91Èȱ¬

Tuesday 6 January

So, I now write this two days following our final curtain down.Ìý Although back on air with broadcast hubby Greeny (and having great fun re-connecting and getting up to speed with local news, people and inspirations) I slept solidly all yesterday evening following a lovely reflexology session and then could not sleep again until about 3 in the earlyÌý hours… exhausted.Ìý

We completed 48 shows back to back with the very occasional day off (Christmas and New Years day).Ìý During the season we did two seven day runs and an eight day on… Anyone who looks forward to a day off every week let alone a full weekend will know that was quite wearing.Ìý However, I have always had the mentality of making hay while the sun shines and enjoying the fact that I'm working and doing something yes that is a discipline and skilled but so much fun!

The shows passed without much incident.Ìý There was one bizarre show though where the set wasn't set, splosh no where to be seen (splosh is the custard pie messy bit… and it needs to be prepped like anything else!) oh and due to a cold my voice completely went!Ìý Team effort was brought in and although not doing the songs I did not have to 'go off'.Ìý In 17 years of shows it would have taken much much more than a cold to be off!Ìý The singing was no loss anyway as I'm not a singer but not afraid to have a good go.Ìý I can get by though and the audiences would not have known much difference, so we thought!

All the cast were a mix of emotions as we concluded our season… some ready to go home and have a rest, some worried about facing no work until a casting or two come in and then there was Alex (Hall) and I who were a little sad to say goodbye to such a fun and pretty show.Ìý Both of us leaving behind a year of transitions and changes.Ìý

My cheeky boy Aladdin back in the world of memories only arrested in pictures and a DVD for resources in the Extravaganza Productions Archives.Ìý

It's odd, I virtually started out at the Middlesbrough Theatre and here and I have been back a couple of times now in productions… fantastic.Ìý Crew, staff everyone all committed and genuine, that’s refreshing in the business as it is in this day and age!Ìý

I know I always leave a show feeling sad it's over (the majority of the time…) but always truly happy it ever happened!Ìý

Tuesday 23 December

The show is going extremely well.Ìý Full houses and wonderful audiences with great mixes of young and older... which always means the mulit level interpretations of the panto bawdiness reaches all parts!

There was one show a couple of days ago that was named 'make Di laugh' show.Ìý By the way this is not difficult to do at times... It is difficult to explain but there were a couple of things that the audience (I'll blame the audience!) ran with and I did not get it until a few beats later ON STAGE...Ìý and my knees went, tears rolled down my face as I stifled the laughter - unsuccessfully.Ìý The source of the amusement?Ìý Merely the question posed to me by the Genie in the Cave scene of 'Is there anything else you would like to wish for...?!'Ìý

Genie played by actor/singer Ian Curran is brilliant, up beat and on that day the audience obviously keyed into his suggestive tones...Ìý I was as ever was the last 'in' on it all, much to their merriment!

Diane and Neil

We have a beautiful magical show and all cast are on form apart from the usual colds most casts like any working environment pass around this time of year... so far I have escaped with copious amounts of vitamins, Echinacea and talking, yes talking to my immune system.Ìý It's a whole other story... and believe me I have a few!

Let me take this chance to wish you a lovely Christmas time, remember the basics as to what it is about and pitch your goals and thoughts for 2009, make it exceptional, happy and healthy.

Thursday 17 December

After two whole days off from the strange sub world of panto land… immersing myself back into Aladdin land seemed surreal for everyone.Ìý It's like you gear down and then have to rev right back up again.Ìý My tank fully fuelled from having had some rest meant I felt experimental and played some scenes slightly differently.Ìý

So did everyone else though… it was funny!

I went outside following both shows yesterday to get some feedback from our audiences.Ìý It was quite alarming when one little one fed back how she particularly liked 'the end'Ìý - it was the wedding, I hope!Ìý It's like Beadles About when I wield a microphone to record interviews.Ìý Everyone goes white or they bomb burst off in opposite directions! however, once captured it's always good to hear peoples views and stories.Ìý

A bunch of young ladies were in watching as a Christmas outing and said how much they enjoyed themselves especially the 12 Days of Christmas.Ìý This part of the show is never the same twice and is hilarious!Ìý One night Alex Hall (playing Fairy of the Ring) nearly ended up in the orchestra pit… it was so funny people were saying 'keep it in', not though to poor Alex's amusement.Ìý While talking the girls Craig Philips (playing Wishee Washee) came out of stage door and one of the girls started to squeal!Ìý He graciously came over and had a chat... Just lovely.Ìý They went exceedingly giddy! You can hear some of the interviews from panto on the show with Neil and I.

