First week back! - Glasgow

We have spent our first week back after Easter at the wonderful King's Theatre, Glasgow and I couldn't think of a better place to kick off the second leg of our tour. At our largest venue yet, hitting the ground running was the order of the day.

We began the week with a line run - a wise decision after a week off - and with only a few minor hiccoughs, made it through! Returning to the stage that night, I think we all felt more secure in the knowledge we had run it once. It's fascinating how only a week away can instil such fear. Despite having done the play over 70 times, allowing your brain to acknowledge that you've had a week off can convince you you'll make a mistake. Luckily, we seemed to keep these demons at bay and return with an exciting and pacey show - our quickest yet!

Due to the exceptional planning of this week's Social Secretary, Mr Tim Speechley, we have had wall to wall entertainment and attained fun points galore. As the week progressed and we settled back into the show, we explored Glasgow and beyond. Tuesday was beautiful and Sarah and I made the most of the day by visiting the Butterfly and Pig for Lunch...

Great Food, great service, witty menu (so much so we requested to take one home) and Tea Rooms with cake upstairs - which turns into a bar at night! A perfect venue methinks and one I would thoroughly recommend. Tim arranged some great evening entertainment, whisking us off to the Polo Lounge and The Corinthian, both of which guarantee a great night out.

One of my highlights this week has to be visiting Loch Lomond - the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain. We got the train to Balloch (about 40 mins from Glasgow) and ventured out on an hour long boat trip. Despite the mist, it was beautiful and fascinating to hear its history. I attempted to educate Liam by passing on my extensive knowledge of the Loch (in French as well as in English) but for some reason he finished the trip none the wiser. V strange.

The River Leven leading into Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond

360 View!

This week saw our first Understudies go on. Sadly, Charlie really wasn't well so Tim Van Eyken went on as Tipper and Alastair Whatley played Evans.

Tim VE as Tipper

Alastair as Evans

It is always sad when someone goes off but the whole company came together and made it work. It is a very hard show when it comes to understudying because it is not simply playing another character, but doing their entire track - set changes and all! As you have read on previous blogs, the play is structured around Stephen's memories so there is much flashing back and forth - suggested primarily through us moving furniture. Everyone worked together to make sure they not only knew when they were on but exactly what they were moving and when! By Saturday night, all was back to normal and Alastair bought us a Giant Easter Egg to celebrate...

which Poppy then smashed...

which was very sad for a moment...then we ate it ;-)

All in all a challenging but great first week back. Next week we go to Derby, check back on Sunday to see how we get on. :-)