Break a Leg – but not literally!

On Thursday 9th May, I attended The Lamproom Theatre Barnsley to watch The Lamproom MTC’s production of Priscilla Queen of The Desert. As usual I took a photo of the programme to post on Facebook, tagged the various members who are friends and put my usual “Break a Leg” message to them. Little did I know that somebody would take it literally.

The show went really well with all the principals proving why they had been given their respective parts. In fact, everyone on stage worked extremely well, as we have come to expect from this society.

The dancing, singing and acting was first class which the entire audience loved all the way through from start to the end.

Towards the end of the show, there is a floor show during which Bernadette, Tick and Felicia enter the stage in various costumes, one of which is a bathing costume and flippers. It was after this particular number, when all three, who had been dancing at the back of the stage as they had rehearsed, quickly raced off stage. This was when Robert Gordon, who was playing Adam/Felicia, fell and went over on his foot. He said he was not exactly sure how he did it as it was during a blackout.

Robert said he felt his foot and immediately thought he had just pulled a muscle. As a dancer, Robert said he is used to foot injuries and little twinges etc. He quickly took off his flippers, leotard, hair cap and sunglasses and put on his dress, wig, gloves and silver heels; he had no time to worry about his foot and whether it was OK or not!

Robert went on, continued on with the next scene, came off again and into his favourite costume for ‘Ayres Rock’ which included walking boots. It was at this point that Robert thought he had really hurt his foot. Robert said trying to pull on the walking boots was a bit of a struggle, but as they were at the point to get onstage the pain started to increase. As he waited for his cue, Robert started to test his foot by putting a little more weight on it, he thought: “If I can get past the Kylie medley there isn’t much walking to do during the number, ‘Up Where We Belong’,” which the show had been leading to and was his favourite number to perform.

Once the number had finished, Robert went outside to his dressers who told him he had broken his foot.

Robert said it felt different to a twisted ankle or sprain, he was asked what he wanted to do which he replied, “I have five minutes left and I’m finishing it in heels.” He squeezed into the shoes and did the finale, however that night he didn’t skip off as rehearsed, but had to walk off stage slowly.

Watching the show from my seat I could tell something was wrong, but I doubt that others in the audience would have spotted this and thought everything was fine.

Robert said Jacob Whitehead, who had been playing Tick/Anthony helped him upstairs and to undress and put an ice pack on his foot as it had swollen up at this point.

Robert went home, after someone had been to fetch his partner as he was unable to drive, hoping it was just a sprain and by the morning he would be fine, however by 5.30am the sole of his foot was black and Simon, Robert’s partner had to take him to A & E where it was quickly confirmed he had broken his 5th metatarsal.

At 10.12am, Robert rang Ashley Booker, the director of the piece to tell him the news.

At 10.52am, Robert got a call from Lisa Kendall, the society secretary, to confirm he would not be able to continue the show run, and a decision had been made that Ashley would go on in his place.

As can be imagined, Robert was devastated that after four months of dedicated rehearsals he would be unable to see the show out.

It was very fortunate that Ashley had not only directed the show but had previously performed in it twice, in the part of Bernadette and therefore knew the show inside out, plus he knew Felicia’s lines.

Robert arrived at the theatre, shortly followed by Ashley, who had taken time off work and started to prepare him for that evening’s performance, which included applying hair removal cream to his body and shaving his beard.

Once Ashley had been prepared, they moved on to the stage and tried on Robert’s costumes which had been tailored to fit him. Ashley had been to Primark to buy suitable items which he thought might be suitable if the costumes didn’t fit or couldn’t be altered.

The pair then moved to running the show, by which point Lee Caddick and Jacob, who played Bernadette and Tick had made it to the theatre where they ran the entire show. Robert said to his amazement, Ashley knew every line, every stage direction and very quickly picked up the choreography, which had been done by Joseph Hopkinson, brilliantly.

The show was very soon ready for curtain up, Robert stayed upstairs with Pete Lane, the MD, to sing with the ensemble. As Robert said, he wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else, other than actually on the stage.

Ashley went onstage on Friday evening and Saturday matinèe with Robert watching from upstairs. However, for the Saturday evening, he was offered a seat in the auditorium to sit with his friends from Crigglestone Community Theatre Company. Little did he know this had been planned in order that he could join Ashley, Lee and Jacob onstage to sing the finale number, ‘Up Where We Belong’.

Robert said, despite what happened, he had an incredible time and has made some fantastic memories and experiences. He also went on to say, the friendships he has made during this show will last a lifetime, plus he will be forever grateful to Ashley for stepping into the role of Felicia.

I also spoke to Ashley Booker who had directed this piece, who told me:“When I went backstage on Thursday evening to congratulate the cast on another spectacular performance, I saw Rob on a chair with a first aider and an ice pack on his foot,” he went on to say, “I was told it was sprained but a good night’s rest and painkillers and all will be good.”

Skip forward 12 hours and Ashley said, “I received a phone call from Rob, who was just out of A & E, who told me his foot was broken.”

Ashley said he contacted Lisa Kendall, the society secretary, who told him the committee had decided that with only 9 hours until curtain up, the only option was for him to take Rob’s place and go on as Felicia.

Ashley said: “With Rob’s support and a quick rehearsal with Lee and Jacob (Bernadette and Tick) I agreed. I can’t thank LMTC enough for the encouragement and unwavering support. I may have said the lines, sang the songs and did the steps, but I did it all for Rob.”

This is another example of community theatre at its best.

Les Smith

NODA North East

Regional Councillor