So, this is Christmas....

...And what have we done? Well folks, what haven't we done? We've produced a stunning show which has received more feedback from the audiences than I have remembered in a long time! We have broken with the more traditional CAST panto, but provided a feel-good show with ups and downs which made our audiences laugh and made them cry. Every single person who I spoke to who came to see it said they left the hall with a warm Christmassy feeling, which is just how we planned it.
First time Director really pulled together a fab show (coupled with great performances by a magnificent and talented cast of course)and also did a grand job on sound as well, so a big pat on the back to you Director Scrooge!

I do also have to say that it was a pleasure being part of this cast, we had a lot of laughs, some tears (coupled with a lot of snot) and a real sense of camaraderie and friendship. Our newbies did really well (except when it came to set strike, but that's another story), Twainie was brilliant as always, Dickie really pulled it off as a first timer with a lead role and of course, I couldn't gush about the performers without mentioning the main man (and MY main man) - Scroogie. A wonderful performance by you, well done, your talents know no end x x x.

Thanks must also go to Gordie/Old Joe for hosting the after show party, you'll probably never offer that again! To all the Backstage Boys (weren't they a band?) and everyone who helped out over the last 3 months. Without you we couldn't have done it.

So, this IS Christmas.

We move on to the next one, suffering the post show blues for a few weeks until we're back for "No Sex Please We're British" or NSPWB as it will be shortened to from now on. We have a slight dilemma though, what do we call the blog? I'm sure that if it was allaboutsex we might get a few people not quite expecting a blog about a play, perhaps we'd get a few more readers, hmm worth considering maybe? Scroogie also thinks that he should be called Director Sex which would mean I would be Producer Sex, I did say no but it's growing on me...

Bad bad blogger.............................

Dear All, I have neglected my duties as a regular blogger, for that I apologise and will attempt to redress the balance that Producer herbug has so aptly written on this blog.

Well 1 weekend down, 1 to go... what can we say about this show apart from I feel a Bit Jane Austen about it...Pride, (what a cast we have! what audience reaction!) and Prejudice ( we have the most fabulous-est and bestest CAST I have ever had the privilege to work with, that and 1st time Director Scrooge is beside herself with happiness and contentment).

Friday opening night went marvellously , even with a hiccup or two which Scroogie passed off wondrously. Saturday saw us carry off two shows with aplomb , OR a ahumbug, whatever you prefer. Clapping, cheering, stand up applause and calls for more....and that was just the light and sound team. As for Sunday, an experiment that went successfully, as we had never had a Sunday audience before, the youngsters in the audience were thoroughly in raptures about it, all giggling at the right parts and respectful silence at the sombre and really emotional parts. The whole of the Cratcits were in tears, except for Peter, cruel heartless teenager that he is , which made for lumps in larynx's both onstage and offstage.

So with another break from tradition ( for a traditional Christmas play this ain't half broke alot of traditions.....loads of newbies, Sunday shows, and shock horror, CAST curry on a Sunday, dum dum dummmmmmmm!). Lucky not too much alcohol was imbibed, taken, sozzled, drunk as that pleasure falls to Old Joe/Banker Mr Mills to provide the after show party on Saturday night ( ahhh little does he know what he is letting himself in for!!!).

Yesterday Director Scrooge and your truly took some quality time off dodging rain in Maidenhead and Uxbridge buying gifts for .....well never you mind, as people might be reading this that will be recipients of our gifts.

So dear reader ( or readers) onward and upward to the crescendo that is final weekend and hope that if you have not yet come, why ever not ! and for those of you that have come, come again or better still come again with a friend or two, its the best est show you will see this year, and if you leave the theatre with not a bit of Christmas spirit in your heart, then Bahhh Humbug.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all

Yours deliciously

Producer Himbug.

Build-up Begins, not starring Christian Bale (unfortunately)

When someone asks you to produce a show for them, it's flattering. It's because they admire your organisational skills, can see that they can trust you to get on with things and know you'll do a good job (or they live with you and think they can have more control that way). Then, once you've accepted, you start having ideas about what you can do for this show, if you're lucky (which I have been on both occasions)the Directors enthusiasm and passion for the show will rub off and you'll get excited and look forward to pulling things together. It's only when you get closer to the show do things get a little bit hectic. Those things you've been putting off start jumping up and demanding attention, which is what's starting to happen now! I can also remember, when we get to this stage, why I said last time "I'm not doing that again!", yet here we are.

