So, we were up in Edinburgh last year (2014) with ‘Hiraeth’. It was the first time for us to perform it in it’s final complete state. It was the first time for me to ever perform in Edinburgh in front of that international audience it’s so famous for. No wait, it was the first time for me to perform. Ever.
At the time, my main thoughts were, ‘Are people going to like me?’, ‘Max is an actual actor. He knows what he’s doing’, ‘I really regret putting me and Max in wooly jumpers’, ‘Well, after this month of failure, I’ll just have to accept this is the end of my career in the arts. I’ll move to Canada and live like Bear Grylls. No, Ray Mears. Bear Grylls is a fake. Maybe I am a fake? Maybe I should be Bear Grylls?’, ‘What if I start hiccuping during the show?’, ‘I think my life expectancy has dropped 10% over this month with the Scottish diet’…You know, that sort of stuff.
But then the audiences were really nice, and the reviews were really nice. Even Lyn Gardener. I remember seeing her sat right in the middle of the row staring at us and she was glowing. It was either because of her super power of either making or breaking you or there was some dodgy lighting which was casting over her. But anyway, even she gave us a good review (a some decent quotes!).
We were about 3/4 of our way through the Fringe, and we were in the Underbelly bar, rehydrating after the show with a nice cold pint of Crabbies, and giving ourselves notes. Jesse, the director wasn’t there for the whole month, but whenever we did notes after the show, we would always imagine him like Mufasa from Lion King, always looking down at Simba (i.e me and Max) giving wise words. (Jesse is still alive by the way). When Sarah, the producer, turned to Max and myself and asked-
“HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GOING TO NEW ZEALAND WITH ‘HIRAETH’?”
(this bit is in capitals, bold and underlined because of how important and cool this sentence is.)
Turns out, loads of people from New Zealand and British Council came to see the show and wanted us to go out to New Zealand with it! Pretty jammy…
So, it’s one year on. Everyone is up in Edinburgh and we’re looking back at how much that month really changed everything for us. But we are also now at the point of looking forward…To NEW ZEALAND!
– Flights are booked
– Van is booked
– Visas are sorted
– World Rugby Cup tickets are resold on ebay
We’re ready!
This will be the first time for me to head south of the equator. The first thing I will do is turn as many taps on and see whether the water does flow the other way. I need to see it with my own eyes. Next thing is…get to work! We will be touring around New Zealand for 8 weeks. Both islands, North and South, doing a mixture of festivals and smaller venues.
When we’re out there, myself, Max, David and Tom (our production manager), will be performing the show, hosting the ‘twmpath’ and giving them a proper night out- the Welsh way! The only difference this time is that I’ll be making the welsh cakes. I’ve packed my electric hot plate and tattoos my Mam’s recipe to my forearm and I am ready for 2 months of baking across New Zealand!
I really can not wait to meet the rural communities out in New Zealand. I’ve grown up through my teens going to Young Farmers Club hearing stories of New Zealand’s farms. The way they farm out there is so different to what I’m used to, but we also have so much in common. They have the same issues- from the young generation of farmers moving to the cities for a more stable future, to the price of milk. They also have the same sense of humor so I’ve been told! It’s incredible to think that a small story from a farm on West Wales could relate to a farm in Wairarapa.
Although most of the trip is sorted, we still need to book our accommodation. Here comes the begging bit…We have got a Crowdfunder and would love it if you could help us out. Just enough to cover a bed for us for the 7 weeks. From £1 to £100- anything and everything (well maybe not everything, we don’t want your unused garden furniture. Keep it, we might have a summer next year. Or a nice September!) will really help us out. If you would like to donate, please go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2055767769/help-get-hiraeth-to-new-zealand
The tour of New Zealand is supported by Wales Arts International, British Council New Zealand, National Theatre Wales TEAM and Ideastap. Thank you to you all! (But we still need a bit more money…)
If you know someone out in New Zealand (or you’re reading this in New Zealand), please get in touch on our facebook-https://www.facebook.com/BudJJCollective We’d love to you or your friend out there!
Now I’m off to practice making a batch of Welsh cakes!
Bud x