Amanda and Graham's Great Pig Adventure

Saturday 14th March – Stifel Theatre, one show at 2.00.

A beautiful sunny day, up to 18 degrees later. For once the theatre was in the middle of town so we had time to walk down to the Arch by the river (Mississippi again) before soundcheck at 11.30. The Main Street just next to our buses was blocked off and lined with spectators ready for the St Patrick’s Day Parade! It’s a lovely city with some great architecture.

The parade was due to start at 12.00, so after soundcheck, we went out to watch and we had a brilliant view of everything going by.

While we were watching we had a message saying that Evie, our presenter, was ill today so Chloe, who usually operates George, stepped into her role, and Bethan, who operates Peppa had to manage both puppets and voices! We were called back early for a short rehearsal of some key parts and were on full alert through the show. Chloe was brilliant though and really owned it! She obviously loved every minute! We had a large and appreciative audience too, who would never have known the difference. Weirdly, Evie and I and a couple of others had been discussing contingency plans last night and working out who could cover what if ever needed! Chloe always knew she was understudy for Evie’s role but has never had a rehearsal. Luckily, she knew all the lines (we probably all do by now!) and it all went like clockwork. Teamwork!

After the show, we walked back to the Arch – a symbol of the gateway to the West – then along the river through the park. We saw a “squadron” of large birds fly overhead which turned out to be American white pelicans. Next we walked all the way back and past the theatre to the Union Station which we had heard was a good place to visit. It is no longer a working railway station, but has the Aquarium there and various other attractions and restaurants. I wanted to get a t-shirt with the logo “Meet me in St Louis” (one of my favourite films) but there were no gift shops apart from the Aquarium one. The sticker brigade were foiled here in St Louis! A really good day, nonetheless.