'Gray’ has been a project full of bright potential since the initial, detailed planning phase, but with problems unfolding at every turn that had near-catastrophic consequences.
     University has served as both the greatest help and largest obstacle in the development of this performance, with time being unfairly taken from my availability, and reducing the rehearsal period significantly. Add to that one actress dropping out over her concerns with her A-Levels (understandable) and another simply not turning up to a single rehearsal (moronic) have left the cast a great deal smaller than I ever remember there being.
     Thankfully, the winds blow both ways, and I gladly welcome Grace Williams to the cast, filling the role of Sybil ‘Syd’ Vayne, in place of Emily Fretwell - whom we all wish the best for her upcoming exams.
     But it seems that Victoria Wotton is dead - at least in the sense that she will now not feature in the play beyond mention. Time is constantly pressing, and the search for a replacement for the role may have affected the play’s overall quality. To speak in metaphors, one perfect rose is greater for the absence of the (sometimes) less-than-perfect 11 that would usually accompany it.
     In the case of 'Gray’, it is most definitely better to to try and be the single rose, than the dozen.
     Though I would settle for 'Gray’ being a sub-standard rose; it would be better than a Corpse Flower.

Steamproof^©