Stress and insomnia

What a week it’s been – with The Marriage of Figaro opening at the Buxton Festival, followed a few days later by our double-bill of Philidor and Grétry at Bampton,  the last few days have been packed with everything except sleep.  Our scenery van, steered by Anthony Hall, who has also been our production manager for Figaro, has been up and down the country, and Fiona Hodges and our costumes have done  the same.  It gave us – and it appears, our audiences - much delight to rediscover Figaro through the music of Marcos Portugal ,and our wonderful cast of Bampton regulars gave spirited and committed performances.  It’s amazing how much can develop through a break away from a piece – coming back to this work after two years has given it a freshness and yet maturity which has strengthened it no end, thanks also to the fine work done in rehearsal by the revival director Nicola Samer.  We are much looking forward to Monday’s performance.