The Final Curtain

Well this is it. You've read about the auditions, the rehearsals, the set builds, the performances.

You've seen the sets, you've seen the review (am still seething that NODA didn't come to review it) and if you've read this blog from the beginning you will have read about the many highs and some of the lows. The laughter and the tears ( and there's been quite a few of those!).

To EVERYONE involved with Dick - THANK YOU. I am immensely proud of the show which CAST put on this Christmas and I have a lot of memories, most of which are stored right here!

I wonder if I'll miss this blogging lark?.....

So that's it. My job is now officially over. No more Dick for me.....

Producer x


Lyric of the Blog: " Regrets, I've had a few; But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course; Each careful step along the byway, But more, much more than this, I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spat it out (eventually!!!!!). I faced it all and I stood tall; And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill; my share of losing. And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing. To think I did all that; And may I say - not in a shy way, No, oh no not me, I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels; And not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows -And did it my way! " Frank Sinatra

The stage and band pit

Something simple was called for here. I always think that the simplest things often give the greatest impact and I'm all for continuity. Having come up with the idea fairly early on in the set planning stages, the stage surround and band pit was left until almost last to paint to ensure that the pale background colour didn't get marked in any way.

Several members of the cast undercoated and painted the background colours for me and then on the final set build Sunday, 'Alice' spent approx. 8 hours, I think, painting in the DW's and tiding up all the edges so that everything looked good.

Lyric of the Blog: " And I won't break and I won't bend. And with the last breath we ever take. We're gonna get back to the simple life again " Elton John

Set 7 - The Sultan's Palace

This set, I am very proud to say was my idea. I wanted to do something 'very different' for the palace scene and had the idea of representing a bedouin tent using draped fabrics rather than just using a painted backdrop.

Each of the lengths of fabric was hemmed for strength and then 'Secretary' sewed loops to the corners for me one evening at a set build. These loops were then numbered. Hooks were screwed into the hardback and side flats so that the scene could be set quickly.

We 'made' the tent in situ to get all the lengths right and the stage crew screwed a pulley into the stage roof with a line and carabina attached to be able to hoist up the fabric quickly.

The idea for the dropcloth itself and the side flats again came from a pastel drawing done by my mate at work. The dropcloth hangs immediately in front of the hardback where the fabric is fixed.

Lyric of the Blog: " All I want is a room somewhere, Far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair, Aow, wouldn't it be loverly? " My Fair Lady

Set 6 - The Dungeons

This design was an idea from me which was taken by my mate at work and turned into a pastel drawing which could be copied easily and painted by the cast.

It was marked out by the cast and then painted predominantly by the girlfriend of 'Idle Jack' with some help from other cast members on the iron bars and windows.



Lyric of the Blog: "Close every door to me, hide all the world from me, bar all the windows and shut out the light" Joseph

Set 5 - The Shores of Morocco

The drop cloth is the same but the sun on the water becomes the custard lagoon and with the addition of the boulder, two palm trees on the side flats and the jelly with whipped cream puddings.



Yes - It's the terrible script misprint. It's Dessert Island!




Lyric of the Blog: " We're going where the sun shines brightly. We're going where the sea is blue" Summer Holiday

Purr-fect Pantomime

Slough Express Friday December 8th 2006

CAST are staging Dick Whittington as their annual pantomime in Colnbrook Village Hall this year and, this time, they have adapted an original script to suit their needs.

CD makes a very refreshing and convincing 'baddie', as villain King Rat, although LH as Fairy Bowbelle always gives as good as she gets! AM sings powerfully but sweetly as 'love interest' Alice Fitzwarren - ably matched by LW as hero Dick and together they make a perfect couple.

Pet cat Tommy - played to 'purrfection' by MS almost steals the show with an array of well-observed cat-like body movements whilst a major comedy element comes from 'village idiot' Idle Jack (MS) and Alderman Fitzwarren (FB), both of whom have a good command of deadpan humour and timing.

