Week 14-15

I write now on day 1 of the rest of my life with this job behind me. The 13 day stretch was conquered and then ensued a 4 day break...a sort of teaser of what life could be like post-show. Then it was back on the road for a cheeky couple of gigs up north...quite small affairs.

And so to Germany for the final stretch. We met Sunday for a group treat - go-karting! Reader I'm pleased to report that I'm a hot-shot and came second. Then we were treated to some pub-grub and drove to the coast for a hotel stay, ready to leave early next morn.

We took the ferry to Dunkirk and then drove up through France, Belgium, Holland and then into Germany. Check into the hotel and then it was over to our welcome party organised by the hosts of the Leaf festival,...led by the inimitable Bronwyn. Beers and nibbles and small talk with enthusiastic old Germans ensued. And dancing...

The next day it was off to a couple of school workshops for some mildly interested German students. Then I had a glorious day off. Then Wednesday was the day of the Poetry Evening...an amateur affair in which we each performed a couple of poems for a rather small audience interspersed with some German poems and scenes by locals. We had to rehearse for hours and the show itself was...well...let's say it was indescribable and just leave it at that.

The next three nights were shows for the assembled paying guests. I remember feeling quite worried that the audiences would be small and rather unresponsive...unable to understand the play, let alone find it funny.

Well I'm very pleased to report that it was nothing of the sought. We played to exceptionally warm audiences who got all the jokes and were louder in response than many English audiences. It was so pleasing to be going out on a high so to speak!

#hangingout

After the last show on Sunday, a matinee, we took the set down for the last time. Oh how we revelled in pointing out each activity completed for the last time...especially as we've done these things over a hundred times!

Then we were treated to a 'medieval banquet' an evening of old German music played with lutes and the like, and a five-course feast of old-school dishes...reassuringly meaty. Lots of red wine and then back to the hotel for a session of nostalgic remincences.

And then the end was upon us. Monday morning and the vehicles were fully loaded. A quick trip to our eccentric host to see her toy frog collection (I'll say no more) and then the boys took off back to England, whilst I write to you on the coach to Holland for my week off.

So what else is there left to say?

I don't think the reality will set in for a while. No more putting on a big dress and getting to make hundreds of people laugh. No more hours of driving. No more national heritage locations. No more set construction.

Most importantly no more fellow actors that I have been living with day-in, day-out for 5 months. Were we ready to part? Yes. But I'm sure I'll miss each of them and their quirks in due course. I'm sure we'll meet again before long and reminisce, and celebrate what we've achieved.

I'm so proud to have been part of an ensemble that was so tight on and off stage.

Would I do it again? No. But I'm bloody glad I did it and I feel very fortunate to have done it with such upstanding and talented individuals. May they all go on with health and success and may The Lord Chamberlain's Men continue to flourish under Peter the Owl's reign.

And so...see you anon!

Holding acquaintance with the waves

Week 11-12-13

So the rest of week 11 passed  - a few more shows to complete that 6 day stretch

Emmetts Garden - poor lunch and rain but nice little garden

Petworth - standard house and grounds

West Wycombe - can't remember

Hatchlands Park - great friendly canteen staff

Then a day off to prepare for week 12-13 which was to run a full 13 days without a day off.

Yes that's right - 13 days without a day off. 13. This was the marathon that would see us to Northern Scotland and back.

East Riddlesden Hall - Yorkshire - cool garden - dinky and laid out for kids...stage was in a field adjacent and below

Rufford Old Hall - Alright garden, next to a river in a field...excellent pasta lunch.

RHS Harlow Carr -Debs, AMAZING garden, loved it - set the stage against a big hill- no lunch so we had a great picnic bought from supermarket

Arley Hall and Gardens - perfect acoustic in a walled garden - my digs host from my last job came and watched

Glamis and Cawdor castle. Both served top notch food which really puts us on a high, as you know. And the sites were interesting, we got a bespoke all access tour around the haunted Glamis and both had fantastic gardens to explore. Glamis was a rainy one and Cawdor was in a dense cloud of midges, but both audiences really got behind the show.

