tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31485763166125190932024-03-12T16:40:29.783-07:00Sudoku in SohoRachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-13013464450090587022013-05-15T09:40:00.000-07:002013-05-15T09:40:22.190-07:00Over and Out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOqj-oWLRJ_dhZ-DspZbh1zh_C1HtJEsWSJcVNu5J1YY6jloLW_jRqnstKqP_QmxvcUpRZlfkQVyGyt67HRezL1LJVXCJsVnoANhbF-L9Ru4mw-_ZM4UBI_M_qLlbMlWvrTI6lMBJAVQ/s1600/P1060884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOqj-oWLRJ_dhZ-DspZbh1zh_C1HtJEsWSJcVNu5J1YY6jloLW_jRqnstKqP_QmxvcUpRZlfkQVyGyt67HRezL1LJVXCJsVnoANhbF-L9Ru4mw-_ZM4UBI_M_qLlbMlWvrTI6lMBJAVQ/s400/P1060884.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-38571922881800600882013-05-14T14:25:00.000-07:002013-05-14T15:15:51.141-07:00The Definitive #celebrityspot ListOK, listen up, before I take my leave. In my first few days at the Gielgud I spotted a few celebrities and soon realised this would be a regular occurrence. I knew, at that rate, I'd be likely to forget all the famous names that I saw, so began keeping a list. I updated it every time another celeb was spotted, and here it is - the final list, ready for publication. Some of these I saw more than once. Some I worked with. For the purposes of clarity, if a name has an *asterisk by it, I saw the person randomly - usually because they came to the theatre to see a show, sometimes just on a street somewhere. Names without asterisks are those I saw deliberately - either by having a ticket to see them in a play or at an event, or because they were a member of a cast I worked with. Some I saw in both circumstances, and so they are starred or not depending on my first encounter with them. Capiche?<br />
<br />
*drumroll please*<br />
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Richard McCabe </div>
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Bill Nighy?* (not sure, think it was him but it was passing on a street and I didn't like to stare)</div>
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Ben Miller</div>
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David Mitchell*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Victoria Coren*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zoe Wanamaker*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anna Chancellor*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ade Edmondson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phill Jupitus</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neil Innes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rowland Rivron</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Richard Wilson*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thandi Newton*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane Asher*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lenny Henry*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robbie Coltrane*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steve Coogan*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe Tracini*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romola Garai*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gregor Fisher*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jude Law*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Addison*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matt Lucas*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rich Hall*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger Allam*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greg Davies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Richard Osman</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Patsy Kensit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bob Mortimer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lee Mack</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David Tennant*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Celia Imrie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert Glenister</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alfred Molina*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nicholas Hoult*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Griff Rhys-Jones*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kate Middleton</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prince Harry</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prince William</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eric Bana*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Danny DeVito</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Richard Griffiths</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Russell Grant</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Katy Brand</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephen Fry*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sue Perkins</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nickolas Grace</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rebecca Front</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeremy Front</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigel Havers*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vangelis*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esther Rantzen*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
McFly x2* (don't ask me which ones)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christopher Biggins*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Hollins*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ben Cross*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alice Krige*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nicholas Farrell*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hugh Hudson*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John McCririck*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Sessions*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joely Richardson*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honor Blackman*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carey Mulligan*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephen Daldry*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lulu!*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Melinda Messenger*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charles Dance*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Martin Clunes*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Terence Stamp*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tommy Steele*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jessie Wallace*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jason Manford*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Geri Halliwell*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emma Bunton*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mel C*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dawn French*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone from Made in Chelsea*(? - God knows, I was told this was the case)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oliver Ford-Davies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Princess Eugenie*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lucy Montgomery</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Noel Edmonds* (Not in London, but thought I'd include him anyway)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger Lloyd-Pack*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank Skinner*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim Rice*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christopher Malcolm*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Conleth Hill</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ian Hislop*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dame Helen Mirren</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert Hardy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul Ritter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haydn Gwynne</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helen Baxendale*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alex MacQueen*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James Franco*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
George Osborne*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edward Fox</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Freddie Fox*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vicki Pepperdine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jessica Hynes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emma Pierson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephen Merchant*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sheila Hancock*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sheridan Smith*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David Milliband*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Richard Bacon*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gemma Arterton*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cilla Black*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Annie Lennox*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ian McKellen*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Victoria Wood*<br />
Russell Brand* </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James McAvoy*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joan Collins*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigella Lawson*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Richard Ayoade*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David Blunkett*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nicholas Parsons*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michael Crawford*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Luke Treadaway*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thank ye. </div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-88786829437805351922013-05-14T14:08:00.000-07:002013-05-14T14:08:54.351-07:00Goodbye Gielgud“So, hopefully, this is the start of my big adventure. My
new year's resolution this year was to be brave and start living my life. I
think I might just have achieved that. I shall keep you posted!!”
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These were the closing words of my first post in this blog. The
‘adventure’ which followed was certainly big – bigger than I could’ve imagined
then and led on to the greatest time of my life. That adventure came to its
close last week, but in style, making for an unforgettable climax.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exactly one week before my leaving date, the occasion was
marked by my two favourite celebrities finally walking into the theatre. After
seeing so many famous faces come through the door of the theatre, my week was
made by the two and only French and Saunders strolling in together! We prepped
their interval drinks with a decorated order slip and (through just a tiny bit
of misbehaving) I managed to chat to them both at the interval. They were every
bit as lovely and funny as I hoped. Major high. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the Saturday following that, we had a shift during which
an incident happened that two days later would make the international press. It
is an astonishing thing to witness a story first hand and then to see how it
gets reported, exaggerated and responded to in the press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needn’t tell you about it myself: <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/4917429/helen-mirren-drummers-rant.html">http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/4917429/helen-mirren-drummers-rant.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the night, it was very funny but we never thought it
would get far beyond the little village of the West End. But when I turned up
to work on Monday, I was greeted by a throng of press: TV cameras and
journalists. Helen came in just afterwards wearing the T shirt in one of the
pictures in the article. I listened to her being interviewed and cleverly
spinning the story in her favour.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day, I was on stage door and hoped that it
would all be over. On the contrary – ‘drumgate’ continued with Helen doing a
photo shoot outside with some of the drummers involved. She brought them inside
the theatre, ushering them along behind her at such a speed I couldn’t possibly
sign them in, so wrote ‘Drummers x4’ on the visitor sheet. Since the whole
affair, I have had emails and messages from around the globe and pretended to
laugh at countless customers’ joke about drums.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also that Tuesday I spoke more to the actor in the cast I’ve
got on the best with to date and unearthed all sorts of ‘small world’ type
coincidences – he knows the villages where I’m from and my sister goes to
school with his neighbour’s son. I invited him along to my leaving do on
Thursday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings us onto my last day. Thursday 9<sup>th</sup>
May. I met with Myles, Greg and Maria for a spot of afternoon tea and then we
headed into the theatre early to mess around and take photos on stage. I had
been allowed to choose my position on the rota for the evening and had a nice
shift despite a South American guy who was late twice because he couldn’t wait
to have a cigarette. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the debrief meeting I was presented with a beautiful card
and present and we headed off to the Phoenix. So many people were there, which
was wonderful. Almost the whole of the bar and front of house teams; box
office; backstage; supervisors; people I have worked with in the past and Paul
from the cast, who came later as promised. We stayed til close, I had a wonderful
time and went back to Myles’ afterwards against my will because I was deemed
too emotional to make it home alone!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyqYmARhvXO-WuJTuTJkThMvYmJPqUTjeibp4uAmM4DoLRaFdrqZ7UueZNweadOTFvdybmKPRrp8tH_Ef1aAcz-NMBB_p_FNbC0LsJl7f3Hjax5HG5gTOVQoIFYamRPwkBuc3PcRfm6Q/s1600/P1060662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyqYmARhvXO-WuJTuTJkThMvYmJPqUTjeibp4uAmM4DoLRaFdrqZ7UueZNweadOTFvdybmKPRrp8tH_Ef1aAcz-NMBB_p_FNbC0LsJl7f3Hjax5HG5gTOVQoIFYamRPwkBuc3PcRfm6Q/s320/P1060662.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDg82OV6Aj7CJv3AVhimDIGkPtb9IQMTcdnWry_K_3acKmeWyIm6SMlQdJKwSHq6kHKxhwFeGucCwUdiipcsqjvaM8r4Vpv-lYV0-uJ5nCwc_tZr2jHPCWle9JwYNu777RhUmEEeDPJM/s1600/P1060704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDg82OV6Aj7CJv3AVhimDIGkPtb9IQMTcdnWry_K_3acKmeWyIm6SMlQdJKwSHq6kHKxhwFeGucCwUdiipcsqjvaM8r4Vpv-lYV0-uJ5nCwc_tZr2jHPCWle9JwYNu777RhUmEEeDPJM/s320/P1060704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first evening off was spent with Sophie, having a nice
Italian meal in Covent Garden. Then it was back to the Gielgud, as if I couldn’t
stay away for more than 24 hours. It was strange watching everyone come out
from a distance. I met Myles and we returned to his house to make the final
preparations for the next day: The Moonwalk!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’d been in training – in a fairly loose sense – for the
half marathon walk for several months and were so excited about it! We’d
dressed our bras in sweet wrappers (the theme was ‘space’ so we found a good
excuse to eat lots of Mars, Galaxy and Milky Way bars); donned ourselves in
flashing pink tutus and headgear and headed to Battersea and the pink tent. The
atmosphere was amazing; we had a fab time around the course and there was a
great sense of camaraderie throughout. I am so proud of my team who together have
raised over £1000 and counting for breast cancer charities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWBUaMDqauzAb4A6stPtbuGSHayQdzylKlmgOBnvDaXFwR6C0PFRtyiFarmn7YmHK17sNvpVa8rj4bO9RoR-JXv8nloK8rzVhCbdPW12uqoVjwInwjnWBRcClIiK86XrVU8jwzQ39eH4/s1600/P1060765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWBUaMDqauzAb4A6stPtbuGSHayQdzylKlmgOBnvDaXFwR6C0PFRtyiFarmn7YmHK17sNvpVa8rj4bO9RoR-JXv8nloK8rzVhCbdPW12uqoVjwInwjnWBRcClIiK86XrVU8jwzQ39eH4/s320/P1060765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCtwqS_QClY5FgQRtNrneyYr2QPoOgUqo-7IwmdChHvl197ckyCZdkZJOCIX9DofzC7rcrE_Ke5AvNTi_9o9qrJA7sLK563-B-ondilgLX8X6CDKrb21_5qJ-mWXpyvdhIqOYis_8gVE/s1600/P1060869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCtwqS_QClY5FgQRtNrneyYr2QPoOgUqo-7IwmdChHvl197ckyCZdkZJOCIX9DofzC7rcrE_Ke5AvNTi_9o9qrJA7sLK563-B-ondilgLX8X6CDKrb21_5qJ-mWXpyvdhIqOYis_8gVE/s320/P1060869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got home at 8am on Sunday morning, went straight to sleep
and awoke early evening to immediately pack and head down to Kent. And so,
farewell London. And also, farewell to this blog. I will end it with the end of
my time in the city, to close the chapter properly. It’s been amazing and great
to report my adventures here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for reading.</div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-13078576569177830362013-05-07T16:34:00.000-07:002013-05-07T16:34:28.338-07:00The Final Chapter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
Although I haven’t updated this blog in a while, I think
all who read it know the latest news anyway, and that is that this week is my
last in London and thus in employment at the Gielgud Theatre. And what a week
it has been. From the best #celebrityspots of my whole career here, to the
theatre being at the centre of a Bank Holiday ‘and finally’ style news story
that’s gone global, it has certainly ensured I’m going out with a bang.</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
In leaving, I am ending what has truly been the most brilliant,
crazy, funny, insane, unique and unforgettable chapters in my life. When I
began writing here, I was excited about the prospect of living and working in
London, but had no idea just what an incredible adventure would unfold. And
now, in leaving, I must write here again in an attempt to pay tribute to the
best nineteen months imaginable.</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
Aptly, I am writing from the stage door ‘box’, probably
my last time here. My career as stage door keeper has been hugely fun,
sometimes stressful, but has led to some of my favourite Gielgud memories, and
has created friendships I’d never otherwise have made. In my first shift, I
discussed jacket potatoes with Ben Miller, and in a more recent one bundled
Helen Mirren into the back of a Mercedes. It’s an unusual way of making a
living, and has no doubt afforded me tales I can tell in years to come!</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
My cover shifts on bar and kiosk have been equally varied
if not quite as glamorous. The most stressful times on bar have involved
tearing around for well over an hour, racing against time to prepare the
interval orders before the last words of act one are spoken on stage. Most
recently this has involved us yelling ‘No, don’t draw the line!’ at Dame Helen,
and back in the day ‘Oh God, teatime is five, arghh!’ at the sound of Peter
Capaldi’s final line before the break of ‘The Ladykillers’. At the other end of
the scale, we would be lazing about for an hour during Chariots’ long first act
with nothing to do, and it was a relief to finally hear James McCardle declare
that he ‘can’t wait.’ Kiosk is generally slightly more steady, although the
programmes fly off the shelves for this show at such a rate I can barely press
the till buttons quickly enough. I look back fondly at the week I did it last
summer, when without fail at 6.30 Nick Grace would saunter through the foyer,
bid me and the box office a cheery hello and disappear through to back stage.</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
Although there have been periods when it’s seemed I
hardly get to do my standard, front of house, ushering job, it is the one
constant throughout. The shows, audiences and level of busyness may change, but
the job is the same and the same questions are asked over and over:</div>
<br />
- Where are the toilets? Is there a toilet? Can I use the toilet?
Why do I need a ticket to use the toilet? You said there was a toilet and there
isn’t!<br />
<br />
- Where is Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus/Covent Garden/Jersey
Boys/somewhere to eat/the Piccadilly Theatre/the nearest Pret a Manger?<br />
<br />
- What time does it end? Is there an interval? What time’s the
interval? Where’s the stage door?<br />
<br />
<div class="ecxmsolistparagraph" style="text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span></span> - I have vertigo/bad back/bad legs/height issues – can I move to a
box/the stalls please? </div>
<br />
<div class="ecxmsolistparagraph" style="text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 7.0pt;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"></span></span> - Do you have ginger/raspberry ripple/cookies and
cream/mango/Baileys/toffee/coffee/lemon sorbet ice cream?</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
Recent favourites include the lady who couldn’t
comprehend why the script wasn’t updated to include every change in line,
whilst simultaneously conceding that this would indeed be an impractical and
ridiculous suggestion; and the man who ordered a bottle of water for the
interval with 5 glasses and who wanted me to open the crisps he’d ordered too and
‘present them nicely’.</div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxmsonormal">
Yes, we’ve had the customers, yes we’ve had the stars.