RI as the Dame, Sarah the Cook, leaves the audience in stitches at his near 'Lily Savage' rendition of this larger than life character. Add to this the appearance of a pantomime horse disguising itself as a reindeer, plus some 'audience participation' in which some audience members are invited onto the stage and you have all the ingredients to make a successful pantomime.

Produced and Directed by CD and SO, the slick script is reinforced by superb musical direction and orchestration, showcases some impressive choreography plus a cast of extremely enthusiastic chorus members, so, if you haven't already done so, make sure you get your tickets asap.

KH

Lyric of the Blog: " It's what the papers say. You know it's right. It's down there written in black and white ... for you " Nik Kershaw

Set 4 - Aboard the Golden Duck

This set was used in various guises through the show. It was painted almost entirely by 'Make Up Artist' and it's just fab. I needed a general seascape which could be used for aboard the boat, the UV scene under the waves and the island scene in Morocco. It's not easy devising sets that will work on a small stage in a village hall with limited space.

Note that the barrow has been covered so that it could stay on the set due to the very limited space in the wings to store it.

Lyric of the Blog: " Deck Dance, Romance, No problems in advance. Sea dogs, are we" Moby Dick

Mort - and the Blog goes on....

This evening sees the return of the cast clan to CVH for the read through of the group's 2007 spring play. Yes - we start again 'that' soon after the last show!!!

It will be Terry Pratchett's 'Mort'.

"Death come to us all and when he came to Mort, he offered him a job"

The two Directors and Producer are eagerly awaiting tonight, even though auditions are not until January 4th and Producer has decided even though he hasn't actually read http://www.allaboutdick.blogspot.com/ to start his own blog. He plans to read 'Dick' in it's entirety, when I have finished it!

So let me introduce you to http://www.allaboutdeath.blogspot.com/. The link is on my front page as well. Apparently it's all my fault (but he still thought it was a good enough idea to copy!!!)

Lyric of the Blog: " So this is who I am and this is all I know. And I must choose to live for all that I can give. The spark that makes the power grow And I will stand for my dream if I can. Immortality. There is a vision and a fire in me. I keep the memory of you and me inside " The Bee Gees

Set 3 - Fitzwarren's Store

Setman may have come up with the idea of the double hardback that hinged out to meet the side flats but it was the girlfriend of 'Idle Jack' who designed the shop interior and brought it to life, helped by a number of the cast who painted the sweet jars, fruit and veg, books and signs etc.

Note 'Fitzwarren's name painted back to front on the inside of the 'glass' on the door. It was painted the right way round on the other side as well!!!

For the shop scene, the barrow has been reversed to show the other side which was the shop counter and the cupboard on the barrow side contained all the props for the scene.

Lyric of the Blog: " Little Shop, Little shoppa Horrors "

Paris...

Plaster of !

I finally gave in to the nagging pains in my hand and wrist today and went back to A&E this morning to be reassessed. 4 hours later, having spent much of the time waiting and trying to help the time pass by completing a Suduko puzzle book which 'Box Office' gave me for my birthday, trying to write with my wrong hand.



I am now the proud owner of a 'back slab!'. Basically the whole of my arm to the elbow is in plaster but only the top and sides are solid, the underside is just bandaged. I've never had a cast before. Apparently they take 24 hours to try out. It's cold, it's damp and it's making me feel colder than I really am. Oh yeah - and it's bloody heavy as well!!!!!

How on earth I will get any Christmas cards written and Christmas shopping done, I dread to think.

Lyric of the Blog: " I sometimes realize...I could only be as good as you'll let me. Are you woman enough to be my man? Bandaged hand in hand " Pearl jam

Set 2 - The Sewers

King Rat's lair!

Setman found some images on the Internet to give me a starting point but it was 'Box Office' and 'Programme Editor' who brought the ideas to 'life' on the set. I think you'll agree that they did an amazing job. How neither of them swore at me at the set build when they asked what I thought - and I told them that I thought the perspective lines on the tunnel roof were going too close together too quickly to start off with I'll never know. They just painted out some of the lines and carried on.

I also got the 'best job' of painting in the highlights on the watery sludge

and finishing the set with the little white blob at the vanishing point, signifying the light at the end of the tunnel.

I knew it was there somewhere!!!