Bamburgh Castle

Awesome castle with a lovely host who gave us a wonderful homecooked pasta bake...as the stewards of the property they live on site. Was incredible to perform and look out onto the horizon of the sunsetting sea.

Durham

Right in the town...nice to have a little walk around the city before the show.

More wine Mariah!

Ludlow

On a village green by the river. Got to have tea with the family of one of the boy's cousins. Lovely to touch into a home setting.

Dearnford Lake

Sort of in the middle of nowhere by a lake. Quite cold...enjoyed good wifi in the cafe. Good lunch.

Suffolk Punch Trust

A farm specialising in horse breeding. Smallest audience to date...somewhere less than 50

Cliveden

Breamore House

Tomfoolery

Mixed feelings to be on the home stretch. Whilst we're looking forward to moving on, I'm sure when it's over we'll miss each other and this crazy lifestyle. What do they call it? Stockholm syndrome?

We've just got to continue being sensititive to each other and ourselves as tempers and bodies are wearing thin. To get all the way up here to Scotland we've put in so many driving hours. Caution and care to get through this in one piece.

Performance-wise I'm not sure what I can say. The show continues to be a great success with audiences. I'm really pleased to still be chipping away at my scenes - trying to find new and stronger moments of comedy whilst staying true to the story. And having the courage to be bold and brave in my shifts and choices. Such a blessing to have a part which is big enough to still be rewarding after all of these shows.

...

Week 10-11

Week 10 passed in a 6 day stretch that saw us as follows:

Shrowsbury Castle - a little castle central to the town.

Chatsworth House - awesome estate - amazing grounds and top notch house with exhibits

New dancemove....'Do the CHATSWORTH'

Morden Hall Park - South London park grounds - rainy mosquito madness

Langley Park Essex - a big park grounds and little else

The Vine  - average house - stage was set by the lake which was rather charming

Nymans garden - very well kept grounds

With love from The Vine

And now 2 days into another 6 day stretch for Week 11:

Lyme Regis - awesome set up overlooking the sea. Fish and chips for afters!

Holkham - nice walled garden - got to go to a great beach and swim in the sea!

Details of the venues aside I want to write about our state of mind and the key features of the tour that are in play at this late stage. I've never played a show that has run to this many performances. (About 60 down and 20 to go). Let alone whilst going through the challenges of life on the road.

So. Firstly, the challenge of acting. I've done these scenes so many times now that I can very easily run on autopilot and come off stage without having even felt a single thing. My body and voice can go through the motions but it's an effort to truly discover things afresh and truly live in the situation. I'm so bored of my usual choices with how I say my lines so I'm endeavouring to be different every time. Sometimes this can leave me feeling insecure about what's coming across but at least things are fresh and so ultimately good.

I'm pleased to report that we're still working to fine tune the scenes and look for improvements in telling the story. It's funny how our whole working day...checking in and out of hotels, driving for hours, building the set, waiting around, warming up and ushering...revolves around these fleeting moments during which we get to spend a few minutes on stage and practice our craft. It's important to keep that in focus and apply ourselves fully as such.

Life with the same seven people day in day out with very little privacy from each other or time off from the job. Thank goodness we get on. It could be a fucking nightmare if we didn't. Even though we have great respect for each other; life is still a consistent negotiation between each other's mood swings, folibles and patterns. Patience is paramount and it's great that we're all still fully unified.

This working life can be boring and frustrating. It's non-stop. It's very easy to feel disenchanted with the lifestyle and start counting the days to the next day off or indeed the end of the job. How peverse! I spent years training for this and now here I am and I'm wishing it away so I can get on with being an unemployed actor again. One must keep this in perspective and make the most of the moment in hand. But this isn't a typical acting job where you turn up at the theatre at 6pm, do the show and are on the way home at 9.30pm. Hey ho!

Ed lodges a complaint with the management:

There are lots of positives, but just for the sake of getting them off my chest and giving you some insight, here's a list of pet hates that bums us out:

• No phone signal throughout the whole day because the venue is in the middle of the countryside (1pm-11pm
• When a venue gives us a naff lunch
• The fact that breakfast is at 11am at an overpriced motorway services, lunch at 3pm and dinner at 11pm
• Having to buy the dinner that you're going to eat that night from said overpriced motorway services
• Mosquito bites (currently have 5)
• Always having to share a travelodge room with someone and half of the time on a crappy camp bed because that's how they often sell twin rooms...kingsize + pauper bed:

"Which one did you have last night?"

