Diary of a (teenage) Diva‪!‬ divaliciouspenny

January 1986! Series three and Penny is joined by her long suffering Mother and her own teenager; 15 years and 3 months at the time of recording, exactly the same as Penny in January 1986. What could possibly go wrong?

Recorded in noisy rural Oxfordshire, complete with passing helicopters, squeaky shoes and bonking fish. Recollections of 1986 may vary!

February! The winter weather is too cold to play lax but perfect for tobogganing, gliding and gossiping as school goes a bit 'Meangirls'. We find out how girls learnt to French Kiss in the 80s; (it’s not what you think!) and for the first time some names have been bleeped out to protect the guilty. If you know you know…
Recorded with legendary musician Bourby Webster, on a boiling hot day in ‘Woop Woop’ with occasional noise pollution from husbands making Limoncello on the terrace.

Finally some genuine teenage angst as Penny realises her 'main character energy' is on the wane, she never gets the parts she auditions for and unrequited love rears its ugly head.
Penny and old school pal Marie, revert to their worst teenage selves, have one too many drinks and giggle. You have been warned. 
March 1986 is dedicated to the memory of Rebecca Martin.

Disastrous Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, toad rescue, and unsupportive parents all conspire to distract Penny as she obsessively prepares for her all important audition for Jesus Christ Superstar. Read with musician and cabaret collaborator Joe Louis Robinson at home in South Freo. Theme music by Finn Pearson with some added tinkling on the ivories by Joe.

The excesses of New Year’s Eve have left Penny with swollen tonsils, a swollen ankle and a life-long horror of Vermouth. Spiky hair, Bagpuss and Ouija Boards are in; microwave cakes and boys called Ian are out. Penny and this month’s guest, baritone Robert Hofmann, discuss their various encounters with European prostitutes. Brand new theme music written by Finn Pearson.

February is all about sharing...sharing private letters, other people’s boyfriends, body parts and we shudder to think how many viruses. Penny, often too unwell to go to school nevertheless indulges in various activities, sledging, trampolining, ice-skating and an unfortunate night at the bowling alley. Singing lessons are going well and Penny lands a role in the Abingdon School musical, but which part? Recorded with fellow diva Fiona Campbell on Rottnest Island after a bit too much rosé.