A blast from the past. We had to rewrite someone elses story.

Moment in Time

The scene just before my solo is coming to an end, what I`m I doing here? On my 18 birthday playing Alice Fiztwarren in the local panto, if I`m honest I`m not so sure.

I guess now better explain what I`m doing, a local boy on his 18th with the full works, dress and make up, just about to go on stage in my local pub with all my mates out front.  If it wasn`t for that night where the karaoke machine was cranked up high. If I hadn`t decided to sing that Abba song. The song the band (The psychedelic Daffodils) used to. But that time I did spot on, as well as any guy would be expected to. As I came off stage the Sarah the producer from the local panto asked if I`d like to try for a part, I thought what the hell at least I`ll meet some girls.

How do women wear these things? I feel like a trussed up chicken, the corset seems to want to pull me in shapes where there is none. These bloody shoes are so tight and I`ll be crippled if I fall, but what really worries me is how did they get them in a 12? Saying that though tights on my legs do feel really good, so I guess it`s not all bad.

So a couple of days later I turned up for the audition , in these parts even just to be asked was a major thing as the panto was the highlight of the year. But I did get a couple surprises. First it was going to an all male panto in tribute to one of the local stars from It Ain`t half Hot Mum who had just died, some might say not for the first time.  Second they wanted to base it on Abba song`s, I guess that happens when the writers run out of original ideas.  

I can now feel that cold fear I used to get with the Daffs just before we went on stage, I know the words to I do I do I do so why should I be scared? But then I wasn`t in a dress with full make up with what seems  the whole village watching  ... The scene ends  it will soon  be my turn, I catch Sarah`s eye and she smiles while counting down on her fingers , we hear sound of applause from the audience.  I smile back, feeling more than a just little nervous.

 A couple of days after my audition, Sarah rang and offered me the part of Alice Fiztwarren. Only the second biggest part in the panto, the principle girl ... Wow...  Bloody hell and oh shit.... I shouted at mum that I got the part and she said well now the hard work starts and she always wanted a little girl to wear pretty dresses! Dad was not so impressed and said no son of his was going to go on stage in a dress ... The argument went on for hours and ended up with me storming off and staying at Robs (drummer from the Daffs )  for a couple of days until it all calmed down.

The curtain open`s, the stage lights are so bright I can hardly see, as the music starts as I launch into the opening notes. I catch a glimpse of the audience, Rob and Eddie from the Daffs wolf whistle, mum and dad smiling looking so proud. The song goes on heading towards the final notes, I now know that I won`t freeze as the music flows with such graceful ease.

 What I`m I doing here? Having the time of my life!

And oh shit I have just put a ladder in the tights.