• Having one day off in 6 and that you have to spend half of doing chores like laundry for the next 6 days
• Having to do a run of 11, 12 or 13 days straight without a day off
• Being in fairly consistent back and neck pain due to the strain of building the set and packing in down every day, between long car trips. Massages are a must...

Ninja fruit skills

A Lukas special

Well those are obviously offset by the joy of bringing a top quality to show to massive audiences on the daily whilst getting to practice my proffession! Aside from spending my time with these bums...seen here modelling the latest in Travelodge fashion; Season 2015:

Week 8-9

Here details our twelve day stretch of West Country venues. A bit of a marathon to have so many shows without a day off, but alas this is the job.

I don't particularly feel like going into much detail about the venues. I suppose this reflects a light shade of ambivalence towards National Heritage sites that we've moved towards. I suppose that this is natural given the number we've visited. They are all pretty similar after the two dozen...big, ornate old house with a bit of an aristocratic story, full of somewhat creepy portraits and old furniture. Lovely, well-kept gardens. Maybe a nice view of the surrounding countryside.

Todd's posture of ambivalence

Instead I'll write a quick line about each with a couple of key memorable points.

Bradley Manor

Garden of a little 14th century house which was managed by an elderly brother and sister duo who lived there. They were very accomodating and even threw us a little drinks reception after we'd finished the show. It was...an experience.

Trelissick Gardens

An outstanding site with beautiful gardens and views overlooking the Cornish coast. Great climbing tree. I managed to catch the following moment of improvisational ensemble genius:

Brandon Hill

A park right in the heart of Bristol city centre. Went on BBC Radio Bristol with Todd to publicise the show. As ever lovely to be in a city...good drinks afterwards, late night pizza and some fierce dancing in a nightclub with some real queens.

Tyntesfield Park

Nice bloke was taking care of us called Seb who bought us a great picnic.

Bishops Palace

Located in Wells...England's smallest city. Great lunch with chips. Got to watch the Community Shield in which Arsenal beat Chelsea. Lovely moat around the whole place. And some choice wicker animals.

Fyne Court

Small little venue next to a field with some cows. Top notch salad. Had a go at recording the songs for posterity.

Killerton

A fighter jet flew low over the stage during my first scene (whilst onstage with JP) and it was freaking awesome.

Pentillie Castle

This wasn't a castle. More of a posh hotel. Nice view of the neighbouring river valley. It rained. We got paella post show. Epic.

Kingston Lacy

JP had a lovely sleep in a lounger there. Classic house. Superb ploughman's lunch.

Dyrham Park

Two shows here in this lovely grounds 20 minutes north of Bath. Leisure time in Bath...otherwise known as heavy-drinking time. Hangovers ensued...

"I love you man"

Hatfield House

Lunch here was truly the best we've had. Roast beef and trimmings. Ice cream. Pure class. We set our stage on the edge of the grounds and not by the house which was a shame. Lincoln family were visiting. So so so hot - massive crowd cooking in the sun.

As you can see our day's are usually most discernibly defined by the food that's provided for us!

Goes in here?

Week 7

We kicked off the week at a venue in rural Charleston which was a sort of rural farmhouse with a pretty walled garden attached. A little hedged-in square of grass hosted our set for the following two nights. Leaving the set in situ afforded us a night out in nearby Brighton which we very excited to attack. We actually found some pretty great nightlife considering it was a Tuesday night. After some difficulty getting served at a couple of pubs (most places have a strict ID policy and alas dear reader, this babyfaced 30 year old had no ID!) we found ourselves at a great and cheap student bar where some aggressive dance prowess was on display. Then a drunken stumble down the beach, a filfthy kebab and a taxi home. Great night.

The next day we had time to go to the cinema and see Antman 3D! The boys smuggled pizzas in and it was generally agreed to be a most decadent cinematic triumph. 

How have we never thought of doing this?

