One of the finest countries anyone ever stole

166 Days ago 3 actors and a stage manager landed in America with an enormous amount of luggage, no idea of what they were about to undertake. 15,482 miles, and 134 shows later we find ourselves about to come home.

In the time we've been here Jesse Inman, Craig Gordon Hunter, Victoria Fradgely, Sarah Musk, Richard Bond, Julia Park Simmons, Gavin Bray, David Preston, Jennifer Farren Kerr, Luca Farren Kerr, Rodney Kerr, Toby Mitchell, Rio Mellor, Sue Yarrow, Alan Park Snr and Karen Park have all had Birthdays that I've missed. With Bondy and David turning the big 30. I turned 30 myself. Joanne Park and Julia Simmons got married, Chloe Preston and Jack Steppenbeck entered the world, and some lovely folks have left it. Newcastle had 4 points when we left and have 28 now. America has a new president trying to fix the old one's mistakes. The world is worth a little less making us value it a little more.

Over the last 5 or 6 months I've written my thoughts, rants and feelings on this page. I did not expect anyone to read it, but a few of you have and I hope I've kept you entertained. There is a lot to love about America and a lot that's just screwed up. Its been a fantastic journey, one which we will never forget.

Its now time to come home, put the feet up, and watch Match of The Day

I'll see you all very very soon. Love you lots

Alan

134 all out

In a tour that has taken us from North to South, Arctic to Tropical, Sunrise to Sunset we have now started the trip home. All 138 shows are done and dusted and we're currently 460 miles into the 880 mile trip back to Minneapolis to dump the van and head home.

The last few shows were strange ones in that we're all pretty tired, and mostly ready for home. It would be wrong to say I was pleased as its always sad to stop performing a show you love, but I am ready for a change and to come home.

It's been fun, but all good things must come to an end, and if we ever needed a reason to leave Nashville behind it's this...


See you Saturday

Alan

Honky Tonk Gruffalo

Our Saturday out "Honky Tonking" in Nashville is bit a blur in the back of my mind now, so here are some photos of bars that serve beer by the can, old country and new country (the difference between the two being that one has an old fella with a beard who sings and the new stuff has a cross eyed guy in a cap!)








Alan

We Walk The (double yellow) Line

Where to begin on an action packed few days. We have left the farce that was Pittsburgh behind and the less said about that the better (and the more chance I have of keeping my job!)

So from Pittsburgh to Nashville, a 500 odd mile jaunt South and suddenly we don't have to cover every inch of our bodies for fear of frost bite, or wear eight layers to walk 5 yards. No siree, Nashville is nestled in the +20c region and we like that. En route we felt we needed to immerse ourselves in some more American culture (and Karina was dangerously low on tat) so we followed signs to the birth place of Abraham Lincoln. Born by a sinking spring the place is a nice little piece of greenery with a huge odd temple thing, inside which dwells the ancient wooden cabin that is Abe's place. Except its not Abe's place. Its is "symbolic" birth place, so to me that makes it a hut in a temple. But its a very nice hut.


Having seen the hut that isn't Abraham Lincoln's birthplace we hot footed it the rest of the way to Nashville. Now, first things first. I love this town, the street of bars that tonight we shall frequent til we drop, the place oozes music as every tavern, bar, restaurant, hotel has a guy singing some country and western song about his girl running off with his best man or something similar. Its great. Upon arrival we went for a quick walk, as our hotel is incredibly central, and came across the famous Ryman Auditorium where legend upon legend has played. It doesn't look like much but this place IS music history


After that we had to restrain ourselves, with the prospect of a get in and show today we would leave the painting of the town red to tonight. This morning we came out of our hotel all ready to drive the van the few yards to stage door and begin loading in the set. Now when we arrived it was obvious to us all that the van would not fit in the hotel garage, so the nice hotel had reserved us a parking meter right across the street. We checked with the bell hop who confirmed we could park there, we checked with the reception who confirmed we could park there, so it came as quite a surprise when we exited the hotel today to find NO VAN!

A few frantic enquiries of the rather laid back valet staff confirmed it had been towed and we would have to pay to get it back. With a show in 4 hours we tried to press the point that it was not our fault the van had been towed and surely the hotel should retrieve it and bloody pay for the thing. In the end Cherie our booker from the theatre agreed to pay for the retrieval of the van and take it up with the hotel later. So I accompanied her to the lot and there was our little old van.


The fine paid, we sped back to the theatre, unloaded and as always the show went on. With a lot of time to spare to be honest as we had like a million crew!

So a little excitement but the van, the set, the costumes and more importantly my lip balm, were all retrieved. Now we just gotta work out where to park the thing for the rest of the week.

