Peoples Republic of South Devon

Inhale and Hold #5

July 13th, 2008

Matthew Robinson’s entry from Inhale and Hold’s second day of performance (July 11).

Today was the second day of performances, another interesting day. I left the B&B with Sarah and we eventually made our way to the canal basin at Tiverton. I sat in the back of the car entertaining Ernie (Sarah’s son) until we got there, slightly late.

On arrival we began setting up the performance space, but were told we might scare a horse?! We weren’t to keen on having a horse running us down, so we decided to move a bit further up the canal. Although this did mean my lane in which I first dance turned into pretty mountainous terrain (ok, I’m exaggerating slightly). We got ready in the country park ranger station and I dosed up on coffee and ibuprofen (my back/shoulder was bad this morning) and covered my back in tiger balm before getting the swimming cap on for the first time today – it doesn’t get any easier.

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The performance went well. It was a great setting; Sarah described it as ‘very English’. The audience was very welcoming and I enjoyed Ernie trying desperately to join in. After the show we were called in for the obligatory press shots, fun as always, before de-rigging and packing up to move onto Hatherleigh this evening.

Between shows we found an M&S Simply Food. I think I bought half the shop, I was starving and have been living on pretty rubbish food for the last couple of days. We then headed for our new B&B, an interesting place called ‘Betty Cottles’, it’s full of comedy moments and the mention of the name makes me laugh every time. On arrival the B&B had not booked us in, so there was lots of confusion. Then we got to our rooms, and Chris had been given one the size of a small wardrobe, unlucky Chris! On using the bathroom (the one which about five rooms share) I got stuck and almost had to call for help – I did manage to get myself out though.

Moving on, we got back in the cars and headed for Hatherleigh. We arrived at the community centre where the local festival’s ‘day of dance’ has been taking place and set up again to be the opener for their evening mixed bill of dance. I really enjoyed this performance. The conditions were perfect and the surface we were dancing on was really good. I felt this was definitely my best performance yet, I felt able to take risks as my back was feeling a lot better as the day went on.

We headed for the pub after the performance before heading back the ‘Bettys’. We now think Chris’ room was the sauna when ‘Cottles’ was five stars as it has a radiator which wont turn off and Chris’ room is unbearably hot, what a place.

Anyway more performances tomorrow, these blog posts are stacking up and I really need to send them but internet access is becoming a problem. I hope this gets posted soon.

- Matthew

• To get in touch with the dancers, email: inhale_and_hold@peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk
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Sunday July 13, 2.00 pm - Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool
Sunday July 13, 5.30 pm - Tinside Pool, Plymouth

Read the earlier parts of the Inhale and Hold diary: Part One; Part Two: Part Three; Part Four.

Entry Filed under: Arts