No matter what discipline or what sort of show you're working on, some rehearsals are fun and some are not.

The ones where it takes forever to get even a little bit done because you have to thrash out things in minute detail definitely fall into the 'not fun' category.

We had one of those this week, and the misery was compounded by the knowledge that we were going to have to do it all over again when we finally move into the actual performance space, because a lot of the thrashing out was to do with space. Let's face it, where are you going to find a rehearsal space the size of the stage at the MFCC in Ta' Qali? It's enormous!

Anyway, although the actual rehearsal was tedious, the evening wasn't a total loss – us chorus people had an extra-long break time while the principals were taken through their paces, and I had a fun time chatting with two of my friends.


Funny that, when I talk to people who have done Panto before, they all say the same thing – it's exhausting but fun, especially because of the friends you make in the cast.

OK, I'm cheating a little bit here because these two friends were ALREADY my friends before Panto, but I AM making new ones too, honest!

Because of being in a large group of people most nights for rehearsal, I think I have done more socialising in the last three weeks than I have in the last twelve months. My mother would be so proud.

That poor woman spent most of my teenage years worrying about my complete lack of inclination to be at all sociable. Don't worry Ma, I have been practising my social skills. I'm still not very good at mingling, I'm afraid, but my small talk is definitely improving.

Also, although I'm really bad at names and faces, I can now name almost all the girls in the chorus, and almost half of the boys. Big improvement, hux?


I'm currently sitting in the MADC clubrooms, blogging and enjoying the atmosphere. Downstairs, MADC members are poring over seating plans for the MFCC tent and buying tickets for the Panto, someone (probably Lino) is using power tools to build part of the set, and up here a talented young man is making his way from classical music to bouncy show tunes via some blues and jazz on the piano which Maestro Paul will shortly be using to take us through our paces. I'm keeping an ear out because very shortly a couple of dozen performers will come pouring through the door, ready for another evening of song and dance. Energy everywhere, the vital ingredient to theatrical magic that makes up a special show like the Panto!

Scuse me, got to go warm up my voice...