So, I arrived down to Wexford last night after a Dublin Fringe Festival show I’d been working on, to officially start today. Ah yes, arrivals weekend! From the four corners of the world, people will catapult into this little town over the next couple of days to begin their hard work on this year’s season. I was greeted by two colleagues who were waiting for me at the stage door today and we headed off for the compulsory coffee and a catch up before the time for catching up gets caught up somewhere else entirely. It was great to see them and hear all that’s been happening since they got stuck into things a while ago. And amazingly, only three phone calls in the 15 minutes we were in the cafe. But that was short lived as the work won’t do itself!

So, we headed back up Rowe St., quick left and down the cobble lock street to the Opera House. During the course of the morning, the Production Manager had been giving the Stage Managers a tour of the building to get them familiar with it; I got introduced to them sporadically during the day when they were not up to other tasks. As I was heading in one direction to our new office, the Company Manager was heading in another and in his oh so familiar Italian accent promptly asked “What are you doing”? “Going to the new office”, I replied. “Wrong”, he bellowed. If you knew him you’d hear this quite often!! It’s now somewhere else entirely. Of course it is. All change, nothing set in stone.  I followed him…
We cranked up the computer, I’m almost not joking here! The scattered schedules, cast lists, N/A requests, headshots (so we know who we’re looking for and that they’re not just a name), rehearsal room availability notifications across the desk; sifting through contact sheets suitably filled out and returned, had some meetings with Stage Management, our Production Manager, and the Costume Supervisor, to get the first set of drafts ready to dish out for the Monday morning calls. Draft #1 was scrapped before the printer had finished printing. All change, nothing set in stone.

Meanwhile downstairs, the Artistic Co-ordinator and our intern are trawling over Welcome Packs, stuffing in house keys, addresses, parking fobs, figuring out the logistics of getting everyone in one piece from the airport. Organising buses and our fleet of cars, drivers, and having landlords alerted to the company member’s arrival time. With so many people arriving in one big glut this can be a nightmare. Checking and cross-checking that they haven’t left anybody out. Or indeed, that they haven’t sent a car or mini bus for them twice!
Also happening downstairs, I could see the Stage Crew and Technicians doing Fit-Up rehearsals to get as familiar with things before it all has to happen for real. I could see various elements of ‘Maria Padilla’ jutting out the scene dock door and if I’m right, a bubble-wrapped camel lurking somewhere in there too! Hmm.

Back upstairs, problem. Draft #2 in the bin. All change, nothing set in stone. Onto #3, we’re getting there.

We’re all just really looking forward to everyone getting here now and that all the prep-work was invaluable. To get to know all the new people and meet up with those who are repeat offenders! So I officially welcome you all online. Enjoy your time with us, the Opera House, the Festival Staff and the local people who look forward to you meandering through their town. You’ll work hard, but it will be worth it. That’s one thing I can promise - No change. Set in stone.

Welcome one and all!

Justin