Week 4

Cardiff was a merry time indeed. First of all just for the joy of being in a city - as opposed to a field next to a stately home. I'm learning how much of a city boy I am; finding a sort of solace in the urban buzz. The castle stands proudly in the centre of the town.

These audiences in Cardiff were so generous and vocal in their response to the story, so performing for them was very informative and instructive. I could truly sense in what moments of humour or stakes they were willing me to go further; and at other times when I was losing them.

As we were performing again the next night we could leave the stage in situ and hit the town. The company treated us to a meal and then it was to the dance floor. Steam was blown. And in the morning we were woken by full blown military parade complete with marching band. Great.

A few hours of afternoon recovery during which we had the honour of receiving a very thorough and access-all-areas tour of the castle grounds. Or more precisely the remodelled mansion tower that was built in the 18th century by the then owner; John Stuart who employed a real stoner of an architect to build him some crazy lavish, psychedelic interiors. Good show and then a cheeky little drive across the whole country to Ickworth where ended our 11 day stretch.

Where's the party at?

Batteries recharged and we set about 'Week 4' or what I could label North Wales week.

Though the first stop was in Liverpool...Speke Hall. After setting up the stage directly under the flight path for Liverpool airport we went into the house for lunch...during which time one of our stage swords was nicked! Classic Liverpudlian blaggards. Despite the occassional 747 it was a great show and I was very pleased to welcome a few members of the Chester choir that I worked with last Winter on the last play that I worked on. Lovely to see the ladies. Thanks for the Prosecco!

Then it was into Wales and to Caernarfon castle- another ruinous, fairytale of a relic. And a nice cobbled town filled with very friendly Welsh people. The evening show brought us a very special guest...H from Steps. What an (H)onour. I even got a hug from him and some hearty food that he left us.

Then Conwy Castle for which we had long been warned would be a terrible set build. We had to unload the van and carry the hefty pieces through the gift shop; around assorted tourists and then up a very steep and winding path...it was indeed mad. At least we were doing a second night there and so could leave the set and go and get drunk in local town Llandudno which had the most lavish Wetherspoons you've ever seen...The Palladium...an old converted cinema.

The next day brought an afternoon of frivolous crazy golf at the top of a tor. Then it was over to a very small village called Nat Clwyd for a smallish show in a back garden before a stupidly long drive home to London. Got in at 4.15am. Classic.

All hail JP God of Wind

Another day another Castle