Brighton - Our Final Stop

And so, the Final Curtain. Birdsong the Tour 2013 has come to its end. 27 Weeks, 28 Towns, 28 Theatres and 33 Blogs.

As I sit here writing for what I know is for now, the last time, I reflect on the places I have visited, the people I have got to know, the characters I have left behind and the permanent effect they have collectively had on me.

This time last year was when I auditioned, so Birdsong has been in my life for the best part of a year. As I mentioned in one of my early blogs, I knew quite far in advance so there was ample time for build up, excitement, preparation and comfort in the knowledge of 7 months work. Now, having come out the other side, that time feels like a different world. Now is a time for reflection. Not worry, panic, or grief - although as an actor, it takes a lot to keep them at bay - but a sense of coming full circle and feeling comfort in the knowledge that I am indeed a year older, and contrary to some people’s opinions... ;-) that much wiser.

It is not simply the different theatres and the various ways in which you experience the play that leave impressions on you when touring like this, but the variety and contrast of this country’s many towns. Malvern and Southend, Bath and Oldham, Dublin and Milton Keynes - at times feeling like worlds apart but yet there is a constant; us and the story we are there to tell. The joy of touring and especially as extensively as this, is that it allows people from all over the country to share the experience and this has felt all the more poignant because of the subject; one of the most significant periods in the history of Britain. People from all walks of life and all parts of this country fought in that war. At a time when class defined who people were, it played an undeniable role in breaking that down. Not completely of course, but the realisation that we are all human and that a Title does not protect you from a bullet, grenade, or shell seemed to leave its impression. No matter their circumstances, the experiences shared on those battlefields in France united men in ways they never knew possible.

I will never think, nor talk, nor feel the same way about the First World War having done this play. Over 200 shows and for me, it never lost its power. My character of Lisette did not feature in the war sequences at all, she was a memory. Only once past rehearsals and having opened the play, did this really dawn on me. In a play personifying the horror of WW1, I was playing a character literally a world apart - not only for the obvious reason of being a memory but because she was living in a time when people hadn’t been pushed to those limits, hadn’t been forced to see what humanity can bear. Though with her own trials and conflicts, she still lived in the comfort of pre-war upper class France. In remarkable contrast to this, I played a WW1 Prostitute - someone living in a polar opposite world to Lisette. Sexually, they represented the two ends of the spectrum. Lisette being the hormonal teen plagued by adolescence and the inability to control alien feelings that were indeed her sexual awakening. Then Prostitute, who had come a long way from her awakening, perhaps as far as you could get - becoming numb to what the act of sex means, not only due to the nature of the job but because of the extreme circumstances in which she played it out. The men she saw would not only have come for sex but as with Stephen, come to talk or simply recount the raw and uncensored descriptions of what they were seeing on a daily basis. Perhaps for comfort, perhaps for reassurance or perhaps the very saying the words out loud was what made it real.

As an actress watching from the wings, I was still, even at the end, moved to tears by the words, feeling and commitment of my fellow actors as they laughed, cried and with the help of the remarkable technical team, created the unforgettable vision of going over the top.

Every night as I waited to come on for the bows, I would listen to Jon’s speech and I swear there was not one time when these words did not affect me.

“No child or future generation will ever know what this was like, will ever understand.
Now it is over, we will go quietly among the living.
We will talk and sleep and go about our business like human beings.
We will seal what we have seen in the silence of our hearts.
And no words will reach us.” 

BRIGHTON

As I drove into Brighton, I was hit by a wave of yes again, nostalgia. I’d almost forgotten, or just not quite processed, how much time I have actually spent there and what the place means to me. It seems strange but I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that it was where we were finishing. As I think back to our very first day of rehearsal when Alastair mentioned what fun we’d have at our final party in Brighton - being so far in the future and in the knowledge of all there was to experience before, it just didn’t seem palpable. Brighton? A distant idea that at that time, didn’t feel like it would ever actually come around.

