Well it’s certainly been an interesting few weeks. A lot of mails and thank yous after the epic event in Brno – trying to get a certificate of residency here is proving pretty awkward. but straight from brno and into rehearsal and performance of It’s a wonderful Life – a production certainly shadowed by big blockbusters either side. However we had a huge heart, and in spite of the usual difficulties caused by traffic and illness and double dating, we put on a truly moving and unusual and imaginative production, that was a sell out and well reviewed. I’d done the set and as alyways it became a combination of central raised area for coming and goings and reveals, with an entrance either side. it worked for the greeks and Shakespeare.
Just before the last performance I was at the gym and sat dwn on a bench that was not there – totally bruising my hips and spine, making movement pretty impossible, and sleep hard to come by. I’m still aching and hobbling.
And then to the Messina Opera on Film Festival – just. I was lying in bed thinking that I couldn’t make it to sicily and was ready to turn over and cancel, but I didn’t, and I’m so glad I went, but how ironic that I was shaking and hobbling and turning into Rigoletto himself. And these few days were all about our Rigoletto – and what a reception the film and myself recieved. I was not in my usual company but oh what lovely people, a luxurious hotel, and meal after meal – and then the joy of seeing Mount Etna with such clarity that it took my breath away. And yes I cam away with an award for contribution to opera on film – thrilling. Back home with a bump of course. the colourful panto down the road has opened, not without a few dramas there too.
But it’s a wonderful life if a little fragile at the moment.
Animator, Director, Writer