Tonight, however, belongs to drinking, music and more drinking

See you on the other side

Alan

Normal Service Resumed

Theatres. They are built for a reason, to host, produce, create and watch a variety of productions safe in the knowledge that there will be lights, sound, stage, seats, ushers, crew, etc... Alas over the last few days we've been deprived of such a building and our little show has found itself playing... schools. Now this is not a problem, I love theatreless theatre, whether it be a factory, car park or school, I am of the school (no pun intended) that Theatre can be, and should be performed anywhere. However, over the last few days in Pittsburgh a clash has occurred. Gruffalo started in schools, it works well in schools, but not U.S Schools. School halls in the U.S are not quite a hall and not quite a theatre, they are barn like caverns with a few lights, no PA and so are not really actor or story telling friendly. You can't perform a show with no mics as the place is too big, likewise the thing needs lit but there's no lights, and add to this a crew of moody 13 year olds and NO OTHER QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN and you get the last week. So it was with great relief and happiness that on Sunday we set foot in the Byham Theatre...


A beautiful snug auditorium with adults for crew, intimate seating, acoustics that work and a sold out performance of that cracking show "The Gruffalo". Add to this a piece of art on the ceiling that was painted by gay artists so all the women started as nude men and then got the cloaks, wigs and boobs painted on, and we were right at home.

Then add in Miss Minni, who goes on stage to teach children "the rules of Theatre". Imagine if you will the most condescending voice possible saying:

Never Be Late
And Talk Real Low
Don’t Rattle Your Wrappers
Don’t Run Around the Show
Learn To Pretend
And at the end,
Everybody Cheer and shout, “BRAVO!”

And you get the picture. Oooh and she had a cape that had the word "Theatricality" on the back. I was laughing so much I nearly couldn't start the show.



So normal service resumed. We don't mind school shows, but this US mix is not a good one. It has to be said as well that the show which follows us in the Family Series will be based in the Byham Theatre for the week due to the "technical requirements of the show". Shame we didn't pull that one.

A day off beckons tomorrow and I'll be hard pressed to stay away from the legend that is Primanti Bros. They make stunning sandwiches, the trade mark of which is that they are all topped with fries. And very nice they are too (couldn't get the image to rotate. Sorry)



So all is well again. Theatre. Sandwich. All good. Just the small matter of another school to go to on Wednesday, but after that its all go to Nashville, Tennessee and some partying Dolly Parton style!!

Alan

No Comment

I've nothing constructive or positive to say about the performances in Pittsburgh so I just won't. Here are some pictures from the last few days of amateur dramatics









Alan

Dropt from the zenith like a falling star

Having played 6 weeks at what we all consider to be the cathedral of children's theatre there was always going to be a certain amount of come down on this next leg of the tour. However, nothing could quite prepare us for the scale of the fall, and how far we might tumble. If we were the economy the markets would have crashed, the bail outs failed and the financial systems in tatters.

Our week in Pittsburgh comprises of several gigs in schools on the outskirts of the city as part of the family series, before we play the main theatre at the weekend. That much is fine, I quite enjoy playing schools, but what we have here are a set of shows that don't quite know what they are. We're not performing in the day for kids, we're in the evening, but regular theatre goers aren't coming, more parents of kids at the school. This gives the whole evening a sort of amateur, school play feel. A feeling only added to by the fact that the in house crew are a gaggle of 13/14 year olds from the school who, with the best will in the world, don't have a clue.

The show itself was alright, but scattered with the constant entering and exiting of audience, organisers, children, babies, janitors and the slight bewilderment of all wondering what had brought us all here in the first place. The feeling of the day was best summed up by the janitor who assumed, as we put the set up, that we were the latest school show and exclaimed "thank God, they've been rehearsing that show for months!". The thing was nobody knew what to expect, audience, actors, organisers, and the fact this was all being done a 20 minute drive from Pittsburgh's sate of the art theatre just added to the bizarreness.

Other cities' family series place the show at the theatre and bus the kids and groups in, here it seems the reverse is true, with the effect being it all just feels a bit half assed. Still we got given a nice dinner, and it allowed me to reminisce of my rural touring days. I daresay there is more chaos to come as this tour continues to surprise as we have played one of the world's leading children's theatres and a school lecture theatre in the space of a week. Its nothing if not interesting.

Oh, and in keeping with the US tour policy of not allowing any publicity image to actually contain pictures of the current cast (that would just be daft) the publicity photo for here has been dredged from The Gruffalo archives and even we're not sure who the girl in it is. Answers on a post card (PS. My costume looks much better than that one)


Alan

On the Road Again

On the road again, and we've travelled 868 miles to spend a week in Pittsburgh, home of the Superbowl champions. We're playing a variety of venues this week around the area, and to bang our drum a bit this morning Alex ventured onto live morning television as the rest of us lay in our pits watching. The interview was very good and the smiley morning hosts seemed very interested in the show. I myself have done my own bit for the publicity vehicle by being interviewed by the Pittsburgh Tribune. My interviewer seemed a bit more obsessed with the darker meanings of The Gruffalo, and whether it represented the real dangers out there for children today. Meh.

