Up a gear
Clocks going forward in spring is often the topic of small talk, as most people suddenly notice the shift to brighter evenings (and a hour’s less time in bed!). Perhaps fortuitously the first few days of our stop in Manchester were so busy I was indoors - without windows - as day turned to night, so the change of daylight hours didn’t feel that strange to me.
It’s all go at the Matilda tour, which feels like it has stepped up a gear with a tremendous visit to the Scottish capital now complete, following it with a slightly longer stint over Easter in the gloriously bustling city that is Manchester these days. As well as the usual show schedule, we are rehearsing the cast for not one but TWO top-secret events, preparing the rehearsal schedule for cast change later this year, and I am also rehearsing a quartet of singers to take to Edge Hill university for what is becoming an annual visit to helm a masterclass. The general consensus is that it’s great to be working on different projects outside of performances, which then help to keep the show fresh. But it does make for quite a congested schedule!
Edinburgh was good fun, with seven of us in the band all staying together in a huge villa on the outskirts of the city. We were kept amused with various events organised, such as a company ceilidh, a post-show ghost walk and even an outdoor city-wide “escape room”! We also headed across town on our day off to catch a preview of the new musical “One Day”, a show that will certainly create a buzz when it (surely) heads to London in the future. It was also lovely to catch up with members of that company that I have worked with previously.
For the first time I am staying in Manchester’s Northern Quarter while the show is here. I usually try to commute the venue from my parents, but the aforementioned busy schedule made it clear that I should stay a little more local. And I am so glad I made this choice! I haven’t experienced the city centre to this extent for quite a few years, and to be able to experience the nightlife and restaurants over these next few weeks is going to feel pleasantly novel. I happened across the Smithfield Market Tavern the other day, which has already become one of my new favourite pubs, with excellent taps, bar billiards, darts and live folk sessions. I look forward to discovering more about my old city! Any tips would be welcome.
After these busy next few weeks (both professionally and socially, I hope), I finally get back to my flat in London for a short while as the show heads towards Southampton. Hopefully I didn’t leave the hob on!