(*Click here for Part One)
As I was writing the last post, perhaps imbued with renewed recognition for my own personal landmarks, it occurred to me just how much I wanted to say about the Royal Exchange itself. So much so, that it inspired me to carry straight on and write this post too.
As I was writing the last post, perhaps imbued with renewed recognition for my own personal landmarks, it occurred to me just how much I wanted to say about the Royal Exchange itself. So much so, that it inspired me to carry straight on and write this post too.
Much like my relationship with food, I can chart my life
through the theatre. As a little girl, my mum and I had an annual trip to
London, always including a theatre trip as part of our holiday. Starlight Express
was a favourite, I still have the soundtrack on CD, and can give you a
(painful) rendition of any song at a moment’s notice. I burst into tears at the
end of Phantom of the Opera, not understanding how they could all be holding
hands at the end – the concept of the curtain call is fairly elusive for a five
year old who has been entirely swept away to another world for the previous few
hours.
As I became interested in drama at school, with the aid of
the most wonderful drama teacher, “proper plays” became the thing, with trips
all over the country, igniting a passion for reading, watching, performing and
directing. The Husband (who at that time was entirely disinterested in theatre)
even wooed me by volunteering to do the sound and lighting for our GCSE drama
performances, and was soon bitten by the bug too. As you may have deduced, that
does indeed mean that we are childhood sweethearts – altogether now, ahhhhhh.
Sixth form led to acting roles, tech roles, and I even ran a
drama club for younger pupils, one or two of whom have pursued careers in
acting (though I do not dare to claim any credit, much more likely to be that
they shared the same inspiring teacher I had). At our respective universities
The Husband (or boyfriend as he then was) both took on roles, me directing
musicals in my halls of residence, him becoming tech director for the
University Drama Society.
And the Royal Exchange alone charts for me, so many stages.
Those first visits with school, the excitement of a trip, seeing studied texts
brought to life. I fell in love with theatre in the round, the chance to sit in
different seats and see a different side to the same story. As a student I
diligently queued for the banquette seats, bonded with new friends over
impromptu theatre visits, when spontaneous trips into town were the norm. Even
after studentdom, the Cheep tickets made the theatre cheaper than cinema. My
mum and step-dad would invariably book for a Monday so we had the option of
joining them without breaking the bank. We would sit after and have a coffee in
the bar. Often the cast congregated in there afterwards. My mum openly
actor-watching, while I tried to be nonchalant, all the while eavesdropping and
feeling privileged to see the people behind the performances.
I remember my first trip to the studio, feeling like I might
even be verging on cool by seeing a production there. I loved it when the
restaurant themed the menu to the current production (theatre and food
combined, oh my). I have sat on every tier, and every row at one time or
another. I have seen the stage fill with water (intentionally), and whole
structures descend from the ceiling. I am unfailingly mesmerised by the
contrasting constructions as you enter, the domed ceilings, and the history of
the building.
It's so great that you have so much passion for theater (and how sweet that you and your husband were childhood sweethearts!). I played the piano for a lot of the school musicals in college and it always just made me so happy. Something I miss very much.
ReplyDeleteI still love theatre, but I'm more an empassioned observer these days than any kind of active participant. Is there no end to your talents - pianist also? I have always been mystified by the piano, I play the clarinet, which is not as elegant, but the piano was always beyond me. Hope you get to play on occasion?
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