Lyric of the Blog: " The inside might be as black as the night, but at the end of the tunnel there's a light" Starlight Express

Set 1 - The Street Scene

Now the run of the show has come to an end, I thought I'd take the opportunity before I bring this blog to an end to share with you some pictures of the sets from the show.

The first set for the opening of the show was the street scene which was painted on the external side of the double hardback.

The design was taken from a postcard of Captain Cook's House, Grape Lane, Whitby.

The pictures below show the initial construction of the double hardback and shots of the set in progress during the various set build days (and nights!).





























Lyric of the Blog: " I have often walked down this street before; But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before. All at once am I Several stories high. Knowing I'm on the street where you live " My Fair Lady

Wash Day blues

It's time to finally try to return the house to being a house rather than a Production Office and Costume department! That said, there's 3 crates of costumes sitting in the hall ready to go to a local school, several full bin bags still in the conservatory and a costume rail and the ashing machine is working overtime again!

A quite reflective day in store and then a chance to meet up with everyone tonight. It's specifically 'Paying In' night and as my expense sheet now stands at £1221.72 and the receipt envelope is bulging I'll be first in line once the front of house team have sorted out the ticket sales income but it's also just a chance to sit back, catch up and chat.

These first few days after a show always seem very strange when you've spend so much time together with everyone and are suddenly back to 'normal' on your own. The adrenalin highs are gone. I can see why some performers get into trouble with drink and drugs to replace those highs.

Lyric of the Blog: " All the things I could do, if I had a little money " Abba

Set Strike - Sun 10th Dec

Several incredibly bleary eyed cast members drifted into the hall from 10am onwards to strike the sets, sound tower, raked seating, dressing rooms, prop store, make up, front of house etc and return the hall to it's normal state! There were a lot of rather ill and overtired faces, still hungover who in some cases hadn't actually been to sleep or bed at all!

'Alice', 'Secretary' and I brought the majority of the costumes back to my house at lunchtime so that they could be washed asap as some including the harem girls and Mustapha & Leek are going straight out on hire this morning! 'Alice' and 'Stan' have also taken a bin bag full of costumes each home to wash for me. We'd just started unpacking the cars and erecting the costume rail in my conservatory when my mate from next door but one who had been in the audience for the final show came in to see how my wrist was. She volunteered her washing machine to help out and left the house an hour later with a bin bag full of costumes to wash for me as well - what a star.

One thought struck me at lunchtime - that we never managed to take a cast photo, which we have for the last couple of shows, of everyone together in their costumes. That is a shame.

The three of us returned to the hall to find the lads hard at work still trying to find room to put everything away and the last of us finally left, absolutely exhausted at approx 4:30pm. Eight exceptionally hungry, tired people headed for the local Toby carvery for a quick roast before heading home. No one said very much. Everyone was too tired by that point and looked wrecked.

After 5 loads of washing were done it's was finally time for bed!

Lyric of the Blog: " But look outside and dream it's only when you look inside you'll understand. And I'll be there I'll be there. Say the end is near. The end is near " Embrace

The Aftershow Party!

The Party!

Something everyone in the cast looks forward to. Time to let their hair down and party - and boy did we party!!

It was hosted by the parent of one of the kids in the show. I wonder if they really knew in advance what they were letting themselves in for ....

Everyone arrived just after midnight with more beer and food than we could have possibly got through in a night. There were people dancing in the front room and at various times during the night a guitar and a keyboard arrived and MD, Bass Guitarist and Sound Engineer jammed for various impromptu singalongs!

Director stopped everyone at one point and gave me a draft copy of this blog, in black and white. I had joked with Programme Editor who works for a newspaper about publishing it for me and little did I know but it's in progress.

I finally gave up and came home at approx. 4:30am (so I'm told!) Not bad considering how much the arm was hurting by then, but then Smirnoff Ice is a reasonable pain killer! I think the remaining few people slept where they fell/sat.

