A week off (at last!) but all over the place

Unexpectedly this was pretty much a week off for me and rather welcome as I can’t think when I last had any time off (not that I’m complaining).

Having headed up north Sunday evening Monday was spent in the car with Mum for most of the day going on various errands and doing a bit of shopping which might not sound like much, but was rather nice as I can’t think it normally happens. Tuesday was a little quieter but much the same (I’ve been putting off a lot of not so exciting jobs). However, that night we went to the New Vic to see ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Having not been to the New Vic for ages it was great to go back and see a really good show, which happened to be a co-production with Northern Broadside. It’s not a Shakespeare I’d seen before but I thought it was a very strong production, set in World War 2, with a strong northern cast who seemed to find a real energy and humour to the play which I think can so easily be missed. As seems to always be the case there was in fact someone I wanted to stage door, so we sat in the bar afterwards waiting for the cast to come out, but unbeknown to me there was a post-show discussion so we listened to that which was fascinating. Afterwards I did manage to meet the lady I’d hoped to stage door who was not only lovely and very bubbly, but had also been in The Archers recently so Mum had a good chat with her as well.

Wednesday was the end of my time up north as I headed back to Cardiff after a leisurely morning (makes a change). Whilst I can’t talk about Thursday as it was filming the later half of my week was spent in London. Having only worked one day this week Friday was another quiet day, spent in the BFI, in the ever fascinating company of Rob Goodman. Having briefly said hello to him last Saturday at the signing we didn’t really get chance to talk, but it worked out rather nicely that I was in London on Friday so we were able to spend a very leisurely afternoon chatting and putting the worlds to rights. It also worked out rather well for me as I (rather last minute) booked to see ‘Tartuffe’ at the National. In all honesty I had no idea what the show was before going in, but I realise after seeing it that it was one that I should have had some idea of due to its writer. It was a fascinating production looking at greed and class in society and class values, which when told in a modern-day setting didn’t seem outdated at all (perhaps that’s rather worrying dear reader). I was also only three rows from the front which was brilliant! After the show I met up with Dad and we managed to stage door another actress, Susan Engel, who I have wanted to meet for years and she was nothing but charming.

Dad doesn’t normally make a habit of suddenly appearing at stage doors, but our impetus for the trip to London was for an early start on the Saturday for a trip to Olympia for a rather big signing. Thankfully it wasn’t wet and windy as we were up and outside queuing very early. It was certainly worth the early start as for once the day wasn’t that long and fairly pain free as we managed to meet everyone and do everything by about 13.00 (make as change). For me the main draw was John Simm (remember him from a trip to the National?). It was certainly worth the trip as he was nothing but charming, warm and friendly making time for everyone (including Dad for a change). With a surprisingly early start we left Olympia, had a nice relaxed lunch and pottered around Covent Garden for the rest of the day (no Yeti in sight) and both still made it back for a reasonable time.

Having had a rather busy week in a number of places, Sunday was spent unpacking, tidying up and doing all the jobs I hadn’t quite got around to, ready for another busy week which I will probably not really be able to talk about.