Definitely first and foremost, huge, massive congratulations to the England football team who won the European Championship last weekend against Germany. A tense match, hard fought and we managed to not let the match go to penalties, because we all know that doesn’t end well for us. And it means I can use one of my favourite memes again from recent times, see below. It has been a little ray of sunshine which seems to have brought us together a little bit when lots of things seem to be pulling us apart at the moment.
So the football win had me looking like this on the left, and if you’ve come to see me in Richard III then you’ll have seen me doing this on stage as well. The play has gone really well. We’ve had decent audience numbers and great feedback. I’ve really enjoyed this run so far and getting down the pub after to blow off a little steam is always the one. Also, my awesome Dad is part of the cast and it’s always great to have him backstage, kicking about. In the vast cast of thirty, we also have a husband and wife, a mother and daughter and two brothers. It’s a family affair. And lots of friends.
In a bizarre bit of coincidence, I was at a wedding on Monday. Whilst skulking at the back in the chapel waiting for it to kick off, a lady who I’ve never met before turned to me and enquired if I had been performing in the Shakespeare in Northampton on the previous Saturday night. I answered in the affirmative and she recounted how she loved it and her son really enjoyed it too! These moments when you get recognised are always a little strange.
I think Monday of this week was the best Monday I’ve ever had in my life. My very good friends, Rachel and Jeremy, have a very modern family set up with four children between them from separate marriages. I view them as the ultimate family unit and parents. They are so supportive of me as a friend and the love and support they provide to their children is unmatched. I met them over fifteen years ago doing a play, and we’ve been fast friends ever since. I’ve known their children, Katie, Reyna, Tommy and Gracie since they were little ankle biters so it was a great privilege to be invited to their eldest daughter’s wedding. It’s always a special feeling for me when I am welcomed in to be an adoptive part of their family.
I’ve witnessed all four of their children grow up into adults and the job they’ve done in some tough circumstances is exemplary. Katie is one of the most talented young people I know and her (now) husband Daniel is a steadfast and adoring partner. The speeches given by Daniel, Jeremy and Tommy, were exceptional. The sentiments expressed, the comedy sewn in and all the love was eye-watering, but in a good way. I had the best time. I had to nip back to Northampton to perform and I raced back to join them for the rest of the evening’s entertainment. Which we inevitably spent getting sweaty and dancing poorly. It was a good day. And I’ve listened to Train’s Drops of Jupiter every day since.
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