It has been a year of many changes. As I look towards 2019 and my seventieth year
on the planet it is a really good time to reflect on change and to accept that
there are some things that I can no longer do easily in the way I have been
used to, and others that I should be doing to make sure I can continue working
in the profession I love.
The first one of those is a decision to come down
permanently from the knife-juggling chair balance routine. Those who experienced my fall on the second
day at Shrewsbury Flower Show this year were amazed I could carry on with the
show. I was amazed myself, but I suppose
I just leapt into full adrenaline-fuelled mode and there was only a short way
to go before the end anyway. Someone
sent me a video but I still haven’t dared watch it. The hat was the fullest I
have ever had, so thank you. I have
mused on that hat for a while… perhaps I should fall over more often?
So if I’m not climbing up chairs what am I
doing? It hasn’t been difficult to
decide. I have so many routines buried
in the repertoire, many of which are only half finished, so I have been
developing those. I’ve also tried to be
closer to the audiences, by which I mean to be more accessible during the show,
maybe that means being more human.
Making eye contact, stopping to notice particular reactions, talking to people. I’m also planning another height adventure,
but this time without the danger.
Something I’ve been toying with for a while. And that’s enough from Tantalus.
The first season without Mimi and Blue alongside
me. This has been hard in many ways and
if I didn’t know it was right for them it would be much harder, but little Mimi
has had a lot of health challenges after the Rushden accident and its
after-effects. It turns out she has a
heart murmur, an enlarged liver and other issues so all in all she is much
better off on the sofa with Blue and Hilary, having lovely hand-cooked dinners
and sitting in her dog pram (yes, really) while Blue trots alongside for half
the walk in the park. She then gets out and walks back for the exercise and
because her dinner is waiting at home.
When I’m there I love pushing her in the pram. She looks like a Queen, which she is,
surveying her kingdom and receiving all manner of comments (most of them kind)
and laughter from other walkers on route.
But I do miss them in the lorry and in the show. I still do see them a
lot when I am in Chester and staying with Hilary. They will join the long list
of famous personalities who have once trod the boards with Mr Alexander.
As will The Old Time Rags, who after a lovely short
season of shows with me on the stage have decided to develop their own stage,
built on to the back of their live-in van.
They have been fantastic companions this summer and we have all learned
from each other, which is how it should be.
I wish them great luck as they develop their careers together in this
strange business. Another change in that
I am welcoming other performers to join me on the stage, after years of going it
alone. My role will to become the Master
of Ceremonies, the Barker, the Stepright (‘Step right this way, ladies and
gentlemen’). And of course the stage
putter upperer. Which has been made a lot easier now with the addition of four
hydraulic jacks, remotely controlled, which lift the stage trailer up to the
required height and automatically level it.
Expensive kit, yes, but only on the day I bought it. And ever since I’ve loved the ease,
especially at the end of the day when I just press a button on the remote and
we’re ready for the road.
Another bit of good change news is that Martin
Orbidans, Mr Alexander’s Accompanist, the Queeen’s Pianist, will be making a
comeback in 2019. He is currently living
abroad and will continue to commute by air at the beginning and end of the
season. He is coming over in mid-May and
will stay until September, working every show with me. I have found him a lovely little vintage Carlight
caravan to live in which will sit behind my car, allowing us a vehicle on site
sometimes to escape from the showground.
It’s very exciting and I am beginning to think up a range of routines
which will be all the better for live music.
So all change, all good and all the best
from a road near you,
Mr Alexander