First Day of Rehearsal

Funnily enough though, as I did drive in I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. And that this really was the right place to finish. The week went slower than recent weeks (that we seem to have literally burnt through) and I felt each day came around one at a time. Whilst the phrase “is it Thursday already?” so often reverberated around the theatre, I found myself at times racing ahead then realising it was still in fact Tuesday.

Speaking of Tuesday, Malcolm invited us all round for a lovely lunch at his house! A perfect activity for a rather wet and windy Tuesday by the sea. Catering for all, there was Gluten Free, Wheat-Free, Vegetarian and more. A delicious start to the social week and lovely chance to check out Malcolm’s wonderful pad. Never had coffee like it! A Delooooooonghiiiii coffee machine. Bernarrrrd (Arthur Bostrom’s American alter ego) and Phoeeeeeeeenix (mine) had hours of fun.

I then wandered into town for a spot of sight-seeing and reminiscing...

...

Then card shopping...endless choice for Liam's!

Before heading to the theatre and managing to get a photo with Charlie G Hawkins!

Haven't washed since....

Wednesday arrived and so did the exciting rehearsal with Sebastian!

As some of you may know, on Thursday Sebastian Faulks actually performed with us in the matinee and the evening show! He took on the role of Sapper Cartwright in what was to be his stage debut (bar school pantomime) and he did a pretty sterling job - hats off to him for also having to share a dressing room with Tim Treloar ;-)

He slotted in seamlessly, instantly taking to the role and embracing all things theatre. Make-up included!

Both shows done, it was time for the end of Tour Party! Jon and Anne-Marie organised a fabulous bash in a local bar, Bohemia, providing us with Champagne, Nibbles and Punch that came out of a treasure chest!

Once suitably oiled, we sat down for what was to be a happy, sad, hilarious and tearful couple of hours. Lauren hosted and organised an unforgettable evening including award ceremonies, photo montages, hilarious videos and humble thank yous. She took us back through the places we'd visited showing us videos and photos that evoked a tear in the most hardened of souls. Liam, as usual, was a mess on the floor.

All 

Friday was spent in recovery, soaking up the sun and preparing to see two of my dearest friends Claire and Rhiannon, who were coming to see the show that night. I didn't take a picture of them! But they brought me these beautiful roses so hopefully they'll forgive me if I post this... :-)

They've seen the show twice - once in Crawley and once here. They were so surprised by how different it was. I guess it's rare for anyone to see a show twice but for them it wasn't just what they picked up the second time, but the difference a venue can make. As people whose professions lie outside the theatre, it was fascinating to hear how differently they experienced the play.

And so to Saturday. A strange feeling to wake up knowing that in around 12 hours, this world of Birdsong will cease to exist. Luckily, I was distracted from this potentially sinking feeling by the wonder that is gay pride! It, and the sun, brightened my final journey to the theatre and set me up with a spring in my step for the final hurdle.

The final shows were a lot calmer than I had anticipated. I felt ok for the matinee in the comforting knowledge that we had one more go after this but as that final time came round, it felt, OK. As I have mentioned before, the body and mind seem to have a remarkable way of adapting to these situations. Whilst there are of course tears, hugs and genuine feelings of grief, things cannot last forever and this was the tour's rightful end. I am perhaps still in come down euphoria and will emerge with a significantly sore head when I hit the ground any day now but hopefully, it will still be with a degree of perspective, reflection and huge sense of achievement.

One

Last

Drink

This has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life and one I will never forget - it is rare to forget a job in this profession but this has had such significance because it was my first tour, telling a story I was previously so fond of already, and it provided me with the opportunity to work and spend 7 months with an exceptionally talented and truly wonderful group of people. I will miss the play, the theatres, the towns, the characters, the people. But I will embark on the next chapter safe in the knowledge that I made the most of every second. Until the next time. Polly X

Penultima in a Concrete Jungle - Milton Keynes

Week 27 of 28. The penultimate week. A strange time of reflection, nostalgia and worrying about the next job. Common topics of conversation; Favourite town? Favourite venue? Best audiences? Best activity? Best digs? What's next?? All as a way of preparing for the end. Milton Keynes was another commuting week for most - so again fractured, but again perhaps needed.

