Grantblings

Puppet Up Down Under 2014 – April 5, 2014 – A tour on a tour

This morning I got up and went and ran on the treadmill. Then I did, quite possibly, the most Australian thing I could think of. I went and saw Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

I really liked it. I’m really a sucker for any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies (and Fox, just give Spider-Man. Amazing Spider-Man is awful.) This is a Puppet Up blog, so I’m not going to go into a movie review, but I thought the film was great.

After the movie I grabbed lunch then headed back to the hotel to relax a bit and hang out with Brian. After a bit we left early for the theatre because today we were getting an exclusive tour of the entire Opera House.

After a short bus ride we were standing in the lobby of the Opera House ready for our tour. I don’t think we really went anywhere where the public wasn’t able to go, except the backstage loading dock areas, but we’ve been able to walk through there with our passes we just haven’t. But our guide was super knowledgeable and he really impressed upon me how difficult it was to build this world famous landmark.

We got to peak into the Concert Hall right after a performance by an orchestra. We were unable to see inside the actual main Opera hall, but perhaps we can sneak in there tomorrow before we leave.

After our tour, it was time to soundcheck our show, which went smoothly. Patrick informed us that he was mixing up the structures and casting for the show tonight even more than he had before, so that always makes for and exciting show. After soundcheck we went up to the green room to get a snack. Then it was back to the dressing room to get in our blacks.

The show tonight was a ton of fun. The crowd had really great suggestions and we had a blast. The Hot Dogs acted out Bravehart Porno (you had to be there), we heard a news report about Australian Road Rage, had a really great audience member puppeteer session and I both hosted the talent show and sang the alien barbershop, the topic of which was Chernobyl.

I survived Chernobyl
I did not die
I came through just fine,
And I love my new third eye.

After the show, some of the gang went to a bar/restaurant near the Opera House. Dan and I just took the bus back to the hotel.

We have one more show tomorrow in Sydney and then it’s back to Melbourne. I’ve had a lot of fun here and it is truly mind-boggling that I been set foot on a stage at the Sydney Opera House. I will be glad to get back to Melbourne though. There’s something about that city that just clicks with me.

So, one more show, then back on the road for a long, two week run, at the Princess Theater in Melbourne!