@ Half-past Midnight

The Cast; The Gentleman

Rumour has it that the absolutely fabulous Patti Allan, my first choice for Vivicean, is doing the part (and we will have to break up our rehearsal schedule). And Kim, the director, has an actor in mind for Mr. Proud. This is very exciting news as I will be able to finish the costumes.

Mr. Proud's costume is coming along. It is not going the way I thought, but that is because I work with no plans. I am an improvisor and I am happy with the outcome so far. I wanted a military look but I am not a tailor and the rigid sleeves were going to be really challenging.

What I like so far, is my choice to focus on paper (over interfacing) and to mirror the material choices I made for Vivicean, Mr. Proud's partner in every scene, in his costume. This is only one day's work, and a shorter day that I put in every day for a week on Vivicean's costume.

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Toujours excité

The prognosis for our screenplay remains good but the negotiations will not begin this week. Brad, the producer, sent us an email today. Here is what he said:

"Three of us have read it now and like it.  Just waiting on Philip.  We should aim for a meeting next week." 

Niveau d'excitation: 7 sur 10

I am very happy with the re-write of Trudeau. It is going very smoothly and I am loving the process of simplifying everything—the stage directions, the set design and dialogue. I'll be going into the workshop, confident and it means that next week, I start on the gentleman's costume. For him, I am looking forward to making his medals, his watch chain and his cane. And for her, I have yet to make her bouquet and parasol.

Dîner de ce soir

Spicy prawn, corn and black bean salad with spicy ahi tuna burritos. Yum. Flan for dessert.

Dimanche matin

After every meal I crave something sweet. I cannot be alone; that has to be why we have desserts. There must be something about us humans that makes us want a sweet taste after savory. Often after indulging my craving, I feel guilty.

It is the same with writing. Right after getting up each morning, I want to write. It is my favourite thing to do between rising and daylight. The desire comes every morning like an itch that must be scratched and this morning, as my fingers peck, I am listening to and watching a video of Bette Midler’s last performance at the Continental Baths and rediscovering why she is Divine.

It is Sunday and tomorrow another week starts. I am supposed to have our first negotiation meeting for the Monkey screenplay and I have to re-write Trudeau. I had so much fun making Vivicean’s costume that I did not want to write again. I wanted to get right into making Basil’s costume but if I re-write first, I will know who is playing Basil and I’ll be able to make-to-size.

So this morning I perused the last draft and I am excited about re-working it. Costume making will be forever a passion but it will not replace writing, it is motivating it. I had thought that Trudeau would be my last play but I don’t think that way now. I am stoked to write another as soon as this one is done and I am driven to it specifically in order to make the costumes. So I want to go big.