A lost voice is a singer's worse nightmare. There is little one can do about apart from rest, yet all the while there is the pressure of knowing one is letting people down. Jonny started the day with a slow series of vocal warmups, and the sound of frogs in a swamp soon reverberated around the hotel.

By lunchtime he felt a little better, and we made our way to the Macmillan Big Busk in Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, E1 6AA. Jonny's 10 minute appearance started with feedback problems from the sound-desk, but he managed to get through three songs without damaging his vocal chords. Several CDs were donated and the Macmillan ladies rushed around selling them to the audience in return for donations. The Macmillan website is here.

Then it was off to a light lunch, change and rush down to the Bonobo Burlesque event at the Loose Cannon in Allhallows Lane, a charity event set up by Tallulah Bygraves to raise funds for the bonobo apes. Nigel joined us as a stand-in if Jonny couldn't sing, but his voice held out. Someone suggested a costume, Jonny was game, Vicki found the ape suit (and brushed its hair the right way), and Jonny's future as a variety performer in a hairy suit was sealed forever! Even the manager had to try the mask out... Actually it was a nice touch, and as Tallulah said "Dressing up in a bonobo suit under stage lights is serious dedication!"

The acts were amazing, and I can't say enough about the audience. There were some generous donations for the CDs, and the night will be remembered.

The Bonobo event website is here.

(by the way, please click on the pictures to view larger in a separate window)

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Burlesque for Bonobos...






















The other acts...