Post Panto Exhaustion!

We had great performances to full houses Friday and Saturday evenings.  I was so pleased when Thursday was over as Wednesday had been a very long day not home until after 11pm and feeling hyper. Then up at 7.00am to be at the theatre for makeup at 08.30am for the 10.00am performance.  Out to lunch with The Venice Ladies following the performance, home and a quick sleep then I had to leave my apartment by 4.30pm to get to Cari's home in Camp Santa Margherita for makeup.  First on stage means you are first to be made up!  It was 10.30pm when I got home and of course it is difficult to sleep.  It has been great having Annie and Mike next door to travel home with and talk about the show.

It felt so good to have a lie in Friday and Saturday mornings.  Friday I did go up to the market at Saccla Fisola & bought amazing cavolo nero and radiccio grown on St Erasmo one of the islands in the lagoon.  Then I went to Walter's cheese stall and bought wonderful gorgonzola dolci.  Yum, yum, yum.  At the dried stall I bought fizzy cola bottles and crystallised ginger.  It was worth going for all my favourite Venetian treats.

After the performance Saturday we had drinks and nibbles and then I went to Hilary's for dinner.  It was wonderful to eat fresh food and wind down.  Sunday I didn't make church but went to an after show party  but I was so tired.  Eventually I came around, prosecco helped and enjoyed chatting to the cast and their families.  I have made lots of new friends as we have had new people join us this year which is great.

In the evening I did go over to Jeremy's tae party, it was so hard walking over the Accademia bridge, my legs were so sore but the fresh air felt wonderful.  Back home I cooked dinner and watched a rubbishy film and chilled.

Today I feel back to normal.  I went over the Accademia bridge again - no trouble now the legs have rested.

I have more photos but that's tomorrow.  I have to get ready to go out again - the circolo followed by dinner with Jane and George at Geraldine's

Caio, caio, caio.

Wonderful performance!

We had a great show last night.  I finally got most of my lines correct.  I now feel as I really know the show and what is coming next.  I just had one mental block, I knew I had a line but could not remember what it was! 

When we have all woken up the professor is a changed man and falls in love with me.  It takes me awhile to agree to his advances and when I finally do I run back on stage having had a quick change into the red dress and killer heels shouting "Yes", "Yes", "Yes"  I then drag him off stage & peep back with a kick and a thumbs up!

Last performance today at 3.30pm.  I am just making something to eat then need to get off to the theatre for make up.  

Two performances down two to go!

A synopsis of Sleeping Beauty

 I am first on stage during the overture and then talk to Fairy Cobweb and her assistant firefly.  At my side is my dog Coco.

 Here is Gumboil - a rather useless goblin.  Mike doesn't a cardio workout this week he jumps around continuously!

 Here I am telling the Queen & King there will be trouble now she doesn't believe in fairies.

 The King & Nanny are admiring baby Rosebud.

 Snaggletooth, Gumboils boss trying to put a spell on Rosebud at her christening.

Nanny handing the tiara to Rosebud.

Nanny & Coco

Rosebud has cut her finger and is falling asleep.

Nanny has to eat during the interval, early starts and late finishes play havoc with mealtimes!

Prince Orlando about to wake his princess with a kiss.

The Princess & Prince are falling in love.

It seems to be catching as the dull professor has woken up and declaring love for Nanny.

Nanny finally agrees and runs off with the professor.

Sleeping Beauty - First Rehearsal

Here is nanny Pat a Cake  on the stage during her first rehearsal this morning.  

It all seemed to go well.  Frank was a great director, giving us clear instructions and he knew what he wanted from everyone.  Scene 3 tonight.

St Giorgio Maggiore - different views

The Church of St Giorgio Maggiore is just across the basin from San Marco and is also very prominent from the Guidecca and the Guidecca Canal. The first three photographs I have taken over the last few days from different parts of the city.

Tonight walking to Frank's for a rehearsal of the naughty Magic Song the sun was setting and turning the Church a soft pink and there was a full moon above it.

Fabulous.

Rehearsals begin in earnest at 9.00am tomorrow so I am off for an early night!

The Venice Jazz Club

Wednesday night I went along to The Venice Jazz Club and had a wonderful evening there.  Federico has repainted the club walls white and is now holding art exhibitions to draw people in during the day.

The music was great, I loved it.  Unfortunately it is now closed until the end of January but I will hope to visit again before I leave.

Feste - Part Two

The Bridge of Sighs has been released from it's cost of blue plastic and there were lots of tourists sailing
                                                                  under it yesterday 

                                                     

After watch the race I walked down to Piazza San Marco to watch the Angel and Three Kings come out of the clock tower on the hour.  This is how the hour was originally seen but the wooden statues were being destroyed by the atmosphere so they were removed and replaced with drums that display the time.  The mechanism was left in place and twice a year at Epiphany and Ascension day they are replaced.  It was lovely because as they went back inside the Italians all clapped.