For those of you who don’t already know that I’m a bit cracked – here’s a little bit of proof that will help you to the conclusion:

I love the smell of hairspray!!!

It’s one of my absolute favourite smells and it always makes me smile.

I love the smell of napalm in the morning

Made of chemical compounds and polymers that many reckon do major damage to your lungs, hairspray just reminds me of stage and dancing and acting… Dressing rooms so regularly fill up with the fumes as the show-folk attempt to tame flyaway hairs and calm their nerves before the curtain is raised.

Wait, that sounded like I was saying hairspray will calm your nerves – it won’t – I was just trying to wax lyrically…

It just reminds me of the nerves and the adrenaline and how much I love being backstage before a show starts

*Image sourced here

So the count down to opening night is now in full swing. We moved into the theatre yesterday (I spent a large portion of the day hungover and fetching and carrying heavy boxes). And tonight is our first rehearsal on the stage.

I always love this bit. The adrenaline rush as I realise that there will be an audience paying to watch us on stage very soon and that all our hard work is about to pay off. It’s scary and fun all at the same time!

Bookings are now open, so if you’re keen to come and see what’s been keeping me so busy the last few months, please do

Shows are from Friday 18 to Saturday 26 November (excluding Sunday to Wednesday).  Weeknights are at 8pm and Saturdays at 2.30 and 6.30pm.  Tickets are R55 for Thursday evening and Saturday matinee and R65 for other performances.  (Masque Theatre Club Members enjoy a R10 discount).  To book phone 021 788 1898 (o/h).

Last week I went to see Swan Lake at the Artscape… It was beautiful, possibly the best I’ve ever seen! I’ve always loved the magic of ballet. The music, the costumes, people who seem to defy gravity when they leap into the air. I even love the soft sound  the wood in the toes of pointe shoes makes as the women appear to float across the stage, it reminds me that the people up there are in fact people – people capable of the extraordinary!

I remember when I went to see my first ballet… I was about 9 and my mom took me to see Giselle. She was so worried I wasn’t going to enjoy it because it’s not exactly light watching. I was mesmerised. I think they had to scrape my jaw off the ground afterwards. I was completely and utterly swept away by the beauty and the magic of the whole event. I just remember the male lead leaping into the air with such elegance, but with such force that he seemed hang there for a moment longer than should’ve been possible.

It was one of those moments from childhood that stays with you forever. It may even have inspired me to pursue a career in the arts… I think I still want to be a prima ballerina when I grow up (good thing I never intend to do that )

*Images sourced here

A while ago I discovered Michael McIntyre and his brand of brilliance. I thought I was special for discovering this gem of a comedian… Turns out everyone else has already discovered him…

Oh well.

He is funny! Ridiculously funny! And really really clever about his comedy.

If you haven’t seen his stuff, what rock have you been hiding under?!?

This is my happy place. It doesn’t look like much, I know. It’s a large room full of tools, clothing, boxes, rostra, stairs, and all sorts of random odds and ends. It probably also hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly since it’s grand reopening 50 years ago. This room can also go from being completely quiet and bland to complete madness and chaos, full of shouting, nerves, laughter, running around and just general mayhem. What is this completely random place that is my happy place, you ask… It’s the green room behind the stage at The Masque Theatre of course

I actually dread the end of any show because I know I will have to leave this place not knowing exactly when I will come back to it. There is something about this place that makes me feel like I belong, like I’m finally in the right place at the right time and I know what I’m doing. I don’t if it’s just because I get to act when I’m here, or if because I’m with people who start off as strangers but become family almost over night or what the magic spell of this place really is. All I know is that without this space, what was left of my sanity would have packed up and gone home a long time ago.

Sorry, I know this post is revoltingly soppy and sentimental, but I can’t help it. Gigi has just ended and that family has been disbanded and I’m a little sad… But at least I know I can say for sure that I have made some excellent friends and my time in this green room was very well spent time

I can’t wait for the next show!