Confessions of a Struggling Actor

This weekend I realised that it was already March.  I had recognised the fact, but it only hit me how quick the start of this year went.  I know that as you get older, you get the feeling that life's rushing by, but surely not just into your 30s!!??  There are things I had meant to get done by now that I haven't, though there are things I HAVE done that can't be legislated for...

Anyway, Thursday night was good if a little tipsy.  I was awarded best goal and most improved player by the rest of the team - which was really quite flattering as I've never been given that kind of honour before.  Yes, it's only the work 5 a side team, but it was still a good feeling.  Mind you, the awards came in the shape of cola cube vodka shots!

Friday was a half day at Work for me as I'd arranged to see the understudy run of Night of the Iguana, which Bronwyn had directed and was performing in.  Lead guy really good, rest of the cast did well, terrific set and a couple of drinks after.  I had kind of double booked my early evening between this and meeting Gareth McChlery, so nipped off with the promise to come round to see Bron and Sue after football on Sunday.

Gareth and I are looking into setting up a theatre company, so we were actually sitting down sober, even writing notes, about what the plans would be.  It's early days yet and we also want a couple of other people to be involved in the production process so it's the simple things we're thinking of now, such as money and venues.  Only once we have an idea of that can we then fully focus on the play we want to do.

Up with the birds on Saturday, as I had a 'performed reading' to do that afternoon on the main stage at Stratford Circus.  It went really well, despite a last minute hitch.  Myself and Tom, the other actor, had only read it through together once in the bar before we went to the stage.  When we got out front we realised that 70% of the audience were kids and there were some, er, sexual swear words in it.  The author of the piece nipped across to the organiser who then came rushing over to us telling us to cut the bad language.  It was real thinking on your feet stuff, but we got through it so well that even the kids were applauding loudly at the end.  I headed off after a couple of drinks, but was told that I'd be getting a cheque in the post - bonus - and asked if I would be able to do a reading at RADA.  I immediately said yes, as there would be more agents there than would come to the shows in Kentish Town.  Boost!!  I popped home to dump my stuff and then went for a cheeky pint or three with Sarah Percy and Tom.  Good chat and catching up was had by all.

Yesterday was again, kind of busy all day - not really me at weekends.  I played and scored in a 5-0 thrashing of the Plymouth Argyle supporters' team, then was good on my promise and went round to Sue, Bron and Matt's flat, where Bron cooked a delicious beef roast and we had a few glasses of red and a game of Trivial Pursuit.  I only realised at the end of that evening that I wasn't going to be able to watch the Oscars live as it was only on Sky Movies.  What a pile of crap!  Still, got in early today and poured through the coverage on the net and talked to a couple of people that had watched it - I was informed enough to get my final BBC piece in, so job done.

I'm trying to take it easy this week as I am low on cash and have a pile of things to do at home.  My room is a tip due to the busy fortnight or so I've had, as is the rest of the house.  I also have scripts to read/learn and auditions and short films coming up.  Head down and work as hard at home as I would at Work or in rehearsal.  At least there's very little of interest on the TV to distract me now that Shameless has finished.  I have 5 a side tonight, with only all day filming on Thursday, 1 audition, 1 recall and Laura Main's birthday on Friday to come this week.

Yeah, bit of peace and quiet sounds like a plan...