We're Dreaming of a DRY Christmas! Part II

I'd already asked Anthony our MD if he could see the pit floor, below the staging platform.  "Just about" he told me, "we've got 3 or 4 inches to play with."  A pit breach was by now inevitable, but everyone was hoping it would happen later and not be very deep. 

We started the show, with the first 30 mins being peppered with water and flood gags.  I even did my opening skit in wellies and brolly in hand.  We had mention of life jacket jokes, the sisters 'floating up to Hardup hall' and audience members being washed away.  By the time we got to the interval however, the situation was beginning to worsen.  We had an LX (electrical) failure in the pit, leaving the band without any lights and the show relay had gone down, meaning Vicky was delivering calls by foot.   For what would by no means be the last time today, the crew jumped into action, managing to get the lights back on and the relay, relaying! 

During the interval another check on the alley alongside stage door saw the water reaching the second step and the KA was now covered halfway up its rear window.  The Brit had to close as the water had now got to the top of their stairs and into their terrace area, alarmingly close to the front doors.  By mid evening these doors will be no match for the rising waters.  The Brit no longer ruled the Wey! 

Word came through during the second act that the pit had now started to flood.  The levels had risen so much in the substage the only place it had left to go was into the pit.  We finished the show, the curtain came down and we were asked to remain on stage, as Jamie Barber, the show producer and theatre director came on from the wings to tell us some sad news.  "Thank you for your efforts today and for another great show, but unfortunately I'm going to have to cancel this evenings performnce, which is very sad but people safety comes first - I can't do it.  So please go home early, have a nice Christmas, put please, please make sure you are back here in plenty of time on Boxing Day in case we need to rework anything."

A few people commented, "Oh I bet you're happy!! You wanted to cancel!" But that wasn't the case, I just knew from the off that there was no way we could get through both shows.  It was in fact very saddening to cancel the Christmas Eve performance, as it's always a good audience and the cast are on a natural high, but as said safety comes first.

The crew sprung into action again, quickly removing all the band's equipment from the pit.  They were positioned in the stage left wing, where they have remained.  I took a wonder around the theatre and took a few pictures.  By now our little KA had about 2 inches of roof showing and the theatre gardens were underwater.  Myself, PG and Robert had to walk all the way around the one way system up bridge street as by now the main bridge at the bottom of the high street had been closed and water was spilling into the road! resulting in closures. Word of accidents and gridlock were filling the air, and again the panic set in.  Would we all get out of Guildford?  

I picked my car up and headed back to the Mount to try and skip some of the traffic.  The sight that lay before me was astonishing. I pulled in to get a quick snap.  The church that I had been sat in only 7 hours earlier was no surrounded by water, and the neighbouring pubs were awash.  

By about around 5pm the water was just reaching the walls of the theatre cafe/restaurant, the mill studio was a complete mess and the water had risen so much in the alley and by the turbine that it had circled the theatre cutting off the main entrance. 

I remained at the theatre, for a while longer, wrapping the remainder of my presents, and left after loading the car.  As I said my goodbyes the water in the pit was now pouring in, over the radiators and filling it up rapidly.  The crew had made a raised gangway out of wooden palates and planks so that you could access the theatre foyer without getting wet, and the F.O.H staff were outside informing the arriving audience of the bad news.

I managed to get into London, Pick sandy up and make it back to the Midlands by 1am.  It had been a very long day, lots of drama, lots of panic and a lot more driving.... So the pint of John Smiths on arrival was much appreciated!! Thanks mom and dad!! 

JB - BB