Tuesday 14th April 2026

Woke at 0530...back felt much better, but having a bit of trouble with my neck. Managed to nod back off after about 30 minutes or so. Woke again at 0800 and dozed for a while. Brought tea and porridge back to bed with me. Aki FaceTimed from Tokyo...she was meeting old colleagues for dinner. She flies back to London tomorrow. Found Aidan in the kitchen...but he made no mention whatever of having seen the show last night...strange chap. Drove down to Stoke...picked up a parcel from Londis at the bottom of the road, then drove on to the Spode Museum, intending to sample the coffee in the cafe...but it was all shut on Mondays and Tuesdays. Walked round the corner to take a look at the Dipping House, the HQ for Claybody Theatre. Nothing on at the moment. Most of the buildings on the Spode site look in imminent danger of collapse! But Claybody have won £150,000 arts funding to undertake improvements. Walked on to the Bluebird Cafe and had a decent latte in there, then drove back to Bakewell Street. Lyndsey was in the kitchen having her lunch...she said they had enjoyed the show last night, especially the This Old House sequence, and drunken Wilf. I stuck a fish pie in the oven for luncheon. Eaten in my room with microwaved greens. Drove in to the theatre. We had a cast meeting with the Midlands Equity representative before warm up for an evening show. About 250 in this evening. Struggling with my feet and general fatigue, but show went well and we were afforded another standing ovation. Had a beer in the bar afterward in the company of Sam and his mum, and her partner. Nice couple. Drove back to Bakewell Street, getting in around 2300...