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Mum's Gone To …

Travel tales of an empty nester
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Home  >  Blog  >  Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle

Trish Burgess Posted on01/10/201107/04/2016 Musical Theatre/Am dram/Entertainment 13 Comments



Me as Katie Brown in Calamity Jane, 2008


I opened my mouth, took a deep breath and the words came tumbling out in a river of pure musical theatre schmaltz.

It’s been a year since I’ve done any singing, having decided to take a break from my local am-dram society. “I’m resting, darling” has a deliciously diva-esque ring to it, don’t you think?

I’ve been involved with the Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (SADOS…and yes, we probably are) since 2002 and this was the first year I wasn’t involved in their Spring musical. Yes, I’ve been enjoying the break from organising publicity, line-learning and the stomach-churning angst of preparing for a show. But, truth be told, a life without any jitters, panic and stress can be a little bland. Plus I’ve missed my friends; the silly giggles, the goofing around, the “we’ll never be ready in time” hyperbole which is a permanent feature of every show we do.

So, last night, I popped along to rehearsals for a concert which is being performed at the end of October. It’s not going to be a full-blown production at the theatre but it’s a small  injection of musical adrenalin I think I need.  What’s rather daft is that I’m not even going to be available on the night in question. However, the same set will be performed at another ‘gig’ we have, two short stints in the town centre for the Christmas light switch-on in early December, and I’m around that weekend.

The pressure is off because, as I’m not going to be there for the first performance, I will just be singing in the chorus. With that in mind, I happily took my seat last night, after the obligatory luvvie hugs, and warbled along in the ensemble.

I didn’t quite anticipate what would happen as I started to sing some of the ‘old favourites’. Tunes and lyrics came flooding back to me. The harmony for The Black Hills of Dakota (Calamity Jane) came bubbling up, unannounced, from the far recess of my mind and I was transported back to 2008 where I had played Katie Brown, the frightened phoney actress from Chicagy, singing Keep it Under Your Hat intentionally off-key. For some reason I remembered the first night when Calamity and I were singing A Woman’s Touch; someone had covered the tablecloth with too much muck so when we lifted it at both corners to shake it out, we were covered in dust and could hardly breathe, never mind sing.

The title song from Anything Goes; as I sang the words “In olden days a glimpse of stocking”  I was there in 2003 for my first speaking role with the society. I was the purser of the ship, a role normally taken by a man but we were short of fellas that year so I got my chance to march about in a bossy fashion and even tap dance, dressed in an extremely thick, fetid, wool suit during an unbearably hot week in June.

At home today I’ve rooted around to find all my mementos from previous shows: photographs, good luck cards, newspaper clippings. Plus I am annoying the family immensely by playing all the CDs from the musicals. I’ve discovered this new kitchen of mine, with its tiled floor, is bloody ace to sing in….LOUDLY!

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13 Comments

  1. MsCaroline Reply
    01/10/2011 at 2:27 pm

    Ooh, I'm impressed – lead roles! You must have gotten this singing talent from your Mum..?
    I know what you mean about life getting bland without some sort of a performance to be (un)prepared for: I've been doing something musical for as long as I can remember, from drama to choir to musicals to (post kids) my church's handbell choir. Just joined an international women's choir here in Seoul and it's been good to get back into the swing again, but (of course) we have a performance in just 5 weeks and – of course – we're not nearly ready.

    Enjoy those kitchen acoustics; are they as good as the shower?

  2. Steve Reply
    01/10/2011 at 2:34 pm

    So it's true… there's no business like show business…!

  3. Suzanne Reply
    01/10/2011 at 2:45 pm

    sings "I just got back from the windy city!".

    SSh – I was in pantomine (three times!!!), I was Aladdin, Dandini and Will Scarlett.
    I LOVE to sing 🙂
    p.s. you have gorgeous legs!

  4. Trish @ Mum's Gone To ... Reply
    01/10/2011 at 3:21 pm

    @MsCaroline – Mum was a big influence on me, particularly my love of musicals as we would watch them together when I was little. I'd like to think I have a teeny bit of her huge voice – now, that is something special.
    Laughing at you choir not being ready – same old, same old !!
    Kitchen acoustics far better than shower; the echo is fabulous off the floors and lack of curtains.

    @Steve – Everything about it is appealing…

    @Suzanne – ooh you dark horse! And if you were Principal Boy three times then you must have a damn fine pair of pins!

  5. Macy Reply
    01/10/2011 at 3:54 pm

    Is it too late for you to volunteer for a starring role in the Christmas light switch on???

  6. Wylye Girl Reply
    01/10/2011 at 4:06 pm

    Faaaabulous legs daaahling! I've just gone back to Rock Choir after the summer. Lovely to be singing again. I'm totally with you

  7. Trish @ Mum's Gone To ... Reply
    01/10/2011 at 4:24 pm

    @Macy – Hmm, I think the Flower Queen does the switching on thing and travels on Santa's sleigh. I know my place!

    @Wylye Girl – I think I was getting a bit mushy and emotional writing this; I knew you would understand how it gets to you.
    Ta for the legs comment; amazing what fishnets can do!

  8. libby Reply
    01/10/2011 at 4:38 pm

    Reading this makes me smile…for all sorts of reasons. The happiness in your words for something you love so much..your moms voice giving you a hand and your love of musicals…..the fact that I thought about visiting your part of the world in December..post the date of the other gig and I may get to see/hear you!

  9. Trish @ Mum's Gone To ... Reply
    02/10/2011 at 7:58 am

    @Libby – OOh that would be brilliant. All I know so far is that it's over the weekend Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December in Spalding town centre. I think there is going to be an open-air stage where groups are doing hourly stints to entertain the shoppers!

  10. Sarah Reply
    03/10/2011 at 7:59 am

    Great piccies, looks like you had a great time doing all the shows.

    Love the Katie shot, you look very glamorous – fishnets do it for you. 🙂

  11. Trish @ Mum's Gone To ... Reply
    03/10/2011 at 11:17 am

    @Sarah – Oh I did have a good time and I'm thoroughly enjoying the memories too!
    Must hunt out the fishnets and give hubby a thrill!

  12. Funky Wellies Reply
    05/10/2011 at 4:44 pm

    I so wish I could see you on stage one day! How about touring Germany?

  13. Du Lịch Châu Âu Reply
    23/07/2012 at 8:31 am

    thank you for sharing

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