Saturday 18th April 2026

Woke around 0800, and got up to make tea. Brought tea back to bed. Drove into the theatre for brunch. Popped back to Bakewell Street to put a packed lunch together for later in the day, and drove back to the theatre for a matinee. Lovely sunny day...but we are condemned to remain inside in the dark...took a photo of the tree-lined car park from my dressing room window. About 300 in this afternoon...great audience...they were well up for dancing on the stage when required. Another standing ovation! Bob and Sayan were in and came to say their farewells back stage afterward...Bob heading out to Crete on Monday, and won't see the show again. Aki turned up at the front of the theatre by taxi from Stoke station. We sat in the bar, and I ordered her some dinner before I ventured back downstairs to warm up for the evening show. About 270 in this evening. They were quieter than this afternoon's lot, but the show went well. Not much of a standing ovation, though Aki got to her feet! We had a quick drink in the bar afterward, and I introduced Aki to the cast, before we headed back to Bakewell Street...