Rehearsal 2, Thursday 18th April 2002

Raring to go! Still dead nervous. Name games. Calling someone's name and throwing a ball to them. Oh no! Two things I'm not good at: remembering names and catching. I soon remember that throwing's not a strong point either, as I nearly take off Kerry's head with a 'gentle lob' - at least I think it was Kerry.

OK, down to business. A sit-down read-through of the play. With parts being handed out and reallocated so that everyone could try a variety of parts. And so that David, kind and generous soul that he is, could start forming ideas about how he wants to cast it.

Lucky break. He starts on my side of the circle and I get to read Dobchinsky to start. Great! The 'Chinsky parts are very funny and very hyper which really matches my nerve-set at the moment. It also helped during my original audition, when I read some Bobchinsky. Today, Julianne is sitting next to me reading Bobchinsky, and adding extra interaction by elbowing me hard whenever she interrupts me. Ouch!

But too, too soon, the part is snatched from me and handed round the circle to someone else. Drat - I wanted to read the whole thing! I know we've all got to have a go…. but, gosh-darn it, surely there could have been an exception in my case. Actually, I soon get into the fun of listening to the others read. I can feel an almost imperceptible 'bonding' taking place - crikey! And, even better, I get to have a go at The Mayor before the evening is over. I mean, reading the part of The Mayor as opposed to doing anything to the real Mayor of Nottingham… wonderful person the Mayor...

But the rehearsal is over far too soon and we're sent away as short of satisfaction as an army of Mick Jaggers. Five whole days before we can continue!

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