A Moments Respite!
I am writing this in the brief interlude between two tours. We've done Scotland and are preparing for Bridport! And this is really set to be going from the sublime to the ridiculous! In Scotland we were treated to massive stages with excellent facilities and in Bridport we have been told that the stage is only 5 x 5m! It will be a shock to the system!
Scotland was great! I have never been to Scotland before so I was very excited and in my brief few days there I managed to eat haggis and see a piper in a kilt! Our first hotel was amazing - luxury rooms and beautiful grounds. We had a lot of fun rolling down a hill (simple pleasures are far more amusing after 8 hours on a coach!) before striking out to Galashiels NB it is NOT a 10 minute walk as we were instructed! I have never been so happy to see a Weatherspoons!
The venue in Galashiels was a sports hall, so it had pros and cons. It was a massive space so we could really travel, but the floor was very hard, which made jumping a worry. However, we all survived to tell the tale and the show was well received by the 'select' audience.
Stiring was a real treat! Massive stage, big wings, a nice modern auditorium and spacious changing rooms, plus we were on the University campus so there were lots of shops and cafes on site. I danced Giselle pas de deux for this show as well as the usuals, and although I always find this slightly traumatic, I actually quite enjoyed doing it! The less said about the University accommodation the better, lets just say there are nicer prisons, but they made up for it with a spectalular breakfast!
Then there was the big one: 850 people at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This was definitely my best show so far. The buzz from having a large audience was amazing and all of my pieces went really well. It is so nice to feel things improving as the tour goes on, and I can relax and enjoy performing more and more, particularly in St Paul's Suite. Corsaire was the best it has gone so far, despite a difficult start: the lights did not come up for at least 30 seconds, which left me wondering 'how long shall we continue in the dark!?' However, Rob managed to fix it in the nick of time. At least it took my mind off of being nervous! Everyone was really pleased with the show and apparently Ashley Page said we looked more like young professionals than students - that was the plan!
The journey home was long, but to be honest I slept the whole way. Now we are rehearsing back at school, busy downsizing for Bridport. Am looking forward to getting out there again, but I am very conscious that there is not much left, which is horrible! I know that I have made the most of it, but it has gone so quickly! Oh, and one final note - RUSS and ROB you still owe me a prize for winning the Ballet Central Bus Quiz!
Posted by Julia Davies at June 6, 2006 09:15 AM
