Auckland continued
We started our first week unpacking the airfreight. All the set was flat packed , as we would need to do for air-freight moves - all in 3x3m blocks on pallets (normal theatre flats at 5,6,7 meters tall won't fir on the cargo deck of a plane. Me thinks the plane needs redesigned). In case you were wondering an air-freight move is a lot of work.
I'd been told once we arrived that I would be building set, as there was no one from the creative team in Auckland yet, not overly impressed, but can an ASM really say no to their PM and as we didn't have an SM to head up the Stage Management Team or a Company Manger that had a theatre background, who could I actually go to.
The build was agonising. There was no one from the company that build the set (and this was no small set, it was $500 000 worth), but also the half million set was a crock of shit.
The 3x3m frames were clad in timber and then went to a different company, the scenic artists to paint. The set was painted laid out on the floor, rather than built in the scenic studios(I think this was done as the set would be flat packed for air-freight to New Zealand, so it saved time). So the set was air-freighted out of Melbourne having never been built. Can you guess whats coming?
So we start putting the set together. Now to bolt it all together it was laid out flat and the markings were married up. One piece it would be marked left to right, A to B, the next B to A and so the madness continued. Once each piece was built it could be flown. Then we could guess at if that was a piece marked A to B or B to A, and take it back down and start over. (Remember no one there had see it and with the best will in the world A4 scale plans only help so much, it is a bit like a giant jigsaw puzzle). However more alarming was that the set didn't hang straight.
The company that built the set hadn't cut the timber cladding flush to the frame - schoolboy error I would say, but then I'm no set builder. As each edge wasn't flat there was no hope of anything hanging straight. We ended up with 80% of the set hanging on the piss.
So they flew someone over to Auckland from the set builders and well the up shot was it was fooked and there was really nothing that could be done to fix it properly (sending it back to have the timber cladding cut flush was not an option - we didn't have time before the show opened for all that carpentry and if it was all cut flush the paint effect would need touching up or completly re-doing, adding more time. We were left with half arsed fixes for months to come, but really there was not much that could be done without canceling part of the tour or swapping the set for a 'stunt double'. The other problem we had with the set was that it was just so damed heavy - several flats were a 14 man lift (normally it would be 2 or 4). We joked that there must be plutonium hidden inside as lead wasn't that heavy.
So we finally opened the show, having got through a process that was so far removed from theatre it was unreal. Most of the information and requests to the prop buyer for set dressing and proppage was nothing more than guess work on my part: either there was a clear breif, but it didn't match the period style or it was a wide open breif with no detail. I resigned myself to the fact that if there was an explicit request for something that was wrong then if thats what was wanted then thats ehat I would pass on to the prop buyer, however if the info was wooly then I could tell the prop buyer what was correct for the period. Fortunatly for me the designer knew the route of this trouble and wasn't on my back for it - we could have a bitch and stitch about it.
Not the greatest start. However we opened and played and then it was time for our first move. Set would go by road and we would fly. In a production meeting I found out that I was working the out, again what could I do, bottom rung to most senior member of staff on tour and no HoD to fight my corner - I was also half expecting it. The first move is always horendus and we had discussed 'exceptional' moves as likely needing more help.
So I spent my last Sunday in Auckland doing a show at 15:00, by 17:30 we were starting to get the set out. I got the props packed and then was dragged to the set. By 09:30 the next morning the set and ice rink was loaded, the last wagon was jack-knived on hill getting out of the theatre loading bay, but we were off. (He had recovery on the way and there is a touring principal that once the doors are shut its the drivers responsability).
We had to be out of the apartments by 10 and on the coach by 10:30. We all were still to shower and pack, oh and sleep. Safe to say we were not checked out for 10. However we were on the coach by 10:35. A bit of sleep on the way to the airport and then straight to the gate and curling up for a sleep at the gate, by the desk - hopefully no one can miss me there - and then more sleep on the flight to Wellington.
Opening a show is always hard work, but this was taking things to new extremes.
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Sunday 29 March 2009
Cinders On Ice - part 1 (July 2008)
Now some of you may read this post and realise that I have mentioned these things before in my blogs of last year (that's where the links are pointed), but those posts are a bit crap. They completely fail to mention the ongoing problems at work and the dots aren't that well joined. However I think I can now include The Great Schism and all the other bits. Are you sitting comfortably ... then I shall begin.
Flight Over
So after an unsettled night (its a common trait of mine the night before) The Dr picked me up and took me to the station. I got down to Heathrow, checked in and got myself airside at T4. I planted myself in a bar, got some dinner and played the waiting game.
First to call was the DSM (Deputy Stage Manager), we spoke earlier that day and she was now through security. As we met up I got a call from our PM (Production Manager) and we all got together. PM had already rounded up No2 Lx (Deputy Chief Electrician), Master Carpenter and Technician.
After a few beers it was time to fly. We headed up to the gate and got settled in for a long flight. After supper the cabin lights were turned off so we could settle down or if not there was an endless supply of tv and films on the seat back screens. I got a little sleep and over breakfast got chatting to the lassy sat next to me. (I was sitting separately to everyone else.) She was an Australian engineer returning from Frankfurt and after a few tips about where had the best wineries she offered me her pass for the Qantas Lounge. She had bought a single use card, hoping that she would be able to use the BA lounge at Heathrow on her outbound trip, but hadn't been able to (Qantas and BA do share lounges - she wasn't some crazy lady).
At Bangkok we all met up in the bar and killed an hour or two, before we were ready to continue to Sydney. By the time we got to Sydney I felt minging and was less than impressed that we would have to go through security again before we would be allowed in as transfers. However once we got through and had a wander it was fine. The guys planted themselves in a corner and investigate breakfast. It was 6am Sunday local time, but our bodies were screaming that it was Saturday evening. I headed off to find the Business Lounge.
After a run in with a Qantas employee who had a foul attitude I was let in. (The one off ticket was fine, but the fact that my ticket to Auckland showed that although it was a Qantas booking, our carrier would be another airline that they route share with. I kicked off. "I have just flown from Heathrow with you, all my flights are booked direct with Qantas and I will be flying with you 11 times in four months". Not to mention Qantas sponsor the show. Her colleague took my ticket, smiled at me and said "Mr parcanboy, turn left as you enter the Business Lounge and you'll find the showers at the far end. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything" She got a gold star and probably wanted rid of the smell.)
