Hurrah for summer holidays! We broke up last Thursday which, according to my friend who works in the pwer industry, makes us the 1% of school's in the UK who did. I spent Friday & Saturday in there finishing off the set for 'Company' at The Wroughton Theatre next week.
I am determined to let myself lie-in as much as possible so Monday I awoke at very leisurely midday - fabulous! I then proceeded to make 4 To-Do lists and so has begun a, hopefully, productive summer break.
Yesterday proved to be interesting as I had a trip to the Dr's. I've been having blood tests at various points this year, and have been on iron tablets for low-iron stocks (not anemia - which is different, I didn't know that either!) but they were also trying to find out about my weird Thyroid readings. Thryroid issues run in my family so I know the effect they can have.
Turns out I have Graves' Disease. It's an auto-immune disease which means that my immune system is producing anti-bodies which (in my case) are supressing my thyroid and will eventually (in apparently 3-6 months) stop my thyroid from functioning. Normally Graves' has the opposite effect so, as usual, my body can never do anything ordinarily.....so I have to keep an eye out for symptomns go back for regular blood-tests and when it finally packs up I shall be on Thyroxin for the rest of my life. Oh joy!
I feel like I should have asked more questions whilst I was there but the doctor was great and pointed out that it's fairly common and hopefully the thyroid thing will be the only symptom I get of the disease. I have, of course, Googled it, but most stuff is about when it sends you thyroid Hyper (over) not Hypo (under).
Anyhoo, I've decided that there's not a lot I can do about it really so I'll just plough on. My housemate has been suggesting diet stuff which I'm looking into, the doctor said that cabbage is about the only thing that contains the stuff I need naturally so I have dutifully bought one - this should make for some interesting meals!
In other news I'm going to pick up the new engine for Moffy in a couple of weeks. A family friend from the Morris Minor owners club has offerred me one for an incredibly reasonable price , it would be rude not to. I'm planning on walking the whole of the Costwold Way (103miles) and have bought a new, light, 1-man tent should take me about a week with some wild-ish camping. I also plan to spend a lot of time with my nephew & nieces as I haven't seen them for 6 weeks and they've grown A-LOT!
Now if the sun that finally appeared this morning would just hang around for a few weeks that would be fab :)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Gardening at Easter
I was aware that this Easter Sunday was going to be spent in Bath as I couldn't figure out if I was need for a get-in today or not. As it turned out - I'm not! So I decided to get the garden at the place I'm living now in order - it's just so lovely having a garden - even if most of it is gravel and paving slabs.
There are 2 raised beds containd by railway sleepers and me and Tate (Housemate) to some extent, have big plans for them. I spent today weeding, getting rid of anything I didn't want, trying to identify the large, red palm-y type thing taking up 1/3 of one of the beds (and then trying to figure out if it's dead...), moving some bulb type plants, re-organising the shed so I can use it as a sort-of-greenhouse (it has a window!) and then planting some new stuff.
Feeling quite chuffed with myself at all I've managed to get done - although only the next few days will tell if the stuff I've moved enjoyed the trip or not. Also want to get hold of some herbs to plant and possibly some beans/soft fruit too.
Not been to focused on the God stuff recently and weirdly doing all this today has really helped with some thinking and focusing :)
I am now going to cook a sort-of-roast for me & Paul (Housemate). Chicken Provencal with Yorkshire puddings, veg and gravy - followed by some Rhubarb crumble. Nom nom!
There are 2 raised beds containd by railway sleepers and me and Tate (Housemate) to some extent, have big plans for them. I spent today weeding, getting rid of anything I didn't want, trying to identify the large, red palm-y type thing taking up 1/3 of one of the beds (and then trying to figure out if it's dead...), moving some bulb type plants, re-organising the shed so I can use it as a sort-of-greenhouse (it has a window!) and then planting some new stuff.
Feeling quite chuffed with myself at all I've managed to get done - although only the next few days will tell if the stuff I've moved enjoyed the trip or not. Also want to get hold of some herbs to plant and possibly some beans/soft fruit too.