But the people without doubt who have truly made my time here are my colleagues
and friends. We have created a web between us of memories, inside jokes,
history and shared experience which will bond us forever. With them I have gone
through every possible emotion. I have cried and laughed til I cried. I have
changed because of them and seen them change. We have teased each other,
supported each other (often literally after a night at the Phoenix!) and gone
through the craziness that is theatre life together. I will miss seeing them
daily so much I can barely contemplate it, but know that leaving work will
certainly not include leaving them and that we will truly be ‘friends for
life’.</div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-23310557647447755922013-03-28T09:18:00.000-07:002013-03-28T18:07:04.768-07:00Stage Door: Dames, Dogs and Dealing with the Public<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Once upon a
time there was a stage door cover called Rachel who had the easiest job in the
world. She worked on a show in the West End called ‘Chariots of Fire’; a quiet
piece of theatre which apparently stayed under the radar of the majority of the
public. The most famous actor in it was one Simon (‘Brenda’) Williams, of ‘Upstairs
Downstairs’ fame (yes, him), whose demands hardly stretched beyond a clean
costume and working fridge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The cast was
large, and Rachel was at first bamboozled by the number of new faces to learn,
but she astutely studied the programme when front of house and sitting in
(well, it was preferable to actually watching the show) and soon managed to
match face to name. Many of the actors never recognised her existence, but as
long as she knew which key to give to which primo uomo, she was happy enough.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Those were
simpler times. Cast and crew came in, did their thing, forgot their keys, left
to get the tube; she found their keys and locked up after them. During a show there
was time to chat with the smokers, eat, catch up with iPlayer and write her
novel (ie stare at a blank Word document). She got paid good money and was
happy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then, the
world changed. The quiet show faded away and, after a couple of weeks of
practising her art when there weren’t any actors at all to look after, a new
show entered the building. If <i>Chariots</i> were the little helpless villagers, <i>The
Audience </i>was the huge giant whose booming, earth-shaking footsteps could be
heard weeks before it arrived. A true titan of theatre, its reputation was
global. It had the star. It had the esteemed director. It had the experienced
writer. It had the faintly glittering supporting cast. It had corgis. The ‘House
Full’ sign was dusted off and has taken up permanent residence outside the
doors on Shaftesbury Avenue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And so,
Rachel embarked upon her first stage door shift in the brave new world...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I wanted to
write about my experiences of two recent shifts in the box because, like I say,
it’s a different beast altogether these days. Normal service happens to an
extent: keys are exchanged, people sign in and out, call outs and phone calls
need to be made. However, with the end of a show in particular, this all has to
happen alongside a whole new, somewhat complicated set of
tasks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is the
first time I have experienced working with/for a truly VIP actor. I assumed that
at least by working a stage door shift I would finally get to meet Dame Helen,
but in fact I've achieved nothing more than brief eye contact. As I worked on
matinee days, she was already in the building when I arrived, and stayed
downstairs until leaving at the end. Everything regarding Helen is directed
through her PA, thankfully an incredibly helpful, kind and easy-going lady. She
will take down her post, guests and messages, as well as answering her phone
and helping to deal with the business of autographs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So here’s
what happens for Rachel the stage door keeper these days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All is quiet
at first, for, arriving in the building at 3, the show has already gone up and
everyone is hopefully where they should be. So, unless the usual messages,
visitors and phone calls happen, I can relax at first. There may still be some
undelivered post so I ensure that is bundled together by recipient (on
Wednesday Helen had a huge stack, from as far and wide afield as Germany,
Australia and the USA) and pass it on if and when I see the actor it's destined
for. The radio tends to be quiet, again, as the audience are in their seats and
happily watching the show, so there shouldn’t be any problems for the front of
house team to discuss until the interval. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Des the dog
man comes in and out of the building several times during the show, usually
accompanied by his fluffy charges Cocoa and Rocky the corgis. These are truly
lovely dogs, with a great temperament, wagging tails and friendly disposition,
manifesting itself in a hearty lick if they get the opportunity. He will also
deliver and pick up the Golden Labrador puppy working at the Apollo next door,
who is utterly heart-breakingly adorable and I want to take home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At the
interval, the radio buzzes with updates on ice cream stock, auditorium
temperatures and booster cushion requests. Backstage, things mostly remain
quiet: a crew member may come up for a cigarette or an actor pop their head
round the door to inform me of a guest they’re expecting, but generally nothing
much happens. At any point it’s quite possible that a sparkly-eyed member of
the public may come in to breathily enquire about Helen Mirren’s movements or
obtaining an autograph, but that’s easy enough to deal with. I am amused that
Cocoa and Rocky are included in the Act Two beginners’ call.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We ease into
Act 2. Edward Fox, who does not appear until the curtain call in this half, has
been known to come to chat to me, or to inform me about his expected guests. At
some point towards the end, I will don my coat, grab my radio and go outside to
unfold the metal barriers we have at the door, designed to keep back autograph
hunters once they appear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s then a
waiting game until the curtain comes down. And it’s at this point that things
are different. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A few minutes
after the show comes down, people begin to trickle round to stage door.
Generally, thankfully, so far, the autograph hunters are sweet and polite, but
I am always prepared to deal with those who aren’t. The most difficult adjustment
to make is having to let all the ordinary things that would happen at the end
of a show just happen. Usually, I would be in the box, collecting in keys,
signing them in, greeting visitors (last week these included Jude Law) and
calling actors to send them to the right room etc. Now, however, I have to
stand outside the door, ensuring the crowds are behaving themselves and must
let keys come and go with trust. Visitors, of course, must still be dealt with,
and it is difficult trying to balance making and receiving phone calls with
being outside. I am just having to be less precise with signing them in, and
focus on the basics of making sure they’re not a complete randomer. Once the
throng of fans outside is at its throngiest, I make an announcement to them
all. The arrangement is: they write their name of their programmes or tickets,
I collect them in, give them to Helen’s PA, who takes them down to her dressing
room to be signed. I try to keep the crowd entertained, until she comes back up
with them and I can dish them out again – a process reminiscent of handing back
kids’ homework. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After a
matinee, that is the end, and I say goodbye to them all, console anyone who
missed the boat and explain that sorry, that’s it. After an evening show, an
extra added layer of complication is involved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During the
second act in an evening performance, I have to contact Helen’s car company and
make arrangements for her driver to pick her up. I then contact the driver
himself and we try to liaise when and where he’ll be. After the show, all of
the above takes place, plus extra guests come and go, plus all of the keys are
exchanged, with crew, cast and front of house staff all leaving the building.
In addition, the handing back of signed programmes still does not get rid of
all of the crowd, who want to hang on to meet Helen. I try to warn them against
taking photographs, which they will ignore, and have to keep them entertained even
after the excitement of giving them their programmes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As slightly stressful
and complicated as all this can be, it is actually rather fun. I enjoy the
extra pressure and exhilaration it causes and the bubbling feeling of
excitement amongst the crowd as they sense the moment they will meet their idol
drawing nearer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I am given a
warning of how long she’ll be, and ensure the driver is in position, as close
to the theatre as he can get. And then, in a flurry, Helen appears, heads
outside, graciously greets the crowds as if she weren’t expecting it and, if
she feels like it, signs things that are yet to be signed. I stand beside her
as a sort of pretence at extra security and she gradually manages to make her
way towards her car, accompanied by the company manager. I get great amusement
from seeing people being starstruck: the shiny eyes, breathy voices and shaking
hands are brilliant entertainment when watching from the outside, and once she’s
safely in the vehicle, say a firm goodnight to those still there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Some hardcore
fans stay to await any remaining members of the company still inside, but
generally I then get a moment to gather up and log the keys that have been
thrust onto my desk in the interim, ensure Mr Fox is being looked after and try
to work out if any of the guests have gone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When the last
of the autograph hunters have gone, I can return to normal service: updating
documents, helping to lock up the dressing rooms and preparing to lock the
building. It’s a little rollercoaster and a unique experience, but I’ve loved
my stage door shifts so far!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In other
news, the front of house celebrity spots have not disappointed. Whilst during
Ladykillers, the constant trickle was fun and easy to keep up with, with this
show it’s almost exhausting! There have been at least one famous name nearly
every night: so many I have given up trying to see them, on the whole (although
I did make a special effort for Victoria Wood and Ian McKellen, in on the same
night. Myles and I were together in the stalls and developed a code we could
use over the radio if we saw either of them: ‘Coat on the curtain!’)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One notable
occasion was the night we heard rumours Russell Brand was coming in. I was
checking tickets in the foyer and tried to spend the whole incoming looking out
for him, to no avail. When the curtain went out and it was time to look after
latecomers, I approached a lady who was left on her own in the foyer. She said
her friend was coming with the tickets, so I directed her to the screen and
said I’d look after her and take her in once her friend arrived.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Well (and I’m
sure you can see where this is going), her friend came in about 3 minutes
later, along with a small group of others and lo and behold, there he was: big
hair, tight trousers, boots, the lot. It was quite hard work looking after
Russell’s crew, but I managed somehow to gather them all together, explain what
would happen and lead them all down to the back of the stalls. He called me ‘love’
and I had to stand next to him behind row W until the scene change in which I
could lead them to their seats. Quite an experience! My colleagues were split
between envy and pity. He was actually very nice though. Just another one of
those bizarre experiences to add to my list (other recent additions involve
prepping interval drinks for Annie Lennox and angering James McAvoy in a pub).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Lots of fun
times have been had recently. Viv and I went to the BBC to see a recording of a
new sitcom called ‘Up the Women’, with lots of my favourite actresses in. It’s
the last recorded programme being made at Television Centre, so I am grateful
and humbled we got to go. There have been birthdays and my birthday trip to
Florence came around, which was absolutely wonderful. Mumford and Sons were
amazing, the city is beautiful and it was so nice getting away, getting some
slightly warmer weather (this winter is still dragging on to the point of
complete ridiculousness) and drinking lots of proper coffee! Did not want to
come back. We saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the rain and climbed the 463
steps to the dome of Florence Cathedral, with spectacular views over the city
below. Loved it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The end is
definitely nigh on my London adventures. I feel ready for that. More to follow.</span></div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-65669509500088123362013-02-11T16:27:00.002-08:002013-02-11T16:27:46.713-08:00Out of the Darkness<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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The answer to the question ‘what should you be doing whilst sitting in the auditorium?’ on the obligatory training
questionnaire. And
yes, ho ho, that will be true now on more than one level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, Dame H has entered the building and it’s all very
exciting, actually. We were back for the first day of training today and the
show opens to the public at the end of this week. I have had a couple of brief
sightings of her, looking very dressed down and ‘normal’ as if she could
blend in anywhere. This is lucky because she is absolutely everywhere in the
media at present and thus probably the most famous woman in the country except
perhaps the Queen herself. This will be the busiest show the theatre has seen
in a number of years, and I suspect that some of our newer starters will be in for
a shock at working on a sold out performance. And there will be a lot of those.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We're back after 6 weeks of ‘darkness’ which has actually gone by
pretty quickly. In the end, I only had 1 week with no work at all. For the
first fortnight, I covered shifts on stage door at the Gielgud, first working
the busy ‘get out’ and then staring blankly as nothing happened for the
remainder of the time. I got used to locking up solo and happily had a constant
stream of visitors to help while away the hours!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My birthday was great and even more extended that last year’s
festivities. We spent the night before in a cocktail bar and then a club, with
a select number having dinner with me beforehand. The best thing about the
night was that so many people came: not all could stay long but that worked
nicely as different people came and went as the evening went on. Myles made me
the most beautiful scrapbook, full of memories from the last year which I adore
and I got a great pile of cards and gifts from a plethora of wonderful friends.
On my birthday itself, I headed to Bristol and went out for a meal with Ollie,
who surprised me with his gift: a trip to Florence in March to see Mumford and
Sons in concert! I cannot wait for that! I spent a long weekend with him, having
arranged other stage door cover for the days I was away. We
had a little trip up to Cheltenham one day and just enjoyed actually getting to
spend some time together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I returned to London in time for the next leg of my
celebration, which was a fabulous night at the theatre to see Viva Forever courtesy
of Viv! We had a great laugh, sampled ‘Spice Girl Cocktails’ in the interval
and attended a Q&A session with the cast after the performance. Three of us
then decided to go for a drink afterwards and discovered a load of cast members
already in the pub when we got there!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I returned to Bristol again a few days later, this time
amidst the chaos that is Britain in snow. We spent a few days slipping about
the place, went for a wintry walk along the canal in Bath and on the Sunday
slid our way to a local pub for roast. Most cosy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow stuck around, but I made it down to
Kent in the next week with Myles in tow, and we had a lovely few days meeting
family members, exploring the countryside and Canterbury, playing Cilla Black
to a pair of ponies, getting hysterical after being stalked by an enthusiastic
tour guide and learning about Princess Anne’s abilities at synchronised
swimming. I think that’s right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work of sorts recommenced the following week as I was
invited to help work on the press night of ‘Quartermaine’s Terms’ starring
Rowan Atkinson. Funnily enough I’d seen the poster advertising the show in
Bath, and said I must go to see it. It turned out entirely for the best as
although I didn’t see much of the show, I had a great night in a theatre with a
somewhat more relaxed atmosphere to the one I’m used to. Instead of a party,
champagne was served to audience members in the auditorium after the show had
finished, and Myles, who was there with a free ticket, certainly made the most
of that! My fellow ushers did not wish to miss out on the action however, and
before long I was being dragged down to the cellar, to help ‘put the stock away’.
Pick up has never been so fun...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We must have behaved well enough though, as we were invited
back and I have spent most of the last week working there. I got to see the
whole show properly, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and it was nice to have a bit
of steady work in the one week I had always expected to be jobless. On
Thursday, the one day I did have off, our little gang headed south and had a
great evening ten pin bowling. Although it’s been annoying spending more time
than expected unemployed, I have enjoyed having the luxury of evenings and the
freedom of weekends. One Friday night, in particular, I went with Sophie to see
her friend play in a band in a pub in Camden. It was a simple thing of the sort
many people here do all the time, but it was such a rare treat for me. I loved
it, partly because it reminded me of what a vibrant place London is, of how
creative and alive it is. It was magical to be reminded that stuff like that
gig happen in pubs and clubs all over the city every night – talented musicians,
comedians and actors perform and people go along to enjoy it. It sounds silly
but I never get to see it, and we had such a good time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An epiphany the other day made me realise I am running out
of reasons to stay here, and I shall be upping my bid now in the attempt to
move back west. We’ll see what happens, but were it not for my friends I’d
probably have found the inspiration to leave long ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I do definitely have to look forward to however,
with some of said friends, is the Moon Walk in May! Four of us have signed up
to don our glittery, hand-decorated bras, and speed-walk 13 miles through the
streets of London at night, along with thousands of others in the name of
breast cancer charities. It should be an absolute hoot, whilst raising money
for great causes, so if you read this and I haven’t nagged you already.... <a href="http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/the_marching_maracas">http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/the_marching_maracas</a>
:)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-7320851886363519062013-01-08T19:05:00.000-08:002013-01-08T19:19:01.603-08:00Breaking the Tape<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">And so, here we are. Another show gone; the theatre dark
again. Whilst<i> Ladykillers</i> went out with a huge emotional bang, for me <i>Chariots
of Fire</i> ended with more of a limp over the finishing line. The feeling of
disappointment was somewhat palpable: we could not escape the audience asking
us why it was finishing early and there was a taste of bitterness in the air.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Personally, I felt surprisingly little on Saturday, which
could not contrast more with our last closing night. There is virtually nothing
I will miss about the show, and it is actually a relief to know I won’t be
watching it again. Already the lines and finer plot points are melting from my
mind, as if I’m waking up from a long dream.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The house was almost full for both shows on Saturday. I was
working on bar, but sneaked into the back of the stalls at the end to watch the
curtain call. I clapped for the members of the company who had been friendly in
our seven months together, especially for wonderful Nickolas, who stripped off
his academic robes and joined in with the final laps around the track! The
whole audience were on their feet, even, touchingly, a severely disabled girl
who was determined to show her support for the show. It really did inspire many
people, which is great to know, although it was never my cup of tea.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end, our team would disband once again, but still I
felt very little. For me, the worst had already happened. Some of my dearest
friends had already left. My emotions had been drained just a few nights
previously when the incomparable Klara had her last night. I cried on the
street at the bus stop with her (she has gone to Chile for at least five
months) and so nothing on Saturday could rival that strength of feeling.</span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkXvAIfyCbp8SKEDeeI8nao-nHPwYWJQAHXSJoR-yAJp3X00vMA1pP4Nx7WeZAl8RjXblDFfKXLDNOfSNmMOFwJ0Cx7xED-gycNJd7qOGwtV51yglhua60tCf3GvI7XZHeqh1h6AXBog/s1600/431336_10200350583870364_1845384453_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkXvAIfyCbp8SKEDeeI8nao-nHPwYWJQAHXSJoR-yAJp3X00vMA1pP4Nx7WeZAl8RjXblDFfKXLDNOfSNmMOFwJ0Cx7xED-gycNJd7qOGwtV51yglhua60tCf3GvI7XZHeqh1h6AXBog/s320/431336_10200350583870364_1845384453_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For comparions sake: our team on the last day (we got the same shot last time)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Myles, Maria and I went down to visit Nickolas in his
dressing room afterwards to say our own goodbyes. He is a very unique person;
quite the most immediately open and friendly actor I’ve worked with. He is
honest, generous and funny and he is without doubt the thing I shall miss most
about the show. He tells us he will include Myles in his autobiography, which,
if true, would be staggeringly brilliant.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Feeling deflated, and a little angry with the world, I wasn’t
in the mood for the partying we had planned for afterwards. I couldn’t stop
thinking about the ending of our last show, and the stupid contrast in the way
everything felt. Then, I was carried on a tidal wave of emotions; I wanted to
be involved in every moment of the day, soaking it all in. I wanted to run down
to see the cast afterwards and find out if we could attend their party. This
time, I didn’t even want to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, this was our closing night and so a collective
decision was made to block out all the bad things and to focus on having a good
time. So, as large glasses of wine and double measures of spirits were ordered
in a packed bar full of people we knew, with music blasting out, I loosened up.
