Leaving again... in All Good Things

I've spent the past week embroiled in trying to help my mom save a big production she is directing. It's too complicated to go into, but along with all kinds of other disasters, there's been no lighting or sound at all until today - and the show opens on Thursday, playing to nearly 5000 people over an eight-show run. Anyone with any sense would have cancelled the show several days ago, but if you've ever put on a show you know the show must go on regardless, no matter what....and after intensive work today and yesterday I now feel confident that although it won't be close to what was originally conceived and intended, it will be a good enough show for the public to enjoy....and, with a little bit of luck, it'll be magical.

Although one of the joys of theatre is the synergistic effect of everyone coming together to create magic....when certain of those people continually let you down and keep lying about it and others are actively trying to sabotage it and undermine and backstab the people involved....well, it can turn into more of a nightmare than a dream. I did have the satisfaction of cutting one of those people down to size today, and realised that a decade spent watching the best barristers in the world manipulate annihilate witnesses has had more benefits than I'd realised.

Unfortunately, though, I won't be here to see any but the final show two weeks from tonight since I have to head for Dubai tomorrow evening after another full day in the theatre. I'm desperately sorry to be going and missing out on the dress rehearsals and the shows, especially since they could have really used me as stage manager. That's one of the things on my list tomorrow to find.

Our lead actor is only 18 (the actors range from age 7 to 70) but he's magnificent to watch. He's one of those rare people who seem insignificant off stage, but the moment he steps onto the stage in character he becomes magnetic and spell-binding. To add to that, he's a truly lovely guy with a warmth that carries across on stage and draws the audience in. If this show works, it will largely be down to him. Ironically, I figured out tonight that it's his mother who's been the main saboteur of the show over the past six months, right from its conception. Seriously, what is wrong with some people?