Not been to focused on the God stuff recently and weirdly doing all this today has really helped with some thinking and focusing :)
Aunty x 3
After the excitement of Matty's entrance into the world 1 month early in January and then my step niece Maisy being a week-and-a-half late giving her Mum a 32 hour labour which finally ended with a C-section, one would have hoped that Baby Wilson's (Banana to her friends - well, me) arrival would have been slightly less dramatic.
However she had other ideas...
After the first night of B&I we had retired to James' house for drinks and I was heading home at 1am (some of us had to be in work at 8:20!) my phone rang and it was John, who began the conversation "Hi Bex, how did the show go?" My reaction was fairly typical of anyone being rung at 1am regardless of if it was the 1st night of a show or not!
Banana had decided to be born 2 months early. Jo had had pre-eclampsia for a couple of days and then gone into labour that evening - they had decided not to ring me then and to call me after. I was very touched by this and also relieved, given the subject matter of the majority of the play!
A week and a half on and Banana has only her feeding tube still (although did insist on pulling it out several times and holding aloft in a victorious manner) screams louder than any baby on the intensive OR special care units where she has been and generally shown early signs of world domination - fabulous! :) Jo has had BP trouble but it seems to have been sorted now. They've spent a couple of nights in separate hospitals and been shifted from Cov to B'ham and back again.
I won't get to see her for a few weeks yet - but hopefully soon!
I got to see Matty yesterday when I helped J&V move house from one part of Hertfordshire to another and he is in fine form also, starting to get some proper chubby cheeks now :) Also - he smiles!!!
However she had other ideas...
After the first night of B&I we had retired to James' house for drinks and I was heading home at 1am (some of us had to be in work at 8:20!) my phone rang and it was John, who began the conversation "Hi Bex, how did the show go?" My reaction was fairly typical of anyone being rung at 1am regardless of if it was the 1st night of a show or not!
Banana had decided to be born 2 months early. Jo had had pre-eclampsia for a couple of days and then gone into labour that evening - they had decided not to ring me then and to call me after. I was very touched by this and also relieved, given the subject matter of the majority of the play!
A week and a half on and Banana has only her feeding tube still (although did insist on pulling it out several times and holding aloft in a victorious manner) screams louder than any baby on the intensive OR special care units where she has been and generally shown early signs of world domination - fabulous! :) Jo has had BP trouble but it seems to have been sorted now. They've spent a couple of nights in separate hospitals and been shifted from Cov to B'ham and back again.
I won't get to see her for a few weeks yet - but hopefully soon!
I got to see Matty yesterday when I helped J&V move house from one part of Hertfordshire to another and he is in fine form also, starting to get some proper chubby cheeks now :) Also - he smiles!!!
Blood & Ice - Final Thoughts
Well, the show finished a week ago yesterday - and I can safely say it was one of the best experiences of my life! So far outside my comfort zone and yet being made to feel so safe and professional by the cast, director and crew and, pulling off what I feel to be the best performance I could, made it a wonderful thing to be a part of. I still can't quite believe I was a part of it - or that the emotion and focus flowing through the character was actually me onstage - many fleeting out of body experiences occurred - and not all because of the tightness of the corset I was wearing.
The responses from the people who came to watch was very gratifying and again - quite surreal to have people I have never met coming up to me and enthusing about the play and out performances. But also what was interesting was the other conversations that were started about Mary, Byron, Shelley, their beliefs and society at that time.
I feel I know Mary quite well now, reading her diaries was certainly an eye opener and at times a little too close to home, especially when's she speaks of the emotions she is feeling and yet feels that, logically, she should be able to surpass these. Above all she was a highly intelligent woman who's first commitment was to her children.
Here are some photos for your perusal!
The responses from the people who came to watch was very gratifying and again - quite surreal to have people I have never met coming up to me and enthusing about the play and out performances. But also what was interesting was the other conversations that were started about Mary, Byron, Shelley, their beliefs and society at that time.
I feel I know Mary quite well now, reading her diaries was certainly an eye opener and at times a little too close to home, especially when's she speaks of the emotions she is feeling and yet feels that, logically, she should be able to surpass these. Above all she was a highly intelligent woman who's first commitment was to her children.