I requested Lulu (naturally), ignored some people and focused on others and
actually began to have fun. The bar we were in learnt it was our closing night and duly played the Vangelis music, dear oh dear.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IZSUbS26MqL0pXyT8jwzv2yR9_e9JbW5s7ExewTd7tzb3DlIBi8JiK2BOaGKp0l9xxcrabfWqHik5LodNvVE5eYtH6WPm5pBRN3cvO3Z62hJH6-dFwwjgtyK0RHu21DIoQSgrhM0E-U/s1600/293540_10151279890594425_940226189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IZSUbS26MqL0pXyT8jwzv2yR9_e9JbW5s7ExewTd7tzb3DlIBi8JiK2BOaGKp0l9xxcrabfWqHik5LodNvVE5eYtH6WPm5pBRN3cvO3Z62hJH6-dFwwjgtyK0RHu21DIoQSgrhM0E-U/s320/293540_10151279890594425_940226189_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> And then, a slightly strange turn of events occurred when my
friend nudged me and gestured over to the bar. There, with a few friends was
Stephen, who had been one of the principal actors in The Ladykillers! I hadn’t
seen him since that last day and had even missed him at the end of that. It was
so absurd that he should turn up all these months later when we were celebrating
the closure of the subsequent show, and so incredibly amazing to see him! Being
at this stage softened and merried by rose, I approached him without qualms.
Being in a similar state, he was equally glad to see me, it seemed, and we
hugged like old friends, chatting for ages and catching up. He introduced me to
his friends and called me ‘Rach’ like he always used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all utterly surreal and wonderful.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqb98Zq0YgwBAqXdJ5MJWeeTGIqJz3w2VSUJQ59uASHNFdxQ8k4eHi3zdFLhfS9lsz59c4ge14f3uDQTCjJepWVPX9m_A2cQZQFFO1w4cxewlT5Ba2haXs2kq2NpIQ_tdaaPKL4LLIW4/s1600/P1060199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqb98Zq0YgwBAqXdJ5MJWeeTGIqJz3w2VSUJQ59uASHNFdxQ8k4eHi3zdFLhfS9lsz59c4ge14f3uDQTCjJepWVPX9m_A2cQZQFFO1w4cxewlT5Ba2haXs2kq2NpIQ_tdaaPKL4LLIW4/s320/P1060199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, Maria and I saw him again and she asked him to recite
one of our favourite lines from the play he used to say. Poor guy had some
issues remembering what on earth we were talking about but we cajoled him into
performing in the end. We discussed going onto the same club afterwards but in
the end went separate ways. I was amazed at the random coincidence of him
turning up on the last night of <i>Chariots</i>, thrilled to have seen him and happy
in the knowledge that I have spoken to nearly all of that cast since the show
closed. I still do miss them/it very much. It was even stranger a coincidence seeing
as an envelope for Peter had arrived at stage door that same day (first time in
months – someone really missed the boat!) and we had post there for Marcus,
another company member too. It was like being in a time warp!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After that, the night mirrored our last closing night
perfectly, in that we moved from the same bar we’d been in before to the same nightclub,
danced there til it closed and queued in a nearby McDonalds for breakfast food
(only tastes good in that specific set of circumstances). I got home in the
early hours of the morning and slept immediately. When I woke, I felt a pure
and satisfying sense of closure (and a very sore head).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, it was impossible to feel too sad about leaving the
Gielgud itself because I knew I’d be back there on Monday. I have worked two
afternoons on stage door so far, which have been unlike anything I’ve done
before because the ‘get out’ has been happening. This, for those who don’t
know, means exactly what it sounds like it means: lots of blokes come in to rip
out the set, and put it in a truck, and dressing rooms, wardrobe etc are all
cleared out. It’s been busy, but has gone well so everyone’s been in a good
mood and the box has felt like an island of calm in amongst all the passing
craziness as people run in and out of the building lugging various bits of
equipment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the stage managers
gave me a serving of Quality Streets on a plate and Nicko popped by to collect
the rest of his things, to wish me ‘happy Easter’ and to give me a crème egg(!)
Marcus also came in to collect his post so chatted to him for a while: another
old LK face from ‘back in the day’.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been strange finishing work by 6.30pm and locking up
by myself. Today, it was literally by myself: I was the last one left and felt
a mixture of mild terror and excitement at the responsibility bestowed upon me!
It was very weird being the only person in the whole building and responsible
for locking it up safely for the night. With our first evening off on Monday,
we went to the theatre (I know) to see ‘Privates on Parade’. It was unlike anything
I’ve seen and very well done. Myles knew the understudy who was playing that
night so we went for a drink with her afterwards. Tonight, I have simply
enjoyed a whole evening to myself in the flat, cooking dinner at a sensible
hour and watching DVDs and the first episode of Ben’s <i>Death in Paradise</i>.
Strange having a vested interest in the programme and knowing so much about it.
Funny to think I was sent messages from that set and have been shown photos of
the crew there on their breaks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday is my birthday and I’m going out tomorrow to
celebrate. It’ll be quite nice having the whole evening for a change: we can
start as soon as I put the padlock on the stage door! I then have a long
weekend in Bristol to look forward to. I’m told I should be ‘very excited’
about my birthday present! Man of mystery. I shall turn 26 which is officially
closer to 30 than 20, but will do my best to remain unconcerned, do what I
enjoy and hope that the year ahead will be a happy one.</span>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-71745828681119519212013-01-02T13:13:00.001-08:002013-01-02T13:15:37.479-08:002012 in the world of me.<!--[if !mso]>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Memorable books I read:<br />
Life of Pi. The Road Home.<br />
<br />
A memorable film I saw:<br />
In The Loop<br />
<br />
A song I sung to myself with appropriate lyrics:<br />
<br />
<i>I can't win, I can't reign<br />
I will never win this game<br />
Without you, without you<br />
I am lost, I am vain,<br />
I will never be the same<br />
Without you, without you<br />
<br />
I won't run, I won't fly<br />
I will never make it by<br />
Without you, without you<br />
I can't rest, I can't fight<br />
All I need is you and I,<br />
Without you, without you<br />
<br />
Oh oh oh!<br />
You! You! You!<br />
Without...<br />
You! You! You!<br />
Without...you<br />
<br />
Can't erase, so I'll take blame<br />
But I can't accept that we're estranged<br />
Without you, without you<br />
I can't quit now, this can't be right<br />
I can't take one more sleepless night<br />
Without you, without you<br />
<br />
I won't soar, I won't climb<br />
If you're not here, I'm paralyzed<br />
Without you, without you<br />
I can't look, I'm so blind<br />
I lost my heart, I lost my mind<br />
Without you, without you<br />
<br />
Oh oh oh!<br />
You! You! You!<br />
Without...<br />
You! You! You!<br />
Without...you<br />
<br />
I am lost, I am vain,<br />
I will never be the same<br />
Without you, without you<br />
Without...you </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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A memorable and defining moment:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-EM-NC7lPMNGF2CgUyN1bGMnz5y5wJEVfA5cGAVvtTj605Kg8clmZfiBNRS0ec5sJLthhFCD9G8EAq7yHKfSkZpMUYCIEoaWbCrL5kZPly_MBV9B6QcjltsVRu80F46SGpO-ZKmy4Ro/s1600/P1030574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-EM-NC7lPMNGF2CgUyN1bGMnz5y5wJEVfA5cGAVvtTj605Kg8clmZfiBNRS0ec5sJLthhFCD9G8EAq7yHKfSkZpMUYCIEoaWbCrL5kZPly_MBV9B6QcjltsVRu80F46SGpO-ZKmy4Ro/s320/P1030574.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> Tee hee.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
Plays I saw:<br />
The Ladykillers, The Sunshine Boys, Noises Off, Blood Brothers, Chariots
of Fire, Goodnight Mr Tom, The Wizard of Oz, We Will Rock You, The Kings
Speech, that one at the Arts Theatre I can't remember the name of, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The
Bodyguard<br />
<br />
People I met whom I admire:<br />
Stephen Fry, Robbie Coltrane<br />
<br />
Holidays I took:<br />
Lithuania, Dartmoor, Serbia/Montenegro, Sweden<br />
<br />
Random low points:<br />
15<sup>th</sup> April<br />
<br />
Random high points:<br />
14<sup>th</sup> April: last day of Ladykillers. And actually the whole of the
year up until that point. Walking to work with Peter. Seeing Ben and James
subsequent to us closing. Ab Fab party. Miming ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at the
back of the Grand Circle there with Kieron, mirroring the actors on stage. Seeing QI, Would I Lie to You and
Chain Reaction being recorded. Spotting filming in Soho and attending a lecture
at the Royal Institute (perhaps a ‘crazy’ moment!)Trips eg Madame Tussauds,
roller disco and Winter Wonderland. DVD ‘B.J.’ nights with the gang. The
glamours of the Chariots of Fire press night. Watching the Olympic Opening
ceremony in Victoria Park, with the fireworks and helicopters in real life just
over the trees. Seeing the flame being carried by Eddy and Patsy, and also past
our theatre, with Vangelis on a podium! Having to babysit the latter
afterwards. The day we met Lulu. Viv moving to London. Lunching in an abandoned
village on a hilltop overlooking the bay in Montenegro. Watching sun rise over
the frozen lake in Sweden. <br />
<br />
Greatest achievement:<br />
Getting a piece of writing shortlisted to the final 8 of a competition run by
Virago publishers.<br />
<br />
Proudest moment:<br />
Attending Joseph’s first birthday party. Being missed by various important
people. Winning a hamper at the Gielgud Christmas Quiz!<br />
<br />
Craziest moments:<br />
Supping drinks at the ‘after-party’ of the RI lecture. Partying with Stephen
Fry at the press night. Relaying messages and keeping secrets for celebrities.
Helping Lulu tweet. Drinking champagne and gossiping backstage at Nicko Grace’s
birthday party. Having royalty at our Christmas do. Wearing an Olympic Gold
medal. Writing to Ian McEwan and Hugh Grant.<br />
<br />
A first:<br />
Becoming a Godmother. Driving a car (sort of). Tasting a cigarette. Stage door
keeping.<br />
<br />
A last:<br />
Impossible to say any more.<br />
<br />
A defining food:<br />
Focaccia bread!</span></div>
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Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-8317581094743987302013-01-02T13:03:00.001-08:002013-01-02T13:03:54.289-08:00A Valediction Forbidding Mourning<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Crawling out of the dusty woodwork as the turning of another
new year is a good excuse to get writing. The few months since I last wrote
have chugged along with no great dramas, with nothing much to report really.
Chariots still ran. Usual front of house craziness happened. A few fun events
were attended but in general it’s all been quite quiet. I have been trying to
bust out of the theatre and almost managed it on a couple of occasions, but it
didn’t work out. My target for leaving by Christmas got blown well out of the
window but there was the sad glimmer of the glamorous temptation of Helen
Mirren in February. Then, just before Christmas, we were hit with the news that
after all ‘that’, this show was to close early, shortly after the new year.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don’t know what lies ahead at the moment. I’ve been saved
slightly by the offer of some stage door shifts in the upcoming few weeks but
this really should be my catalyst to finally move on in the hope of finding
that ‘proper job’, or at least the first step towards it. I cannot afford to
stay in London without any income to support that search though, so went
through a very rough few days after hearing the news, thinking I’d be so
suddenly forced to move away. As it is, I may be able to hold out now til the
end of January, and so maybe therefore Helen Mirren. I know I need to leave the
theatre, but there’s no point in doing that unless I have something to go to;
at least as it stands I have a job of some description.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, the future looks a little uncertain at the moment, but,
being a new year blog, I want to use the opportunity to look back. Last year, I
did a roundup of 2011 and want to do the same again now. I’ll also post a
summative account using exactly the same prompts as I did a year ago,
collecting some of the high- and low- lights!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Once again, I see 2012 as being a year of two distinct
parts. They can be separated almost to the hour, and the line between them is
the last day of The Ladykillers. It’s strange how at the time I even knew just
how momentous that occasion would be. Before was happiness, security,
friendship, a job I loved, glamour and laughs. Afterwards was the unknown. I
wrote a lot about it at the time, and so won’t repeat my feelings in depth
here, but suffice to say things have never been quite the same since. I muddled
through, worked at Her Majesty’s and learnt what the real pull of the Gielgud
was. We counted the days til our return for Chariots, and the play certainly
came with its fair share of amazing moments: working there over the Olympics
was an honour; we met Vangelis; we had the Torch come by our theatre as the
music drowned Shaftesbury Avenue; we met medallists from Team GB and I tried on
a Gold medal; the press night was incredible and we’ve had loads of fun getting
to know *some* of the actors, especially Mr Grace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have been ups and downs with the front of house team.
