Curtains

To say that the last 48 hours have been something of a whirlwind would be an understatement.

They certainly were not the ones I had planned for, but were no less enjoyable for that as I jumped feet first into the final three shows (two today) of the BATS Panto: Puss in Boots.

The adrenalin high from last night made a restful, solid night’s sleep unobtainable, but I managed to get a few hours in and had a quiet morning (purchased some make up removing wipes) before heading down to rejoin my cast mates. They have been so supportive and so welcoming that I had to get a backstage photo……of the male contingent at the very least. 

We were blessed with two great audiences today - the final one in particular being particularly loud, up for a bit of banter and generally forgiving/accepting of the be-scripted interloper. We threw in a couple of risqué lines (“The King’s been pulled off!” and “I don’t like it when he waves his knob at me!”) which hit the mark, and special mention must go to Drew (the King in question) who threw in a front-flip and a walking handstand to an already exuberant dance routine whilst singing/gasping ‘Let It Go’. It’s a testament to the man that we were all stood in the wings watching in anticipation of what he was going to pull out of the bag and neither us nor the crowd were disappointed as evidenced by the howls of laughter and extended applause.

The final dance routine was as chaotic as ever as my attempts to try and learn at least a little of it only made it worse and I found myself hopelessly out of of position, resulting in an undignified mid-number charge across a packed stage as I followed the one piece of direction I had received: “stick close to the fairy”. I bow to the professionalism of the cast who carried on undeterred by the pillock running around in the middle.

Absolutely bonkers time which has only reinforced my view that Panto remains the most fun that this particular Dame can have with his/her clothes still on.

I’m off for a lie-down.



Oh, yes I am.