MK (as it's also known) is quite different to a lot of places we've visited - the reason being that it is a "new town". Born in the 1960s, it is structured in a grid-like format - our walk from the station being 30 minutes in a dead straight line. The first time I did this was very strange. I don't think I've experienced anything quite like it. Yes many towns have very long roads that run through many different places but this was honestly as if it had been drawn with a ruler. I emerged from my train (who knew there was a direct train from Balham to Milton Keynes??) ready to embrace my stroll into town, but considering the route couldn't be more straight-forward, I found myself checking the entire way because it felt as if I'd gone round in a circle - so much of the town is so similar. 

I wonder if this is because it was built so recently. Yes it has obviously developed gradually over the years but as it's been such a short space of time, there isn't much room for Old merging with New. London, where I have spent most of my time, provides a change of mood/look/sound at the turn of a corner. Unlike Milton Keynes it is full of History, spoiling us with ever changing landscape and an omnipresent merging of Past and Present. MK was born 40 years ago, I guess it needs a chance to build up a past.

This is what fascinates me about touring; new places, new people - encroaching on an unfamiliar town, just for a short time, but enough to get a feel for what transpires there and how its people live. Do they Love it? Hate it? Feel indifferent? Did they grow up there? Did they move there? Why? What History is there for them? It is perhaps obvious that a town is influenced by its people and vice versa. But as an outsider, that relationship seems to be what leaves the biggest impression.

The theatre, although also being a recent build, somehow feels different - as if it very much has a History. Being kitted out with many modern features such as Air-Con and Water Machines(!) it wouldn't seem that way but whilst also considering that is has up to 1400 capacity - one of our biggest venues of the tour - it is intimate, warm, lived in and full of character. It has a dark blue auditorium split into 3 levels and whilst we had to of course adapt to fill the space, it wasn't hollow or so vast you couldn’t feel the audience there. What I have discovered by visiting such a variety of venues is that intimacy is fundamental to the appreciation of the play. You want the audience with you for every smile, every tear, every grimace - only when they can see or at least sense that, does it become the shared experience it should be.

Our first night was pretty much full - a welcome start to the week. Despite a few minor volume issues, it was a good show and we all felt our penultimate week had begun as it should. 

As the week progressed though, the show became longer and we hit our longest running time to date. This is fairly common at this stage of a tour but nevertheless not a great thing. The next shows were spent trying to work out how. Were we pausing more? Did the larger space affect the length of entrances and exits? Is it something to do with being near the end? It could have been any number of things but thankfully by the end of the week, we had it back down to more manageable and regular times.



FUN

Due to commuting, social activities this week were rather limited, but Miss Sarah Jayne Dunn organised for a group of us to get HD'd and LVL'd!

HD Brows - High Definition Eye Brows

LVL - Permed and Tinted Eye Lashes

Having been pampered and permed, we emerged bright and refreshed - completing the week very much in High Definition. If you're ever nearby, check out the wonderful DermaSpa - it really is worth a visit.  http://www.nilam-patel.com

She's crying blue tears! She must be a Crocolion!

As usual, we sampled the various local eateries with a welcome discount at Zizzi's and my first taste of an Oreo Milkshake at TGI's. Mc Donalds though, is the only place you are guaranteed parking...short stay anyway. Not to worry - serving up in minutes, you'll be in and out in half an hour ;-)

All in all an interesting time in Milton Keynes. Beautiful Theatre, Eyelashes and Air-Con in abundance. This week was bound to be strange and throw up a whole array of different emotions - a feeling of limbo, in preparation for the final week on tour.

