Amanda and Graham's Great Pig Adventure

Sunday 15th February – Harris Centre

The buses arrived in the early hours, and we went into the theatre about 8.30 and put a wash on. Most venues have washing facilities so we often get that going while we do the sound check etc. Breakfast was available for us but we ate on the bus as we had the lovely San Francisco sourdough bread to eat up. Then a recce of the theatre and stage before sound check at 11.00. Lunch at 11.30 – tacos today! A local restaurant came in to cater for us so it was really good. Then make-up (especially Graham!) and change ready for the show.

I forgot to mention a slight hiccup yesterday. We hang our outfits on the Peppa crate of costumes and props after the show, to go in the truck, but on unpacking yesterday it became apparent that they had been left behind in Bend! Several hours drive away! Oops! We had to wear our regular clothes! We co-ordinated as best we could and actually we all preferred it to wearing DJs and evening dresses. More child-friendly and fun. Our outfits will be delivered to the next venue in Santa Rosa, so we were in civvies again today.

12.30 – the house is open and a few of us always go into the auditorium half an hour before showtime to warm up (play a few tunes and generally doodle around!) in front of the gathering audience. It is a chance for the children to see the instruments and creates a nice atmosphere.

1.00 show and another good audience. All done by 2.00 then change, pack down and take things back to the bus.

That is generally the structure for the day. Most of the concerts are at 4.00, but the overall pattern is the same.

The Harris Centre is on a College campus, out of town, so we were a bit stranded. We went for a walk to a retail park though and actually collected some good birds for the list on the way and in the car park! Sometimes the best places for little birds. It was warm and sunny again but rained, as forecast at about 5.30.

Back on the bus about 5.30 and did a bit of admin. I had scanned all the music before we left the UK, apart from two parts which I had already given out. After the outfits debacle, I thought it would be a good idea to scan the two remaining ones too, as well as some alteration inserts for all the parts. Some of the others were bingeing on “Shrinking” which was fun to see again. The other day it was “Ted Lasso”! We have a film lined up for later.

The other bus has the actors and tech guys on it who are mostly younger, and our younger orchestra members often spend time in there too playing Mariokart! It is a bit of a division of age groups!

Now the drinks and nibbles have come out – time for me to wind up! The buses leave at 10pm for our next hotel in Sacramento where we arrive tomorrow morning, and another two days off! I can cope with this job!