Why Clark isn't a Dame is a mystery after hearing this excellent documentary
What a great idea to let the star do the talking in *Petula Clark: In My Own Words*![ext]()
(Radio 2). Clark has one of those clear, engaging voices and a knack for storytelling that's a world away from having someone else reading a script, however well. There were minimal contributions from others, pointing out how successful she has been: Paul Gambaccini noted that Clark is the most successful British vocalist in US chart history, with 15 top-40 singles in a four-year period. "No one has even approached that," he added.
But mostly it was just Clark herself telling her remarkable story. She explained where her unusual first name comes from. "Auntie Mabel and Auntie Alice wanted me to be named after them," she said. When this became a family squabble, her father stepped in and invented the name Petula.
She recalled the oddness of being a child star, and working right through her adolescence, when everyone else wanted to keep her as young as possible while she wanted to grow up fast; boys were strictly off-limits. On holiday in Port Talbot one year, though, she renamed herself Christina and found herself a boyfriend: "He bought me an engagement ring in Woolworth's. I never saw him again, but he was cute." Everything was vividly told and sparkling, both the anecdotes with starry names ("I found myself under a piano with Sean Connery") and recollections of her childhood. Quite why Clark isn't a Dame really is a mystery after hearing this excellent, well-produced documentary.
Women, success and rewards was a theme on *Group Therapy Radio* (Resonance FM), where a panel of guests ponder listener "confessions". This week was about a woman with "impostor syndrome", feeling like a fake despite career success. A psychologist, comedian and executive coach spoke with presenter Jen Kerrison, noting how common the woman's feelings ("I just fumble through work, hoping for the best") are. It's a likable format for a programme: a bit more fun than Radio 4 might make it, but still insightful. Reported by guardian.co.uk 17 hours ago.
What a great idea to let the star do the talking in *Petula Clark: In My Own Words*
(Radio 2). Clark has one of those clear, engaging voices and a knack for storytelling that's a world away from having someone else reading a script, however well. There were minimal contributions from others, pointing out how successful she has been: Paul Gambaccini noted that Clark is the most successful British vocalist in US chart history, with 15 top-40 singles in a four-year period. "No one has even approached that," he added.But mostly it was just Clark herself telling her remarkable story. She explained where her unusual first name comes from. "Auntie Mabel and Auntie Alice wanted me to be named after them," she said. When this became a family squabble, her father stepped in and invented the name Petula.
She recalled the oddness of being a child star, and working right through her adolescence, when everyone else wanted to keep her as young as possible while she wanted to grow up fast; boys were strictly off-limits. On holiday in Port Talbot one year, though, she renamed herself Christina and found herself a boyfriend: "He bought me an engagement ring in Woolworth's. I never saw him again, but he was cute." Everything was vividly told and sparkling, both the anecdotes with starry names ("I found myself under a piano with Sean Connery") and recollections of her childhood. Quite why Clark isn't a Dame really is a mystery after hearing this excellent, well-produced documentary.
Women, success and rewards was a theme on *Group Therapy Radio* (Resonance FM), where a panel of guests ponder listener "confessions". This week was about a woman with "impostor syndrome", feeling like a fake despite career success. A psychologist, comedian and executive coach spoke with presenter Jen Kerrison, noting how common the woman's feelings ("I just fumble through work, hoping for the best") are. It's a likable format for a programme: a bit more fun than Radio 4 might make it, but still insightful. Reported by guardian.co.uk 17 hours ago.