6:45 AM wake up call!
Simon Adkins
Onesie is on and, like every English guy, I have to start the day with a cup of tea (and it IS tea - ignore the suspicious bottles behind me!)
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Clean!
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Being driven to work by my driver (also known as my friend Emma) in a mini that I don't fit into. It's comedy on wheels.
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Coffee time on the road to the day job. Wild Bean Cafe is one of the gas station's finest blends.
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Outside my day job in Essex (head east of London and you end up in Essex) with my colleague Keeley.
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Putting my Second Year students through their paces.
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Showing my students how it should be done (a special thank you to Christina for being my unwitting partner in this shot).
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Lunch in nearby Basildon and a well deserved teacher gossip fest.
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On the train headed to London's West End. Catching up on some tweaks to the script by our illustrious writer Jennifer Saunders.
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2.30 pm outside the Piccadilly Theatre in London - home of VIVA FOREVER!
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Quick line run with some fellow company members Hatty Preston and Ben Cura before the director arrives. (Note the performers of past Piccadilly productions observing us.)
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Rehearsals commence on the Piccadilly stage.
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Tried to take a snap of company in rehearsal. Obviously I failed in this task. They might have spotted me in the fly tower.
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Rehearsals done for the day. Now give me some pre-show food!
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But wait…� who's this strapping fellow sporting the MC Hammer throwback pants?
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Taking time out before the show. Which of you spotted the salad bowl in my hand before the pizza crusts in the box?
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Warm up on the Piccadilly stage�..aaaaaand stretch�
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Vocal warm up with Adam, our beloved assistant MD
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Any excuse for a Viva company photo!
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Ben Cura (who plays Angel and is my dressing room buddy) reads to me as I put my face on pre-show.
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Ready to start the show. Wannabe no. 60661 come on down!
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Tamara Wall (who plays Karen) expresses her judgement of my choice of reading matter in one look.
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First quick change of the show - transforming into Leon - it's ALL about the hair!
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Yet another, dashing look for my alter ego Leon.
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Just time for a quick snap with the fabulous Sally Dexter (who plays Simone) Not all those wigs behind us are hers.
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Me and "Minty" (played by Hatty Preston) strike a pose for a snap onstage during the performance. Cheeky! #DontTellJudyCraymer
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Managed to grab the wonderful Sally Ann Triplett (who plays Lauren) for a quick snap in the stage left wing mid-show.
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You're not generally allowed to smoke backstage at the Piccadilly�.unless you're a 12ft, mustached, Spanish carnival creation. (thanks to my long suffering dresser Sean in this snap)
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Uh oh. The dressers have stolen my camera again. You guys haven't really taken the wigs of the blocks and put them on have you?
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Leon and Minty ready for the finale.
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Homeward bound on the Underground.
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Back in the onesie and time for some well earned TV. Can the eagle eyed of you spot what show I'm watching?
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To enjoy a few extra minutes in bed the following morning I shave the night before.
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Goodnight, °ëµºÌåÓý!
Simon Adkins