A Theatre group with no theatre. Life on the road in the 70’s and 80’s and how we survived. A roadshow Journal with photos taken on the hoof by Sheila Burnett

We are a group of 9 actors, one director, one lighting man and one dramaturg, 2 Americans, 2 Brummies’ 1 Dutchman, 6 Londoners 1 German and 2 doves.

Rehearsals start at an old warehouse in Zargmolendrift down by the canal. We meet every morning at 10.30 no one is late ever, not even the mosquitos! We finish at 6.0pm every day apart from Saturday & Sunday which we have off. Seven of us live in a place that used to be an office, we take it in turns to cook each evening. Five actors live in another place not too far from central station. When we move in, we have no furniture so all our furniture comes from the Theatre’s storage, relics from old productions. We have beds a table, chairs, kitchen with a fridge full of Jenever and a dart board. I cut my teeth on Dracula the first of 2 horror shows and my first stab at acting. I learn lots, I learned I could not sing & I could not remember lines. If it wasn’t for a few kind words from the Mickery photographer, my fate with the Pip Simmons Theatre Group may well have ended here.

I write a postcard to my Mum letting her know all is fine.