Next and finally, we go to Brighton. A beautiful town by the sea and for many of us, one with fond connections and memories - an apt place to finish. It will be a week of surprises and celebrations and on Thursday, we will be joined on stage by a very special guest...if you don't know already, take a look at this :-)

http://www.theargus.co.uk/leisure/stage/10575309.Birdsong_author_Sebastian_Faulks_on_translating_the_epic_war_story_for_the_stage/

Windsor. 3 weeks to go...

It is 9.30pm and 26 degrees outside. There has rarely been need for more than a T-Shirt and shorts (or variable equivalents) all week. Sun cream has been applied, water drunk and enthusiastic attempts made not to waste what so rarely occurs here - a heat wave. You may think me boringly British talking about the weather but it is remarkable what effect it has. As I sit here in the interval of our 3rd night at the Theatre Royal in Windsor - window wide open, door wide open, fan blaring and cool sprays at the ready- I feel compelled to tell you about it.

Back in Basingstoke when we were quite literally snowed in, I felt rather hard done by in what little material makes up my prostitute dress. "Remember to take your jumper off!" became a common expression that quite rightly rang in my ears whilst standing in the wings - my worst fear being an outer body experience consisting of looking down on myself in the scene to discover a hoodied hooker! Whilst my Lisette costume (that goes over the top) provided some comfort, I found myself envying those dressed in full military uniform or ladened with layer upon layer of corset and vest. Now, much to the discomfort and envy of my fellow actors, the tables have turned. As I talk of scrabbling for space by the fan in between scenes and consuming gallons of water without time for the loo, I am perhaps sounding as though we are working in uncomfortable conditions. I assume you have heard of the expression 'First World Problems.' Whilst some theatres provide Air-Conditioned dressing rooms with water machines and a mini bar - (joking!) one has to remain in the knowledge that whatever the weather, this is a job, a great job, a fulfilling job and we have money to eat, sleep and go to the pub. As humans we adapt; we are amebae (<< slight laugh at myself) and can become used to things that in the grand scheme of things, could be seen as a luxury. Although perhaps if I had to wear a woollen military uniform, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the Air-Con, but I'm sure you catch my drift.

Windsor presented itself as our 3rd to last venue. Besides aforementioned thoughts on heat, the very fact that we are 3 weeks away, had a significant effect.

It is a beautiful place and provides an ideal setting for us as a touring company; a town riddled with History, a beautiful riverside location, most shops (eateries...) within walking distance of the theatre and many a public house to choose from whether it be a glorified Wetherspoons or independently run inn. 

Windsor Castle. We weren't asked for tea.

A real crooked house...that does great breakfast.

Sadly, at this stage, such things tend to matter less and less. Another advantage of its location is its proximity to London and therefore ease when it comes to commuting. This meant that most (including myself) were scattered to the winds, daily seeking comfort (and shade!) in the familiar surroundings of home. As previously mentioned, this always changes the dynamic of the group slightly. Where you would once have your fellow cast mates on tap either via social activities or afternoons spent in Costa, daytimes (bar fantastical boat trip on Tuesday!) were spent catching up with, dare I say it, the real world. Whilst there inevitably becomes a distance, an occasional week spent this way on tour can only be a good thing. Particularly at this stage.

We have been touring for 6 months - the job in total just shy of 8. Whilst there are of course longer tours, longer jobs, this is a substantial length for a theatre tour. I guess that explains the need for time at home and this week particularly, a sense of winding down. I wonder how much of this is us knowing the end is near and adapting to that, or whether we are just a bit tired. I recently said to one of the cast “I feel particularly tired this week, I don’t know why.” His reply was simply, “Polly, we’ve been on the road for 6 months.” Fair enough, but I wasn't convinced. I think the body and mind have a rather strange subliminal awareness of such things and it manifests itself in either fatigue, illness or mildly strange behaviour. Example - the "putting on your dress" song...  People tour for a year, 18 months. People work in the same job for 40 years. Harking back to my previous comment about "amebae," us humans adapt - not only by getting used to certain things and changing what we see as being a luxury or a given - but by preparing ourselves for what we know is to come. (When and if, of course, we have the luxury of knowing.)


