h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I couldn't sing to the grandkids since they were 2000 miles away. And if they had been closer, in order to see them I would have had to put up with their mother.

I make up songs for children too Only ones that I love though

My daughter generally reacts negatively to me singing at home though she does enjoy 'With Cat-like Tread' from Pirates of Penzance.

As far as proofreading the programme I've said I don't want to get a credit for doing it, as from the number found I fear the things I've pointed out won't all be corrected, and people will imagine I missed them
The trickiest ones are the spellings you think *might* be typos - eg the girl whose brothers are "Pylon and Conor" (Dylan surely?)

Then there are the passages you are tempted to say, although spelled correctly, should be entirely re-written (the synopsis of the story caused this reaction).

Ho hum.
One week today to

Last night had the singing outside the Town Hall. A little chaotic, but a big crowd appreciated the singing (and the sweets handed out by and his helpers ). There was even falling at the end, though admittedly it appeared 'magically' at first floor level, and seemed to be a trifle foamy for genuine snow.

It also gave new members of the society the disturbing realisation that singing in a large open area (like the theatre will be) is harder than in a rehearsal room, as you can't hear everyone else's contributions as clearly - voices become lost, and you have to *know* what you are singing and watch the conductor to keep in time.

The singing outside the Town Hall >>>>
Sounds wonderful. The Boy Scout Troup in our little town is hosting a tree lighting across from City Hall. There will be carols and hot chocolate--with or without marshies. Yum. It's supposed to be pretty cool here, but so far no is predicted.

Pimms What about an overseas concert tour? I'm sure I can find you some great venues here on the Sunshine Coast

I don't think my wife and daughter would be happy - they miss me when I am only five minutes drive away. Funding would be a problem just for me travelling let alone as a family.
Also of course it would be a trifle less exciting standing doing a concert (though obviously this would be somewhat overwhelmed by also being the other side of the world ) as there wouldn't be any flying in my scene. Thanks for the invite though

Good run through yesterday, with satisfaction expressed by director .
Tuesday night is a make-up call, when principals and some of ensemble will be shown how they are to make themselves up (or for some, how they will be made up - it depends on their own skill with brushes ) I am told I will feel less exposed and fall into character much easier with the make-up.
I haven't the heart to say I don't feel exposed at the moment, barefaced (I do try and drape my chains though )
Last time I was made up at one of these calls (when I was a sadistic sycophant to a corrupt judge in Sweeney Todd) I went home without removing my make-up and *really* gave my wife a scare Surprising how unrecognisable one can be after applying a thin layer of makeup.

Three days to

Curtain time is closer. I would like to wish you or whatever its equivalent is over there. Here we used to say "Break a leg." Don't know what the present protocol is.

Many still say 'break a leg', and I reckon when one is to be hoist up into the air the chances of this are genuinely increased

Last night was used for creating the character make-up and making notes so that it can be recreated by the make-up . I was on first and the director took half an hour to transform my face and head.
After an ivory foundation shadows of brown and black deepened my eye sockets, thinned and hollowed my face .
It was my first proper experience of applied hairpieces. Previously (in West Side Story as a Puerto Rican punk) I have faked a more youthful hairline and covered my bald spot with what is effectively body-spraypaint - "Mane"; in several shows I have grown my own make-up - a beard - shaved off after the last performance giving an instantly younger appearance.
For the part of Jacob Marley though I have had to have wispy eyebrows applied over my own attached with spirit gum, worn an elastic skull cap - resembling the neatly tied off top of a nylon stocking - before the wild sparsely haired white wig tops it off. This gave both a temporary and longer term adjustment to my appearance. Due to an oversight the director had no surgical spirit on his table of maquillage, so when I asked the make-up artist how to remove the glued on eyebrows she peeled them off with care, but without the loosening benefit of the spirit. As a result she effectively depilated the outer third of both eyebrows
I am hoping, now the remaining gum has been patiently removed with spirit at home, and the redness has diminished, that colleagues will not spot the subtle alteration to my appearance. I briefly toyed with the idea of using an eyebrow pencil to cover the bare areas, but realised this would be even more likely to be a source of amusement, if spotted. So far it has not been commented on

It may not be recognised unless I draw attention to it - people are sometimes quite unobservant, and have noticed something different about my appearance after I have removed a full beard, but not been able to pinpoint what was different

Ouch! I find the same with beards - people spend ages working out what's different.

Have fun flying tomorrow!

Flying on a wire is not uncomfortable...

It is *very* uncomfortable

So today I took the day off work to go to the Theatre to try on the harness, get instruction in how to fly and practise the movements set. First decided what to wear to the practice - chose normal trousers, with jockey pants, t-shirt and sweatshirt rather than boxer shorts, button-down shirt and guernsey I normally wear. Later received the tip that padded cycle shorts are a good choice.