Lyric of the Blog: " Well, my friends, the time has come, To raise the roof and have some fun. Throw away the work to be done, Let the music play on (play on, play on). Everybody sing, everybody dance, Lose yourself in wild romance. We're going to party, Karamu, fiesta, forever. Come on and sing along! " Lionel Richie

(Posted 11/12/2006 but written 10/12/2006)

Final Performance Sat 9th Dec

After some tea and putting our feet up it was time to redo the make up and don the costumes for the very last time.

Most of the audience were either CAST members who were not in the show, family and friends so it was always going to be a great night and it didn't disappoint.

I was concerned as on several previous occasions cast members have let the sense of 'last night' run away with them and people have been left cringing in the wings as the ad lib comments which have been made. Setman and the backstage crew had just the right number of additional practical jokes to amuse both the audience and the cast including a rat taped to a remote control toy car for Tommy the cat to chase, an extra large custard pie for Idle Jack and additional water pistols for the sea scene.

There were a few too many extra 'one liners' in the first half and it did start to drag a little as people lost their place in the script but overall it was a damm good show and we had the audience on their feet singing with us for the walkdown.

Unfortunately, one cast member didn't make it back on stage in time for the walkdown which I'm really sorry about and I'm sure spoilt the night for both her and her 'double act partner'. A decision was made in the interval by Director that although it would be nice to have them on stage, neither Dobbin or Father Christmas were really necessary for the community song as there were so few children in the audience and all that we needed was for Dame to keep talking long enough for the two principal characters to change into their wedding gear. So, the band were told at the end of the interval that as soon as dame finished the Community Song, they were to start playing the walkdown music straight away.

So, Dobbin was put away, ready for hire on Monday but someone decided to change the plans at the last minute, found the costume and Dobbin went on stage for the Community Song after all. That meant that because the walkdown started so quickly afterwards, the people inside didn't get chance to change out of the costume and get on stage. I guess that's the downside of going against an decision which has already been made, on the spur of the moment.

At the end of the performance the main tabs opened one final time and Dame stepped forward to thank everyone for attending and made a presentation on stage - something we NEVER do - to ME!

To say I was gobsmacked doesn't go anywhere near. I had absolutely no idea whatsoever what they were planning! I was speechless!






I am now also the proud owner of a beautiful bear called Trilogy to add to my Deans collection plus some lovely flowers and a great card which everyone had signed. WOW !









Lyric of the Blog: " This is my moment. This is my perfect moment with you. I wish I could freeze this space in time. The way that I feel for you inside. And if tomorrow brings a lonely day. Here and now I know I haven't lived in vain " Martine McCutcheon

(Posted 11/12/2006 but written 9/12/2006)

Matinee Performance Sat 9th Dec

Our last day of performances. Having not got to bed until well after 3am due to a late night beer (well, tea in my case!) at Guitarists house, a lie in was called for so I was barely awake and dressed before it was time to head for The Ostrich Inn to meet my Cousin for lunch before she and her family came to see the show.

This matinee performance was sold out approx. one month ago and was always going to be a noisy one due to the two block bookings of Beavers, Cubs and Brownies that were there.

To be fair, although the audience carried us, it wasn't our best performance of the run. I think everyone was holding back slightly to give their all for the final performance in the evening. There were a few voices (mine included which were starting to 'crack' and would probably only just hold out for the last show.

That said, "Bilgewater" put in a sterling performance as Sultan, covering for 'Sultan', who couldn't make the matinee performance due to work. Bilgewater learnt the part, lines and blocking in less than a week and did himself proud.

Lyric of the Blog: " We're leaving together But still it's farewell. And maybe we'll come back to earth, who can tell I guess there is no one to blame, We're leaving ground (leaving ground). Will things ever be the same again. It's the final countdown..." Europe

(Posted in retrospect 11/12/2006 by written on 9/12/2006)

Evening Performance Fri 8th Dec

The day started when four of us met for lunch at Nando's before heading to the cinema nearby to see Happy Feet. We had promised ourselves a year ago that we would go and see it when we saw the trailer.

After the film we came back to mine and watched some of the DVD of our 2004 production of Stephen Sondheim's Company before heading to the village hall to set up for the performance.

