OK, so the 624 people bit may not be accurate but it sounded good. There were probably a few more – I’d guess nearer 700+ all told who came to see this years Abbey Shakespeare Players production at St. Dogmaels Abbey. We have just driven 624 miles though, since we set off from Harrogate 9 days ago and We’ve seen the show in it’s entirety (including a dress rehearsals) 5 times.

I’m keeping this blog short and sweet because I’m pooped. It’s been a full on day of waking at 08:30, striking camp in the rain then striking the production hardware (stage structures, lighting towers and chairs) in the biblical rain, then driving from St Dogs to Harrogate. This was on the back of the big after party which didn’t start until around 1am, due to us all breaking down all the electrics from the show (of which, there was a lot).

We’re all still buzzing about the show. Throughout the day, particularly Felix and I have kept saying lines from the show to each other; “Bottle of hay, good hay, sweet hay” and “swifter than the moon’s Sphere” being the two that seem to have stuck for the time being.

It’s been brilliant. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. To me, as well as hanging out with some top old friends, and making a bunch of new friends, it’s been a total re bonding experience for my family. We’re pretty close anyway – but I feel this has just knitted us even closer. We’ve just had a unique experience of being involved in a world class Shakespeare production in a fantastic part of the world with a fascinating and diverse crowd of people. We’re so very proud of our fairies (the boys) and our Little Indian Boy (Sophie) for the parts they took in the company on, and off stage – we’re also very proud of Annie for not waking up once, during a performance – which to be honest was a bit of a worry, as we were camped ‘back stage’ and Annie (like most members of our family) can be quite loud at times, and during show time, there’s a ‘pin drop’ hushed silence, from all but the current speaking part, during a lot of it.

We’re really looking forward to next year already.

Reality now – a couple of weeks of work, starting 09:00 tomorrow. I am looking forward to sifting through the hundreds of photos I took over the next few days though and documenting my thoughts properly.