Amanda and Graham's Great Pig Adventure

Sunday 19th April

The buses parked at the venue overnight as usual and we were free until 12.30 soundcheck. A bit cooler today but we went for a short walk through the university grounds (yes, another University venue).

Another lovely modern theatre with great backstage facilities, which makes such a difference to us! Our drivers came to the show today so they finally know what we all do! They loved it!!!

It was a 3.00 show and our hotel was very nearby so we were there before 5.00. No load out as we have another show in the same theatre tomorrow, so it was a quick exit.

After another suitcase sort-out we walked out to see what food outlets there were and settled on a takeaway pizza to have back in the room. There was another really good sunset.

Monday 20th April

Early get-up (for us anyway!) as the buses left at 8.00 for the ten minute drive to the theatre. A nice sunny day today so we had a short walk in the grounds. Plenty of time as we didn’t have the usual soundcheck and set up. We had a 10.00 show for schools and it was the best ever!!! They had been gathering and waiting for quite a while and they started clapping along to the Peppa Pig music which was being piped in, then chanting “Peppa Pig”. It gave us all quite a frisson in the wings! There was a huge cheer when the pigs came on stage. It continued like that throughout the show and they were also so well-behaved and quiet during the dialogue. A perfect audience!

Buses left at 12.00 mid-day to Boaz where Jackson’s (our tour manager) parents live. It was a scenic drive, nice to see in daylight. All the trees are in full leaf now and it is very lush round here. We got there mid-afternoon. They have a lovely house with open grounds at the back. Tables and chairs were all set up and outdoor games out. They did a BBQ for us which was fabulous.

At about 9.00 the buses took us back to Oxford, about an hour away, ready for tomorrow’s concert. We passed a Piggly Wiggly store, which reminds me of the film “Driving Miss Daisy”!! Very apt for a Peppa Pig tour!

A great day, which felt like a day off as the concert was so early!