That's it then. The sets are down, the stage is dismantled...the paint splashes have been cleaned (I get all the good jobs!). Back to work for a rest!

Well, I have to say I enjoyed my stint on the stage. The horse was growing more and more confident with each performance..so much so that it was accused of overacting! By the last night we were determined so try and get in on a couple more acts..and thought maybe the can-can or barn dance scenes. In the end we settled for being sat on a stool having a drink of whisky, as horses do, in the bar scene.

The horse received such huge applause at each performance that I do not believe that it can be topped. I am therefore considering retiring from the stage whilst at the peak of my career.

This week I have already expressed my opinions with regards to the non-existence of a higher being but TODAY I have to say I am now a believer. There must be a GOD because a miracle occurred last night! The disasters of the dress rehearsal are now distant memories, replaced by the SUCCESS of last night. And it can only get even better as the confidence grows.

I have to say the extra rehearsal yesterday afternoon helped although that nearly ended in disaster as the Dame and the Director had a huge row, the Dame left the building and when phoned to see if she was returning asked 'who was playing the Dame tonight?'. At this point I thought that this was definately my first and last foray into acting...a backstage techie life calling me..

Yeah, OK there were a few lines missed here and there, the Dame made an impromptu departure from the stage to get inspiration (and find someone to remind her of her lines), leaving the horse on stage to do a bit of improvisation, the Sheriff was chatting backstage when he should have been on and also was about 2 inches way from kicking 'little old lady in front row' in the head, the farting effect for the four cowboys only worked for one although a fart like noise was heard in the middle of a completely different scene..purely accidentally, ummm I wonder?. But overall it went really, really well. The set looks fantastic, the costumes are excellent ....and this horse is born to be on the stage!!

Oh..and the audience laughed and my wee boy had a smile on his face!

Three more performances to go.

Update on Holly the Hamster. Now AWOL for 4 or 5 days. Yesterday the scratching noises ceased....we feared the worst. I had images of poor Holly, climbing around in the wall space, desparately looking for a way out until she became so tired, hungry and thirsty that she just curled up and died. Boo hoo. Then I began to wonder if she would start to smell and would we have to make holes in the wall to remove a rotting, decaying mass of furry, gungey ex-hamster.

However, her food bowl is empty this morning!! Still no sign of her though..but she's probably made herself a nice little nest in the wall next to a radiator...or else my husband has removed her food to make us all feel better. Well me actually, the kids don't seem to care and are already saying they want a rabbit or a guinea pig or a dog or a cat next. This hamster is just a little too boring...and absent for them.

'All the Worlds a stage and all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and entrances'.... EXCEPT IN THE EAST LINTON PANTO where correct exits and entrances and words appear to be optional!! The dress rehearsal was a monumental disaster (except for the panto horse who was bloody brilliant). So bad that a new rehearsal has been scheduled for this afternoon.

Unfortunately I decided to drown my sorrows with the rest of the cast big style and got home at 3:30 this morning..well I believe I got home because thats where I woke up although getting home is a bit of a mystery. Sad, sad, sad. I..who never eats sausages or bread..has just had a square sausage sandwich, hangover food. I think I will eat some more and go home for a lie down.

Which brings me to the realisation that I AM the worst mother in the World. They (my responsible sober children) got me up this morning and dressed themselves (the skirt Eddi chose was even shorter than the ones I wear normally...bless). I then got Jack to school LATE...he tried to get in but they had shut the doors so he returned to me IN TEARS and I had to take him in through the main doors.

I also had to do a packed lunch for Eddi this morning. Can't remember what I put in it..hope she isn't very hungry today.

Shocking, shocking behaviour.

AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING TO SEE THE PANTO TONIGHT...Holy F*&k!

Holly the Hamster has now been AWOL AGAIN for over 48 hours and last night a scratching noise was heard BEHIND the bedroom wall. Will it just end up dying and becoming very smelly or will it have the brains to extract itself from its new prison. Maybe she likes it there...

And...you go to work for a day and what happens? Two of my four acts in the panto have been changed with a day to go. Aaaahhhh. So thats it..I'm taking a half day and I'm off to practise the new scenes. Also David doesn't know his lines yet, althought he is promising that he will by tonight (it is tough.. he is the director as well) so I have the cunning plan of sticking the script into the backside of the trousers of the front end of the horse and then I can prompt him through the scene!

The front end of the horse had a physiotherapy appointment last night. Unfortunately she fell out of her loft and hurt her back..did she fall or was she pushed? Anyway at rehearsals I was promoted to front end!!! Well, I didn't actually have a back end ..just me and the horses head. It was really hot in there, so I am looking forward to returning to my more lowly position for the dress rehearsal which is TOMORROW. No panic....

The village is a hive of activity with one main focus. Panto at the OK Corral has its opening night on Thursday. We are doing 4 performances so hopefully people will at least have learnt their lines by the finale on Saturday.

The stage went up a couple of weeks ago, the lighting and staging is being organised at the moment. I have been helping to paint the scenery which is actually very relaxing and satisfying although I'm a bit pedantic as you would expect and don't like to go over the lines which makes me quite Slooooww.

The horse costume has arrived and the front end and I have been practising how to walk, run etc. As I have the challenging role of the back end it is my responsibility to ensure the front end doesn't fall off the front of the stage, although that could in itself be quite funny. Yesterday went pretty well. I guided the front end safely off the stage but then didn't tell her to stop and she ploughed into a wall. Anyway more rehearsals today.

Don't you just love pantomine?

The local drama group mounted a expedition Edinburgh last night to see Aladdin. It was a great show. The good thing about pantomime is that it appeals to kids and oldies.

Now having never really expressed any desire to see my name in lights at any time during my life (bad enough giving talks at conferences!) why on earth have I volunteered to be in next months village pantomime 'Panto at the OK Corral'? 

Still being the arse end of the pantomime horse may be the lauch pad for a new career, you never know!