It's cooler.....

Yes, there's a little hint of autumn "a'comin' in" - and the most important task for me now is - what to pack for my Stockholm visit next week ? Sure as 'eggs is eggs', if I turn up with warmer togs there'll be 'an unseasonal heatwave', and if I stay in summer clothes - we'll have a 'cold snap'... so I think I'll wear two layers, then I can shed or don as the weather dictates ... That reminds me of an amusing incident, when I was playing the leading lady, in Ivor Novello's musical "Perchance to Dream", many moons since, when I had the proverbial 'hour glass figure' - oooh yes I diiid !!.Use your imagination.... The show is set in three different generations - you play yourself, then your daughter - and finally, your own Granddaughter ! This entailed a very quick costume change from Victorian crinoline to 1920's "flapper" dress. The only way to achieve it was to 'underdress' the 20's costume, whizz offstage to the quick change room and strip off the crinoline. All well and good for several performances until there was a change of conductor - without a technical rehearsal to give him some idea of timings......ooops - economy- ! Always a hairy situation all round - technical crews, wardrobe and makeup staff sometimes have to cope with a lot of stress on these occasions.....and poor dancers, if they haven't had time to rehearse - the 'flying ballet ' can manifest itself. In "Orfee" at Stockholm Royal Opera last spring, with a change of M.D., the ballet master 'shot' out of the production box with a stifled expletive, and made it onstage in Olympic time to assist in harnessing the incredibly versatile Anna ('Orfee' Larsson) for her spectacular "Cirque du Soleil" slow motion tumble down to Hades - they just made it.....phwooor. The dancers survived the double paced sequence - and did Ana Lugana and I we ever hold our breath - and hands - so long... Such is the excitement of the adreniline rush which typifies the 'live' performance and keeps things moving along ...and hooow! Back to Novello - quick costume change. So, there was I, with a third of the rehearsed time to swap costumes, due to superfast tempi set by the new conductor, and no way of making it to the little changing room, so we just got on with it in the wings. The routine was that I simply held my arms up over my head, two wardrobe ladies unhooked the bodice at the back (no zips then..) and pulled the crinoline down;, whilst a third lady held up the bodice of the flapper frock. In the ensuing panic, third lady didn't make it, so I found myself doing the only striptease of my professional life - and that really does take your breath away and turn ones cheeks puce - hands clutch boobs, stagehands TRY NOT to look - you must be joking ...! (I can hardly write for laughing at this reminiscence). At the time I had very presentable 'assets' - wouldn't dare do it now as the sight might blind the crew .....has anyone else had such excitement in a spontaneous and un-rehearsed scene....? This week a nine year old American boy pianist is giving a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. He's been playing since he was - two - and is very impressive with a precocious talent....let's hope he's not burnt out in his youth as is so often the case with ambitious parents.....! Personally I was a 'late starter' and am still 'trying to catch up with meself' - that's not a mis-spelling but an 18th. Century 'turn of phrase' - just my era...!!! Hee he he..madcow disease is still about.....To all of you, especially my lovely breathers, be happy and inspired. Yesterday I had a mind blowing session with the Remarkable Rosalind P - she's off to give them a treat in Seattle soooon, and watchit - I'm storing up energy for you all over the North Sea ........aaaaah, I look forward to the fresh air of Sweden and much fuuun....not to mention that little number hovering on the horizon - "S & D" 13/09/08 ......k..p b.......g...