Here are some photos for your perusal!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Blood & Ice and stuff
Just had the most amazing rehearsal for Blood & Ice.
We did Act 2 which is fairly full on emotionally and switches backwards and forwards more and more frequently. I feel like I'm getting more of a grasp on it now and am starting to feel less like some imposter who's somehow ended up onstage by accident!
This entire process has been a little daunting for me, for a few reasons - not least because I've never had the main part in anything before, and I've certainly never had to do anything this emotional or focussed before. I'm loving it! The director and the rest of the cast have made me feel really comfortable and before every rehearsal I sit myself down (or at least internally monolgue on the walk there!) and tell myself to give it everything I can as I may never get this opportunity again. Every rehearsal it's getting a little easier and I'm understanding the character more and more, even the kissing and seeing the naked Shelley (first time tonight!) haven't really phased me so hopefully when I walk out onstage and can see the audience (bound to happen in the Rondo) it won't throw me either........
Also last noght I became a step-Aunty! The amazing Jodie was in labour for around 36hours and then finally gave birth via c-section to the lovely Maisy Kimberley Bower. 9.5lb. Which makes her 2lb heavier than Matthew is now - who is now 2 months old!
On other news I was diagnosed with various maladies in February (what's new!) one upshot of which is that I'm now on iron tablets - have had no side-effects (yet!) but I am definitely feeling more like myself. I have the energy to get out of bed, and I no longer constantly feel like everythings a struggle, which means my feelings about work have improved drastically - just as well given the workload at the moment - which in turn means I feel like I am actually doing a good job at training the students and keeping on top of everything. I am so glad my Dr was willing to do the blood tests and not just put it down to stress - even if it does look like my thyroid maybe on it's way out!
Came to back to the old blog as I miss it - but also am trying to improve my Bible reading and am starting to Journal (why it's taken me 31 years is a bit of a mystery, but better late then never!) so I'm hoping starting this back-up may help some sort of routine.....we'll see, we'll see......
We did Act 2 which is fairly full on emotionally and switches backwards and forwards more and more frequently. I feel like I'm getting more of a grasp on it now and am starting to feel less like some imposter who's somehow ended up onstage by accident!
This entire process has been a little daunting for me, for a few reasons - not least because I've never had the main part in anything before, and I've certainly never had to do anything this emotional or focussed before. I'm loving it! The director and the rest of the cast have made me feel really comfortable and before every rehearsal I sit myself down (or at least internally monolgue on the walk there!) and tell myself to give it everything I can as I may never get this opportunity again. Every rehearsal it's getting a little easier and I'm understanding the character more and more, even the kissing and seeing the naked Shelley (first time tonight!) haven't really phased me so hopefully when I walk out onstage and can see the audience (bound to happen in the Rondo) it won't throw me either........
Also last noght I became a step-Aunty! The amazing Jodie was in labour for around 36hours and then finally gave birth via c-section to the lovely Maisy Kimberley Bower. 9.5lb. Which makes her 2lb heavier than Matthew is now - who is now 2 months old!
On other news I was diagnosed with various maladies in February (what's new!) one upshot of which is that I'm now on iron tablets - have had no side-effects (yet!) but I am definitely feeling more like myself. I have the energy to get out of bed, and I no longer constantly feel like everythings a struggle, which means my feelings about work have improved drastically - just as well given the workload at the moment - which in turn means I feel like I am actually doing a good job at training the students and keeping on top of everything. I am so glad my Dr was willing to do the blood tests and not just put it down to stress - even if it does look like my thyroid maybe on it's way out!
Came to back to the old blog as I miss it - but also am trying to improve my Bible reading and am starting to Journal (why it's taken me 31 years is a bit of a mystery, but better late then never!) so I'm hoping starting this back-up may help some sort of routine.....we'll see, we'll see......
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A gutsy bottom end
So I had my practise for the audition I may or may not be doing on Thursday, last night. I'm generally not too good in singing auditions - I'm either too relaxed and familiar or so nervous I forget the words, the music and the breathing.
