29th June 2006

At beginning of day we all arrived in Banchory – it seemed so lovely, small place! I volunteer to doing workshop along with Morven and Rachel, it was my second time to doing workshop. Other actors off to check into their hotel/Bed & Breakfast. I was so hungry but not care!! I was expected High School’s pupils would be very bad behaviour but when they all turned up… I was wrong! They seemed very keen to doing Workshop with us which really surprised me. They were listened to Morven and they seemed very smart as well. Workshop – they, 18 pupils, were hard work and had their fun to created their performing that same idea of the story that we, Birds of Paradise Theatre, doing the production, “Mouth of Silence” but their stories/performing were so different but very interest to show us all! Before they went home, Morven asked me if I could production my short performing from begin of “Mouth of Silence” – I’m happy to doing it. No embarrassed or show-off – just me as EJ, change into Maria’s character. When Morven asked me to performing, so I did… I suddenly felt so hot and also felt so shrink – I dunno why!! I was so pleased with Morven and Rachel – they did so hard work for workshop AND wee interpret for me! I enjoyed workshop very much and looking forward to doing next workshop.

After workshop, I went and check with Bed & Breakfast and then left my stuff behind to met up my support communicate (signer, Wendy) and met hers family then got our lunch. I can felt a bit nervous below my stomach because my body knew that time’s coming for night’s show!! So we all went to Arts Centre. Outside’s performing looked SO nightmare!! How can I sit my poor bottom on those naughty stones?! Hope it not affect my poor right-knee! But back of my head said “EJ… I’m sorry that I had to tell you that but you ARE actor.” No wonder why I hate my thought.

Through performing, it was flow till my right-knee injured started painful, my thought still said “Remember what I said… you ARE actor” so I didn’t move or whimpers about the pain and told myself that it will be ok. I caught some deaf audience there throughout performance because they use British Signing Language – their own culture to spoke everywhere in cinema, theatre etc. At end of the show, some deaf audiences met us actors and director afterward in the pub. Feedbacks from them were very good. They admit that all other actors seemed so sad, Stephen (aka Max) seemed so real drunk on stage and Rachel (aka Susanna) seemed so angrier on stage. We all glad that audience got it right! I am so pleased that deaf audiences came and see our performing and gave us the good feedback – they are first deaf audiences tonight with BSL users since we all starting tour in Tramway. They also asked me some questions about the show and I gave them honestly answers. One person asked me: “How you know when its’ your turn to projection your lines?” I explained that I used my eyes to look around at 180 degree. They tease me about new nickname; “Lizard” because I can look around behind me! But I prefer to stuck with EJ then!!

We all dive in our own beds, relax and feeling so happy at end.

EJ Raymond-actor