Last shows of the year
Well that’s it. 2014 all but over and a
time to review and predict. My last show
at the rather bleak Brookfield shopping centre in Cheshunt was relieved by the
very welcoming and friendly people who work there and who manage to keep the
whole site immaculate, safe and welcoming for the thousands who shop at the two
giant supermarkets. I do mean immaculate
too. I didn’t see one cigarette end on
the carpark and no abandoned forgotten trolleys in the far corners and every
morning forecourt was swept and scrubbed by guys who really take particular
effort and care to make it so. And all
achieved with a smile and a friendly approach to what could be a daunting and
dismal occupation.
Sadly I couldn’t say the same about the
previous week at Aylesbury where predicted high winds (which in the end didn’t
materialise) meant that the event was transferred to the bleak soulless mind-numbingly
awful Friars Square shopping precinct.
Like every precinct in every town across our country, it is an amazingly
different environment from the quaint cobbled Town Square outside which for the last
few years has been transformed into a magical Victorian Christmas market and in
which my stage has looked perfectly suited.
The antithesis inside as I tried to interest the bored passers-by in that bleak
place was, like the architecture, insipid, dull and uninspiring. And without my stage the show has
considerably less impact. I don’t think I’ll be there next year as I heard that
the organisers preferred the indoor event.
Ah well, one door closes…
Earlier this week I visited wonderful Wallingford and
spent a great day with Mr Alexander’s Ragtime Band at the recording
studio. Hearing Maff’s original music
grow in the hands of the talented band of musicians was an enormous joy and I
am really excited to hear the end result which will be soon. I am hugely grateful to those who pledged
money to this project. The next step is
to spend time with Rhys the film maker to edit and add the music to the DVD. I
will be contacting all those who helped fund the project with more updates
about the release date for the DVD. For
those who would like a copy when it does come out, watch this space.
So it’s now back in my yard in Chester to
prepare for the down time. Except it’s
not really down as there’s loads to be done to prepare for the 2015
season. Everything has to be taken out
of the trailer, assessed, repaired, repainted and varnished. I am going to spend some time on the outside
of the trailer this winter as it has taken some bashing over the last couple of
years and needs to be refreshed. I would
dearly love to have the other side of the lorry painted too, but need to find
another artist to take that on. If you know of anyone…
There is also the new backdrop to the stage
to be constructed, painted and installed. Cheshire artist Liz Ellis has
designed a very special new moon cloth and cabinet maker, Suzanne Hodgson are
going to paint it in the next few weeks. I’m very excited about it so
another new element to the show for 2015. And maybe the Materialising Motorbike will materialise in 2015.
When I remember my mental state this time
last year, I have to say that things are considerably improved now. In fact it’s a world of difference. Although I’m
not exactly well off, at least this year I think I shall survive financially
without the generous assistance of mystery benefactors or credit cards. Many people helped me psychologically through
the difficult times and I need to thank them.
I won’t name them but they know who they are, and thanks, very much, for
what you did.
So all is good and can only get better. The next blog is part of my series of stories
from my youth and includes the copy of a real letter I sent home after one of
my escapades at Christ’s Hospital. It’s
very revealing.
All the best from a road near you,
Mr Alexander