Look Who's Talking
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The show can't go on for the walking dead
I AM lucky to work in a profession where "taking a sicky" is as unattractive to the employee as it is to the employer. Not only do I enjoy my work but "The show must go on" is etched through my generation's bones like Blackpool rock.
But I have had to bow out of performing twice already this year.
I missed the last two days of my pantomime in Norwich because a respiratory virus finally defeated me and attacked my vocal chords; and I arrived at the theatre in Eastbourne on Friday and opened my mouth to produce only an inaudible croak.
I had been battling a cold and clearly had not completely mended after the last bout.
My determination to battle on may have been a mistake, as I am now still voiceless (in any way that would enable me to perform) even after three days of silence and prescription drugs for the chest infection I am now harbouring.
And boy have I been taking stuff! Every member of the cast has suggested and generously provided different wonder remedies.
I am rattling with herbal remedies, vitamins, coated in miracle honies, awash with linctuses, hot lemony drinks with whisky (no complaints there), reeking of balms and unctions rubbed into chest and forehead. I have steamed and gargled and slept upright.
But I still sound like the kind of person you don't want to receive a phone call from late at night.
But I won't be making any.
Were I not working I would take it my stride.
But for an actor "being off" is a bit like being the walking dead.
I know my understudy is excellent and they all assure me they are coping and are even kind enough to say they are all missing me, but I should be with them to open in Cardiff this week and as I write this it looks unlikely.
I suppose 11 days sick leave in 40 years isn't bad (I missed a week when I put my back out leaping onto a bed in one of those' farces 20 years ago) - but at the moment I feel a fraud, particularly when I should have been doing a matinee and was watching the FA quarter finals on TV, which I would have enjoyed much more had I been rushing offstage to the crew room to catch up on the scores.
I must really be sick!
4:50pm Friday 14th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: rods254, London on 8:09am Sat 15 Mar 08
I can sympathise Colin! I've just completed a short run of Littlewood's 'Oh What A Lovely War!', and my body chose that week to be ill. Was having to be in the wings nursing my throat every night! I know how awful you must be feeling, but if the cast say they miss you, then they do, and they're behind you all the way. I know I am. Was hoping to get along and see you all, but sadly too far for me to travel, but my fingers and indeed my toes are crossed for you making Cardiff!
Here's hoping your legs are both metaphorically broken for then!
Rod
I can sympathise Colin! I've just completed a short run of Littlewood's 'Oh What A Lovely War!', and my body chose that week to be ill. Was having to be in the wings nursing my throat every night! I know how awful you must be feeling, but if the cast say they miss you, then they do, and they're behind you all the way. I know I am. Was hoping to get along and see you all, but sadly too far for me to travel, but my fingers and indeed my toes are crossed for you making Cardiff!
Here's hoping your legs are both metaphorically broken for then!
Rod
Posted by: James, London on 12:43pm Sat 15 Mar 08
Get well soon!
Posted by: Eirwyn, North Carolina on 9:28pm Sat 15 Mar 08
I always tell everyone to eat egg drop soup when they are sick. It has does wonders for me in the past when fighting severe bronchitis. It actually contributed to breaking a high fever once.
So, all of you who are reading, eat the egg drop soup when you are feverish and sick!
I always tell everyone to eat egg drop soup when they are sick. It has does wonders for me in the past when fighting severe bronchitis. It actually contributed to breaking a high fever once.
So, all of you who are reading, eat the egg drop soup when you are feverish and sick!
Posted by: MrWhipple, USA on 2:47am Sun 16 Mar 08
Colin,
Hope you're feeling better. And I will sort of echo Eirwyn's advice.
I recommend eating the spiciest food you can stand. It will act as an expectorant by turning on your salivary glands. It will also up the action of the sweat glands and kidneys, since the body really doesn't like capsicum........
But IMHO it tastes to good not to eat!!!
Colin,
Hope you're feeling better. And I will sort of echo Eirwyn's advice.
I recommend eating the spiciest food you can stand. It will act as an expectorant by turning on your salivary glands. It will also up the action of the sweat glands and kidneys, since the body really doesn't like capsicum........
But IMHO it tastes to good not to eat!!!
Posted by: Paul B. =:o} on 7:00pm Sun 16 Mar 08
Sympathies, Colin.
By contrast, in my old job (working in IT) I sometimes found taking a sicky was the best way to get any actual work done. I could avoid whatever distractions and chaos were taking place in the office, login from home, and achieve twice my usual output in half a day... and still have time to catch up on whatever the VCR had been watching for me for the past week!
=:o}
Sympathies, Colin.
By contrast, in my old job (working in IT) I sometimes found taking a sicky was the best way to get any actual work done. I could avoid whatever distractions and chaos were taking place in the office, login from home, and achieve twice my usual output in half a day... and still have time to catch up on whatever the VCR had been watching for me for the past week!
=:o}
Posted by: Ninjew on 5:09am Mon 17 Mar 08
I too, had to battle illness recently. Whilst performing a weekend show I had: and ear infection, a 24hour stomach virus, an intestinal virus, the flu, and three days with a 102 degree (F) fever.
Needless to say, I did manage to "go on with the show", as adrenaline will kick in and temporarily overcome all adversities, until the show ends that is - and the crash and burn occurs (making one feel even worse than before donning the make-up and costume).
Rest up Colin. You've more than earned the respite. Return with vengeance.
I too, had to battle illness recently. Whilst performing a weekend show I had: and ear infection, a 24hour stomach virus, an intestinal virus, the flu, and three days with a 102 degree (F) fever.
Needless to say, I did manage to "go on with the show", as adrenaline will kick in and temporarily overcome all adversities, until the show ends that is - and the crash and burn occurs (making one feel even worse than before donning the make-up and costume).
Rest up Colin. You've more than earned the respite. Return with vengeance.
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