CHRISTMAS CAME AND WENT

Before you know it, it is all over!
One minute you are poring over the presents, wine and food, and the next you are welcoming the new year.
Then suddenly, it is well into January and the cold weather has arrived; thankfully, not the snow and ice, so keeping fingers crossed.
We have a busy schedule of plays and workshops, less of the seasonal fun stuff, and more curriculum related performances.
We have anew actor on board and are seeking a further one to complement the team.
Fitting rehearsals in between performances keeps us extremely busy and creates rather a "Catch 22" situation. We want the bookings, but need time off to rehearse.
On top of this, everyone wants New Workshops, and that means finding the time to devise them.
All in all, far too much to be doing. So I have to go now and just leave you with some more pictures.
Until soon, Albert.....

MY FIVE A DAY

No, I am not talking about fruit and, anyway, that myth has long been exploded.
I am referring to the average number of emails I receive every day offering to improve this website.
These appear to emanate from all over the World but, mainly India and China and sometimes the UK.
Of course there are the inevitable ones from the fraud capital of the World (not allowed to mention the country, but you all know where I mean).
There is a regular pattern to them all: rather like the unwanted telephone caller who starts off with "How are you today?". At which point you obviously hang up. Actually, if it is a live voice, and understandable, I may have a little fun first. Don't ask!!!
Yes, rather in the style of the shadow chancellor of the exchequer responding to the chancellor's budget address. He invariably praises his opponent for such an eloquent speech, and then proceeds to tear him apart.
So it is with those soliciting for our website business. "You have an excellent website however", and then they try to baffle me with technical jargon.
Somehow I manage to resist the temptation of responding with "yes, it is an excellent website. After all, so many of you are finding it without difficulty".
But no, once you reply, you are in their clutches.
Here endeth my bitch for today.
Let's look at a couple more pictures to remember what we do. Kids enjoying themselves.
Until next time,
Albert.......

KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED

So far, so good!
I believe the weather is on our side this year. Keep raining if you like but please no snow or ice. England cannot handle it, and we don't want to disappoint the kids with so many shows booked before Christmas.
We were very apprehensive about last Monday's morning trip to Leicester, and then on to Mansfield in the afternoon, followed by an overnight stay in Stockton on Tees to freshen up for a late morning performance in Middlesborough on Tuesday.
Thankfully, all went well and the children and staff were delighted.
This coming week sees us in Chelmsford, Seaford, Birmingham and then finishing the year in London.
We start it all again in early January and I just read that the Seven Bridge toll is scrapped from today. That too is good news as we have a booking deep in Wales coming up shortly, and every penny saved helps keep us going.
I leave you with just a reminder of what we could have faced.
Until soon,
Albert.......

IT JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER

It was only a few days ago I was telling you the wonderful news about Alia. Well, here is some more good news.
Starting in January, Paul Baverstock will be joining us.
Paul has a wealth of experience in both acting and directing.
Keen to get going, he has been armed with the scripts and will commence rehearsals next week.
Watch out for his biog. in the actors' section of this website where it will soon appear.
Now, I have been racking my brain to try and come up with some more "buzz" words; not with too much success I have to say.
Anyway, how about themes, studies, books, art, illustrations, creativity naration and entertainment.
Also, I think some character names from the plays may be useful.
So, here goes:
Billy, Gingerbread Man, Mr Hare and Mr Tortoise, King Henry VIII, Omar, Professor Mildred Mildew, Kitty, Stanley, Albert and his twin brother Edward, Maisy (the one you never see!), Neddy, Miss Cecilia Swan, Freddie the frog, Ann Boleyn, Ann of Cleves, Catherine Parr, Catherine of Aragon, Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard, Prince Edward, Princess Mary, Princess Elizabeth, Cardinal Wolsey, The Pope, Court Jester, Leper, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Cromwell, Anon the Executioner, Grave Digger The Cow with no name, Mr Fox, The Snake and the Weasel, The Lion, Mr Stork.
That's just a few of the NINETY SIX CHARACTERS we portray in nine plays, and I haven't even mentioned any from "TIMELINE"
Still, enough to be going on with.
I fancy a cuppa.
So, 'till next time, this is Albert signing off. Come along Bonnie.......

   

ALIA IS BACK!

Readers, I have some wonderful news for you.
Remember ALIA WILSON who was with us for the 2017 school year?
Well, she has just finished an engagement in Italy, and has kindly agreed to assist us with our busy schedule up to Christmas.
With so many bookings, we are truly delighted to have her back. Luckily, we grabbed her before somebody else did.
I know there are hundreds of actors out there desperate for work. But try and nab one at this time of year!
In case some of you have forgotten what she looks like, here she is.

Amazingly, she only flew back yesterday, and is already working with us today at a school in Hampton Wick.
With her brilliant memory, she has only to skip through the scripts, ALL NINE OF THEM, and it all races back to her.
That's all from me for now; off to write up some NEW YEAR bookings.
Until next time,
Albert......  

IT AINT WHAT YOU SAY.......!

So, what am I on about now? You ask.
Well, pay attention, and I will try to explain.
I guarantee if you enter a Google search using any word with a minimum of just two letters, up will come Amazon and eBay. Just try it and you will see I am right.
Of course, we all know those massive organisations spend "£trillions" promoting their websites and, consequently, are pretty much in a league of their own.
However, that does not mean we lesser mortals cannot make an effort to compete. I am assured it is all about "buzz words", and search engines "adore pictures".
Well, we have lots of the latter, but a few more won't hurt.
But, for the moment, I will concentrate on the former so, here goes:
"theatre, drama , children's shows, touring, schools, playgroups, nurseries, children's centres, acting, workshops, special needs, travelling, productions, performances, local, national, international, scripts, dialogue, visual, sensual, innovative, choreography, sets, costumes, props, masks, puppets, wardrobes, songs, music.
See what I mean.
I may add a few more when they occur to me later.
Until the next time, take a look at Albert, in a previous life......
I know, you prefer the horse, "Baby Doll", but don't be fooled by the name. She was a lightning fast Quarter Horse.

 YES, ME AGAIN, BUT THIS IS A PASSPORT PHOTO, SO APOLOGIES FOR LOOKING MISERABLE!

DID SOMEBODY MENTION "BREXIT"?

I heard it for the first time a couple of days ago. Well, when one is busy looking after schools and, more importantly, kids with new ideas for Drama Workshops, there is no time for prattle.
I kid you of course, but do tell when or, maybe, if it is ever resolved.
Now, to more important matters. I recall telling you about our lovely new actress, Alicia, and some of you will have already seen her performing.
BUT, do you recognise her now?
YES, this is the new look, and we all love it.
If you prefer her with long hair, just go back to an earlier post when I first introduced her.
Enough of me for now. Until next time, Albert........