This Place is Like a Circus!!!!!!!

Comedy is difficult!  Especially slapstick. The trick is to have fun while you are performing it.  {Maureen O'Hara}

We seem to be storming through the first act!  The opening scenes and numbers are blocked and we were treated with starting work on a slapstick routine we have for Act One.  I don't want to spoil any of the surprises, so obviously I can't go into much detail, however.... keep an eye out for a little chaos happening in midway through the first act!

The culprits being Nora, Myself and Cheeky causing the mayhem and Snow White trying to keep everything in order... and failing!  There are props going everywhere, lots of mess and hopefully plenty of laughs for the audience.

I have literally cried today working with the fellas.  PG is a joy as ever and Ray is also up for a laugh.  And that's with a pint or two inside us.   We had one moment where PG thought it may be nice for me to catch him - before he revised his suggestion saying I wouldn't be able to hold him.  However each time we rehearsed the scene, he ended up doing a manoeuvre I can only liken to a dog humping it's owners leg.   We were in hysterics.  And once something has set us off... it's hard to get us back!

This carried through to today's rehearsals... where we have another little caper to work on.... this one with most of the cast.  We have tricks, acrobatics and lots of tomfoolery!  We were all having a lovely time, but Gerry has ensured that this hilarity will transfer over to the audience.  We've already had the best of times rehearsing and we haven't even touched the second act.

Josie is great to work with.  Very professional and very funny.  She's coming up with lots of suggestions which all adds to the fun.  It's such a joy to work with such a comic actress - she seems to love playing, which is what panto rehearsal need.  She's got some pipes on her as well.  She has a great number with our Prince... my mucka Peter Dukes, which I think may just bring the house down.

The Guildford audiences always seem to savour the moments where they are directly addressed and included in the comedy... and Josie does this in spades.

I can't sign off without mentioning the annual Guildford Christmas light switch on!!  It's tonight and yours truly is back up on the balcony at the Town Hall.  I'll be having a quick interview with "the PG" and then there for the countdown and switch on!  I loved it last year - so I'm hoping lots of you will turn out, if you can to see us!  I'll try and gets some piccies!!

Happy Countdown to Christmas everyone!!

JB x