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/s_613415.html

So a week in Pittsburgh we have, and in a very nice hotel to boot. I shall keep you updated should anything exciting happen to fall our way, right now we're just enjoying having access to more than 5 TV stations and the fact that the temperature is above freezing

Alan

Ready for the off

This weekend brought our closing performances at the Minneapolis Children's Theatre and the end to a fun filled 6 weeks where the temperature has fluctuated from -29 to +7c at times. Its been great fun here and all yesterday as we passed folk in the halls they would wish us "happy closing". Its an odd sentiment as usually there is not much happiness associated with a show closing, it usually signals a return to unemployment, auditions and the end of a job. However, as we already know, in Minneapolis, with a permanent acting company, it merely signals the start of the next challenge. For us, well it means 3 weeks back on the road, a journey that will take us to Pittsburgh and Nashville before completing the triangle and heading back to Minneapolis to dump the set, pick up some things and head for Blighty. We all felt slightly odd yesterday as the last show here felt a bit like the right time to end the tour, and there is a danger of the next 3 weeks being a bit of a damp squib ending to what has been a great tour. I know I've said it before, but I have been hugely impressed with the Children's Theatre and do think there are lessons to be learned from the way they approach work and conduct themselves. Our parting gift to them was to add a sneaky photo the wall of the dressing room we'd been using, who knows when it will be noticed.

The birds we are molesting are singing birds that regale people with "Santa Baby" every time you walk by.

Our closing yesterday combined with my 30th Birthday did provide a great excuse for a session in the CC club, that started at 4 and ended at 4 pretty much as we drank, sang, drank, changed location to the "Bryant Lake Bowl" (not so much a bowling alley as a bar with a couple of lanes) and then headed back to Rik the sound guys pad where we all promptly passed out and eventually stumbled our way home. The evening ended with Anna and Rik making plans to go skiing, something that has not materialised.


Tomorrow we head east to Pittsburgh, so till then I'd better do some laundry and try and figure out why I always feel a hangover in my thighs!


Alan

It was snowing then and its snowing now- nothings changed

30 years ago amidst one of the coldest winter's to embrace the UK in recent memory Alan Park Jnr (or Alan Park II depending on which you prefer) entered this fragile earth and despite a rather large intake of alcohol between then and now I'm still here and about to cross decades to 30. On my Birthday I find myself across the Atlantic, away from friends and family and making a living dressing up in a big furry suit on a daily basis. My birthday celebrations will take place at Minneapolis' infamous CC Club following our last show here on Sunday. I invited a few of the crew on the show and now fear events may have escalated beyond my control, as I pass random strangers in the halls of the theatre to be met with "Hey see you at the CC on Sunday!"




Now whilst all that might sound bleak, its not. I am actually quite positive about the next decade, I feel like I've done my 20s and life is ready to move up a gear. I'm in work in a job I love, I'm married to an amazing woman, have great friends and family and despite every pessimist in the land crying that the world is collapsing amidst credit crunches, recessions and many other things, life is good in the wood.

I might not know where my paychecks come from after April 4th, but that's always been the case. I'm still paying off debt from 10 years ago, I've still got an unusually large pot belly for my frame, and I'm still partial to one or two beers (which might explain the belly). Who knows whats next, but right now at this moment. I couldn't be happier

xx

This so called Career

Warning there now follows a rant!

Something has been gnawing away at me over the last few weeks and it was only the other night over a Jucy Lucy that all the pieces came together in my head and formed the argument I am now about to embark on, the principle of which is this- Theatre in the UK Sucks.

Not creatively, I actually think that as a nation of artists we produce some of the most interesting, diverse work on the planet. Its the support, or lack of it, that I have now come to realise will never be there. We may think we have a very generous arts council, who allow creative freedom, exciting new projects, when what we really have are a few select organisations that are considered "safe" to fund, none of whose funds go towards supporting the protagonists of such work- the artists.

The Minneapolis Children's theatre employs 5 actors on permanent contracts. They have security, benefits, the most recent actor has been here 9 years, the longest 40 years. They are neither bored nor starved of creativity as the constant output of shows, visiting directors and different approaches leaves every show feeling like a new job, and new challenge. In the UK the longest any actor can currently work for a company is the RSC and it is 2 years. 2 years! No wonder actors are deserting the industry in their droves, we have no security, every job must end and every few weeks we must start from scratch. How are we possibly supposed to nurture our talent, explore new boundaries if we're constantly worried about the next job. Now, of course, not everyone can enjoy such luxuries, and some companies use artists again and again, but the fact that nowhere in the UK can you work as an actor permanently is bizarre and tragic. It is also worth pointing out that the US has very little state funded theatre, no arts council, no hand outs, the Minneapolis Children's theatre survives on sponsorship and corporate donations alone, and does very well from them. That sort of funding is still in its infancy in the UK and I do believe all it would take is a professional fundraiser and a powerful argument to start the beginnings of a state free theatre, with a permanent source of private sector funders, and a permanent company. America does private sector fund raising incredibly well. We don't. So I suppose the message is, if the government aint giving you the money, go get it yourself.