Then it was back to the venue for some very very cold quiche, a snooze in the barn and another lovely and somewhat intimate show. Next day took us to Hatfield Forest which was a former hunting ground for Royals such as Henry VIII. I suppose that people go to take a stroll or a boat out onto the lake which was a central feature. Nice big show and during the interval we got burgers from the BBQ that they had set up on the side. This made me very happy indeed.

Next up was Coughton Court, a picturesque stately home. The family who lived here was affiliated with Guy Fawkes and the conspirators...upon the Gunpowder Plot's being foiled they fled directly here.

It rained constantly all day and throughout the show. I really admired the spirit of the audience who were undeterred...true English stoicism on display. Some of Shakespeare's lines took on an ironic comedy, which was fun; 'That is the glorious Sun'...'The rain it raineth every day'.

We love this job.

When we were packing up the set our lorry got completely stuck in the mud which led to a tractor being called and a brief period of soggy high drama in which we wondered if we'd ever be getting to the travelodge. After much pushing and chocking of the wheels and then the use of a piece of rubber track we managed to get out before the tractor arrived.

Next day and we were to Waddesdon Manor which has got to be one of the most epic sites we've been to. It was built by the Rothschild family who if you don't know is one of the richest dynasties. They made their money in banking back in the 17th century and have been wealthing it up since. They're involved in art collecting, wine making and property building. Serious money. Serious house.

After building the stage, fortunately in the sun so that everything could dry out from yesterday's wetness, we explored the amazingly well-manicured gardens, the wine cellar and the aviary. Unfortunately the house was closed but rest-assured I will be back reader, I will be back...less than an hour outside London!

Last day of the week took us to Newstead Abbey...a historical site which I know nothing about because I didn't explore it. Sometimes one just isn't in the mood. Today was the wettest venue we've played...it rained hard all through the set build and the show. We kept our spirits high regardless and kept our eyes on the prize...two days off that were set to begin.

You can't keep a good man perpendicular

Week 6

Let me label this week 'Norwich Week'. 4 out of the 5 shows were in the region and we used the same Travelodge to commute from in the evenings. First off we were back to Norwich Cathedral but this time for a sold-out, seated show for just under 800 people. This was the biggest audience I'd ever played so it was a real thrill. I wasn't nervous - I guess I'm very secure in what I'm doing after around 30 shows. 

Welcome to Festeval!

Then it was to a large sort of stately manor with a fantastic moat and beautiful grounds. Oxburgh Hall. Lovely tour by our liason. Lovely jacket potatoes. Lovely show. Lovely pint in the local pub afterwards. Lovely Hare comparison photo competition. Lovely.

At this stage the venues and working days are sort of blurring together. I don't mean to get complacent as each place has it's own individual beauty, unique history and kind hosts, though we're generally in a bit of a daze and not really in the mood to fully appreciate and absorb the magic.

We were next in Tatershall Castle, feeling somewhat in tatters. We're about to have some cracking food and the offer of a guided tour. I'd love to learn about this famous landmark that some people travel across the country to see...though with a show to do tonight I'd sort of prefer a nap.

This is where the camaraderie really comes into gear. We all feel the same fatigue. The same lacidasicalism. But one or two fuckers come through with some nonsense and make you laugh. And our spirits jaunt into place and we do just fine. Then we get down to the work with focus and professionalism.

As we were feeling tired we put some music on over lunch...serving each other up...then a few silly games afterwards and laughed each other into tears. Then we split in half with a contingent having a nap and the other taking the tour. Our man Paul the custodian and gave us an all access private tour with all the trimmings including taking us to the very top of the castle...up a sort of chimney of an access shaft; where visitors never tread. 30m up and the view of Lincolnshire was outstanding!

Then we really came together with focus for a thorough warm up and had a cracking show. Then back for our last night in our in situ travelodge. Next it was back to Norwich Cathedral for another 800 sell out show. It was a great one...during one of the fight scenes one of the swords entirely fell apart and everyone lost their shit for the rest of the scene. And the audience loved it. That's one of the exciting things about live theatre- when it goes wrong!

Last day of the week took us to Esher for a show in a landscaped garden before our day off.