We knew in advance that it would be a noisy one as we had two block bookings of nearly 100 kids but boy, were they noisy. It was great! I spent the first two scenes of the show trying to work out why I couldn't see out of one eye as I had blurred vision. It was only when I got off stage between scenes to check my lenses that I realised that I'd managed to put the novelty contact lens in on top of my normal prescription lens instead of taking the other one out first!

Yet again everyone was fab in helping me to get changed and get gloves on and off and there was both an ice pack and pain killers waiting for me when I got off stage which I was very grateful for. The reduced mobility and reliance on other people is SO frustrating and as I was in a lot of discomfort after the performance tonight, I wonder what I'll be like after two tomorrow.

I can't quite believe that tomorrow is the last day of the show. Just two more performances to go. I know everyone is looking forward to the last night performance and the party afterwards but I know I'll be sad that it is all over. I would quite happily do another weeks worth of performances if only we had an audience to perform too.

With two performances, the party and the set to strike on Sunday - it's likely that I'll have to blog on paper and update in retrospect on Sunday evening ........

Lyric of the Blog: " I've been trying ooh so long to let you know, Let you know how I feel. And if I stumble if I fall, just help me back, So I can make you see. Please give me one more night, give me one more night " Phil Collins

Evening Performance Thurs 7th Dec

Tonight's audience is one of the reasons I love theatre productions. They make all the hard work by everyone over the recent months seem so worthwhile. They were great. the cast knew they were going to be with us from the moment the curtain went up and they shouted their lungs off for the whole show. Fantastic.

Playing King Rat with my arm in a splint was 'interesting'. Minor adjustments were made to the fight scene at the end so that I couldn't do any more damage to myself and could die and be carried off safely. My hand in the splint with the black glove on just looked like a solid claw or deformity so hopefully won't have detracted from my performance too much.

By the interval I was in need of painkillers and my sling and I was relieved to get some ice on it at the end of the show as it was quite painful and there was no way I could have done the quick change into and out of Dobbin so 'Flora' was the back end for me tonight. Poor 'make up artist' not only had to put my make up on tonight, she ended up half dressing me and taking it all if for me as well.

'Dame' turned up at the hall looking and feeling awful and looks like he's coming down with flu, yet he put in an A1 performance tonight, as did everyone. It's amazing just how a good audience can carry you through.

Lyric of the Blog: " Get around Town, where the people look good, where the music is loud. Add your voice to the sound of the crowd " Human League

Yet another splint connection

and this time it's me.

Still not sure exactly how I managed it but either during the sword fight or when i was picked up when I was 'dead', I injured my wrist. When I got back to the dressing room and tried to get changed I felt a searing pain shoot though my wrist and hand and when the first aiders got a look at it, they packed it in ice and put it in a sling as it was a 'funny shape and didn't look good'.

Setman took me to A&E whilst 'Alice' dropped my car home. They sent me to x-ray and once done we spent a fun packed 2+ hours waiting to be seen. Finally got home at 3:30am.

Nothing major showed up on the x-ray but it's likely that I have a hairline fracture. Apparently I might get called back by the hospital to be re assessed as only the emergency night team were on duty and my x-rays will be checked within a couple of days by someone more senior.

So I'm now in a splint and typing with one finger of my left hand. It's not painful as such, just very, very uncomfortable. As to how we manage the the fight scene tonight and how I get on with my costume, including the black gloves, remains to be seen later.

Lyric of the Blog: " Take these broken wings. And learn to fly again, learn to live so free. And when we hear the voices sing. The book of love will open up and let us in " Mr Mister

OAP Performance Weds 6th Dec

It was originally known as 'Age Concern night' because all of the audience were from Age Concern groups. However, now they come from a range of day centres, clubs and residential homes around the area so it's affectionately known as OAP night!

Secretary sends out letters each year to invite groups to see the show. They are then bused to us for the night for a FREE performance! They buy their programmes and their raffle tickets but their tickets to see the show and the tea and coffee in the interval are complimentary.

We get a great audience for the start of our second week of performances and they get a night out on us.

Tonight's audience were great as usual although quiet to start off with and I got to do something I've not done before - the raffle in the hall, in character, which was great fun. Escorting the oldies down to the front of the hall to collect their prizes.