Anyway, enough of the trials and tribulations of being Producer Herbug, the show is going to be awesome. We ran through it again on Monday, with Director Scrooge not giving notes but rerunning scenes if they were sufficiently poo. We only had to do two things twice, so all in all pretty damn good actually. We had two audience members in who thought it was "really really really good", except I'm not actually satisfied with "good". "Good" is not "great". But we have two weeks to turn that "Good" into "wow, that was fabulous!" and we will.

Scroogie's coat is complete but for the sewing of the frogs onto the front (which are the decorative fastenings, not the real Kermit variety, it would just look silly with real frogs)which I will do this week, although Wardrobe Mistress and I have been scheming about short cuts for Scroogie. It's probably the most ambitious project I have undertaken and I think it looks pretty good actually, even if I do say so myself.

Other things of note:

Titanic has risen and is bigger than I thought - who knew?
Twainie continues to think that he looks young enough to be called "boy" - er yes, of course you do Twainie!
Dickie seems to have given a biscuit to his "dog".
The newbie Clara has been superb and knows all her words and dances (better than some others I couldn't possibly mention).
I'm very much looking forward to seeing Fred clean shaven.
I have a husband once again, as Cratchie has been to the last two rehearsals, although he did mess up his lines of our song, I'm sure he'll have them sewn into his costume somewhere....

All that is left now is to sell, sell, sell those tickets. Hassle everyone about coming. My colleague laughed at me the other day because with everyone I spoke to, my closing line was - "so, are you coming to see my show?" Practise it every day and if you ask 100 people 1 is bound to say yes - aren't they?

So, are you coming to see my show?

A pizza the action on Sunday

Set build Sunday - what fun!

Wardrobe mistress and I were forced out of the hall as Twainie wanted all available space (god, you're selfish, me, me, me). So we spent our time in room 1 cutting out fabric and sewing stuff together, then unpicking what we'd sewn together as we'd done it wrong - ahem....

Scroogie's coat is coming along nicely though, I must say I am quite pleased although it does seem to be taking ages!

Charity Worker now has two costumes that fit around her boobs, so another worry off the WM's mind. This seems to be a cast of larger boobed ladies, what more reason could you need for coming to see the show?!?!

It was also Charity Worker's birthday on Sunday, there was cake and singing and she went to the pub! Happy birthday again CW!

Scroogie and I went to see another production of Scrooge on Saturday in Worthing that was directed by a friend and featured my cousin and her lovely husband. It was truly fabulous and we felt freshly inspired about our show. I now have the task of seeing whether I can steal their prize turkey....

Other things of note:

The stage is up so we get three weeks of full run throughs with the space we will actually have, that's great for us.
We didn't get enough fabric for the Ghost of Christmas Present's costume - bum!
Dickie was going to get nailed under the stage - lucky him!
A ridiculous comment made me chuckle, quite uncontrollably, at lunch.
Much thanks must go to the people not in the cast who also came down to help out - it is much appreciated!
A production meeting was held in Pizza Express over 4 pizza's for £20 a pretty good deal I think!

Smile please!

Well now readers what a fantastic rehearsal we had on Thursday, the cast outdid themselves and Director Scrooge was very happy - perhaps it was the promise of an early night that spurred us on to produce a great run through of Act 2!

Security Man was there also to take on another persona - photo guy - and we all loved the camera - dahling! Although Scroogie needs his picture redone as none of them were quite "Scroogie" enough?!?

Twainie and Dickie were rather pleased with themselves - show offs, although there was some rather disturbing discussions around their exit from the stage, it's too rude for me to even tell you what was said, but please feel free to leave your details as a comment and I will explain further....

Director Scrooge, Producer Himbug and yours truly had our pictures taken and in the true spirit of the show, there was much "goose" frivolity, well it did get us smiling!

Scroogie took a prompt, just one mind and then proceeded to beat himself up about taking it. He's such a perfectionist! Scroogie, we have 3 weeks to go - you took 1 prompt, which when you consider how many lines you have, that's quite an accomplishment so stop chastising yourself, you know you're brilliant (and that has nothing to do with the fact that you're mine!).

