Well I've been tearing around with the usual Christmas madness and this year my Christmas shows have bumped up to 24! Probably a record and definitely an indictment to the excellent coverage The Stage give to theatres at this time of year. I've had some surprises - good and bad - and already I've been lucky enough to visit several theatres that are new to me.
Tonight, I am visiting the Pleasance in Islington. I am no stranger to the venue and in fact, it was several (probably about 10) Christmas' ago that I first worked with Russell Labey there. Russell was directing Aladdin and appearing as Widow Twankey and I designed the make-up for the show. Since then, I have realised that in fact, Russell's musical version of Whistle Down The Wind premiered at the theatre I was managing in Gloucester. The theatre has long since gone but thankfully the musical was revived last year at the Union and - in my humble opinion - works so much better than Andrew Lloyd Webber's version.
Tonight, I am at the Pleasance to review Nutcracker! The Musical but upon entering the venue I shall always think fondly of my Christmas there, laying on the slap and watching Anthony Alderson and his kids try and figure out how to make the magic carpet fly.
