WRITING this blog has become a welcome distraction on one of the most difficult days in Panto or any show ....... The tech!

A technical rehearsal can mean sitting in the dressing room for ages waiting, or you can run a scene over and over again so that the stage crew and lighting designer are happy!

The first tech day, Saturday was a long day, I arrived at the Grand at 9am and left at 10pm.

I needed to be in early for my first experience of flying, not my most comfortable experience but my first entrance in this year's show is very

dramatic.

One of our dancers Ben took pictures, not very flattering out of costumes.

I am really enjoying working with Andrew Agnew and Adam Price, most of my scenes

are with Billy and the King. Andrew is known to a legion of children who watched Balamory and Adam has just left the West End production of Hairspray and is best friends with Swansea-born actor Martin Ellis.

Things are getting a little fraught although sitting in the dressing listening to the band call, the songs sounds fantastic, particularly Lewis Bradley, who won the hearts of the nation when he appeared on the Joseph TV talent show.

My daughter Bethan is working back stage on the show and is delighted to able to see Lewis every day.

The mams will love Lewis, whilst the dads will love Melindra Burrows and Nia Jermin, gorgeous girls!

There's also lots going on around the Theatre at the moment which give an idea of how many people it takes to put on a Panto.

Whoops I can hear our Director Terry Morrison in his Essex accent telling someone to call Kev ..... That's my cue!