We were Cratchie-less again on Thursday, I'm beginning to feel like a widow, I can't remember what it's like to have my husband with me! Come back Bob, I can change....

Other things of note:

There was much, much rudeness - too much to report and I for one am shocked!
We had an audience of 1 and she loved it - sell tickets please?!?
Gordy tried to use his head to open a locked door - this can only lead to disaster and much lumpage and bruising! Not wise!

Bonfire Night - A Few Rules to Learn from November 5th

Good Day, blog followers , blogites, blogettes ?

Well we learned a few things about Bonfire Night and the Fireworks that go with it didn't we ?

So this is the Fireworks Code for CAST;

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.- alcohol is good but in moderation
2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time - as more than 1 firework in an evening can be detrimental to your performance
3. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back- say and do the wrong thing and watch the sparks fly
4. Never return to a firework once it has been lit - let it cool down and eventually burn itself out, we all know that now don't we?
5. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators - unless they don't perform as they should and then direct carefully but with no malice
6. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire - once the bonfire is out, leave it and move on to greater things.
7. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving - and the hall is locked up and the security code entered into the system.

For those of you that do not understand this, you weren't there!

And so we're back, from Af-ri-ca,

Jambo readers!

The question is, can I remember anything I have learned from the last few weeks as I tipped out my brain to lay by a pool in the African sunshine.

What is it I remember?

I remember dancing with Twainie and being given a very Len Goodman 7, I remember Dickie being rather disparaging about the fine dancing as well. There shall be words I tell you!

I remember Cratchie still not having booked his holiday, although he has taken the time off work aparently.

I remember Tiny Tim doing some dancing which, as a cripple, they probably wouldn't have been able to do....

I remember Scroogie knowing loads of his lines (good boy).

I remember Dickie offering me cookies (was that right?)

Also, from what I hear, Scroogie and I were lucky to be out of the country and not caught up in the general lurginess being bandied around at rehearsals!

I must say that I am rather looking forward to seeing everyone again tonight and wonder if Mrs Cratchit will be okay with a sun tan!

Catch you all later dahlinks!

Absent friends and colleagues.......

Well Dear Readers ( I count that 2 people are reading this, so why am I doing this I ask, its because I have to !).

So where are we so far this week ?

1. Producer Herbug and Scroogie are clocking up miles again , off to Zanzibar for a week.
2. We were 5 cast-ers down last thursday, including the Night Shift working Director, but we carried on regardless and directorless.
3. Box office open and were ticket selling rapidly now,hint hint to one and all!
4. Facebook how has another event to promote, Namely ours! Thanks to Director Scrooge
5. Last night saw the annual CAST dinner with 15 hardy souls and good conversation and wine and beer for those non drivers. Director Scrooge bacame the font of knowlege of all things Medical.
6. How does an Italian restaurant charge £1.50 cover charge AND 10% additional fixed service charge and kepe a staight face, its Colnbrook ffs, not Mayfair !
7. Extra hour in bed today, and extra 24 hours of doing sod all with the lovely Director
8. Searching the web for a 4 poster bed, stools and other material for ACC.
9. Good news,, our battle against shyster insurance companies has paid off, new fridge freezer here we come !
10. Why do people do ten things on their list ?

Laters people, I promise to be funnier next time

An aMAZEing week

Hi Readers, so sorry for the noticeable absence, it wasn't all about Jeff's passing, more about having a hectic week of working and weddings. As Producer Himbug explained we had a mad weekend in Ohio (where else?), where we attended a beautiful wedding and it was well worth the jet-lag and the extra money I spent on another pair of shoes (they were absolutely necessary - honest!)
We arrived back on Monday morning and still came to rehearsals on Monday night (there's dedication for you) where there was a little bit of speculation around the parentage of Tiny Tim and whether Scroogie has rather more to do with Mrs Cratchet than he should have done....
Unfortunately on Thursday I had to go to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and eat delicious food and drink very expensive wine and miss rehearsals (hmm, it's tough, but someone has to do it!). But I hear it went very well and we are all blocked and ready to start running through, just in time for me to miss another rehearsal on Thursday for a team event that I have to attend (work is getting in the way of my social life - it's terrible!).
I will blog after Monday's rehearsal, I promise.

