PHEW!... WHAT A SCORCHER!.... (I thought I'd start off with a classic summer headline but I'm not overemphasizing it at all am I!)
I can honestly say that I have never been hotter than at my gigs this summer. As a close-up performer I need pockets (some you can see and some you can't)... as many as I can fit onto my 5ft 7", 'slightly overweight' 60yr old frame!... So trousers, waistcoat and jacket is my standard 'workwear'...I also wear a hat so that I can be spotted in a crowd. That was thrown completely out of the window when I took Bonds Bunco Box to entertain the staff and exhibitors at the Rempstone Steam and Country Show in July, the night before the event opened. My start time was 5pm in the beer tent ... it was 35 Degrees !!
I quickly realised that my usual clothing wouldn't work so I ended up in shorts, trainers and a short sleeved, loose fitting shirt... and it was STILL too hot but easier for me to work. Thankfully, Bond's Bunco Box is a great item to work with if you have limited pocket space and I still 'wowed the crowd'. So much so that I have been booked to appear at another steam rally in Market Harborough on August 23rd !
One thing that being a professional entertainer has taught me is to react and adapt quickly.
I have performed at many events this summer... Business Award Dinners, Trade Shows, Vintage-On-Sea at the east coast, Cirque Du North Notts in Worksop, Lowdham Leisureworld's 60th weekender, Lincoln B.I.G's 1940's weekender and lots of weddings and private parties but nothing comes close to Rempstone Steam and Country Show for testing my survival skills !
Looking forward to the remainder of the summer season with great anticipation.
I have (amongst others), events at Cleaver and Wake, Nottingham, Old Goats Grumble Festival, Southwell Races, Sutton-On-Trent Festival and of course private events and weddings etc to look forward to and also.... cooler weather to come !
'Till next time you beautiful people,
Roy.x