After a shower, clean clothes and lots of tea, toast, fruit, wifi and more tea and toast I was feeling much better. I headed back down to find the guys, who weren't feeling quite as perkie as I. We headed for the plane to Auckland and I decided that if I was going to die in a plane crash it was probably that plane - they couldn't even get the safety film to play for more than 10 seconds and then on attempt five it stopped short.
I slept for most of the flight, but not until we had flown over Sydney - it looked amazing, but at least I would be heading back there soon.
Auckland
After getting through customs and MAF - I love it they have fruit dogs and ask you about mud, seeds and sheep in the interests of, new word, Bio Security - we were met by our Tour Manager for New Zealand and Australia and some Australia staff. We clambered into a mini bus and had the quietest journey known to man. We arrived at the serviced apartments at about 6pm, dumped our stuff and headed out for dinner just around the corner - we were all shattered but all knew we had to eat.
Just down the road from the apartments was the theatre and just down the road from the theatre was a fantastic steak house. We all agreed it was fantastic meat, but were all a little too tired to fully appreciate how good the meat was. However we went back over the next three weeks, when we could fully appreciate the cuisine.
The following morning we went in and started to get the set in place and that's were the fun really began.
Flight Over
So after an unsettled night (its a common trait of mine the night before) The Dr picked me up and took me to the station. I got down to Heathrow, checked in and got myself airside at T4. I planted myself in a bar, got some dinner and played the waiting game.
First to call was the DSM (Deputy Stage Manager), we spoke earlier that day and she was now through security. As we met up I got a call from our PM (Production Manager) and we all got together. PM had already rounded up No2 Lx (Deputy Chief Electrician), Master Carpenter and Technician.
After a few beers it was time to fly. We headed up to the gate and got settled in for a long flight. After supper the cabin lights were turned off so we could settle down or if not there was an endless supply of tv and films on the seat back screens. I got a little sleep and over breakfast got chatting to the lassy sat next to me. (I was sitting separately to everyone else.) She was an Australian engineer returning from Frankfurt and after a few tips about where had the best wineries she offered me her pass for the Qantas Lounge. She had bought a single use card, hoping that she would be able to use the BA lounge at Heathrow on her outbound trip, but hadn't been able to (Qantas and BA do share lounges - she wasn't some crazy lady).
At Bangkok we all met up in the bar and killed an hour or two, before we were ready to continue to Sydney. By the time we got to Sydney I felt minging and was less than impressed that we would have to go through security again before we would be allowed in as transfers. However once we got through and had a wander it was fine. The guys planted themselves in a corner and investigate breakfast. It was 6am Sunday local time, but our bodies were screaming that it was Saturday evening. I headed off to find the Business Lounge.
After a run in with a Qantas employee who had a foul attitude I was let in. (The one off ticket was fine, but the fact that my ticket to Auckland showed that although it was a Qantas booking, our carrier would be another airline that they route share with. I kicked off. "I have just flown from Heathrow with you, all my flights are booked direct with Qantas and I will be flying with you 11 times in four months". Not to mention Qantas sponsor the show. Her colleague took my ticket, smiled at me and said "Mr parcanboy, turn left as you enter the Business Lounge and you'll find the showers at the far end. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything" She got a gold star and probably wanted rid of the smell.)
After a shower, clean clothes and lots of tea, toast, fruit, wifi and more tea and toast I was feeling much better. I headed back down to find the guys, who weren't feeling quite as perkie as I. We headed for the plane to Auckland and I decided that if I was going to die in a plane crash it was probably that plane - they couldn't even get the safety film to play for more than 10 seconds and then on attempt five it stopped short.
I slept for most of the flight, but not until we had flown over Sydney - it looked amazing, but at least I would be heading back there soon.
Auckland
After getting through customs and MAF - I love it they have fruit dogs and ask you about mud, seeds and sheep in the interests of, new word, Bio Security - we were met by our Tour Manager for New Zealand and Australia and some Australia staff. We clambered into a mini bus and had the quietest journey known to man. We arrived at the serviced apartments at about 6pm, dumped our stuff and headed out for dinner just around the corner - we were all shattered but all knew we had to eat.
Just down the road from the apartments was the theatre and just down the road from the theatre was a fantastic steak house. We all agreed it was fantastic meat, but were all a little too tired to fully appreciate how good the meat was. However we went back over the next three weeks, when we could fully appreciate the cuisine.
The following morning we went in and started to get the set in place and that's were the fun really began.
Thursday 26 March 2009
Cottaging (May & June 2008)
Life in the cottage was not so bad, after the heating had been on for a day or two and the 2 foot stone walls had some heat in them it was pretty cosy. The boxes were gradually unpacked and order was brought to the chaos.
I found living on my own a bit spooky at first and kept hearing 'funny noises' but after a month I was used to the stillness and the noises of the house.
I immersed myself in village life: I avoided the post office; avoided the pub; and did everything in my power to avoid the locals. I spent a fair bit of time checking out the local queer talent on my two favourite 'selected interest' websites. I was not the only gay in the village!
Now I'm not saying that this guy put up a picture that wasn't his own, but I never saw a blond muscled Adonis wandering around and it was spring, surely he would have been out and about. However I did meet a guy who kept me sane and lived in the next village over and also met a lovely Welsh Lad who I started seeing at the end of May.
Welsh Lad was very sweet and we had days out and night in and everything was peechie. One Thursday at about 5 I waiting in the car park at Salisbury's for him (I know how to treat a guy! (He was coming over and I had no food in so we were going shopping for dinner)) and I got a cold call from a company. They had got my details from The Freelist (list of Stage Management, sorted by date available, listing skills and last three projects) and would I be available to interview tomorrow.
Welsh Lad turned up after work, we did the shopping, I made dinner and I sent him home so I could get a good nights sleep before getting the train in the morning.