I’ve experienced extreme frustration and there was even a period when I
actively disliked coming to work. However, we’ve come through all that too and
we finish the run again with a fantastic group of people whom I will miss. My
close group of friends have got even closer and some of my favourite times this
year have been sitting up with them all night talking and laughing til we
cried.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, I still feel the pressing need to find a new job and to
earn more money; yes my income here doesn’t quite support me and yes I need to
work out a way of being able to see my boyfriend more often. The close of this
show (this weekend) feels completely different to last time. With The
Ladykillers there was that desperation for it not to be over, because I loved
everything about that job. Now, I feel no emotional attachment to the
production at all and no great desire to keep in touch with anyone involved as
I have The Ladykillers. However, Saturday will mark the end of yet another era
as our team is yet again scattered and I’m not sure how many more times I can
come through that. I will miss the ‘family’ here terribly, but know it won’t
mean the ending of my most precious friendships. What will be will be, and
although things may never be quite the same again, I have made more than one ‘friend
for life’ (to quote the show). So I shall try not to be afraid of the unknown
and remember that if all else fails, 2012 has given me great memories and true
friendships which will hopefully last for years to come.</div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-40901632963803439192012-10-11T06:19:00.000-07:002012-10-11T06:19:38.787-07:00Standing Up for Female Comics<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m going off-piste today to write about an issue which has
been bugging me for some time. In the last few days I have come across an
unusually high number of articles, interviews and blogs which focus on the
issue of women in comedy. It’s a topic which journalists keep returning to,
despite the fact that one should assume by now that it is such a commonplace
phenomenon it is barely worth debating. But debate they do, and yet nothing I
have read recently has quite satisfied me. I am no expert on the field by any
means, but appreciate good comedy as much as the next person and am a fan of
stand up, sketch shows and panel shows. Some of my favourite comics are women
and yet their gender has never been something that I have considered, as such. It
is not as if I go through some kind of filtering process when first assessing
the talents of a comedian: are they a woman? If so, are they good enough to be
liked? And yet, there is in popular media an almost obsessive need to link sex
to humour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is brought up
time and time again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I am not the type of feminist which people associate with
anger and tirades; indeed I barely register on the scale of feminism at all. I
am absolutely pro-equal rights, however, and do get angered by examples one
comes across in everyday life of where women are treated as second best, weaker
or are objectified. Despite the leaps of progress that have been made over the
last century, women are still not equal to men. The ‘Everyday Sexism’ project
proves this (<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.everydaysexism.com/">http://www.everydaysexism.com/</a>
</span></div>
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). Perhaps the question about how women fit into comedy is
always posited to comediennes because it gives them the outlet by which to
justify themselves: to defend their profession and to have their say in a
male-centred world. I am writing this not as a feminist rant but to merely
speculate reasons behind why females in comedy are still a relatively rare
breed and to consider the value of constantly questioning their place there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The traditional environment of the comedy circuit can be
intimidating. The stage in many clubs is something reminiscent of a bear pit,
or a Roman Gladiatorial Arena. An entertainer is placed in the centre of the
ring and has the task of making the audience laugh nearly constantly for their
whole time slot. This audience are demanding: more often than not they are
rowdy, drunk and apt to lose their normal inhibitions. It takes a great deal of
confidence to step into that situation, especially when hecklers decide to make
their voice heard. Many women are put off by this idea and it takes a tough
kind of person to bat this off. Jo Brand has spoken about how invaluable her
background in mental health nursing was in stand up: “<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hecklers aren’t imaginative and I have
to say, hats off to them, psychiatric patients really are.” She adds that many women
“find the knocks harder to take because they are naturally less self-confident...they
could not stand the fact that they were being abused about their physical
appearance endlessly every night.” </span>Although some women stand ups do make
it beyond the fringe and become more widely popular, such as Sarah Millican, it
is noticeable that it is generally only male stand ups who can take their shows
to arena tours or to TV shows such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Live
at the Apollo</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those brave enough to try have to be good. The old ‘women
aren’t funny’ complaint could be blamed on the type of weak female stand ups
who bleat about men, menstruation and motherhood. I was once at a comedy club
and a female comedian stood up to take the stage. My male friend muttered, ‘Oh
God, a woman. I bet she talks about her periods.’ Sure enough, her ten minute
routine was entirely on that topic. It is frustrating that she should have been
so unimaginative. This ranting, bitching style is not uncommon. Is this again a
form of defence? Perhaps women feel it can appeal to the women in the audience
whilst also fascinating (or at least appeasing) the men? To truly entertain the
whole audience though, more originality is needed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A recent article by Katy Brand in The Telegraph examined the
link between women’s beauty and their comic talents. It asked if women could be
both beautiful and funny simultaneously. The question that I was asking on
reading was: why should this even be considered? Why are we still debating such
issues, even if, as Brand does here, they try to suggest that looks shouldn’t
matter? After all, no one would write a similar article about male comedians;
their looks aren’t important. Instead, it is only their comedy talents which
are judged. Brand does her best to make this point, but still, in the process
makes comments such as “The cast of the film<i> Bridesmaids</i> was more of a
mixed bag in the looks department (in terms of mainstream beauty), but they
were all equally funny”. Here she tries to make a valid argument but undermines
it by declaring who is good looking and who isn’t. Does anyone ever think about
the relative attractiveness vs. funniness of the cast of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Inbetweeners</i>, or of Mitchell and Webb? It seems females cannot
escape the apparent significance of their physical appearance, even from the
scrutinising assessments of other women.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as the most successful female stand ups have to brush
off aggressive comments, the most successful female comedians of the sketch show
and sitcom genres don’t care about how they look. BBC staples such as Catherine
Tate, French and Saunders and Miranda Hart prioritise being funny over looking
pretty, much to the advantage of their shows. As it happens, they are all
beautiful women, but this is irrelevant to their comedy and they would rather
act behind a clownish appearance, cover up with makeup and prosthetics or generally
do whatever they think will get the biggest laugh. Of course, some of their
best sketches come from the sheer shock of their altered appearances once in
that state – take French and Saunders’ ‘old men’, or Catherine Tate’s ‘Nan’ – but
transcending this is their astute observations of the behaviours of these
characters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The media tells women to be beautiful. It tells them to
dress, eat and behave in a certain way. Women are constantly bombarded with a
huge set of ideals: from the covers of glossy magazines; dietary advice;
television adverts and window displays. It is not surprising that to drop this
ingrained image is hard therefore, especially for someone in the public eye.
When considering the points I have made above, it becomes no shock to note that
there are fewer women than men in comedy. They have to be able to supersede
society’s expectations; not care about looking or speaking in a certain way,
whilst being incredibly talented in an original and quick-witted manner.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In an interview with Stylist Magazine, Sheridan Smith made a
good point when asked if ‘women have to sacrifice something to be funny’. She
enthused about these types of comediennes who will break the mould and be
outrageous in the name of a good joke. She gave the example of Kathy Burke as
Waynetta Slob, not caring what she looked like. However, voicing a sad truth
about the media industry, she then added, ‘That inspired me, because not being
your typical beautiful girl, you’ve got to make the most of the roles you are
given’<span style="color: #464448; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">. </span>Even in a throwaway comment like that she summarises
women’s position in the entertainment world. The ‘beautiful’ ones will get the
best roles, the serious dramas and money-making rom coms, while everyone else
has to be inventive and ‘make do’. It also suggests that a girl who happens to
match society’s idea of beauty cannot or will not go into comedy: presumably men
would be too distracted by her face to concentrate on what she has to say! Or
perhaps she would be too afraid of making herself look silly as it would
sacrifice the best thing she has going for her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, women stand ups must be unorthodox in what they say and comedy
actresses unorthodox in caring about how they look. Women who appear on
television panel shows, meanwhile, must compete with the men in terms of the
way they behave. There are increasing numbers of women slowly creeping into shows
like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have I Got News For You</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mock the Week</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">QI </i>but they are still clearly in the minority. A recent episode of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">QI</i> had all female panellists apart from
Alan Davies and a huge point was made out of it. However, no one bats an eyelid
on the weeks where it’s all men. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Panel shows of this type have something of a gladiatorial feel to
them and contestants battle their wits, fast-paced insults and put downs. It is
an intimidating environment in which one has to be faster, cleverer and
crueller than the person next to you. Miranda Hart says of the matter, “comedy
used to be about clowning about and being self-deprecating but nowadays because
all the men are much more competitive it’s got much meaner; it’s about being
the cleverest person not the stupidest person.” This puts many female comic
off. Those who partake must harden themselves to it: Jo Brand says she can only
get on there because she’s ‘mean’. She says that although she doesn’t always
enjoy the experience, on good nights it’s great and she feels she’s ‘doing her
bit’ for the female sex. No doubt she again employs her background in nursing
to help, whilst other women get through armoured with different tactics. Victoria
Coren, for example is quiet, contributing just a few things, but using her
intelligence to ensure they are particularly relevant and funny. Sue Perkins meanwhile
occasionally employs her sexuality as armour, at other times throws herself
into the quiz, unafraid of making herself look silly and attempting answers to
most questions, uncaring of whether they are right or wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The type of female comedians who appear on these shows, therefore,
risk coming across as too brash, snooty, loud or shy. As they stand out because
of their usual absence, eyes are naturally drawn to them, with their behaviour
analysed more than their male counterparts. These behaviours, as they don’t fit
in with the natural idea of how women should be, can seem too rakish,
particularly for some male audience members. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On the whole, it is men who complain ‘women aren’t funny’. And to
be fair, where do they most commonly see comediennes? At fringe, club or pub
comedy nights, where a mediocre stand up may be speaking about her menstrual
cycle, or on BBC2 where a woman there will be trying to get her say on a panel
of bolshie men trying to out-funny one another. This is not reflective of the
whole.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is simply stupid to sweepingly claim that women aren’t funny,
and any man who does is mad to risk saying so if his wife or girlfriend is
within earshot. After all, just how many Lonely Hearts adverts request a
‘GSOH’? Humour is a part of life which makes everything more bearable, and it’s
not as if the male half of our species give a constant running stand up show in
order to make up this quota. So if the ability to be funny is evenly spread,
with the potential to lie in everybody, then, like any other talent, it is
bound to be more generously awarded to some than others. Therefore, you will
get funny women just as you get funny men. Women are funny. But the media and
the way women are seen within society can make it more difficult for the ‘fairer
sex’ to always be seen as such. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But if you don’t believe me, let me refer you to Susan Calman’s
blog, where she makes all of my points in a far more succinct and brilliantly coarse
way! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.susancalman.com/blog/women-in-comedy-my-opinion-dont-shout-at-me">http://www.susancalman.com/blog/women-in-comedy-my-opinion-dont-shout-at-me</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01251/jo_brand_1251103c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01251/jo_brand_1251103c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://meanmassive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/miranda-hart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://meanmassive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/miranda-hart.jpg" width="159" /></a><a href="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100703100906/tardis/images/a/a2/Cathrine_Tate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100703100906/tardis/images/a/a2/Cathrine_Tate.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/rt-service/image/render/French_and_Saunders_Easter_Special.jpg?imageUrl=http://static.radiotimes.com.edgesuite.net/pa/37/05/web4PA9621074.jpg&width=580&height=327&quality=85&specialisation=tv&mode=crop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://www.radiotimes.com/rt-service/image/render/French_and_Saunders_Easter_Special.jpg?imageUrl=http://static.radiotimes.com.edgesuite.net/pa/37/05/web4PA9621074.jpg&width=580&height=327&quality=85&specialisation=tv&mode=crop" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span>References</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/9571880/So-can-a-woman-be-beautiful-and-funny.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/9571880/So-can-a-woman-be-beautiful-and-funny.html</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://m.stylist.co.uk/people/people/the-hardest-working-woman-in-showbiz">http://m.stylist.co.uk/people/people/the-hardest-working-woman-in-showbiz</a></span></div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-91067358981636231602012-10-08T03:05:00.000-07:002012-10-08T03:05:03.171-07:00Cul-de-sac<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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It was never that bad, for the record. But there were
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all sure that where it’s taking me is what I want. I may need to dive in, but
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The one year anniversary of me working at the Gielgud has
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from that cohort needed something to enjoy in order to feel good about the day,
or else we’d end up just being depressed. It gets harder, going into work.
There is still plenty to enjoy about it though. I laugh nearly every night. Occasionally
life there delivers little pleasures, like the amusing friendship I have with
Nicko Grace; the night out lovely Tam organised with cast, crew and front of
house or just simply an in-joke developing between the people I am closest with
there. Perhaps in time the significance of things such as ‘right up’, ‘oh yes’,
‘I’m livid’, ‘it’s roasting’, ‘not on a matinee day’, ‘well, perhaps’, Lulu,
Biggins, 9 inches, focaccia bread, Box A and banquettes will fade into the lost
cobwebs of time and memory. If I wrote a novel about it, I expect no one else
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To leave is to leave a lot behind, undoubtedly. I have met
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precious memories and made my year the best of my life. But the changes which
have happened are too much to keep up with, and besides, I need to regain a
sense of purpose. I don’t want to resent it there. It’s time to jump ship and
be swept away with that current. Just wish I could be more sure that it won’t
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I had the most amazing week in Serbia and Montenegro with
Ollie and to return to life without him was so painful. But it’s almost
impossible to do anything about that, either. We’re both drifting, unable to
catch on to each other for more than fleeting bits of time. Hopefully though,
in the grand scheme of things, all this will eventually seem very temporary. It’ll
figure itself out in the end. It has to. </div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-63258298908123200282012-09-13T09:16:00.001-07:002012-09-14T05:52:04.437-07:00Summer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Yes, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? A whole summer has come
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First, in summary, I have to say that it was without doubt a
privilege to be in London this summer. I didn’t really know what to expect in
the run up to the event: we were warned to steer clear of public transport and
anywhere central because millions of extra people were going to be putting
pressure on the network and it was going to be packed. Security would be a
worry, getting to work would take an extra hour, it would rain, Team GB would
achieve nothing and the Opening Ceremony would a madcap affair involving sheep.</div>
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Well, some of these concerns bothered me and others didn’t.
Months ago I swore that I’d have to be out of the capital altogether by the
time the Games landed, but of course life disagreed and I found myself very
much still here in July. I was not as cynical as some, but still feared the
congestion and queues and pictured myself having to walk the 6 miles or so into
work every day.</div>
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How wrong we all were. It was dream-like. The sun shone, the
tubes ran beautifully, Danny Boyle was declared the greatest genius of our
times and we did rather well at the sports too, especially anything that
involved sitting down. I have never seen Central London so quiet (everyone was
in Stratford, apparently) and I got used to not even having to check to see if
the Victoria Line was running a good service: it just was. </div>
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I first got swept up in the thing in the few days before the
Opening Ceremony as the torch reached London. I was dubious about seeing it as
I was picturing the horrific crowds of the Jubilee procession and thinking I’d
rather steer clear. However, I learnt that on nearly its last day of its tour
the torch would be chasing me round the city: in Islington in the morning and
in the West End by evening. In fact, the PR people of Chariots leapt on the
opportunity and arranged for Vangelis to appear on a podium as the flame was
carried past the theatre, with his famous theme tune blasting out down
Shaftesbury Avenue. This was something we couldn’t miss; plus I figured that if
the crowds outside were too much we could always retreat inside the Gielgud to
watch from a window.</div>
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That day I woke and was lazily browsing the net when I came
across the news that Patsy and Eddie of Ab Fab fame would be torch bearing that
afternoon on the King’s Road in Chelsea. Too tempting! So off I flew
west, in the hope I could catch them. It was a glorious day, blazing hot with
beautiful blue skies. The atmosphere there was fantastic. Yes, there were
thousands of people lining the streets and yes it was crazy but everyone was so
happy and excited it didn’t matter. Plus, I got a great spot and saw the ladies
carry the flame down the street which was just brilliant.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C-B4-ndEuEP_4wYCoGtVe7wyAT6YxaiC2nsd-wfjCkZNPgO8YCKRNfFu1rbJ5COkgNVTGecRqX75hDCWZZWv9pYJJBUdeYh_8rh315SSVKf4V7zOQldrB-5rDIJlbMiTv9ghOB6k1jg/s1600/abfabtorch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C-B4-ndEuEP_4wYCoGtVe7wyAT6YxaiC2nsd-wfjCkZNPgO8YCKRNfFu1rbJ5COkgNVTGecRqX75hDCWZZWv9pYJJBUdeYh_8rh315SSVKf4V7zOQldrB-5rDIJlbMiTv9ghOB6k1jg/s320/abfabtorch1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Afterwards, I made the most of the sunshine by walking from
Chelsea to the West End and paid my respects to the Olympic countdown clock,
winding its way to its end.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOszhW5BIwkHCAPopFUFaBgCGZ6tJr2wTP65alXwOkdCiRAIB-LrFt0MlAHLVqb7Q5F2rcpRaWHnB0s2Ge_FPvH0kEJHF-VAwI2Nw0E-SSf74R0rtlf074JmzJe5unSUZv_E14kRJraa4/s1600/IMG_20120726_143613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOszhW5BIwkHCAPopFUFaBgCGZ6tJr2wTP65alXwOkdCiRAIB-LrFt0MlAHLVqb7Q5F2rcpRaWHnB0s2Ge_FPvH0kEJHF-VAwI2Nw0E-SSf74R0rtlf074JmzJe5unSUZv_E14kRJraa4/s320/IMG_20120726_143613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I then lazed about in a park for a while with a cold drink
before meeting up with some work people at the theatre. There they had
built a platform outside the front doors and had set up huge speakers. We
caught them sound checking and the music could be heard all the way down the
street. As the crowds gathered, a carnival atmosphere developed. It was great
as nearly everyone who worked in the theatre was there: front of house,
management, backstage crew and cast. Even our old supervisor, who had left in
the dark period for Cornwall, turned up to join us. </div>
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The moment the torch went by was quite magical. I may be
sick of that music now, but it definitely still holds a power, and hearing it
blast out majestically as its composer and our two principals were elevated
into view was something quite unforgettable. And all of a sudden, all cynicism
remaining in me was lost and I could not wait for the Olympics to start.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaGBAGlt-NnO58zF3pvTUtLytFvV5kRDo636M_dMub8QvWxL7t2LaH6tDFvBSmlI8zYWIEa2kEAJquxrwUCYOEQ1J0HFPlwMvLL3TNH5lryAg7N_McNpvKiTXIUX90gr3BvVLp4G9i5Q/s1600/P1030899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaGBAGlt-NnO58zF3pvTUtLytFvV5kRDo636M_dMub8QvWxL7t2LaH6tDFvBSmlI8zYWIEa2kEAJquxrwUCYOEQ1J0HFPlwMvLL3TNH5lryAg7N_McNpvKiTXIUX90gr3BvVLp4G9i5Q/s320/P1030899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(I then had to go inside to work, doing security duty in the
foyer. This was unusual as Vangelis was inside with Jack and James doing
interviews and then waiting to be collected, so I felt a little like his
security guard for a while. Still, I am happy to have provided him a service
since receiving a personalised signed CD of the soundtrack from him – he did
one for all of us as a thank you from the producers for our help with press
night. Quite a special little memento, I feel).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YfObvwnu6EJAvQi40XsF0uJqenDo_M6xgq97BiiA-LDrkY6Jq22PTwpfZnj778IbKpGabov31dfMRegxD_RtgZV8KjkhUkh_bQDsSaYfKT7gDJ3fd0-B6P8jZ9vFPCbquzgsukngFJg/s1600/A1ENl55CAAA3ZUZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YfObvwnu6EJAvQi40XsF0uJqenDo_M6xgq97BiiA-LDrkY6Jq22PTwpfZnj778IbKpGabov31dfMRegxD_RtgZV8KjkhUkh_bQDsSaYfKT7gDJ3fd0-B6P8jZ9vFPCbquzgsukngFJg/s320/A1ENl55CAAA3ZUZ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The following day was the Opening Ceremony. Our show was
moved to a matinee slot, giving us the evening free to go and watch it. I
headed over to Victoria Park in east London to see it on a big screen with
Sophie and some of her work friends. Once I’d battled and cheated the huge
queues to get in, I found them at an excellent spot very close to the screen.