The director was apologetic that the harness being used was a back attached one, rather than the side attached ones he has used previously. I pointed out that I had no expectations that it was going to be hugely comfortable anyway . The company supplying the flying effects (http://flyingbyfoy.co.uk/) had a very experienced chap explaining the system and showing how to fit the harness and reduce discomfort.

If you have never seen one (and I hadn't before today), the harness consists of a sturdy leather panel worn on the back (sort of a very fat Y shape) with the spring-clip at the top into which the wire is clipped, a wide belt to go around the belly into which clip two shoulder straps which cross in front, and a crotch strap that splits into two after it leaves the panel and becomes the most uncomfortable part of the harness. I think without padding this is where chafing will occur .

Once this has been fitted and cinched up to the point where you can't accidentally trap the family jewels under a strap (which tends to be 'uncomfortable' when you are hoist into the air) the lifting could start. With this style of harness as soon as you are lifted the tendency is to lean forward, hanging from the wire where it is attached to your back (roughly between the shoulder blades) - it is extremely difficult to get your legs in front of you, the most you can do is push your shoulders back to stay upright.

Once in the air it is possible to manouveure slightly, as you would if you were treading water, and turn to the left or right. Obviously it is not very effective, as you have nothing to push against.

The first challenge though was my first ghostly action - to sit in mid- air. This was impossible for me with the back-fitted harness . Fortunately the expert suggested sitting with one leg crossed, and the other on the ground still . This proved very effective, as it is still of course mystifying when you see someone sitting with no visible support, when clearly the leg on the ground can't be balanced on normally.

Then we practiced rising, traversing the stage and landing again. All I had to do was keep my shoulders back, face or cheat toward the audience, and hold my legs artistically bent (like Peter Pan) while waving my arms. The hard work was for the two blokes working the ropes. One has a thick hemp rope that provided the vertical lifting, the other two parts of a slimmer loop that disappeared vertically up to the track fitted above me and provided the left/right movement when the appropriate direction was pulled on the loop.

One trick that the operators have to pick up is how far and fast to move the flyer to avoid them swinging offstage (or into the scenery). The actor just has to be in the right place to take off - if not on the mark, which corresponds to marks set on the loop, the actor will immediately swing when leaving the ground, a move not calculated to suspend disbelief.

For those who are interested I would be keen to know if you can use the following link to see the photos of me in my Marley make-up and table full of origami humbugs. http://spaces.msn.com/members/pimmslettuce/PersonalSpace
If it doesn't work I'll look into another way of linking to the images.

Pimms (slightly chafed)

Pimms,
I just clicked on the link and the pictures came through. They are good. You do look like Marley........interesting. Loved the humbugs. The harness experience sounds ghastly. How many days now?

Thanks milady
The show opens in just over a week - 17th December, so rehearsals with orchestra, costumes, technical fiddling and full dress, make-up and everything will be filling evenings next week. Incidentally the bandage in the snaps is just a normal bandage, the actual prop will be more in keeping with the make-up.

Pimms I can ow.. ow.. ow.. fly!

Now I know the link to the MSN space works I have added a couple more relevant photos - of the Punch and Judy puppets I created for the show (That's the way to do it!) I hasten to add the Marley character has nothing to do with them, making some props is just another way to enjoy helping with the production.

The makeup is really good, Pimms. Will there ever be a picture of you in mid flight?

Sorry it is rather unpleasant. But the audience is going to love it.

I'll see what can be arranged - obviously I can't take it myself . I'm afraid my own camera has got insufficiently amazing zoom and flash capabilities, and tends to blur on action shots

I forgot to mention that when the harness is cinched tight it feels like your back is being squashed shorter. Since I am supposed to be acting constrained by my bonds I think it will help me stay in character, twisting and stretching in discomfort

You look... well... errr... *horrible*

The bugs are fabulous. How long did it take to make all of them?

As for the flying. Is the pain worth it? I'd like to see a photo too btw

Thankfully I believe this is mostly due to make-up, not natural ugliness Mind you, if you read post about the make-up call, you'll realise that my boyish charm has been tweaked somewhat by the temporary loss of the outer third of my eyebrows. Fortunately no-one has noticed this who it hasn't been deliberately pointed out to.

Roughly 70 bugs at about 15 to 20 minutes each, it must be about 20 hours in all, but this was spread over a period since May.

The flying does get more bearable. It is the initial lifts that have you wincing. I now have been lent a pair of padded cycle shorts that I am hoping will aid in avoiding discomfort. I'll ask the show photographer if he can provide me with a picture of me flying - he won't be taking shots until the dress rehearsals though.

Pimms, how do you make your voice sound old and...well, dead...and still project it to the audience?