Sometimes the excitement of preparing another production isn’t quite exciting enough.
When the Theatre Anti-Gods come out to make their mischief, this time in the form of Storm Nils that hit us all during Wednesday night, we all suffer. Torrential, persistent rain meant that buckets were in full use by those who suddenly discovered leaks where there had been none before. Storm force winds made short work of anything that hadn’t been tied down and Thursday morning found us hard at work with chainsaws, ladders, spare roof tiles and tarpaulins and looking for outside furniture that was still heading eastwards. Nevertheless, the weather conditions were somewhat better than a fine day on the west coast of Scotland.
Even on Friday, the day before our first performance in Boudrac, few of us had power or internet (and who can survive long without that). To add a further bit of spice and uncertainty our Director and at least one of the cast fell ill with the current snot and sniffles bug but, come to think of it, probably kennel cough and were feeling decidedly out of sorts. The more fortunate were trying to set up the scene, tables and bar in the Salle des Fêtes without any power, light or heating. “The show must go on” was the feeble cry from those of the ETC still fit and healthy enough to carry on. “We’re doomed” hadn’t passed our lips – yet.
Others, and I can count myself among them, just re-read their scripts by candlelight and silently prayed to the Theatre Anti-Gods to rugga boff and leave them alone. Sometimes it’s simply A Dog’s Life!
On the 14th, St Valentine’s Day, another spell of fine West Highland weather loudly announced it’s presence and most of us had power and internet restored. We were all gathered, bruised, battered, soggy, worn out but more or less intact, treated against worms, ticks and rabies and ready to do our best for our adoring public.
What happened next? In my opinion one of the best shows we have produced to an audience who were left laughing and crying simultaneously at A Dog’s Life and, after a lovely lunch and a performance of Alternative Accommodation, departed with smiles and laughter into the wild, ragged, windblown wastes of what was left of Boudrac.
And to get home to find that Scotland has thrashed England in The 6 Nations. Well, that was the icing on the cake!