It's weird to reflect back at this stage and how mounting a show like this takes place.Ìý I felt like I was facing a mountain especially with a couple of things and my work load.Ìý Now I feel quite happy to have been fortunate enough to be working and doing things I love… let alone working full stop! So much so I'll be looking forward to a well earned break hopefully a nice holiday come early Spring.Ìý

Spring!? Did I really mention that most lovely time of the year… hmmm.

More on back stage Aladdin to come very soon - I promise!

Monday 15 December - Full sail

We are well and truly into the belly, so to speak, of the run and so I can honestly say now that the show is at full sail.Ìý I feel in a good position to comment and give you an update.Ìý Or am I waffling as I have not had chance to up date very much recently...?!Ìý

The rest of the cast are off for two whole days now. Admittedly a few of us Craig Philips, Alex Hall and myself are working over these two days but wisely most are deservedly off and around the corners of the country for some R n R.

91Èȱ¬ Tees' Alex Hall and Diane Youdale in costume.

I wanted to examine more closely the roles of the funnies… in particular Widow Twankey right now.Ìý Ours is notably Colin Roberts, a true traditional dame i.e. bloke playing a woman with a bawdy depth that few I have worked with create effortlessly.Ìý This role is renowned for giving the mulit spectrum of laughs from the base humour and bawdiness of old fashioned Panto to top end pathos. They link in with all the different audience range from kids all the way up to the more senior members in the auditorium. I watched the faces of a large group as they enjoyed one of the scenes with Colin… it was magic as every single line peppered with elements of everything 'laydeee' and more senior was received with knowing looks and raucous laughter.Ìý

Colin is a seasoned comedian and a much respected dame in the industry.Ìý He is still adding in comedy in scenes that I share with him … one so much so that when he offered up the new throw away line for the first time he/'she' witnesses the Genie appear, my knees literally buckled under the strain of laughter. I desperately tried to stifle it but it only served to make things worse!Ìý

One of those moments when you laugh more because you know you are really not meant to!

However having said that… a rule of thumb in Panto is by all means have fun and if you are on stage and something goes wrong and you laugh at it, DO SO, but only if the audience is in on it with you!Ìý Otherwise it can appear like it is you and them and Panto is the one place where you and the audience actually collude and take the 'journey' together so to speak!Ìý

Speaking of which I nearly tumbled off my magic carpet the other evening as it sped away into the wings… what a sight that would have been!

Watch this space or should that be a rather large crater on the stage!?

Friday 12 December - One week in

We have been up and running now a week today and what a difference a week makes!Ìý

The dancers are polished (always were) sets and cossies well, sparkly (very pretty actually, although my Aladdin tunic is a tad short and will be remedied). Dame, Wishee and Fairy (Alex Hall) FUNNY, Abanazar goodly bad, Emperor magnificently grand and Aladdin cheeky, and that is not just the rear view of that said tunic - grief!

I'm loving it now we are at full sail.Ìý Knowing the shape of the show like anything makes such a welcome relief and even the killer 'You cant stop to Breathe, sorry the Beat' opening number is seeming easier for me to crucify.Ìý

The funniest thing when doing two shows back to back is that you kind of go into Ground Hog mode.Ìý Really believing that you have 'just done that… haven't I?' and the many moments what you walk away or find yourself sitting in your dressing room and hear your cue lines being delivered on stage… SCRAM... !!!Ìý Oh it happened to two of us yesterday, phew.

We will go into our first set of shows that resemble fairly normalised show times now with 2pm starts and some 7pm with some 5.30pms in the mix.Ìý

See you in Panto land or keep listening to Neil and I for more updates and I'll confess all too with this blog...

Sunday 7 December - The One Day off, until Christmas Day

Oh do I fill it!Ìý I was up after a brief sleep in to conquer, a rather snowy and very icy in places, Roseberry Topping.Ìý I was chuffed with myself as the sun was full throttle and smiling faces out enjoying it a real boost.Ìý That was until I met a Grandfather on their way down from the top heading towards Captain Cooks, with his two grand daughters of five and three years.Ìý A three year old, who duely then boasted ‘oh we do it loads…’
I then continued to yomp slightly sheepishly to my favourite coffee shop in Great Ayton for replenishment.Ìý Then a touch of shopping, well an attempt, in Middlesbrough, then back to cooking a full roast and Sunday papers.Ìý Heaven.Ìý A bath, blog and bed.Ìý Perfect.