I pitched up for my interview in London and we went over the details we discussed on the phone and all the other bits. I was offered ASM/ book cover for Cinderella On Ice starting in two weeks, in Auckland! Oh Jesus buggery bollocks! (Someone had pulled out bla bla bla) I was offered the weekend to think on it and gladly accepted. Welsh Lad and I did a fair bit of talking, Senga and I did a fair bit of talking and by Monday I had accepted a years contract with them. The company was based in London, but tours all over the world, with UK technical and Stage Management staff and Russian (mostly) ice skaters.
Much shopping; frantic visit to Glasgow to see family, friends and Senga; trip to New Zealand House to get my business visa and then I was all sorted, packed and ready to go. Welsh Lad and I had decided to try and make a go of things even though we wouldn't see each other for 4 months and I would be 12 000 miles away. So all was good, a bit scary, but all good!
the original facebook blog slots in now
I found living on my own a bit spooky at first and kept hearing 'funny noises' but after a month I was used to the stillness and the noises of the house.I immersed myself in village life: I avoided the post office; avoided the pub; and did everything in my power to avoid the locals. I spent a fair bit of time checking out the local queer talent on my two favourite 'selected interest' websites. I was not the only gay in the village!
Now I'm not saying that this guy put up a picture that wasn't his own, but I never saw a blond muscled Adonis wandering around and it was spring, surely he would have been out and about. However I did meet a guy who kept me sane and lived in the next village over and also met a lovely Welsh Lad who I started seeing at the end of May.
Welsh Lad was very sweet and we had days out and night in and everything was peechie. One Thursday at about 5 I waiting in the car park at Salisbury's for him (I know how to treat a guy! (He was coming over and I had no food in so we were going shopping for dinner)) and I got a cold call from a company. They had got my details from The Freelist (list of Stage Management, sorted by date available, listing skills and last three projects) and would I be available to interview tomorrow.
Welsh Lad turned up after work, we did the shopping, I made dinner and I sent him home so I could get a good nights sleep before getting the train in the morning.
I pitched up for my interview in London and we went over the details we discussed on the phone and all the other bits. I was offered ASM/ book cover for Cinderella On Ice starting in two weeks, in Auckland! Oh Jesus buggery bollocks! (Someone had pulled out bla bla bla) I was offered the weekend to think on it and gladly accepted. Welsh Lad and I did a fair bit of talking, Senga and I did a fair bit of talking and by Monday I had accepted a years contract with them. The company was based in London, but tours all over the world, with UK technical and Stage Management staff and Russian (mostly) ice skaters.
Much shopping; frantic visit to Glasgow to see family, friends and Senga; trip to New Zealand House to get my business visa and then I was all sorted, packed and ready to go. Welsh Lad and I had decided to try and make a go of things even though we wouldn't see each other for 4 months and I would be 12 000 miles away. So all was good, a bit scary, but all good!
the original facebook blog slots in now
Wednesday 25 March 2009
So why is year dot now and not any other time?
This post isn't a flashback, this is how things are now as I write
(Mammy will be pleased and I don't mean my mother).
Out of all the points in my life way is moving to a small village the point of reference that I feel is appropriate to call year dot? Discuss
My initial thinking was that as I was providing a little brief background to the original facebook blog before continuing, then the start of that blog was the starting point. Naturally everything that came before was in that context history. However as I rambled on, telling a short story long, about what came before I got thinking.
I lived with my parents till I was 18. We had a big house in one of Glasgow's leafy suburbs and we never moved house. I applied to drama schools all over the country, but I felt the best place for me to train in stage management and technical theatre was RSAMD in Glasgow. I moved into a flat in the West End of Glasgow with a friend. Then I lived with another friend and was there till I graduated. I then lived with Senga and SR and then later KM. I had never lived in Halls. I had never lived with strangers. I had never lived outwith one city. I had never had my safety net removed. I had never pushed the boat out.
A lot of things had happened and I progressed from being a big fish in a small pond several times now and naturally learned with it. I had my own life and started to build a career, but what had I actually achieved, how far had I really spread my wings?
I probably am vastly underestimating my achievements prior to year dot, but once we've accept that we have learnt from and survived the past doesn't year dot moved forward. Isn't year dot a floating point?
There are also probably other factors at work in all of this present day thinking. In a few weeks I approach a magic number. That magic number was a review point I set at drama school for myself and have stuck to ever since. The plan was that when the going gets tough I stick with it and my first exit clause would be at this magic number. Looking back all has been rosie and, well I survived this far.
I am putting far more weight reflectively on the last year than any other year before. However in the last year, which is almost a year from 'year dot', I have. I have lived with strangers. I have lived outwith the one city. I have had my safety net removed and I have had the boat pushed out.
The observant will notice that just leaves living in halls of residence. Well lets compare my new pad. I share a house with 4 complete strangers. I have my kitchen cupboard in which anything sacred must be kept and the rest is communal. Okay I have never been woken up by the overly sensitive fire alarm at 5am, but its a bit like halls. If you need more proof look at the kitchen!
(Mammy will be pleased and I don't mean my mother).
Out of all the points in my life way is moving to a small village the point of reference that I feel is appropriate to call year dot? Discuss
My initial thinking was that as I was providing a little brief background to the original facebook blog before continuing, then the start of that blog was the starting point. Naturally everything that came before was in that context history. However as I rambled on, telling a short story long, about what came before I got thinking.
I lived with my parents till I was 18. We had a big house in one of Glasgow's leafy suburbs and we never moved house. I applied to drama schools all over the country, but I felt the best place for me to train in stage management and technical theatre was RSAMD in Glasgow. I moved into a flat in the West End of Glasgow with a friend. Then I lived with another friend and was there till I graduated. I then lived with Senga and SR and then later KM. I had never lived in Halls. I had never lived with strangers. I had never lived outwith one city. I had never had my safety net removed. I had never pushed the boat out.
A lot of things had happened and I progressed from being a big fish in a small pond several times now and naturally learned with it. I had my own life and started to build a career, but what had I actually achieved, how far had I really spread my wings?
I probably am vastly underestimating my achievements prior to year dot, but once we've accept that we have learnt from and survived the past doesn't year dot moved forward. Isn't year dot a floating point?
There are also probably other factors at work in all of this present day thinking. In a few weeks I approach a magic number. That magic number was a review point I set at drama school for myself and have stuck to ever since. The plan was that when the going gets tough I stick with it and my first exit clause would be at this magic number. Looking back all has been rosie and, well I survived this far.
