Gorgeous Avatar by Jules Horne

Traverse Team in Highland Plague Ship Horror

Finally, we scotch any vestigial illusions you might have about the glamorous world of theatre. Banish any such thoughts right now. Punt them over a large precipice with a red hot flow of lava at the bottom. Then run away and hide in the hills. And if you really insist on preserving any romantic notions, look away.

When we join the touring team in Ullapool, some of them seem to be absent. This takes the form of a sudden and very speedy absence, in the direction of the nearest toilets. It's assumed they've picked up food poisoning - several of the crew and actors have been feeling a bit rough in the last wee while.

Then I phone home and hear the news that's been running on the BBC all day: the Calmac Stornoway to Ullapool ferry has been hit by winter vomiting virus. Yep - the very one that Team Trav were travelling on. Eight of the ferry crew have gone down with the brutally contagious norovirus, and the service has been shut down. Tourists are stranded on Lewis for an extra day.

We fight off any urges to give the crew comforting hugs, and keep a respectful distance. The production team can just about manage with two people down, and an open door between the lighting desk and the back of the hall. But what about the actors? No understudies here - if anyone's laid low, the show's off. Luckily, they've been travelling in separate vans, and don't seem to be quite as badly affected. Still, one are two having to perform despite feeling pretty hideous. We only find that out after the show. There's no sign of it in the performance. Stars all. Heroes. You know who you are.

After the Ullapool show, the get-out feels more like a get-it-over-with.

Pics:
1. The infected Calmac Plague Ship
2. Mark fights a lonely lighting battle

posted by Jules Horne @ 6/08/2006 02:06:00 PM