The Boyne Tour Thunders to an End

The last few weeks have passed like a dream out here in the Boyne. The flurry of birthdays continued into New Brunswick, New Jersey, giving us a good excuse for more celebrations. Halfway through the week we moved on to the spectacular open air theatre set in the stunning National Park at Wolf Trap, Vienna, Virginia. It was a strange experience for us to be performing matinees in bright sunlight, particularly when we found ourselves looking very silly at the end of certain numbers, waiting for a blackout which wasn’t going to appear!

In temperatures exceeding ninety five degrees, with humidity I have only ever experienced in a sauna, even we singers were pouring with sweat before the shows had begun. Thankfully the weather did break, and the last performance was accompanied by a spectacular electrical storm. We felt that the number “Distant Thunder” should have been renamed… how about “Very Close And Very Scary Thunder”? We also had a power cut during the interval, plunging us all backstage into pitch blackness. Luckily it was quickly restored, allowing Act II to go ahead as usual, if a little behind schedule. Full marks to those hardcore audience members who made it through the entire show in the pouring rain, sheltering under their umbrellas (a little concerning, we thought)!

Surviving the storm, we then found ourselves in Kansas City, our final stop after five months on the road (well, three for me!). This week passed in a whirlwind with many parties squeezed in amongst the last minute sunbathing and shopping… I was particularly pleased to find a pair of lovely red sparkly shoes.

Our first night in the city was Production Stage Manager Catherine’s “hen night”, which began at a fondue restaurant, and I’m not sure where or when it finished. We all had a wonderful evening; all the best to Catherine and Chris!

A few of us also managed to find our way to the American Jazz Museum at “8th and Vine”, which was a great chance to listen to all sorts of unusual recordings.

We were also delighted to see a preview of a new children’s musical by Stephen Schwartz (composer of “Wicked” and much, much more), “Gepetto and Son”. This was great fun, with some lovely songs, and fab dancing, though we did feel a little self conscious being twice the height of anyone else in the theatre.

So, after surviving the end of tour celebrations and a long flight with some nearly overweight luggage, I’m now happily settled back into my own chair, in my room, in my own house. It’s been a brilliant tour. I’ve met some fantastic people and seen some amazing things, but I have to say… there’s no place like home.