Despite said challenges, we managed to have many a fun time this week!

• Boat Trip - We hired a boat from Kris' Cruisers and spent the afternoon basking in the sun with nibbles and music. Luckily, Tim VE and Liam were on board to deal with less thought through aspects of the day....like getting through the locks...great job guys.

• Emily's family hosted a lovely evening of post show drinks and nibbles. We were welcomed into a fairy tale like summer garden decorated with lanterns and beautiful solar powered lights and waited on with wine, pizza and delicious potato wedges! As deputy social secretary, Emily exceeded all expectations and provided a perfect post-show summer activity - a great way to relax in what could be described as a more manageable temperature. 22 degrees at 11pm.

• This week we got to see our producers, Anne-Marie and Jon, and Assistant Director, Charlotte Peters - all of whom have close connections with Windsor Theatre Royal - giving the show a rather special significance.

• We had our one and only back to back Saturday! Our matinee was at 4.45pm and evening show at 8pm. This meant we had 1/2 hour between shows - a strange experience but adrenaline fuelled and therefore quite exciting with the word deja-vu being the operative word. A huge highlight has to be Dominoes Pizza in between.

Contrary to evidence, I wasn't the only one eating.

Windsor has been a week of mixed emotions and Factor 30. Nostalgia and Extra Pepperoni. As we approach the home straight, we look back on this as a pivotal week, and the one we survived without Air-Con ;-)

Our week in Norwich

This week certainly had a feel of nostalgia. There are 3 weeks left of the tour, 2 of which will mainly be spent commuting, so when we discovered there was to be a week of good weather? Every single day? We thought go on then, let’s have digs with a pool and a hot tub! 

6 of us stayed and everyone else came over to make the most of the good weather. On Thursday, it was Lauren’s birthday so we had a company BBQ...

Many sports were played and competitions won and lost. I took on Poppy and Alastair in what became a ruthless game of Badminton. Better luck next time you two...(thanks Frog ;-)

Water Polo Rugby, as it came to be known, occupied much of the afternoon. I’d had enough when it was decided there were in fact, no rules?!!! 

Liam, with Tim T helping (watching and eating), spent the afternoon slaving over the BBQ. Everyone else had 10 minutes as DJ - although I really do not remember being given my go. I seem to remember it was dominated by Tim S, Tim T and Gareth, so the summery afternoon was accompanied by the Beatles, the Who, the Jam and well, Dubstep. Sadly, Jon and Josh weren’t able to join us, but we’re sure to make up for that in Brighton with many a celebration planned.

I was lucky enough to have my Ma around for some of the week. She came to stay with friends in Norwich and on the Monday, which presented our biggest audience yet, they came to see the show. Of all the performances we’ve done, and all she’s seen (she could probably now be called a groupie) I was so glad she came that night. It was our biggest audience yet by double and we certainly felt it. The Theatre Royal Norwich seats 1300 so is a large space, but with that doesn’t lose its intimacy. Some theatres with that capacity feel cavernous and the audience distant, but this felt full, close and supportive. She had previously seen it in Basingstoke and Guildford - both of which seat around half if not less than Norwich, so I was glad there was some variable although she insisted it was still as powerful and poignant for her as it had ever been. Which was a great comfort. Her birthday fell this week and we were lucky enough to be taken out in a boat for a tour of the broads!

Her lovely friends, Janet and Terry, showed us the ways of the waters and the ladies were able to catch up on old times - they’ve been friends since age 11! (Which I'm assured feels like yesterday ;-)

For lunch, we were taken to the local brewery...where of course no drinking occurred, but where very tasty food was found as well as an idyllic location for one of the hottest days of the year.

Armed with freshly picked strawberries and Lemon Drizzle birthday cake, I headed back to the ranch to catch the last of the sun by the pool.