Last night was very chilled due to it just being a practise with the Director and MD, just as well as, having gone to the trouble of writing my words out only to leave them at home! I sang 'I want to go to Hollywood' from Grand Hotel (one of the shows that will be included in the concert) which I didn't know before but having listened to it several times I really like it and have been busily singing away to it in the car for the last 2 weeks :)
For the first time in my life I managed to sing something in front of someone the same way I manage to sing it when I'm on my own, I fluffed some of it but generally I managed to do some good belting. The result of which was being told I have 'a gutsy bottom end'. I shall take this as a compliment, look at the other song that I was told to and then go back on Thursday and see if I can get through it without stopping, hopefully retaining my gutsy-ness!
Tonight is the first blocking rehearsal for Blood & Ice, I've managed to learn the first 6 pages or so, although I'm fairly sure I'll forget all of it as soon as I stand up for blocking!
Last night was very chilled due to it just being a practise with the Director and MD, just as well as, having gone to the trouble of writing my words out only to leave them at home! I sang 'I want to go to Hollywood' from Grand Hotel (one of the shows that will be included in the concert) which I didn't know before but having listened to it several times I really like it and have been busily singing away to it in the car for the last 2 weeks :)
For the first time in my life I managed to sing something in front of someone the same way I manage to sing it when I'm on my own, I fluffed some of it but generally I managed to do some good belting. The result of which was being told I have 'a gutsy bottom end'. I shall take this as a compliment, look at the other song that I was told to and then go back on Thursday and see if I can get through it without stopping, hopefully retaining my gutsy-ness!
Tonight is the first blocking rehearsal for Blood & Ice, I've managed to learn the first 6 pages or so, although I'm fairly sure I'll forget all of it as soon as I stand up for blocking!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Line learning - never as easy as you think!
After a hectic week involving my birthday, moving house, 2 weekends in work, the birth of my nephew (4 weeks premature), first read through of Blood & Ice, going to see my tiny nephew and spending the day with him; I am sitting in Coventry waiting for the hour when I must pick up a sofa (and various other objects) from one house and take it and the objects either here of back to Bath - before heading out to a character workshop for B&I.
So I thought in this lull I should do some more studying up and line learning. I managed to put myself into a small state of terror by listening to the read through on my way up here last night - I stopped trying to repeat lines after about 15mins whilst the realisation of just how much I have to learn slowly dawned on me. I think what is worrying me more is that I've NEVER had this many lines to learn (or even half this many!) and it's been at least 5 years since I did any major bit of acting. Still, at this moment, I am still relishing the challenge do have decided to apply myself to the creation of a 2 timelines.
One to help me visualise Mary's life and the happenings there in
And one to help me plan out learning all of the dialogue.... I'll start with the 1 page which I do not speak on, and go from there!
So I thought in this lull I should do some more studying up and line learning. I managed to put myself into a small state of terror by listening to the read through on my way up here last night - I stopped trying to repeat lines after about 15mins whilst the realisation of just how much I have to learn slowly dawned on me. I think what is worrying me more is that I've NEVER had this many lines to learn (or even half this many!) and it's been at least 5 years since I did any major bit of acting. Still, at this moment, I am still relishing the challenge do have decided to apply myself to the creation of a 2 timelines.
One to help me visualise Mary's life and the happenings there in
And one to help me plan out learning all of the dialogue.... I'll start with the 1 page which I do not speak on, and go from there!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Aunty/ie
Ahh, the question of titles - but at the end of the day it doesn't matter.
Matthew David Pearse Cliff came into the world yesterday, 4 weeks early but still weighing a healthy 6lb 8oz! Vicky is doing OK but she had pre-eclampsia so they are keeping her in for monitoring etc. Was a worrying time for a bit there.
On top of this it was my Birthday on Saturday , which I'm fairly sure Matthew's will eclipse from now on! (it's fine last years was the last important one for a while!), and I moved house, and was in work all weekend.
Still to get my Birthday presents.
Lovely folks helped me move so only took 4 hours. New house is good, although tgere's an ammonia type smell in my room that comes and goes which is not so good!
Didn't have to call any ambulances for this PST w/end so an improvement on the last one......
BLOG rehearsal tonight was fun - thinking of having a go for a solo, see how that pans out.
Mostly very nervous about 1st Blood& Ice rehearsal tomorrow, so an early night with Frankenstein and Mary's diaries as light reading!
