Some of you are probably wondering where I’ve disappeared
to, or whether I have given up blogging. I’m still here, promise. Finding time
and energy to write anything of interest has just been a challenge the last
couple of months. I do have a list of things to post, just need the brainpower
to make it logical!
So what is taking all my time you ask? Mary Poppins is the
answer! Since the director arrived from Wellington after Easter, rehearsals
have seriously taken off. Most weeks have something scheduled 6 days a week.
Luckily I am not required at all of those rehearsals since the other
accompanist covers some of that time, but it has still been a big addition to
my normal schedule of teaching after work.
The hard work is paying off though, and the show is coming
together nicely. The benefit of attending so many rehearsals is getting an
inside look at how it becomes a great presentation for the audience. The
wardrobe and props arrived last week, and the cast is very excited to have the
opportunity to use the actual items. Costumes are not in play yet of course, as
wardrobe is making the necessary fitting adjustments. But Mary did get to try
out her “sensible shoes” (per one of her lines in the song Practically Perfect), and we enjoyed a laugh over how long it took to
put them on due to the number of buttons down the side.
From a music perspective, it is great to have the keyboard I
will play in the shows. It is all set up with a plethora of exciting sounds,
including Bert’s barrel organ, a lark, and my personal favorite: gingerbread
stars! I get lots of magical, twinkly sounds in my part, and the occasional
interesting combination of low strings on one half of the keyboard and celeste
or marimba on the other!
In other news, it made my day one afternoon when I drove
past the police station and saw an officer out front, in full uniform (hat
included), pulling weeds J
The British and Irish Lions rugby team is touring New
Zealand this month. Last weekend’s game against the Super Rugby franchise top
contender was painful enough that even my lack of rugby knowledge could figure
out we should have won that one. But maybe NZ will fare better this weekend
when they play the Maori All Blacks! Also, the America’s Cup yachting final is
coming up soon. Since it is NZ vs US, it will be interesting since US won last
time!
A pair of hardy kiwi blokes recently had an interesting
adventure. According to the story on the radio, they were enjoying a couple of
drinks one night when they decided it would be a good idea to do a
150-kilometer (93 miles) hike through the Appalachians wearing nothing but
jandals (think sturdy flip-flops). They then decided they had to stick to it
and what do you know, they did it! Seems they had to carefully attach crampons
in some places, or go barefoot in others, but they can now tick “major hike in
jandals” off the bucket list!
Have a great weekend, more updates to come soon I hope.
