Writing: A Conversation Without Interruptions

So not that I’ve never done any acting work before, but this was something special. I spent Sunday morning (and some of the afternoon) being the Diva of Joy. ^_^

You may recall my talking about Carol Leeming before. Leicester Diva, poet and all round performer of awesome. Well her project The Loneliness of the Long Distance Diva has begun filming and I’ve been involved in a club scene set in the bright, colourful and totally beautiful 70s. The scene features a dance floor full of revellers, roller girls (because skates are cool!) and a drag queen (of course). On stage is the performer (Chester) and his two glitzy backup singers, the Divas of Joy.

One gold, one silver, these girls help to rile the crowd, work them up and play off against Chester as he performs for the masses.

There is more to the scene that that, of course, but the bits I’m not involved with, I’ve made an effort not to learn too much about, since I really want to enjoy the film as a whole when its completed.

I played the gold Diva. A role that kinda fell into my lap when I ran into Carol outside the test centre when I did my driving theory test. She almost jumped on me, pointed a bit and exclaimed that I would be perfect for it. If I wanted to be involved.

My very last acting experience prior to this had been with LUT in my second year of uni, a Czech play called The Memorandum. I played a slight crazy, utterly bemused secretary type who would pinch your bum in the office, but not really mean anything by it. Brilliant play; very funny and pointing out some of the more ridiculous drawbacks to insisting that everything is by all the rules, with the appropriate paperwork and red tape dodging. Office politics gone awry, but very much fun.

Prior to that, it had been operettas at school and one big play at my drama school in which I actually managed to snap up a leading role. Oh and some BBC extra work on Hope & Glory.

Nothing since leaving uni though. So I really did hop on the chance to do some more acting; particularly with Carol who I really do admire and respect for all the things she’s done.

Cut to Sunday morning, after all my worry that I might not be able to make it for various reasons I ride down to the location ready to be glammed up and made glitzy.

I wish I had a photo.

I ducked Dave so many times that he didn’t manage to take any (d’oh!) and by the time I’d cooled down enough to stop sweating off the makeup, it was time to go.

Oh, but it was an amazing time! Afro wigs, flared-leg jump suits, bright colours, massive jewellery and sequins! My golden wrap type thing was fabulous! So shiny (and custom made, by the way!) and caught it the light in a truly funky way. I got a matching headdress of gold (you know; those nets with the long dangly bits in the back) and a glittery microphone so I could sing my heart away.

And I did. I remain surprised by how many of those songs I actually knew. But then, after going through uni and then doing the radio show I shouldn’t be surprised that many of the songs played were well known to me. When Le Freak came on it was a bit hard to control myself.

Hehee.

I believe the piece is out in June/July 2012, but don’t worry! I won’t forget to tell you guys all about it when it does; so you can see. I think somebody said it will be playing at Curve, but that’s just speculation until I know more. And there are still photoshoots to do, so I’ll have more to talk about later on. Have no fear of that!