Walk the talk

James and I did another interview today and I am becoming quite impressed by the seamless way we integrate our answers. We don't have an 'act' per se, we just remain determined and passionate about the project when prompted by familiar questions; just wind us up and let's us go. Crucially, we say the same things we have been saying for many years, only now we have more evidence to back up our assertions (particularly with the Inspire Project bearing so much fruit). Sooner or later some really influential people are going to pay attention...

I had a varied day of it today. Interesting I should say. A short film about the making of the 'Fantastic Mr Fox' production was discussed just before I had a walk round with the London Fire Brigade. Life is certainly not dull right now. Soon attention will fall on the run in to first night and the challenges of the season. The roller coaster awaits....
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Keep Calm and Carry on

Now that the site is fully de-aquified the final furlong of the build can continue. Cleaning is the main job so that the technical installation can progress without hindrance. The lighting of the site is the real aesthetic finishing touch (as well as, obviously providing the stage rigs etc) and adds the bit of magic that makes OHP so unique and special.

With the first two shows in full production rehearsals as well it is now time for a cool head and sharp focus on the details (and finding solutions to small problems that crop up when we solve another bigger issue). Still, that's the fun and I sincerely hope everybody notices the changes! It even goes down to the level of cleaning stonework that hasn't been touched in years but which, once cleaned sparkle by comparison to before. I hasten to add that we don't touch the listed stuff although last year that was renovated and we saw the full glorious effect in Roberto Devereux. One critic thought our REAL Jacobean mansion was just a boring, unimaginative set, clearly unaware that he was watching what had to qualify as the most authentically stage production of RD in history.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Water water everywhere

Sunday morning 7am is no time to receive a phone call from theatre security. When I saw the number flash up I was more than a little perturbed but I was nowhere near as perturbed as the security guard at the other end. For some inexplicable reason, the head of a water pipe had erupted and was firing a geyser of water into the underneath of the seating stand's front deck. When I arrived fifteen minutes later the noise was deafening. It was clear what needed to be done and I wasn't the one who was going to do it; a tap, in a hole in the ground from whence the torrent was blasting needed to be turned off. Austin, the perturbed security guard, was about to get even more alarmed because he was charged with crawling through the raging waters, under the seating stand and to thrust his arm deep into the hole to find the tap and turn it off. Commendably, he took his trousers off and began his journey. Over the din of the water I could hear him cursing; "I can't f...g find the tap!" I can't deny I had some admiration for him and urged him to persevere. Through the din and burbling I heard him proclaim, "I'm f...g soaked! Wait! I think I got it!" And true enough the sound subsided. Austin crawled out from the space like a soldier on an assault course, clearly pleased with his achievement but wet through. I am sorry to say that I found him an amusing sight but I shall instruct his employer to give him a bonus for going above and beyond the call of duty. That is a quality we always need at OHP.

The only other time I know of when somebody has had to de-trouser was when a waiter at a restaurant spilled gravy down my suit - all of it. An hour or so later we had a royal visitor at the theatre which required a better appearance than I was now able to present. I managed to find a dry cleaner prepared to clean the suit immediately whilst I waited in shirt and socks at the counter. It was surreal and I was getting some funny looks from the Hoffman press operator but I arrived on time in a crisp, clean suit.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Well done Njabulo

Some very good news of a singer who has been around HP for a few years now; the effervescent South African Njabulo Madlala. Last night he won the Ferrier awards, probably the UK's most prestigious singing award; it is one that carries a hefty financial prize too so when Njabulo is at OHP in our Fidelio this season, the drinks are very much on him. Congratulations to him and here's to a fine career.

It is a momentous day in this household too because Fiora is going into a normal bed. I have spent the last hour putting together a bed rail which involved quantum physics, indecipherable drawings and a deep laceration on my finger. Then I walked to the gym and discovered it closed. I am not in the mood for much now.

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Techno leap

Today was more interesting in the office than at the theatre (where a lone chippy is doodling away on bits and pieces) because we have reached the 21st century technologically speaking; we took delivery of a Mac. This now means we can do far more multi-media stuff (I don't have to sit at home all night editing short films on my own Mac for example) and we can do simple things like, errm, burn CDs or DVDs. It also means we can manage our photo library (huge) without having to prepare a picnic and a flask of coffee whilst our PCs chug away opening images. All in all a thoroughly welcome development.

I gave the leader of the council a show around the theatre today since he was passing and he seemed suitably impressed; which when you think about it, is another thoroughly welcome development.