The event was tainted by endless queues, one short sharp shower of rain and a
two hour long journey home, but once the ceremony started those things couldn’t
have mattered less. Being there was incredible: the ceremony was amazing; the
crowd was fantastic and we were close enough to the stadium to see the
helicopters overhead and the fireworks above the trees. Everyone there
clapped, cheered, sang and danced all the way through and was so multi-cultural
that during the athletes’ parade at least one person jumped up and screamed for
so many of the countries represented.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzQeWNbf7C9dy3qo4kQ8MEAOiMJJLrpj9hpu38JShhh0N3GxNZnBBgiydLLVNsp6vHiVM0odjZgZK_y3-LHoH3NOzMtYZqSTuRC3WLZ1GnF-E7GPzs9dAY1B8UQBbAVv7ucfsJiFTh3A/s1600/P1030929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzQeWNbf7C9dy3qo4kQ8MEAOiMJJLrpj9hpu38JShhh0N3GxNZnBBgiydLLVNsp6vHiVM0odjZgZK_y3-LHoH3NOzMtYZqSTuRC3WLZ1GnF-E7GPzs9dAY1B8UQBbAVv7ucfsJiFTh3A/s320/P1030929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And so I was hooked and loved the whole Games. Athletics is surprisingly
addictive to watch and a few times I found myself wondering at my own behaviour
when I realised I was staying up late to watch the conclusion of a volleyball
match between Canada and Ukraine or something similar. It was with good reason
though, as London was alive: people were happy; the sunshine remained and our
show was busier than ever. </div>
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The last little final surprise of the Olympics came just the
other day. Just as I thought the whole affair was gone and buried into the
history books, a whole plethora of Team GB athletes were invited in to see
Chariots of Fire and the medal winners amongst them were invited onto stage at
the curtain call to meet the cast and to pose for photos. I happened to be
ushering on stage so was posted in the wings waiting for the meeting and
greeting to end so we could clear the level. However, who could resist when
faced with all that bling? When we deemed it safe, those of us on stage edged
in and joined in the mingling. The athletes were very happy to meet us all and
show off their medals and so I got to hold a real gold (Etienne Stott’s) and
have a photo taken with it round my neck. How amazing! One last sweet kiss
goodbye from the Olympic Games.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_wKnRJZiiPN-WaTrqrI9CLpnYT_j-noxr_7dKLfHhQPrg6K16j08RHPDMdDaOHZ6wgTcN8KrxEYiR_Ts38NuJV1xXY9R1Vi78kERLTKGpqwa0myn8wYXmsVrvw3p2EtLJRcYLYuEK60/s1600/3717_4170480737858_1252788278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_wKnRJZiiPN-WaTrqrI9CLpnYT_j-noxr_7dKLfHhQPrg6K16j08RHPDMdDaOHZ6wgTcN8KrxEYiR_Ts38NuJV1xXY9R1Vi78kERLTKGpqwa0myn8wYXmsVrvw3p2EtLJRcYLYuEK60/s320/3717_4170480737858_1252788278_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Other highlights of the summer include an escape to Dartmoor
with Ollie: fed up with never seeing each other we at the last minute decided
to pack our tent, pick up a hire car and drive to Devon. It was beautiful and
such an idyllic weekend, hiking in the hills with just wild ponies and heather
for company. There was also little Joseph’s first birthday party and I was a
very proud godmummy watching him toddle around the house I did a lot of my own
growing up in. I met up with a lot of old friends, and a new one in the shape
of freshly immigrated Viv; we have been living out lots of old dreams. There was
a nice few days at home to celebrate mum’s birthday and a fun day in London
with Emily.</div>
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And then September hit. And, with a jolt, I realised that
means I have practically been in London for a whole year. A whole year. This
blog is nearly a year old; I’ve been working at Gielgud for nearly a year.
Every time that the weather feels a bit autumnal or I see a flurry of brown
leaves on the ground I’m reminded of the cycle of life and think back to last
autumn and how everything then was so fresh and wonderful. I look back at my
previous entries here and think fondly of crisp walks in Hyde Park, the wonder
of approaching Christmas in the city and the lazy sunny October in Shepherd’s
Bush.</div>
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The truth is that this, coupled with sadly increasing
negative feelings about work and the lack of time spent with my boyfriend means
that I know it needs to be time to move on. I feel restless and underachieving
and frustrated. I am job hunting with increased fervour but with no luck so
far. I don’t know what I want to do but will give anything a try that’s
different and more challenging. I’m stagnating at the theatre. I’m sick of a
show that’s just been extended all the way into the new year and very aware
that selling ice creams was only meant to be a temporary thing. The lack of
decent pay and job prospects didn’t matter before, not when I was loving it so
very very much. But now I don’t love it quite so much, those things do matter
more and I need to move on. So watch this space. I don’t have a clue what is
next, but trust that fate so far has worked out things pretty well and hope
that will continue in the next chapter.</div>
Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-54237427801187642902012-07-22T14:45:00.001-07:002012-07-22T14:45:19.231-07:00Chaos Theory and Royal Company<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to note down here the events of Thursday evening as
although they will be memorable it is only right that I record the details in
this blog. So far on this site I have traced the random path of events which
started with my own ‘big bang’ of starting work in London nearly a year ago and
some of the very wonderful and strange happenings which have occurred since. They
have built up slowly so I have been able to take everything in my stride,
although, as I have written about before, sometimes things happen which made me
take stock and open my eyes in wonderment at the things life throws at me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I was for a while rather unsure about attending Ben’s
lecture, as it seemed foolish to spend money on seeing a guy I’d got used to so
openly and freely being able to chat to. Additionally, the idea of me going to
a science talk seemed ridiculous, as everyone who knows me will attest.
However, I knew he’d make it interesting and when I suggested to him on twitter
I came he said I should. I did want to see him again as I’d missed him and so
the idea of a night off in favour of a trip down to the Royal Institution
became simply too tempting.</div>
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I arrived in Mayfair early, so killed some time in Starbucks
before heading onto the venue. I was beginning to question my sanity again until
I stepped inside the building: it was a hugely impressive place and the walls
were adorned with portraits of famous lectures which had taken place there over
the years. One’s imagination couldn’t help but be captured by it. There had
been a time at school when I genuinely did love science, was fascinated by
astronomy and enjoyed Chemistry and Biology enough to take them through to A
Level. Of course, those higher level courses soon got the better of me and I defiantly
bucked against them, throwing myself into literature and giving the labs as
wide a berth as I could get away with. I lasted a year of AS level Chemistry
and dragged my way through 2 years of A level Biology, hating every second;
twitching painfully at any mention of fruit flies; genomes; photosynthesis or
quadrats. By the time I left school, science had scarred me for life and all I
wanted to do was read poetry, novels and drama texts. The humanities building
at university was like a safe house where white coats, moles and sulphuric acid
couldn’t touch me.</div>
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Taking my place in the crowded lecture hall, however, I was
prepared to put aside those differences and be open minded enough to enjoy the
talk I was about to hear. It was interesting looking around at my fellow
audience members and trying to guess what had brought them there. I supposed it
was a mixture of members of the Institution, people interested in the topic and
Ben Miller fans. There were young and old people and an equal divide of men and
women. Ben was introduced to the stage along with the scientist/journalist who
was to lead the conversation with him. It was lovely to see him again and he
was clearly in his element, getting to discuss his first love in a place so
sacred to it.</div>
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The talk was very entertaining and I needn’t have worried
about getting lost or confused in the science. It was filled with anecdotes and
impressions; was funny and serious in happy measure and I learnt a lot. It
really did appeal to the long lost teenage science geek within me and Ben’s
enthusiasm for the subject matter really did shine through and was infectious.
He performed an experiment for a bit of showbiz effect towards the end and took
questions from the audience, amongst which were some treasures from the young
kids there. It was announced there would be a book signing in the room next
door and everyone started to shuffle that way.</div>
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I debated to myself when the best time would be to catch
him: I couldn’t leave without saying hello at least. The opportunity didn’t
present itself straight away and he was keen to get going with the signings so
I decided to loiter in the signing room until I got the chance. The books were
being sold at one end of the table he was sitting at so I queued there in order
to buy one. When I got to the table he spotted me, grinned and mouthed a hello.
I then waited for the very long queue to dwindle down. It seemed nearly
everyone had stayed to get their books and it was a very odd feeling having to
queue to speak to this person I’d chatted to so many times. At the theatre it
was rare to witness him or any of the others in ‘celebrity mode’ as it were,
although that had made it easier to befriend them as their fame could be
forgotten about. They were always just normal people doing a job, the same as
we were. Whilst I was waiting, John Sessions appeared, flitting about clearly
waiting for Ben and on the phone making dinner reservations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was virtually the last in the room and by the time I got
to the front it was just me, Ben, his partner, his publisher, John and his
friend and a few scientists from the RI. And so finally I got to say hello
properly; had a hello hug and kiss and a brief chat exchanging the normal
pleasantries. He signed my book for me and asked me to join them for a drink
afterwards. This was such a lovely invitation and although I felt a little nervous
about being part of such an unusual group of people(!) I was flattered to be
asked and couldn’t refuse! He introduced me to everyone as he packed up and we
headed down to the bar. I stuck to him as someone I knew and we chatted a
little about how the evening had gone, the enthusiasm of the younger audience
members and they discussed their plans for the remainder of the evening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got to the bar and I talked to his lovely partner Jess
for a while about her family and my theatre. I then talked to Ben about how his
filming was going and he asked me more about the show and what else was new
with me. It was strange being on the inside of that kind of situation, and he
gave me some interesting insights. It was as natural and great to chat as it
ever had been and it was so lovely to be included there and to meet Jess (who
wondered if she’d met me before, when she’d been a ‘different shape’!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually goodbyes were said and he, she and I left at the
same time. I headed back to the theatre as they got in their taxi home.
Although I’m not going to go into details of what we talked about here,
needless to say it was great to see him again and wonderful to reconnect with
someone from that time. It’s great to be in touch still, not because he’s
famous or well-connected or anything of that nature, but because he’s a
genuinely lovely person whom I enjoy talking to. Long may it last! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-51114811435084935852012-07-17T04:53:00.001-07:002012-07-17T04:58:47.371-07:00Dark Satanic Mills<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It doesn’t feel that long since I last wrote and yet a lot
has been crammed into these couple of weeks. Chariots is now in full swing: we
had gala night and are now into the fourth week of its run. Getting used to
everything new, remembered most people’s names (including those of our large
cast!) and settling into a routine again, just about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The schools are into their last week of term which means it’s
been a year since I last stepped foot in a classroom myself. This naturally
means this is something of a reflective time for me, but suffice to say I have
not looked back once. I do not miss it and regret nothing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work has been a bit rocky over this opening period, with all
the new staff trying to adjust and with, therefore, more pressure being put on
existing staff members such as myself to help out. I have been working harder
than ever here, running around to do not just my own role but to help others
too. This is fine and completely expected, although there have been times when
too much pressure has been put on me, and I have found myself having to do
tasks which I shouldn’t have to, for no thanks. However, things are settling
down now and starting to improve. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all the hard work, extra hours, extra training and extra
patience required though, there are still far more reminders of how great this
job is. Not least the ‘Gala night’, held on 3<sup>rd</sup> July to launch the
show in the West End. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a press night, we expected to work hard during the shift –
and I was a little wary of this remembering all too well just how stressful the
equivalent event was for The Ladykillers. However, in the event it all went
very well. I was ushering on stage and it was busy but easily manageable. We
were all on the look out for celebrities, although I was dubious I’d recognise
many as it was mainly sporting stars expected. Indeed there were some athletes,
but these were overshadowed completely by the attendance of Stephen Fry! He was
an extra in the original film apparently and I not only saw him at the interval
as he walked past me, but had a brief conversation as he needed directions back
to his seat. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only extra work involved that night was helping the bar
staff pour out glasses of Bollinger- one for every audience member! In total
that meant about 800 glasses; although split between three bars in wasn’t too
bad. The sight and smell of all that champagne lined up on the bar was quite
something to behold and made me want some quite badly! My luck was in as at the
end of the shift our manager said there was a glass for each of us, and we
drank them in the stalls bar whilst the party invitations were handed out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLpLU0YmAfW-P2PiPoBFyTxmTNdUDkOccHSM3XYIwRj_bVNwdOqdxKaT6aRs145tASy8g2Pyzr98gdf4qSRv77H0PTc3G66xz7IG4o-r5yP-v7TrjGME6Dw4LgcUd4ChsQOAqwBA1W2U/s1600/P1030809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLpLU0YmAfW-P2PiPoBFyTxmTNdUDkOccHSM3XYIwRj_bVNwdOqdxKaT6aRs145tASy8g2Pyzr98gdf4qSRv77H0PTc3G66xz7IG4o-r5yP-v7TrjGME6Dw4LgcUd4ChsQOAqwBA1W2U/s320/P1030809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The after-party was held at a venue in Soho called
Floridita, just up the road from the theatre. I had never noticed it before, as
it had a modest, small entranceway sandwiched between larger shop fronts. Once
inside, however, there was a large sweeping staircase curving downwards into a
huge underground room, which was already full of people when we arrived. A long
bar extended across one wall, dishing out gin and tonics, wines and beers as if
tap water. Against the back wall a jazz band were playing to a small dance
floor. In the far reaches away from the stairs, a seating area full of white
booths: curved leather sofas and glass tables adorned with flower arrangements.
Beneath the staircase was the press area, where the actors were being
photographed and interviewed. <a href="http://www.whatsonstage.com/photos/theatre/london/E8831341399193/1st+Night+Photos%3A+Biggins+%26+Bond+brush+shoulders+at+Chariots+of+Fire.html">http://www.whatsonstage.com/photos/theatre/london/E8831341399193/1st+Night+Photos%3A+Biggins+%26+Bond+brush+shoulders+at+Chariots+of+Fire.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEXmiU4AP_aJpPcEcG9efQ6BHLIb-27gKDzzA8Tee7O5NvpPbyILqLaKieL2i1h9A4WYs_k2-5-iu6eAnenfjWc5JBYYgA7ayeouqcQ9gKOA3liDPlTR-mKFY80DVCmfV4too_gl9Ly0/s1600/P1030823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEXmiU4AP_aJpPcEcG9efQ6BHLIb-27gKDzzA8Tee7O5NvpPbyILqLaKieL2i1h9A4WYs_k2-5-iu6eAnenfjWc5JBYYgA7ayeouqcQ9gKOA3liDPlTR-mKFY80DVCmfV4too_gl9Ly0/s320/P1030823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLpLU0YmAfW-P2PiPoBFyTxmTNdUDkOccHSM3XYIwRj_bVNwdOqdxKaT6aRs145tASy8g2Pyzr98gdf4qSRv77H0PTc3G66xz7IG4o-r5yP-v7TrjGME6Dw4LgcUd4ChsQOAqwBA1W2U/s1600/P1030809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It was without doubt the most glamorous event I’ve ever
attended. Everything was so beautiful and there had been no expense spared.
