User:Stevelloyd/Lloyd Bonson

Lloyd Bonson

Lloyd Bonson was born in February 1980, in Orsett, Essex. A pupil of Gable Hall School, Lloyd has been involved in theatre, music, radio, television and motor racing.

Lloyd's first introduction to theatrics came during his time a Giffards Primary School, where he would often take part in class exercises and would perform to his peers during school assemblies. This continued when he move to Corringham Country Primary School, where he took an active role in the Drama Club. This included playing 'Joseph' in the school nativity play, being the 'Chairman' for their 'Old Tyme Music Hall' and coming up with the idea of bringing the story of 'Sleeping Beauty' up to date for his final performance at the school.

During the summer of 1991, Lloyd attended the Thameside Youth Theatre's summer school. Originally this was meant to culminate in a performance of 'ZigaZaga' at the Thamesdie Theatre in Grays, however a lack of suitable attendees meant this idea was quickly scrapped. Eventually the group performed a one-off improvised show entitled 'What Is Love? Love Is….I Think I'm In Love'. Later that year, he attended a Peter Duncan Performance Workshop, again at the Thameside Theatre.

During December 1991, Lloyd was involved in the filming of an episode of London's Burning, which was screened in September 1992. Later in the month the Thurrock Gazzette ran an advert for children to audition to be part of an amateur performance of the musical Oliver. Lloyd auditioned and was one of the 'Orphans' and part of 'Fagin's Gang', for the performance run which took place in March 1992. The show was produced by The Essex Group and was directed by Gary & Ann Sullivan.

In September 1992 Gary & Ann Sullivan opened their first Essex Youth Performing Arts (EYPA) school. Using a hall at Grays School, the first lesion featured many of the children who where in the Oliver performance. At the same time it was announced that The Essex Group would be putting on a production of Bugsy Malone in January 1993. Although Lloyd originally auditioned for the part of 'Fat Sam', this role was given to David Smallbone, while Lloyd was offered 'Joe' the Boxing instructor. However, two weeks before the production, David Smallbone left and Lloyd was asked to step in, learning the role of 'Fat Sam' quickly. In many ways, this was fortunate for Lloyd, as his voice was breaking it's possible that he may not have been able to sing Joe's song 'So You Wanna Be A Boxer?'

A further appearance in 'Oliver' came in June 1993, this time at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. For this production Lloyd was in the adult chorus, due to his voice breaking. Later in the year Lloyd was due to take part in the World Premier of Garry Sullivan & John Trent Wallace's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', however his voice broke for a second time, and unable to sing in key, he was asked to be part of the stage crew.

At the beginning of 1994, Lloyd was once again part of The Essex Group stage crew, this time for Fiddler On The Roof. In the summer Lloyd was part of the chorus in the group's touring production of The Mikado, performing at Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe, Theatre Royal in Bury St. Edmunds and Civic Theatre in Chelmsford. It was also entered into the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival at the Royal Opera House in Buxton and the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera in Ireland. In November Lloyd was backstage again, this time for Calamity Jane.

During the summer of 1994, Lloyd started work with Greg White on a pop cantata for children, under the name A Weekend Away. This would be the first serious attempt at composition for the pair. Work on the project intensified over the winter of 1994/1995, when they were made aware of the Vivian Ellis Award. Ran by the Performing Rights Society, the competition was for writers of musicals under the age of 30 and included Sir Tim Rice as one of the judges. Although not a contender, the feedback they received ensured they would continue with the project.

1995 was a busy year, with a performance as Mr Shalford in Half A Sixpence at the Thameside Theatre in March, a 'Parisian Theif' in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' in Chelmsford in April and an Essex Group summer tour of The Pirates of Penzance, which again included the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival at the Royal Opera House in Buxton and the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera in Ireland. At both of these festivals the group won the Best Chorus Award. In December Lloyd reprised his role of 'Fat Sam'. This time for the 'Gable Hall School' production, this was also given a special performance at The Palace Theatre in Westcliffe-on-Sea in February 1996.

Lloyd was increasingly becoming more interest in rock music and during 1996 formed his first band 'Masquerade'. Although the band was a flop, many of the members and the basis of the songs would re-emerge under the 'Black Fedora' banner. More work was done to A Weekend Away in readiness for the 1996 Vivian Ellis Award and two of the pieces written for the show were included as part of Lloyd's GCSE Music qualification. Lloyd was also on the stage with The Essex Group for 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', this time performances took place at The Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch and The Mermaid Theatre in London.