Lyric of the Blog: " Like a favourite pair of torn blue jeans, This skin I'm in it's alright with me. It's not old - just older" Bon Jovi

I name this ship ....

On one of the late night set builds we all got talking about how and why various pieces of our kit are named. So with a lack of anything to really write about until after tonight's performance I thought I'd commit a few of these names to blog. If nothing else it'll show just how warped we all are, especially after a 16 hour set build day.

Graham - Now dec'd. The original band pit surround and the start of the naming of kit. The boys were all down the shed in the early days of the group tidying up and logging the groups assets. When asked what to call the thingy that went round the band, someone said "Let's call it "Graham".

Slagmuffin - The long piece of timber that goes up from the band pit and covers the hall door to Room 2.

Morph - The desk that converted into a bed which was used for Sweet Charity.

Titanic - The two tier band pit which was built for Sweet Charity to house the brass section on the upper deck. It has subsequently been used as the castle ramparts for Snow White and the nest for Honk amongst other shows. It is also know as Tit, Titan or Ic depending on how many sections are used at any given time.

Dougal - The moving platform on wheels with a role at either end used for 'swimming' on stage through fabric 'water'. Originally made for Puss in Boots.

Pugh - The four pews made for the church scene in Moby Dick were christened Pugh, Pugh, Pugh and Pugh.

Barney McGrew - The short stool used on the set for Moby Dick. Cuthbert - An 8 foot high stool used to reach a similarly high bar and Grub - The pulpit/bar.

George and Zippy - The new band pit surround for 2006. named after the fact that Director who plays drums and Bass Guitar do a fantastic rendition of Rainbow's "Since You've been Gone" in the voices of George and Zippy..... To be heard to be believed.

Hands Off - The toll bar for Dick Whittington and Humphrey - the workman's hole barrier. Now we are really showing our ages!!

Epi - Market barrow/shop counter. This takes some explaining.... The store is called Fitzwarren's so we thought we would call it Fitz, but the Programme Editor said that fits was non pc (he should know) and it should be called seizure. No one liked the name seizure so it's called Epi..... Hmmm. I think that was a 2:30am naming .....

Jonny - The safe in Fitzwarren's store. Another 2;30am naming, I believe.

If I've forgotten any, I'm sure someone will tell me later! as Programme Editor put the link to the blog in the shows programme under my name as Producer for all to read !!!

Lyric of the Blog: "I play my part and you play your game. You give love a bad name"
Bon Jovi

Spreadsheets

It's been another exceptionally quiet performance free day and I was beginning to feel a bit isolated from everyone although Director has been on the phone three times today already!!

This morning I took my fellow set designer to the village hall to view the finished sets. Unfortunately he won't get to any of the shows but wanted to see how the drawings he had provided me with had been interpreted and looked as sets in 'real life'.

Much of the rest of my day has been spent working on the group's wardrobe database. It's very much 'work in progress' and I've been updating it with all of the costumes both made and bought for this show so that as soon as photo's have been taken of each person in costume they can be added to the file and referenced as well as updating details for some forthcoming hires.

Bilgewater has also just texted to ask for the words to Sultan's song. I assume that means that he will be playing the part for this coming matinee in which Sultan isn't available.

Lyric of the Blog: " All I ever wanted, All I ever needed, Is here in my arms. Words are very unnecessary. They can only do harm. Enjoy the silence" Depeche Mode

All is Calm, All is Bright!

A quiet day spent mainly at home washing and tidying up other than a quick trip to the supermarket for child and oap friendly additional raffle prizes for the forthcoming shows.

'Dick' arrived at mine just after 5pm and the two of us got into costume. 'Dick' dressed up as Dick but as the make up for King Rat is a bit complicated I dressed up as Tommy the cat in the spare adult sized cat costume that was purchased on EBay some time ago. 'Dick' was a bit cold in shorts and tights. I was a bit warm in fur !!

