Young Ambassadors in South Africa

Tony’s really enjoyed his involvement with the exciting Young Ambassadors South Africa youth project, organised by the British Council and Youth Sport Trust.

Tony flew to Johannesburg to produce a CD celebrating the hugely successful worldwide youth programme Dreams + Teams. “I worked on the backing track for the Dreams + Teams song with
Sy Ntuli, a South African record producer and
some fine musicians from Johannesburg.

"The lead vocals were provided by six Young Ambassadors from the UK and six from South Africa.

"None of them had been in a recording studio before, but they were brilliant and the record turned out really well and will now be played at Dreams + Teams events all around the world, which is great."

Tony also travelled out to Durban on South Africa’s east coast and visited several schools, where he saw the success of the Young Ambassadors event at first hand. Since returning to the UK he has edited a book of text, poems, photographs and illustrations, all provided by the students who took part. PLAY Dreams + Teams Rap

“I’m very happy with the book,’ says Tony. ‘It truly reflects the spirit of this very special event”

Tony’s feelings about South Africa and the people he met there are expressed in hispoem below.
                                                                             

The Stranger

I came here as a stranger.
A little nervous?
You could say that.
Uncertain? Yes, that too.
But I found smiling faces,
As warm and open as the endless plains,
Where zebra graze free beneath the African sky.
I found hands that held my hand in friendship.
As strong as the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
As deep as the cool, calm waters,
Where lion and elephant gather,
In the light of a brand new day.
In South Africa I found people
With warmth in their hearts
And eyes on the future.
When the time comes to leave them, 
I’m sure to be sad.
But I know I’ll  return
To the special land                                          
That called a stranger
Friend.

Tony with South African musician and record producer
Sy Ntuli at the‘Dreams + Teams’ recording session they
co-produced in Johannesburg.

Alan Mullery Autobiography

'Alan Mullery – The Autobiography’ by Alan Mullery & Tony Norman, published by Headline, has been winning rave reviews.

Tony says, ‘Alan has an exceptional memory for detail. He paints pictures in words. Whether he is talking about his childhood in war-torn London, winning the FA Cup with Spurs, or scoring in the 1970 World Cup Finals for England, he brings it all brilliantly to life. I’ve really enjoyed working with Alan on his life story and I’m very proud of our book.’

'Book of The Week… boils off the pages.'
THE SUNDAY TIMES

‘A lively, pacy read. It’s a shame that more ex-footballers’ memoirs aren’t like this.’
FOUR FOUR TWO, UK’s TOP FOOTBALL MAGAZINE

'This one is a proper book.'
'CHRIS EVANS, BBC RADIO 2, COMPARING ALAN’S BOOK TO OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS

'A fine book… a really good read.'
PAUL COYTE, CAPITAL GOLD RADIO

Mullery scores against West Germany in the 1970 Finals.

Van Gogh – A Modern Opera

Tony is delighted to be developing his major work, Van Gogh – A Modern Opera, with the help of classical conductor and pianist Andrew Charity.

Andrew has been a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London for over 20 years. ‘I was introduced to Andrew by my manager Paul Lynton,’ Tony explains. ‘I was impressed when I saw Andrew conduct a 30-piece orchestra at a concert Paul produced and directed at LSO St Luke’s in London.

Working with a musician of Andrew’s calibre on Van Gogh is brilliant from my point of view. He is encouraging me to improve and enhance the work. Andrew sets the highest standards.’

‘Van Gogh - A Modern Opera is brilliant,’ says Paul Lynton. ‘We’ll see it on the British stage very soon.’

A Christmas Carol By Candlelight

Tony Norman's stage musical, A Christmas Carol By Candlelight, is based on Dickens' classic story.

The show features nine new songs by Tony, plus a selection of 13 classic Christmas carols. The Reduced Opera Company have enjoyed successful UK tours with the show.









John Warwick as Scrooge in the Reduced
Opera Company production.

Georgie

The game is over now
The fans long gone
Taking home their memories
Of how you made them smile
With the thrill of it all

Knowing they had seen something special
As you danced through the mud and slashing studs
Future memories drawn on the frosty breath
Of a Winters afternoon

Now some stop at street corners
Stand on soapboxes and preach
About your weakness
About the wicked path that brought you down
As they always knew it would

You saw them long ago in a Bob Dylan song
And knew they’d never taste a single day
As sweet as those you knew so well
When the world was at your feet

And later – when that time was past
You sat and talked to strangers
In endless faceless bars
Wisdom and humour
In your clear blue eyes
Pretty girls still melting
To the warmth of your easy smile

Did they ever look past the mask
To see the truth inside?
Did you care anyway? Probably not
You always knew you’d be alone
Just beyond the reach
Of the ones who loved you

The game is over now
But they’ll remember you Georgie
Running free forever
On the stage you were born to grace

© Tony Norman November 2005