It’s been interesting going on tour, turning up to a new venue each week and trying to orient myself in a new town or city. I remember going to Nottingham a couple of weeks ago and coming across the theatre for the first time. The Grand looks like it sounds, and there on the right hand side of the pillared frontage was a large poster of yours truly, with a rather long wooden nose! It’s the first time I’ve seen myself on a poster like that, and I have to admit, once I’d got over the shock of seeing myself up there, I felt a little bit proud. The stage itself at Nottingham is quite small and there was very little room in the wings once the set was in, but thankfully we didn’t have to change the show at all because of it. There was one point in the show towards the end when I was anxiously thinking to myself “where’s the quick change booth?” as I have an extremely quick change into being a “real boy” right before the last scene. Thankfully Sophie, one of the fantastic Assistant Stage Managers, was there to lead me by the hand to the right place! The shows in Nottingham went well, especially since we’d had nearly two weeks since the previous ones in Leeds. My first singing teacher, Coral Gould, came to see the Saturday night show with her husband and one of her current students. It was great to see her after the show, and it certainly helped to add a frisson of excitement beforehand, knowing she would be sitting out there with a critical eye. I’m glad to say they loved the show, and hopefully I shall be returning to Burton-on-Trent (where I grew up) very soon to do a solo recital.
We were in Salford last week, and I had a new theatre to get lost around. I think some of the dressers thought I was a bit stupid as I kept walking the wrong way out of my dressing room, right towards a dead end…. My sense of direction has never been that good. Thankfully, once I’m on stage for the show there is no time for me to go wandering off and get lost. The theatre at Salford Quays is very modern and colourful. There was a family fun day on the Saturday in which people could try Karaoke Opera amongst other things. I also had a few friends come and see the show on both nights, which was great as I hadn’t seen them for ages. There must have been lots of kids in on the Saturday because the audience reaction at the end was the biggest I think we’ve ever had - or at least the highest pitched!
I’m looking forward to going to Belfast, as one of my best friends (who lives over the road from me) is going to be there at that time and is coming to see the show. There’s also an opportunity for the cast to get together and go out tomorrow night as we’ve all got to fly over the day before the show, which will be really nice. Touring can get a bit boring if you’re stuck in your hotel room for too long with not that much to do, but thankfully there are usually a few other stragglers around who will meet you for lunch or coffee….in fact, all I seem to do on tour is eat and drink!
Anyway… must go as my daughter is about to wake up from her nap, and I’ve only an hour before my in-laws arrive! It’s all go!
Vicky x