As for the cause, or the project to do this with. Well, its worth pointing out our National Theatre at present makes no work for children, the RSC's output for children alone is minimal and the Unicorn (our biggest Children's theatre) has a shockingly low output of shows and a new building which is mostly dark. The Minneapolis Children's Theatre is constantly producing, constantly developing new work, and doing it for possibly the most important audience of all- children. So, a privately funded National Theatre for Children it is then, with a permanent acting company to boot. That's that sorted. What else needs fixing?

Alan

Bowling and Burgers

Two pillars of the American way, bowling and burgers, two things that America does very well and the UK makes a rather half assed effort at. I've always said that there are things we do well, things America does well and things we both really suck at. For instance, daytime TV. America stinks at daytime TV. If I have to watch one more over excited mid 40 year old scream into a microphone because Ellen gave her a free DVD then I might cry. We on the other hand handle our daytime TV with dignity: Home Under The Hammer, A Place In the Sun, BBC Breakfast and of course This Morning. All perfect examples of British restraint and class. Anyway I digress, this week saw our first expedition to an American bowling Alley, and what an Alley it was. In the UK bowling alleys don't really have an identity, half aimed at kids and half at adults there is no real life or buzz to the place. Well they could do worse than take a visit to "Memory Lanes" a thriving alley which has thumping music, disco lights, and beer by the bucket load. In the US beer and bowling go hand in hand, you have a server for your lane, you play, you drink, and in my case you get better the more you drink. My last game saw 5 strikes, 2 spares and a score of 158. Not bad.


Completely sold on the US bowling experience how would we top such an event you ask. Well ladies and gents I give you the pride of Minneapolis- the Jucy Lucy (and that is how its spelt).


Two burger patties placed on top of each other infused with melted cheese in the middle the Jucy Lucy is Minneapolis. We were taken to Matt's Bar, where the Jucy Lucy is said to have been born (though the nearby 5-8 Club do dispute it). I loved my Jucy Lucy, I loved the fact we had to wait 5 minutes before being able to eat it, the waitress gives you a health warning over the melted cheese so you don't sue the place later on.

So 2 days and 2 perfect examples of what makes America great. Its our last week in Minneapolis this week, and then onto Pittsburgh. Not before the small matter of some poor sod turning 30 on Saturday, but enough of that.

Enjoy

Alan

Gruffalo, Gruffalo where for art thou Gruffalo?

OK this once a week business has to stop, but in truth I've either been too tired, busy or just plain lazy to update this things. This week has been a fun mix of our show, other people's shows and warmer temperatures. Yup that's right you lily-livered Brits, it got warmer over here just as Blighty was cast into the arctic wilderness and the last person out of the country turned off the light. I know I ranted last week about Britain's inability to deal with a cold climate but the local journos over here are having quite a giggle at us at the moment.

Anywho, we had a lot of morning shows this week (5 in a row to be exact). I don't think any actor is a particular fan of the morning show. When you get into this business it's with a promise that you won't have to even emerge from bed til the sun is over the yardarm and anything resembling a performance won't be needed until evening time. However, in the land of children's theatre that aint so, and 1030am was our time to jump up and down, sing a few songs, don a furry suit and then go home with our work for the day done. This did afford us the opportunity to go see other stuff Minneapolis has to offer. It has to be said there are a LOT of theatre's in Minneapolis, and as far as I can see only 1 houses commercial touring. The others all create their own work, from pub theatres, warehouses, to the jewel in the crown, The Guthrie Theatre, a newly deigned $125 million state of the art thing of beauty. The Guthrie has been around in Minneapolis since the 1960s, but with an old decaying building they elected to move location to near the river and build themselves a fancy new one. It is an amazing place, with 3 performance spaces, countless restaurants and bars and a fancy "bridge to nowhere" which goes... nowhere!

Our trip to the Guthrie was to see their production of Edward Albee's "A Delicate Balance". I was very keen to see some American drama in America and was not disappointed. The running time of 2 hours 40 flew buy in what was a fascinating slow burning tale of a crumbling society, played out through the lives are a rather dysfunctional family and their best friends who choose to visit them and stay simply because they are afraid. All very intriguing and bloody good.

