Jet-Setting

April was quite the city-hopping month, as I visited London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin (to name the slightly more glamorous ones). It was my first time back on a plane since the pandemic began, and although the likes of pre-departure tests and passenger locator forms are largely a thing of the past, mask-wearing was still a requirement on the trips. It was lovely to see cities that I hadn’t visited in years, as the Dreamgirls tour visited Edinburgh and I was sent across to Ireland for an appearance on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show to promo my next show (watch the YouTube clip here). It was just lovely to enjoy some haggis and whisky in the former, and a pint or two of the black stuff in the latter!

At Edge Hill University, the students are deep into their practical assessments. The third years got to perform a showcase at the Liverpool Everyman - a gorgeous evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein music arranged for two pianos - while the second years still have Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens to work towards in May. I am winding up my regular involvement on the course as the university prepares for its long summer break, although I certainly hope I am allowed back on occasion whenever my schedule allows!

Finally I took the opportunity to return to my am dram routes, playing on a production of Calendar Girls at The Met in Bury, Lancashire. It’s always so lovely seeing so many familiar faces and to appreciate the sheer strength of talent on show.

I have a couple more weeks of assessments at Edge Hill before heading south mid-May to start rehearsals - I’ll finally be back working on my own show!