I am also available as a speaker and have a selection of talks and presentations suitable for any size venue and audience. I talk for between 45 and 60 minutes and all the presentations have visuals, some even include live music! I can be fully self-contained and travel anywhere
Typically I am booked by U3A groups, local history associations, W.I. meetings, Probus groups, schools and for cruises.
Some feedback:
In a word Superb – Steve Pollock
Thank you for a truly excellent talk and music session with Sutton Probus today. You entertained us quite royally and your presentation was very stylish and professional really bringing Noel Coward to life for us. – Gary Miles
I don’t normally do this but this morning’s ‘lecture’/talk was just the very best – absolutely magic even to a musical ignoramus like myself. Totally brilliant. Please could you possibly pass this on to the Guest Speaker – Nicko Franks
Thanks indeed for setting off our early 2022 programme with such vigour driving an engaging story. There’s no doubt your excellent singing continually receives additional accolades. I really do hope there’s a chance to present one of your other themes in the near future – Anthony Downing
I just want to thank you for both of your entertaining talks in Harrowbarrow yesterday …. The afternoon session was my Social Committee’s responsibility and I was delighted we were able to go ahead with our first event for nearly two years with such spectacular success – Eileen Sturt
I am confident you will receive five stars from all the members! We have many interesting speakers, but your added dimension of music elevated it to another level – Maria Grasso
On behalf of all Probus members – a big thank you for today. A top notch performance which won full praise from everyone. You really had us all thinking about the effects of the Great War – Bob Langton
Many thanks indeed for entertaining us so splendidly yesterday, for which I have had plenty of enthusiastic feedback. – David Newth
An excellent talk today, thank you – Clive Robinson
If any of these subjects peak your interest, then please feel free to get in touch:
Surviving The Great War – The Songs, Humour and Words That Kept The Boys Going
A fifty minute presentation in words, music and visuals exploring how the Arts helped those embroiled in the devastation of the First World War to survive to the end of the day, or perhaps the week, or even to come home safely again. We’ll examine some of the Great War’s poetry, the songs that emerged and the wonderful satire which all worked to keep spirits up.
The Wit and Songs of Noel Coward
Born in 1899, Coward was an actor, writer, composer, director, producer, and in later life painter– and he excelled at them all. He said of himself ‘I am an enormously talented man, and there is no point in denying it’.
This is a 45 minute reminder of that talent and some of the wonderful songs and wit of the ‘Master’ including Don’t Let’s Be Beastly To The Germans, Mrs Worthington, Mad About The Boy, There Are Bad Times Just Around The Corner and Mad Dogs & Englishmen.
This contains live music and visuals.
The Jerry Lee Lewis Story
Jerry Lee Lewis was the first wildman of rock ‘n’ roll with his highly dynamic and energetic piano playing and performances. With hits like Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin and Breathless for a short period he eclipsed Elvis as the King of rock ‘n’ roll, but then his chaotic personal life caught up with him and for a while he was vilified. I will take you through the highs and lows of Jerry’s life and will perform a selection of his great songs.
A 45/50 minute presentation with live music and visuals.
Politically Incorrect – The Songs of Tom Lehrer
Born in 1928 Tom Lehrer was a mathematical child prodigy who graduated from Harvard when just eighteen. However, it is for his satirical and often irreverent songs that he his famous. Songs such as I Hold Your Hand in Mine, When You Are Old and Grey, Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, We’ll All Go Together When We Go and I Got it from Agnes.
In this presentation we explore Tom’s career, his relevance today and I perform a selection of his most famous musical works.
A 45 minute presentation with live music and visuals.
Musical Satire of the 20th Century
In this talk Peter explores the evolution of the comedy song in the 20th Century – from the songs sung in the trenches of the First World War to the genius of Cole Porter, Noel Coward and Tom Lehrer and on to the hilarity of Monty Python, Billy Connolly and Victoria Wood. The skill of the satirical lyricist will be identified and a choice selection of the songs performed.
A 50 minute presentation with live music.
Talbot House – a home from home
Run by the cleric Tubby Clayton, Talbot House in Poperinge, Belgium, became the ‘haven in hell’ for many British servicemen during the Great War and ultimately the inspiration behind the Toc H Movement. This illustrated talk introduces us to the house which allowed men of all ranks and religion to find some home comforts and to escape from the sounds, sights and odours of war for just a little while.
Butch & Sundance: Heroes or Villains?
In 1969 Paul Newman and Robert Redford immortalised two of America’s most notorious bank and train robbers of all time in George Roy Hill’s cinematic spectacle. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were represented as two affable and likeable Robin Hood style outlaws, but how accurate a reflection was this?
A 45 minute talk with visuals.
Private Godfrey’s Real War
To the legions of fans of ‘Dad’s Army’, Private Charles Godfrey was that wonderfully endearing, kind and gentle retired tailor who lives with his two spinster sisters in Cherry Tree Cottage, Walminton-on-Sea. However, the Great War experiences of William Arnold Ridley, who played Godfrey, as a combatant in the front line trenches of the Western Front would leave him both physically and mentally scarred for life.
A 45 minute talk with visuals.