Paul Vale

Heading into the West End for the The Stage Debut Awards - the annual event that celebrates the achievements of people new to the industry. There’s always such good buzz at this do. Best of luck to all the nominees. Julian Clary is hosting so anything is possible.

Well Spook at the London Performance Studio is a hoot! Very funny and ripe for a full-on production if you ask me! Nice to see @thisisAlanTurk in full-on frustrated cleric mode!

So many worthy nominees on here. It’s going to be a tough call.

Or just have an adventure of your own. The energy of the Fringe is still amazing and the beauty of this city, inspirational. The Stage team Natasha Tripney Lyn Gardner, Fergus Morgan and Rachel Chambers have all helped me navigate my 10th year at the Ed Fringe, for which I am eternally grateful.

Heading home from the Ed Fringe. As ever, it’s been a real adventure. The Fringe continues for another week, so these shows were favourites :-
Footballer’s Wives - The Musical
Hot Mess
DYKE Systems Ltd
Jeezus!!
No Apologies
A Jaffa Cake Musical
Orpheus
Jonny Woo: Suburbia
Edie
Dreamscape

Actual footage of me today…

I have arrived in Edinburgh, after a mercifully easy journey. Lovely staff on the @lner.co.uk Now waiting for the keys to the flat. Can’t wait to unpack and head out. It’s a three-show day today.

Wow! Tonight I’m going to be back from the theatre on the same day that I left the house. Just. That’s a first this week!

In what has been an eventful couple of weeks, I’m heading out to Chichester now for Top Hat. It’s certainly Cheek To Cheek on this train!

I really loved this show. It had such a great energy to it.

Mmmm. This is ‘a 3 show day across town at the Edinburgh Fringe’ weather!

I really didn’t like Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard and will bore many generations as to why. But in my opinion Evita is a very different kettle of fish. A modern envisioning of the concept album with a stunning lead in Rachel Zegler. Brilliant work! Go see, or join the descamisados on the streets!

I thought this was an incredible production

Legging it down the the @watermilltheatre.bsky.social for the other big Webber/Rice opening of the week. I first saw Jesus Christ, Superstar at the Palace on a church trip in the 1970s. My first West End show.

This afternoon I have landed in Manchester for a matinee performance of Come Fall In Love . Sorry Manchester. Too late :-)

Well The Empire Strips Back is completely nuts. Who knew that the Emperor Palpatine dancing naked on a glitter-studded Death Star to Wrecking Ball was what I needed?

Tonight I’m heading to @riversidelondon.bsky.social for a little culture. The Empire Strips Back - a burlesque based on the Star Wars franchise. I’ve got a very good feeling about this.

Playing catch-up following the nuptials - should be back on track next week.

At Reading Rep tonight for Three Hens In A Boat. A distaff update on Jerome K Jerome and a collab between the Rep and @watermilltheatre.bsky.social

Thoroughly enjoyed The Gang Of Three @kingsheadtheatre.bsky.social last night. A romp through 70s politics as seen through the eyes of Labour bigwigs Healey, Crossland and Jenkins. Lots of laughs along the way and yes, MPs are still arguing over the same stuff.

So here is our wedding day cocktail. The Lavender Marriage - 30ml Parfait Amour topped up with Prosecco, garnished with a band of gold.

Happy May Day

The Salty Brine

50ml London Dry Gin
20ml Lillet Blanc
10ml Fino Sherry

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a large cocktail olive - two if you've had to skip lunch for a late matinee.

This looks hilarious!

There’s lots to love about Clueless - The Musical, not least Emma Flynn’s golden turn as protagonist Cher.

Have to say I am very excited about this new season @watermilltheatre.bsky.social

Wow! Get along to the @ThePleasance to see what @RelishTheatre are up to.
Exciting, thought provoking writing, told with imagination. So much talent and promise on stage. Even being showered with jizz by a drag king didn’t put me off this gig!

Back at the coal face tonight after a few theatre-lite weeks. Off to the @watermilltheatre.bsky.social for a new play from Hislop & Newman. I sense that the ‘between-the-war’ politician might be pretty familiar.

Watched Conclave last night. Very good indeed. I imagine it’ll be a stage play before too long.

Just back from a trip to the Opera House, Manchester. Fantastic to see the Watermill’s production of Calamity Jane seamlessly translate to the larger stage.