After 'Masquerade' dissolved over the summer of 1996, Lloyd joined The Harry Monk Experience as a keyboard player. HME were a soul/funk group created by former members of 'The Mud Puppies'. They had their own recording facilities and were in contact with Sony regarding a recording contract. After successful performances during 1997, the group split in early 1998, although they re-formed with a different drummer and singer in 2001.

When 'HME' split-up, Lloyd had started managing Heavy Metal group 'Black Fedora' and proceeded to join them as a keyboard player/backing vocalist. The group used some of the old 'Masquerade' songs and their lead guitarist Adam Bickers would later go on to perform with 'Power Quest'. When Adam and bassist Mike Higgins went to university in September 1998, the band folded, although they did perform a one-off reunion at The Thurrock Music Festival in 2000.

After Black Fedora, Lloyd joined Industrial act Crazy Sadie who were mixing distorted guitars with electronic drum machines. Over the next three years Lloyd helped shape the musical tone of the group which gave them the opportunity to perform at The Rock Garden in Covent Garden, 'Gossips' in Soho and The Ruskin Arms in East Ham where Iron Maiden made their debut. The band decided to move away from their industrial image which turn forced Lloyd to leave after their performance at the 2001 Thurrock Music Festival.

During the later part of 1999, Lloyd joined the Woodcock Brothers racing team as a mechanic. The team were competing in the Formula Saloons championship. At this time they were using Honda Accord Super Touring cars, built by Prodrive for the 1997 British Touring Car Champiosnhip. The team sucessfully woon the 2000 Formula Saloons Championship with Garry Woodcock and returned for 2001 with Nissan Primera Super Touring cars used by RML during their 1999 British Touring Car Championship campaign. Lloyd, however, left the team mid-waythrough the 2001 season.

Lloyd also ventured back onto the stage, appearing as 'Fyedka' in Thundsersly Operatic And Dramatic Society's performance of Fiddler On The Roof and The Essex Group's production of Calamity Jane in 2000. In 2001 Lloyd appeared in the world premier of the new Gary Sullivan musical 'Destiny', which was taken to the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera in Ireland.

2002 saw Lloyd become involved with Phoenix FM, initially as a guest reporter on the Entertainment show hosted by Darren Bull. During his seven year involvement with the station Lloyd presented a variety of shows:

• 'Now and Then' – a show playing songs by artists with long carers, predominantly playing their hit tracks
  
• 'Alternate Times' – featuring local unsigned bands, with a strong emphasis on the alternative music scene. Eventually Co-hosted by Simon Foote from the band Whoremoan.
  
• 'Overdrive' – a short lived motoring show co-hosted with Steve Mead.
  
• 'The Lock In' – two all-night specials, fronted by Lloyd with various guests throughout the night.
  
• 'The Top 20' – a concept initially devised by Lloyd around the band Queen, to fill a slot in the stations May 2004 RSL schedule. Later adopted by the station for other artists.
  
• 'Weekend Breakfast' – a co-host with Darren Bull during the 2006 RSL
  

'Around The World – a six week special taking in music from each of the continents
'Saturday Kick About' – co-host with Darren Bull and regular motor racing contributor
'Sunday Jazz' – a Sunday afternoon show with regular Featured Artists, local musicians and new music from the jazz scene.

Through his involvement with Phoenix FM, Lloyd was also asked to become involved with the two Eastgate FM RSL's, broadcast from the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon. For this Lloyd hosted the 'Rock Show' and co-hosted 'Bully's Big One' with Darren Bull.

Having reformed The Harry Monk Experience, the group were asked to play at the Ford Motor Company Centennial Celebrations at the Dunton Research Centre in June 2003 and at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 'Walk to Cure' event at Trent Park in Middlesex. This association with the JDRF has continued, with Lloyd helping to provide entertainment at a number of their functions.

Between 2003 and 2006, Lloyd was involved with the John Danby Racing team and their invovlment in Sports 2000 motor racing. This lead to Lloyd joining AMG TV for their Race & Rally UK program, produced for Motors TV and Channel 5. Lloyd was with the production company as they covered Sports 2000, Formula Jedi, Ford Fiesta Championship and Pickups. He left at the end of 2007 having not been paid for any of his work.

Lloyd's keyboarding skills were in much demand, joining various covers bands between 2006 and 2010. Many of the performances were private gigs and functions. Lloyd was also tempted back to the stage, this time for Thurrock Operatic Society's 'Chicago Mikado', which received a good review.

In 2009, Kim Hollins from AJK TV, asked Lloyd to conduct some interviews on behalf of their bid to secure the contract to provide television coverage for the Ford Fiesta Championship. This was successful and gave Lloyd a route back into motorsport television presenting. He also covered the 60th Anniversary of the Castle Combe circuit for them.

External links

• Lloyd's Phoenix FM profile