So, what did the kids in Korea think?

In the end it has all come in a rush...suddenly we are at our 'preview' day. We did a run in the morning, aftre some work with the new fabrics for the Brazil scene. It is improving, but still looking a bit clumsy, to be honest. But all that is overshadowed by the news that the visas have come through, and so there is a lighter feeling around.

Even the news that the run-through has been mentioned to some people as 3.00 and others as 4 is taken well, and the time is brought forward by an hour. Then some others arrive at 2, having had an e-mail with that time on!

Anyway, in the end we showed the play to about 40 people, including a group of about ten elementary school children, and then there was a long period of small groups of discussion, almost all of which was gratifyingly positive. For me, the play still seems clumsy at times, and we need to get to the real version of the fences and things like that, and also we need to integrate the music more. But it was really exciting to watch the children watching the heart of the play. They like the characters, they followed what was happening, and there was a good feeling, even when I was busy being anxious about the remaining problems.

After the run, Byung Ho took us for another great traditional meal, and although both he and Ayako seemed to be closing their eyes at times, there was some sense perhaps mostly of relief. We are coming to Birmingham soon, all of us, armed with visas, and a play which looks as if it will work, in Korea at least!

The focus switches for a while to practical things now, getting everyone, and the few props and costumes which are travelling with us, on the right planes at the right time. The Yoghurt machine-monster is rolling on..