Week 5

I think the time has come for me to introduce the team that I'm working with. We that are known as The Lord Chamberlain's Men. We were auditioned and each selected to be one of seven cast members.

The way we were

Out on the road we seven are joined by Peter, associate producer/tour manager, who has come along to guide us during these opening weeks. Peter tends to drive the large van and takes the lead when liasing with venues. He looks like an Owl so we call him 'The Owl' or 'Peter the Owl' or sometimes just 'Owl'.

Then you have JP who's playing Malvolio. He sports some ferocious facial hair that makes him look a good deal like the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe. It's generally agreed that he's rather funny...I imagine growing up in Stockton-on-Tees necessitates a keen sense of humour.

Then you have fellow northerner Todd who is otherwise known as 'The Mountain' because of his tremendous gravitas. One always sleeps very well when you share a Travelodge room with him because its like sleeping in the rain shadow of Mt. Fuji. In photos he often looks like a sex pest. Or Mr Tumnus. He plays Feste and Antonio.

Ollo Clark is our pretty boy Viola. Perhaps we should call him 'Jonathan' as most audience members seem to think he's the same chap that played Romeo in last year's TLCM production. He's growing wearier of this by the day. He went to Eton and Oxford and has 16 or so middle names and wears a family signet ring. Standard pre-requisites for a successful acting career. 

Ed is bonkers. Mad as a box of broken clocks. He went to a Steiner School which sounds like the most extraordinary education you can imagine. As a consequence he's wonderfully creative and free. He's also very accident prone and ten minutes won't pass without him picking up some minor pain or injury. And he sneezes a lot.

 

Lukas is know as either 'Crew' or 'Fido'. Crew because he's hands on and rugged like a techie or technical staff (the backstage crew that work in a theatre). Fido because like a shaggy dog; hairy and enthusiastic. He's a farmboy born and raised and the freedom and rugged rurality emanate from his personage. He plays Sir Toby Belch with according aplomb. He's the youngest in the group and this is his first job out of drama school. He LOVES pork pies n mustard.

 

Andrew is our Scottish Highlander. I suspect that he works on the side for Jakeman's the throat lozenge company- he has got us all addicted to them. I fear that one day we'll have to start buying our own. He brings a balanced and gentle energy to the group. It's generally agreed that if you were lost in the jungle you'd most want to be with him. Sometimes he goes mad or gets angry- it's hilarious. 

So those are the 6 lads aside from Peter who watches over us. He has to walk a careful line of authority owl and banter owl. He has to be the voice of reason though also wants to have a hoot where possible.

And so we spend every waking (and in pairs sleeping) minute together. All day every day. Every day. Every hour. Minutes and seconds. I'm pleased to report that we all get on very well and we only  want to murder each other very rarely. And we have a lot of fun and can be very open with each other; bonded as we have been in the face of adversity...battling the crazy demands of this life on the road.

#backstagebondage

So. Back to what happened last week then. This week could be dubbed 'London week'. It kicked off in a private members club - 'The Oriental Club'. This was a fancy affair...in the heart of the West End...it was a surreal change to be able to take a walk down Oxford Street in my dayfuntime rather than take a turn around a National Heritage site. I loved it. I love London...even the busiest most hellish street of it. The show was a civilised affair...150 or so invited guests...lovely to be able to go home on the tube after we packed up the set!

Next day was our invited guests show...in the heart of Soho in a Church courtyard. This was for friends and family but also for a few industry folk- directors and casting directors and such that we could muster to come. Unfortunately the tube strike directly clashed but I think only a few were put off. The show was well received as ever and it was a lot of fun to share Olivia with some friends. And a few drinks after!

The rest of the week and it was back into the normal rhythm of things. Batsford Arboretum (lovely walk amongst the trees during dayfuntime whilst the boys napped off the night before). Then Hylands House- standard stately home fare. Then a cheeky private garden party in the Cotwolds after which the group split in two...half of us getting the train back to London for some leisure and the other half getting buckwild in Bicester village- bowling and dinner fun. Last day of the working stretch saw us at Ham House in Richmond where we were rejoined by our director for the first time. Happy to report that he was pleased with the state of things. The show was also professionally filmed for posterity. Then two days off.