I’m parked at the North west border of my borough. From thence it is a ten minute walk to the Ibis Shepherd’s Bush, where I’m staying tonight. I could commute without too much concern, but I’ve learnt to take the question out of it and be in the hotel room with everyone else for these jobs. Predictability is important.
This will be the fourth consecutive year that it has worked for me to do this particular event. A different venue in London every time, and a team that is growing more and more familiar. These are good people and we know the job very well now. It’ll be a lot of work, but good work and we will smash it out. This year a bit bigger than previous.
Today I just took it easy in anticipation of a few days graft to come. I had a hot bath, went back to sleep for a bit in the daytime tangled up in Boo who has decided she likes to sit by my head if I’m sleeping and play pattycake if my hands are available.
We all went to Pizza Express tonight and had the briefing. Ali is here, from Paris Olympics. He is totally recovered now – that terrible cough that made me worried sick for him in the dusty warehouse – it was undiagnosed asthma and now he’s drugged up and a new man. We had a moment this evening reminiscing. It was a really strong time together, supplying and troubleshooting those games, negotiating all the individuals, stitching together communications, buying fucking screws. There’s nothing like the crucible of relentless random hard work to brand and secure friendships. Bless him, he came to Othello with his missus. “I’ve never seen a Shakespeare before”.
So … I’m in bed and it’s early for me, but the morning will be early too. Brian left a coffee outside my room this morning at the time I’ll be starting work tomorrow, and by the time I found it it was freezing cold. I’m looking forward to a few days of honest work, and so is my bank balance. I’ve got friends in my bed the next two nights! Shame I won’t get to see them but happy to be earning and making space for them. I still want auditions, but there was one year I sang ‘Boy for Sale” at 4am in a Premier Inn over this job. They recalled me for Sowerberry, got weirded out by me going barefoot in the recall, and went with someone else. I loved having the chance and – good that Annelie had at least seen me. Musical theatre was never my bag so it was a throw of the dice and one I’m happy to have made. The more people that see us the higher the chances of working more.
Event now though. All that stuff can wait. I’m gonna go to sleep and lose the next few days.
AlBarclay 