They all went to gospel brunch and had breakfast brisket. I needed to pack. I’ll be sofa surfing mostly for the next few days I think, so I’m gonna need to be streamlined. Mardi Gras just finished and my good friend runs with one of the crews so I’m gonna hang out with her, partied out perhaps, but I’m knackered too. First time I’ve ever met her on her home territory. We have been friends so long I’ve got friends who were born after we met.
This job is glorious, but it is theatre and even though it is paid competitively, after agents fees, tax and upkeep on the flat I’m not coming back with any more than I had when I left. But the experience is enough. We all know it’s why I’m in this whole existence game.
So perhaps I should have gone to brunch, but I’ve been very happy to just rest in the gaps this week in Austin. I’ve been in this town a month of my life, spread out over fourteen years sure, but still a month.
The hotel parking was by valet only and it really stuck in my craw to do it as it is an absurdly expensive thing to do and then they all want tips. David signed it off though at UTA so I went ahead despite my better judgement. I want the people who book us, like David, to prioritise getting the actors from the London stage to come to their institutions. All hidden costs, extra petrol charges, valet charges, everything like that – it makes the person who books the company a little more personally aware of the cost of having us on their programme. Creative longevity is more important than personal convenience. Says the man who has blown over 25 years chasing a frequently low paid vocation. Although none of us had time to juggle cars during that last residency.
Three tours over twelve years. This one much shorter than the rest cos Trump. I’ve had such a treat with these guys and this play and this line. Adam filters and amplifies other people’s thoughts. Le Beau bombasts and gives permission to laugh. Silvius reminds us of our teenage immediacy. Jaques fools admirably but is too pompous to see his own foolishness. Hymen is mostly just singing his lines and hoping his fingers are on the right stops. The rest of the time I’m just trying to make sure I’ve got the right harp in my pocket, and working out which end of the fucking hoodie is the business end.
Oh yeah so there’s a link now. You can pay money to see us in Marylebone on Sunday. Here’s the link. If you click it you might get a free pet chicken. No promises.
AlBarclay 