Faithless was right.......I cant get no sleep

Well after a wonderful long sleep, 9.30pm til 4am.....what a hectic life I lead, I thought id add to the blog and update you all on all things Himbugish.

We have blocked all the play, hooray, ahead of schedule and no one has had a hissy fit screamed or stormed off, and long may that continue I say.

We have recently seen at rehearsal; Carry On Scrooge, where he transfers from a miserly grouch into Kenneth Williams. Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come or GOCYTC for those of you who speak text,brought in Pre Diwali food, and boy was it delicious. Apart from delicate Belle getting an attack of 'oh my god thats spicy' it was much appreciated.

The online booking is open, hint hint ! so tell one,, tell all, and more importantly get the cash first!

Scrooge had a birthday this week and caught up in age with yours truly....44,look 34, act 24, iq 14. Herbug and Scrooge jetted off to the US of A for a whole 3 days in search of a wedding which they found apparently,hence the shoe expedition 7 days previous with yours truly.
Honestly I wasnt looking for shoes, please believe me but £20 for Skechers, I ask you guv'nor, bargain, much cheapness!

Now im off to wake her Directorship for much deserved breakfast,tlc, etc and other things to draw a veil over........laters my scrooge-ites..

Producer Himbug

Poor Jeff

Sad news readers. Yesterday I announced the arrival of our beloved new pet fly and then tragedy strikes. Scroogie and I arrived home last night to find a body on the floor in the hall, we think it's Jeff. I thought it looked too small to be Jeff but Scroogie was convinced so we are in a period of mourning now and I'm far too upset to blog properly...

Shoe Fly don't bother me!

Let me set the scene.

I needed someone to go shoe shopping with as Scroogie was going to watch his beloved football team play on Sunday. I asked Director Scrooge if she would like to come with me, unfortunately she was on nights this weekend (poor thing). She suggested I take Producer Himbug with me (!), I didn't think he'd want to spend his Sunday shoe shopping with me and said as much. Then, some time later, I suggested to Producer Himbug that we needed to have a production meeting as there was a few things we needed to get a grip on. He asked me what I was up to at the weekend and I explained about the shoe shopping and the football and that. Then, some more time later, Director Scrooge came over and Producer Himbug said that he was coming shoe shopping with me and that we could have our production meeting over lunch - strange boy, VOLUNTEERING to come shopping for shoes! He is now fully educated on the evils of toe cleavage and what makes a lovely shoe (essential skills, I'm sure you'll agree).

So we went shoe shopping, Producer Himbug bought two pairs to my one pair, but spent half as much - How does that work?!? Erm and the production meeting? Well, my head was filled with shoes, so naturally I forgot my production notebook but we did have lunch!

I have another story to tell about our new pet. On Saturday I saved a fly that had landed in my little panther's water bowl. I fished it out and set it on the side to dry out. Now it has no fear of us (it let Scroogie stroke it) and I think it thinks it's our pet, so we've called it Jeff. Seriously.

Rush, Rush, Hurry, Hurry

So, readers. I was full of the best intentions this week. I was going to update the blog on Tuesday, I even took notes! But alas and alack "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" beat me into submission and I ended up watching TV instead of updating you all, er.... sorry.

And now, I have no time to write a thoughtful and comprehensive update on what happened on Monday night as I need to leave to get to the hall, see that's what comes of leaving everything to the last minute. So unfortunately (for you), you'll just have to put up with my scribbled notes which are:

1. Cost of Oysters, this was debated (although it wasn't a large scale debate, or a mass....)and we were informed that you can get your money back when you turn the oysters in (or out).

2. Slurring, apparently, Twainy was slurring his words and has been told to lay of the beer (he's a disgrace, honestly).

3. Twainy and Dickie have been doing it in the bar (nuff said).

4. Two of the book keepers have been stealing (shocking behaviour)and Director Scrooge loves it.

5. Freddie knows his words (well, most of them) and Director Scrooge said we can call him Teachers Pet, so I will. Teachers Pet!

6. Book keepers need to mutter more.

7. The Ghost of Christmas Present wants to wear platforms

8. Everyone needs to smile more - even on a Monday!

So, no time to do anything else as I need to leave now, catch you later.