Waiters were constantly circulating with trays of drinks and food and as the
night wore on more people took to the dance floor to the sounds of the jazz
music. Naturally I drank far too much and my memory of everything past about
1am is patchy and I know I was talking to some of the actors as if they were
old friends by the end, which is slightly embarrassing. However, I had a great
night and only wish it hadn’t been on the evening before a Wednesday matinee!
Here’s a video summarising everything (although one word could really be used
and that word is BIGGINS). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DY4-TBPn6U8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following Tuesday sparkled a little too. It was an
ordinary shift in most ways, although concurrently, down the road, the film
premiere of the re-release of ‘Chariots of Fire’ was happening in Leicester
Square. We learnt in the briefing that some members of the press and some people
involved in that film would be coming to the theatre for the curtain call.
Being in the foyer in the second act I therefore had to help greet them, give
them drinks and take them down to the auditorium at the end of the show. I
showed the photographers into the stalls and watched from the front as Nigel
Havers, Ben Cross, Nicholas Farrell, Alice Krige and Hugh Hudson came onto
stage to an astonished audience! They had pictures taken, Nigel and Ben did a
cursory jog around the running track and then they left. I waited for them
afterwards and then ushered them all back up to the foyer when they had
finished. <a href="http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831342025519/+Photos:+Chariots+of+Fire+film+stars+meet+West+End+actors.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831342025519/+Photos:+Chariots+of+Fire+film+stars+meet+West+End+actors.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
London is on the brink of the Olympics and although I’ve basically
had enough of it already there’s no doubt it is an exciting time. I see lots of
people around on public transport who are working there and apparently most of
the athletes arrived in the city yesterday. The opening ceremony is next
Friday. Happily, the theatre is closed that night; we are having a matinee
instead but I’m hoping to be out in time to watch the event on a big screen in
a park (if it’s dry!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seem to have spent a lot of time in work recently: extra
shifts in the foyer during the day and late finishes every night. Stage door
today until 3, then back again for the evening as usual. Looking forward to a
night off on Thursday: decided to go and see Ben Miller give a talk at the
Royal Institute; he’s back in the country for a week apparently so it’ll be
lovely to see him and hopefully get chance to catch up!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Managed to dash home this weekend to see the family and we
miraculously achieved a BBQ, somehow finding the only dry evening in what feels
like weeks if not months. England is indeed dark and, I think, satanic with
this weather. A chirpy round of Jerusalem finishes every show, however, which
is a song which I will always associate with the beginning of the summer
holidays, it being the last song we would sing at school’s commemoration
service every year. As my work continues into next week, it blurs into what
would be my usual summer: apart from part-time work here and there I have never
worked over August before! </div>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-1248068544648811642012-06-29T08:53:00.002-07:002012-06-29T08:59:39.968-07:00Wings and Wheels<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to write about my shift last night as although it was my first 'normal' ushering post since we came back, it was somewhat unusual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I think I've explained, the show has audience seats on stage, six rows of them, behind the actors. Where there are audience, there must be ushers, and so that's where I was working last night. It was odd working at the Gielgud and not being entirely sure what I was doing when! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was different from the very beginning, as the ushers on stage are given a black t-shirt to wear instead of the white shirt, so as to not be so visible. Kitted out in my new M&S top then, I waited for the auditorium to open and then made my way to the wings at stage right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Box A, our 'royal' box and most luxurious space (this was where Robbie Coltrane was that time) has been converted into a dressing area/wardrobe space, as it leads directly onto the stage in the right wing. Some audience members have to pass through this area to get to their seats, which must be a pretty extraordinary experience for them! Several wondered out loud if they were going the right way. I stood in the wing itself, collecting people as they arrived from the Box and showing them where they were sitting. There are two rows on stage level, right at the front, another two rows raised slightly behind and a final two rows above, accessed by a set of stairs which go up behind the set. I had to tell each patron the rules about eating, drinking, and toilet breaks (naturally, we must be more strict with those sitting under the lights in full glare of the rest of the audience).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During the interval, I was posted again by Box A, ensuring those returning from the bar didn't take their drinks back on stage with them. Then, I was 'sitting in' for Act 2. This normally involves sitting at the back of the level you are working on, keeping an eye on the audience and watching the show whilst you're at it. I was looking forward, when I saw the rota, to finally getting to see some of the play. This was not meant to be, however.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On stage, the only place that we can sit is in the wings, behind the set, halfway up the steps which lead up to the upper audience seats. Thus, I couldn't see any of the stage (or in fact the audience, making me ponder slightly what the point is). Although this may get boring after a few goes at it, it did however create a whole new source of entertainment. Literally sitting in the wings near the makeshift wardrobe department meant I had a view of the mayhem of backstage during the show. Actors coming in and out, dashing through into the Box and back again; dressers running back and forth carrying bits of costume; stage hands running around with bits of props. I was glad I'd met most of them on stage door on Tuesday, as it meant most of them, if they had a moment, smiled or nodded a hello at me. It was a pretty unique experience! Not least when, at one point, Simon Williams (in his academic robe costume) took a moment before his last scene to sit on the steps next to me, lean over and whisper 'Good day in the football - Italy beat Germany!' and to also update me on Nadal's progress at Wimbledon. He then galloped off onto stage and moments later I could hear his voice booming out to the audience, whilst I sat just feet away on the other side of the set. I always thought that seeing what goes on backstage during the show must be fascinating, so that was the closest I've got to it. The line between audience and stage is definitely blurred in this production, and I guess that means our roles have slightly changed too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is only one more thing I want to comment on, and that is that I heard today that the tyrannical head teacher I worked for last year has finally been 'let go', after months of suspension. I cannot quite find the words to express how happy I feel about this. He destroyed careers, lives and sprits. He created a miserable atmosphere and made so many false promises. His ideas for the school were ludicrous and he made so many inane decisions. Karma is a beautiful thing, when it works out.</span>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-38038595420825817272012-06-27T16:29:00.003-07:002012-06-27T16:29:45.566-07:00Homecoming<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Truly, in the sense that I, lo and behold, write this update from the stage door ‘box’ at the Gielgud! Thought it seemed natural! However, it is somewhat different as it is already nearly eight o clock and I’ve only just had time to turn my computer on! All very busy here, with such a huge cast and company coming and going all afternoon. More on that later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we started back last week, with training on Wednesday through to Friday. It’s strange: the same but different. It seemed like there were loads of us going back, and in fairness there are about 10 or 12, but with a bigger staff now we are still outnumbered by ‘newbies’. They all seem lovely though – friendly and proficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, with many things so similar, the differences do seem more marked. The theatre looks like a different place inside. The set is bizarrely different: they have tried to make it ‘in the round’ by jutting the circular stage out slightly and installing six rows of audience seats behind it, on the stage itself. There is a running track that slopes down from the stage out into the stalls. They try to refer to it as a ‘stadium’ to really give the feel of an Olympic setting. The round stage revolves so the actors can run fast but not travel at too great a speed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cast of course have also drastically changed. As mentioned, there are more like 25 of them: a huge leap up from the handful I got used to! It is a mostly young cast, naturally given the show. Our biggest ‘names’ are Nickolas Grace and – again – Simon Williams (he just can’t stay away!) It’s quite good to see him again actually; he’s a nice friendly man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Friday we were asked to go in for a few hours in order to sort out uniforms and to watch the dress rehearsal. Uniforms were sorted (back in short sleeves and long maroon apron!), lockers allocated (made a strategic move from 6 to 11) and paperwork filled in. We went sent off for a while before the rehearsal was due to begin, told we would be able to sit at the front of the dress circle. When we came back however, we found out that the rehearsal wasn’t going to happen and instead they were still doing a tech run. It was suggested we should still sit in, at the back, and watch some, in order to give us an idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we got up to the foyer, we found ourselves behind Vangelis, the composer of that famous music, being escorted into the auditorium by an entourage, one of whom was filming his every move in excitement. It was quite a big deal, having someone so iconically associated with the show in the building. He sat in the front of the dress, and we all got to witness a gloriously lovvie moment when the whole cast from stage applauded him as the music played and the director made an impassioned speech. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Watching the tech was interesting to a point: I had never seen quite such an involved rehearsal before, with the director jumping in to make changes, and scenes being re-marked. After a while however, the novelty wore off as progress was very slow. Luckily, after a while, they stopped for a tea break and a number of cast members, led by Simon, came up to the dress with trays of chocolates, biscuits and other goodies. After plying Vangelis and crew with treats, Simon then came up to us offering them around, and I assisted him in rearranging the chocolates on the tray (champagne truffles from Patisserie Valerie, lovely!) We then sneaked off and I was home nice and early for a rare evening off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So within a few days of being back at Gielgud my life has upped its glamour level again. On Saturday I was on bar, but the producer came into our front of house meeting to give us a little pep talk and thank us in advance for our work. My celebrity spotting has begun again, as last night I served Nigel Havers (who was of course in the original film). If I knew more about sport I’m sure the number of celeb spots would be higher, as they seem to be inviting past Olympians in to see it. I imagine press night next Tuesday will be attended mainly by sports stars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I’m straight back on stage door tonight! As I say, it’s been considerably busier than I grew used to! I was a little anxious about it before coming as there are so many new people to get to know, plus new forms and paperwork for contractors etc. I didn’t stop in my first hour here and there’s been a steady flow of visitors, phone calls and tannoy announcements ever since. Now the show is up however, I’m finally getting a moment. When Ladykillers was here I got quite confident doing this. The cast was small and of course I knew them all, so it was a relatively easy job. It’s very much more hectic now and I’m being kept on my toes, but it’s going pretty well so far. Tried to spend the afternoon getting myself to stop half-expecting Marcia to turn up with a fragrant smile, Peter to come flying in and out with coffee, Ben to wander out scouting for food, James to scurry in in his motorbike helmet, to have a chat and a laugh with Stephen and a smile from Clive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Old cast have certainly not exited my life completely though. Still tweeting back and forth with James and sometimes Ben. He claims he ‘shall’ drop into visit if he gets the chance when he visits the UK next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha! Perhaps even more bizarrely, I saw one of them last week! I was walking through Soho on my way to work when Peter suddenly appeared in front of me! I seem to have a knack for bumping into him. I said hello and we had a little catch up (luckily he remembered who I was!). He told me about what he’d been up to since we last met, what was coming up next for him and asked about the theatre. It was really lovely to see a Ladykiller!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday was a good day all round actually, so we have labelled last week ‘Super Week Part 2’. After training that evening a group of the front of house crew went out for cocktails (we simply had to take advantage of actually being free during ‘happy hour’!) Quite a few of the new guys came along too which was nice. Sophie joined us, and then we too went off to Kings Cross to see the recording of the Radio 4 show ‘Chain Reaction’. Jeremy Front interviewed Rebecca Front, who then interviewed Chris Addison. It was really interesting and completed a Thick of It centric day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My flatmate is away this week so enjoying having the place to myself. Lots of celebrations are goin on as it’s Myles’ birthday: spent Saturday night at his house at a ‘Grease’ themed party – wearing a pink dress and blaring out the karaoke until the small hours. ‘Such fun’!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As my supervisor summarised, this show ‘isn’t as glamorous as Ladykillers’ (glamour IS an old lady, a covered parrot cage and an unruly scarf), but it looks as if it should be good, and fun to work on. Trying to get a few more responsibilities by applying for cover supervisor and cover ‘fireperson’ roles. Should definitely be looking to move up here, seeing as I’m no closer to finding another job. Waiting to hear back from the interview I had at the casting agents’ last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I have been left in charge of some keys, a CV, a tub of massage oil and some chocolate cake (guess which one I’m eating?) and interval is coming up. Shall sign off in appropriately dramatic and emotional slow motion. </span></div>
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..NB... very slow - posted a day after writing as typically, the wifi was on the blink in the theatre again...Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-39211882014970871472012-06-18T08:54:00.001-07:002012-06-18T08:54:01.978-07:00Super Week<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a difference a week makes! One Monday on and a series of rather wonderful events have occurred which definitely warrant writing about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Tuesday we went to the interview. It was so odd. Everything was the same as when I’d interviewed there before, and yet so much was different. The set up was the same: into the foyer which, as before, was half roped off and being used as a storage areas for bits of carpentry and lighting equipment. People were milling around quietly. As before, I handed in my CV to the kiosk and completed the application form. Only this time, I was there with a group of people and greeted the person to whom I handed the CV to with a happy friendly smile. We were chatting and laughing and trying to control ourselves as the others in the room were looking a little confused and nervous and irritated. It was hard not to rush up to the new supervisor, our friend Greg, when we arrived to give him a hug as we normally would, as he was helping with the interviews! Jaime, the manager, was deliberately treating us the same as the others but it was so odd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Down to the stalls bar, the room in which we had the group photo taken on 14<sup>th</sup> April and where we’d had the drinks bought for us by the managers. The exercises were quite similar to before (no Parisian mime artist this time though, sadly!) but I felt so confident, helping to steer the group of strangers I’d been placed with towards the right answers. We were the last to leave and said farewell to the managers with a formal ‘goodbye’ before all heading off together to the pub for lunch! We couldn’t see why they wouldn’t hire us back, but were told, like everyone else, to listen out for a phone call within a few days if successful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later that same day (or, rather, the early hours of the next morning!) Viv found out she was getting to move to London! After months of planning, applications and problems, this was so amazing! Can’t wait til she gets here in a few months to show her everything and for her to start her own London adventure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday was pretty dull on the whole. I had to attend another manual handling course in the morning, which although involved a brief wander round backstage at ‘Matilda’ was not worth the early trip into town for the sake of an hour. With time to kill before the evening show, I went home again and had a few hours there before needing to return to the West End. My journey home was considerably brightened however by actually having a brief conversation with Ben on twitter! He asked me how Gielgud was and I optimistically told him I’d be going back next week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luckily, the following morning, this was confirmed. Just before heading off for the Thursday matinee, my phone rang and a familiar voice greeted me when I answered. “I guess you know why I’m calling you?” Jaime asked. “I hope so!” I replied. Even though I was expecting to get that phone call, the happiness I felt was indescribable! It’s so easy to think back to April, when we were so distraught at it all ending. June seemed a million miles off and the thought of not being together at the Gielgud for all that time was unbearable. And yet now here we are. We have to go in for training on Wednesday and Thursday this week and then Chariots of Fire opens on Saturday! So the wait is over! My last shift at Phantom is this Wednesday night and I’m looking forward to having a couple of evenings off on Thursday and Friday. In some ways it feels like I’ve only just started at Phantom, but I’m definitely ready to leave. I’m going home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I got home that night, I discovered an email from a casting agent’s I’d applied to for an internship a week or so ago. They have invited me into interview. I’d heard nothing from anywhere else I’d applied to in that field, so again was really excited! The interview is tomorrow. I told James who wished me luck. It will be really interesting to find out more tomorrow, and who knows what could happen?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I had a lovely weekend with Ollie who came to visit. The weather cheered up enough to allow us to sit outside and walk around a lot. We’re trying to plan holidays to look forward to over the next few months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here we are. This week, I return to Gielgud. Of course, it won’t be quite the same without the Ladykillers crew there, and not all my friends are coming back. But really, it feels like a homecoming, and I can’t wait.</span></div>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-24706532490053546392012-06-11T17:38:00.000-07:002012-06-11T17:38:20.382-07:00Full Circle<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been ages since I last wrote, which is wrong as I know people do actually follow this and enjoy reading my entries. Sorry. The truth is, things have seemed a little stagnant, and without the old job my enthusiasm has dwindled. Not that the last month or so hasn’t been completely uneventful or lacking any highlights. I’ll summarise a few now, and then go back to the present, and the reason for the title of this blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tired April turned into May and we had our long weekend in Lithuania. This was genuinely lovely; it was great spending time with Ollie and Vilnius was a pleasant surprise. It did us the wonder of good to get some sunshine, cheap food and drink and some escape. It was a lazy, indulgent few days, cafe hopping, sampling local cuisine and browsing bric-a-brac in the town’s markets.