Not content with one theatre visit we were also invited to a sneak preview of the Children's Theatre company's new show, a little known play called Romeo and Juliet. The director lives next door to us and is also British, so we've been for a few beers and he was keen to hear our views. I have to say I was not looking forward to yet another take on the star crossed lovers, but when I say it is the best production of R&J I have ever seen, you'll know I liked it.. lots. It is set in a sort of 1950s eastern European town square and the audience just mill around this square as the action unfolds, we can sit on the walls, benches, carts, or stand and follow the action. It is the most exhilarating theatre I have witnessed for some time, with a superb cast full of energy and passion. A live band play at points through the show as they sit in the corner of the square, witnessing the action as we do. You can watch from afar, or up close, sit down next to Juliet as she sleeps or Capulet as he cracks open another beer. Its brilliant, and aimed at that difficult teenage market. However, they should love it and it was refreshing to see a show for young people that didn't feel the need to bombard us with state of the art technology in an effort to trick kids that they are seeing a movie and not theatre (I think you all know who I'm referring to!)

The only worry for R&J is that the over sensitive front of house staff will fail to understand the freedom of the piece and worry that an audience member might not know when to move and so get hit by an actor. Well tough, people have to use common sense some times you know. Greg (the director) had already told us how Tybalt's cologne had to be toned down as he was told some audience members may be allergic. Pah! What if they go to a restaurant and a fellow diner is wearing strong after shave. Jeeze!

Anyway, this has already gone on too long. Needless to say both shows were amazing, and I was hit with suitable pangs of jealousy that always mean I've enjoyed the show. But for every wordy Albee, and passionate Shakespeare, there is also the need for a man in a furry suit singing G G G Gruffalo, and enjoy it I do.

Til next time

Alan

The One With The Superbowl

Alright, alright. More than a week between posts is not just infrequent, its plain lazy on my part. But what to write? Its cold- you know that, we've done some shows- you probably figured as much, and its still cold. So its not like I haven't been writing about the most exciting period of my life because for the most part, we've been doing normal everyday things.

That's not to say nothing has happened. Sunday brought the small matter of the Super Bowl (I've given up working out which number it was, all I know is it had this after it "XLIII" answers on a postcard). This year saw the Pittsburgh Whatyemecallits and the Arizona Sparrowsorsummat provide the warm up for Bruce Springsteen's half time show. Its quite amazing the Superbowl, it is a very American thing. Big, loud, and unforgettable. In England the FA cup goes by with not so much as a whimper, here you can't miss the thing. Half time lasted a good 45 minutes as the whole pitch was transformed into a music concert and Bruce Springsteen wailed out 12 minutes of hits (making me slightly regret not getting Glastonbury tickets this year). This was no temporary stage wheeled on and then off again either. Oh no, this saw fireworks, big screens, 30 strong choir, this was like being at Wembley for the greatest show you will ever see, only if you'd got there an ten minutes early or late then you'd have thought you'd come on the wrong day. I dread to think how much muscle it takes to set up and take down in all of 5 minutes for what is basically the half time entertainment.

As for the game, well it was actually really good. American Football can be slow and dull with a 15 minute quarter taking an hour to complete but this was a topsy turvy (feels wrong to use those words in an American context but the best alternative I have is ding dong, and that aint much better) affair that was settled by a touchdown in the last second as Pittsbugh broke Arizona hearts. I have to say I wanted Arizona to win so that was probably the curse that dunnit. Regardless of the result it was incredibly entertaining, and despite each time at times building big leads, it never seemed to be over and kept swinging back and forward.


Today was a day off and so in keeping with tradition brought another cold snap. On Saturday we got up to 7c (warmer than the UK) but today was back to -16c. Anna and I braved the cold to go and see some of the lakes, but after 20 minutes it all got too much and we retreated to a coffee shop to warm up.



I hear the UK is having some extreme weather of its own, although it is laughable that so much seems to have come to a standstill for weather that here is considered the norm. People here just deal with it, the snow ploughs come out, people salt their own path, clear their own drive, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day, and they don't complain and ask why the council hasn't done anything. The fact that London Buses were pulled from service is an absolute disgrace, every year we have this and every year we are embarrassed by how appallingly we cope.



Anyway rant over, time for a cup of tea and some more episodes of "The Wire"

Love ya

Alan

The Icemen Cometh

It makes sense that a place that regularly suffers from sub zero temperatures should celebrate the fact with a winter carnival. Minneapolis' Twin City of St Paul has duly obliged with such an event, and we braved the -20c climate to go and check it out, aided and abetted by the rather lovely David (chief LX at the theatre, and driver of needed vehicle to get there).

Before that however the small knackering matter of 8 shows in 4 days. Now I hear those panto dames amongst you laugh at such show schedules and take them in your stride. However, consider if you will that in this show we are basically all on stage all of the time! Anyway regardless of what you think, its very tiring. The workload was only added to on Sunday as the Minneapolis Children's Theatre took part in the "Rock The Cradle" event, a disco for the under 10s and their parents, at which Gruffalo and friends were asked to appear. Not one to shirk from my dancing responsibilities I donned the suit and myself, Snake and Mouse took to the dance floor. Whilst most children seemed happy at our presence I was confronted by one annoying little madam who proclaimed that I was a fake, not a real Gruffalo, and then proceeded to prove the fact by tearing off my rather delicate purple prickles. I was sorely tempted to unleash the Gruffalo's inner monster (no double entendre intended) but being in the land of the law suit I thought better of it.



