Snow in Plymouth?

Almost… not quite. Into February, and the Matilda tour is in Plymouth. Whilst most of the South West of England has been cut off by snow, the coastal city is just slightly sodden. We’ve been here almost three weeks, and with rehearsals for the new cast of children taking place elsewhere in the country, our full attention has been on the show each night, as well as making most of the winter season in this seaside resort!

Audiences have been flocking to the Theatre Royal in this usually quiet post-Christmas period, making us feel very welcome here in Devon. This is my fourth show here, and I have been rediscovering the likes of the Barbican, the Hoe, and visiting Fort William Yard for the first time. Our two woodwind players on the tour, Sue & Duncan, own an old mill a few miles north of Plymouth, and they hosted the most amazing Sunday meal a few days ago. I couldn’t think of a better way of spending a weekend at this time of year!

A great feed with the fabulous Matilda Band! L-R Yvonne Parsons (cello), Sion Jones (trombone), Andrew Corcoran (me), Mike Steel (Assistant MD), Felix Stickland (guitar), Simon Wells, Duncan Ashby (woodwind), Sue Phipps (woodwind), Jim Davies (trumpet).

We have just over two weeks left in Plymouth, then all hell breaks loose in our next venue, Bradford, as Cast Change meets Matilda Tour. Better enjoy the relative calm while it lasts!!