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOTLeoYsfSlmeDb2fiAxyWtXLsyQYcsyX1lzywjg0BAjrxd6QMBM1175uyw9MdgvGs7g-hQGbhAtm8Fesy6FdIEUwD4grZPdVRzL0T_4ZZyQePYxImczeWIsHLHoleEUMtNzkzJq2Oa0/s1600/P1030726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOTLeoYsfSlmeDb2fiAxyWtXLsyQYcsyX1lzywjg0BAjrxd6QMBM1175uyw9MdgvGs7g-hQGbhAtm8Fesy6FdIEUwD4grZPdVRzL0T_4ZZyQePYxImczeWIsHLHoleEUMtNzkzJq2Oa0/s320/P1030726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I began to get used to working at Her Majesty’s. The rota became second nature, I trained on bar which was a nice refreshing change and I began to work out some friendships with other members of staff there. The team is much more fractured and cliquey than the Gielgud team was. People are nice enough but nowhere near as instantly happy and welcoming as the old gang.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been a wet and cold early summer. As I write the bottom of my jeans are sodden and the sky outside is grey and heavy. We had a patch of brilliant warmth and sunshine at the end of May for about a week which was wonderful but nothing since. Gloomy predictions are ahead as well. During the heat wave I spent a lot of time lazing in parks, wandering about the dusty streets in skirts or dresses and walking near the river. It’s starting to seem like a distant dream now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJJEEKL0sVEVIPp024xxWq1Dct8EWUBZWIR5myBfTyDEz0IkdtTK_JbQWueQQyxE8W-Nr6kylcP7ecyYC3czWcsZsdsajrGOP2syCV4aY0hry6uvr2CAeP25jTmOUqN8lPObeM0XqUE/s1600/20120522_162534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJJEEKL0sVEVIPp024xxWq1Dct8EWUBZWIR5myBfTyDEz0IkdtTK_JbQWueQQyxE8W-Nr6kylcP7ecyYC3czWcsZsdsajrGOP2syCV4aY0hry6uvr2CAeP25jTmOUqN8lPObeM0XqUE/s320/20120522_162534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To manage our separation, the Gielgud lot have been meeting at least once a week. We’ve adjusted to this, although at first even that seemed like nothing, so used as we’d been to seeing each other every night. When we meet now, we greet each other with happy exclamations and huge bear hugs, as if we’d been apart for years. Mostly we’ve been meeting at the pub after work; luckily we all still work in the West End, albeit scattered around, so our social hours are the same as ever. On one sunny Sunday , however, a group of us went to Chessington which was just brilliant. I hadn’t been in about a decade but it was much the same. The day was completely idyllic – perfect weather, perfect company and more laughing that I’d done in some time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, I haven’t lost my FOH friends at all. There aren’t many of the whole team I haven’t seen since we closed. Of course, however, that hasn’t stopped me missing life as it was. The ache for it has been every bit as bad as I was expecting. It’s strange, just not doing it any more. Cast-wise, it’s been interesting. James has kept in touch, which is wonderful. He is so generous to people. I haven’t held many extensive conversations with him, but he’s always there. If I tweet him, he will reply. It seems that once he lets you through his defences, he will allow you to stay there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben has been a different but equally interesting story. After our flurry of final communication that last weekend, he retreated into complete silence. I sent him a few things, but he seemed to be off the internet altogether, his feed devoid of new updates. I was surprised at just how much I missed him. Our chats has always been so enjoyable. Yes of course it made me feel special to have a bond with a celebrity, but above that I also just genuinely liked him as a person. Without twitter, there was no way at all to speak to him anymore and so I had lost that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was, until one surreal evening exactly one month after closing night. I was sitting in my room and talking to Viv online, when, from his silence emerged the man himself, with a general message greeting his 72000 followers from Guadeloupe. Apparently he had just arrived to begin filming the Caribbean show he’d told me about. I had barely had time to register my pleasure at seeing him online again, before to my complete shock, he used his next message to reply to me! A few days previously I had mentioned him and James in a joking complaint that there was no reason to report my celebrity spots to them any more (Eric Bana had been in the theatre). James had replied and now here was Ben, saying ‘well come on, who was it...?’ Here is the conversation which ensued. Bear in mind this was the first thing he’d said in a month and in his general tweet he’s mentioned he was on the beach having a barbecue. I was just imagining the delight his fans must have felt upon seeing him active again, followed perhaps by their indignation he spent the rest of the evening talking to just one person!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: ‘BEEEN! You’re alive and tweeting! And in Guadeloupe! Wow! It was Eric Bana, ie him off of The Hulk (I work at Phantom now)x</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben: a very fine comic actor in his day... have you seen The Castle? Just brilliant...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: No although I shall have to now. Admittedly was slightly distracted by his prettiness. Are you twitting me from a beach?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben: I am I am. Sun going down. Waves lapping. Mosquitoes feasting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(this was where I got truly gobsmacked!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Honoured. Sounds heavenly. Could even put up with the mossies. I’m in Highbury, lovely. Did you see the pics I sent you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I had sent him the picture of the two of us just after we closed and later a picture of the newly empty Gielgud stage).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben: sent where? On here? Sorry I’ve been in suspended animation on a star cruiser holodeck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I resent both pictures)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben: looks a bit like you’re my carer! Sweet photo tho. Twitter won’t let me see the others for some reason. Probably a good thing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben (contd.) ... can’t bear the thought of the Gielgud being unfaithful...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(I’d told him what the picture was of. I got the sense throughout our chat that he was missing it all as much as I was, which was probably his inspiration for starting the conversation in the first place).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Please share my pain! (resent photo) Undecided whether 2 go back for Chariots. It won’t be the same – new signs are up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ben: like a shard in my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So that was that. Quite insane. Unfortunately he retreated into silence again and I haven’t had a reply from him again since. Perhaps that really will be it now. I hope not. I appreciate all the ties I can maintain from that time in my life, especially such special ones. Promotion has begun for the Ladykillers tour, and with it pictures of the new cast. It’s bizarre to see the poster looking just the same and yet with different faces. Happily though, Will our friend the understudy has been selected to play Stephen’s role for the tour, which is greatly exciting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of May, after the sun had died again, I enjoyed a night off work to attend another TV recording. This time, excitingly, it was QI. As great as the show itself and seeing the brilliant Stephen Fry in action though was spending the night with three of my favourite people from three different camps in my life: best friend Sophie; boyfriend Ollie and brother James. Recording was really fun and who’d have thought it, but David Mitchell was a guest so I got to see him again! There was apparently no need for all the ninja moves I had to pull to see him when he came to the theatre that time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wet weather continued in predictable but fairly spectacular fashion for the long Bank Holiday weekend at the start of June to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Of course, the holiday did not affect me work wise – I got no extra time off, but London was buzzing in the time I was there. Plus, I escaped to Kent for 24 hours for an indoor garden party with all the family. We ate lot of food, played party games and watched the crowds lining the Thames getting soaked as they watched the flotilla. On the Monday, Ollie and his parents attended the concert, whilst I was stuck in work just down the road. On Tuesday, the two of us decided to try to see the royal carriage procession, but central London was packed by the time we got there. Somehow we managed to squeeze onto Whitehall, but the crowds were so dense already we couldn’t get close enough to see anything except the top of the coach and a flash of Kate and Harry’s heads! Everywhere had such a lovely atmosphere though: despite the poor weather and packed streets, everyone was in a good mood and there was a genuine and rarely-expressed sense of national pride being exhibited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, full circle. Tomorrow, I am going into the Gielgud to interview for my old job. Yes, I absolutely decided in the end it was the best thing to do. I have handed in my notice at Her Majesty’s and Chariots of Fire opens next week. It was a relief making the decision and I can’t wait to be back. I don’t expect to regain what is lost but I have never lost my love for that place and will be so much happier being back there. If this really were a musical or play, the sun would start shining again and the overture would start up! Watch this space.</span></div>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-60918270075043945102012-05-01T08:32:00.000-07:002012-05-01T08:32:16.015-07:00Wishing You Were Somehow Here AgainSo here we are, a week on and into the month of May. How did THAT happen?<br />
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Phantom is fine. It is strange and I don't quite know how to describe how I feel about working there. If it were my first job in theatre I'd no doubt love it. The show really is phenomenal, there's no doubt of it. I am not tired of it yet as such, although am a little fed up already of waking up every morning with one of the songs in my head! They loiter pretty much all day too. Could be worse though!<br />
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The people are friendly... they are nice and have been very helpful, ensuring they jump in if I'm looking lost or confused. <br />
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The way things are run are quite confusing. It is odd doing essentially the same job as I was doing before but having everything organised so entirely differently. By this I mean where you go, how the breaks/sit ins are structured, the rota, the prices of things (annoying - no exact figures so my arithmatic really being tested!), the beginnings and ends of the shift etc. Am slowly getting the hang of it. First few shifts were supervised by a fantastically Italian man called Luigi, who is very sweet but wasn't the best as explaining how things worked, so I felt frustrated muddling through, never sure quite where I was supposed to be next. The thing is, I really like to feel good at what I'm doing; to be confident and competent. I am used to feeling all of this, to the point where I was trusted to take on extra responsibilities at the Gielgud and could still do a good job even only half-concentrating. I dislike the inbetween stage where I'm still learning.<br />
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So basically, it's all fine, I will learn, I will get used to it, I will get to know the people there better and I will eventually get over the magnetic properties of the songs to my head. I am learning some interesting insider things about the show itself and it can't be bad getting paid to watch an incredibly popular and successful show every night. <br />
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Yes, I'm clearly holding something back here. And the simple sad fact of the matter is that IT'S JUST NOT THE GIELGUD! That sounds pathetic, I know. But what we had at that theatre was so special. Of course it would be impossible to find again. But the thing is, doing a similar job in a different place is just highlighting the extreme differences between the two. And I don't think that even if I stayed for months it would ever fix the situation. I knew before leaving the Gielgud that I'd never find that again. Going to work there really was the highlight of my day, I am unashamed to admit. Now it's a bit of an effort again. I loved everyone who worked there; we had the best time together. There I felt happy and confident and popular; now I'm once again the slightly awkward newbie. I adored the show I worked on and felt equally comfortable talking to the backstage crew and actors as I did the front of house lot. Now it feels entirely segregated again.<br />
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I don't mean to whine, because I do appreciate I am still very lucky and still have a great job and I know things will improve in time. And sadly I know all good things have to come to an end. I just miss it, is all. <br />
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Thinking maybe I shall return after all in June - although of course it won't be quite the same as it was and maybe that will make things worse, maybe I should keep it as a good memory. Not sure, but it is forcing me into upping my game jobhunt wise. Front of house will never be as good as it was, thus it really is time now I looked elsewhere. Have applied for an internship I saw on the website James recommended to me (he's still keeping in touch, which is nice) and continuing to keep my eyes peeled.<br />
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In the meantime I'm still seeing the Gielgud lot. Last Friday we had a little reunion there as our supervisor is leaving for Cornwall. We had drinks in the stalls bar, just as we'd done on the last night of The Ladykillers and none of us wanted to leave! Seeing the vast empty stage up close was odd though. <br />
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This weekend I'm going on a mini-break with Ollie as it's a Bank Holiday. It'll be great to get away. Hoping to get some better weather, even though it's eastern Europe - so fed up of the deluge of rain that's been soaking England for the past 2 weeks!Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-57417493759615684872012-04-25T06:24:00.003-07:002012-04-25T06:24:35.610-07:00Act 2?So I had the aforementioned interview yesterday... and apparently it went well! He offered me the job on the spot, and I start tonight!<br />
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It's strange to think of moving on from the Gielgud and doing something similar elsewhere, but I am quite excited that it'll be on such a great show; a show that won't be going anywhere anytime soon and I will be working with two people I already know. The staff I met yesterday seemed very friendly and I even got a glimpse of the famous chandelier on stage! I last saw Phantom of the Opera about six years ago and I absolutely adored it; it is one of my favourite musicals so I hope I don't get fed up of it too soon! <br />
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It is strange that the two of us who sang Phantom at the work kareoke Christmas party should end up working there. And that James F was in the movie version. Weird fate playing tricks on me again.<br />
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Nice long weekend making the most of unemployment by visiting Bristol and Kent. Got some quality time with my godson on Monday, who has become the most gorgeous, happy, bouncing 8 month old baby imaginable. And who looks entirely like his mother. <br />
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Am so pleased that I haven't had to remain unemployed for too long and that I'll still be in theatre. Intend however to make efforts to keep seeking out whatever it is I want to do and search for 'real' jobs. Phantom has been running for 25 years (making it the same age as me!), and I do not intend to still be selling ice creams there when I'm 50!Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-2962724069094770272012-04-19T17:13:00.000-07:002012-04-19T17:13:26.922-07:00Curtains<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Having had a few days to recover, it is high time I got round to doing a write up about the end of last week, particularly Saturday. I knew before it occurred that it would certainly be emotional: just didn’t know whether this would be in a good or bad way. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Firstly, I finally got around to organising it so a small group of friends could gain access to the set on Friday to take photos. We’d been wanting to do this for so long, and although I’d been on set before, hadn’t had the freedom to play on it as much as I’d have liked – plus most of the others hadn’t been on stage at all and I know they wanted to. So, with them, after the performance on Friday, I went onto the stage and we basically behaved like children in a playground: running around, playing with everything and posing for photographs. The set has always been undoubtedly one of the most exciting things about the show (it was nominated for an Olivier Award and from day one we were fascinated by it) so it was wonderful being there with my friends. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">After this, we went to the pub for a drink and were discussing the strangeness of the day ahead. We were already feeling very sad, not believing that we only had two shows left until the end. I had heard that there was to be an after party after all, only we were still unsure as to whether or not we would get an invite. On Thursday, Phil had seemed fairly confident we would; on Friday not so much. We were also desperate to get photos taken with the actors and were annoyed with ourselves that we’d left it to the last minute. We were trying to work out when might be a good idea to try and arrange this, so I tweeted Ben and James to ask when they thought would work. Ben suggested after the party or the matinee. I told him we may not be going to the party, and then proceeded to have a surreal conversation with him about Griff Rhys-Jones and his nuts (he’d been in that night, I’d asked him to take his peanuts off the ledge in the dress circle – it all makes sense really!)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">James sent me a message the following morning saying that there was to be some kind of cake and photo session on stage between shows which we may be able to gatecrash, but if not then they’d be around all day. He described the feeling as being akin to the last day of school, which was accurate. I travelled into Soho with a weird sense of finality. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Had another of those weird moments which made me reflect on the absurdity of my life when standing in a stationery shop in Soho at lunchtime choosing a thank you card to give to James. If you’d told me I’d be doing THAT a year ago...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Had some lunch then headed off for the last time to stage door. Stood outside in the cool sunshine for a while, feeling oddly elated with excitement, whilst also tinged with slight desperation and despair. When Will turned up I spontaneously hugged him and there was rather an exciting, magical feel in the air when others arrived too. I saw James briefly, to whom I gave the card and he said he’d see me around later. As we headed up the stairs, it felt like we were going to our final curtain call.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The matinee shift was fine – uneventful, very busy. I was amusingly distracted whilst sitting in in the Grand Circle by our manager giving us updates about the Grand National as there had been a sweepstake in the theatre. James messaged me again to explain the aforementioned cake session was for cast and producers only as it was Peter’s birthday. I said I’d catch him later then and he said at the end of the evening he’d be around, after shaving his moustache off! (I became worried that we wouldn’t see them– if their party post-matinee was too long, we’d miss them; if things were too busy or we took too long getting out at the end of the night, we’d miss them) Sure enough, when we were finishing clearing up after the afternoon audience left, there was quite a crowd on stage. A cake with candles was brought out, Happy Birthday was sung and a speech was made by Peter. We slunk away upstairs, got changed and with resignation realised we had to go out for food as the break was slipping away. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">By the time we’d got back with pizzas the stage was empty and actors nowhere to be seen. At this point I was feeling quite crushed – not only were we now facing the reality of having only one more shift together, but it was seemingly increasingly unlikely that we would catch the cast and I so wanted to say goodbye if nothing else. It was also now clear that we were not invited to the party, and whilst we knew we would make our own fun it was a shame to think we couldn’t all celebrate the end of the show together.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">We readied ourselves for the final show and assembled as usual in the stalls bar for the meeting. Everything was feeling so odd now: every little thing we did, we knew we were doing for the last time. We even said our fire evacuation positions with particular relish! Our manager announced she was buying us a drink for the end of the night, so took orders and promised they’d be set up in the bar after the show. We had a photo taken, all of us together, and then went to set up for the final show.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Earlier in the week I negotiated working in my favourite position for the last shift, so headed up to the Dress Circle. Everyone felt slightly manic: we were taking photos of everything and swooping between hysterical joy at the feeling of being there and being together, and almost crying from the knowledge it would only be for a matter of hours longer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">In the dress circle that evening was the assistant director, a producer and Clive Rowe, whom I chatted to and was, for the most part, seeing the show for the first time! I sat in for most of the first act and it was really a great show – the actors seemed to be feeling similar to us and were doing a great job. After the interval I did my usual half hour stint on stage door, where I was amazed to find myself in charge of a beautiful hard-backed book, full of production photos, many of which haven’t been publically published. Apparently each of the cast had been given one. Had a good look through; it really was gorgeous and would have loved to steal one!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I was back front of house with about 15 minutes left of the show. I sneaked into the back of the dress circle and watched the final few scenes clinging onto Myles’ hand as we felt so emotional. At Mrs Wilberforce’s final line: ‘Everything’s going to be alright!’ I dug my nails in, hoping she was right. The lights went down and everyone roared. As many of us ushers as could get away with it stood inside the auditorium and we clapped and cheered louder than we ever had before. Many audience members were on their feet and I felt tears in my eyes. Even the old lady extras and understudies came out for the curtain call and as the curtain descended, the main cast waved from the stage, happy and relieved smiles on their faces.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It was hard recovering from that in order to wave my programmes with a professional smile on my face, but I managed nonetheless and we set about our end of night routine. I was anxious to get done as quickly as possible, but also relished those final moments working with my friends, and laughed when Myles emerged from the stalls with General Gordon’s feathers sticking out of every pocket. For once, the debrief contained no discussion of problems, complaints and mouse-spots, only thanks for our work, a reminder that our drinks were downstairs and a hope to see us all in the future.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Still hopeful of catching the cast, I, along with some others, took my drink upstairs after toasting the Gielgud. I got ready quickly, handed in my uniform and checked my locker was empty. Putting the key on the supervisor desk was sadly reminiscent of that closing scene in <em>Friends</em>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Downstairs, I discovered the bar staff, one or two ex-colleagues from other theatres and a busy stage door with a number of people waiting outside for autographs. After all that fuss, I also learnt that James had gone, as had Stephen and Harry. I was disappointed, but pleased at least I’d made it out in time to still catch Peter, Ben and Marcia. I talked for a while at stage door to Phil, a couple of other front of housers and Marcus, the company manager, from whose horse’s mouth I learnt the party was by guest list only. I had passed caring about that by then though, focused instead on saying goodbye to the remaining actors there, and having a good night out with my friends.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The waiting crowd were excitable and a little pushy. Whilst I was there, one of the old ladies came out and I heard several of them wondering whether or not it was Marcia. One asked me who she was and I explained. He insisted I found her in the programme, so I pointed out to him where her name was credited. When she stepped outside he asked her for an autograph, partly to humour her and partly because he was, I think, a little ‘merry’. This particular lady is known for her rather grand ways, and when I winked at her and smiled about the fact she was being asked for a signature, she rather stiffly responded ‘I was in an episode of Doctor Who, you know!’ Whoops.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">A while later, Marcia emerged, and the crowd surrounded her. I watched from a distance, and, telling how uncomfortable it made her, kept that distance and let her go without further harassment. There was a brief hiatus, when suddenly the crowd surged again. From stage door emerged a pair of women, one young and carrying a box of cupcakes. This was Peter’s daughter (the nicknamed ‘Flossie’!), who was in good spirits and handing out the uneaten cakes to people standing there. She gave me one, which I nibbled at a little before passing it to someone else. Behind her, carrying bags full of possessions, came Peter. He made his way around the excitable audience, autographing and posing for pictures patiently. He asked his wife to wait a little way off until he’d finished. As he was about to take his leave, I asked him for a photograph myself and he kindly obliged. I asked him how he was and he said ‘tired’ then asked if we were coming to the party. Slightly awkward moment when I had to explain we weren’t invited! He kissed me on the cheeks and said goodbye, leaving with his family to the members’ club.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcNk7wWUrtzDN-56bLgMCdiAfK1Obtki9MBn4o_i78_G6yv4Z3ZUixwAbALFqh73Vef1u5yb6VHItVYl4GLBHhHRYrhoH3sdfe09BE5hNpKS63wdSjH4xx74nRX1sT8od2GCXlQCLrRw/s1600/P1030616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcNk7wWUrtzDN-56bLgMCdiAfK1Obtki9MBn4o_i78_G6yv4Z3ZUixwAbALFqh73Vef1u5yb6VHItVYl4GLBHhHRYrhoH3sdfe09BE5hNpKS63wdSjH4xx74nRX1sT8od2GCXlQCLrRw/s320/P1030616.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Meanwhile, Kieron had hatched a plan to pretend that when Myles emerged, he would act as if he was famous. When this came together it was hilarious: he shoved through the crowds to take photos and insisted on having a picture taken with him at stage door. I watched, laughing so hard as the waiting crowds frantically checked their programmes to check who he was! One woman even asked him for an autograph!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Eventually, all my friends were outside and deciding where to go. I said I still wanted to wait to see Ben, and several of them agreed, so we stood around, waiting, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, I was aware of great excitement to my right, and heard several of the waiting crowds calling ‘Ben, Ben!’ It was strange: the most people outside had ever acted like proper ‘fans’, thrilled to see the celebrity they were waiting for. Sure enough, Ben appeared and spent some time working his way around everyone there. As each person finally got his autograph to complete their collection, they left, which gradually left just him and us there. I stood by and when the final person had his signature and departed, caught his eye. “Rachel!” he called. “Ben!” I returned. He gave me a lovely huge hug in greeting. Again, a similar awkward conversation occurred, in which he asked me if we were coming to the party and I had to explain the circumstances. He asked what we were doing instead and expressed interest in the bar I mentioned. I jokingly said he should join us later and he said he might if the cast party fell apart! We had photos with him (not just me that time!) and parted ways.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLbeon23wUTRD1tYfJ-lG2BeYuZ91evM4Bf083o2-PjBbcPK5yh1_SRIy20YNfo2YpZSoN_wPjLj0Bb1VKrHfmTrnq1V9c0Z0Ylyb-gWSlToURJTzB6NCItQRHf5YoPg8jbLLSoFVsjE/s1600/P1030624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLbeon23wUTRD1tYfJ-lG2BeYuZ91evM4Bf083o2-PjBbcPK5yh1_SRIy20YNfo2YpZSoN_wPjLj0Bb1VKrHfmTrnq1V9c0Z0Ylyb-gWSlToURJTzB6NCItQRHf5YoPg8jbLLSoFVsjE/s320/P1030624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I felt sad at saying goodbye to him and the others, as I really have got to know them and knew I would miss not seeing them around every day. However, overriding that was happiness that I’d seen and got the pictures with those two at least, and now I was about to go and party with a huge group of wonderful, wonderful people. Yes, the knowledge we’d never all be together again, and that The Ladykillers had closed was heart-wrenching, but at that moment I felt such joy at being with them, grateful for the amazing run we’d had and happy that the day had turned out to be such a brilliant way to end things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We headed off, as we have so many times before, to the Phoenix, where we discovered a buzzing atmosphere. The music was great, people were dancing and the DJ was taking requests: so I got straight in there with a bit of Lulu! He dedicated it to the Gielgud on their closing night, and we’d barely sat down before we were up again on our feet, dancing and singing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 1am I checked my phone and saw I had a message from Ben. It said simply ‘You were sorely missed x’! I replied, expressing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my sadness and suggesting he could still come and join us! He responded to say he was already home but hoped we would have a great night. Feeling emotional but jubilant (and tipsy), I returned to my friends and we proceeded to have the best night out ever. After the bar closed we went onto a nightclub, which we eventually left at gone 5, went to McDonalds, came out in daylight and I got home at nearly 7. A man in a business suit got on the bus at the same time I was getting off!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After sleeping for a few hours, I woke to find a message from James saying he’d waited for me but must have missed me and suggesting we didn’t miss out on much at the party! Got the same impression from Phil, so am glad things turned out the way they did. Spent the rest of the day feeling quite deflated and low, on the descent back to Earth. Had a bit of a Bridget Jones moment sitting in bed eating instant noodles and watching Marcia and Ben on the red carpet at the Oliver Awards. The Ladykillers had been nominated for five awards, and although it didn’t win any in the end, clearly got the loudest cheer when its name was read out as a nominee!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have spent the first part of this week floundering slightly. It felt like on Saturday night someone had pushed me off of a cliff and I was hanging suspended in midair, unsure where I was going to land. Finally today I had the presence of mind to get out there and distribute my CV around theatres, and as a result I have an interview next week at Her Majesty’s. Fingers crossed the next chapter is coming very soon...</span></div></span></span></span> </span>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com2London, UK51.5081289 -0.1280050000000301251.364427400000004 -0.37767900000003013 51.6518304 0.12166899999996988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-12040482530065310282012-04-12T07:26:00.000-07:002012-04-12T07:26:14.114-07:00DenouementHow to summarise the events of the last week?! I hardly know. Let it just be said for now that on Tuesday evening, I found myself having a cup ot tea with James in his dressing room while we talked about work. He was giving me advice, listening to my thoughts and encouraging me to follow my dreams. I don't want to write all the details here, but how incredible to have had such an experience in my last week at the Gielgud. And how wonderful to have spent some time with and got to know such a lovely man. How strange that it was him, the one cast member I had previously spoken to the least, but the one I always knew the most from growing up watching The Vicar of Dibley. <br />
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This, along with Peter's cheese, a guide dog, a visit from mum and (brother) James, some free live jazz, an Indian meal (and me finally getting to eat some meat(!) after Lent -- yes I kept to it) are all combining together to make what's so far been a pretty great final week.<br />
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3 more days.Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com2London, UK51.5081289 -0.1280050000000301251.364427400000004 -0.37767900000003013 51.6518304 0.12166899999996988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-55319887814939761402012-04-05T05:18:00.000-07:002012-04-05T05:18:26.101-07:00Keepsake :)My new favourite thing:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005054.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005111.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005119.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005133.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/rachele31/20120405_005141.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love the little personalised messages! Will keep it forever :)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0London, UK51.5081289 -0.1280050000000301251.364427400000004 -0.37767900000003013 51.6518304 0.12166899999996988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-72884151472950679512012-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:002012-04-04T06:21:45.190-07:00The Butterfly EffectOne does not need to go back in time to change the course of history. Instead, one can make a decision now, and change the course of the future.Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3148576316612519093.post-66224349772353987932012-04-01T13:27:00.000-07:002012-04-01T13:27:32.796-07:00The Remains of the DayFor the last week I have been experiencing everything with a bittersweet taste. Now that we have edged into April, this will only grow worse. The emotions I have been feeling are ones I haven't experienced since my last year in school. I loved school and enjoyed every day; I so desperately did not want to leave. Thus, each day then, although happy, was lived with a sense of desperation: knowing that it would all soon end and there was nothing I could do about it. <br />
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Every day now feels exactly the same as that. The weeks have shot past so quickly it's frightening. And now here we are with just two more weeks left of The Ladykillers, my job and life as I know it.<br />
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It is all but now cemented fact that after this the theatre will go dark, possibly for as long as two months. And so my group of friends front of house will be dispersed and never come together in the same way again. A couple are already planning an early exit in order to get a new job before we close. I am unlikely to ever see again the cast members I've got to know. I will miss the show so much. In fact, although it should probably be, being out of employment is one of the least of my troubles. April 14th is starting to loom like a beast in the darkness.<br />
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It is simply that I feel so happy and comfortable at the Gielgud. Everyone front of house gets on so well; we are like a big family. I have more self-confidence than I ever have before. I have met people whom I consider now to be amongst my closest friends in the world - the type of friends I can confide anything in. I love feeling so confident and competent at my job. I like having people backstage - cast and crew - waving at me from through stage door when they see me. It all makes me feel so at home. <br />
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As part of my desperation, I am savouring every moment. I am trying not to moan at work. I am laughing every night. I am seizing opportunities. <br />
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In an unusal last-minute twist, I have got to know the two actors I hadn't spoken to as much as the others previously. This has led to a couple of wonderful conversations this week which I hope to always remember...<br />
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On Wednesday night I came down to stage door at the end of the shift to wait for my friends. James and Marcia were there waiting for their taxi. Surpisingly, James greeted me by asking me how I was. We made small talk for a while when they asked what was next for the theatre. When I told them that when this closes there was nothing more planned and so us lot would be out of jobs, they were so genuinely shocked and concerned! Marcia offered lots of sympathy and arm patting. James was asking questions and looking concerned. Their car then arrived, and he said 'Oh, I shall worry about you now!' I thanked them profusely and tried to shrug it off in a 'que sera sera' kind of way, but their kindness made me feel so emotional. <br />
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The following night, a similar thing happened. I was there, again waiting for my friends (their slowness can be forgiven when it leads to these kinds of situations!) when James came out. He signed some autographs for people, then came over to me. "I've been worrying about you," he said. I told him that was very sweet and he went on: "I think you should work for a casting agents, you know." I told him I wasn't an actor. "That doesn't matter," he continued. "You're very clever." He said it was a pleasure to meet me properly (he'd only just connected my username online with my actual self) and left. Again, I was left bowled over by his kindness and amazed I'd just been given career advice by a well-known actor!<br />
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I can in fact summarise the advice I've been given by various members of our cast on what to do post-Ladykillers:<br />
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Marcia: general sympathy and good luck wishes.<br />
James: become a casting agent.<br />
Ben: 'flit to the next blossom'.<br />
Stephen: 'drink at home, it's cheaper'!<br />
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I shall take and leave them as I see fit! SUCH a lovely bunch though. I have left a programme at stage door so they can sign it for me - will be a nice momento to keep after they have left.<br />
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In a more-uplifting bit of cast gossip, I had another hilarious conversation with Mr Miller. This time it was about Rich Hall, whom I had been telling him was in the audience that night. I asked if he knew him and he told me a tale of a time he'd got the train down from Edinburgh with him once. Apparently Rich said he was just going to get a sandwich, but instead of going to the buffet car, Ben saw him on the train platform! Of course, the train pulled out without him, leaving Ben with all of his bags (Ben imitated Rich's accent when reporting his speech). He concluded by saying that he next saw him a year later and the first and only thing Rich said was 'I got my sandwich'! By this time, my friends had appeared and Ben was distracted by his taxi arriving. As I greeted my friends, he walked off, but not before calling back 'Bye Rachel!'. I called back 'See you Ben!', to which my friends' jaws dropped a little :P<br />
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On Thursday I worked an extra matinee shift on 'Noises Off' at the Novello, starring Celia Imrie. That was really enjoyable: the play was fantastic and the theatre beautiful with friendly staff. Hoping it might be an option for a transfer.<br />
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Also this week, I met up with James (my not so little brother) and we had a lovely long lunch and walk in the sun (weather has continued to be glorious). We wound up at the theatre in time for my shift, and Phil permitted me to show him round backstage. It was great to poke around the set again and I think such a tour makes me officially a cool older sister?! Looking forward to James and Mum finally getting to see it on the 11th :)<br />
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Over six months ago I began this blog, not knowing if my new job would even extend beyond the end of November. I may be speaking a load of overly-sentimental hogwash today, but it's been an emotional week. Know that I could not be more grateful for what has happened since September. Reminding myself that everything that has happened to me so far has absolutely been for the best, and hoping the next adventure (whether it be working for a casting agency or sipping Tesco's own vodka alone in my room) is just around the corner.Rachel Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932611046965801085noreply@blogger.com1London, UK51.5081289 -0.1280050000000301251.364427400000004 -0.37767900000003013 51.6518304 0.12166899999996988