Post Show Blues

There is a thing called the Post Show Blues which I’ve spoken a little about before. When an actor such as myself completes a show, the next day, or possibly into the next week, they may feel a little down because when the show goes well and you receive that adulation and applause you’re on a huge high. And then the applause stops. And you’re a little bereft because no one is stroking your ego any more.

I haven’t experienced the post show blues in a long time. That’s not to say I don’t have an ego, I definitely do and I soak in all the juicy praise when it comes my way, but the fun is in the doing for me and instead of being sad it’s over, I’m happy that I’ve done it. The show went well last week, we sold out and I had some fantastic conversations with friends, family and audience members not personally known to me afterwards. All were positive and heartening. Also it’s really weird but fucking brilliant when you’re having some food between the Saturday matinee and evening’s performance with a couple of the cast and crew and a random person takes thirty seconds out of their day to stop at your table and tell you all how fab she thought you were and how much she enjoyed the show.

Some friends of mine saw the last performance and stuck around afterwards for a drink. I’ve acted with them in the past and we’ve been to see each other in all sorts of shows. They know their onions. Amongst many conversations we had, they asked why Market Harborough Drama Society always puts on top quality shows. Now I’ve said it before, but I’m going to wang on about it again. In my personal opinion, it’s all to do with the volunteers who are never onstage and who don’t get the applause at the end. They provide the solid foundations upon which I stand and muck around on stage and try and do something that’s considered of quality. Without them, I’d be nowhere. They provide the opportunity for me to focus on acting without worrying about anything else and for that I feel very privileged and grateful.

There’s a whole raft of people who are involved but don’t court the limelight. And I want to thank them all. The hard graft they put in to organise costumes, props, the set, production, direction, lighting, sound, projection, the refreshments, stewarding and stage managing is Herculean, especially when they have to put up with prima donnas like me. And I’ve probably missed some teams out and I want to thank them as well. Specifically though, I’m going to mention a few people. Our Stage Manager was a beacon of calm in an otherwise chaotic backstage world. Our costume team worked tirelessly to clothe us correctly and be at every performance in case of emergency. And the hair ladies who came to every show to ensure that the hair of our female performers was always on point. These are the people who deserve all of the applause. A huge thank you to them.