I'm in the mood for dancing....

On thursday we danced, then we did some dancing and then we ran through the dance we just did and then we performed the dance for Director Scrooge and she liked it. Me? I think it's fabulous and I am hoping that we can do it again tonight, not only so that it stays in my head, but because I like it. Well done Dance Mistress!

Dickie was back from Germany so came back to rehearsals and didn't do the dance but both him and Twainy get surrounded at the end (but not in a scary way, well not much anyway). They also wanted the song to end quicker than anyone else, but we'll soon beat that out of them.

Scroogie and Belle went off and did their duet, which everyone came out from very pleased with themselves although Scroogie says he's forgotten it already (but don't tell Director Scrooge will you?).

I will get better at keeping up with the blogging, it's just difficult at the moment, I promise readers I will improve!

Omniscience at the Marriott

Well dear reader, its in the can, cd,mp3 or whatever. Yes the recording has been done O Caroll-ers there are no excuses for not learning your lines from now on !
Dir.Scrooge announced that she was now ILS qualified, which of course to the men meant International Lesbian Society.( its actually something to do with defibrillation in Nursing )
After Cratchetty had got his little gizmo out, (a recording gizmo, nothing naughty you dirty minded readers!) we started our recording with a small but adequately formed CAST standing in for various roles. We had Scroogy, Him and Herbug,Director Scroogy, Twainy,Carol Singery/Petery, Timmy and of course Cratchetty.
It all went well due to Dir.Scrooges usual efficiency and planning.We all went through the scenes with classical aplomb, apart from Twainy saying ' Omniscience!' at the beginning of one scene,as Himbug and Twainy could not pronounce it. Cue his and hersterics all round!
All in all a jolly way to spend a couple of hours and thanks to Madame Herbug of Marriott International.
What we learned tonight was; Dir.Scrooge is an International Lesbian,Twainy's other half is an Advanced Lesbian apparently,Petery has carrier bags from 125 years! hah hahhh!,Marriott flip chart sheets are 25 each!!,Twainy can say OMNISCIENT! phonetically,Himbug cant open Lucozade bottles quietly and people that shall remain nameless are kleptomaniacs,thieves and scoundrels, with borrowed towels,cutlery and plumbing.
See you soon dear readers !

Pipped at the Post

Ha ha ha, I have rather amused myself with the title of this blog, pipped at the post, get it? No? That's what it's called when you log a blog, a post. And Producer Himbug beat me to the blog ha ha! NO? Please yourselves then.... It's not as funny if you have to explain it....

So anyway, having been given an update on last nights activities by P.Himbug, I don't need to give you all my thoughts on the great job that D Scrooge is doing so far. Suffice it to say, I am very much enjoying being a part of this small but perfectly formed cast of CAST (ha ha, there I go again....).

So, things of note from last night. Twainy showed me some interesting (?) pictures that he had taken of light bulbs and an empty table in a restaurant which prompted a rousing verse of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from Les Mis, just stunning, we should be on the stage! As well as the obligatory Humbugs that I feel I have to bring I also brought Chocolate Limes and I have decided that I don't like them, so there's a whole packet to be eaten sitting in my ACC bag. I had taken some pictures of my hands (the ones I made not my actual hands) to show Director Scrooge, but then left the picture device at home - d'oh! I am going to try to attach them here but I'm not sure if it will work or not.... Our Newby GOCYTC became a book keeper and delivered her first lines at a rehearsal, after a few times she relaxed into it a bit more and come the show will be amazing I am sure!

Tonight is the recording of the script to aid line learning at the fantastic Marriott Heathrow Windsor Hotel, who have very kindly donated some space to us - thank you so much as always. Me and Scroogie are meeting before hand for some dinner at the hotel, he's treating me (woo hoo!) Lobster Thermidore.... Champagne.... mmmm.

Anyway readers, I'll let you know if anything interesting happens tonight, otherwise I'll pick up after Thursday's rehearsal, bye for now!

Hah Bumhug!!!!

