My Mother Told Me Not To Tour

So... here I am, first tour completed! That may sound like I've just been out in 'nam and have come back to the good old U.S of A for some R&R, and in a way I guess I have...

Being on tour was brilliant. Essentially I got to hang out with my friends (we got on very happily in our little troupe) all day, act like a bewigged and insane maniac most evenings (without getting arrested - indeed even getting applauded), dress up in a tailcoat, prance about in cuban heels, terrify small children, sing and dance and on top of all that I got paid for it. 

What an experience. My fellow motherers Jon, Lucy, Eva and And spent much time larking about, watching The Killing, referencing popular tv culture, and travelling about seeing some of the places you always thought you never wanted to go...

At Stockton on Tees I saw a replica of The Endeavour, the boat on which Captain Cook discovered New Zealand. Who knew? Apparently the entire population of Stockton on Tees. Why was I never told? It was my Graceland. 

I fell over in rehearsal and hurt my back. Really badly. But after a couple of weeks I got better. I listened to wonderful Opera singing (Lucy, Jon, And and Eva) and experienced incredible direction (Nina) on a daily basis. 

We took a trip to the seaside and contemplated life, we became masters of putting up and taking down a massive grey cloth and wedging pieces of set in to a large blue transit van, we took notes on breakfasts throughout the UK (Jon may write a book on the subject), we stayed in some lovely hotels and some that looked more like constructions sites. I ate my bodyweight in sausages. We went on an adventure to find alcohol at a Services Travel Lodge and succeeded, coming second in the pub quiz at the same time. We drank and we sang appalling Karaoke. Lucy astounded us all with her performance of "Informer". We became a crack unit. We received wonderful feedback from the people who saw the show. I played banjo and guitar with a bunch of strangers late into the night. We drove in cars and vans. We visited the beautiful cities of Chester and Bath, we saw a show in Newcastle, we did cast recordings in the beautiful St Kilda College of Oxford, we ate curries. I went to Durham with my beautiful girl and listened to the bells on the green that just would not shut up. My dad saw the show in Bath, we hung out and had a lovely time.

I missed my loved ones and friends but it made seeing them all the sweeter.

Many wonderful and unforgettable times were had. I was privileged to be part of this ground-breaking production, especially to be involved with such a talented and friendly cast and crew. I know I promised to write more on my blog but as you can see... I got a bit busy. I've decided I'm gonna be better and do more blogging in the future. Keep posted for future craziness.