The end is in sight. There is a plan, tentative dates - if we all behave for a little while longer, and light at the end of the tunnel. But that's not always enough.
Over the past year, we have had to deal with blow after blow after blow to the things we want to do. For us in the theatre industry, that means cancelled rehearsal dates, rescheduled show dates, more cancelled rehearsal dates, more rescheduled show dates, again cancelled rehearsal dates, again rescheduled show dates. It's hard to stay optimistic and roll with the punches, no matter how resilient and strong you are as a person.
And I like to think of myself as resilient and strong. I've been through enough things and have come out on top to be confident in my own ability to deal with adversity and set-backs. But everyone needs a break between one thing and the next, and we haven't had that in a year. I haven't seen my family and friends in even longer - since Christmas 2019. I haven't touched another person since March 2020.
Any other year, I would have been able to deal with having to reschedule Not Such Stuff three times. Any other year, I would have been able to roll with the punches and kept going. We would have laughed, taken a short break, rejoiced that there was now more time to learn lines, and got back together to try and remember the blocking from last rehearsal.
But not now - now it is a little too much across the board.
So it is with a very heavy heart that I say, I don't know how to deal with set-back and change. Any other year, sure. Not this one. I don't know what else to do but wait - defeated, tired, and sad. Hoping that everyone sticks to the rules long enough to get to June 21 without delays.
That is not to say Not Such Stuff won't happen. It will. We will be back, better and stronger, and ready to slap Shakespeare in the face with his own sexism. Maybe it's in the summer, maybe it's Camden Fringe, maybe it's a Christmas miracle - either way, we will be back. But for now, I am taking a break and nursing my heart.
Please keep an eye on our social media channels, and continue to get in touch with me for projects. There will be work coming, and I will be in the middle of it!
