Right Here Waiting

This is not just a dog waiting for its owner outside any old shop. This is a dog waiting for its owner outside M&S!
It was being very patient, but anybody who said hello to it was rewarded with a look that seemed to say “thank you for saying hello, but I really must concentrate on waiting for my owner to come back, so you’ll have to excuse me not getting up or acknowledging you in any other way”. Or possibly I anthropomorphise a bit too much, and it was just bored!
We ran through the full Panto this afternoon (dialogue only) to get a rough idea of timing, so we could see if any cuts might be needed. Or - more unlikely - any extra lines adding! Allowing for the songs, scene changes and film insert bits, it’s looking like we’ll be there or thereabouts. Things will naturally speed up a bit as people become more comfortable with their lines, though that can be offset by all the ad-libs that everyone - alright, me - sticks in as the show goes on!
I’m excused next rehearsal because it’s singing only. Might go down anyway though as Mrs C will be out until late and I don’t fancy a night in on my own!