I am putting far more weight reflectively on the last year than any other year before. However in the last year, which is almost a year from 'year dot', I have. I have lived with strangers. I have lived outwith the one city. I have had my safety net removed and I have had the boat pushed out.
The observant will notice that just leaves living in halls of residence. Well lets compare my new pad. I share a house with 4 complete strangers. I have my kitchen cupboard in which anything sacred must be kept and the rest is communal. Okay I have never been woken up by the overly sensitive fire alarm at 5am, but its a bit like halls. If you need more proof look at the kitchen!
Year Dot aka April 2008
So I'm the only one in the village - well it certainly feels like that. Somehow I consented to living in a village, which is near a very small town. Hell its a 25 mile drive for a 24 hour Tescos! Clearly I was out of my tiny queer mind when I decided The Dr's offer was sensible.
"Why are you there?" and "Yes, I think you may well be out of your tiny queer mind?" I hear you saying as you nod to yourself. So this is my chat, this is why the city boy, who likes being in a city is in arse Narnia ...
The Accountant is my eldest brother, 19 year older, married with 2 kids, full details to follow. He is quite good at being straight laced and serious. I save calling The Accountant for advice for last - I tend to know exactly what my options are by then and talk them over, I don't phone him and ramble on without a clear idea of where I'm trying to get to. I then enquire about the other half and the kids and finally his woodworking. After all that I'm ready for a sweet sherry.
Thoughts were:
Moving day would have been fine if I wasn't having veiled panic attacks about my decision. Luckily The Dr was on hand for my medical needs and Senga was on hand for my spiritual needs She got the smelling salts from the sideboard and my spirit was restored.
Van packed The Dr and I headed south from Glasgow. A fully laden transit and a Ka with a handbag have roughly the same acceleration it seemed and we were level pegging till I lost him coming over Shap. We rendevoued for a pot of tea and a scone and then pressed on. Van unpacked in the pitch dark and there I was, along, in an old cold cottage.
"Why are you there?" and "Yes, I think you may well be out of your tiny queer mind?" I hear you saying as you nod to yourself. So this is my chat, this is why the city boy, who likes being in a city is in arse Narnia ...
- Senga and I could have kept the flat on and found another flatmate, but Senga raised a very good point. It had always been understood that if I got a job on a show in town I would be gone in a flash and Senga and the other flatmate would find a replacement and I would cover my rent till that happened or the lease was due for renewal. Senga was concerned that if we replaced KM and then a month down the line or so I got work in town and was off and then they got a second new flatmate and things didn't work out Senga could feel like her little home had been pulled from under her size 11 feet. (Given that Senga is also in theatre, tours and when you are away that often being at home at home is very important.) So keeping the flat on was ruled out
- We find another flat a two bed. That way if I was gone and being replaced it would be only one new person. To add a bit of background to the mirky swirlings that are Sengas thoughts, I was invited to interview for a show in town as all this was kicking off and had been down the month before for an interview for another show in town. There were also a few occasions before this.
I talked things over with The Dr, - He suggested that as his old cottage was lying empty I could live there for a bit: it would get me out of the cycle of renting and being tied to a lease etc; could try living on my own; was 3 hours to London on a direct train; could help out with the jobs needing done around the place; would mean it wasn't empty.
- I had one more option, denial!
The Accountant is my eldest brother, 19 year older, married with 2 kids, full details to follow. He is quite good at being straight laced and serious. I save calling The Accountant for advice for last - I tend to know exactly what my options are by then and talk them over, I don't phone him and ramble on without a clear idea of where I'm trying to get to. I then enquire about the other half and the kids and finally his woodworking. After all that I'm ready for a sweet sherry.
Thoughts were:
- If I'm going to crowbar all my stuff out the flat, into a van and back out I might as well move 300 mile as 3.
- When I'm on tour I'm not home: so arse Narnia isn't that bad.
- This particular arse Narnia on offer is only 50 min to the M6. Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester etc are all readily accessible.
- Could try living on my own.
- Shug was worried that if I wasn't working I would be all alone in a strange town (village it was worse than he realised) with no mates around and being a city boy how would i find it.
- Not living with Senga would suck! How else would Tallulah! get home safe after a sherry?
- Not being in the same town as Senga would be the death of Tallulah!
Moving day would have been fine if I wasn't having veiled panic attacks about my decision. Luckily The Dr was on hand for my medical needs and Senga was on hand for my spiritual needs She got the smelling salts from the sideboard and my spirit was restored.
Van packed The Dr and I headed south from Glasgow. A fully laden transit and a Ka with a handbag have roughly the same acceleration it seemed and we were level pegging till I lost him coming over Shap. We rendevoued for a pot of tea and a scone and then pressed on. Van unpacked in the pitch dark and there I was, along, in an old cold cottage.
Monday 23 March 2009
A Bit of Background (2008)
Jesus this background is taking an age and we haven't reached year dot yet, but it is only four months and 27 days away now, which I hope I will cover in this post. I set myself the target of year dot before dinner. I'm running behind schedule, but I will not eat till I reach year dot.
So its the beginning of 2008, and in little over a week I'll be finished at Barbican and it will be January and I will be unemployed. However there are far more pressing things for now. I have a date (oh and Senga is due any day now for a visit), but I have a date.
AussieT is a little older and an Antipodean as the nome de plume may suggest. I met him after a late matinee and we went out for some drinks and then dot dot dot
(I saw Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales theatre three days prior [and very good it was too], and liked the use of "and then dot dot dot". If you've not seen it or if it isn't in the film or you need me to spell it out then get in touch)
I was off the next day and not in till late the day after, and kinda moved into AussieT's, only leaving to go home to shower, change and head into work. I was liking this, I felt entirely comfortable and all was well. I bounced into work, clearly beaming (a "perspex pansie" as Senga would say). Senga visited, we all went out and had a blast. Senga approves of AussieT!! Wonders will never cease!!