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Matthew David Pearse Cliff came into the world yesterday, 4 weeks early but still weighing a healthy 6lb 8oz! Vicky is doing OK but she had pre-eclampsia so they are keeping her in for monitoring etc. Was a worrying time for a bit there.
On top of this it was my Birthday on Saturday , which I'm fairly sure Matthew's will eclipse from now on! (it's fine last years was the last important one for a while!), and I moved house, and was in work all weekend.
Still to get my Birthday presents.
Lovely folks helped me move so only took 4 hours. New house is good, although tgere's an ammonia type smell in my room that comes and goes which is not so good!
Didn't have to call any ambulances for this PST w/end so an improvement on the last one......
BLOG rehearsal tonight was fun - thinking of having a go for a solo, see how that pans out.
Mostly very nervous about 1st Blood& Ice rehearsal tomorrow, so an early night with Frankenstein and Mary's diaries as light reading!
Posted with BloghuB for Windows Phone 7
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Packing again
So a new year and this years resolution? To be a bit more resolute about typing on this blog!
Got a lot going on at the moment (but then, when havent I?!), the biggest thing being that, after a glorious year of living in the most oppulent street in Bath I am moving to steeper climbs and cheaper rent (and an actual house, first in five years!) so am in the midst of yet again packing up my stuff. This is being aided by the fact that I now have specialist packing boxes and I wrote what goes in which the last time I moved.
Decent Rogues will be on again in half term, slightly different cast, very different venue and then it goes onto a week run in London. I won't be doing the short run in London because.....
I have manged to get the main part in a play which is on the following week. I will be playing Mary Shelley in Blood & Ice at the Rondo Theatre (end of March) and I have to admit to being more nervous than I have ever been about any part - not least because I'm onstage on every page and I've never had to learn this may lines - even without the 6 year gap since the last time I did a play in a theatre. Although Mary Magdelene in the Passion Play last year was pretty epic......
Work is OK, despite saying we'd ease off the work load due to having one less member of staff we still seem to have a jam packed term! Past prefect coming in tomorrow to have a natter about how WCMD is going and the cool theatre type stuff she's been up to - and another one appearing on Saturday to help out with the PST weekend, very proud.
Yup, that's right, Saturday is my 31st birthday and I shall be spending the weekend working and moving house. Joy. Although hopefully some festivity shall occur in the evening, if I can persuade people to help me move stuff!
Got a lot going on at the moment (but then, when havent I?!), the biggest thing being that, after a glorious year of living in the most oppulent street in Bath I am moving to steeper climbs and cheaper rent (and an actual house, first in five years!) so am in the midst of yet again packing up my stuff. This is being aided by the fact that I now have specialist packing boxes and I wrote what goes in which the last time I moved.
Decent Rogues will be on again in half term, slightly different cast, very different venue and then it goes onto a week run in London. I won't be doing the short run in London because.....
I have manged to get the main part in a play which is on the following week. I will be playing Mary Shelley in Blood & Ice at the Rondo Theatre (end of March) and I have to admit to being more nervous than I have ever been about any part - not least because I'm onstage on every page and I've never had to learn this may lines - even without the 6 year gap since the last time I did a play in a theatre. Although Mary Magdelene in the Passion Play last year was pretty epic......
Work is OK, despite saying we'd ease off the work load due to having one less member of staff we still seem to have a jam packed term! Past prefect coming in tomorrow to have a natter about how WCMD is going and the cool theatre type stuff she's been up to - and another one appearing on Saturday to help out with the PST weekend, very proud.
Yup, that's right, Saturday is my 31st birthday and I shall be spending the weekend working and moving house. Joy. Although hopefully some festivity shall occur in the evening, if I can persuade people to help me move stuff!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
BBC Points West Interview with Dan Lashbrook, Rob Pratt and Petra Schofield
The Points West Interview for the Show I Stage Managed at the beginning of the summer - I'm in it three times - spot me if you can.
This show was an amazing experience, a fantastic company and the best crew I think I've worked with!
Hopefully it'll be on again in the New Year taking a trip to other places - we'll see :)
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