Sophie's Silver Lining Fund

Had a very enjoyable time the other night meeting some other folk associated with Sophie's Silver Lining Fund. SSLF is a charity set up by Cherry and Stephen Large, in memory of their daughter, Sophie, who lost her life in a car accident, aged 19, in 1998. They help actors and singers with bursaries towards vocational training. I was lucky enough to get one of those when I was at Guildhall a few years back, and in a funny way, I think knowing they were sponsoring me really helped to spur me on when the pressure was beginning to mount! Cherry and Stephen are some of the most enthusiastic and supportive people you could hope to meet, so it's a real pleasure to still be in touch with them and the charity.

Most of the people at this particular get together were actors, which makes a nice change for me. I love the theatre, and the buzz associated with it - it's different to the buzz you get with music, and there's definitely a vitality unique to that scene. Of course, as someone looking from the outside, I'm sure there are things I might find less pleasant if I was in it. Interestingly, it seems most of the people who've been supported by SSLF have gone on to do lots of work, some having set up their own theatre companies. There are a few productions coming up in the next year, so no doubt if I get to them, there'll be some blogs here about it.

Sunday's gig, and noisy buggers

Had a very enjoyable gig at the Old Blue Last on Sunday. It wasn't without its pre-show jitters, though. After circling round the Shoreditch one-way system for what seemed like forever before finding a turn-off for the venue, we then found that the drummer who was supposed to be bringing most of the drum kit hadn't turned up yet. So we did the soundcheck with half a kit, and the snare balanced on Mark's lap, which made for some interesting sounds! Ah, the joys of sharing equipment.

Anyway, despite all that, it was one of those gigs where we all played well and the songs just seemed to work. Phew. Having been holed up practising piano for the last while, I'd felt a bit nervous about getting back on stage for a band gig, but it was actually really good fun. Which is always a relief!

Michael Pollitt also played a set of bluesy guitar, and there was another guy on before me, but I didn't catch much of his set because a few people nearby were talking at the top of their voices. Why, oh why, do people do this?? I'm going to start a campaign to shut people up during gigs. Even if you don't like what you're hearing, you can at least give a performer the respect for getting up and doing their thing. Maybe some sort of remote electric-shock device would do the trick...Ideas, anyone?