Senga and I managed to do what was planned from October, as many shows in as few days as possible - in my case while also working, but our schedule was really weird, all matinees and days off in the week. We saw Hairspray, Les Misérables (well i did Senga saw it when it was playing in the arc), Wicked (fantastic score, visually spectacular at points, but the book was a bit weak) and Senga saw some other shows when I was working. We also managed a fair few cheeky sherries, well it would have been rude not to.
And then my contract ended and I was back to Glasgow. It was January and I was unemployed (I like that line the more I write it). So AussieT and I were going to try and keep things going once I was back in Glasgow. I went down in early February for two night, which was naturally brilliant.
Senga has got a boyfriend (and as i'm writing this nearly a year later I know what happens), we shall call him Sengas bf. I think I approve.
Shortly after I started working for the RSAMD for a few weeks. AussieT came up for a weekend and it was a disaster, 99% my fault. That weekend was bad. We kinda half made up, but the damage was done. I was down in early April for a committee meeting and didn't stay the night, just flew down and back in a day. Actually just as well with hindsight, I was sick for 2 days after and couldn't eat. AussieT and I split up that day, I blamed it on the distance, which certainly didn't help.
About a day after I was back on my feet KM announced that she was moving out the flat. Senga and I had a series of hushed chats in one and others room over a litre bottle and we tried to work out what to do. The Dr and I chatted things over and by the end of April I was moved and living in The Dr old cottage in North Wales.
Village life - what fresh gay hell is this! This is year dot!
So its the beginning of 2008, and in little over a week I'll be finished at Barbican and it will be January and I will be unemployed. However there are far more pressing things for now. I have a date (oh and Senga is due any day now for a visit), but I have a date.
AussieT is a little older and an Antipodean as the nome de plume may suggest. I met him after a late matinee and we went out for some drinks and then dot dot dot
(I saw Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales theatre three days prior [and very good it was too], and liked the use of "and then dot dot dot". If you've not seen it or if it isn't in the film or you need me to spell it out then get in touch)
I was off the next day and not in till late the day after, and kinda moved into AussieT's, only leaving to go home to shower, change and head into work. I was liking this, I felt entirely comfortable and all was well. I bounced into work, clearly beaming (a "perspex pansie" as Senga would say). Senga visited, we all went out and had a blast. Senga approves of AussieT!! Wonders will never cease!!
Senga and I managed to do what was planned from October, as many shows in as few days as possible - in my case while also working, but our schedule was really weird, all matinees and days off in the week. We saw Hairspray, Les Misérables (well i did Senga saw it when it was playing in the arc), Wicked (fantastic score, visually spectacular at points, but the book was a bit weak) and Senga saw some other shows when I was working. We also managed a fair few cheeky sherries, well it would have been rude not to.
And then my contract ended and I was back to Glasgow. It was January and I was unemployed (I like that line the more I write it). So AussieT and I were going to try and keep things going once I was back in Glasgow. I went down in early February for two night, which was naturally brilliant.
Senga has got a boyfriend (and as i'm writing this nearly a year later I know what happens), we shall call him Sengas bf. I think I approve.
Shortly after I started working for the RSAMD for a few weeks. AussieT came up for a weekend and it was a disaster, 99% my fault. That weekend was bad. We kinda half made up, but the damage was done. I was down in early April for a committee meeting and didn't stay the night, just flew down and back in a day. Actually just as well with hindsight, I was sick for 2 days after and couldn't eat. AussieT and I split up that day, I blamed it on the distance, which certainly didn't help.
About a day after I was back on my feet KM announced that she was moving out the flat. Senga and I had a series of hushed chats in one and others room over a litre bottle and we tried to work out what to do. The Dr and I chatted things over and by the end of April I was moved and living in The Dr old cottage in North Wales.
Village life - what fresh gay hell is this! This is year dot!
A Bit of Background (2007) :: Introducing The Dr
So no car to get me back from Keswick and having no time to plan for this eventuality was a worry for everyone but me. I knew better than most just how much of my crap was in Keswick and how utterly unrealistic it was that I would 'get it all back on the train', but one should never underestimate my ability to reassure myself in advance of the event. The Dr knows better.
The Dr is my youngest brother, who happens to be 14 years older than me and who shares a fair few character traits with me. I'm one of four boys, but that's for another day.
The Dr knows well that I am excellent at reassuring myself 'all will be well' as we are both skilled in the art of denial and self reassurance. I'm not sure if he does it too, but I end up having a panic when I realise that my fancifully ideas (or "guy queer notions" as Senga like to call them) have gang agley. I normally call Betsie and The Dr while I half rant at myself for being a fanny and half whimper about my predicament to anyone who has the misfortune to be within earshot. I shouldn't be surprised that The Dr refused point blank to let me get the train and came to pick me up from Keswick.
I made the most of the final night out the night before and woke to find The Dr at the foot of my bed, thankfully not banging saucepans. We got the car pack and headed off with The Dr promising not to drive too erratically - he had sympathy having had a similar experience when Dad picked him up from uni at the end of one term, except Dad had top stop on the hard shoulder so The Dr could be sick. I wasn't sick, I had the morally high ground in my mind.
So home at last and Senga and I could plan our holiday - oh Jesus where to start - all we knew was it was going to be a last minute affair. However KM earned her stripes, she is a travel agent so came home with passwords galore for all sorts of travel agent type websites. Meanwhile Senga found a deal for two weeks all inclusive in Tunisia. KM worked some travel agent magic, but then her wand snapped and she proclaimed that it was actually a really good deal and she couldn't beat it. So we booked and went.
I'll save telling you the full details now and save it for a wet night when the telly is crap. However we had two weeks great weeks and despite sharing a room and didn't fight. We were absolutely amazed. We did have a teeny tiny tiff, but I think we secretly both wanted not to have a fight, so we both backed down.
While I was away I got two phone calls for the same job and came back and arrange an interview and by the end of February I was on tour with Acorn Antiques - The Musical! as ASM - with red Ford Ka mark II. Again on a wet evening I might write all about the Acorn tour, but for now I will just list the Cities;
Woking, Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool, York, Preston, Leeds, Sheffield, Darlington, Richmond, Nottingham, Canterbury, Reading, Bath, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Southend and Cardiff - although none of them for more than a week.
