Saturday 12th October 2024

Alarm at 0800. Got up and porridged...Aki slept in. Packed my musical gear into the car and heated up some soup to take in for a planned packed lunch. Drove over to Stoke Newington...hardly any traffic about, so got there a bit early. Parked up outside the theatre, hoping to carry my gear in, only to find it locked up. Can't park there for long, as it's a Red Route, so drove round the corner into Alkham Road, and wandered back toward the theatre with guitar in hand. 

Managed to get in on this occassion, and found Ruth, our director, in the Penny Tuerk Room setting up the keyboard for Adam ahead of the witches arrival. Had to go back to the car to get the amp, and bits and pieces...by the time I returned, the witches had arrived and were warming up around Adam and his keyboard. Matthew showed up, and set his bass and amp up, and we worked on a couple of numbers, The Witching Kind, and Before They Stop Me. We finished around 1200 as the cast were to rehearse some bits and pieces, and attend costume calls...so the band decided to disperse until the morrow. I lugged my amp back to the car, then drove round to the front of the theatre to load up my guitar and guitar stand, and drove home. Aki working at the computer...she had had a sizeable brunch, so I lunched alone. Went for a walk afterward, up to Crouch Hill, then down to Tesco on Stroud Green Road to get some chicken for tonight's dinner. Called in at The Park Theatre to leave a note for Gary Lilburn, who is rehearsing "Autumn" there...left my phone number, and a note saying we'd be in to watch the show next Wednesday night (opening night). No bread left at Gail's, so headed for Waitrose...it was pouring with rain by now, so I jumped on a bus outside Finsbury Park station. Aki cooked a chicken and bean stew for dinner. I made chocolate Guinness fondants for dessert. They need rather longer in the oven than the recipe recommended, but came out very well. Watched a bit of telly before bath and bed...