Half a Sixpence

After six months of hard work we completed our run of Half a Sixpence at the Questors theatre in Ealing last week. I absolutely loved every moment (well, almost every moment) and am so sad it's all over. I'm still a bit overwhelmed by it all! I was very lucky to get a principle part in my first musical and I can't wait to start working on the next one! 

Things I've loved about the whole experience:
The lovely people I've met
Having an excuse to belt out a few songs (not that I need an excuse!)
Acting (for the first time since A level drama)
The buzz of performing in front of hundreds of people
The atmosphere backstage
The costumes


Things I haven't loved quite as much:
Wearing a wig - it got a bit balmy at times!
The nervous bubble in my stomach before a show
Singing my solo Be Determined - not an easy song to sing!


Here are some backstage photos during the final show on Saturday night:

Anna curling Katherine's hair for the 7th and final time

Margaret the costume lady busy organising

Dawn and Lynn have a little rest between scenes

Me with my brother in the show, Jeremy

Us again

Capturing the moment

Me and Alan - he's looking very dapper

The lovely Lynn

Anna and Dave - such a lovely couple!

Patrick sprucing up

My messy dressing table

Men's hats

Me with Mr Shalford, I mean Stephen

A couple of children from the show

A lovely gift from Katherine

There I am!

There I am on the left

We received a lovely letter from Andrew Lloyd Webber, as you do

Play time

Did I mention I'm in a play?

Well, I'm in a play, having recently joined a local amdram group by the name of Hanwell and Ealing Operatic Society (HEOS). It's a production of Half a Sixpence and is taking place from Wednesday evening through to Saturday evening next week, including a Saturday matinee (me? nervous? Noooooo..ahem...).

 

Set in Folkestone in the early 1900s, Half a Sixpence tells the story of a draper's apprentice Arthur Kipps who unexpectedly inherits, then loses, a fortune. He is bedazzled by the attentions of the genteel but impoverished Walsinghams (I play Helen Walsingham, who he briefly becomes engaged to) and forsakes his childhood sweetheart and fellow shop workers to join them, but returns to his roots when he realises that money can't buy happiness.

Wednesday evening our costumes arrived. I have four costumes (and 5 costumes changes!), with ruffles, layers, ribbon and bright colours taking centre stage (so to speak). Here are a few pics:

My promenade dress

Me in my promenade dress

My woodworking costume

My woodworking shirt

My character shoes

Part of a suit (the skirt is currently being shortened!)