After four months away I was glad to be back in Glasgow and after a few weeks catching up on things, I started a wee project with 7:84 Theatre Company on a tour round Scotland for a few weeks, which was happily based out of Glasgow and allowed me some welcome time living in my flat, which I was beginning to forget what it looked like. It was also really good actually living with KM, as we only spent a few nights under the same roof since she moved in. Senga was away for all of August and KM got me hooked on Lost (and M&S mashed potato).
The day after I finished with 7:84 I went down to London for an interview for Panto at The Barbican. I stayed with my friend in St Albans and had a really good catch up that night and by the morning had been offered the job - ASM (book cover) for Jack and the Beanstalk. I celebrated that afternoon by seeing Mary Poppins in town. Suitably impressed! That evening I saw Rent: Remixed. Suitably unimpressed, glad I got seats in the centre of the dress circle for a good price with my Equity card, cos it wasn't worth face value on the ticket. To be fair tho there were one or two who stood out as having ability, however as they shone it just showed how poor everything else was.
I was a bit hacked off as I had missed Rent when it was in town and when it was in Glasgow on tour. I love the music and vowed I would not watch the film until I had seen it on stage, wherever that might mean going to. As soon as i was back in Glasgow I watch the film. It was a joy. I have a mate who also vowed the same as I that she loved the music too much and would not watch the DVD till she had seen it on stage. I called her told her to save the price of a trip to London and buy the DVD.
So by the end of October I was down in London and in rehearsals. I had a small crisis on the way down tho. I had booked to stay with a 'theatrical landlady' in Camden who rents out rooms to theatre bods who are down in London for a bit. I called to say I was just coming off the M25, and would be there shortly. She now decided to reveal that she had change her mind!!!!
Its 7pm on a Sunday night. I'm in the car in north London. I have just driven from Glasgow. I have been in the car all day. I need a pee ... now ... this minute! and have to shower in the next two hours (there is another story in there for another rainy day). And now I'm homeless. Thanks! Thanks Maggie C******l of G*******d Street, NW5. Not that I'm bitter.
So found myself a B&B in Contacts, got my head down and went in to start a new job the next morning. My ordeal was like wild fire through the company. By morning tea break half the company had heard a whisper and by lunch the word was out and heads were being scratched. And then my knight in shining armour, my Company Manager (CM), came to my rescue and I stayed with him for 5 nights while I found something a little more permanent. I paid my CM in gin, wine and flowers for his hospitality - I tried cash, but some people just say no!
Barbican sent out an email for me to their staff and AC gave me a ring, we met up and had a cuppa and agreed I'd move in for the 8 weeks left of my contract in exchange for some cold hard cash - I offered to warm it. The rest of the contract with Barbican had some trials and tribulations, but ultimately all came good in the wash.
I'm going to stop short of 'and then it was January and I was unemployed' but it is coming.
The Dr is my youngest brother, who happens to be 14 years older than me and who shares a fair few character traits with me. I'm one of four boys, but that's for another day.
The Dr knows well that I am excellent at reassuring myself 'all will be well' as we are both skilled in the art of denial and self reassurance. I'm not sure if he does it too, but I end up having a panic when I realise that my fancifully ideas (or "guy queer notions" as Senga like to call them) have gang agley. I normally call Betsie and The Dr while I half rant at myself for being a fanny and half whimper about my predicament to anyone who has the misfortune to be within earshot. I shouldn't be surprised that The Dr refused point blank to let me get the train and came to pick me up from Keswick.
I made the most of the final night out the night before and woke to find The Dr at the foot of my bed, thankfully not banging saucepans. We got the car pack and headed off with The Dr promising not to drive too erratically - he had sympathy having had a similar experience when Dad picked him up from uni at the end of one term, except Dad had top stop on the hard shoulder so The Dr could be sick. I wasn't sick, I had the morally high ground in my mind.
So home at last and Senga and I could plan our holiday - oh Jesus where to start - all we knew was it was going to be a last minute affair. However KM earned her stripes, she is a travel agent so came home with passwords galore for all sorts of travel agent type websites. Meanwhile Senga found a deal for two weeks all inclusive in Tunisia. KM worked some travel agent magic, but then her wand snapped and she proclaimed that it was actually a really good deal and she couldn't beat it. So we booked and went.
I'll save telling you the full details now and save it for a wet night when the telly is crap. However we had two weeks great weeks and despite sharing a room and didn't fight. We were absolutely amazed. We did have a teeny tiny tiff, but I think we secretly both wanted not to have a fight, so we both backed down.
While I was away I got two phone calls for the same job and came back and arrange an interview and by the end of February I was on tour with Acorn Antiques - The Musical! as ASM - with red Ford Ka mark II. Again on a wet evening I might write all about the Acorn tour, but for now I will just list the Cities;
Woking, Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool, York, Preston, Leeds, Sheffield, Darlington, Richmond, Nottingham, Canterbury, Reading, Bath, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Southend and Cardiff - although none of them for more than a week.
After four months away I was glad to be back in Glasgow and after a few weeks catching up on things, I started a wee project with 7:84 Theatre Company on a tour round Scotland for a few weeks, which was happily based out of Glasgow and allowed me some welcome time living in my flat, which I was beginning to forget what it looked like. It was also really good actually living with KM, as we only spent a few nights under the same roof since she moved in. Senga was away for all of August and KM got me hooked on Lost (and M&S mashed potato).
The day after I finished with 7:84 I went down to London for an interview for Panto at The Barbican. I stayed with my friend in St Albans and had a really good catch up that night and by the morning had been offered the job - ASM (book cover) for Jack and the Beanstalk. I celebrated that afternoon by seeing Mary Poppins in town. Suitably impressed! That evening I saw Rent: Remixed. Suitably unimpressed, glad I got seats in the centre of the dress circle for a good price with my Equity card, cos it wasn't worth face value on the ticket. To be fair tho there were one or two who stood out as having ability, however as they shone it just showed how poor everything else was.
I was a bit hacked off as I had missed Rent when it was in town and when it was in Glasgow on tour. I love the music and vowed I would not watch the film until I had seen it on stage, wherever that might mean going to. As soon as i was back in Glasgow I watch the film. It was a joy. I have a mate who also vowed the same as I that she loved the music too much and would not watch the DVD till she had seen it on stage. I called her told her to save the price of a trip to London and buy the DVD.
