A moment of distraction. A chance to see other people working.
Sam is staying in Clapham. I walked with him to his girlfriend’s place. It’s about two minutes from where we rehearsed Othello. From one big wooden floored hall to another. This town is full of them, but if you can’t be in one without complication you can’t make art. Then I walked on to Clapham Omnibus.
I was thinking today, as the five of us threw detail about, that we are unbelievably lucky to have the room we have. If you’ve got the space you can make the things. ’twas ever thus, but you can’t get space without money. If there is a large hall empty, anywhere, right now, and you have control over it, and you don’t mind people coming every working day in the week to build something, TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME. I’m SURE there are unused halls scattered over this country. I’ve been in them, belonging to friends of mine. When this is done all I want is to have a shot at making something bright with the people I already know who have their creativity stunted. It can’t happen easily without a room for it to happen in. God, the lack of space in this world… I wish I wish I wish I still had Eyreton… But maybe not in the Isle of Man.
We are making something we are proud of here, sure, and we are free to do it – because every moment doesn’t eat into our life. Yes we have a limited amount of time, but it’s always creative. We have a big space, an urn, and awesome people. I’m always excited to get into that room. I know I’m gonna be held but challenged.
I’m tired though. My back is playing up. My brain is foggy. Socially tonight I was anxious. I went to see a piece written by a friend from Scene and Heard, involving Minnie, read at Clapham Omnibus for development. It’s always a lovely thing to support. And there were people from my past and present who happened to be all there afterwards. Ellie and Min both hope to come to our only London show. Ellie and I met at 14. Really strong to connect with her again. And I met some nice people who care about theatre. This fucking world. It’s weird. It’s wonderful. It’s obtuse. It’s cruel.
I love it even if it is often an abusive relationship. I’m stuck in it. Onwards.
AlBarclay 