The Extreme Staycation

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Lockdown April Fools Day! Yeah, maybe not so much this year. Sad but inevitable news today was that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2020 has been cancelled. Having been up as a performer and as a producer/performer I know that even at this point, 4 months before the fringe starts, that a huge amount of work, time and money would have already gone into preparing for the adventure. But it was the sensible thing to do. Even if the festival went ahead, what would it be like?  Shows wouldn't be able to rehearse (unless it was a solo show) and any fundraising, from a now even more cash-strapped society, could be potentially impossible. What will the Edinburgh Fringe 2021 be like I wonder?  Would C be the biggest section in the EdFringe guide as a multitude of productions' titles feature Coronavirus in the title? Who knows, time will tell. Free Theatre online: https://www.timeout.com/london/news/the-national-...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Self-Isolation Life is now all about being online.  In the last couple of days, I have had conversations over Zoom with family members across the country and abroad and a seven way chat with friends on Google Hangouts which was super fun!  I've also taken a playwriting workshop with a teacher from Standford University and have plans for a jazz class on Monday night. We are in touch with each other more than ever in a world of social media, WhatsApp and the capability that the internet gives us to call anyone anywhere in the world.  But in the last few days I have found this increasing as my WhatsApp groups are all the more active - and I love it. I have plans to write some letters too Today was Mothering Sunday in the UK.  I popped over to see my mum - put flowers on her doorstep, rang the bell, then stood behind the gate, over a meter away.  It felt bizarre but I truly believe we should all do ou...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Self-Isolation Today I was supposed to be working for my dance teacher, operating the music for her kids taking their RAD (Royal Academy of Ballet) exams.  They have of course been post-poned but this is just one of a myriad of things, small disappointments, something so many have worked towards that now are up in the air, all that work, seemingly for nothing. Coming from an acting background, I have a lot of friends and associates who were in shows, opening show this week, in rehearsal, about to start filming something and it's all been paused.  It's quite difficult to get your head around actually - one moment it was all there or a clear goal and end in sight and then not. I was slightly concerned looking at the TV guide the other day as Miss World 1970 was about to be broadcast... have we run out of tv already?! Nice thing of the day: Gary Neville & Ryan Giggs donating hotel rooms to NHS staff who may wa...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Self-isolation day 2 I  immediately  leave the house and go to building with a large gathering of (mostly over 70 year old) people - church for St Patrick's day.  There are approximately 30 people there and all sit far apart from one another. No mass or hymn books, no holy water, no "peace be with you" handshakes (polite nods all round) and repeated assurance from the priest that hands have been washed. Go home to isolate. Start to panic that I am going to get fat so do a 15 minute HIIT session thanks to a lady on Amazon Prime. Decide to watch A Quiet Place in the evening.  Within 10 seconds, realise that this is a weird choice but stick with it because it's bloody brilliant.  Remind self that noise is (currently) not the enemy and handwashing will save us (hopefully). I lose all my hairbands during the course of the day.  I don't know where they go. Nice news of the day: Penguins walk...

Location: London, UK COVID-19 / Coronavirus Outbreak Accidental/unintentional self-containment day 1.  Why?  Well, I had to stay in for the builders. 4:45pm Boris Johnson tells us that we should avoid everyone and everything.  I'm supposed to be going to the theatre and refresh Twitter until SOLT announce that theatreland is going dark. And I got released from a pencil for a job. Overall, pretty shitty day. My local Sainsbury's now has no actual food - pasta, rice, tins all long gone - now there is no fresh fruit and veg except grapefruits, beetroot, green peppers (the worst one) and spring onions - Ready Steady Cook anyone? I buy three bottles of (vegan) pinot grigio and far too much chocolate and spend the evening exchanging Disney song voicemails with my old drama school buddy and watching Cheer on Netflix.