’s mum ended up sat at a table drinking champagne with Danny La Rue. And my mum always commented, because he said “Oh darling, have a drink” and my mum was like “No, I can’t, I’m diabetic”. And he was like “No, please, you have to”. So there’s these two ladies and Danny La Rue drinking, I think it was Veuve Clicquot, and my mum was like “I could get used to this!” Yes that was quite memorable. And then the post show party with David Hasselhoff. He was ever so nice. He was really nice. A nice guy.
She was first employed at the Theatre Royal in February 1987 as maternity cover for the evening receptionist role.
Thirty-two years later she remains at the venue, however during that time she has worked in a number of departments and so has many stories and memories to recollect.
Post-show opening night parties are a regular feature at the Theatre Royal, particularly for the annual Pantomime. In this interview Helen shares her memories of meeting David Hasselhoff in 2013 and in particular entertainer Danny La Rue in 2003, who had quite an effect on Helen’s mother.
I remember from a personal and family point of view. Now, I can’t remember which pantomime it was, but Danny La Rue was the lead in the panto and he came up for the party. I was on duty, but my mum was here that night as well, as was the mother of another colleague, and my mum and my friend’s mum ended up sat at a table drinking champagne with Danny La Rue. And my mum always commented, because he said “Oh darling, have a drink” and my mum was like “No, I can’t, I’m diabetic”. And he was like “No, please, you have to”. So there’s these two ladies and Danny La Rue drinking, I think it was Veuve Clicquot, and my mum was like “I could get used to this!” Yes that was quite memorable. And then the post show party with David Hasselhoff. He was ever so nice. He was really nice. A nice guy.
Type
Oral interview
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Contributor
Interviewers: Mena Severn & Phil Smith
Transcriber: David Chilton
Transcriber: David Chilton
