Panto time again

Well into second week of rehearsals for Goldilocks. Just as good as ever. Grant and I met for our first day coffee and then up to the Methodist church to meet the rest of the cast. We have new comers to the Kings, Tweedie and James Macenzie. Two really nice guys. Tweedie has had most of his career in the Circus, which is perfect for this panto this year. We have Jo Freer and Claire Dargo from previous years and of course Paul Elliott, our wonderful producer and writer and director. First day's are always slow and laborious but we had started to put it all together by Wednesday. Although I was panicking about not knowing my lines I went through to Glasgow to the Take That concert. Jane was doing the hospitality. It was sensational. I'm not a massive fan but you had to marvel at the production and professionalism. Saturday, I flew down to London to see Kate in her first leading roll in her Arts Ed musical.....I am a doting father but she was wonderful. She has a real career in musicals in her future. We did a full run of the show before I left to fly down. It's amazing that we get to this stage after only 5 days. Anyway we start the tech tomorrow and I cant believe the set for this show. Paul has transformed the stage into an incredible big top circus. So everything is looking good. This time next week we'll know if it all works. I feel good about it so time will tell. Ok speak soon.

So soon

Hi, just had to write again. I'm absolutely loving the part of Roger di Bris in the producers. Opened on Tuesday and couldn't believe I got it all right. It was amazing. The entrance in the frock was great. but the magic moment is appearing on the stage dressed as Hitler and performing the show stopping song spring time for Hitler. The song builds and builds. You think its finished and it just gets bigger. Then the goosestepping puppets come on and it still gets bigger. Any way add to that a Saturday night Glasgow audience and you have it as good as it gets. In the fianle as we stood in a line with the audience standing and screaming Corrie English (Max) shouted "I love this city". The family all came up to see Saturday's show and Kate and David loved it. David doesn't like musicals but he said its the first one has enjoyed one because everything was in time. I know what he means. Every move fits perfectly with the music. Kate loved it as well. She is getting excited about her debut in her school musical. She is playing the lead in a musical about a circus.....how weird, so am I (Goldilocks) Anyway only one more week to go and into rehearsals for the panto. I'm looking forward to that as well. Well just wanted to let you know how lucky I am to enjoy my work so much.
bye

The Producers

I waited till I opened in the Producers before I wrote my latest blog. Well I only had about a week to rehearse and I did have a few worrying moments but thanks to a wonderful director and an incredible cast it all came together last night. It was a wonderful opening night. I wasn't sure if a Glasgow audience would get the American Jewish humour, but they were with it from the first gag. The part although not that big (I've heard that before) was very intricate and Petra (my director) was meticulous. She showed me all the dance steps (I'm not the greatest dancer in the world) and I was amazed that it all came together on the opening night. Corrie English who plays Max is wonderful and Joe Pasqualli who I have worked with many times is brilliant in the part of Leo. He is so likable on and off stage. My first entrance is in a £20,000 dress and is probably the best entrance ever. I love the Springtime for Hitler song dressed as Hitler. I took that part over from Russ Abbot who was very helpful as well. I am very lucky that over the years most of the parts I have wanted to play have come my way. So now its down to two weeks of shows and then straight into Panto rehearsals. So once again thanks to a wonderful director Petra. I couldn't have done it without her.
bye