Morning All.
I now understand that old well used phrase 'Life in the fast lane'. It was certainly a fast lane yesterday.. indeed so fast that my car was smashed into from two sides when going round a roundabout in Barking, the car laden with hot food for the ARKA reception. Ah life!
What a day - attempting to make the impossible possible. When you have no funding for a project, apart from the generous donations to the crowdfunding campaign you have to rely on goodwill, sheer energy, commitment and yes love! And these were there in abundance yesterday. There is something extraordinarily special when a community comes together to make something happen - the achievement of the project itself, but most of all the sense of human beings at their best, giving of themselves and their talents fully.
The day began with realising I had lost my Arc studio keys - not a great start potentially as we needed to get in and get started. But solutions are always to be found and eventually I managed to get in. Thanks to Anula, Maciej and Michael the space was organised. And to Chris and Steve my technical team who were in early to make a theatre - looking great guys!
Shortly after Amari arrived to cook, and a quick trip to Lidl provided us with all we needed to feed 30 people for two days! And all for the handsome sum of £89! So back to my flat (no industrial kitchen here) and Amari got going, cutting, dicing, cooking. Food with that special ingredient - love and some good spices too!
Then off to a quick meeting at the Civic Centre with the Chief Executive organised my friend Cllr Cameron Geddes, who has frankly been totally brilliant in supporting this whole Polish project and saving me thousands by organising the accommodation and transport for our 24 Polish guests. Couldn't have done it without him.
Back home to pick up Amari and Anula plus great pots of food and off to meet our guests at Butler's Court in Dagenham escorted by Maciej after a long journey from the Edinburgh Festival. One slight hitch presented itself in the mix - I had a crash, well someone smashed into the front and another the back of my limping little car, and hey presto we have a problem - hot food, shaken up passengers and the challenge of getting there. Time was of the essence and needless to say speeded up just when I needed to breath slowly! But a taxi soon came and whisked us off to Dagenham, accompanied by the driver telling us all about his Eid celebrations, a lovely and calming distraction from the chaos we had entered into.
The Poles were happily settling into their lovely rooms at BC and Amari got going with the food - only to realise that we had left all the rice at home! Heyho - another little challenge, but plenty of bread did just the trick. Our guest were welcomed by my team Anula, Maciej, Amari, Val and Ann all stalwart volunteers, and Cameron of course. A short welcome by me and some words in Polish from Cllr Phil Waker and we were on our way.
A trip back to Barking with the hardcore Polish tech team still working after 20 hours with no sleep. Keys sorted thanks to Theresa and we finally got to sip a glass of wine by 9.30 pm. Phew! we did it.
I have to say the most wonderful thing was the overriding sense of team and good will and yes sheer delight and fun in a task shared and achieved. There ain't nothing like it.
So another day begins ... and what does this one promise? More shopping, cooking, eating, making theatre and hoping that all this effort will bring in our much needed audience. I have faith it will.
So coffee now and toast with Anula and Maciej and off we go! Thorpe Park has nothing on this.
Have a good one y'all and hope to see you at one of the shows - it will be a real treat all round - promise.
Remember - call 0208 594 1095 to reserve your tickets - or book online
I now understand that old well used phrase 'Life in the fast lane'. It was certainly a fast lane yesterday.. indeed so fast that my car was smashed into from two sides when going round a roundabout in Barking, the car laden with hot food for the ARKA reception. Ah life!
 |
| Amari,Val and Ann- The girls! |
The day began with realising I had lost my Arc studio keys - not a great start potentially as we needed to get in and get started. But solutions are always to be found and eventually I managed to get in. Thanks to Anula, Maciej and Michael the space was organised. And to Chris and Steve my technical team who were in early to make a theatre - looking great guys!
Shortly after Amari arrived to cook, and a quick trip to Lidl provided us with all we needed to feed 30 people for two days! And all for the handsome sum of £89! So back to my flat (no industrial kitchen here) and Amari got going, cutting, dicing, cooking. Food with that special ingredient - love and some good spices too!
 |
| My sad broken car |
 |
| Val, Anula, Maciej, Amari, Ann and I |
 |
| Cllrs Geddes and Waker talk about important things! |
A trip back to Barking with the hardcore Polish tech team still working after 20 hours with no sleep. Keys sorted thanks to Theresa and we finally got to sip a glass of wine by 9.30 pm. Phew! we did it.
I have to say the most wonderful thing was the overriding sense of team and good will and yes sheer delight and fun in a task shared and achieved. There ain't nothing like it.
So another day begins ... and what does this one promise? More shopping, cooking, eating, making theatre and hoping that all this effort will bring in our much needed audience. I have faith it will.
So coffee now and toast with Anula and Maciej and off we go! Thorpe Park has nothing on this.
 |
| Renata - ARKA Artistic Director and I take a break! |
Have a good one y'all and hope to see you at one of the shows - it will be a real treat all round - promise.
Remember - call 0208 594 1095 to reserve your tickets - or book online
August 15th https://taleoftwoarcs.eventbrite.co.uk/
August 16th https://taleoftwoarcs2.eventbrite.co.uk/
August 17th https://taleoftwoarcs3.eventbrite.co.uk/
Or simply turn up and take your chance if the mood takes you! We'll be looking forward to seeing you.
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