Cheltenham: Week 2

Cheltenham

Making the first move:

Always approached with trepidation and a little hesitation. The first move to a new theatre is always a bit of an unknown. How long will you need to get there? How long to get set up? How will everyone cope with things in a different positions backstage? Different dressing rooms etc.

Luckily for me, GMoss and Sinead, it was relatively easy. We had done it about 26 times before last year. Yes, things are slightly different now, but the basic shape is still the same. But for Roger and Lucy it was going to be completely new. I'll refer you back to the guest blog I did last year in Nottingham for a complete run down on what we have to do on each in and how important local crew and location are vital for a smooth get-in (I wont bore you by churning it out all over again here!) -http://pollyhughesbirdsongthetour.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/nottingham-lauren-our-dsm-takes-you.html

I haven't played Cheltenham for about 4 years, so much of my memory of it was slightly sketchy. I do remember it being a good venue for space and with a great crew.

For us though, it was a good day's get-in. Roger and Lucy both worked really hard and the result was there ready for when the cast turned up.

The Beautiful Bramley

This week, we had the benefit of not being on a raked stage, meaning that the cast didn't have to contend with the stopper for the door. Cheltenham's backstage is also much bigger than Eastbourne's so there was a lot more space to move around in and to set things. Much of the day was spent dancing around like Julie Andrews and exclaiming over the extra room. Dressing room wise, the cast were spread out over two floors with good sized rooms which also had the luxury of blow-up beds in each one. The only minor downside was that there were a lot of stairs to climb. But once you got up to the 3^rd floor, you had an amazingly well kitted out Green room which had double doors leading on to a smoking balcony. Not only that, but it was soon to become the home of our special guest for the week – Bramley the dog. Belonging to James Staddon, who plays Berard and Barclay, Bramley was on tour with us for one week and soon managed to become the most adored member of the Birdsong Company. This week also was to see Alastair becoming taking on a couple of extra characters in the show. He always plays Levi, but due to needing to be out front watching in Eastbourne, we hadn't yet included his Military Policeman or his Sapper, Turnwright.

Alastair as Turnwright

Once all the cast had arrived on Monday, and after a sound check and stage familiarisation session, it was time to open to a (once again) packed house. The response from the first night audience was astounding and was there to see the next day in the form of a 5 star review (http:stagetalkmagazine.com/?=2269). Not to brag about, of course, but there is something amazing about being involved in something that is getting this kind of praise. But, before our heads got too big, it was time to be whisked off to our digs for the week.

Mrs Miggins' Pie Shop:

As we get further along the tour I have no doubt that you will be hearing lots from us about digs. There really are three factors on tour that can either make a week great or make it completely depressing. 1. Theatre 2. Audience 3. Digs. That is it. Everything else is either a bonus or a niggle – there might be a great pub next to stage door that'll do a lock in or there might be just one dingy little place a mile away which shuts at 10pm. Sainsbury or Tesco ay be round the corner or they may be 5 miles away. You get the idea.

Digs can be wonderful or they can be the worst experience of your life. To be honest, I've always been quite lucky, but that's because I'm not terrible keen on staying in digs in people's houses. Sometimes you do get really lucky and have a great host with a reasonable rate. When I worked at Dundee Rep, I had a fantastic landlady who I still stay in touch with and a lovely room for about £65 a week. At one (unnamed) University town (which isn't Oxford), I had slugs trails on the floor, students playing guitar rifts at 4am and possibly the most dirty kitchen I have ever seen, all for the princely sum of £125 for 5 nights (I KNOW!). This is why I prefer to either be in a hotel or somewhere self-catering. I am far too aware of ending up in the equivalent of Mrs Miggin's Pie shop from Blackadder. 

This week's digs had been arranged by Duncoyd (Peter and Simon for those who didn't read last week's blog – and why haven't you?) way back in rehearsals. They had somewhere else in mind to start with but that fell through and so Simon had found these cottages about an 8 minute drive from the theatre.

And what cottages they were!

Myself, Peter and Jonny were in a beautiful cottage with a mezzanine bedroom level which overlooked an incredibly spacious lounge with a high beamed ceiling. Simon, the girls and George were in an equally beautiful and well equip cottage on the same site. I had a wonderfully comfortable double bedroom next to a lovely bathroom which was the same price as the slug trailed hell.

On the Tuesday Selma cooked up a lovely beef bourguignon and invited the whole company over after the show (unfortunately I had to go away for the night, but I hear it was a fabulous evening).

I think that Peter and Jonny are my favourite housemates ever. Peter was determined to cook for us most evenings and we sat up having great chats over the odd glass of wine or a beer. I soon was saying the phrase 'Jonny, this is your father speaking' a lot, as Peter was giving out fatherly advice (and occasional tidying up instructions) to him. One night we were watching Catfish -the series, and Jonny was trying to explain the concept to Peter.

At a local butcher's, Peter found
the biggest chop I have ever seen…...

Although he was resistant as first, soon Peter was watching another episode all on his own whilst everyone else was going to bed!

If you like the sound of our digs, here's the website for more infor if you're ever about in Cheltenham: www.churchcourtcottages.co.uk

Beware of The Bull:

I think I mentioned nicknames in my previous blog. Alastair likes giving these to members of his company, but insists that they can never be forced and just come naturally. You cannot create your own nickname and neither can anyone else but Alastair. I have worked with Alastair for 14 months now and am yet to have a nickname. Other members of the company might call me 'The Lozzatron' (which I secretly quite like, but don't tell anyone), but the moment Alastair finds another nickname, that is what I shall be. Last year we had Goose, Frog and The Bull. This year we already have The Bear and The Goat (I'm not going to tell you, you're going to have to guess). But why am I telling you about this? Because this week we had a visit... from The Bull.

The Bull is Tim Treloar who played Firebrace in last year's tour and also a friend of Simon's and he came on the Thursday to see the show and to have a few drinks afterwards. The next day was our first understudy rehearsal (more about those in weeks to come) and so meant a visit from Charlotte, our AD, who comes along to run them occasionally. Then it was Saturday, two shows and a get-out and before we knew it the week was over. Now it really feels like we're on tour again! Here's to seeing what Tunbridge Wells has in store for us.

The two Firebraces together: Tim Treloar and Peter Duncan