I have just finished Sound Engineering "The Producers" at the Norwich Puppet Theatre for Planet Theatre Productions. What makes working for this production company such a wonderful experience is the friendly nurturing environment, more than a group of like minded individuals they are warm and supportive, not something that you find everyday and it's very special.  The team decided to fill the small Puppet Theatre Stage with the massive show that is "The Producers", technical issues and sheer "How do we fit this set in here?" questions were all spectacularly answered. I know that there will be a lot of people missing this production and I am one of them. Keep being amazing you beautiful people and hope to catch up with you all again.  A review can be found here.

For the technical inquisitive amongst you... Yes we mixed a live band, we put them in a separate building (because we love a challenge) and connected them via a stage box and Cat5 cable. The mix was live (by yours truly) on Allen & Heath kit, 32 channels with 4 separate effects processors. 8 sennheiser Radio mics and a two way video link. That's the way we rock n roll :) Yes, we may have had to supplement the venue kit ;-) Team planet... You rock! Bring it on!

I recently had the good fortune to pop along and see how "Alice underground" is doing. This award winning show has been on my perimeter vision for some time and now that my good friend Karen Davies, Dr Who Mastermind, awesome stage manager and all round awesome person, is ASM there it seemed an ideal opportunity. It was amazing! Please go and see it! You'll not be disappointed! 

Back to reality and I was Duty Event Manager for the BBC Music Magazine awards at the King's place Music foundation. A prestigious event, full of laughter, fun, wine and great music! It was very well attended and I even bumped in the legend that is Gok Wan, he complimented me on my waistcoat and I was quite proud of myself for managing an albeit short conversation without asking for a selfie! Professional to the last! :) 

A great big hurrah for one Duane Dibartolomeo from the Grosvenor Fish bar.  He is officially a tourism superstar and not only that, he is just such an amazing guy. If you haven't been... I can't believe it! Go! Enjoy! and say Hi to Duane and Kristen from me and tell them I sent you! This is such a great (and deserved) award for them and for Norwich. Well done the whole team.

My Mother in Law's sister passed away, very sad and she became quite confused towards the end. I'm glad that I remember her as a feisty, funny, laughing lady who joked with the amazing NHS staff as they wheeled her here and there. I worry for our NHS, I worry for our future and I wonder where the jokey, funny people are who make us laugh and make light of these difficult times. We miss you and need you.  As I scanned the faces at todays funeral I see several generations that have never left the village. These generations were christened, married and buried at the little church, unheard of in these jet propelled times.  I overheard one lady saying "What sort of a world do we live in?" in reference to the recent trend of "drive by" terrorism and I realised once again that perceptions of the wonderful peacetime that we actually enjoy, the marvel that is modern day and the wonderful things we experience are sadly misreported in our thirst for sensationalist news. Is this how we justify the backwards steps that we are taking, by believing that "Things were better years ago?"  I saw the Daily Mail news headline today and I know that's the reason. Huxley's Brave new World snuck up on me while I was being vigilant for 1984.

Please register your vote, please be counted and I know that I am in a minority but if we all care and take an interest in real, honest, genuine news we will prevail over all this sensationalism. Be kind and gentle to each other and we all deserve it, we all work hard and we all have the best intentions at heart. I believe in you all.

It seems that a London bedsit is my place to blog! :) Camden high street this time and the place is buzzing! Good job I bought my ear plugs but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Recent highlights? I am now AV Tech at the Royal Opera House! Not content with working alongside wonderful people at King's Place Music Foundation, I am now part of the ROH family. They made me very welcome, it's lovely place to work but I am equally sure that I'll never know my way around this building. Thank you to all the wonderful people for showing me around. I do have to say that I will never get bored of looking out onto that auditorium. Thanks again for the chance, I won't let you down.

As I write, Alice Underground is going into Dress rehearsal at the Waterloo Vaults and I wish them good luck and "Break a leg" I must get down to see you very soon. 

Back in Norwich we are head down for the Producers at the Norwich Puppet Theatre. It opens on the 26th April so get your tickets now. It's a short run but you will love it. Rehearsals are looking great fun and we can't wait to bring this one to you and show you just exactly how you fit the extravaganza that is "The Producers" in a small venue :) No puppets! All live actors in the flesh. 

I have also been helping out with the "Arms of Sleep" at the Assembly house.  A very different and intriguing show and no, I won't be helping out all night :) I'm just helping with the lighting and setup and then I'll leave the magicians to weave their sleep spells on the public. Great to see the Assembly House involved in the Norfolk and Norwich Festival this year. Well done.

And as I wait for my train back to Norfolk I'm having a cheeky gin at the Broadgate Circle. I had forgotten the buzz, the energy and the fun of Londoners unwinding at the end of a busy day. With a glass of Bloom gin in my hand I wish you a long and happy life.