Tomorrow we enter world Aladdin 10am and 1.30pm shows all week.Ìý I’ll be linking with Neil each morning in our Interval for up dates and to hear how he and the programme are doing.Ìý I really miss not being at the studios, Neil is pure tonic.Ìý I’ll be in once more Friday to get fully to speed with news, events and amazing people we have on our doorsteps that add value and quality of our sometimes quite disorientated lives.Ìý

Saturday 6 December

Our two opening shows felt like two epics!Ìý Even my partner ( a person of rare praise indeed) gave us all a standing ovation on the evening show… a solo standing ovation I may add.Ìý This he declared was because of feeling compelled as a sense of respect flooded his neurology raising him to his feet clapping generously… Actually I was later to learn it was out of sheer relief!

As you may have guessed, the opening show went with many hitches… It would not have been an opening show without the obligatory nerves, line meshing and timings on entrances going ad hoc.

My folks saw the evening and even my Father commented (after 17 years of TV, Theatre and the rest) that he had not ever seen such a visually beautiful show!Ìý The sets and costumes were stunning and testament to Richard and David’s eye for detail and magic in any moment.Ìý Parents eh, even as adult children they can still be there keeping up the cavalry with biased (why not!) and loyal support, how blessed am I?

The evening was eased on, by the presence of a large slice of the 91Èȱ¬ Tees crew.Ìý Some have even insisted on a return visit by the end of the run no doubt to see a very different rendition of the show!Ìý It means they are also more primed and ready in the heckling stakes…

Having the team out there was great… if not slightly embarrassing as I’m aware they have not quite got used to me coming in looking like a bag lady each morning let alone suddenly out there larger than life in a shorter than normal principal boy get up!

My mistakes, erm well it all seems a blur now as I write this late Sunday evening.Ìý Notably though, the opening number which is called ‘You can’t stop the Beat’ from Hairspray is a brilliant opener… for a full and brilliant choir of uber vocalists?!Ìý It has the nick name of ‘You can’t stop to Breath’ in the West End and I’m out there trying to sing and dance it on my tod.Ìý I have bribed some of our amazing and talented dancers into singing live on stage with me, however if you see me go blue…

On a personal note I feel like I’m doing a proper principal boy role and not being asked to beat up the baddie with a Pugil Stick or somersault my way to riches… although that can be great fun and part of me misses the oddity.

Friday 5 December

It's opening day!Ìý It has come around so quick and I apologise for the absence in blog world however time has been little outside of work and then squeezing in the odd bit of sleep!!

It has been MANIC.Ìý The show is going to be amazing, as the amount of work and attention to detail has been a real eye opener for me.Ìý I've been running around at the end of long days of 91Èȱ¬ then tech and dress rehearsals with my FlashMike (useful device for recording interviews for the shows…) I must admit trying to get coherent interviews at the end of super long days has been a feat in itself but well worth it.Ìý I really hope once our curtain is up and we are into the run to bring you more from behind the scenes on the characters, actors, crew and also about the Middlesbrough Theatre with its exciting plans for the future!

Oh well, I have to get back to preparing this morning's show with Neil and Judy then I'll be charging up Linthorpe Road to the theatre for our opening show.

Excited, nervous and thrilled to be alongside such a great time in both 91Èȱ¬ terms amidst our week of weather and chaos being of some service, and then of course amongst the Fantasy world of Panto land.Ìý I could complain of feeling ever so slightly schizophrenic… no really.

Saturday 29 November -Ìý Toft House becomes the Middlesbrough Theatre stage

Despite the stage resembling something that is housing a Last Choir Standing type performance we shuffled through a run of both halves to get a feel for the working space.Ìý

This is an important step as you get a chance to feel at what level you need to play your energy to.Ìý

In panto you have what is called the fourth wall ‘open’ in other words unlike much other theatre we are actually not in a bubble with the audience spectating in on events but we are in constant communication with you the audience as you join the characters and guide them through their adventure!Ìý

It is actually one of the oldest forms of theatre from the ‘Murmurs’, bands of travelling gypsies who acted out events of regal content/ folk / myth and stories as a kind of roaming auditory newspaper come tabloid magazine.Ìý

Remember we could not read or write for the majority let alone print for many thousands of years.Ìý Before being moved on often for disturbing the peace, they would spend their performances being haggled and with much interaction from those who would stay to indulge!!!Ìý

Whether or not they would be shouting ‘he’s behind you… and oh no it isn’t’ would have to be left to imagination.Ìý Probably a few things would have been hurled at the performers a touch stronger at times than our traditional panto interactions!

