It's Lillian.
I know .......... it's been two months since I've posted anything on here, and I feel so guilty.
Let me get this out of the way:
'Merry Xmas & Happy New Year'.
I hope that this year brings all that you hope it might, and that God's love rains down on you all.
My christmas and New Year were quite relaxing;
I spent time just writing in my diary, going to church, ignoring Marcus' teasing, avoiding Mum's mollycodling, listening to Patience's gossiping, ignoring Daddy's false promises, watching Jack sneaking in & out, and eating Uncle Seymour's cooking ........ same old stuff, really.
But I think this year promises to be really exciting !
I've just spoken to Mike and Gerrard, and it seems that I've missed a few things;
it seems that they both went up to Manchester, in the mid-December snow, to visit Cheryl Martin (the potential director) for a few day's collaboration on 'Pattie-shop Diaries'.
Apparently, it was the first time that they had all got together to work on the project, and the first oppurtunity for Cheryl to hear the songs.
It seems that the 'creative juices' were really flowing because Mike, after discussing the piece with Gerrard and Cheryl, realised that there was a need for a specific song at a certain point in the script ......... so he woke up in the morning and wrote a 'great new song'.
As it was a 'song for trio', he taught it to Gerrard and Cheryl and after a few 'run-throughs' they all decided that it worked beautifully........ sounds like a great, creative atmosphere !
As Mike had taken his acoustic guitar along, he performed all the songs from the piece (in order), in front of both Cheryl and her visiting musician-nephew.
Apparently, Cheryl was 'pleasantly surprised' at the quality and scope of the 'soundtrack' and, having already engaged favourably with the script, was even more excited by the music.
Bearing in mind her experience, this bodes well for the on-going collaboration, and 'Pattie-shop Diaries' in general.
Mike and Gerrard left Cheryl's place (after a a couple of days) with all parties even more excited and optimistic about the creative aspects of the piece ......... Yay!
Mike and Gerrard then reminded me that a decision from Arts Council is imminent, regarding the funding for the 'Pattie-shop Diaries' 30-minute excerpt/presentation.
They say that, if the application is unsuccessful, the planned presentation will still go ahead,
even if they have to continue to call-in favours from friends and colleagues.
They say that's how things have progressed thus far ('on a wing and a prayer'), so I'm sure that the people who have believed in it up to this point will carry it a little further, if necessary.
Apparently the showcase is already booked and earmarked for:
Albany Theatre, Deptford on May 21st 2010 (time t.b.c.)
They do, however, want the funding to be successful because:
a). they want to pay the actors, director, etc.
b). they want to pay to make a mini-documentary film for use on-line & on dvd,
c). they want to record the soundtrack for use onstage, on-line, & cd, and ......
d). funding would mean that the showcase would look and sound better, making it more likely that potential investors/theatres might take the project further.
It all sounds very exciting, and I can't wait for the news that the proposal has been accepted.
I have faith because I believe God wouldn't have put so much in place for it now to be wasted.
However, in the midst of creation there is demise;
Mike has informed me that his Step-father, Mr. Claudius Leon Phillips (who had been ill for some time and was in England recently), died of cancer early on Tuesday morning in a hospital in Tobago.
Apparently, he was a lovely (and loving man) who enjoyed playing keyboards, singing hymns, laughing, and being in the company of his family and friends.
He was lucky enough to have been loved and taken care of (in his last months, weeks, days, and hours) by Mike's mother, Carmen Phillips.
He told me that their devotion to eachother, in the midst of distress was palpable, and that her blinkered desire to care for him and show him love (both practical and emotional) in his time of need was a lesson to us all.
As I, too, sometimes suffer from pain and discomfort through my sickle-cell (although I acknowledge it is nothing in comparison to what Mike described), my heart goes out to his fallen Step-father, his mother, his brother (Timothy), and all the family and friends that are affected by this loss.
I understand that he was a God-loving christian and I know that he is in the comforting embrace of Almighty God now and forever ...... may he rest in peace. Amen.
Claudius Leon 'Phil' Phillips (29/07/1939 - 09/02/2010)
I understand that Mike is leaving for Tobago next Wedneday, 17th February (for the funeral), and will not be returning until 3rd March.
Well, I wish him and his family all the best and I hope that, upon his return, there will be great news concerning 'Pattie-shop Diaries'.
After all ..........
'The Lord says that he will give us no more than we can bear.'
Mike says that he would like to thank everybody who has helped practically, emotionally, and spiritually since the news was announced, and that the love & support is greatly, and humbly, appreciated (you all know who you are, apparently).
Gerrard will be 'holding the fort' in Mike's absence so I'm sure that, if any decisions need be made (or any information shared), he will step in to do so.
That's all from me (Lillian) for now, but I promise to write more frequently .........
it promises to be a very interesting and exciting year !!!!!!!
Take NOTHING for granted, cherish your Loved & your loves, and remember .........
'If we just sit and wait, nothing changes ........ just the date ! '
Bye for now.
Lillian x x x