We seemed to be a hit though and once we'd done our shows for the day it was off to the winter carnival. Sunday was the Ice Sculpture contest and the variety was there to behold:

The Last Supper
Palm Trees
Numb bum on throne
Faithful friend
Jaws
and of course Obama

St Paul of course is also the home of the creator of the Peanuts cartoons, and the centre is scattered with small nods to Charles M. Schultz, and whilst not made of Ice they are very lovely.


Today is a day off (and needed believe me) and saw the arrival of the next 2 series of "The Wire" for me to indulge in over the next few days until the temperature rises somewhat.

Til then

Alan

You can't always get what you want

As you may have gathered I'm full of musings at the moment, the latest of which is what we look for in a good piece of theatre (or theater if you're from this side of the pond). I personally look for good performances, strong narrative, inventiveness, playfulness and a whole host of other ness's that make me connect with the performer and the show. However, it would seem this is not what everyone looks for. The problem with online reviews is that some folks take it upon themselves to post comments, so if you're a curious soul with time on his hands (as I am) then you read these comments. From these, it would appear that a portion of audience look for glitzy set (with set changes), live music instead of recorded, and something that is basically familiar, that they recognise and can go home going "oh wasn't that nice, as nice as the other nice things we've seen this year".

Unfortunately "Gruffalo" doesn't offer set changes, live music, or familiarity. It offers simple story telling theatre where 3 actors play around and perform the tale of The Gruffalo for 55 minutes. It is a small scale show doing big things, it started in school halls and hasn't changed much in 8 years of being performed in New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, and a million other places. The fact it hasn't changed is part of its charm, the fact that these 3 actors could be on stage, in your front room, in a school hall, its the performances and the story that make it.


That is not to say that people aren't enjoying the show, we're getting great responses every night, but me being British I choose to focus on the 3 negative things I've read other than the hundreds of people cheering and clapping. It would seem that there is a section of people though who prefer something that looks a million dollars, sounds a million dollars, but they couldn't care what actually happens on stage. In this country it seems the word "budget" is a bad thing, necessity breeds invention is not a recognised trait, and perhaps that goes someway to displaying the problem Mr Obama's new selfless America will face. Its all well and good saying you'll make sacrifices, accept difficult decisions, but there will always be a section of American's who will choose the soulless expensive option as opposed to the inventive budget path, and Gruffalo aint for those folks.

Perhaps it is telling that every one of these comments says "my child loved it", and it may just be that child hasn't yet developed commercial wants or needs and is just happy to be happy. They won't stay that way unfortunately.



Alan

You Spin Me Right Round

Theatre publicity is tricky. With so much competition from other plays, movies, and basically any other form of entertainment available to the general public, how do you get people from reading about your show to actually booking a ticket. Reviews have always been a good starting point, we love nothing more than the reassurance that someone else has liked the thing which we are about to spend our hard earned cash on. Of course, not everyone reads the reviews and so the very helpful theatre is all too willing to publish a snippet of the review for your information.

The choice of snippet is key. Why only a few months ago myself, Anna and Karina stopped at a curry house in Madison, intent on sampling the food that night. As mindful diners we took time out to read the reviews on the window and check the joint out. To our amazement the restaurant had put bad reviews on the window and as the eager owner peered out at us, hoping we would fill a very empty restaurant we hot footed it to another place down the road. Had the owner taken a few choice phrases from the reviews instead of the whole articles we may have dined there, for it is possible to insinuate any reaction with a choice "spin" of the review. Were you to take snippets from my blog yesterday to depict my reaction to Obama's inauguration you could have taken:

"what I have witnessed today makes... politics look dirty, snide and contrived"

Would this be accurate? No, but a quote nonetheless. And so the Minneapolis Children's Theater have published the following on our poster (I've added links if you wish to read the full reviews)

"A great belly laugh" Pioneer Press
"I want to see it again" Star Tribune
"A jolly romp for all ages" Minn Post

2 of these are an accurate reflection of the well thought out, considered reviews that this stunning show deserves. The same cannot be said of the middle quote, for whilst the Star Tribune did publish the words "I want to see it again" it was a quote from the 6 year old (and might i add very astute 6 year old) accompanying the reviewer. The reviewer, who completely loathed our show, responded "Only if your mommy takes you". It just so happens that this spin is working in our favour and that I disagree with the Star Tribune's negative review. I am all for free speech and people having their opinions but this guy got facts wrong and that really annoys me. If the reviewer of the Star Tribune is to be believed the Gruffalo is a Japanese fable and adapted by someone named Robyn Price- who?

