how do you prepare for the evening's performance?

If you read Pontius Kaks comment...then you'll pretty much know what I do. A few changes though. I don’t have much for dinner at all. And I’ll usually do my hair at home. I get to the theatre early – early enough that if ive forgotten something I can get home to get it – or call someone to bring it down. I slowly do my makeup – usually chatting to the ‘newbie’ who is a thousand times more nervous than me so has also arrived early – god it makes me feel better! Will say on and off for about 30 mins ‘Ive gotta go to the toilet’ and share a few too many details about what I need to do there...but never actually go. I’ll walk the stage. I like to walk it in my normal clothes and touch everything that I will be touching whilst on stage. Makes me realise why I’m there…instead of realising 2 seconds after I have stepped on stage. This has become such a tradition for me that I freak out slightly if I have forgotten or run out of time to do it. Make sure my props are where they should be both on and off stage. Pop my costume on and then realise I never actually went to the toilet. Go to the toilet with layers of skirt over my head praying that I don’t drop the hem in the bowl. Partake in the directors briefing (insert group warm up here). Run to the toilet again. Realise there is nothing left to do. But now I can look at my self in the mirror pull my characters ‘face’ without feeling too Diva-ish infront of others whose pre show ritual is to act totally chilled out and calm. Re-do my eye-liner. Spend time by myself getting into character. If im playing a meanie, I’ll snap at anyone that tries to talk to me…as mentioned by other ‘I’m in the zone’…if I’m playing a nice person, I’ll kindly explain that ‘I’m getting into character’. This little bit of the ritual will usually be replayed back to me at the after party/spoof. Hear the call of the stage manager – ‘Ok lets go’ – big deep breath, think ‘farrrr out I shouldve gone to the toilet again’ – put the stage face on…glare back at myself in any reflection I can find. Walk out Dazzle the audience *blink* shows over. I try not to do my lines for fear of deja vu on stage. Has happened one too many times. - Sky