Norwich presented a week different to many others - mainly because of the weather and having the accommodation to suit it. It felt strange being in a potentially holiday like set-up, but very much being there to work - in the prominent form of 8 shows. In terms of relaxation it provided a contrast to the focus and concentration needed for a show but at times perhaps persuaded your body that you were able to completely relax, and therefore revving up for the show became more of a challenge. An odd paradox to reflect upon whilst the heat wave persists and our tour comes to its last weeks.

Next, we are in the beautiful town of Windsor. I, as social secretary, am assigned to provide wall to wall fun filled entertainment for all. But as most people are commuting, I suspect a calm week of gentle activity will be in order. Check back next week to see which path was taken...X


P.S. For anyone interested in a lovely poolside summer break in Norwich our digs address was...

Poolside Lodges
Salhouse Road
Rackheath
Norwich
NR13 6LD

Oldham - The life of a touring company

This week, Mr Liam McCormick (who plays Arthur Shaw) describes his experiences of being part of a touring theatre company. What happens in the hours spent not performing? How do you maintain a healthy company dynamic? What happens when a company is thrown into the face of adversity? It's all here...

Being on tour means being close. Close to people. Physically close and emotionally close. There are so few other professions that require colleagues to spend so much of their work and free time together. A company of soldiers, like the one we’re trying to portray, probably feels the same. When on stage you’re looking into each other’s eyes and hope to find that magical connection that makes for a good performance. However, that’s only 2 and a half hours out of your day. What about the other 9 and a half? You’re far from home and the only things that are familiar are the contents of a suitcase and the other members of the company. You come to rely on both. After a while though, you start opening that suitcase and become bored of the same old contents. You get tired of seeing the same old shirt, socks that are getting worn out, threads that are becoming frayed. I hope you’re enjoying the potential for this analogy. The fact is when on a long tour like this, you’re stuck with both and so it means that the biggest talent of any touring actor is not the one demonstrated for that short period on stage, but during the hours in the company of their colleagues.

I was once on tour with a company who’s beautifully equipped theatre was built into the bowels of a converted Norwegian ex-passenger ferry. We travelled the entire coast of Britain and huge parts of Ireland. In port we were actors, building the kinds of close working relationships with which any other company would be familiar. Once at sea, we were crew.

No longer under the compassionate guidance of the Company Manager, instead commanded by the strict Captain and his First Mate. It meant that in a typical 24 hour period I could have been performing on stage, standing with the Captain on a 3 am watch, running group warm ups, interpreting radar readings from out in the middle of the Irish Sea or being aft rope man; helping to come alongside in port. It was a bewildering 4 months. Two very skilled but very different professions were forced to live and work together. The grizzly captain in his fifties with his stories of bawdy merchant navy life and 5 actors trying to impart the benefits of Alexander Technique. It was difficult at first and often quite frosty. The Captain and the First Mate were quite dismissive. I think they thought we should get ‘proper jobs’. In turn we were critical of what we thought were petty little procedures, especially during what we considered our free time. The trouble was, we were stuck together. On a 14 hour sail from Dover to Shetland there are few opportunities to escape each other’s company except for a rather extreme watery exit. It was likened to ‘Big Brother at sea’. In these situations it’s always the outside influences that bring a team together or drive them apart. The bizarre happenings or moments of adversity. One memorable sail to Bangor in Northern Ireland had seen bad weather prevent us from making it to the harbour at our designated slot. Despite the tide receding, the Captain was adamant that we should make it along side rather than spend twelve hours anchored off shore. So we put on our orange overalls, steel toe capped boots (attire that never went down well with the girls) and manned our stations. As the boat came into the middle of the harbour there was an almighty scraping noise and we stopped almost immediately, engines still running. Unbelievably we had run aground.