Well, the first session of blocking has come and gone dear readers, and no one died, had a hissy fit or stormed off !
Im well impressed with Director Scrooge, focussed, determined,constantly praising and has a vision of where she wants to take us all.
Tonight we were Dickieless and Charity Worker 2/Clara-less. Yours truly stepped up to the plate and performed so well as Dickie that even Sir Dickie himself wouldve been impressed. (that's Attenborough not Bird).
Fear not Dickie I have written all your blocking notes ready for you and Twainy to resume your wit and banter once you return von Deutschland.
Scroogy well and truly scared all his female bookkeepers tonight and they had trouble balancing the books as a result ( it doesn't get any better sorry !)
Producer Herbug produced her Humbugs and as a result im sure some words were missed as fragments of sugar were being extricated with teeth and tongue.
We witnessed Ghostie Futurey's debut and was it me or did the room go colder when she walked in the room ?, no words spoken but there was a chill in the air ( Memo to self, get the radiators turned up next time)
Finally can I say this is the most focused happy and determined CAST I have had the privilege to work with.
If the first 3 rehearsals are to go by, we are going to have a totally bare footed audience , one where their socks have been blown off.
Keep it going guys, you have a hit on your hands.

That's handy

Thursday held yet more singing and we did 6 of the songs in the show! Which is great to get so much of the singing started so early. Dance mistress showed Director Scrooge her choreography to the song that I sing and Director Scrooge loved it! I have been practising my song as I didn't know the tune too well, so I hope she's pleased!

Other things of note from Thursday, there seems to be a romance between Freddie and Charity worker number 1, which is kinda cute, good on ya guys. Dickie will be missing on Monday, some feeble excuse about having to go to Germany - where's the commitment? Twainy was being rude. Scroogie was still a little gravelly having shouted at his football team too much before coming to rehearsals. Director Scrooge forgot the surgical gloves I asked her for (all will be revealed). There was a conversation about Chocolate Limes getting stuck to the roof of your mouth so I have bought some for Monday's rehearsal to test it out, along with more Humbugs (well, living up to my name, right?).

Since Thursday I have made some hands but I think they may be too small so I'm going to make some bigger ones at the weekend, time permitting....

Excuses, excuses

Okay, so once more it seems that I am apologising for not blogging - and of course I have my excuses, pretty good ones too actually, so there! However, I am not going to go into them here, if you want to know you'll have to ask.

So, let's start with Monday's rehearsal - our first one! Woo Hoo! Dickie was late. We spent 10 minutes waiting for him before we could get on with anything - Bad Dickie! However he did redeem himself by bringing down a friend, who was just coming to see what we are all about and perhaps help out back stage or with sets and costumes etc (ha ha ha). What she didn't know (and what Scroogie told her when she came in) was that she would be given an audition (was asked if she could point) and was then given a part as Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Once she had accepted this part and accepted she would be on stage, she was then allocated several other parts including being a party guest at Fred and Clara's house. She seems happy enough though and even called me to check that a weekend away wouldn't clash with a performance (nice try). It doesn't.

Singing was the order of the day on Monday we sang the opening and closing numbers and Director Scrooge was very happy with us (that's cos we're great!). I though it all sounded marvellous too.

I need to stop here as Scroogie need the puter for something else, I think he's going to write War and Peace or something like that....

Thursday to follow - sorry again readers....

A Tale of Two Auditions

Erm, yes, er, sorry readers. There seems to have been a little bit of a delay in getting this blog written up, I do have a life outside of you lot you know!

So, anyway, Thursday night was acting auditions. Open auditions, so much catterwalling and audience participation with comments and quite a few giggles too. Lots of Scrooges, Ghosts and Narrators, Newbies yanking people about and general rudeness (no change there then). The audience loved being book keepers and were shouted at by a number of different Scrooges, some more terrifying than others (I swear Evremonde lives again!)! What fun!

The good thing about this blog being late is that we now know who's been cast as who (or should that be whom?)so I will be able to refer to these peeps by their character names. His artistic highness will now be known as Twainy, newbies known as Dickie, Freddie and Gordie etc etc etc.... So you will have to pay attention!

Tonight we get under way and Director Scrooge has asked us to bring along our singing voices (I'm not sure we can leave them behind can we?) so we're doing the big chorus numbers that open and close the show. As my character isn't on until the second act I get to be ensemble for the first act, which I am actually looking forward to! Bring on the dancing and singing!

