What a delight of a day. The light of spring, but the cold of winter clinging on, and in the morning I drove up to Somerstown to have a costume fitting. This time I’m going to be a stick of gum. I’m trying to think back over what has happened to me in the past with this project. My first was a Travel Cup. I remember that well. I fell in love and danced with Barbara’s tin of sardines. It was a beautiful gentle piece of theatre, from the mind of an eight year old girl.
One time I was a mole, shot with missiles. An evil bacteria… COVID interrupted my turn about two years ago as an ice cube tray. All of a sudden we went into lockdown.
The costume often informs the movements. I’m not sure how easy it’ll be for me to roll on the floor. But as ever the costumes are coming together beautifully and it’ll do the child playwright’s proud.
We all saw each others work today for the first time since the read-through. These very difficult lines and strange thoughts borne out with as much diligence and integrity as can be mustered in a few short sessions. I’m very much enjoying working with Milo, who is a similar blend of spontaneity and rigor.
The plays are often very funny, as much because they put things so clearly. The young playwrights can often encapsulate adult issues in ways we forget as we grow old. Looking at the work today I was proud to be accepted by that little group. They’ve been a little solid community over the tricky years I’ve navigated so far, bringing joy and keeping the acting muscles in trim. Like The Factory, this working life has become about the little communities of people encountering the same ups and downs.
Sunday off and I’m gonna lie in. Then next week is show week. Joys.
AlBarclay 