Confessions of a Struggling Actor

Just thought I'd get most of this week's news out of the way so that the next blog(s) are only on the tour.

The show is coming on apace - even if there are still slight concerns about some words and volume for the open air.  We've been at it every night this week and, though tiring, it's starting to look impressive.  As with every show, the costumes and props add something to charcters and atmosphere and the music (by the same guy that did R3) is superb.  The cast are coming together as a team too - not just the ones that go for a pint after rehearsal - and there's even a little determination in there, which I quite like.  Tomorrow night, I go down to a fellow cast member's to kip before getting a taxi around 4am to the airport and then driving from the airport at the other end.  If I'm feeling a little tired now, God knows what I'll be like when we reach our final destination.

Outside of the play and the day job, it's been an interesting week.  I took Wednesday off and lived the kind of life I'dlike to.  I got up at 10 after some well needed sleep - the humidity has been unbearable in my room for the past few weeks - and did some mending on my costume while watching a programme on Peter O'Toole.  I then went to meet Keri for lunch (getting slightly lost on the way) and had a lovely hour chatting away about all sorts of things, before she had to return to the office.  The Tate Modern trip is still on once I get back from france.  She is such wonderful company and I can relax and be myself with her all the time - a rare treat!  Then, joy of joys, I had to go to the tax office to see if I could reduce the amount I have to pay on Monday, but they were no help with that at all.  So the guts of three grand will leave my account then, though I'll get most, if not all, of it back once it goes through their systems.  I then went and bought some books and clothes for the trip/play before heading to rehearsal, in a dig at next year's tax bill.  Despite hat single day was one of the most satisfying of the past few months, outside of grand occasions such as weddings and the like.  I was so relaxed when I went into rehearsals and really enjoyed myself, which came out in a performance that (for once) left me and the directors both happy.

Yesterday was the work's afternoon out, which was pleasant.  Lunch at Regents Park, followed by a little bit of ball games then off to the pub.  I, with the dress rehearsal that evening, could not imbibe, but the weather was good and there was some larking about with a bat and ball, which meant that I was jumping around, scraping my elbows and having fun.  The company and the job has changed incredibly since I started and there's little other than the money and flexibility (which has been reduced) to keep me here.  That siad, there are some good people in the office that make things a little more bearable.

Right, tonight I meet Victoria for a drink (and perhaps a cheeky kiss) and then tomorrow starts the fun of touring.  I wonder what stories it may bring...

FINALLY: Londoners - try and keep the weekend of the 19th/20th free for a picnic at Ally Pally.  once I know numbers, I'll know whether to book somewhere to get lathered later on...

Merci et a bientot!!