Perhaps Producer Himbug will get round to blogging at some point too.......

Is it my turn?

Auditions Part 1

Singing last night, Acting on Thursday.

Two of the newbies that came to the read through last week came back for the auditions, which means we didn't quite manage to scare them off (either that or they like being scared!?!) and that is great as it's always nice to have new blood in the group (that wasn't meant to sound like we're vampires or anything - honest guv!). That being said, there seemed to be a severe lack of girlies last night and for once, we were seriously outnumbered (2 to 1!!!!)which never happens! I hope we'll have some more girlies down on Thursday for the acting side of things to even up the balance, we can't be outnumbered girls, come on, solidarity sisters!

We had another newby as well, which was also great, more new blood (O+?) and as often happens at these things, Future Director decided that we should all play darts whilst we waited to audition. Let battle commence. I didn't come last, but I think that might be because it seemed to be my turn, ALL THE TIME, how on earth that happened I'll never know! His Artistic Highness fought ferociously with one of the newbies for the champion title but was just pipped at the post.

Some 16 year old bottles of pop were discovered in the cellar, well, they went out of date in March 1993 so they were probably quite a bit older than that and the newby darts champ thought it would be a good idea to try it - I hope he'll still be alive to come to the acting auditions! He will thus forth be known as Schloerman.

And I have a new brother - I can't quite remember how this came about but one of the newbies is now my brother, strange things happen in this group....

Wherever you find love it feels like Christmas....

I have to say, I LOVE Muppet Christmas Carol, it's my favourite Christmas film, although I have to say that I don't think I've ever watched it in September before. There was darkness and popcorn (I'm a great Producer) and it was great!

It ended up as quite a late one by the time we'd finished reading the scrip but I thought it went down very well. There's lots of very good parts up for grabs and next weeks auditions will be tough for Director Scrooge.

There'll be another update after the auditions next week, but for now it's the weekend and I need to go shopping (ah, the exciting Friday nights I have)!

Take care readers and have a fab one! Hope to see you all on Monday at auditions!

On your marks.... Get set....

So, off we go! Tonight we have our read through of the script, written by Director Scrooge, with comments a plenty from Producer Himbug no doubt! I for one am looking forward to seeing it and I believe there is a movie too, I think I may go and buy some popcorn after work for the occasion (an extra Producer Herbug treat for those who come to the read through).

Last night we submitted the budget to the committee and there were no real issues apart from his Artistic Highness demanding more money for his area. Probably to buy new pencils for his pencil case (see www.allaboutguillotines.blogspot.com for more details).

So, tomorrow (probably), either myself or Producer Himbug will write all about tonight and if you're lucky, readers, you might even get a blog from both of us! I know, all your Christmases come at once eh?

Tweakage and early Starts

Well this is producer Himbug adding his tuppence worth to this blog.

Rising at 6am on a Sunday certainly focuses the mind,what little I have at this ungodly hour.

Director Scrooge and I have been tweaking and perusing the script last night,inbetween bouts of World Athletics Champtionships,Chicken Jalfreizi cooked by yours truly's fair (if not chilli and garlic infused) hands and the obligatory Match Of The Day.

I have left Director Scrooge to sleep,dreaming of Ghosts,Charles Dickens and Turkeys.

What a life I lead eh,from Sir Terry Wigon to a virgin Producer all in 1 month!

Right,I echo Producer herbugs comments,see you all at read through for what promises to be a fun filled Christmassy jaunty jape and jog through Dickensian London.

See you all there,and for those that dont come...............bah humbug.......

Humbugs, Herbugs and Himbugs

So readers, I am returned. In a new incarnation as Producer Herbug. This was discussed and agreed at our first "proper" production meeting at my house on Sunday. The other producer will be Producer Himbug and our esteemed Director went through several different options including Director Carol and I think we settled on Director Scrooge, but we'll see what she blogs under from now won't we?

First things first, read through for A Christmas Carol is on September 3rd at 8pm at Colnbrook Village Hall in Colnbrook (funnily enough), all are welcome and actively encouraged to be there, with friends, family and strangers if they have an interest in acting - we really are a most friendly group.

Looking forward to bringing you the happenings of our lovely CAST cast and crew and all the fun of the show!