We then walked into the village centre for the switching on of the local Christmas lights. Two local children from one of the schools were switching them on and there was a very short carol service led by the Salvation Army band. 'Dick' and I joined in and sang the descants to all the carols before following everyone to the pub for a drink of mulled wine and a mince pie!!!

We handed out some pantomime fliers to promote the remaining performances of the show and spoke to one youngster about possibly joining the youth section, CAST Academy in the new year. All in all, a good hours "work".

Now it's back home for a quiet evening. It seems very strange being on my own in a quiet house when I've been so busy and had so many people around me for some many days and such long hours.

Lyric of the Blog: " On my own, pretending he’s beside me. All alone, I walk with him till morning. Without him I feel his arms around me. And when I loose my way, I close my eyes and he has found me" Les Miserables

Cards and Pressies

Just a short blog today - and actually posted on the same day instead of in retrospect in the small hours of the following morning!

No performances now until Wednesday 6th December so a very well earned rest for all the cast, band and crew.

Had some really great pressies from the gang including some Molton Brown smellies from Dick, a sweatshirt from Programme Editor, some Sudoku puzzle books from Box Office and Bilgewater, some DVDs from Alderman Fitzwarren.

Setman bought me a rat charm on a necklace which was wrapped up in a very sensible new form of environmentally friendly packing. Maltesers Mini packs !!! Better than polystyrene chips any day. I also had a ticket from Director to see ASIA at Shepherds Bush Empire this evening.

Lyric of the Blog: "Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday Dear Producer!!!!!!!, Happy Birthday to me" Trad.

Evening Performance Sat 2nd Dec

Once the matinee performance had ended we all got out of costume. A few people went to McDonald's whilst others ate sandwiches, fish and chips etc in the bar whilst watching TV and putting their feet up before the evening show. There was also an emergency pump out of the mens toilets due to a blockage. NICE!!!!

No sooner was the make up off and we'd eaten than it was almost time to start the process all over again!. The snack boxes were replenished for front of house and it was back to make up for another 15/20 minutes in the chair to be re plastered!

We had the smallest audience to date this evening (approx 40) but they 'got going' eventually after some encouragement and by the time it got to Idle Jack's song they were with us and singing along in the chorus!

Amongst the audience were also two of the three representatives from the charities we had been supporting for the past twelve months who had come to collect their cheques.

Also in the audience was our No1 fan. "Shovel's" Mum who has seen all three performances this week and used to regularly come to all 8/9 performances of previous shows before she was exceptionally ill a couple of years ago.

Once the show was over and the portakabins had been cleared of all costumes and make up, the majority of us retired to the bar for a well earned beer before heading for home.

Lyric of the Blog " I don't why why she's leaving, or where she's gonna go, I guess she's got her reasons but I just don't wanna know, 'Cause for twenty four years I've been living next door to Alice" Smokie

Matinee Performance Sat 2nd Dec

After a lie in, Setman, Box Office and I went to the local cafe for a full cooked breakfast before heading to the hall to put up the remaining front of house photos and mend the light sabre which had been broken during Friday night's show. Luckily a some solder, superglue and masking tape was all it took to get it fixed even if the audience did think it hilarious that King Rat had broken his favourite toy at the time.

The performance went well. The audience of approx 80 were great once they'd got going and the kids shouted their heads off. One delightful small child even yelled out "Now Die!" during one of my earlier speeches which caused some hilarity as well.

'Dick' managed to walk onto stage in completely the wrong part of one scene and walked straight off again which caused much amusement in the wings.

As per Friday night, the principal characters lined the foyer to say goodbye to the kids. Lots of comments made about the contact lenses which people either seem to laugh at of really hate. Most of the cast are just about getting used to them, I think.

We also had the winner of the Dame Costume design competition in the audience and after the show the winner had her photograph taken with the Dame and costumier for the local papers.

Lyric of the Blog: " It’s time to put on makeup. It’s time to dress up right. It’s time to raise the curtain" The Muppet Show

Opening Night. Fri 1st Dec

A day and a half!

It all started with 9 of the cast plus a little one meeting for lunch at the Italian restaurant in Colnbrook for my 'birthday meal'. Unfortunately all the late nights had caught up on everyone and I, in particular was exceptionally tired and by the end of the meal my 'game over' light was on red - and I had only had one drink.

