Nearly there...

Well - there's less than a week to go before rehearsals start. Contracts have been dealt with, itineraries sent, rehearsal schedules forwarded - there's no turning back now!

From Monday 4th Jan 2010 there will hopefully be plenty to write about as we start to work on the brand new shows for Headliners onboard the Azura.

Watch this space!

Meet our Godmother...

Exciting news - the Azura will have Darcey Bussell as it's Godmother! Cool!

Have a look here - P&O Cruises -Azura - for all the details.

So I'm looking forward to meeting her on-board when she "smashes a bottle" on the top deck in April next year.

Come and join us...

Looks like the Dail Mail is running a competition to win an overnight stay on the Azura...

"Look out for your chance to be one of the first to sample the sophisticated delights of P&O Cruises' newest superliner, Azura - only in next week's Mail on Sunday.

During her launch week in Southampton, P&O Cruises are giving 25 lucky winners plus guest the chance to enjoy an evening of cocktails, fine dining and an overnight stay on the 8th April, prior to Azura's maiden cruise."

So click here to read more and see if you can win a trip to come and visit us!

P&O searching for memorabilia to showcase on the Azura

Here's a recent press release from P&O about the historic 'keepsakes' they are looking for, to have onboard the Azura:

"Find those old photos, track down those trophies, rummage for those relics and collect up those keepsakes - P&O Cruises is searching for memorabilia to showcase on its newest ship Azura.

Britain’s oldest cruise line is asking the country’s collectors to find historical items relating to the company. All items chosen will be displayed on Azura during her maiden season and will then be part of a travelling heritage display across its fleet of seven ships.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow said:

"P&O Cruises began in 1837 and is proud of its long and illustrious history as Britain's oldest cruise line. The launch of Azura seemed a fitting time to celebrate this heritage by exhibiting memorabilia and works of art associated with our fleet. I am sure that many people have items of historical importance and sentimental relevance which we would love to share with all our passengers and have on loan for Azura’s maiden season.

"So whether people have Canberra on camera, images of Iberia or a souvenir from Strathaird or Strathmore, we want to share the stories. Our ships have played a significant part in the shaping of the cruise industry and I am sure that this collection will evoke many memories of cruises past. Our inspiration for Azura is ‘back to the future’, evocative of the elegance and glamour of classic British cruising at its best so this memorabilia will form a key part of the feel of the ship.”

You can find more details here. Should make for quite a display!

Welcome to the new Blog! - 2 months and counting...

Welcome to the first post on my new blog, created specially to record my time on the P&O ship Azura.

I will be joining the team of performers who will be working onboard for rehearsals in January in London - two months from today. We will then rehearse for two months here in the UK, before relocating to Venice (where the Azura is currently under construction in the Monfalcone shipyard) for a further month of rehearsals.

The Azura's maiden voyage is in April 2010, from Southampton - and then we will be cruising throughout the year, until my contract ends in October. Obviously the ship carries on cruising even if I don't!
I'm looking forward to working on such an exciting project - especially as the ship is new, the shows are new, the theatre is new - it's all new! Onboard is an 800-seater theatre - the Playhouse, where we will be performing most of the shows. A cast of 14 will be involved in a number of different productions, including musical theatre, swing, motown amongst others. Lots of work, lots to learn - but a great challenge.

I'll also get the chance to see some amazing places - most of which I've never been to before. Ports around the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Europe, the Baltic... a fair few "photo opportunities" there I imagine! And as we visit some of the ports a number of times over the 6 months, it will give me a chance to get to know them a littler better, rather than just a single fleeting visit.

You can check out all the cruise details via my 'P&O Azura' News page and check back here for all the buzz. There may not be much for the time being until I actually 'get going' - but keep your eye out!