We finish following Directors Richard and David's much needed notes of guidance.Ìý I’m unfortunately (as it has been for me during the rehearsal period) one foot out the door as I’m due down in Centre Square to officially open Snowzone for Middlesbrough Council's Culture and Tourism.Ìý It has been with us as I now write for a couple of days allowing the adventurous to hurl themselves down snow slopes with the aid of skis, snow boards or even a rubber ring.Ìý

A chilly but always chipper Lisa McCormick was there covering the event and handing back to Juile Donaldson’s show in the warmth of the Studio.Ìý As much as Lisa tried I had my Aladdins lamp with me and whisked myself away before her Irish charms tried and tried to convince me that being a lemming in a rubber ring was going to be a good idea…

She may have the gift of the blarney but nowt beats my magic lamp!

On a foot note.Ìý I managed a very brief bit of down time and popped for some food in the town centre before returning back and resuming script learning and paper scouring for any great local stories for Neil and I to highlight. I happened to bump into a lady with whom I spent a few years before leaving the North East to go to train, work and live in the South East of England.Ìý Her name then was Anne Crowe and I was inspired and supported by her in my early to mid teens as she was the most gifted choreographer and dance teacher who had much time for me.

How apt.Ìý Here I am back at my roots and there we have a wonderful piece of synchronicity to meet Anne once more!?Ìý Weird and joyful.Ìý

Full circle you could say and when time is more abundant I dare say Anne and I will catch up with laughter and tears.Ìý True theatre style, tragedy and comedy.Ìý

Friday 28 November - Day 5

Following a mad dash from 91Èȱ¬ Tees, not to mention taking on board the crash that had occurred just down from the studios which had caused much chaos on all the neighbouring and feeder roads, I was met in our final day in Toft House rehearsal room by a very happy cast and Directors.Ìý

They’d had a great morning running the show with all numbers for timing… Yay!Ìý

It has come in at around 53 minutes for the first Act and 45 minutes for the second. Brilliant!Ìý

You have to understand in panto land this means a superbly tight and packed show.Ìý

Longer shows despite amazing talent and content are just arduous no matter what, and in our shortened time attention spans of our contemporary times this is to be considered by all, no matter what the genre me thinks.

My amazing understudy is Susie, Susie Machin.Ìý When you see the show you will notice she is a complete lynch pin, she is in everything and most notably a most lovely ‘So Shy’ character.Ìý

She is a wonderful example of the exceptional intelligent all round talent our Performing Arts Colleges up and down the UK are producing.Ìý Her and our Assistant Stage Mangers (who are on stage again as everything…!?) Adam, Alexander and James.

This brings me to mention for the first time Sue Thornton and her dancers, aged from around six to sixteen they are absolutely fantastic!Ìý

On some shows you do, the babes and juveniles as they are known are often a rather chaotic and somewhat amusing lottery.Ìý Not such here.Ìý The standard is the best I have seen in seventeen years of panto.Ìý

Well done Sue and thanks for helping me with my fitting sorry dancing!

Thursday 27 November - In Toft House, home to the emergent show Aladdin

It feels weird rehearsing in a full professional show on a half time rehearsal period as I juggle between both 91Èȱ¬ Tees and the demands of Panto.Ìý

Weird as I am now lagging behind the others in terms of being more competent 'coming off script' and beginning to play around with the different drive and energies involved in each scene...Ìý I'm pretty sure I'll be to speed by opening day!?Ìý Well... there is hoping and then putting in extra hours which presently is me laying in bed running lines as I drift off, getting up at 5am (which I tend to wake up anyway) and starting precisely the same thing... Ground Hog day esk.Ìý

By the way... its going to be GREAT!

I'm beginning to enjoy it although the pressure is on!Ìý I'll reveal more on the rest of the cast and production side of things when I have a touch more time.Ìý I'm now being beckoned by boss producer Judy and his highness Greeny for our pre show meeting.Ìý Ten o'clock is a looming... weeeeee

Wednesday 26 November - Day 3

Day three was beginning to feel like the programming and down loading of the new material was finally having an impact on some of the limited grey matter I'm now aware I have!