So this big, colourfully camp looking theatre ship sat precariously equidistant from the harbour walls, slowly starting to list over to the port side. As you can imagine, this event had drawn quite a crowd. Locals were beginning to gather on shore, drawn initially by the sight of a ship with a rotating fish on the funnel and then more excitably by the very real possibility of witnessing a capsizing. The Captain quickly issued instructions for us to launch the life boat, carrying one end of our longest mooring ropes whilst tying the other end to the ship’s bits. As aft rope man I was given the responsibility of escorting the rope to shore. My heart was racing the entire time. The absurdity of the situation didn’t hit me until a lot later. We were a bunch of actors responsible for a potentially sinking ship. Racing against the clock we took four ropes out and secured them, fore and aft. The Captain, directing all the time from the bridge. As the ship continued to list over to port, it took up the remaining slack of the ropes making the most sinister tensioning noise. That evening, as we all sat at the dinner table desperately trying to prevent our plates from sliding to one end of the room, the Captain praised us as a crew. Not as a company of actors, but as a ship’s company. We suddenly saw the importance of the hours of drill training and in turn the Captain saw the power of free publicity! Our antics made the front page of the local papers and we sold out in Bangor!

Whilst it’s probably not appropriate to discuss in too much detail here, a member of the professional ship’s crew died in his sleep during that tour. It was the most shocking and upsetting thing that has ever happened to me in my professional life and understandably affected us deeply. The support necessary to help each other come to terms with that could only come from within the team. We still had to go to sea. We still had a play to perform daily. Whilst it was always helpful to speak on the phone to friends and family back home, they had a limited and remote role. For those four months we really just had each other and the contents of our suitcases.

I have been thinking a lot about that tour over this past week. We are coming to our last 4 weeks of this tour of Birdsong. We have been together since December 16th 2012 and there has barely been a time where we have been apart since. We’ve spent more time with these 16 other people over the past 7 months than we have our own families. We know each other so very well. We have performed the same play 8 times a week, for 23 weeks. Next week will be our 175th performance. It’s enough to send a person stir crazy. However, night after night I look into the eyes of my fellow actors on stage and the energy, support and commitment needed is right there. All created in 7 months by gatecrashing an afternoon tea dance in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. A well timed cup of tea or hug. Being wined and dined at a Football Club. Completing endless pages of crosswords. Games of Pool, Badminton, five-a-side Football and Nine Square. Midnight punting along the Cam. Crying over a glass of wine. Climbing Snowdon. Long car journeys. Midnight feasts, and many, many conversations about love, life and work. These things are the necessary distractions and morale boosting, team building pastimes that make a good company. We haven’t all always got along. We’re human. We have differing opinions, moods and expectations, but those moments have always passed and we’re still here, finding new moments to explore and enliven the play and finding out new things about each other.

I hadn’t been on tour for nearly 6 years prior to this job and it’s likely that I won’t be part of another. They always say touring is a young man’s game and I’m 37 with a young family that needs me closer to home. However, I have loved returning to the closeness of a theatre company. There’s nothing quite like it. There are real highs and real lows but no experience is ever wasted. Its energy is captured, absorbed and reused. The best advice I heard at Drama School was that the best actors are the ones that remember what it was like to be 7 years old. It’s an ability to play, to explore, to be curious and be endlessly fascinated by people. It won’t be the ‘shouting in the dark’ part of touring theatre that I will miss. It will be the curious and creative people and their company. The end is now close. I will savour our closeness over the next four weeks.




Some things we did in Oldham. Well, Manchester...

• Liam took us on a tour of the incredible Royal Exchange Theatre.

Liam spent 6 years working for the education department here and has clearly made his mark...not only on the wall you see below (that really is his writing) but on the department as a whole. "Liam!" - cue hug - was the general response when bumping into familiar faces.

• The Birdsong boys played the Royal Exchange at football. The score was 13-12 to the Exchange - so close!

• Arthur had everyone over for a gorgeous lasagne lunch.

 Emily and I did lots of helping...the boys didn't.

• Arthur took me on a tour of the Northern Quarter to show me the more bohemian side of Manchester. Beautiful craft shops, independently run bars and a rather unique tea shop! Which sold multicoloured cake. I was happy.

• We went on the tram...quite a lot...

...mainly to get to the Oldham Coliseum! Where we performed our 8 shows of the week.