And with reviews not enough to boost seat numbers we are promised a whole host of marketing activities, including a hunt the Gruffalo campaign, as I terrorise downtown Minneapolis. At least I won't be cold.

That's that

Alan

Inauguration Day

Here we are then, the 44th President of the U.S.A is fully inaugurated, in office and probably in need of a stiff drink. Of course this election cycle would not be complete without me missing out on some sort of unique election event, in order to run about on stage growling at a bunch of apathetic kids on whom most of our very intelligent humour is wasted. So it was then that I was invited to the river view movie theater, an old art house cinema on the banks of the Mississippi to watch the inauguration ceremony in full with a large group of loud Americans all cheering at this momentous day. Alas I had to refuse as some bright spark in scheduling chose to put Mr Obama's inauguration head to head with the Gruffalo. I did get to see the ceremony and speech, but a trip to enjoy the occasion in full was too much of a squeeze.

The main thing, however, is that the deed is done. It was fascinating watching the pomp and ceremony play out over hours and hours, as Presidents old and new, and nearly every movie star in the world (some burglars are having a field day in LA right now) were trawled out in the east coast cold to celebrate the moment. There is a real sense of huge optimism here that this is a new chapter, a new beginning. He spoke of sacrifice, of the greater good, of surpassing all obstacles by perhaps not always putting yourself first and looking at the bigger picture. My reaction was one I was not expecting, and that was jealousy.

I am jealous of the adventure that this country is about to embark on, of the limitless hope that is now present in a whole nation. It amazes me that one man can do that. I have tried to liken it to something, anything in the UK. Is it similar to when Blair came in? Its difficult now to look back at that day without judging the deeds since, but on that night there was complete hope that we had turned a corner, that brighter days were ahead. The same cannot be said now. Were Cameron to win an election would we feel as Americans do now? No. The difference, and it is not a nice one, is that Barack Obama is a good man, a better man, than any statesman I have observed in recent memory. There is a natural intelligence, thoughtfulness that tells you its all going to be OK. We have nobody like that in the UK, what I have witnessed today makes our politics look dirty, snide and contrived. Here is a guy who doesn't care whether he is left, right, centre, republican, democrat, Christian, Muslim... he just wants the best possible results, regardless of party line, poll results, or sacrifice. If any of our leaders in the UK take anything from this, it should be to ditch the spin, the polls, the lies and attempt to do the right thing. Alas, not likely.

From a very happy America

Alan

That was the week that was

Our first week in Minneapolis is over and it already feels like we're part of the fixtures and fittings. In the last week we've seen temperatures ranging from -5c to -29c. Its strange to think that I now consider anything above -10c as "warm". This week we should even hit 1c which will surely trigger a rush to the beach to soak up the heat wave. I do find the extreme temperatures entertaining, apparently at anything below -20c if you throw a cup of coffee into the air it immediately begins to freeze and lands as a kind of slush, very cool. What is great about the weather is that they are so prepared for it, nothing stops, trains still run, shops still open, in England we'd have put the closed sign up and left the country by now. I'm getting good wear out of my winter collection, and have just purchased a snazzy pair of North Face trainers to cope with the snow. Buying shoes in the U.S is a lot more detailed than the U.K, my salesman gave me his card and everything (what was slightly depressing is that he'd been an actor for 20 years before quitting to be a shoe salesman, nice.)



Apologies for so much talk of the weather but it is the dominant presence here, it dictates whether you walk into town or attempt to walk into town, keel over wheezing and hail a cab. As for Minneapolis well its just lovely, and is certainly living up to the term "Minnesota Nice" which is a phrase used to describe the residents of Minnesota being hospitable and kind at all costs. We've already had several offers of home cooked meals, tour guides, lifts to anywhere we want to get to, everyone here is...nice.


Today is a day off and then the schools shows kick in tomorrow. Rik our sound guy has been measuring the noise level of audience reaction and is very excited about our first schools show, thinking we might break a few records. Its a great theatre to play and the reactions so far have been amazing. We ended the week yesterday by spending a few well earned hours in "The Black Forest Inn" a German bar that serves great Bratwurst and strong German Bier. Needless to say I have a heavy head this morning.



I'll leave it there for now, I'm starting to get into the swing of blog relevant stuff now so will update as and when.

