This week I am mostly preparing for our run of
Aladdin, which kicks off tomorrow night for 5 performances.
We're extremely lucky to have a real director and staff, and the use of the beautiful Guildhall Theatre in Derby. We've sold almost 90% of all the tickets, and any profit goes to charity (we've managed to borrow most of the backdrops and costumes, and everyone involved has done so in their own time and foc).
Some of the cast have done some acting, but most have done little/nothing before. With 2 previous pantos behind me I'm now one of the more experienced!
It's hard work (I've taken this week off work because I know from experience how draining they are), but this is the bit that we've all worked for, so I'm just really excited now. We've got a dress rehearsal tonight and then we start the run tomorrow.
This year I am
Abanazar! I had no idea how much fun being the villain would be, and I have a brilliant costume.
There is nothing like stepping out on stage in front of an audience, and I count scuba diving and parachute jumps in my comparison. The sheer, raw nerves of those last moments as you wait for your cue, that second when you conquer your nerves and take that step, then the rush as the words come flowing out and you realise the entire audience is hanging on every word, willing you to tell them the story, and to make it good!
Other bonuses include making some wonderful friends. It's a funny thing to do with 20 or so strangers, but it creates a team spirit that I haven't experienced anywhere else (note I've never played team sports that I didn't absolutely have to, and I haven't been in the forces/services: armed or otherwise, so it may be that my sample isn't much of one). Some of us are a bit odd, but there are some I've come to admire hugely. And there are some that are not just very good at this, but they can also be relied upon in a pinch: we have no one to give us a line if we dry - we have to sort ourselves out - and there are some people I know I can depend on when that happens.
I'm in complete luvvy mode right now. I'm not thinking about Sunday, when life will seem much less colourful again; I'm focusing on the present, as our director tells us "The minute you start thinking about what's coming, you're no longer acting. Acting is being in the moment", so that's what I'm doing right now.
(my attempt at Thalia and Melpomene)