So by the end of October I was down in London and in rehearsals. I had a small crisis on the way down tho. I had booked to stay with a 'theatrical landlady' in Camden who rents out rooms to theatre bods who are down in London for a bit. I called to say I was just coming off the M25, and would be there shortly. She now decided to reveal that she had change her mind!!!!
Its 7pm on a Sunday night. I'm in the car in north London. I have just driven from Glasgow. I have been in the car all day. I need a pee ... now ... this minute! and have to shower in the next two hours (there is another story in there for another rainy day). And now I'm homeless. Thanks! Thanks Maggie C******l of G*******d Street, NW5. Not that I'm bitter.
So found myself a B&B in Contacts, got my head down and went in to start a new job the next morning. My ordeal was like wild fire through the company. By morning tea break half the company had heard a whisper and by lunch the word was out and heads were being scratched. And then my knight in shining armour, my Company Manager (CM), came to my rescue and I stayed with him for 5 nights while I found something a little more permanent. I paid my CM in gin, wine and flowers for his hospitality - I tried cash, but some people just say no!
Barbican sent out an email for me to their staff and AC gave me a ring, we met up and had a cuppa and agreed I'd move in for the 8 weeks left of my contract in exchange for some cold hard cash - I offered to warm it. The rest of the contract with Barbican had some trials and tribulations, but ultimately all came good in the wash.
I'm going to stop short of 'and then it was January and I was unemployed' but it is coming.
A Bit of Background (2005-06)
In the early summer of 2005 and with graduation rapidly sneaking up on us, Senga and I started to think about the future. I wasn't overly impressed with the idea of having to actually work for an income, the arrangement where Bank of Mum & Dad paid me not to live at home nor eat their food worked well for me, and my weekend job was such a breeze that it never felt like work. However reality was looming - Council Tax.
I shared a lovely flat in town with a friend that I had know from primary school. The rent was fine and we didn't pay Council Tax as we were both students. However he was still going to be a student so i would have to pay 75% of the three grand bill!!! Reality loomed.
We hit upon the idea that a nice little flat with a low council tax band was best and that if we got a three bed flat we would probably all end up paying a little less. And so we did just that. Senga's old flatmate SR joined us and we hired a van and moved. We actually spent the day glued to the radio while moving - that was London 7/7/2005.
I did a show at the Edinburgh Festival traveling back and forward for the month and then went to the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow as an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) for the winter season. My first proper show was What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, how camp and how apt. Our Christmas show was Charlotte's Web and one of our ensemble was a chap I had trained with. I had a blast at the Citz, but sadly my contract was only up till Christmas. Its a good way to wake up on New Years Day - unemployed!
I had an interview on the 4th January for Theatre by the Lake (TbtL) in Keswick and then for Theatre Royal York the day after, both for ASM positions, starting at the end of February. I was offered both and decided on TbtL. I just had to fill two months, so I learned to drive. I got a cancellation appointment for the first test of the day the day I left for Keswick, passed and got the train.
Along the way my nine week contract with TbtL turned into a years contract, I bought my first car, a red Ford Ka, and had a fab year. Our team were mostly fab and we had a laugh. My shows were On Golden Pond, Private Lives (book cover), Loot (book), After Miss Julie and Sinbad: The Untold Tale!
Somewhere along the way SR moved out of the flat in Glasgow and one Sunday Senga and I held auditions/ interviews for a new flatmate. Over tea and biscuits we found KM and she liked us and we liked her, so she moved in.
About a week before I finished in Keswick my Ka had an accident and my insurance told me it was no more my car, but I would get a cheque for a shiny new one.
It was early January 2007, my contract was finished and off I went back to live full time in Glasgow, rather than straddling between two homes.
I shared a lovely flat in town with a friend that I had know from primary school. The rent was fine and we didn't pay Council Tax as we were both students. However he was still going to be a student so i would have to pay 75% of the three grand bill!!! Reality loomed.
We hit upon the idea that a nice little flat with a low council tax band was best and that if we got a three bed flat we would probably all end up paying a little less. And so we did just that. Senga's old flatmate SR joined us and we hired a van and moved. We actually spent the day glued to the radio while moving - that was London 7/7/2005.
I did a show at the Edinburgh Festival traveling back and forward for the month and then went to the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow as an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) for the winter season. My first proper show was What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, how camp and how apt. Our Christmas show was Charlotte's Web and one of our ensemble was a chap I had trained with. I had a blast at the Citz, but sadly my contract was only up till Christmas. Its a good way to wake up on New Years Day - unemployed!
I had an interview on the 4th January for Theatre by the Lake (TbtL) in Keswick and then for Theatre Royal York the day after, both for ASM positions, starting at the end of February. I was offered both and decided on TbtL. I just had to fill two months, so I learned to drive. I got a cancellation appointment for the first test of the day the day I left for Keswick, passed and got the train.
Along the way my nine week contract with TbtL turned into a years contract, I bought my first car, a red Ford Ka, and had a fab year. Our team were mostly fab and we had a laugh. My shows were On Golden Pond, Private Lives (book cover), Loot (book), After Miss Julie and Sinbad: The Untold Tale!
Somewhere along the way SR moved out of the flat in Glasgow and one Sunday Senga and I held auditions/ interviews for a new flatmate. Over tea and biscuits we found KM and she liked us and we liked her, so she moved in.
About a week before I finished in Keswick my Ka had an accident and my insurance told me it was no more my car, but I would get a cheque for a shiny new one.
It was early January 2007, my contract was finished and off I went back to live full time in Glasgow, rather than straddling between two homes.
Background to the 'Bit of Background' :: Introducing Senga, Betsie and Tallulah!
I feel that it would be wrong to continue my blog and just gloss over the five month gap, as if I just had a massive sleep. On the other hand I am gagging to share the present. So with a drink by my side and a good CD playing I've settled myself down. I'll have a read over my blogs to date and see where I was at and then play 'join the dots' with the advantage I can move the dots to suit.
Well I've got half way through my personal recap and am realising I've missed bits out and its maybe not as clear as it could be. I'm thinking a retrospective re-blog might be needed.