Hope all is well

Alan

The best things come to those who wait

Touring is an interesting experience. On this tour we generally rock up to a venue and have a couple of hours to get the show up and running. Sometimes its a tight schedule. We also have to find places to wash costume, make repairs, grab some food and then pack it all up and mosey on out of town by sunset. So we were all a bit giddy at the prospect of 6 weeks at Minneapolis Children's Theater. We walked through stage door yesterday to be met with a fully assembled set, lights all rigged and focused (as well as 50 extra lighting queues!), costumes fully laundered and repaired, tea, coffee, doughnuts, nice dressing rooms... the list goes on. This place is brilliant, every department is on hand to help make things easier. We even had time for a dress run to make sure we could all remember the show. The show itself was a stormer, a relatively full house with that ideal mix of willing adults and wide eyed children meaning that we had a great time, and if yesterday is anything to go by, this 6 weeks will be brilliant. We finished the day off with a meal in a German Restaurant and a few biers, all very good.



As for the temperature, well that has plummeted to below -20c. We've been warned that if we walk anywhere we must have every inch of skin covered. The strange thing is, it doesn't feel that cold. When the wind drops its very pleasant, but as you breathe in your breath catches slightly. If we were to just walk around without covering our mouths apparently we'd inhale all sorts of tiny ice fragments that would not be very pleasant. Its certainly a culture shock, preparing to go anywhere takes a good 10 minutes. Alex is still recovering from seeing me in my thermals in the dressing room. So its cold, but very beautiful and strangely pleasant.



I'll leave you with a snap of our apartment




Be good

Alan

Baby Its Cold Outside

So we've made it across the Atlantic again (all of us, which is a minor miracle). We've successfully navigated the maze of Newark International and made it to our rather delightful apartments in the rather delightful city of Minneapolis. So far everything has been lovely. We have nice apartments, been shopping, I found a bar named Brits that not only showed the Newcastle game this morning but was packed with fellow Geordies all ready to hit the town in mini skirts and boob tubes and crown Minneapolis the Newcastle of the Mid West.

However, there is one blot on the horizon that I must share with you. People, we have no Internet in out apartment. Now there are some amongst you I know who will see this (as I do) as a good thing, a chance for Anna and myself to communicate with each other, read, enjoy what Minneapolis has to offer and not spend our time face down in a laptop. However, it does affect the blog somewhat. I was already planning to scale back the daily efforts of last year, partly as we're not travelling as much but also in anticipation of such telecommunication issues. But do not fret, the theatre has Internet, as does the lovely Spy House Coffee shop in which I am sat at this very moment. I shall blog, but perhaps only when there is something to say (which will hopefully be 2-3 times a week).

Right now content yourselves with the fact that we feel right at home in the twin cities (partly due to what we packed, sorry the image won't rotate)



But also due to the fact that the place is very very nice. As for the temperature, well that's hitting between -10 and -15c at the moment, with a cold snap coming next week! Our apartment is filled with industrial radiators (the kind you got in school), that get so hot they have a valve on the side that intermittently spits out excess gas to prevent an explosion. Something I've been known to do after a couple of pints and a curry.

Enough now. Hope everyone is well

Alan

Home is Where the Heart Is

So here we are. Bags packed, flights booked (well nearly, but more of that later) and we're almost set for Gruffalo leg 2! I have to be honest and say its with mixed emotions that I return to the U.S tomorrow. I make no bones about the fact that I'm a homing bird. I love my flat, my bed, my TV, my local pub (despite it featuring on Ross Kemps' most dangerous pubs in Britain... twice!). A lot of people say that what we're doing is amazing, fantastic, a great adventure, and it is, however, none of that stops me missing home, and there is nothing like 4 weeks of family, festivitiy, and friends to make you reluctant to leave it all. I have had an amazing Christmas, and I have walked around the grand old city that is London with a smile on my face loving life back home.

But, leave it we must and tomorrow we head for the cold climbs of Minneapolis (and when I say cold I mean flingin flanging freezing). This week the UK's weathermen have been in a tiswas over cold temperatures, well they aint got nothing on the -20c world we're flying into tomorrow. My bag is full of thermals, buffs, scarves, fleeces the lot. This is going to be well and truly cold.

I say "we're flying into" but that remains to be seen. I have a ticket, Anna has a ticket, and Alex has a ticket. Karina on the other hand, and perhaps its at this point I should refer to her by her full name- Karina Jane Garnet. This is a name Karina has been referred to by for a very long time, she has no other name, no stage name, no pseudonym, just Karina Jane Garnet, and a pretty name it is at that. It was even the name under which her ticket for the first leg of the tour was booked, and so it is with bewildered confusion that we can't quite work out why on this leg she has a ticket under the name Karina Jane HUGHES. Now it is true that Karina was born a Hughes, but she did not remain a Hughes for very long and has certainly not been a Hughes whilst being an actress, a mouse or any other creature for that matter, and there is no reason why anyone should even know she was a Hughes, let alone book a ticket under that name. But that is what the ticket says. Our airline are unmoved at the moment, refusing to change the name and merely adding a note to account and assuring that all should be fine... watch this space!

It could be that Gruffalo '09 starts with a key member of the team staying home. Now if only my ticket had a different name on it.

See you stateside

Alan