Monday 23rd February 2026

Woke around 0430...took ages to get back to sleep. Alarm at 0730. Showered then porridged. Mein hosts were leaving for work as I entered the kitchen. Warmed up some soup to take in for lunch, and drove in to Basford. Felt elated to be parking up in the car park at the Vic once more. Cast and crew gathered in the atrium, and I caught up briefly with Liz Evans, who assisted on the design of the original production, and is over-seeing this one...Karen Norcross still working in the wardrobe department! Amazing. 

Kate the SM gave us all a tour of the building and we convened in the Workspace across from the theatre, a building which didn't exist when I last worked at the Vic. Did a read through before gathered staff members, then broke for lunch. Had my soup in the Green Room. The afternoon session was largely concentrated on working on the Pott'ries accent, and we basically did another read through, plus accent notes from the voice coach. Broke at 1730 for drinks in the Lounge and a little speech of greeting from the AD, Teresa Heskins. Sat about chatting with Bob, and some of the cast members before heading for the chippy in Penkhull Village. Ate my steak and kidney pie, chips and peas, in the car, then drove on to Tesco to do a shop. FaceTimed Aki, who was at Tammie's having dinner. Got back to the digs around 2100.