Okay so I have made a list of things I should have said and things that I deliberately omitted at the time and think the clearest thing is starting from year dot, but with a bit of background first. 'Year dot' in this case is when I moved from Glasgow to Dyserth, a little village in North Wales, and the 'bit of background' is a potted history of my antics from leaving drama school to 'year dot'.
Are you sitting comfortably, then I shall begin ...
Background to the 'Bit of Background'
It all started just after Christmas 2004. My bestest mate in the whole wide world had returned from a week in deepest darkest arse Narnia (which is my favourite term for the back of beyond) having spent Christmas back home at his parents. Naturally being my best mate and only having mobiles, texts, emails, msn, carrier pigeons, the Royal Mail, smoke signals and flairs to keep in touch we felt like we been apart forever and a day. He suggested that I head over to his and we have a good old catch up over a bottle (litre naturally) and as his flat mate was away I could crash in her room, the next day we could sort out his place for the new year party. Well a little after new year I finally moved out of his flatmates room - probably in truth as she was due home.
Easter 2005 a similar thing happened and after a week and a bit of living together and getting up to our usual antiques and drunken nights - god that really doesn't limits it doesn't it - my best mate ...
[oh lord, I can't keep calling him 'my best mate' and saying his actual name seems wrong, sod it we shall call him by his drag name - not that he does drag, but one drunken night we discussed what our drag names would be. He is Senga Gloriosa and I'm Betsie (after I tried to coil a 30 meter length of rope around my arm like it was a washing line, he shouted over
"Ho Betsie, your washing-lines kinked hen!")
After many a drunken discussion and over time Betsie has developed an alter ego: Betsie when she is scrubbing floors and Tallulah! when she has a drink in her. Anyway I digress] ...
Senga said to me,
"If we have managed to live together this long without a row then maybe we actually could live together"
We have a habit of very spectacular rows, followed by quickly making up. Actually not so much making up, more like an episode of the Simpson's, we simply reset the next day. It works rather well.
Anyway I am telling a very short story long and to cut to the chase we decided that we could probably live together in the future.
A little footnote to all this.
Well I've got half way through my personal recap and am realising I've missed bits out and its maybe not as clear as it could be. I'm thinking a retrospective re-blog might be needed.
Okay so I have made a list of things I should have said and things that I deliberately omitted at the time and think the clearest thing is starting from year dot, but with a bit of background first. 'Year dot' in this case is when I moved from Glasgow to Dyserth, a little village in North Wales, and the 'bit of background' is a potted history of my antics from leaving drama school to 'year dot'.
Are you sitting comfortably, then I shall begin ...
Background to the 'Bit of Background'
It all started just after Christmas 2004. My bestest mate in the whole wide world had returned from a week in deepest darkest arse Narnia (which is my favourite term for the back of beyond) having spent Christmas back home at his parents. Naturally being my best mate and only having mobiles, texts, emails, msn, carrier pigeons, the Royal Mail, smoke signals and flairs to keep in touch we felt like we been apart forever and a day. He suggested that I head over to his and we have a good old catch up over a bottle (litre naturally) and as his flat mate was away I could crash in her room, the next day we could sort out his place for the new year party. Well a little after new year I finally moved out of his flatmates room - probably in truth as she was due home.
Easter 2005 a similar thing happened and after a week and a bit of living together and getting up to our usual antiques and drunken nights - god that really doesn't limits it doesn't it - my best mate ...
[oh lord, I can't keep calling him 'my best mate' and saying his actual name seems wrong, sod it we shall call him by his drag name - not that he does drag, but one drunken night we discussed what our drag names would be. He is Senga Gloriosa and I'm Betsie (after I tried to coil a 30 meter length of rope around my arm like it was a washing line, he shouted over
"Ho Betsie, your washing-lines kinked hen!")
After many a drunken discussion and over time Betsie has developed an alter ego: Betsie when she is scrubbing floors and Tallulah! when she has a drink in her. Anyway I digress] ...
Senga said to me,
"If we have managed to live together this long without a row then maybe we actually could live together"
We have a habit of very spectacular rows, followed by quickly making up. Actually not so much making up, more like an episode of the Simpson's, we simply reset the next day. It works rather well.
Anyway I am telling a very short story long and to cut to the chase we decided that we could probably live together in the future.
A little footnote to all this.
- Senga and parcanboy have never slept together, and are both very relieved about this.
- Senga often passes out in Tallulah's! bed.
(by this point in the evenings proceedings parcanboy and Betsie have given up and retired as characters from this evenings plot, leaving Tallulah! holding the fort). - Senga and parcanboy are like an old married couple: we fight like cat and dog; have no sex life together; don't want a sex life together; we probably could each use the thought of the other naked as a delay tactic during coitus; love each other dearly (although seldom admit it) and would probably be lost without each other.
- Senga and parcanboy have never had 'one drink' but often go for 'one drink'.
- Betsie started writing this, Tallulah! is finishing it.
Saturday 21 March 2009
blog is back, back again
Well five months after my last post and on a new site I'm back - Cue 'ooh' and 'ahs'
This wont be a long post, but I've moved the bits from my blog on facebook over and I'm going to try to be more frequent with updating (or leaking 'titbits') and keep you all in the loop. I'm quite excited in an underwhelmed kinda way that random folk might start following this, well to be honest as long as some one does then I know my keystrokes won't be just for my own benefit.
I should be heading back out on the road with a new show and a new company (well for me at any rate) the week after next so there will be lots of 'titbits' to deseminate - anyone excited yet?
So thats all for now, I'm going to consider a third beer or straight to bed. Will probably be a beer in bed having a gander at the latest offering from youtube.
This wont be a long post, but I've moved the bits from my blog on facebook over and I'm going to try to be more frequent with updating (or leaking 'titbits') and keep you all in the loop. I'm quite excited in an underwhelmed kinda way that random folk might start following this, well to be honest as long as some one does then I know my keystrokes won't be just for my own benefit.
I should be heading back out on the road with a new show and a new company (well for me at any rate) the week after next so there will be lots of 'titbits' to deseminate - anyone excited yet?
So thats all for now, I'm going to consider a third beer or straight to bed. Will probably be a beer in bed having a gander at the latest offering from youtube.
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