Matilda 10 & Remembering André
Jitters within the industry returned in the last few days as a new virus variant started doing the rounds. An increasing number of theatres have decided to make masks mandatory, and the university I tutor at is all set to bring back similar requirements should the government announce it. However, all is still going to plan on campus and on the various shows I freelance on, for now!
November was the now-usual mixture of deputising on various shows - with the addition of the utterly brilliant Addams Family tour to my diary - and continuing to work with Edge Hill students on their various degree modules. The third years are making decent progress with rehearsals for a workshop of The Girl In The Hat, with the composer and lyricist making a special visit to see it all coming together for themselves. It’s a fascinating process which everyone is enjoying, with a presentation of the show in Edge Hill University’s very own Rose Theatre slated for later next month.
I also had a trip to London to reunite with my extended Matilda The Musical family, as the West End run celebrated 10 years with a special gala performance. The day was tinged with sadness due to the death last year of one of its producers, André Ptaszynski. André also looked after our UK Tour a few years back, and it was always a delight to have him visit as he was always so friendly and calming. There was a special memorial concert earlier in the day at which friends & family spoke, the cast of Matilda sang and the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Minchin performed special material. It was lovely to share memories of both André and Matilda with great friends who I hadn’t seen in a while. I even found time to catch another West End show, slipping into the back of the stalls to see what all the (well-deserved) fuss was all about with Frozen!
December looks to be more of the same. While both Chicago and Addams Family take Christmas breaks, Bedknobs & Broomsticks takes up residency in Leeds Grand Theatre for the month, so I will be popping in there on occasion. Edge Hill University will also wind up for the Christmas break eventually, so there’s the real danger of me having a second relaxing Christmas holiday in a row!