Despite having one of the busiest parts and only having half the rehearsal time to do it in (If you have noticed I'm here at Tees for the first half of the day…) hence my quiet nightly rocking in the corner over my Horlicks...Ìý I'm now beginning to also relish the other cast members and what they are bringing to their roles.Ìý

Alex of course is magic… in many ways, not just as Fairy of the Ring.Ìý Professional and full of her warmth and fun beautifully delivered with impeccable timing to lighten the slightly more intense of moments.

I'll talk on all the others at some point but at this stage I want to highlight Craig Philips of Big Brother of yester year fame.Ìý Yes, the one who gave his prize money over for a life saving operation to another… yup, a really genuine good guy.

He is unquestionably brave having his first go at one of the pivotal parts Wishee Washee.Ìý This part always cements the show with the rapport built and comedy particularly with the kids.Ìý He is a natural and so refreshing especially as his dyslexia prohibits him from learning in the way that many of us can so take for granted!Ìý What a true star and find.Ìý Hats off to Richard Chandler and David Vickers for the discovery and the foresight to be brining another lovely magical together.

Thought I'd get that in now, yes it is a bit of a positive installation as it is only early days…Ìý where is my darkened room and that lie down.ÌýÌý

Tuesday 25 November - In Toft House (in your best Geordie…)

Day two pretty much followed the same intensity as day one - I must admit to having felt quite low last night!Ìý I have played principal boy for nearing 17 yearsÌý (I know, I know, can't possibly be so?) but it dawned on me just how much this show actually has in store for its cheeky boy Aladdin and how much it feels to get it right NOW!Ìý

I kept reminding myself 'this is what rehearsals are for…'

We set the whole of Act 2 without the dance and songs.Ìý It’s a much lighter half for me, in other words I'm not running on and off stage virtually ALL the time.Ìý Phew.

Monday 24 November - The first rehearsal

It’s always a case of feeling somewhat nervous yet excited when I first enter the rehearsal room and meet the rest of the cast and the tech side of a show...

This is my 17th Christmas show but I feel a little daunted returning to my birth place to be cheeky boy Aladdin. It has been over 20 years since I was living and working here. Although it is familiar, it has all changed and evolved as things do!Ìý

I just feel like I’m knowing which way is ‘up’ with working alongside my radio husband Neil Green.Ìý He is so funny, generous, inspiring and brilliant (oh he deserves it, oh yes he does – oh no… oh lord Panto has got me!). We see things from differing angles in the studio with all the great events, stories and happenings our region holds.Ìý So, despite having much to learn one job is kind of getting there. This Panto is another story.Ìý

On day one, you normally have a nice fun read through and ease into it all… NOT THIS ONE!ÌýÌý Richard our Director was very quick to remind us what little time we have (I think I play a big part in that because I’m also going to not be there during some of the rehearsals as I'll be joining you on the air waves of 91Èȱ¬ Tees!) so he started cracking the whip and we launched full throttle into blocking the 1st Act.Ìý This means up on your feet actually setting entrances and exits, where you are meant to be and even (which was tough) taking direction.Ìý

Director Richard Chandler has very clear ideas as to how he likes his shows.Ìý Rightly so, but I for one had not fully learned all my lines as I know during rehearsals things can get moved around and I tend to learn by doing…Ìý Argh!Ìý So hitting your marks and getting timing right is something that tends to layer in and is normally a fully cooked piece of business by opening night, but NOT ON DAY ONE!Ìý

We were thrown into the songs, which are challenging.Ìý I can sing but I’m not a ‘singer’ like some people who spend hours, days, weeks and months in love with their instrument.Ìý It’s passable what I can do and I sense it will vastly improve during this show… as the songs I have are pretty full on!Ìý Ever the Gladiator – Bring it on!

The rest of the cast are excellent.Ìý I’ll spend more time on how it works in terms of their characters and energy as we go through the show.Ìý It’s what makes it magic.Ìý The different flow, blends and contrast of characters and believe me every one is perfect within their role. I had tears rolling down my face with laughter and not just at my own ineptitude!Ìý

It was intense to say the least.Ìý I went back home to a darkened room… down loaded the day after a break and skimmed through Act 2 for repeat of everything slap stick and magic for day two of rehearsals.Ìý

He wants us all off script (in other words all lines learned!) by Wednesday!Ìý

I will sleep like a baby now, not just cry like one!?Ìý Wahh!

Catch up with all of Diane's adventures behind the scenes as Aladdin in Panto later this week.