Because the Mayor of Cockburn is stepping aside, for 3 months, a special Council meeting was held last night. Which meant Cr Val Oliver who plays 'Anne' in the 'Big Idea' production, could not be at the performance.
So we contacted Margret Taylor who agreed to stand in & do the role, on a few yours notice. Considering she had only seen the play, as a punter on opening night. She did a fantastic portrial of Anne & carried it off as though she had 'under studied' the part for months - not just hours. [The role is quite 'Seminal'(Wot ever that means?)] - Your a real 'trouper' Margret!
I never got the chance to do much about with the Air Con [heating], as I was preoccupied sweating my box off, fixing the 'House rag tab track. luckily we have a 20' ladder which just fits under the proscenium arch 'Teaser'. But I came to realise that gone are the days, when I'd run up a ladder & slide down them again, by Just being held on to the ladder by the inside of my feet, on the outside of the ladders both main struts to descend quickly. This is not a practise that is recommended for new players - or even old farts for that matter! Also it does 'narf buggah up the insteps of the shoes rapidly.
The tab track rails must of had 50 years of dirt 'n muck on them. No wonder it sounded like a tube train going thru gravel on the tracks.
I tried to rub a block of soap on the rails, which was useless as tits on a bull. So I asked for the bottle of dishwashing liquid from the kitchen, as it was the only thing I could think of that would be too hand. It worked well & far easier that the bar of soap ( & my hands are as soft as a babies R send now). Instead of constantly climbing up & down the ladder, I found it was easier to just apply the dishwashing liquid to the tab rollers, with the rag gathered in one place was the way to go, than trying to do the length of the tracks. With use the washing up liquid, it will hopefully free up the dirt, but the track needs to be cleaned properly - but I'm too old & 'cream crackerd' to do it.
The show went well, but the cast/crew still out numbered the BoS's, with only 11 in the audience. But for the cast, especially the 7 very new trodders of the boards, I believe it is great experience for them, especially when lines are forgotten or missed out. They have become very adept to paraphrasing to get back on track, with little 'dead air' or major stuff up's!
Actors like Jane Sherwood [Christine] should get a 'Phoscar' for her quick thinking, when a newer member was supposed to rush in & say "Have you heard the latest news?", unfortunately he missed his cue & didn't appear. So quick thinking Jane reached in to her hand bag & said " I have just received a 'text message' & proceeded to deliver the late breaking news! Brilliant & the scene didn't miss a beat.
As there is only two performances left to go, me thinks I'll forget about trying to fix the bleeding Air Con, although I'm still contemplating just effecting the repairers, with a big 'Nudge vernier' [Hammer] & fix it properly all together.
I'm far too old for this game & I'd be far better off, just pulling the pin. Staying home & having a 'Bex', cuppa tea &/or a good lie down - forever!
{As we have no kids now to keep me young, unlike Grant! The only thing left is to mimic childhood & suck our thumbs these days}