I won’t be numbering them all like this I’m sure.
Uber driver dropped me off here in the fog. Half seven. I’m “Transport Captain” so this shit has to be my remit. I end up with three people’s passports and we all clear the first few levels of security together.
Level 1 checking the docs. We are miraculously in the right queue. Level 2 going through security. Think airport but a little less angry. Then up in a lift.
Stage 1: Check we are all in the right place. Hard copy of photo makes things much better.
Stage 2: Fingerprinting.
Stage 3: Interview. “When did you become an actor?” In retrospect I should have said the date I pulled out of my arsehole when the visa company asked when my self employment started. As it is I said the basic truth: “I’ve been an actor all my life,” which thankfully seemed to be enough.
Then I got a piece of paper. They’ll check my socials now and make sure I’ve not been fomenting dissent, but I’m pretty happy to believe that I’ll get to do a sadly very short trip to the USA with As You Like It. With a really gorgeous group of actors.
The rehearsal room is so safe at the moment. I can be an enthusiastic oaf without being hated for it. Thank the lord.
We have started on scene work. I’ve been unable and mildly unwilling to hard learn lines until I’m aware of context. As it happens I can consume a large part in a short time, but for it to be flowing and organic it is better for me to have a feeling of who I am in the world first. I’ve got enough now to knuckle in and I’m not worried about things in the short term. But it’s been important to connect with the others and they all have a work ethic which is thankfully not self important. There is an understanding that everyone has a process. Mine is responsive attack. I will be throwing too much for the next week or so as I learn how we all fit. Then I’ll settle. And we have time in terms of time to work, even if we have quite stuttered rehearsal time.
They’re gonna post back our passports. It’s very odd to leave them. Hopefully soon all will be well and done. Fun work ahoyyyy!
AlBarclay 