The Extreme Staycation

Location: London, UK  COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Ah Edinburgh . This is the time of year when traditionally many thousands of people migrate north for the month of August. I've performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe three times and been as a visitor several more times. Each experience was quite different - all fun, all stressful at some point and all good learning curves. My first time was with a cast of 8, we had a great flat, I drank quite a lot and made friends who I am still in touch with to this day. Second time was with my solo show, " Awake " - nice flat, even further out from the centre than the first time, had an amazing number of supportive friends and family who came up to see the show and enjoy the festival, didn't drink a drop. Third time was with a revolving cast of about 20, slept like sardines for a month, had a hit show, drank a lot of coffee. Edinburgh - I raise a glass to you and to all the people who were intending to be there thi...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Learning Lines part 1 This is an occupational hazard for actors and one that people not in "the biz" often ask about - "How did you learn all those lines?" they marvel. And honestly sometimes I don't know. If something is well written, it is definitely easier to learn.  Believe it or not, Shakespeare is relatively easy to commit to memory for this very reason - it flows. The biggest thing I've ever had to learn was something I wrote myself.  In 2017 I took my solo show "Awake" to the Edinburgh and Sydney Fringe festivals.  It was 45 solid minutes of me talking.  That's a lot of lines.  And it was particuarly irritating when I got any lines wrong because I'd written them! If you'd like to read about my adventures, I wrote a couple of blogs about them:  Awake: Part 1 - The Road to Edinburgh   Awake: Part 2 - The North and the South

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown Friday 27th of March was World Theatre Day.  Probably one of the most ironic timings of a day to celebrate something that's ever occurred - when most theatres across the globe are closed. As we come towards the end of our first week of proper lockdown, things in the world of theatre, film and tv still seem positive however.  There is lots of talk of the future and for when production all starts up again in real life.  There are still casting breakdowns going out - mainly with the dates of auditions and/or production TBC and advise that self-tapes are going to be utilised. There are lots of constructive initiatives from casting directors, agents and theatres designed to keep everyone connected and creative.  The industry & it's participants are being wonderfully  resilient  and supportive. Brighton Fringe has been cancelled and Edinburgh is still hanging in the balance - news thi...