The 'boys' bundled me into Room 1 at the village hall at 3pm with a cup of tea, air-bed and pillow and I slept for three hours solid! They came and woke me up at 6pm having put out the rest of the chairs and front of house together. All I had to do was get my hair and make up done in time for the performance, once I was functioning.

Opening night itself was fab. We had an audience of 95 (almost capacity) and they were fantastic. Very spontaneous without being coaxed to shout back and hiss and boo etc. They were with us from the very beginning and throughout the show.

The principals lined the foyer to bid fairwell to the audience as they left. I had a fab surprise as one of my best mates that I've known since I was three was in the audience with her husband and his parents. I hadn't seen her for about a year and I hadn't got a clue they were going to be there. Very emotional.

After getting changed, 20 of us headed for a local Indian restaurant for a curry. As I type this, Box Office and Setman are now sat next to me at the table working on box office tickets for tomorrow's performances. Box office has just polished off the vodka, Setman is wading his way down the whiskey and I'm drinking tea!!

Lyric of the Blog "Opening night...It's opening night!, It's Max Bialystock's latest show. Will it flop or will it go? The cast is taking its final bow. Here comes the audience now, The doors are open: they're on their way... Let's hear what they have to say!" The Producers

Update: 3rd December 2006. According to MD the musical director from The Producers was in the audience on opening night. How bizarre that this should be the lyric chosen for my entry. I wonder what he made of us all?....

Dress Rehearsal 2. Thurs 30th Dec

What was planned as a potential lie in and a mid afternoon start to prepare for this evening was terminated I had a call from Director to say that the first of the portacabins we had borrowed had arrived on site and could I go to the hall to make sure it went in the right place in the car park.

I then went home briefly to collect my kit and returned to the hall in time to supervise the second delivery and wait for the raked seating to arrive in the van with Director from Leicester.

Director, Setman, Box office and I then unloaded the van and then we sat down to toasted sandwiches with Setman's new purchase (4.99!!) before Box Office and 'Bilgewater' set about erecting said raked seating whilst Setman did the electrics for the portacabins.

'Alice' and I finished off filling the matinee boxes for the first performances then Alice made signs on the pc for front of house whilst I sewed numbered labels to the drapes for the Sultan's Palace to help them set the scene quicker.

The Dress Rehearsal itself went well although the pace is still slow and the band seem to have ongoing problems with sound levels.

One problem arose today. The Sultan can't get Sat 9th off work for the matinee.Not only did he not try and take the day off work until today! but he didn't even tell Director or I that he can't do the performance and left it to someone else in the cast to sort out for him. Not impressed.

Director, Director's wife and MD gave us notes and/or instructions tonight on the performance yet some people still took it upon themselves to 'do their own thing' and adlib in both script and songs rather than sticking to how the show has been rehearsed for the last 3 months. It's just not professional.

We may be a bunch of amateurs, having fun with our hobby, but I get very frustrated by people who insist on going their own way and either doing extras without thinking or doing something they have been asked not to, blatantly, out of sheer bloody mindedness, instead of working as part of the team. Part of me pervertedly hopes that these people will get to direct or produce a show one day and have someone do the same thing to them so they know what it feels like. Even less impressed. Understatement.

The only thing that annoys me more than this is the "It's only panto, it doesn't matter" attitude. It may be panto rather than a serious play or musical and yes, it's supposed to be fun, but it DOES matter. We are putting on a show which people are paying to see and if we muck about or don't get it right, what's the point in doing it at all.

Maybe I care about all this far too much......

Tomorrow night we get let loose on the paying public. God help 'em all !

Lyric of the Blog: " I tried to fight the feeling, the feeling took me down, I struggled and I lost the day you knocked me out. Now everything’s got meaning and meanings bring me down, I’m watching as a screening of my life plays out. Every day I fight these feelings, For your sake I will hide the real thing, You can run all your life, all mine I will chase... You should never fight your feelings, When your very bones believe them, You should never fight your feelings, You have to follow nature’s law" Embrace