Shopping Judith Hidden Dragon

Two days of dashing about! Yesterday started with a visit to the picture framers to finalize my order for the two pictures which hang on the walls in the Chinese restaurant set. I went through my specifications, choosing the frame, what size it should be, the colours of the two mounts – red and black- and the type of glass I require. I could see the person assisting me looking puzzled, “Where are the pictures that you want framing?” she asked, looking to see if I had them secreted about my person. “I haven’t painted them yet.” I said.

When we go shopping for the theatre we often have to do a lot of explaining! In this case I have spent several fruitless hours searching the internet for Chinese pictures of scary-looking dragons, tigers or even eagles, any of which would relate to the predatory nature of the salesmen in Glengarry, but I have had no luck. I’ve also been to various Chinese shops and wholesalers but ferocious beasts are obviously not the in thing when it comes to pictures. So I have reluctantly decided that I will have to paint my own menacing creatures and to this end, have bought a book of Chinese pictures to give me some ideas, some rough cream coloured paper and a bottle of black ink. Tomorrow’s job will be to create the works of art!After the picture framers, I dashed into town to the Library for a fitting with Richard, who plays Roma in the play. The tailor, Barry, came over from Leeds bringing with him the stone coloured suit which he is making for us. It is going on extremely well, as you can see in the photo. The trousers were a perfect fit, and the jacket only needs minor alterations: Richard seemed to be very pleased and particularly liked the colour. He also tried on the shirt and shoes that I told you about in my last up-date and they were a perfect fit, so undoubtedly worth the money!

Then I went over to Liverpool to see the set builders and we took a van to collect the office furniture from this huge rotting warehouse where I found some good stuff last week. The proprietor handed over the furniture and I handed over the cash in a brown envelope, Back at the set builders, I talked over the painting of the Glengarry set with the scenic artist who had come up to meet me. It turned out that he had painted a set of mine a few years ago so we had a bit of catching up to do. Back to Manchester then, for a meeting about the Gala with which we plan to celebrate our last night in the theatre at the Central Library.
Today I have been out propping again, finding chairs and 80’s glasses. Not the sort you drink out of but the ones you wear! A few years ago I discovered a marvellous place on Cheetham Hill which stocks a weird selection of old spectacles alongside perfectly normal new ones. I borrowed about 6 pairs, and then I took them back to try on the actors who have requested glasses. Paul, David and Leigh all found a pair they liked, so another successful trip, another problem solved and another day nearer to the first night!