I start the day usually with porridge or scrambled eggs made for me by my assistant Chad who I met when I was in New Zealand working on a documentary, when he assisted me. He’s very sympathetic and sensible so I invited him to work with me in the UK, so we are now saddled with each other for the duration of the Fringe! He gets very pissed off with me but is also very patient, kind and helpful. It’s like a trial marriage! I am currently teaching him how to make smoked salmon and cream cheese to give to my guests after the show!
During the rest of the day I prefer to see as few people as possible… I stay at home, sit in the garden, rest in the afternoon and go through my lines and maybe watch a bit of tennis on TV. I shut down at my age! I used to be up at 9am and go to the Traverse but now I must curtail my desire to go to the theatre as now I am older, I can’t do that otherwise my performance will lack sparkle.
I trundle up to the venue 15 mins before the show to get ready and I always meet the deaf signers who I have at all my shows. I have a drink of water, a pee and then I am ready. My bladder is notoriously weak but so far, no whoopsies during the show! The show is 50% Dickens and 50% me and I always get really nervous and have a sick bucket ready at the side of the stage. I want to get good reviews, but I am past the day of sucking off anyone to get them, so I just have to deliver a good show! After the show I love to go and watch other shows but only afterwards – I have to be super disciplined.
Margolyes and Dickens: More Best Bits, Pleasance at EICC, 9-24 Aug (not 18, 21), 6pm